BRADENTON, Fla. – Two newcomers with a chance to crack the Twins’ pitching staff were on display at McKechnie Field on Saturday. The results were mixed but by no means final.

Terry Doyle, a Rule 5 draftee, started and was touched for seven hits and two runs in 2-2/3 innings. His teammates minimized the damage by making several good plays behind him.

Reliever Jared Burton again was impressive. He walked one and struck out one in one inning. Both have a good chance to make the team, but their spring training performances will go a long way toward determining their fate.

The Twins defeated the Pirates 4-2.

“I couldn’t get ahead of anybody,” Doyle said. “I was up in the zone, which is generally a recipe for bad things.”

Doyle

is a Rhode Island native and as such has a rather unusual vocabulary. The state’s official adjective is “wicked” and is used in front of most any noun to denote a level of extreme. In other words, Doyle could have pitched good, wicked good, bad or wicked bad on Saturday.

“I’m going to go with between bad and wicked bad,” he said.

His first start earlier in the week had been good, however. So no one appeared too concerned about Saturday’s effort.

“It looked like he got tired,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “The ball started ballooning up there a little bit. He said he felt fine, but the ball quit diving. It definitely started floating up there. But it’s early for him, too.”

“The problem today was that I felt too good,” Doyle said.

“I felt so good I was overthrowing a little bit, didn’t get the ball down in the zone and couldn’t get any sink on my fastball.”

Burton has looked good from the start of camp. A veteran of 164 relief appearance with the Cincinnati Reds, he has been bothered by injuries the past two years. Even before Joel Zumaya got hurt, Burton stood a good chance of making the club if he could stay healthy. Now his chances of sticking appear even greater.

“We’re just looking at different guys,” Gardenhire

said, refusing to commit to any one pitcher. “They’ve only been out once or twice. Let’s give them a couple more times out and see where they’re at. We’re starting to get a better feel for some of the arms. We like a couple of guys.”

Danny Valencia hit a three-run homer to lead Minnesota. Burton was the winning pitcher. Joe Benson continues to star in the field as he made an extraordinary running catch in center.

Baker tagged

The Twins played a “B” game against the Pirates earlier in the day and, as usual, it was very informal with innings being cut short to protect the hurlers from high pitch counts.

For what it’s worth, the score was 8-2 Pirates. But the score is indicative of little. The only real news was the rough outing for

Scott Baker, who threw 44 pitches while recording just four outs. He gave up six runs, five earned, six hits and a homer. With the team bus arriving a bit late, Baker was held out until the third inning to give him time to warm up properly. It didn’t help much. Afterward, however, Baker noted that he was merely lousy and not hurting.

“Baker was not very good at all,” Gardenhire said. “He got beat around pretty good. We’ll see how he does – we’ll see from here. Maybe that B-game format was for not for him. He might need a little more preparation than riding a bus and getting out and trying to pitch because he didn’t react very well to that.”

Highlights of the game included two doubles by Chris Parmelee, a long home run by Oswaldo Arcia

and a couple of nice plays at third by Sean Burroughs.

BRIEFLY

The Twins face the Yankees at noon CDT today at Hammond Stadium. Nick Blackburn is scheduled to start against Phil Hughes. The game will be televised on FSN.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) Glen Perkins appeared on the outs with the Minnesota Twins in 2010, his struggles on the mound compounded by a grievance he filed against the team the previous season.

Two years later, Perkins is the one arm the Twins know they can count on in the back end of their bullpen. Minnesota and the left-handed setup man agreed Thursday to a four-year contract that adds $10.3 million over three seasons and includes a team option for 2016.

For the first time in his career, Perkins has some level of stability and security.

”I hate using cliches, but it means I can just go out and pitch for the next four years,” Perkins said. ”That’s all that matters now. I can just go out there and pitch. I don’t have to worry about anything other than pitching. I don’t have to worry about anything like my family and all those good things.”

Perkins emerged as a reliable late-inning reliever last season, going 4-4 with a 2.48 ERA in 65 games. He struck out 65 and walked 21 in 61 2-3 innings.

”Everything has changed over the last couple of years,” manager Ron Gardenhire said earlier this spring training. ”He’s content. He understands more about the game than he ever has. He understands what he wants out of the game more than he ever did before.”

