Tonight's MVP goes to... Bill Smith? Despite a 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 8 K win by Santana over the Marlins, the 50,000+ who braved the blizzard and made it to the Dome couldn't help think, Johan who? Time will ultimately tell, but swallowing the Santana departure could beconsiderably easier if Carlos Gomez continues to play like he did tonight. The only thing almost tripping up the 22 year-old center fielder's coronation? His speed. Yes, his speed. Having tied the game in the 5th on three straight singles, a 6-4-3 bases loaded double play that plated Casey Kotchman, and a Chone Figgins (surprise surprise) RBI single, Gomez broke to his left and nearly kept the Angels rally alive by over running a not-so-routine Gary Mathews Jr. fly ball. Gomez himself - along with opening day ESPN marathon viewers and Twins faithful alike - seemed genuinely surprised by how quickly he closed on the ball.Bill Smith will no doubt rest easy for one night - and rightfully so. After watching his consistent ability to pick up or let go of guys at just the right time (A.J., Jacque Jones, and as much as it hurts to say, Every Day Eddie), I would have walked off a bridge if Terry Ryan said it was the right move for the Twins. That confidence seemed to carry right over to Smith. But I didn't understand the logic of not pulling the trigger with the Yankees or Boston during the winter meetings. We'll have 161 more chances to question that logic, but it becomes difficult to do knowing the Twins are one steal and a Joe Mauer single away from a run every time Gomez is on base.
If the Twins rattle off the unthinkable 100 win season, tonight's win was an irrefutable blueprint - pitch, catch, run (fast), keep the lead. The Twins did just that, the 8th and 9th went according to script and featured Pat Neshek striking out the side and Joe Nathan's slider confusing (among others) Torii Hunter. Delmon Young looked good in his debut while Monroe was confused at best in three plate appearances (0-3, k) But the questions remain: What of the starting pitching? How often can Gomez get on, and how long will Gardy leave him at lead off if he can't?
Dirty Sock - Pat Neshek.
Great eighth inning - Izturis looking, Figgins looking on a 10 pitch at bat, 9 of which were fastballs, Vlad swinging on six straight sliders.
Oh, and this just in, Carlos Gomez is fast.
(Photo by Tom Olmscheid/AP)
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