Twins 4, Blue Jays 3

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) -- Brad Radke allowed two runs and five hits in five innings Friday as the Minnesota Twins beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3.<br><br>Radke struck out three and walked two. One of the runs

Friday, March 21st 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) -- Brad Radke allowed two runs and five hits in five innings Friday as the Minnesota Twins beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3.

Radke struck out three and walked two. One of the runs was unearned.

"I threw a couple of changeups that were up," said Radke, preparing for his fifth straight opening-day start and seventh overall. "I felt good and that was the key, I felt like I could have gone back out there and thrown some more."

Toronto's Doug Linton allowed one hit in four shutout innings with three strikeouts. In his last three appearances, Linton has allowed three runs in 10 innings.

"Because of the way our starters are shaping up, he will fill a bullpen spot," Toronto manager Carlos Tosca said.

Josh Phelps played his first game at first base for Toronto and went 2-for-4 with a home run.

Jose Morban doubled home Joe Mauer with the go-ahead run in the ninth. Mauer reached when he was hit by a pitch from loser Scott Wiggins.

Winner Eddie Guardado pitched a perfect eighth and Ben Ford finished for the save.

Notes: Because of a rainstorm that canceled batting practice, Tosca changed his lineup and didn't play Vernon Wells, Eric Hinske and Shannon Stewart. ... Stewart returned to Dunedin on Friday after attending the funeral of his uncle in the Miami area. ... 1B Carlos Delgado was to have his right knee examined Friday. "We're just making sure that anything isn't going on that we aren't aware of," Tosca said. "It's the scar tissue acting up. It's nothing major, but we will give him a couple of days to let it settle down." Delgado had minor offseason knee surgery. OF Frank Catalanotto (lower back spasms) played for the first time since March 4. Hitting in the leadoff spot as the DH, he walked twice.