It was a breakout season that came as a surprise to some after a couple of injury plagued years that included 2009, when Perkins and his agent had the players’ association file a grievance against the Twins for sending him to Triple-A Rochester after activating him from the disabled list in August. Perkins thought he should have remained on the major league roster and been sent on a rehab assignment instead. The grievance was later settled.

He was converted from a starter to a reliever and grabbed a role as an overpowering setup man last season. Now with closer Joe Nathan gone to Texas, Matt Capps coming off of a disappointing 2011, starter Brian Duensing moving to the bullpen from the rotation and Joel Zumaya out for the season with elbow-ligament replacement surgery, Perkins is the rock.

”He’s got the perfect situation. He’s living at home. He grew up a Twins fan,” Gardenhire said. ”Can’t get any better for him and I think it took a while for him to realize how fortunate he was. That’s just being in the game and seeing how other people handle it. He’s done an awful lot in this game already and he’s got a lot more he can do, and he realizes that, believe me. I think he really likes what he’s doing.”

With a healthy arm, the former University of Minnesota standout and native of Stillwater, Minn., has seen his velocity jump a little and he is comfortable this spring knowing that he has a role with the team from the start. There has even been some talk about Perkins eventually becoming the team’s closer.

”I feel like where I pitched last year and where I’ll pitch this year that I can impact a game as much, or more, and I’m OK with that,” Perkins said earlier this spring. ”I like coming into situations where a closer wouldn’t typically come in. It is a cliche, but I like to help out the team, and I think I can help out the team the most, for me, this way.”

Perkins agreed in January to a $1.55 million salary for this year.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Glen Perkins appeared to be on the outs with the Minnesota Twins in 2010, his struggles on the mound compounded by a grievance he filed against the team the previous season.

Two years later, Perkins is the one arm the Twins know they can count on in the back end of their bullpen. The team signed the left-handed setup man to a three-year extension on Thursday that is worth $10.3 million with a team option for 2016.

“He has been a reliable reliever for us and has helped stabilize the back end of our bullpen in the set-up role,” GM Terry Ryan said. “When we were looking for someone to step up last year, it was Glen who seized the opportunity and pitched the way we knew he could.”

Perkins emerged as a reliable late-inning reliever last season, going 4-4 with a 2.48 earned-run average in 65 appearances. He struck out 65 and walked 21 in 61 2/3 innings.

“Everything has changed over the last couple of years,” manager Ron Gardenhire said earlier this spring. “He’s content. He understands more about the game than he ever has. He understands what he wants out of the game more than he ever did before.”

It was a breakout season that came as a surprise to some after a couple of injury plagued years that included 2009, when Perkins and his agent filed a grievance against the Twins for sending him to Triple-A Rochester after activating him from the disabled list in August. Perkins thought he should have remained on the major league roster and been sent on a rehab assignment instead.

He was converted from a starter to a reliever and grabbed a role as an overpowering setup man last season. Now with closer Joe Nathan gone to Texas, Matt Capps coming off of a disappointing 2011, starter Brian Duensing moving to the bullpen from the rotation and Joel Zumaya out for the season with Tommy John surgery, Perkins is the rock.

“He’s got the perfect situation. He’s living at home. He grew up a Twins fan,” Gardenhire said. “Can’t get any better for him and I think it took a while for him to realize how fortunate he was. That’s just being in the game and seeing how other people handle it. He’s done an awful lot in this game already and he’s got a lot more he can do, and he realizes that, believe me. I think he really likes what he’s doing.”

With a healthy arm, the former University of Minnesota standout and native of Stillwater, Minn., has seen his velocity jump a little and he is comfortable this spring knowing that he has a role with the team from the start. There has even been some talk about Perkins eventually becoming the team’s closer.

“I feel like where I pitched last year and where I’ll pitch this year that I can impact a game as much, or more, and I’m OK with that,” Perkins said earlier this spring. “I like coming into situations where a closer wouldn’t typically come in. It is a cliche, but I like to help out the team, and I think I can help out the team the most, for me, this way.”

Just weeks after the new $77 million Red Sox Spring Training stadium’s grand opening, the Minnesota Twins are calling on Lee County leaders to make upgrades to Hammond Stadium. The upgrades could cost the county millions of dollars.

The Minnesota Twins are asking for the upgrades because there is a clause in their contract with Lee County that requires the county to look at improvements every two years.

Hammond Stadium must, under that contract, compare to other newer, spring training facilities in the country.

