PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- With only two starts before departing to join Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic on March 6, Twins left-hander Hector Santiago decided to use more offspeed pitches in his Grapefruit League debut, a 19-0 loss to the Rays on Tuesday, than he otherwise would have.
Santiago, who is tentatively scheduled to pitch against Team Mexico on March 11, gave up five runs on five hits, including two homers, in one-plus innings of work. Both homers came on screwballs, and Santiago said he had Curt Casali and Nick Franklin fooled on the pitches, but they got out in front and pulled them down the left-field line.