In his first major league start, Nick Blackburn gave the Twins a pretty good effort. Unfortunately, 0 run support never results in a win. Blackburn allowed just 1 run on 5 hits through 7 innings. He matched the zeros of Angels pitcher Joe Saunders until the seventh inning when a 2-out wild pitch allowed Howie Kendrick to score from third.

Through three games, the Twins' new offense isn't looking like much of an improvement over last year's anemic lineup. The Twins managed just 6 baserunners in the game and four double-plays quelled any scoring opportunity that arose. The Twins' leadoff hitter reached first base in each of the sixth through ninth innings.

What's the deal with Morneau?

Justin Morneau is off to an 0-10 start to the season. Three games is no cause for panic, but a broader look at his recent past is somewhat concerning:

• He batted .200 with just 1 HR in 60 spring at-bats
• He posted a line of .243/.318/.384 with only 7 HR post All-Star break in 2007. Had it not been for his .295/.364/.581 line with 24 HR before the break, he wouldn't have an $80 million contract right now.

Game Notes

• Dennys Reyes threw one pitch in the eighth inning and managed to get Casey Kotchman to ground into an inning-ending double play. That's efficiency!
• Nick Punto got his first start of the season, playing at 3B in place of Mike Lamb. He was 1 for 3 and made a nice defensive play, fielding a bunt barehanded and making the throw to first while spread out vertically in the air.
• Mike Redmond got his first start, giving Joe Mauer the evening to rest before tomorrow's noon game. He was 0-3 and grounded into a double play.
• Mauer pinch-hit for Brendan Harris in the ninth and followed the nights trend by grounding into a game-ending double-play.

Looking Ahead

The Twins will wrap up the series with the Angels with a noon game on Thursday. The game will feature Kevin Slowey against Ervin Santana. Slowey finished the spring strong, but came down with the flu in the final days of spring camp.

A win would give the Twins a split in the series, which I'd consider a successful opening series against a pretty good Angels ball club. The Twins are staying in town for the weekend to host the Royals of Kansas City, who are 2-0 so far against the Tigers.