The Minnesota Twins dropped a spring training game to the Miami Marlins Tuesday, falling 3-1.
The offense let the Twins down Tuesday as the team put together just four hits in the game. It was a rough day for highly-rated prospect Byron Buxton, he was 0-5 in the leadoff spot.
The Twins are giving the speedy center fielder some extra at bats to get a look at him.
Buxton told the Pioneer Press after the game that he felt his first big league spring training has been much of what he expected, but admitted he is still trying to adjust to the speed of the game.
“I am going to keep playing everyday like it’s my last,” Buxton told the newspaper.
First baseman Chris Colabello reached base in every at bat. He had a base hit and walked twice on the day, Darin Mastroianni was the only other Twin to reach base more than once on the afternoon.
Reliever Ryan Pressly was tagged with the loss. He gave up a home run in his one and a third innings of relief. Steve Chisek picked up the win for the Marlins.
Phil Hughes started and worked 2.2 innings, gave up two hits and a run, while striking out three. He was happy with the way he threw following the game.
“I hope that’s a big improvement for me,” Hughes told the Associated Press. “Everyone says these are exhibitions and you go through the motions and they don’t count, but for pitchers it’s really important to get these repetitions and build up arm strength.”
The Twins play the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. Mike Pelfrey is expected to make his second Grapefruit League start of the spring.
