JUPITER, Fla. • Mike Leake, working the first four innings on Monday, was everything the Cardinals expected when they signed him to a five-year, $80 million deal. And more.
Sinkerballer Leake got four infield grounders (one actually was completed from short right field) as he retired the first 10 Minnesota Twins. The other six were strikeouts.
Leake ultimately allowed one hit and nary a run in four innings. Seung Hwan Oh completed his fourth hitless outing and lefthander Dean Kiekhefer had his fourth straight scoreless game.
But Seth Maness,who hadn’t pitched for a week because of some are soreness, was cuffed for two runs in four hits in the fifth as Minnesota posted a 5-3 win.