Mauer's RBI plus Pavano's pitiching give Twins home opening win
Minnesota Sports-- Joe Mauer capped a two-run eighth inning with an RBI-single and Carl Pavano pitched eight frames of one-run ball, as the Minnesota Twins opened the home portion of their 2011 schedule with a 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Target Field.
Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Joe Mauer capped a two-run eighth inning with an RBI-single and Carl Pavano pitched eight frames of one-run ball, as the Minnesota Twins opened the home portion of their 2011 schedule with a 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Target Field.
Brett Anderson held Minnesota scoreless through seven innings, but that changed in the eighth. Danny Valencia reached base on an infield single, and pinch-hitter Jason Kubel stepped to the plate with two outs. His single to right put men on the corners. Denard Span tied the game with a sharp RBI single to right. Mauer drove in the go-ahead run with a single down the left field line. Justin Morneau flied out to end the frame.
Joe Nathan worked around a one-out single in the ninth to pick up his third save of the season. Nathan, who missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, made his Target Field debut on Friday.
Pavano (1-1) bounced back from a rough Opening Day effort, giving up one run on four hits. The right-hander was pounded by the Blue Jays for seven runs over four-plus innings last Friday. Anderson (0-1) gave up eight hits and struck out five batters for the A's, who are off to a 2-5 start.
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Twins second baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka suffered a broken left fibula in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the New York Yankees. On Friday, Nishioka was evaluated by Dr. John Steubs. It was determined that Nishioka will not need surgery or a cast. A timetable for his return will not be set until the soreness and swelling subsides.
Tags: minnesota sports, proam, twins, baseball
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