Twins Win a Festive Home Opener

The Twins returned to the Metrodome to play again and Brad Radke helped them send Detroit to yet another loss.

Before the Twins’ first home-opening sellout in a decade, Radke pitched into the seventh inning and sent the winless Tigers to their ninth consecutive defeat, 4-2, Friday.

Detroit is off to its worst start since going 0-13 in 1920 and the worst start in the majors since the Chicago Cubs’ 0-14 in 1997, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Tigers’ skid is their longest at any point since losing nine in a row in 1999.

Minnesota used a four-run second inning to end a four-game losing streak--all against Cleveland.

Fans in the crowd of 48,244, happy to see in person that the Twins survived baseball’s contraction plan, gave players a rousing ovation before the game.

Radke (2-0), who has rebounded from a rocky outing on opening day in Kansas City with two consecutive quality starts, gave up two runs and eight hits in 62/3 innings. Eddie Guardado struck out the side in the ninth to remain perfect in five save chances.

Torii Hunter struck out leading off the second inning before seven consecutive Twins reached base--leading to four runs. A.J. Pierzynski and Jay Canizaro drove in runs with singles, and Jacque Jones walked to load the bases.

Cristian Guzman and Doug Mientkiewicz followed with run-scoring singles to make it 4-0, and Hunter ended the inning with a fielder’s choice grounder to second.

Fans lined up early at the Metrodome and for many the off-season threat by baseball owners to fold the franchise made this opening night all the more special. It doesn’t hurt that the Twins are seen as a contender to win the American League Central.

The Twins, who opened the season with a 5-5 road trip, were the last team to play a home opener in 2002.

Fans began congregating outside the ballpark as early as 5 a.m. CDT, and free hot dogs, muffins and newspapers were available to the early risers. Current and former Twins also greeted fans at two noon rallies in the Twin Cities.

As the afternoon wore on, the scene shifted to a party-like atmosphere outside the Metrodome, complete with beer, games for kids, live music and sunny, 60-degree weather.