Lindblom impressive in Pirates’ victory
Minnesota Twins pitcher Aaron Slegers stands in the dugout in the sixth inning after giving up a home run in an exhibition spring training baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Fort Myers, Fla., Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Pittsburgh won 3-1. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Pittsburgh Pirates' Danny Ortiz looks to the sky after hitting a double as Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer looks on in the second inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game in Fort Myers, Fla., Wednesday, March 1, 2017. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Pirates right-hander Josh Lindblom tossed two scoreless innings and was backed by RBI singles from David Freese and Jackson Williams in a 3-1 win over the Twins Wednesday at Hammond Stadium.
“Just making steps in the right direction, working on a lot of stuff still,” Lindblom told MLB.com. “Trying to break some bad habits that I created last year. Each outing, I’ve been able to build, so it feels good.”
Joe Mauer made his spring debut for the Twins and was hit by a pitch from Lindblom his first time up. Mauer also walked and struck out.
John Jaso had two hits for the Pirates, including a home run.
Minnesota starter Kyle Gibson, who overhauled his delivery in the offseason and said his slider was “pretty bad,” lasted less than two innings, giving up two runs on six hits.
Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson, in his second Grapefruit League start, went 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk, but the bullpen followed up strong, allowing just one run on three hits in 7 1/3 innings.
Steven Brault and Trevor Williams, competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, will pitch for the Pirates as they face Justin Verlander and the Tigers today.