Twins' bats go quiet in Baltimore this weekend

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Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning for Baltimore en route to a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Twins yesterday. Hammel went eight solid innings, allowing one run on two hits while fanning five and walking three. Minnesota's Justin Morneau broke up the no-hit bid with a double in the eighth inning. He later scored on a hit by Josh Willingham. Former Twins J.J. Hardy cracked a solo homer and Wilson Betemit added a two-run double for Baltimore, which completed a sweep of their season-opening series for the second consecutive year. The Twins are off to an 0-and-3 start for the first time since 1981. The Twins open the home portion of their schedule with an afternoon game today against the Anaheim Angels.

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The Minnesota Twins open their third season at Target Field this afternoon against the Angels. The Twins lost in Baltimore again on Sunday and bring an 0-and-3 record back home. Twins President Dave St. Peter says the pre-game festivities will feature a special tribute to the 2002 Twins, who won a division title and overcame contraction to set the course for one of the more successful decades in franchise history. Former Twins players taking part include the Angels' Torii Hunter, Brad Radke, Corey Koskie, Denny Hocking, Jacque Jones, Eddie Guardado and Doug Mientkiewicz. They will also be throwing the ceremonial first pitches.

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The Timberwolves will try to snap their five-game losing streak when they host the Suns this evening. Minnesota's streak was extended with a 99-90 loss to the Hornets on Saturday. The Wolves dropped to 25-and-32 with the setback. Tip-off tonight is at 8:00.

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The University of Minnesota football team will try to re-focus as it gets back to spring practice this week. The Golden Gophers were scheduled to have a scrimmage this past Saturday, but the workout was canceled after former player Gary Tinsley passed away on Friday. Tinsley had just finished his senior season last fall and was still enrolled in school this spring to earn his degree. He was hoping to try out for an NFL team later this spring. Head coach Jerry Kill says he will use a "one day at a time" approach in helping the team get through the spring practice period. The next scheduled practice is tomorrow. The annual spring game is scheduled for April 21st.

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