Simmons makes spring training debut in Twins 8-5 loss to Braves

Andrelton Simmons made his spring training debut in the Minnesota Twins 8-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday.

Simmons was flawless in the field and went 0-3 in his three at-bats.

After Atlanta put three runs on the board in the first three innings, Minnesota exploded for five runs in the fourth.

Ryan Jeffers hit a sacrifice fly, Kyle Garlick and Keon Broxton smacked RBI singles, then Luis Arraez smoked a two-run double down the right field line to make it 5-3.

Hitters hit

Luis Arraez clears the bases and the #MNTwins lead! pic.twitter.com/nNUAaWCttZ

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) March 12, 2021

The Braves added five more runs in the seventh and eighth inning to get the win.

Minnesota starting pitcher Michael Pineda recorded five hits, one walk, one earned run and six strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. Relievers Lewis Thorpe, Alex Colome and Taylor Rogers pitched scoreless frames from the fourth through sixth innings.

The Twins will be in action on Saturday at 12:05 p.m. against the Tampa Bay Rays. That game will be televised on FOX Sports North.