Twins’ Shoemaker, Dobnak battle for fifth spot

Minnesota had some friendly competition from the bump on Friday in a 4-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

Twins pitchers Matt Shoemaker and Randy Dobnak, battling to fill the club’s fifth starting role, each gave up zero runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched.

Aside from Brandon Waddell’s four-run inning in the bottom half of the sixth, Minnesota’s bullpen actually seemed to be clicking — a stark contrast to what the Twins have demonstrated over their previous three outings this spring, during which they’ve been outscored 25-8.

There wasn’t, however, enough firepower from Minnesota’s bats to keep the seven-inning affair within reach. The Twins tallied just three hits, two from center fielder Keon Broxton, batting in the No. 8 spot.

Reserve outfielder Rob Refsnyder provided Minnesota’s only other spark of the afternoon, collecting a single in his lone at-bat.

The Twins will now gear up for Saturday’s Grapefruit League contest against the Boston Red Sox, who handed the club a 14-6 beatdown on Wednesday.