Minnesota Sports Briefs: Twins hang on to win exhibition game

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Bradenton, FL (Sports Network) - Clete Thomas and Wilkin Ramirez each drove in a run in the ninth inning as the Minnesota Twins hung on for a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in spring training play.

Eduardo Escobar had two hits and scored three times while Darin Mastroianni added a pair of hits and drove in one run for the Twins, who got two hits and an RBI from Ray Olmedo. Cole De Vries gave up an unearned run on one hit and a walk over three innings. Brad Hawpe hit a two-run single in the ninth inning while Ivan De Jesus added a solo home run for the Pirates. Starter A.J. Burnett gave up two runs on two hits with a pair of walks and three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

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Ty Lawson scored 32 and the hot-shooting Nuggets surged past the Minnesota Timberwolves, 111-88, to clinch their longest home winning streak in 24 years. Lawson shot 12-for-17 from the field and Denver blew past the Timberwolves over the final 15 minutes, outscoring them 36-22, to record its 13th straight victory at the Pepsi Center. Corey Brewer added 15 points, while Andre Iguodala and Danilo Gallinari chipped in 11 apiece in helping the Nuggets attain their longest streak at home since a 19-game run from Jan. 28-April 20, 1989. Mickael Gelabale was the high-scorer for Minnesota, tallying 19 points. J.J. Barea followed with 15 and Derrick Williams donated 13 points for the Timberwolves, losers in 13 of their last 14 road games.

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D.J. Byrd and Rapheal Davis scored 18 points apiece, as the Purdue Boilermakers closed out their Big Ten Conference regular-season schedule with an 89-73 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Mackey Arena Saturday. A.J. Hammons and Ronnie Johnson each scored 14 for the Boilermakers (15-16, 8-10 Big Ten). Terone Johnson added 12 points in the win, as all five starters scored in double figures. Andre Hollins had a game-high 24 points and nine assists for the Golden Gophers (20-11, 8-10), who fell on the road for the eighth time in a row. Rodney Williams had 13 points, Austin Hollins scored 12, and Joe Coleman finished with 10 points in the loss. The Golden Gophers dug themselves a quick 20-5 hole as they missed seven of their first eight shots. Purdue went on to shoot a healthy 54.5 percent from the floor in the opening frame as it took a 44-27 halftime lead into the locker room. The Boilermakers shot 53.8 percent after halftime and made 14-of-18 free throws, as they never let the margin dip below seven the rest of the way. Purdue was efficient with its possessions, as the Boilermakers had 20 assists and only eight turnovers for the game.

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