x
Breaking News
More () »

Fernando Romero wins MLB debut for Twins, 4-0 over Blue Jays

Eddie Rosario homered for the Twins, who won for only the second time in their last 13 games.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Fernando Romero kept Toronto scoreless while pitching into the sixth inning of his major league debut for Minnesota, giving the Twins a badly needed boost in a 4-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Eddie Rosario homered for the Twins, who won for only the second time in their last 13 games. Romero (1-0) was a big reason why, striking out five in 5 2/3 innings while allowing four hits and three walks. Four relievers preserved the shutout, allowing only two singles the rest of the way.

Marcus Stroman (0-4) had his best performance in six turns for the Blue Jays this season. It his longest appearance and his first with fewer than four runs allowed. The right-hander, who turned 27 on Tuesday, gave up six hits, two runs and one walk in seven innings. He struck out five.

After four of nine games were wiped out by wintry conditions during their first homestand this year, the Twins finally enjoyed some ideal spring weather upon their return to Target Field. They won only two of six games, though, avoiding an even worse outcome were it not for the strong right arm of the 23-year-old Romero.

With a fastball clocking in at 95 mph or higher, Romero deftly worked out of two-on, one-out situations in the second, fourth and fifth innings. He struck out Teoscar Hernandez on a caught-stealing double play to end the third, when first base umpire Phil Cuzzi ruled Hernandez's swing was not checked. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons argued from the dugout and was ejected by home plate umpire Dan Bellino, his first this season and the 45th ejection of his career.

In the fourth, Kendrys Morales, who homered twice on Tuesday, struck out to end the inning on an 87 mph slider in the dirt that was blocked by catcher Jason Castro. Hernandez hit into an inning-ending double-play groundball in the fifth.

Max Kepler, Robbie Grossman and Gregorio Petit drove in runs, and Joe Mauer, Eduardo Escobar and Rosario each had two hits for the Twins.

Before You Leave, Check This Out