at
In the second game of a three game series the Minnesota .500's travel to play Kansas City Cinderellas. In a match up that must have Joe Posnanski going nuts, it is his favorite manager against his favorite pitcher! Rather than spending all of the game log talking about Joe Pos I am going to list a bunch of fun Twins facts from this season
- The Twins are 4th in the American League in BB/K%. That is to say, the Twins are not striking out.
- Well, when I say the Twins aren't striking out I don't mean everyone. _elm_n is striking out in 31.3% of his plate appearances. I wonder how Young's theories on hitting differ from Joe Mauer's?
- Another _elm_n fact. Just when you thought it could not get any worse-- take a look at his BABIP. Do you think that .361 avg is sustainable? Yeah, me neither.
- Joe Mauer, Matt Tolbert, and Nick Punto have been intentionally walked the exact same number of times so far this season; once.
- According to fangraphs, the top 4 Twins hitters in "clutch situations" this season are Tolbert, Crede, Punto, and Redmond. The bottom 4? Mauer, Span, Harris, Morneau.
No wonder the Twins are so mediocre, all of their "best" players stink when the game is on the line.
Hey cheaptoy, you want to play a quick 18 before the game starts?
I want to, but my Wii is suddenly not connecting again. This is one picky bastard.
Take that back, its working. What's your username?
Suuuuuure. Admit it, your game, not on easy play, stinks.
Oh, I switched it to hard (although with the putting scale)
Okay, nevermind, I don't want to play you then.
Oh, I suck at hard, I just figure I won't get better unless I play that way.
Son of a gun. Way to follow up an eagle, huh?
And it was a hell of an eagle.
That looked a bit rough on #2 there.
It seems like our gamer chat isn't too popular tonight.
Eh, they's just jealous.
Man, my putting is heading down hill.
That is what happens when you are below the hole.
Hey everyone, check out this guy! He's a funny guy!
Which iteration are you playing?
10. and we're currently duking it out at St Andrews.
'10.
I just missed a totally straight putt...
Nice round, and congrats on the two stroke victory.
Its too bad I can't actually see your dude on screen.
Yo! Dudes! Get a room.
Seriously, I am jealous I don't have a Wii. I have to play online golf at wgt.com
My guy looks like the guy from the Monkees in the CoC. Duh.
Its too bad I can't actually see your dude on screen
Wii online just drives me nuts that way. I can't believe how much less the system gives you. I love mine, I swear...but its shortcomings sure are pronounced.
As for me, think "red, knee high socks" and looks exactly like me.
And Spooky, totally agree with you there. I go through all the trouble of making an awesome looking me, and no one can see him.
Your Mii looks kind of like you. Except for he is missing the totally dirty Twins hat.
Can I call for the rubbermatch right now?
I figured you would.
Wow, an 8!
Any course you would like?
I can't think of anything in particular. Something georgeous like that last one woud work.
Might as well play Minnesota
Twins (39-39)
1. Denard Span, LF
2. Bredan Harris, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Joe Crede, 3B
8. Carlos Gomez, CF
9. Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: Scott Baker
Royals (33-42)
1. David DeJesus, LF
2. Willie Bloomquist, RF
3. Billy Butler, 1B
4. Mike Jacobs, DH
5. Mark Teahen, 3B
6. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
7. Miguel Olivo, C
8. Mitch Maier, CF
9. Tony Pena, Jr. SS
Pitching: Brian Bannister
I hope comments on the baseball game exceed those of the golf game...go Harris!
There's your unclutch Mauer striking out.
That is "our" unclutch Mauer striking out.
Off for home. Play a good 18 today, guys!
C'mon fellas. cheaptoy and I are really counting on you guys to carry the game log here.
Sucky way to give up a run. Neither ball was well hit.
Hey everyone!
Okay, I ditched the Runner family at Mall of America and got back to the hotel room -- tell me the game is on TV...
"The game is on TV." Not 100% sure that's true, but I'm happy to tell you what you want to hear.
Well, I found the Lynx beating the Atlanta Whateveryoucallems...
My computer is currently showing the game, which Dick and Bert are calling. Gotta be there somewhere...
Check the local channels. Dick'n'Bert are definitely doing the game.
Aw, frack, I can't find it anywhere.
