Dozier's Strong Start Helps Twins Beat Blue Jays 4-3
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Brian Dozier led off a second straight game with a hit and a run scored as the Minnesota Twins beat the Blue Jays 4-3 on Wednesday.
A day after scoring on a first-pitch home run against the Boston Red Sox, Dozier led off with a single, advanced to second on Danny Santana's single and scored on Joe Mauer's single.
"I'd rather have him swinging well than still trying to find it at this stage," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "And we have a lot of guys I think in that category."
The Twins added two runs in the second inning when Santana's triple scored Kurt Suzuki and Darin Mastroianni, who reached on consecutive one-out singles.
The Blue Jays batted around in the fifth inning, scoring three runs, including two RBIs by Casey Kotchman, and chasing Twins starter Ervin Santana.
"Feel great," Santana said. "Everything was down, good."
Dozier and Mastroianni each had two hits and scored a run, and Santana had three hits — falling a home run shy of the cycle — with two RBIs and a run scored.
Domonic Brown had two hits for Toronto.
STARTING TIME
Blue Jays: Ryan Tepera was added to Toronto's roster on Wednesday to work out of the bullpen. He got the start in this game, giving up a run on three hits with two strikeouts in one inning. Tepera was followed by seven relievers.
"Today was kind of a bullpen day for us," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "We're going to Montreal so we're not taking the relievers. So they got their work in. It's been a great camp. Great spring. Everybody performed well, so we're ready to go."
Twins: Right-hander Ervin Santana, in his final start before facing the Orioles in Baltimore on opening day, went 4 1/3 innings, giving up three runs, two earned, on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts, throwing 73 pitches.
"I didn't want to push it," Molitor said. "That inning was getting a little bit long, and he was throwing the ball fine. I think we all think he's ready to go so I didn't want to force the issue there."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Blue Jays: Right-hander Marco Estrada, who was delayed by a sore back early in camp, will begin the season on the disabled list. He is not scheduled to make his first start until April 10 against the Red Sox.
Designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, who had been sidelined by an oblique issue, saw his first game action on Monday and is expected to get into a game at first base later this week. The Blue Jays are still hoping he will be ready for opening day, but he will not make the trip to Montreal for exhibition games Friday and Saturday against the Red Sox.
CLOSING TIME
Gibbons announced that Roberto Osuna would remain Toronto's closer, over newcomer Drew Storen. Osuna, who had a strong spring training, won the job last season, his first in the majors, posting 20 saves and a 2.58 ERA in 68 appearances.
"That's a big part — familiarity," Gibbons said. "We know him well. I know him well. ... We'll see how it all shakes out in the end. If we need to make adjustments, we'll make adjustments."
Osuna entered against the Twins with two outs and no one on base in the fifth inning. He went 1 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
"We wanted to get him an inning plus, get four outs, so that's why we did that," Gibbons said.
Storen, who was acquired in a January trade with the Nationals, recorded 95 saves over parts of six seasons with Washington.
ROSTER MOVES
Blue Jays: Gibbons announced that Ezequiel Carrera made the team as a fourth outfielder over Junior Lake. RHP Ryan Tepera, Joe Biagini and Arnold will fill the final three spots in the bullpen. Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte and outfielder Darrell Ceciliani were optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays: Toronto has an off day Thursday and travels to Montreal for two exhibition games against the Red Sox, beginning Friday night when LHP J.A. Happ gets the start. Boston has not yet announced a starter.
Twins: In their final Grapefruit League game of the year, RHP Kyle Gibson will start as the Twins host the Red Sox on Thursday. RHP Clay Buchholz starts for Boston.
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