FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Twins first baseman Joe Mauer’s error in the eighth inning led to two runs that lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-1 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday.
Mauer, who has three more spring training games to complete his conversion from a three-time Gold Glove-winning catcher to a full-time first baseman, bobbled a ball hit by Travis Snider with two outs and the bases loaded. The error allowed Tito Polo and Jordy Mercer to score the tying and go-ahead runs.
Oswaldo Arcia hit a solo home run, his second of spring training, for the Twins off Pirates left-hander Tony Watson.
Ricky Nolasco, Minnesota’s opening day starter, struck out three in four scoreless innings to finish his first spring training with the team with a 5.50 ERA.
