Gallerie » ng Sam Fuld. The Twins tacked on two insurance r

MINNEAPOLIS -- Phil Hughes didnt come to Minnesota to be a saviour. He just wanted to throw strikes and help his new team win some games. On Sunday, he gave the Twins more proof they made a wise investment. Hughes won his third start in a row, Trevor Plouffe and Kurt Suzuki hit two-run doubles and the Twins beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2. "It starts with the starting pitcher and he gave us a great opportunity against a very potent lineup," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who was especially pleased with Hughes control. "You put guys on base, you miss a play and youll wind up killing yourself against those guys." Brought in as a free agent to help cure some of the Twins starting pitching woes, Hughes (3-1) again pitched like the ace the team hoped hed be. Hughes gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1-3 innings, walking none and striking out three. He became the first Twins pitcher to win three consecutive starts since Sam Deduno won three straight in July 2013. "I said in the off-season when they signed him I thought he was a really good sign," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He gives you a lot of confidence. (He can) go up and go away and let those guys who can really run the ball down run it down. He was effective. Hes added the cutter and a lot more." Hughes, who left the Yankees in the off-season to join the Twins, gave up four earned runs in each of his first three starts this season. He has given up a total of six earned runs and just one walk in 19 1-3 innings over his last three outings. The focus was on control the weekend after Twins pitchers issued 22 walks -- including 12 by their starters -- as the Dodgers swept three games at Target Field earlier in the week. Against the Orioles, the Twins walked just two batters in three games and took two of three in the series. "I always take pride in throwing strikes, making guys earn their way on base and not giving any free passes," Hughes said. "If were going to make mistakes in the zone and were going to get beat on aggressive pitches, so be it. But we dont want to let them on for free." After giving up a single to Nick Markakis to start the game, Hughes retired the next 14 batters. Nelson Cruz broke up Hughes shutout bid with two outs in the sixth, hitting a two-run shot for his ninth homer of the season. Glen Perkins pitched a scoreless ninth for his seventh save in eight chances this year. The Twins played most of the day without first baseman Joe Mauer, who left in the top of the third inning with lower-back spasms. Gardenhire said that Mauer underwent treatment throughout the game and said he thinks he could play on Monday. The Twins scored twice in the third, helped by the hustle of the Twins most slump-ridden hitter. Eduardo Escobar led off with a single off Miguel Gonzalez (1-3) and Pedro Florimon, who entered the game hitting .121, followed with a routine ground ball to second base. Running hard down the line, Florimon barely beat shortstop J.J. Hardys double-play relay to first base. Brian Dozier then singled and one out later, Plouffe lined a double into the left-field corner that scored both runners. Gonzalez walked the bases full with two outs, then walked Kurt Suzuki to force home a run. Reliever Troy Patton bailed him out of the jam by retiring Sam Fuld. The Twins tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh against reliever Ryan Webb. Chris Colabello hit a one-out double, Jason Kubel walked and Suzuki hit a double to left that scored both runners. Kubel slid home just ahead of catcher Matt Wieters tag, a call that was confirmed via an instant-replay challenge. NOTES: Plouffe leads the majors with 14 doubles. ... Minnesota wrapped up an eight-game homestand with a 3-5 record. RHP Kyle Gibson (3-2, 4.34) is scheduled to start on Monday when the Twins begin a four-game series at Cleveland. Mark Duper Jersey . - Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard has signed with WME-IMG, saying the sports management powerhouse will help maximize the value of my brand. Mark Clayton Jersey .com) - The Chicago Cubs reportedly signed recently-acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler to a one-year contract on Friday, avoiding arbitration. http://www.authenticdolphinspro.com/Came...phins-jersey/.Y. - Lou Williams scored 21 points and the Toronto Raptors beat New York 81-76 on Monday night in the Knicks preseason home opener. Bob Griese Jersey . -- Olympic medallist Jennifer Abel of Laval, Que. Dan Marino Jersey .C. -- Duke sophomore Rodney Hood is entering the NBA draft.Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Jabril Trawick scored 10 points and anchored Georgetowns stifling defense as the Hoyas limited No. 4 Villanova to 33.3 percent shooting and took down the Wildcats, 78-58. Isaac Copeland had a career-high 17 points while Trawick added three steals and a pair of blocks. It was the second straight game that the duo made their impact felt. The Hoyas (13-5, 5-2 Big East) were coming off a 61-59 win over Butler. Trailing by a point late in regulation, Trawick drove the lane and kicked to Copeland, who was pure with a 3-ball from the left wing. Once again, I feel about this game like I felt about the Butler game. Jabril made it happen, said Georgetown coach John Thompson III. His effort, his energy, hes getting beat up out there and he comes in, not necessarily scoring baskets, but making plays at the defensive end, on the boards, making passes at the offensive end ... its two outstanding games in a row. DVauntes Smith-Rivera, who blocked a shot at the other end to seal that Butler win, also gave 17 points in this one. Joshua Smith and Paul White contributed nine apiece. Ryan Arcidiacono had 16 points to lead Villanova (17-2, 4-2), which stumbled out of the gate and never recovered. Coming into this game we knew they were a very good team and we definitely didnt overlook them, Arcidiacono said. They just came out and played harder than us. Villanovas worst half of the season was also one of its most unusual. Trailinng 11-4 six minutes in and having just four free throws on the scoreboard, Arcidiacono started a string of three consecutive field goals with a 3-pointer.dddddddddddd His jumper just over a minute later had the Wildcats within 13-11. From there, the fourth-ranked team in the country missed eight straight shots and got just one Dylan Ennis free throw over the next seven-plus minutes as Georgetown broke the game open. Copeland scored eight points during the 17-0 run that ensued, bookending it with a dunk and two free throws. Trawick hit from deep twice around Whites three-point play late in the half, and Georgetown led 42-20 at the break. Villanova cut its deficit to 12 with eight minutes to play, but never got back within single digits thanks in part to Trawicks efforts on the defensive end. His swat on Darrun Hilliard led to a pair of Copeland free throws with just over five minutes to play. He stripped Hilliard a minute later, leading to another run out and two more foul shots by Copeland. Our defensive effort throughout the game was outstanding, added Thompson. I thought our guys did a very good job without fouling and being aggressive without overextending. A rematch between the two schools is set for Feb. 7 in Philadelphia. Game Notes Georgetown shot 53.5 percent from the floor and 6-for-12 from behind the arc. It also forced 17 turnovers ... Villanova won both games in this matchup last season. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '