Porcello, Betts lead Red Sox over Twins' split squad 3-2

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) Rick Porcello allowed one run and three hits in four innings and Mookie Betts hit his fifth spring training double, helping the Boston Red Sox beat a Minnesota Twins' split squad 3-2 Wednesday.

Porcello struck out three, walked two and threw 60 pitches.

''I'd like to be well under 60 pitches in four innings,'' Porcello said.

Acquired from Detroit in a December trade, Porcello is expected among Boston's top starting pitchers.

''Four good innings of work today,'' Red Sox manager John Farrell said. ''I thought he made a number of good pitches with men in scoring position. And a solid day of work for him.''

Porcello gave up a run in the first inning, then shut out the Twins for the next three.

''The changeup was a lot better today,'' Porcello said. ''Fastball command was a little shaky. I left a lot of sinkers up in the zone today.''

Betts went 1 for 3, dropping his average to .448 (13 for 29).

Minnesota's Mike Pelfrey gave up one run and three hits in four innings, struck out three and walked none.

LEADING OFF

Red Sox: The Red Sox made their first roster moves of the spring. INFs Sean Coyle and Travis Shaw were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket and RHPs Miguel Clestino, Keith Couch and Noe Ramirez and 1B/OF Bryan LaHair were reassigned to minor league camp.

STARTING TIME

Twins: RHP Mike Pelfrey gave up one run and three hits in four innings, struck out three and walked none. He threw 50 pitches and has a 1.00 ERA in nine innings. Pelfrey is in the mix to be Minnesota's fifth starter and believes his good outing will give manager Paul Molitor and his staff something to think about.

''Makes the decision tougher,'' Pelfrey said.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: DH David Ortiz is out for at least a couple of days because of dehydration. ... OF Rusney Castillo, recovering from an oblique injury, was 0 for 2 in a minor league game. ... C Christian Vazquez, recovering from elbow soreness, was 0 for 4 as a DH in a minor league game.

UP NEXT

The Red Sox play Toronto on Thursday in Dunedin. ... The Twins play Tampa Bay in Port Charlotte.