Twins Flashback Recap: Stewart Hits Walk-Off Homer, Mauer Shines in MLB Debut (4/5/2004)

[Tom Froemming]

Shannon Stewart’s first Opening Day as a Minnesota Twin sure was a memorable one. Stewart sent Twins fans home happy after delivering a walk-off three-run homer in the 11th inning. Hometown phenom Joe Mauer made his major league debut, and reached base in four of his five plate appearances.Box Score

Radke: 6 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Home Runs: Stewart (1)

Multi-hit games: Stewart (2-for-5, HR, BB), Mauer (2-for-3, 2 BB), Mientkiewicz (2-for-5, 2B)

Top 3 WPA: Mauer .314, Stewart .267, Koskie .187

*Chart via FanGraphs

 

The Twins entered the bottom of the eighth inning trailing 4-0, but Mauer led off the inning with a walk. Base hits from Cristian Guzman, Michael Cuddyer, Doug Mientkiewicz, Corey Koskie and Torii Hunter resulted in the Twins knotting things up at 4-4.

 

The Twins’ bullpen opened its season in sterling fashion, pitching in five shutout innings. Jacque Jones and Michael Cuddyer also provided relief with their arms, as they combined on a relay to throw out former Twin Matt Lawton at home plate to end the top of the 10th inning.

 

Matt LeCroy got things started in the 11th inning with a one-out walk and Mauer followed with a single up the middle. Guzman struck out swinging to bring Stewart up with two outs. He did not disappoint.

 

 

Stewart, who was acquired from Toronto last July, also had a single and a walk.

 

"It's amazing when a 20-year-old kid like Mauer walks to the plate, and you expect big things," Mientkiewicz told Star Tribute reporter Jim Souhan after the game. "And with Shannon, honestly, I'm surprised when he doesn't come through."

 

Mauer collected his first major league hit to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning.

 

 

Brad Radke made his team-record eighth Opening Day start, but unfortunately that experience didn’t work to his benefit tonight. The 31-year-old gave up 11 hits, three of them home runs, in his six innings of work. Due to a Guzman error, however, just two of his four runs surrendered were earned.

 

LINKS

For more on this game, check out Aaron’s Baseball Blog.

Mauer’s Myths: The Hero Minnesota Didn’t Deserve | Cody Christie

The Five Most Underrated Players in Twins History | Ted Schwerzler

Reminiscing About the Shannon Stewart Trade | Tom Froemming

 

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[Tom Froemming]

In case anybody is wondering, yes, the Mientkiewicz quote is real.

[big dog]

Mauer with the diamond cutter, as TK would say.