Kyle Lohse making his pitch

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- There were the world champion Boston Red Sox on Thursday, jet lagged from their trip to the White House the day before, unveiling one of their new pitchers, Matt Clement.

There were the Twins, on a run of three consecutive division championships but clearly the overlooked little brother in this town, hopefully unveiling a new pitcher:

Kyle Lohse.

Same name, yes. Different pitcher, hopefully.

At least that's what Lohse wants to show this season after going 9-13 with a 5.34 ERA last year.

Lohse was the starting pitcher Thursday as the Twins lost 4-3 to the Red Sox in their spring opener.

Lohse began his year in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 7,589 that shrugged off 57 degrees and rain to cheer the Red Sox, who ended 86 years of frustration by winning the World Series last October.

"It doesn't get any better than this," Lohse said. "Facing the world champions the first time out. They've got good fan support. It was fun to jump right into it."

Red Sox Nation has taken over Fort Myers this year, selling out all of their spring games.

The best seat at City of Palms Park now goes for $44. Seats at Hammond Stadium, where the Twins play, top out at $18. But while the Red Sox play to sellouts, the Twins have sold out only nine of 16 games.

While Boston is preparing to defend its title, Lohse is trying to defend his career.

Lohse's 2004 season was so poor the Twins, on principle, would not offer him much more than the $2.15 million they filed for in arbitration. Lohse went to arbitration and won, so he'll make $2.4 million this season. Lohse, however, is not satisfied with being the best 9-13 pitcher in baseball.

"Last year gave me a little something," Lohse said. "A little fire for the offseason. It gave me something to atone for, maybe. I'm not going to go out there and try to prove that I'm this or that. I just want to go out there and do my job and let things take care of themselves."

Early spring results mean little, as pitchers are just getting their arms in shape, but for the record Lohse gave up one run over two innings on two hits, no walks and a strikeout. He threw strikes, with some of them getting hit.

"Lohse threw the ball well," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Both Lohse and Clement left the game after two innings. The fans weren't far behind as the final few innings were played in the rain as a bunch of players wearing high uniform numbers took over the field.

If Lohse can pitch more like in 2003, when he was 14-11 with a 4.61 ERA, the Twins will have a formidable front four for their rotation. It would be hard for the Twins to lose a series when reigning Cy Young winner Johan Santana, control master Brad Radke, a developing Carlos Silva and Lohse all are pitching up to their capabilities.

The rotation, perhaps, could be just as deep as the Red Sox's projected top four of Curt Schilling, David Wells, Clement and Wade Miller.

Lohse has the talent to be a very good No. 4 starter. He has a fastball that can reach 93 to 94 miles per hour, a good slider, tight curve and changeup. Lohse's problem last year was control.

"Lohse needs to locate the fastball and concentrate on hitting his spots more," Gardenhire said. "He knows that. The big thing with him, when he starts locating better he will be fine. We need to see him continue his work. He looks good, and he feels good. He's in great shape. He's ready to go."

Lohse has heard the talk that his stuff is too good to be 9-13.

"I agree," he said, "That's part of the frustration. I know I have good stuff out there. It doesn't make me feel good to go out there and put together a year like last year."

Gardenhire isn't worried about Lohse's confidence.

"He's already 1-0. Arbitration," Gardenhire said. "He's already beaten the Twins. He just has to beat everyone else."