ANDl left-handed JA Happ did not allow a hit until the eighth inning, when Jacob Stallings doubled with one out, which didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins beat Pirates 2-0 on Friday from Pittsburgh.
Happ (1-0), who is playing his first season with the Twins, was retired by manager Rocco Baldelli as soon as he allowed the hit. Tyler Duffey took the mound with a two-run lead.
ANDThe 38-year-old starter walked out a pair, both in the second inning, and struck out three. He had 95 pitches, of which 51 were strikes, and improved to 1.69 his ERA after three starts.
Duffey walked Wilmer Difo after Stallings’ double, but he struck out Adam Frazier with runners on second and third to end the eighth inning.
He retired his first enemy of the ninth inning. Taylor Rogers got the last two outs and the save was credited, ending a one-hitter.
The Twins had just their second win in their last 11 games.
The Venezuelan Willians Astudillo and Jake Cave each hit home runs against JT Brubaker (2-1).
For the Pirates, the Dominicans Erick González 2-0, Difo 2-0.