Hughes Struggles As Twins Beat Marlins
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Phil Hughes failed to last two innings for the second time in as many spring outings, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Miami Marlins 7-6 Tuesday.
Hughes, who issued just 16 walks all last season, has walked one each time out this spring. He had a four-pitch walk to light-hitting Don Kelly of the Marlins.
"I was just fuming," Hughes said. "I was probably going to get thrown out of the game if it wasn't spring training. I don't remember ever being that mad in a spring training game."
Hughes, set to start on opening day, struck out the side in the first. He had trouble commanding his signature cut fastball and needed 31 pitches to get two outs in the second, giving up a three-run homer to Jeff Mathis.
The Twins rallied from a 4-1 deficit and went ahead for good on Chris Herrmann's sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Outfield candidates Aaron Hicks Shane Robinson and Eddie Rosario each had two hits for Minnesota.
Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon, playing with his younger brother and father in attendance, singled and drove in a run. Nick Gordon was the Twins' first-round draft pick last June and is a Class A shortstop. Tom Gordon was an All-Star pitcher during 21 seasons in the majors.
The highlight of the day, however, came when Twins pitcher Mike Pelfrey fielded Adeiny Hechavarria's comebacker and tossed his glove, with the ball inside, to first baseman Joe Mauer for the out in the fourth. Pelfrey said the sharply hit ball was stuck in his mitt, forcing him to improvise.
STARTING TIME
Marlins: RHP Jared Cosart gave up three runs over the first two innings, including a leadoff homer to Brian Dozier in the first. Cosart, who hit 96 mph on the stadium radar gun several times, said he threw five or six changeups while allowing four hits and a walk overall.
"It's another weapon for him," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "In the big leagues, you can't just fire heaters at guys. He's got a great fastball. He's working on his changeup and offspeed pitches."
Twins: Hughes also has been working on his changeup at the urging of new pitching coach Neil Allen. Hughes, however, said he threw just one of them among his 45 pitches.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: SS Hechavarria returned to the lineup after missing a week with a tight right (throwing) shoulder. Hechavarria played the first five innings, doubled in two trips and helped turn a pair of double plays.
Twins: Closer Glen Perkins is scheduled to play catch off flat ground on Friday. Perkins, battling a strained right oblique, hasn't worked in a game since March 4 and had a bullpen session halted on Monday. "He's making progress," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said. "He's on the road back, which is good."
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Mat Latos, coming off an injury-plagued 2014 season, will make his Grapefruit League debut Friday against St. Louis. Latos threw a simulated game against New York Mets minor leaguers on Monday.
Twins: RHP Ervin Santana will make his second outing of the spring on Friday vs. Pittsburgh. He tossed two scoreless innings last time out.
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