There was a clear focus for Chris Paddack this spring: slider, slider, slider. After each Grapefruit League outing, he’d talk about the maximum velocity he’d hit with the pitch that day, and where that was with respect to his 87 mph goal.

Chris Paddack gave up a career-worst 12 hits and Willi Castro was not sharp in center field as the Twins fell to the New York Yankees, dropping an opener for the first time in their last seven series.

With a pair of outs, Paddack walked Soto on six pitches, beginning a Yankees’ rally. A single by Judge followed, setting the stage for Alex Verdugo, who hit a ball to center that got past an outstretched leaping Castro. The ball bounced to the wall and Judge, who was on first, raced home ahead of the relay throw.