Justin’s comment about welcoming Joe¹ to the 4 strikeout club was probably my favorite.

Joe Mauer, who after missing the first month of a season due to injury, is on pace to have his best year ever.  In fact he’s already hit more home runs than any he’s hit in any other season.  And now he’s in the Home Run Derby for the first time representing the Minnesota Twins.

He may not win, but I’ll certainly be watching to see.  Time to hit some long balls Joe.  Show some Mauer Pauer at Busch Stadium.

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Florida Spring Break Trip 2008 140, originally uploaded by Yickit pics.

Because the Twins won their 2008 Home Opener against the LA Angels 3-2 Tonight. The game was broadcast nationally on ESPN2 (unless you live in Des Moines, Iowa where cable doesn’t carry FSN North, and the game is blacked out on ESPN2 because Iowa is in the Twins’ market area . . . go figure, you can’t even watch a nationally televised baseball game in Iowa.)

The Twins had strong performances from Livian Hernandez, who pitched seven innings allowing only two runs, and Carlos Gomez, who went 2 for 3 with two stolen bases and two runs scored. Also, Torii Hunter’s home-coming was bittersweet. He received loud cheers from Minnesota Fans when was announced and when he first came up to bat. But he also went 0 for 4, and most notably struck out against Joe Nathan in the top of the 9th inning with the game on the line. I suppose he deserved exactly what he got: A warm welcome, and then vengeful beating. Talk about Minnesota nice . . .

My favorite moment of the game came on a 2-2 pitch from Pat Neshek that basically grazed Vlad Guerrero’s face. Neshek preceded to strike him out on the next pitch. Check out the video of the at-bat if you can. Vlad was pissed. (I would be too if I had had near death experience, and then preceded to strike out on a pitch three feet out of the strike zone.) Neshek had three K’s in the 8th inning, and of course Joe Nathan came in to get the save in the ninth. Man am I glad we locked him up until 2011.

Up next the Twins continue their four game series with the Angels. I believe Boof Bonser will pitch for the Twins, and John Garland will pitch for the Angels. Hopefully Morneau, Mauer, and Co. can get it going against the righty Garland to continue their perfect season.

(Photo from 2008 Spring Training in Bradenton, Florida)

Update: After watching Liriano pitch on MLB TV I was pleased. While the box score says Liriano had a bad outing, really it was pretty good for a second Spring Training Start. Of course some other people are more critical of Liriano (Here) and point to the fact that most of the balls he threw weren’t for strikes. But watching the game, I thought it looked like Liriano was trying to regain a feel for his pitches. Granted some throws missed by a lot, but others were unhittable strikes. Unfortunately, it will take Liriano some time to regain his All-Star form and Twins fans will just have to be patient as he takes his bumps and bruises.

Other notes from the game:

• Joe Mauer is in mid-season form. He finished with a double and a home run. The one thing that always impresses me about Mauer is that every single at-bat he has is a quality at-bat. He is a remarkably patient hitter, and hopefully this year he will also be a very healthy hitter.
• Outfielders need to wear sunglasses in Florida. Both Carlos Gomez and Jason Pridie missed catchable balls when they lost them in the sun. Neither was wearing sunglasses.
• Kevin Mulvey’s and Matt Guerrier’s outings were not as good as their earlier work. Both struggled to get the ball over the plate.
• But Pat Neshek and Denny Reyes were lights out. The batters they faced didn’t even have a chance.
• The Twins lost the Mayor’s Cup to the Red Sox. The series ended 3-2 in favor of the BoSox.

Today Francisco Liriano will make his second spring training start against the Boston Red Sox. The game will be broadcast on MLB TV. I plan on watching at least the first couple of innings and I’ll update afterward. The Twins – Red Sox Spring Training Series is tied 2-2 so the winner of today’s game will win the Fort Myers Mayor’s Cup. The Mayor’s Cup is a big deal to both clubs and because of the cross-town rivalry expect a lot of major leaguers in the game. Here the Twins lineup for today’s game:

1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Joe Mauer, C
3. Michael Cuddyer, RF
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. Jason Kubel, DH
7. Brendan Harris, 2B
8. Brian Buscher, 3B
9. Adam Everett, SS

Pitching: Liriano.

On another note: This past weekend I traveled down to Florida to witness Spring Training in person. I was lucky enough to attend two Twins games. Even luckier, the Twins won both games. I’ll post pictures and my reactions from Spring Training later this week or early next week.

I’m not yet sure who the Twins will start, although Gardy said yesterday that Joe Mauer will not be catching.

Dice-K will be starting for the BoSox. Their other starters include: Kevin Youkilis, Pedroia, Julio Lugo, Mike Lowell, Manny Ramirez, Coco Crisp and Bobby Kielty.

This is the first of three consecutive games against the Red Sox for the Twins, which all should be exciting cross-town contests. If you have MLB TV (which I highly recommend) make sure to catch these games.

(You can also watch Johan’s debut for the Mets today too. Gag. Not sure that I could quite stomach that sight yet.)

Update: I made a mistake. The game won’t be on MLB TV. Damn. Guess we’ll have to wait for Friday’s game against the Boston Red Sox to watch the Twins on video. Either way, I’ll listen to the Game day Audio later and summarize what I hear…

The Twins first Spring Training game of the season starts in just a few minutes. I won’t be able to watch the game live (I have to work) but plan on watching the game on MLB TV later tonight. I’ll post an update after I watch the game. I can’t wait. Baseball season is finally here!

Here are the notable players in the line up for each team:

• Cincinnati Reds
  • Brandon Phillips
  • Edwin Encarnacion
  • Jay Bruce
  • Matt Belisle
  • Ryan Freel
• Minnesota Twins
  • Carlos Gomez
  • Brendan Harris
  • Joe Mauer
  • Michael Cuddyer
  • Jason Kubel
  • Mike Lamb
  • Scott Baker, Starting
  • Other Pitchers: Glen Perkins, Pat Neshek