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(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Season Record: 14-16

Up Next: Mariners (6:10 CT, 5/9)

1. Home Sweet Homers

In the past five games, the Twins struggled to score, and came away each time with no homeruns. That streak ended in their return to the Dome as the Twins knocked four balls over the fence for a much needed power surge. The reason for the recent power outage is hard to determine, but for now at least, it's over.

Brendan Harris led things off for the Twins when he put a three-run homerun over the baggy to extend the Twins' lead to 5-0 in the second inning. Joe Mauer hit an opposite field homerun in his fifth inning at-bat, and just  a few pitches later Justin Morneau followed it up with one of his own. Brian Buscher, another backup inserted into the lineup, hit one over the fence for the first time since last August. While the Twins hit four homeruns on the night, it almost became five when Jason Kubel doubled off the wall; the ball hit the top of the wall and was only an inch from becoming a round-tripper. 

The Twins aren't a power team, and they rely much more on solid pitching, speed and solid base hits, but homeruns are still key, and they helped the Twins get back on track.

2. Clearing the Hurdle

Through six innings in his outing last weekend, Scott Baker pitched shutout, no-hit baseball. It looked as if Baker was finally back after struggling through April; a five-run seventh however took away the no-hitter, shutout, and then the victory. It also took away the entire story of Baker's first six innings.

Baker collected his first win of the season upon the return home; this time clearing the seventh inning hurdle. In the seven inning outing, Baker allowed only five hits and also struck out five to complete the shutout.

While Baker does currently sport a 6.83 ERA and a 1-4 record, his two recent outings show promise as the season progresses. Baker has put zeroes on the board in thirteen of the past fourteen innings, and only the five-run seventh inning a week ago has prevented him from two consecutive victories.

3. Hits and Runs

Two things the Twins struggled to collect in Detroit and Baltimore were hits and runs. Both of those things returned in the series opener as the Twins reached base a total of 18 times with 13 hits and five walks. The hit-to-run ratio was a solid one for Minnesota as 11 runners crossed the plate.

A rare feat was completed at the Metrodome on the night as every single starter collected not only a hit, but also a run. From Span to Harris, every starter at least singled and crossed home plate. Four of the nine starters collected multiple hits, and six of the nine hitters reached base with an extra-base hit.

The averages, for some players at least, are now starting to climb. Michael Cuddyer has seen his average move closer to his career .268 average with recent games and is hitting .262 on the season. Meanwhile, Delmon Young, although a single machine thus far, has moved over the .300 mark with a .303 average.