Oakland uses Barry Zito’s arm and the bat of Frank Thomas to take game one 3-2.

The Oakland A’s came right after Twins ace Johan Santana and plated two runs in the second inning. Frank Thomas led of the inning with a homerun to left and with two outs Marco Scutaro doubled to deep left scoring Jay Payton from first.

Barry Zito held a 2-0 lead until Rondell White hit a two-out homerun to left in the seventh inning.

The Twins had their chance to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth but could not capitalize on a leadoff double from Jason Bartlett.

Frank Thomas added an insurance run in the top of the ninth with his second homerun of the game. Thomas finished the game 3 for 4.

The lefty ace of the Oakland A’s threw eight strong innings allowing only four hits to a Twins lineup that boasted the best team batting average in the majors this year. Huston Street came on in the ninth to close the door but made things interesting for the Twins faithful. After giving up a leadoff triple to Michael Cuddyer, Street retired Justin Morneau on a line out to right. Cuddyer scored on Torii Hunter’s ground out to second and Rondell White ended the game with a fly out to center.

The A’s 3-2 victory gave them  a 1-0 lead in the best of five series.