FORT MYERS, FLA. — Kevin Slowey pitched three scoreless innings, and the Twins came four outs from a combined no-hitter Thursday in their 4-2 victory over The Netherlands.

Sidney de Jong singled up the middle against Twins reliever Rob Delaney ending the no-hit bid with two outs in the eighth inning.

Though the Netherlands didn’t have a hit, the score was tied 1-1 in the seventh inning, when Toby Gardenhire singled home the go-ahead run with a run-scoring single to left-center field.

Manager Ron Gardenhire was pleased with his team’s pitching again, especially Slowey’s, but lamented its recent lack of scoring punch.

“Not a lot of offense,” he said. “It seems like the wind is blowing in our face every day right now.”

Note: Alexi Casilla was scratched from the Twins’ original lineup to help with a family matter.

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