Hammond Stadium has been the Minnesota Twins’ home away from home for 20 years.

But the ballpark now seems small and outdated compared to other state-of-the-art parks, like the new Red Sox stadium just 6 miles away.

“The Twins are a good partner. They’re happy here and we’re thrilled to have them. So we don’t want to do anything other than make sure they remain happy,” said Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann.

The county is planning to spend millions of dollars for improvements at Hammond Stadium.

The Twins have come forward with their priorities, including an enhanced weight room, a player academy with meeting rooms and lounges for the team management, and a fancy spa.

“A whirlpool. A very fancy whirlpool– that’ll cost us a quarter of a million dollars,” said Mann.

Then there’s the enhanced concessions, additional practice fields and new seating options like outfield berms and party decks.

It doesn’t stop there.

The Twins are even asking for a dormitory on site where players can stay.

That’s something you won’t find at City of Palms or even the new JetBlue Park.

“The trouble is what you do for one, the others will expect too. When you talk about a multi-million dollar dorm, how do I do that for the Twins then say no to the Nationals if they ask for it? And then the Red Sox will say are we chopped liver?” said Mann.

The Twins’ contract with Lee County isn’t up until 2020.

Any discussions the team has had with county officials have been preliminary.

County Commission Chair John Manning says they hope to have concrete plans on the table by this summer.

Although the Minnesota Twins have rarely been a team renowned for their power, they have still managed to produce some excellent home run hitters over the years. This list includes many team legends, and several players from the Twins’ World Series seasons.

Here are the top 10 home runs hitters going into the 2012 season:

Note: The totals are only from each player’s time with the Twins, and his career numbers may be higher.

1. Harmon Killebrew, 559

Killebrew is one of the most beloved players in Twins history, and he’s easily the team’s home run champion. He recorded 49 homers in 1964 and 1969, and was also the AL MVP in 1969. With these awesome numbers, it’s no surprise that Killebrew is in the Hall of Fame.

2. Kent Hrbek, 293

Hrbek spent his entire career in Minnesota, and had solid power throughout his career. His highest home run total came in the Twins’ 1987 World Series championship season, when he belted 34. Hrbek was also part of the 1991 World Series championship team, although he only hit 20 homers that year.

3. Bob Allison, 256

This hard-hitting outfielder was a three-time All-Star and the 1959 Rookie of the Year, which he earned while playing for the Washington Senators. After the Senators moved to Minnesota, Allison played out his career as a Twin. His most productive season came in 1963, when he hit 35 home runs and posted an impressive .533 slugging percentage.

4. Tony Oliva, 220

Oliva is one of the most accomplished players ever to wear a Twins uniform. He played his entire 15-year career in Minnesota, and was an eight-time All-Star, as well as the 1964 AL Rookie of the Year. Oliva’s first season also saw his highest home run total with 32.

5. Kirby Puckett, 207

The star of the 1987 and 1991 World Series championship teams, Puckett was the favorite player of just about every Twins fan. Although a great hitter, Puckett’s game didn’t focus solely on home runs, but he did reach 31 in 1986.

6. Gary Gaetti, 201

Gaetti racked up several homers throughout the 1980s as the team’s third baseman. He topped the 30 mark in back-to-back seasons, with 34 in 1986 and 31 in 1987. When you take into account Gaetti’s numbers while playing on other teams, his home run total is an excellent 360.

7. Torii Hunter, 192

Hunter was best known for his great defensive ability while playing in Minnesota, but he also had some solid power. In his first two full years with the Twins, Hunter only hit a total of 14 home runs, but by his fourth season in 2002, he knocked 29 out of the park.

8. Justin Morneau, 185

The Canadian native had his best year in 2006, when he hit 34 home runs and won the AL MVP. Morneau is also the only active player on this list who is still plays for Minnesota, so he is likely to rise up this list if he can stay healthy.

9. Roy Sievers, 180

Sievers only spent six seasons with the franchise, playing with the team in the 1950s before it moved from Washington. However, he was very productive in his relatively short stint with the team, and was the AL home run champion in 1957 with 42 dingers.

10. Tom Brunansky, 163

Brunansky was a very good right fielder for the Twins during the 1980s. He hit 32 home runs twice—during the 1987 World Series season and in 1984. Additionally, Brunansky was named an All-Star in 1985.