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Final Score: LA Angels 2 - Minnesota 3

Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Carlos Gomez, one of the players traded from the Mets in the offseason and the person who took over for Torii Hunter in center field for the Twins, had two hits, a pair of stolen bases and scored twice as Minnesota edged the Angels, 3-2, in the season opener for both teams.

Livan Hernandez threw seven strong innings for the Twins, who spoiled the return of Hunter to the Metrodome. In his 13th season and pitching for an American League team for the first time in his long career, Hernandez (1-0) scattered seven hits, and allowed two runs while striking out a batter. The right-hander, who was signed in February to a one-year deal, retired the final seven batters he faced.

Joe Mauer, Michael Cuddyer and Mike Lamb all singled in runs for Minnesota.

Joe Nathan worked the ninth inning for the save.

"Livan pitched great, got it to our bullpen," Cuddyer said. "The best closer in my opinion came in and shut the door."

Minnesota's roster features just four returning players from last year's season-opening lineup, and the most notable voids are two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, who was traded to the New York Mets in February, and Hunter, who was signed by the Angels to a five-year contract.

A seven-time Gold Glove winner during his 11-year stay in Minnesota, Hunter was greeted with signs of "Welcome back Torii" and "This is Torii's Territory" on his return to Minneapolis. The crowd of 49,596 gave him a standing ovation in his first plate appearance, a fly out to right-center field in the second inning. Hunter finished the night 0-for-4.

"I can't even explain what was going through my mind," Hunter said. "It was just weird, being announced on the other side. I'm glad this day is over. I was so amped-up and excited to be here."

Jered Weaver (0-1) was charged with eight hits and three runs over 6 1/3 innings to suffer the loss. He walked two and struck out five for the Angels, who entered the season vying for their fourth AL West title in five years.

Chone Figgins had an RBI single for the Angels, while Casey Kotchman went 3- for-4 and scored once.

Minnesota went ahead for good in the bottom half of the fifth. Gomez walked, stole second and went to third on a groundout from Mauer. Cuddyer then grounded a single to left for the 3-2 edge.

Gary Matthews Jr. doubled with two outs off Pat Neshek for Los Angeles in the eighth, but Vladimir Guerrero fanned on a high pitch to end the threat.

The Twins loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, but failed to score, setting up Nathan for the ninth. Garret Anderson flied out and Hunter swung through a high pitch for a strikeout. Kotchman singled, but Howie Kendrick bounced a ball up the middle, inducing a force out to end the game.

Gomez doubled down the left field line to start the bottom of the first, and Mauer followed with an RBI single to center.

Delmon Young, acquired from Tampa Bay in the offseason, singled to start the Minnesota fourth, then stole second. Lamb singled up the middle one out later for a 2-0 lead.

The Angels tied the game in the fifth. Kotchman, Kendrick and Mike Napoli all singled to start the frame before Maicer Izturis grounded into a double-play to force in the first run. Figgins followed with an RBI single to right field.