The Braves completed their first walkoff win of the year, albeit in an exhibition game, as Mauro Gomez hit a game-winning home run in the 10th inning to beat the Twins, 4-2.
The Twins scored in the second and third innings. Scott Linebrink allowed a run when Jim Thome doubled and Michael Cuddyer singled. An error by Martin Prado in left field allowed Thome to score, but the run was on Linebrink. A walk, single and sac fly by Joe Mauer scored the second run in the third, off George Sherrill.
The Twins remained ahead by two until the ninth inning, when the Braves came back off closer Matt Capps to tie. With one out, Eric Hinske reached on an error, Brooks Conrad was hit by a pitch and Joe Mather singled to load the bases. Ed Lucas singled in one, and after Shawn Bowman struck out, J.C. Boscan singled in the tying run.
With Chuck James on the mound for the Twins in the 10th, Wilkin Ramirez walked to lead off the inning and stole second. With two outs, Gomez launched a home run to win the game.
Gomez had two RBI, Boscan had one and Lucas had one. Brian McCann reached twice on a single and walk. Dan Uggla added a double.
The Braves threw out 10 different relievers tonight to get everyone some work. Cristhian Martinez got the ball rolling with a scoreless first, walking Denard Span but leaving him on. Linebrink allowed a couple hits and a run. Sherrill allowed a single and walk for a run. Peter Moylan struck out two in a perfect inning.
Jaye Chapman, Eric O'Flaherty, Tim Gustafson, Jonny Venters, Craig Kimbrel and Richard Sullivan each pitched a scoreless inning.
The Twins received four solid innings from Nick Blackburn, allowing just one hit and one walk with no runs. Joe Nathan added a scoreless inning for Minnesota. Capps blew the lead in the ninth by allowing two runs on three hits. James gave up the game in the 10th on the home run by Gomez.
Mauer picked up a RBI on a sac fly and added a walk. Span added two walks and Thome added a double. Justin Morneau went 0-4 with a strikeout.
The Braves return to Turner Field on Wednesday at 12:05 for the final Spring Training game against the Twins.