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)