Twins Prospects Defeat Gophers 3-1

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor could have made it easier on his former college team if his B squad wasn't so good.

Molitor, in uniform for his first game in charge of the Twins, rested his regulars and went with a lineup full of heralded prospects who helped the Twins defeat the Minnesota Golden Gophers 3-1 Wednesday night in an exhibition game on the eve of the Grapefruit League opener.

Twins third baseman Miguel Sano, who missed last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, had a single, a walk and a stolen base.

Center fielder Byron Buxton went 2 for 3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. Buxton was considered baseball's top prospect in 2014 but missed all but 31 games in the minors because of various injuries.

Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco hit a solo home run. Polanco advanced from the Class A Fort Myers Miracle to the big leagues last season but is expected to start this year in the minors.