The WGOM

Harmon and Tony O were introduced before the game. Harmon turns 70 this week (or is it today?).

Face of the franchise!

When Hunter came up in the first with the bases loaded, I told Melman he'd GIDP. He almost hit a grand slam, but then here came the GIDP.

Lotsa fly balls from the teflon coated Carlos Silva. Sometimes I wonder if Gardy and Anderson are watching the same pitcher.

I know it's anecdotal, but the first two innings pretty much sum up why the Twins should be planning ahead for Mauer's contract, not Hunter's.

This game was crawling along, but the pace has picked up. Punto's throw out at second base in front of Mauer was a questionable decision.

Re: Tony O. When my brother and I were kids, he was Harmon and I was Tony O. Basically this meant he would smack long fly balls, and I would shag them. Always thought Tony O. was a class Act. Would just foul the ball away again and again until he got the pitch he liked. Finally met him in person in an IBM booth at a Twins/O's game. Cool cat.

Earlier, I meant to post, but the W'sville called. Gordo has called three H-wait-maybe-not-guess-not's tonight, and its getting tiresome. How 'bout keep yer yip zipped till th' ball is in the clear. Luckily Black Jack has swapped in.

I don't know about that out call on Cuddyer at the plate. The tag was pretty high on Cuddyer and it looked like he might've had his foot on the base by the time the tag was applied.

Update: They just showed the replay again, and I am throughly impressed by the home plate ump's call. Cuddyer was out by the tiniest of margins, but he was out. Next year, Kubel hits that ten feet farther and Cuddyer will be safe.

I'm sure I generally come across as anti-Punto, but he has his uses. It seems like when you have to start him, a starter like Billingsley, who has problems with walking folks, is a good guy to get Punto in there against. Punto just has to get in there and foul off enough pitches so the pitcher has enough chances to throw out of the strike zone. It'd be interesting to see how Punto has done against other high-BB pitchers.

I'm a little sick of hearing Dick say how stupid it is for opposing teams to put a left-handed pitcher against Mauer.

Hey Dick! There's more to life than batting average!

Mauer's average is still great against lefties this year, but his slugging percentage is about a hundred points lower against lefties, as he has only six doubles and no home runs against lefties this year.

Mauer sucks. (Just kidding.)

According to Dick, it's hitting to the opposite field that's been helping the offense.

Oh, and Bert just told me that the Twins don't use the long ball much.

It all makes me feel like they don't deserve those 6 grand slams we have this year. Or that they shouldn't be allowed to enjoy Morneau's bazillion HRs.

Okay, I'm done complaining about the announcing tonight. I swear.

Punto seems to be taking less called third strikes this year.

F$#! Let Kubel hit against lefties!! He's a hitter! He's 2 bazillion times better than Jacque Jones ever was against lefties! You have a 4 run lead! He's hitting .250/.286/.550 against lefties! Ford's hitting .172/.243/.313 against lefties!

Why do you continue to be such a terrible manager?!?

Silva's not getting many groundballs since I've been watching, but the Dodgers haven't been getting many hard hits, either. Maybe his fastball has re-gained at least some of its late movement from last year.

It's not a game unless Punto slides into first.

I think I hear someone yelling from the stands that Punto should be fined for that. Is it you SBG?

SBG, did you stand and cheer the Punto slide into first? I laughed again.

Cinco de RBI. Mauer Mas fina.

Automatic double for Mauer! Two years from now, I say that'll be a home run.

Mauer: 4-5, 5 RBI.

1 K, 2 groundouts -- just another 1-2-3 inning from Jesse "Automatic" Crain.

I think I hear someone yelling from the stands that Punto should be fined for that. Is it you SBG?

That was me! LOL!