Twins position players have regaled manager Paul Molitor with claims of knuckleballs, split-fingers and more in futile requests to pitch in a game. When the situation finally arose, it was shortstop Eduardo Escobar who made his first career appearance on the mound for the Twins in the ninth inning of Thursday afternoon’s 15-7 loss to the Astros in the first half of a day-night doubleheader.