Twins’ Big Inning Enough for Serafini

ARLINGTON, Texas — Dan Serafini didn’t pitch particularly well Sunday. He didn’t have to, not after Minnesota backed him with a six-run first inning.

Todd Walker hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Twins went on to defeat Texas, 11-1, ending the Rangers’ three-game winning streak.

“Sure it’s nice to get a lead like that, but I made a lot of mistakes,” Serafini said. “Sometimes you get too relaxed. So you’ve got to go out there and make your pitches no matter how many runs you’ve got.”

Serafini (2-0) pitched seven scoreless innings in his second start of the season. He gave up seven hits, struck out three and walked three.

Serafini is bidding for a spot in next year’s rotation for the pitching-poor Twins.

“I’m trying to win a job,” Serafini said. “I think I belong here. I need to spot my fastball in and out and do a better job with my off-speed pitch.”

Bobby Witt (11-11) retired only one batter, matching his shortest outing in a career spanning 336 starts. He gave up six runs and six hits.

“I didn’t throw the ball very well and their guy threw a good game,” Witt said. “That’s what happened in a nutshell.”

Rookie David Ortiz hit his first career homer and Pat Meares matched a career-high with four hits for the Twins.

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