Carlos Gomez was electric last night in the season opener for the Minnesota Twins. He lead-off with a double down the left field line and scored on Joe Mauers single. He bunted for a single in his next AB and easily stole second on a pitchout. His third AB resulted in a walk and another stolen base on a high pitch. After being moved over by a 4-3 groundout by Joe Mauer, he scored on an infield-in single by Michael Cuddyer.
A walk and a bunt single? If he does either with regular frequency this season, he is going to be much, much better than anyone thought possible. To boot, he chased down a sure double by Gary Matthews Jr at the RRCF wall. Matthews did not look too pleased.
Here is the clip. Judge for yourself. Gomez looks like he is playing at a different speed.
In other Opening Day news:
- Michael Bourn went 1-3 with a BB and two SB.
- Jake Peavy and Johan Santana turned in Opening Day gems. Both picked-up Wins. Peavy allowed no runs but just 4 Ks. Santana allowed two earned runs but struck out 8.
- San Francisco Giants speed merchant, Eugenio Velez, plaed LF last night. In many leagues, this is enough to give him OF eligibility to pair with his 2B one.
- New Dodgers' LF Andre Ethier rewarded manager Joe Torre's faith in him by going 0-4. Worse, Torre ended Pierre consectutive games played streak at 434. Torre fucked-up. There is no reason Pierre couldn't have played defense late in the game. See what happen when the hatin' reaches torches and pitchfork proportions.
- Brad Lidge can't return fast enough. Fill-in closer Tom Gordon blew a save in spectacular fashion. he allowed five earned runs an got just an out before Clay Condrey stopped the bleeding.
- After an 0-4 season debut, Nationals' OF Lastings Milledge went 2-4 with a HR. However, he has just 160 games left to get to the self-proclaimed goal of 30 SBs.
- Last night, Arizona closer Brandon Lyon saved the first game of the season. Setting-up was Tony Pena in the 8th and Chad Qualls in the 7th. Seems like the pecking order until someone gets hurt.
- Tigers' DH Gary Sheffield walked four time yesterday. That is porn for sabremetricians, but fantasy players want something else. Wehre is the sign that last year's 22 SB will come back?
- The Orioles had CF Adam Jones batting 8th. If this last for a month or two, be prepared to reduce the RBI expectations for the season downward towards 80.