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Pottsville native Travis Blankenhorn made his Spring Training debut with the Minnesota Twins this weekend, including a spot in Sunday’s starting lineup.
On Sunday, the Twins tied the Blue Jays, 5-5, in a game in which former Blue Jays infielder Josh Donaldson made his debut for his new team, Minnesota.
Blankenhorn Debuts for Twins
On Sunday, Blankenhorn started at second base and hit seventh for the Twins.
At Bat
At the plate, Blankenhorn went 0-for-2 but drove in a pair of runs.
In the bottom of the second, Blankenhorn flied out to right field. But Miguel Sano scored on the play to give the Twins a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Blankenhorn reached based and drove in a run. His grounder to second baseman Joe Panik went to shortstop Santiago Espinal to get LaMonte Wade, running from first, out. Ehire Adrianza scored on the play and Blankenhorn was safe at first base. That gave the Twins a 3-0 lead.
Blankehnorn flied out to center to lead off the sixth inning.
In the Field
In the field on Sunday, Blankenhorn helped in a first-inning double play. He snared a liner by Panik. Blankenhorn then fired to first baseman Sano to double up Derek Fisher.
In the top of the fifth inning, Travis Shawn grounded to Blankenhorn, who assisted on the out.
Blankenhorn was replaced at second base in the seventh inning by Joe Cronin.
Saturday vs. Pittsburgh
In his Spring Training debut on Saturday against the Pirates, Blankenhorn was inserted into the Twins lineup as a designated hitter. He pinch hit for Trevor Larnach with two outs in the top of the 8th inning. Blankenhorn drew a walk but was stranded when the next batter struck out.
Minnesota won that game, 2-1.
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