Twins 2, Athletics 1
Joe Mauer belted a two-out, go-ahead single in the eighth inning and the Minnesota Twins rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics in their home opener Friday.
Denard Span had an RBI single for Minnesota (3-4), which conjured up some more magic at Target Field. The Twins were an American League-best 53-28 at home last season en route to their second straight AL Central Division title.
Minnesota's comeback made a winner out of Carl Pavano (1-1), who allowed one run and four hits in eight innings. He had been outdueled by Brett Anderson (0-1) before the Twins broke through in the eighth.
Danny Valencia sparked the rally with a one-out single and later scored the tying run on a single by Span. Pinch hitter Jason Kubel singled before Mauer laced an 0-1 slider to left, scoring pinch runner Matt Tolbert.
Joe Nathan worked around a one-out single in the ninth for his third save in as many chances and 250th of his career.
David DeJesus had a sacrifice fly for Oakland (2-5), which scored its only run without the benefit of a base hit in the first inning. Anderson allowed two runs and eight hits in eight innings.