Joe Mauer snapped what had been the longest season-opening hitless streak of his career.
Mauer snapped the 0 for 10 streak Thursday with a sharp ground ball single off White Sox lefty Jose Quintana, in Minnesota’s wild 10-9 win.
The streak was twice the length of Mauer’s previous longest season-opening drought. He went 0 for 5 to start the 2006 season in Toronto before a base hit.
According to the Pioneer Press, Mauer had no idea the hitless streak reached 10 at-bats.
“Is that what it was?” Mauer said to the newspaper. “I didn’t know how long it’s been, but it’s always good to get that first one under your belt, that’s for sure.”
Eight times in his career, Mauer has produced at least one hit in his first game of the season. His only other hitless opener was in 2012. He was 0 for 2 in the opener before singling in his first at bat of the second game against Baltimore.
In his other at bats Thursday, Mauer also walked and struck out. It was that strike out in the ninth inning that drew the ire of Mauer and some Twins fans. Chicago closer Matt Lindstrom sat Mauer down on this pitch.
Mauer’s early struggles have been noticed by many Twins’ fans.
1500 ESPN’s Derek Wetmore says it amazes him how much people want to rip the team’s best hitter for its collective failure. Wetmore added that he’s hoping fans can move past it this season.
The Twins will open a weekend series in Cleveland on Friday.
