OAKLAND, CALIF. ? Art Howe’s plan to get the Oakland Athletics past the first round of the playoffs with a seemingly unbeatable three-man rotation is in jeopardy already!

It seemed like a sensible approach. To advance, the Minnesota Twins would have to beat the A’s three aces: Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito.

But Hudson didn’t come through Tuesday in Game 1, won 7-5 by Minnesota.

A 15-game winner this year with a career-best 2.98 ERA, the right-hander fell behind in the count, turned short innings into long ones and had pitching coach Rick Peterson paying frequent visits to the mound.

But most of all, Hudson allowed the Twins to rally from a four-run deficit to win in their first postseason game in 11 years.

“I don’t feel disappointed in myself,” Hudson said. “I went out and battled and left when we were still ahead.”

Hudson was on a roll, too. He ended the regular season with an eight-game winning streak, and came into his third career playoff start having never lost to Minnesota. He was 5-0 against the Twins in eight career starts, including a 4-2 win on Aug. 30 in Oakland, the day a baseball strike was averted.

“I’ve battled before,” he said. “For the most part today, when I needed to make good pitches I felt I made them.”