FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Pitching against a Team USA lineup full of such stars as Nolan Arenado, Buster Posey, Giancarlo Stanton and Andrew McCutchen, Twins right-hander Trevor May faced a stern test on Wednesday night but bounced back after a rough start to turn in a solid outing in Minnesota's 3-2 win.
May gave up three straight hits to open the game, including a two-run double to Arenado, but settled down from there, tossing 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
"I think that's one of the best lineups anybody's ever faced," May said. "My exact thought was, 'McCutchen is batting eighth right now?' They're Team USA, man. We're all rooting for them to win the title."
May said he worked on his mechanics and pitches like he would in any other spring start, and was happy with the results against that stacked lineup.
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"I just stuck with it and let the ball move and tried to execute every pitch as best as I could," May said. "I knew the situation and the quality of hitters, facing a No. 3 hitter from each team. It was a unique opportunity to follow a plan and focus solely on making pitches, and I was able to do that."
May isn't the only one who could benefit from a solid showing against a World Baseball Classic opponent, as his top competition for the fifth starter spot, right-hander Jose Berrios, is set to tentatively start for Team Puerto Rico against Italy on Sunday.
"I didn't ask [May] how he felt facing a lineup like that, but to see him get back on track after the start was good to see," manager Paul Molitor said. "There aren't a lot of hiccups in that lineup, and he [bore] down."