Twins Top Phils, 12-5
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — New Phillies center fielder Ben Revere got off to a fast start against his former team.
Revere had two hits, scored twice and stole a base Wednesday in Philadelphia's 12-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
The Twins drafted Revere in the first round in 2007 and traded him to Philadelphia last December for pitcher Vance Worley and pitching prospect Alex Meyer.
"I just want to get on base and let Ryan Howard or Chase Utley or Delmon Young or whoever come in and hit me in," Revere said. "I've got guys who have been MVPs behind me. I just want to get in scoring position, and one of those guys can hit me in."
Revere hit .294 with a .333 on-base percentage last season for the Twins. He stole 40 bases.
"That was weird, seeing him standing over there," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It was definitely weird seeing him in that uniform because he had been with us for a long time in a Twins uniform."
Aaron Hicks, who hopes to inherit Revere's old job, doubled and singled. He drove in two runs for the Twins and scored once.
"I've known Revere since I got drafted," said Hicks, picked in the first round in 2008 and now in his first big league spring training camp.
"Now we're on opposite teams now. It definitely makes things feel a little more real. If anything, I just want to have fun out there. I just want to enjoy my surroundings," he said. "Once you get into big league camp, it's a lot different than just coming over here for one or two games."
Hicks is competing with Joe Benson and Darin Mastroianni for the chance to play center and lead off. Mastroianni played 77 games for the Twins last season and Benson had 21 games in the big leagues in 2011.
Revere said he would follow how that competition played out.
"I played with Mastroianni all through the minor leagues," Revere said. "I know Hicks. And Benson is a five-tool guy. It's going to be interesting what they do. They've got three good guys there."
Twins starting pitcher Kevin Correia left Fort Myers for San Diego after the start in order to be with his wife for the birth of their third child. He gave up three runs on five hits and two walks in 2 1-3 innings.
Gardenhire said Correia may have been distracted.
"Correia, I think he was probably a little frustrated," Gardenhire said. "I think he has a lot on his mind right now. But we'll get him back here after he takes care of some business in San Diego, and we'll get him rolling again."
Correia said this was an improvement from his first spring start, when he gave up one run and two hits against the Orioles on Saturday.
"I felt better than I did my first outing," Correia said. "As my arm strength gets a little bit stronger, my pitches are going to get a little bit better," Correia said. "I definitely have a ways to go. I felt considerably better arm and body-wise than a few days ago when I pitched."
Phillies starting pitcher John Lannan gave up four hits, a walk and one run in two innings.
NOTE: Phillies LHP Cole Hamels is scheduled to start Thursday against Atlanta. ... Ryan Doumit hit a three-run homer for the Twins. Josh Willingham had three hits.
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