Plouffe trying to build on positive start to season

CLEVELAND -- Trevor Plouffe is off to a hot start offensively this season but said he's trying not to read too much into it.

Plouffe entered Friday's game against the Indians hitting .462 with a double, two walks and six RBIs in three games. He also had a big hit in Thursday's 10-9 win over the White Sox, as he drove home the tying run on a 3-2 fastball with two outs in the ninth inning.

"I feel good for now," Plouffe said. "But I'm going to take it day by day. You can't put too much stock into one day. But I think our team is hitting well, and we're doing better with runners in scoring position."

Plouffe also acknowledged he has to continue to get better defensively, as his throw home in the ninth inning of Minnesota's eventual 7-6 loss in 11 innings on Wednesday sailed wide, allowing the tying run to score.

"You have to make those plays," Plouffe said. "You're in the big leagues, so you have to make those plays."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he's been pleased with the progress Plouffe has been making offensively, and wants to see more from him after he hit .254 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs in 129 games last season.

"He's been there and done it," Gardenhire said "Trev has played a lot of baseball now. He understands the game. You can't get too high or too low. So he's just plugging away. You're gonna have some good days and some bad days. So you just have to keep plugging away, and I think that's where he's at in his career."

Plouffe went 1-for-4 in Friday's 7-2 loss.