With the exception of the cruddy weather outside, you can’t really ask for a much better opening day if you’re the Twins. Livan Hernandez pitched well enough that 3 runs were all the Twins needed to win. He allowed 2 runs on 7 hits and 0 walks through 7 IP. With a pitch count only in the eighties, I was surprised not to see him sent out for the eighth. Perhaps, if the there had been a little more padding on the lead, Gardy would’ve given him another inning.

I was sitting in left field for the game and while there were a few boos directed at Torii Hunter, for the most part he got a warm reception. He got a pretty good standing ovation his first time at-bat in the 2nd inning. Carlos Gomez, did everything he could, however, to steal the show from Hunter. He led off the game with a double down the line and then scored on a Joe Mauer single. In his next at-bat he reached base, with his speed, on a bunt single. He then stole second base on a pitchout—it wasn’t even close.

Later in the game he walked, stole second and then scored on a Michael Cuddyer single. His speed single-handedly scored 2 runs and won the game for the Twins. It’s only one game and there are sure to be some rough patches for Gomez this season, but he wasted no time showing what he can do.

One thing I didn’t like from the game was seeing Craig Monroe get the start at DH over Jason Kubel. Against righty, Jered Weaver, there was no reason not to give the start to the lefty Kubel. Monroe went 0-3, stranding 3 runners on base (a common theme for the Twins in this game). Jason Kubel did enter the game in the eighth inning as a pinch hitter for Monroe. He managed a double, albeit one that should’ve been caught.

Game Notes

• Newcomers Delmon Young and Brendan Harris also picked up 2 hits each.
• Adam Everett was 0-4 with 6 LOB…ouch.
• Mike Lamb had an RBI single, driving in Young in the fourth inning.
• Pat Neshek struck out three and allowed 1 hit in the eighth inning.
• Joe Nathan, fresh after signing a 4-year extension, picked up his first save of the season.

• Justin Morneau was 0-3 with a walk.

• Oh yeah, Torii Hunter was 0-4 in the game and looked especially foolish in his strikeout to Nathan in the ninth. It was a fun at-bat to be at the game for.

• While waiting to exit the Metrodome, Carlos Gomez could be seen taking extra fly balls in the OF; it’s good to see the enthusiasm.

Looking ahead

Boof Bonser will take the mound for the Twins against former AL Central nemesis Jon Garland. Actually, Garland was hit pretty hard against the Twins last season—0-2 with a 9.35 ERA.