The Twins started the season on the right track, taking an Opening Day victory over Torii Hunter and the Los Angeles Angels by a final score of 3-2. It was the perfect all-around game for the Twins, from the hitting, to the pitching and even the base-running, it was a solid performance for the new look Twins.

Livan Hernandez took the hill for the first time in a Twins uniform, and looked great. When Hernandez is on the mound, he gets right down to work, and looks very comfortable. Livan's final line was 7 innings, 2 runs and 1 strikeout. More impressive than the seven innings and just two allowed runs was that Hernandez went through the outing with just 84 pitches thrown. If Twins pitchers can go late this season like Livan did tonight, especially with the lead, the bullpen will lock up the win more times than not.

The bullpen was just as solid after Hernandez left. Pat Neshek was on for the eighth, and after striking out the first two hitters, he ran into a small jam with Vlad at the plate and a runner on second. Nonetheless, Neshek struck out Guerrero on a full count offering. Nathan picked up his first save of his new contract and the new season. Joe got a quick out and then struck out Hunter for out number two. He did allow a single on a weakly hit ball half way down the line, but got Howie Kendrick to ground-out to end the game.

Offensively, the new guys stepped up in their first games in the Dome. Carlos Gomez was the offensive star, going 2-3 with a double, a single, a walk, two steals and two runs. His speed helped put him in scoring position which eventually led to RBI hits by his teammates. Delmon Young and Brendan Harris each collected multiple hits as well in their Twin debuts. Other key hitters on the night were Joe Mauer, Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer and Mike Lamb.

For more in-depth stats, check out the Box Score and the FanGraph.

Comments (3)

Go-Go
written by MorneauMVP, March 31, 2008

Gomez!!!!

What a spectacular game for him tonight...2-3: 1 double, 1 bunt single, 1 running catch, 2 runs scored, 2 SB....wow!

Harris looked good and so did Lamb. Everett had decent AB's and Young got two hits!

Morneau still doesnt seem on top of the pitching yet but that will come...he hit one upper deck but it was foul

Mauer had only 1 hit but that was a biggy...same with Cuddy.

...
written by Twins Territory, April 01, 2008

It was awesome to watch Go-Go, its going to be fun to see him play the next 161

I think Morneau is going to start slow this year, but he'll come around and still have a great season.

Livan for me was what really stood out tonight.

Boof
written by MorneauMVP, April 01, 2008

Hopefully Boof can do what Livan did last night...go 7 innings only giving up 1 or 2 runs....a few SO...no BB...and a good pitch count. I would really like to see that.

Gomez hopefully can get on some more tonight and make the pitcher make mistakes to 2,3,4,5 hitters with his speed....

Morneau I hope will have a good game and boost his confidence...same with Mauer...and Cuddyer.

I want to see at least one outfield assist tonight...Angels like to run and Young did throw Figgins out at second but it was a bad call...get some OUTFIELD assists tonight guys!

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