Ken Griffey spoils Metrodome's final Opening Night

The Twins knew about the ceremonies, the tributes, the introductions. It's all part of Opening Night.

[think about it]

we suck, there goes undefeated season again. At least we lost to a reaaallll gooooddd team.........

[Riggs777]

Heh.
At least the Twins don't have Sage Rosenfels OR Tarvaris Jackson.

[brachiosaurus]

It's only game one, and Liriano only gave up four hits with no walks in seven innings. The hype about Liriano is unwarranted. He is not going to contend for a Cy Young Award, but he is going to give the Twins a chance to win most of the time and probably go over 200 innings if he stays healthy. The Guiterrez homer was the bad one. The Twins have to get past it and win the series. They could have used Mauer last night.

Crede's single meant something, coming against the Seattle closer in the 9th. He seemed to swing better as the game went on. It's encouraging.

[Gary Gaetti]

Same Twins as last season, if Morneau doesn't carry them no runs, Nice at bats Cuddy.

[gardy]

here we go again-what a weak lineup. This team is going nowhere

[smartie]

Someone has to tell Morneau to be patient when a pitcher is abit on "the ropes". Why does he always
swing at the first pitch? Result: Double play.
He's experienced enough to know that you must make the pitcher work. Dummy!

[Mad Dog Gus]

Oh NO! The Twins could go 0-162....

.......or, with solid starting pitching, decent defense, a lineup that hits for average, good speed, several star players (Morneau, Span, Mauer, Nathan), and the best pro manager (coach) in the state.......they'll win their division.

[Sometimes Im Clueless]

First game of the season and everyone is already counting this team out. FIRST GAME! How many are there in a season? Come on!
Yes this is Minnesota and our sports teams stink,,,, cant get to the playoffs,,,, cant get to the crown jewel if we make it in, but the good thing about baseball is its a long season.
I'd love to take notes of all the people badmouthing them in this forum after the first loss and see what you say in August/September when they are close to wininng the division.

BTW, dont bad mouth Morneau,,, who won MVP and the Home Run Derby?-- Yes, he's my guy and I'm biased. Get over that too.

[Rob]

All you outdoor stadium idiots, how would you like sitting outside yesterday.

[The Big Bopper]

Hey, maybe if they got some of the stimulus money.. they could recruit big hitters? Seriously, it's just the first game... give 'em a break.

[Dick In Dixie]

It was only one game. Hernandez is a pretty good pitcher. We'll get 'em tonight.

[_its_just_me_]

Sometimes Im Clueless wrote:

First game of the season and everyone is already counting this team out. FIRST GAME! How many are there in a season? Come on!
Yes this is Minnesota and our sports teams stink,,,, cant get to the playoffs,,,, cant get to the crown jewel if we make it in, but the good thing about baseball is its a long season.
I'd love to take notes of all the people badmouthing them in this forum after the first loss and see what you say in August/September when they are close to wininng the division.
BTW, dont bad mouth Morneau,,, who won MVP and the Home Run Derby?-- Yes, he's my guy and I'm biased. Get over that too.

Exactly what I was thinking!! Fair weather fans need to get over it. It was the first game of the freakin season!!! Have some faith in your home team!!

[Mad Dog Gus]

smartie wrote:

Someone has to tell Morneau to be patient when a pitcher is abit on "the ropes". Why does he always
swing at the first pitch? Result: Double play.
He's experienced enough to know that you must make the pitcher work. Dummy!

Working the count is for the Mauer type...high on base percentage, high average....also for leadoff hitters and low power hitters.

Morneau type hitters (cleanup) need to be aggressive and make things happen. You don't want him to be over thinking each pitch, you want him to smack the ball.

[sorb]

gardy wrote:

here we go again-what a weak lineup. This team is going nowhere

What are you talking about quigle?

[This and that]

I'll say it like I've said it before, until this team gets a legitimate home run threat in the everyday lineup, we will not win another World Series.

Legitimate means an average of 40 home runs per year, in case anybody is wondering.

[slylab]

Why did Liriano deserve a better fate? Yes 4 hits no walks over 7 is impessive, but when 2 of them are dingers, well the outcome can't be that good. If any pitcher gives up 2 homers per start they will not have a good record.

[CzarInMpls]

No clutch hitting. Cuddyer swinging at junk 5 yards out of the strike zone. Gardy not playing small ball in ideal smallball situations; 1st and 2nd nobody out. Looks a lot like another torturous season for Twins watchers.