Minnesota takes 3 out of 4 from KC to open the KOD 19 season

GAME 1- With the KOD 19 season on the way the Minnesota Twins opened the season on the road against Kansas City.  Minnesota opened the scoring in the third with a little rockem sockem baseball to take a 3-0 lead.  That lead was safe until the 6^th when George Brett and Amos Otis both went yard and gave the Royals the lead 4-3.  Both Allen Anderson and Mark Gubicza still were going strong.  Kansas City manager in the 8^th decided to go to the bullpen to after Kirby Puckett singled.  Jerry Don Gleaton then surrendered a single to Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti came up and moved the runners up with a sacrifice bunt off KC reliever Dan Quisenberry. Gene Larking grounded to short plating Puckett and tying the game.  The game proceeded to move into extra innings where Brian Harper hit a three run homer to give the Twins a 7-4 lead.  With the lead the Twins held on for the win but were tested in the bottom of the inning by 2 run homer to bring them with one but Jeff Reardon was able to keep his poise and nail down the final two outs for the save, and Twins win 7-6   

 

Game 2- Opening the season on a high the Twins looked to get after KC again in Kansas City sending lefty Frank Viola to the hill.  KC feeling they had the better chance today sending Bret Saberhagen out for his first start of the year.  These two pitchers dueled for 4 innings until KC broke thru with one run with a Hal McRae homer. KC added to their lead in the 6^th and never looked back.  The Twins tried to get back in the game late with runs in the 8^th and 9^th but the relievers Jerry Don Gleaton and closer Dan Quinseberry were able to lock up the bats and help KC to its first win of the season.

 

 

 

 

Game 3- In the Metrodome the turf is fast and so are the Twins, Mike Smithson and Charlie Leibrandt would get the starts for their teams.  Willie Aikens would get the party started with a solo blast in the 2^nd.  In the 4^th the win Twins would see the first big bop of the season by none other than Kent Hrbek who went yard with a three run shot.  KC would add another run in the 5^th but Minnesota would go on and defeat KC by the score of 5-3 an move their record to 2-1 while KC fell to 1-2  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game 4- In the series finale Minnesota sent Bert Blyleven to the mound while KC countered with Dennis Leonard.  Kirby Puckett opened the scoring a solo homer in 1^st.  Minnesota then added few hits and took the lead 2-0 after 1.  Willie Wilson singled in the 5^th and was plated by a single by Kevin Seitzer.  Big George Brett followed with a two run bomb to give KC the 3-2 lead.  Down a run and KC looking like they were going to hold on Randy Bush came to the plate and hit a shot that brought life back to Twins.  After multiple pitching changes and close calls we arrived in the 12^th with Minnesota at the plate,  Dan Gladden was safe on error, Kirby Puckett followed with a single on a hit and run Gladden moved over to third.  Steve Farr came in to get Kent Hrbek to ground to third which allowed Puckett to move to second.  So with One out and second and third Gary Gaetti was put on to load the bases.  Up came Gene Larkin who was struggling throughout the series early on, well as they say every dog has his day.  Gene Larkin lined a single into right scoring Gladden and giving Minnesota a squeaker of a victory by 4-3 margin.  Minnesota moved 3-1 and looking to keep the ball rolling in Oakland, while KC is now 1-3 and moving on to play California.