ARLINGTON -- The Twins employed the "opener" strategy for the first time this season against the Rangers on Sunday, and while Zack Littell had some success early, it all fell apart in a nine-run sixth inning.
With the top of Texas' lineup left-handed leaning, lefty reliever Gabriel Moya opened the game, but served up a two-run homer to the right-handed-hitting Elvis Andrus in a sign of things to come in an 18-4 loss in the series finale. Despite the results in the first attempt, the Twins are scheduled to utilize the opener strategy again Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.