FORT MYERS, FLA. – The players expected to make the Twins’ regular-season roster managed only three singles in 18 at-bats Tuesday and were shut out by the Phillies. But with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, five Twins minor-leaguers staged a dramatic three-run rally and salvaged a 3-3 tie at Hammond Stadium.
Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa return; Twins and Phillies play to 3-3 tie
Byron Buxton returned to center field, Carlos Correa debuted and the Twins had nine pitchers make an appearance before their minor leaguers staged a dramatic rally.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
February 28, 2024 at 12:11AM
Willie Joe Garry Jr., an outfielder who played at Class AA Wichita last year, smacked a bases-loaded, two-strike single to right field, scoring the tying runs and helping the Twins snap a two-game losing streak in Grapefruit League play.
The game was most memorable, though, for Byron Buxton’s first appearance in center field since Aug. 22, 2022. Buxton received a loud ovation from the 7,133 in attendance as he jogged to his position. He played four mostly quiet innings in center, with only a couple of base hits coming his way. Buxton chased down a two-out double by Phillies shortstop Trea Turner that reached the wall, but otherwise was not tested.
He went 0-for-2 at the plate, flying out to right field and striking out in an eight-pitch at-bat in the fourth inning.
Carlos Correa went 1-for-2 in his 2024 debut, but the Twins were mostly silenced by Phillies pitching — until the ninth.
Nine pitchers threw an inning apiece for the Twins, with Griffin Jax recording three strikeouts on 12 pitches in the second inning.
Only 34 years old, Jeremy Zoll has worked his way up the organizational ranks since coming to the Twins in 2018.
