Santana Sparks Offense, Twins Edge Marlins
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JUPITER (AP) – Danny Santana had four hits as the leadoff hitter, Phil Hughes struck out four and the Minnesota Twins beat the Miami Marlins 5-3 on Sunday.
Giancarlo Stanton had a long double and Michael Morse a two-run single for Miami. Dee Gordon went 3 for 3 with a run and a stolen base for the Marlins.
Hughes pitched 4 2-3 innings in his second strong start. Marlins starter Jarred Cosart gave up four unearned runs and six hits over four innings.
The Twins' first three batters in the lineup accounted for nine of their 11 hits overall. Jordan Schafer had three hits and two RBIs and Trevor Plouffe added two hits and an RBI.
"The top of the order was productive," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "Danny had a good day swinging the bat. Trevor got a couple of knocks and got a chance to play a couple of innings at first, so that was good. He gives us another option."
The best news for the Marlins came before the game started when it was annoucned that Christian Yelich a seven-year, $49.5 million contract. Miami holds an option for an eighth year.
STARTING TIME
Marlins: Cosart threw 75 pitches (40 for strikes) and conceded that he threw too many pitches again. "I felt better about my fastball but I still have some work to do over my next three starts," he said.
Twins: Hughes threw 74 pitches (49 for strikes) and Molitor said he was pleased overall with his outing.
"It wasn't a real clean line for him today," Molitor said. "You could see some frustration at times. He kept grinding. I don't have any concerns about him as far as how he's coming along this spring."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: Right-hander Henderson Alvarez continues to test Marlins manager Mike Redmond's stress level with his ailments. He injured his knee in Saturday's 4-2 loss at Washington but it doesn't appear to be serious. "Henderson Alvarez is fine. I just put my head down and just wait to hear how he's doing," Redmond said. "It was some sort of tweak. He's an entertainer. It seems like something always comes up every time he's out there but he did make a couple of nice plays, a bare-hand play on a groundball."
UP NEXT
Marlins: host the New York Mets, with righty Matt Latos getting the start against righty Jacob deGrom.
Twins: travels to Clearwater to face the Phillies with righty Mike Pelfrey getting the start.
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