FORT MYERS, FLA. — The Twins are scoring in bunches, playing solid defense and getting steady performances from pitchers who weren't in their original rotation plans.
All three themes came together in Saturday's 15-3 victory over a split-squad Pirates team at Hammond Stadium.
Denard Span had four hits, and Joe Mauer and Brian Dozier had four RBI apiece as the Twins scored at least nine runs for the fourth time in five games.
They also played error-free defense again. They have committed the fewest errors in the American League this spring (15) despite playing the most games (31). Last year, they committed 119 errors, ranking second-to-last in the AL.
Anthony Swarzak held Pittsburgh to one run on six hits over six innings, with no walks and six strikeouts. Afterward, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Swarzak is heading to the bullpen, while Liam Hendriks, who has a 1.80 ERA this spring, gets a chance to fill in for starters Scott Baker and Jason Marquis.
"[Swarzak's] so valuable because he can come in and really save the rest of your bullpen," Gardenhire said. "And he can stretch out and start."
