BAD OMEN?
The Twins' 4-2 loss to Baltimore on Friday resurrected several memories of the 2011 opener -- a 13-3 loss at Toronto. Not a good sign, since the Twins are trying to erase 2011 from their memory banks. Consider:
• Carl Pavano lost his second consecutive Opening Day assignment, allowing two runs in the first inning to Baltimore after surrendering four a year ago against Toronto.
• Joe Mauer grounded to the pitcher in his first at-bat in both seasons, and his bouncer against the Orioles resulted in an inning-ending double play. Mauer and Justin Morneau combined for one hit in both openers.
• Denard Span was the only player with more than one hit in either opener (he had two hits in both).
• And, finally, the streak that started in the first game of last season continues: The Twins haven't reached .500 since the final game of 2010, having lost the first two and three of the first four last year.
JIM SOUHAN
