Astudillo goes yard, Twins defeat Pirates 5-3
Willians Astudillo clobbered a two-run homer in the second inning, and the Minnesota Twins defeated Pittsburgh 5-3 on Monday afternoon.
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Astudillo worked the count to 3-0 before getting the green light and mashing the ball over the left-field wall. Shortly after the game’s conclusion, it was announced “La Tortuga” made the club’s 26-man opening day roster. He went 2 for 3 on the day with two RBI.
Batting sixth and playing in center field, Jake Cave was the other Twins player to collect multiple hits, including an RBI triple in the fourth which gave Minnesota the lead for good.
Getting the start on the mound, right-hander Josh Winder — a 2018 seventh-round pick by Minnesota – allowed two runs on four hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Derek Law, Cody Stashak and Caleb Thielbar all worked one scoreless frame apiece. Matt Canterino, ranked as the Twins No. 8 prospect by MLB.com, finished the game by holding Pittsburgh off the scoreboard over two innings. He whiffed three batters and earned his first save of the spring.
The Twins will wrap up their Grapefruit League schedule Tuesday with an 11 a.m. tilt against the Pirates at Hammond Stadium.
