Lynn boosts pitch count with 4 IP in minors game
Righty gets work in on back fields; Buxton, Adrianza come through vs. Phillies
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Right-hander Lance Lynn got in his work in a four-inning minor league intrasquad game on a back field at the Twins' complex on Sunday. He said he felt good afterward and he expects to pitch again in five days.
Manager Paul Molitor is still getting to know Lynn, who joined the Twins as a free agent on March 13. Molitor was able to watch a few of Lynn's innings before the Twins' game against the Phillies.
"It's a little different over there [on the back fields], when you go over there and pitch in one of those games," Molitor said. "But I don't think he was quite as sharp, command-wise, as he was the first day. But I got a chance to watch a couple of the innings from behind [the home plate fence], just to get an idea of how he's working."
Left fielder Eddie Rosario, out since March 4 with right triceps tendinitis, was one of the batters who faced Lynn. He struck out swinging at an elevated fastball.
"[Lynn's] ability to move it both ways and use the full width of the plate, you can tell he's got a really good idea of what he's doing," Molitor said. "But his command was just a little off. I think he was frustrated with a couple of walks. But I think he saved his best for [Rosario]. So I think we got [his pitch count] to where we wanted to, maybe a tick over even. So that was a good day for him."
Rosario played the field and got four at-bats in the game.
"I saw the throws on the base hit and the balls down the line," Molitor said. "He said, 'I overthrew the cutoff man, so I must be feeling pretty good.'"
This and that • Byron Buxton and Ehire Adrianza both tripled in the Twins' 4-3 win over the Phillies. Buxton went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Adrianza went 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
• The Twins committed another error Sunday, giving them 19 in 24 Grapefruit League games, leading to 22 unearned runs.
Up next The Twins travel to Bradenton on Monday to face the Pirates at 1:05 p.m. ET. Left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers is expected to start, allowing him an opportunity to face Major League hitters. Right-handers Tyler Duffey, Tyler Kinley and Trevor Hildenberger are also expected to pitch. The game will be broadcast live on MLB.TV.
Maureen Mullen is a contributor to MLB.com.
