The Twins and Oakland have good battles. It has been that way for most of the 32 seasons that I have watched. Even when the Oakland A's won three straight World Series while the Twins languished, the Twins could take the A's to the mat.

Tonight was no different. After falling behind 4-0, the Twins came back to win 7-6. Homeruns get the headlines, but the Twins probably would not have won the game with last year's shortstop and second baseman on the field. This year's duo, Castro and Castillo, has better range, glovework and arm accuracy than last year's bunch. Even Batista at third, despite his girth, is quick. And I love how he throws keeping his shoulders square with the first baseman. His throwing style is as quirky as his batting stance. Unlike his feast-or-famine batting results, Batista's fielding style results in invariably perfect throws to first.

Nathan doesn't usually throw 98 mph this early in the season. That he did tonight is good news. He was pretty untouchable.
The Twins have always had troubles with relievers early in the season. If Nathan is solid, that will help.

AH, IT IS FUN to have business again. The till has been quiet for six months. Today, there were some beeps. What an unusual, beautiful spring thus far. The snow unexpectedly vanished in the space of four days. Theories abound: Was it the rain? Was it that the ground didn't freeze hard, allowing the snow to sink right in, or even helping melt it?

No matter. People are planting trees. Customers return to the nursery each year like swans to the swamp. Both events seem to me equally miraculous.