TWINS 4, PIRATES 1
at Fort Myers, Fla.
Friday, March 14

Twins at the plate: Carlos Gomez doubled to lead off the game and hit a triple in the third inning, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. Craig Monroe delivered a sacrifice fly to left field in the first, scoring the Twins' first run of the game. Joe Mauer scored two runs and drove in another with a sac fly to center in the fourth. Michael Cuddyer was 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles, raising his spring average to .357 in 10 games.

Pirates at the plate: Luis Rivas doubled twice, including an RBI double to left in the fifth to score Nate McLouth from first. Doug Mientkiewicz singled twice and Jason Bay went 0-for-4 in his four plate appearances.

Twins on the mound: Boof Bonser pitched four scoreless innings in his third start of the spring. He allowed just three hits while walking one and striking out three in the outing. Right-hander Matt Guerrier gave up one run on two hits in his one inning. Joe Nathan pitched one perfect inning, striking out two.

Pirates on the mound: Starter Ty Taubenheim gave up two runs on four hits while walking three over his three innings of work. Right-hander Bryan Bullington pitched three innings, giving up two runs on five hits. Left-hander Sean Burnett pitched one scoreless inning.

Grapefruit League records: Twins 9-7; Pirates 5-10

Up next: Kevin Slowey will make his third start of the spring on Saturday when he faces the Phillies in Clearwater. Slowey, who is battling for the fifth spot in the Twins rotation, will square off against Phillies right-hander, and former Twins prospect, J.D. Durbin. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. CT

Ian Snell will get the start for the Pirates as they face the Blue Jays in Dunedin on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET. Snell will face off against Toronto right-hander Roy Halladay. Matt Capps and Jonah Bayliss are also scheduled to pitch for the Bucs.