Twins drop split squad games to Orioles, Pirates

The Twins played not one, but two baseball games today—and lost both!

The “A-squad” stayed home at Hammond Stadium to take on the Orioles, who won 8-6. The saddest part about that is that the Twins were actually leading 6-5 going into the top of the ninth. It turns out Drew Rucinski is trash, as he was the one to give up the three runs. Also trash? Starting pitcher Phil Hughes, who served up three meatballs today to the Orioles pitchers in his five innings of work. He also gave up another not-home run run too.

Not trash? Definitely Jorge Polanco, who hit a freakin’ two-out grand slam! Booya! Byron Buxton also had a home run in the game, and it was one of the ones that goes over the wall.

The “B-squad” team traveled to wherever it is the Pirates play spring training games, and they lost too in a 4-3 game. Since it was a split squad game, the WBC is going on, and pitchers are blowing out their UCLs like candy, Ryan Vogelsong actually started this game. He gave up three runs in 2.1 innings of work before he was yanked from the game. Good news though: Reports are he’s actually much more in the running for that fifth rotation spot!

The cool things that happened in this game were that Daniel Palka and Travis Harrison both hit home runs, and—I poop you not—Matt Hauge hit three doubles. Who put a nickel in him?

Notes

• Ervin Santana is debating whether to leave camp to pitch with the Dominican Republic team in the WBC Tuesday. Apparently this is something players can just do?
• Daniel Palka walked for the seventh time this spring today, which is the most of any Twins player.
• Jose Berrios pitched for team Purto Rico today. He game up home runs to John Andreoli and—get ready for this one--Drew Butera.
• Danny Santana stole two bases today and didn’t even get picked-off once!