MINNEAPOLIS - Needing 8 1/3 innings to trigger a $500,000 incentive in his contract, Minnesota Twins pitcher Phil Hughes worked eight outstanding innings Wednesday before the skies opened up and cost him a chance at the bonus.
The one-hour, six-minute delay was too long for Hughes to return, but the right-hander was the main reason that Minnesota beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 at Target Field.
Hughes struck out five and walked none, winning his 16th game. If he doesn't pitch again this season, and he's not scheduled to do so, his 11.63 strikeout-to-walk ratio would establish a major league record.
All of Minnesota's offense came early in the game. The Twins scored single runs in the first and second innings off Vidal Nuno. Kurt Suzuki walked with the bases loaded in the first inning. A one-out sacrifice fly by Trevor Plouffe made it 2-0 in the second inning.
Arizona's run came in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by David Peralta.
