11°c A few clouds
18°c Sunny
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Cole De Vries fights for Twins' rotation job as Minnesota defeats Pirates 2-1
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Cole De Vries delivers to Pittsburgh Pirates' Alex Presley in the first inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game in Fort Myers, Fla., Saturday, March 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Cole De Vries knows he's pitching for a job.
Trying to earn a spot in Minnesota's rotation, De Vries gave up one run and three hits in three innings Saturday during the Twins' 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
"I'm going out there every day and competing like one of those spots is mine to lose, and go out there and attack as much as I can," he said. "I really feel that if I pitch my game I will have one of those spots."
De Vries is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA in 10 innings. Still, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire wasn't pleased De Vries threw 60 pitches and walked two.
"You have to do better," Gardenhire said.
Gardenhire also said De Vries was more impressive in his four previous outings. Coming in, De Vries had walked one in seven innings.
"I was kind of struggling a little bit with my control," De Vries said. "But I got through it. That's what matters."
De Vries was 5-5 with a 4.11 ERA last year in 17 games for the Twins.
"I think it did a ton," he said. "This isn't a brand new big league experience. .. This isn't anything compared to when you got to do in the season and there are 40,000 people in the stands."
He allowed a pair of leadoff doubles, both to Alex Presley.
"You go out there and that lead off guy either gets a base hit or a double, you're kind of on your heels a little bit."
Top Pirates prospect Gerrit Cole allowed one run and five hits in four innings, struck out four and walked none. The top pick in the 2011 amateur draft, Cole has a 3.60 ERA this spring training in three appearances over 10 innings.
Gaby Sanchez hit a sacrifice fly in the first, but Josh Willingham's RBI grounder tied the score in the bottom half. Brandon Boggs, a non-roster invitee to Twins camp, hit a go-ahead single off Kris Johnson with two outs in the eighth.
Twins centerfield prospect Aaron Hicks led off the game with a single, stole second and scored on Willingham's grounder. Hicks is batting .333 (15 for 45).
NOTES: Twins C Joe Mauer and LHP Glen Perkins are back with the team following the eliminated of the U.S. at the World Baseball Classic. Mauer is scheduled to play Sunday against Baltimore at Sarasota. ... Twins GM Terry Ryan said the centre field job likely won't be decided until the end of spring training. The candidates are Hicks, Joe Benson and Darin Mastroianni. ... The Twins optioned OF Oswaldo Arcia to Triple-A Rochester (IL). He hit .188 with a double and eight strikeouts in five big league games during spring training.
More Baseball
- Back to Top
- Return to Baseball
More Baseball
(1 of 23 articles for today)
Diamondbacks' Eaton ends rehab stint after twinge in injured elbow
2:29 PM 0PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks have ended Adam Eaton's rehabilitation stint in the minors after the young outfielder felt soreness ...
Poll
Most Popular Baseball
- Rain cancels game between Goldeyes and Amarillo
- Montreal renames street after 'Kid' Carter
- Goldeyes shuffle roster on road trip
- Fish thrust into eye of storm for opener
- Goldeyes general glowing
- Castro helps Astros slip by Pirates 4-2 in 11 innings
- AL Capsules
- White Sox chairman Reinsdorf recommends family succession plan that includes selling team
- 2013 Goldeyes schedule
- Dickey's wobblers save Jays
- Goldeyes shuffle roster on road trip
- Fish thrust into eye of storm for opener
- Rain cancels game between Goldeyes and Amarillo
- Goldeyes general glowing
- Fish prepping for opener in Texas
- Goldeyes send pair of players packing
- Dickey's wobblers save Jays
- Jays recall outfielder Gose from Buffalo, much to outfielder's surprise
- Manitoba at the bat
- Goldeyes sign rookie pitcher, release Osuna
- Goldeyes' hurler living the dream, even in nightmare of first pro outing
- Goldeyes general glowing
- Goldeyes shuffle roster on road trip
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
- Rift repaired, Little League and family of founder Carl Stotz collaborate on museum exhibit
- Fish thrust into eye of storm for opener
- Trial where ex-wife wants Dodger divorce settlement thrown out ends; ruling expected in summer
- Back at ballpark after being hit by line drive, pitcher JA Happ says 'I feel really fortunate'
- Rain cancels game between Goldeyes and Amarillo
- Fish prepping for opener in Texas
- Rockies INF D.J. LeMahieu works his way back to the big leagues, LHP Francis goes on 15-day DL
- 2013 Goldeyes schedule
- Happy campers
- Goldeyes' hurler living the dream, even in nightmare of first pro outing
- MLB suspends, fines umpires after acknowledging 2nd mistake in 2 days
- Goldeyes release pair of pitchers
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.