Hideki Matsui Angels Debut a Blast

Vladimir who? Angels offseason acquisition Hideki Matsui debuted in red, donning the familiar #55 jersey and batted in the cleanup spot for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He had a run scoring single in the 5th inning for his first hit and RBI as an Angel and had a solo HR in the bottom of the 8th for his first Angel HR - the hometown crowd cheered him.

Matsui told the postgame interviewer, some dude from Fox Sports West, that he was just glad to contribute to the win. He also said he was glad he could come to winner this past offseason and that the Angels are a great team.

Jered Weaver first ever home opener start earned him a W while Kevin Jepsen pitched an intense 7th inning. Fernando Rodney also made his Angel debut with ten pitches - 3 strikes, 7 balls and unbelievably 3 outs with no damage.

After Matsui's monstrous blast, Kendry Morales sent a souvenir to the left field seats. Earlier in the game, Jeff Mathis hit the first Angel homerun of the season, a solo shot to give the good guys a 3-2 lead. Erick Ayabr was the first Angel run to score in 2010, crossing the plate on a Morales single in the first. Torii Hunter also scored that inning on a basehit by Juan Rivera.

The Twins looked okay, but Weaver got the flyouts and Ks when he needed them. Minnesota's bullpen is going to determine how far the defending AL Central champs go.