Twins Overcome Power Outage Delay to Win Home Opener against Rays

The Twins have started the 2026 season 1-0 at Target Field.

Apr 3, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Luke Keaschall (15) hits a single during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images | Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images

The 2026 season did not get off to a great start at Target Field. There was roughly a one-hour delay to the Twins' home opener on Friday following a power outage in the area. Once things got going, the Twins were able to take down the Rays 10-4.

The Twins' fanbase has been seriously tested over the past few seasons with questionable decisions from the ownership. There was still a relatively decent turnout for the team's home opener, despite 40-degree temperatures and an hour delay. They announced an attendance of 36,042, which is slightly under last season's.

Twins' announced attendance: 36,042.

That's a non-sellout and 741 below last year's home opener.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) April 3, 2026

The Twins' 2026 home opener. | Picture credit: Will Ragatz

Minnesota deployed Bailey Ober as its starting pitcher, and he immediately let up one walk, two hits and two earned runs in the first inning. He ultimately finished with four strikeouts, and he allowed four hits and three earned runs in 4.0 innings of work.

The Twins' offense began to heat up when Ober was done for the afternoon. Josh Bell, Royce Lewis and Tristan Gray all drove in runs in the fourth inning to tie the game at three. It looked like they were finally going to break the doors open in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and just one out, but the score remained 3-3 heading into the seventh inning.

It's the darkest before dawn, and it looked really dark for the Twins after Byron Buxton immediately left the game in the seventh inning after he was hit by a pitch. James Outman replaced him as a pinch runner, and they proceeded to score seven runs in the inning, which was highlighted by a grand slam from Gray. RBIs from Bell, Trevor Larnach and Royce Lewis gave them a 10-3 lead.

Buxton's X-rays came back negative in the middle of the game, and the team ruled his injury a right forearm contusion. The Rays added one more run in the eighth inning, before Minnesota cruised to a comfortable 10-4 win.

The Twins are now 3-4, and they will be back in action on Saturday against the Rays. That game is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CT, and Mick Abel is currently the projected pitcher for Minnesota.