Pirates 10, Twins 1

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Scott Baker took the mound with some extra financial security.

The Twins' opening day starter struck out four batters in four innings against Pittsburgh on Saturday in his first spring appearance since signing a four-year contract worth $15.25 million, plus a $9.25 million club option for the 2013 season.

He gave up just one run in his four innings, a solo homer to Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche, during a 10-1 loss to Pittsburgh.

"My family and I love Minneapolis," Baker said. "It's a great place to be. This gives me some security. It gives me some certainty for later on."

The contract bought out all of Baker's salary arbitration-eligible seasons. Among fellow Twins starters Nick Blackburn, Francisco Liriano, Glen Perkins and Kevin Slowey, Baker is the only one signed past this season.

"When you think about it, for them to do this is definitely a big vote of confidence," Baker said. "It's just something that they haven't done very often."

Baker said his agent, former Texas Rangers pitcher Bobby Witt, worked with the Twins on the contract over the past two weeks.

"I knew it was a possibility," Baker said. "Obviously, it was up to them. But this was something I wanted to do. I said, 'Let's see what they've got."

Baker, 27, went 11-4 with a 3.45 ERA last season, striking out a team-high 141 batters with 42 walks in 28 starts.

A second-round draft pick out of Oklahoma State by the Twins in 2003, Baker went into the seventh inning in 20 of his 28 starts. He has a 28-24 record and 4.23 ERA in four big-league seasons.

"He's one of the keys to our ballclub," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He's part of our puzzle on this baseball team. It's nice to get him locked up."

The Pirates won the game, but they may have lost outfielder Brandon Moss for a while.

Moss started in right field and went 0-for-1 with a strikeout. But he dislocated his right thumb will diving for a triple hit by Twins right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

"It's frustrating," said Moss, who hit .222 with six home runs and 23 RBI for the Pirates after being traded from the Boston Red Sox last season. "I'll get through it. I'll do whatever I've got to, and get ready to go again."

Moss, slated to be the opening day right fielder, expected to have an X-ray and an MRI on the thumb Saturday night.

Former Twin Garrett Jones, hoping to win a bench role with the team, replaced Moss in the lineup and went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs.

"I dove and the ball skipped up and knocked my thumb back sideways," Moss said. "I sprained the ligament, but I don't know how bad. I caught Delmon Young's fly ball, and when I went to throw it in, it killed me just to put my thumb underneath the ball. I couldn't grip the ball, so I knew something was wrong."

Cuddyer, who missed most of last season with several injuries, went 1-for-3 and scored Minnesota's run. He also threw out two baserunners.

"He controlled the game early," Gardenhire said. "You've seen that arm and outfield speed many times.

"Last season, he wasn't around much. It kind of takes you back a little bit. It reminds you of what he can do. He plays with a lot of enthusiasm."

The Pirates and Twins were tied at 1 until the sixth inning, when Twins reliever Matt Guerrier gave up a two-run double by second baseman Andy Phillips.

The Pirates scored four runs in the eighth off Twins reliever Ben Julianel.

Adam LaRoche went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run. Brother Andy LaRoche started at third base and went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Phillips went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run.

Game notes
Twins RHP Nick Blackburn, recovering from swelling in his left knee following offseason surgery, threw a bullpen session Saturday. He expects to throw batting practice on Monday before attempting to return to the rotation. "It's getting better," Blackburn said. "It's just something we have to get under control. I'm not worried about it."