Orioles Pound Twins 11-1
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Carl Pavano's slow spring continues for the Minnesota Twins.
Pavano, the Twins' opening day starter, allowed six earned runs and eight hits in four innings and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Minnesota Twins 11-1 on Thursday.
Pavano's spring ERA is 6.11 through 17 2/3 innings.
"In the beginning (of the game) I was really lethargic, missing, leaving a lot of pitches up — and they were getting the good part of the bat on them and driving the ball, to left, to center," Pavano said. "It was just one of those days where I had to battle through it and get through my pitch count."
The 13-year veteran is accustomed to needing time to get ready for the season.
"I think having the miles that I have on me, it's a little more of a battle," Pavano said. "Sometimes it takes all of spring to really get ready for the season. Every year's a different year. And last year it took all of spring and all of April, basically, so this year I'm definitely further ahead as far as where I feel physically and mechanically."
Joe Mauer went 2 for 3 with an RBI for the Twins. He raised his spring average to .312, an encouraging sign after the four-time All-Star hit a career-low .287 last year while battling injuries.
The Orioles' offense was also strong as they finished with 14 hits and scored a spring team-high 11 runs.
Wilson Betemit went 3 for 4 with a two-run home run, Chris Davis homered and Xavier Avery went 3 for 4 with a double.
Wei-Yin Chen made his case for a rotation spot for the Orioles by allowing four hits and one run in five innings.
The native of Taiwan, who played the past four years in Japan, has given up five runs and 13 hits through 15 innings.
"He threw the ball well," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "As happens this time of year, the lineups get a little bit more formidable. He was real impressive today."
Chen is not focusing on where he's slotted just yet.
"Not really, because this is my first year," Chen said. "The only thing I want to do is the best I can to help the team. Right now, just to do my best every day."
Chen's bigger concern is figuring out the other lineups.
After giving up a pair of hits to Mauer, Chen was asked if he knew who the former AL MVP was.
The response: No. But he's working on it.
"This is a really great experience for me to learn Mauer and the other players, because they are really great hitters," Chen said.
Notes: The Twins returned pitcher Terry Doyle, a Rule 5 pick, to the White Sox on Wednesday. The club also reassigned pitchers Sam Deduno and Phil Dumatrait, catcher Danny Lehmann, infielder Ray Chang and outfielder Matt Carson to minor league camp on Thursday. ... Twins pitcher Scott Baker, trying to get over elbow tendinitis that has sidelined him for the past two weeks, pitched two innings of a minor league game, giving up one hit and striking out two. ... Orioles LHP Tsuyoshi Wada threw three innings in a Double-A game in Sarasota. He allowed one unearned run and two hits. ... Showalter and pitching coach Rick Adair didn't arrive until just before game time because of a traffic accident on I-75 near Venice, Fla.
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