MINNEAPOLIS – Brad Ausmus was asked before Friday night’s game what exactly would constitute a successful major league debut from right-hander Michael Fulmer.
“Win,” he said.
And when the rookie walked off the mound after the fifth inning against the Twins at Target Field, he had done his job. He won.
Fulmer was fantastic in his debut, looking nothing like a first-timer – what, with the lengthy beard – and limited the Twins to two runs over five innings in a 9-2 win at Target Field.
He took the mound with adrenaline, as expected: His first pitch was a 97 m.