Twins played first game in Target Field history vs Red Sox 16 years ago
On April 12, 2010, the Minnesota Twins played their first game at their new home, Target Field, after 28 seasons at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, which the team shared with the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.
On the historic day, designated hitter Jason Kubel, coming off an outstanding 2009 season where he posted 3.5 bWAR and a .300/.369/.539 slash line with 28 homers, went 3-for-4 with the first home run in Target Field history as the Twins defeated the Boston Red Sox 5-2.
Today in 2010: Jason Kubel hits the first HR in Target Field history.
— Jeff (@MNTwinsZealot) April 12, 2026
pic.twitter.com/Oq8vcOhUtj
Right-handed starting pitcher Carl Pavano earned the win on the special day, allowing one run on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts in four innings. After lefty Brian Duensing and righty Matt Guerrier pitched the seventh and eighth innings, righty Jon Rauch earned the save by throwing a perfect ninth inning.
The Twins quickly took the lead in the bottom of the first inning, with Michael Cuddyer and Kubel hitting back-to-back RBI singles off Red Sox lefty Jon Lester.
Hall of Fame catcher Joe Mauer added another run for Minnesota by driving in Nick Punto on a double off Lester in the second inning.
Former Twin David Ortiz gave the Red Sox their first run in the fourth inning by driving in Kevin Youkilis on a double. Mauer hit an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning to make the score 4-1.
Dustin Pedroia hit a sacrifice fly off Guerrier in the eighth inning following Kubel's homer to make the score 5-2.
Fans couldn't have asked for a better debut for the Twins at their new stadium. The game began at 3:13 p.m. CST, and it was a sunny day. Twins Territory displayed its excitement, with an announced attendance of 38,145.
The Twins had a great debut season at their new stadium, winning the American League Central with a 94-68 record before being swept by the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series. Since then, there hasn't been much excitement at Target Field.
After 2010, the Twins didn't return to the playoffs until 2017, didn't host a playoff game until 2019 against the Yankees, and didn't win a playoff game until 2023 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Now, fan morale is extremely low after back-to-back disappointing seasons. Hopefully, the team can exceed expectations this year and reignite fan excitement.