Noah Davis was stung by command issues against the Minnesota Twins, but it was another three-run home run that left a mark.
Luke Keaschall broke open a tied game with a three-run shot in the third inning, and Victor Caratini added a solo shot as the Twins cruised to a 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday in a Grapefruit League game before 7,363 at Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Fla.
Davis (0-2) allowed five runs on six hits and one walk but hit three batters and threw strikes on only 41 of his 73 pitches over four innings. The 28-year-old right-hander, a non-roster invitee to big league camp, spent part of last season with the Twins. He also surrendered a three-run homer in a 7-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles last Wednesday.
Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Davis walked Matt Wallner, gave up a double to Keaschall and Kody Clemens grounded into a fielder’s choice.
Henry Davis tied it when he singled to center to score Tyler Callihan in the third. But the Twins answered when Keaschall hit a first-pitch sinker 380 feet to left to drive in Wallner and Austin Martin for a 4-1 lead. With two outs, Noah Davis left a sweeper over the middle of the plate for Caratini, who homered 375 feet to right field to make it 5-1.
Wallner went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, Keaschall went 2 for 2 with three RBIs and Ryan Jeffers also had a multi-hit game for the Twins.
Nick Gonzales, who started at shortstop, went 1 for 3. He’s hitting .528 (9 for 17) in his past six games for the Pirates, interrupted by playing for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
Billy Cook went 1 for 3 and is batting .375 (6 for 16) with three doubles, two home runs and five RBIs in his last seven games.
Righty reliever Isaac Mattson didn’t allow a run in the sixth to extend his scoreless streak to 6 1/3 innings. He allowed only his second hit in 21 at-bats (.095) in his sixth appearance of the spring.
Note: Mitch Keller is scheduled to start against Lance McCullers Jr. when the Pirates play host to the Houston Astros at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday at LECOM Park in Bradenton.
