Joe Mauer's hit helps Minnesota Twins defeat New York Mets 4-3 – MLB Update
Joe Mauer put in a brilliant performance as he finished up with a primary hit as the Minnesota Twins defeated the New York Mets 4-3 at Hammond Stadium in Florida on March 16.
Mauer required just two throws for the victory of his team. He played as the designated hitter after recovering from the off-season injury on his left knee and went 1-for-3. The All-Star catcher is projected to play in the game for first time in Minor Leagues.
Joe had a hitting average of .327 with nine homers and 75 RBIs during 2010. His best season was in 2009 as compared to 2010, with an average of .365, 96 RBIs and 28 homers. He also won the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 2009.
Mauer, a three-time American League hitting winner, felt relieved from his performance. He has used up the first week of spring season in training and working on the muscles above and below his knee.
After the workout session, Mauer said, "It felt like I had some ankle weights on my legs. I'm just a little tired. It's normal, going out there my first time for spring training. But overall it was good. But No. 1 is to get my legs back and to get back out
there and play."
Mike Pelfrey, a starting pitcher who made 15 runs with 9 at-bats had an ERA of 3.66 during the last season, was also content with Mauer's performance.
Pelfrey further said, “I thought I threw two good sliders today. One of them was his first at-bat. I threw a slider in, and he hit a rocker right up the middle. He's obviously Joe Mauer for a reason. He's pretty talented. He hit it right up the middle.”
Mike hit out one and offered three runs with nine hits in five innings. The Twins’ centre-fielder Denard Span struck a single home-run towards the right-field pole in the third inning to bind it one-all.
The Mets’ manager Terry Collins expressed his belief in Pelfrey and stated that he is at the step where he's demanding to do everything. According to Collins, Pelfrey is a player who can hold his team in every situation of the game.
The Twins managed to put in a tremendous effort as they restricted the Mets’ offence to hold on and take a much needed victory in the end. The Mets will be disappointed that they were unable to fight back and get their offence to provide some important runs
to support their pitching line-up. It will be interesting to see how the Twins carry their confidence into their next game of spring.
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