Twins Win

Geoff is Zahnderful in home opener

Bloomington - April 14.  After a tough West Coast trip (4-5) and no days off, the Twins have returned to the Met to face the West Coast teams again in hopes of getting over .500.  Of course the Griffith family has not made this too easy by letting Larry Hisle and Lyman Bostock go, but at least Carew is still with the team.  The Twins are putting their faith in a 23 year old rookie Hosken “The Face” Powell to replace Hisle and Bostock.  In Tacoma he batted .326 with a .427 OBP so there are hopes he can help the team out immediately.

The Mariners' House (0-1) versus Zahn (1-0) started game 1.  Both House and Zahn pitched complete games to give the much beleaguered bullpens some rest.  Zahn gave up 1 run, 3 hits, walked 4 and struck out 4 in an efficient 112 pitches.  House was nearly as efficient giving up 5 hits, 1 Walk and striking out 2 in 8 innings of work. 

In the bottom of the 3^rd, the Twins gained the lead when Rivera scored on a double by Ford.  Rivera started the inning with a triple to right center and could not advance when Carew grounded out to the pitcher for the first out.  Ford advanced to 3^rd when Kusick grounded to second.  Smalley popped out to Baez to end the inning and the threat.  

The Mariners scored in the top of the first when Cruz scored on a Botche fielder’s choice to Smalley, who was playing short.  Cruz started the game with a blistering single to right field and moved to second on a passed ball.  Baez sacrificed Cruz to third when Bochte batted him in.  Stanton grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. 

The Twins tied the game in their half of the inning when Rivera scored on a RBI single by Smalley that also sent Ford to third.  Rivera started the Twins’ half with a walk and moved to second on a Carew 4-3 grounder.  Ford was hit by a pitch and Kusick lined to center. 

The game brought the Twins back to .500 and hopefully this translates to a Winning attitude in Bloomington.