MLB Media Center puts in on FSN North. Where are you? Doesn't the TV give you that? Buzz the front desk. Bother them.
Bloomington Park Place hotel
all the standard cable crap; no FSN
Booooo.
I've got a good feeling about this game, I don't know why.
It's not Monday?
That may be it. That, or its the beer talking. Liquid optimism!
Yet again, I'm dry tonight. I never should've made this deal with the wife.
I got me a spookysetup tonight: orange soda with a beer chaser.
Spooky indeed.
The worst part is that it's her birthday, and even though she wants beer, she's willing to go without it so I have to.
You need to do a Homer Simpson and beg forgiveness by screwing up your apology.
Spooky, I may have to send you a couple pity beers later this summer.
That sounds solid.
Even when I'm not having a dry week or two, I'm interested in tasting what you guys have created. I don't know anyone who makes their own outside of this site.
Well, I'm planning on making an amber ale with some rye added to it, and I will have a hefeweizen ready soon enough. If either of those sounds good, shoot me your address at peterson.jessea at gmail dot com
9-2 on Tuesdays!!!11!
I like Baker, but his inefficiency is very frustrating.
Pena Jr. must be excited about this at-bat. If anyone can give him a homerun, it's Baker.
just bought the 1987 season of Diamond Mind baseball. My first game with Blyleven, he allowed four runs on four solo homers to McGwire, Davis, and Steinbach. He won the game 11-4. Check out this play-by play in the 9th inning:
Steinbach hits the ball to deep center field
Puckett chases back
But there's no more room
A home run for Steinbach!
He's now 3-4 with a HR, 1 RBI.
Blyleven slams his glove
Grabs the ball
And doesn't look into the bullpen.
Whaaaat? You made that up. You had to.
Looks right to me.
I thought I understood what Diamond Mind was, but that sounds like a text-based RPG.
Blyleven still had 200 hit points left after his complete game
Take that Greinke. Bert has a social anxiety disorder too!
Baker on his obligatory longish streak of getting guys out.
I predict a home run will be hit in this inning.
Damn right Mountie!
We really have a way of killing a game log, huh?
Quite literally, this time.
jeebus! What's going on with the Interwebs tonight? It took me half an inning (yea, Morny!) just to get here. Did JoePos readers decide to launch a terrorist attack on the Boss for his Gardynial?
I think me and FTLT crashed the server with our awesomeness.
I think that I might have had a few too many beers on the back nine of Baniff. I suddenly stink.
I am having the opposite reaction to my beers.
Not anymore you're not.
Scoorebooard
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!! If I would have made that birdie put we would have tied. I missed it by an inch.
/that's what she said./
Good shootin'. I think it's time for me to drink a beer in bed and curse Baker's high pitch count, though.
I think I am done too. I need to keep my arms fresh for snarky remarks.
I have to say, Braniff was a significantly awesome looking course, even on the Wii.
I set the weather to the Forecast Channel, though, and according to weather.gov, Chaska, MN was overcast, though it looked sunny when we were playing.
That one had a splash landing.
This game was all baseball-groundhog's-day until the Canadian had enough.
I was catching BP in LL and took a foul tip to the chest like that. I takes the wind out of your sails.
ugh. bases juiced. Thank goodness Punto and Punto are up and on deck.
Stupidest thing I've heard a local media member say today:
Dick talking about how Guzman/Rivas (stability up the middle) was the key to their renaissance.
Second stupidest thing I heard a local media member say today:
Gladden was on the radio this morning saying that the Twins motivate the Royals to "play above their level".
I think the Twins are playing down to the Royals' level.
Right, it's not like the Royals have looked particularly great.
Like Bartlett was the MVP of the Rays last year. When everything goes right, credit the guy who contributes the least. Crap like that keeps guys like David Eckstein making millions.
how do you not tag up and challenge Punto on that????
Why does Blyleven hate Baker, and only Baker, so damn much? Grow up, Bert. Either that or take everyone to task.
Baker hates farts.
Oh, nice variation, sir.
I hate when Baker gets the nibbles.
This is where Baker drives me nuts. It's Tony F***ing Pena, Jr.! Dominate the SOB.
No kidding. This at bat is lasting longer than the typical Fox sitcom series.
Hey, the Simpsons is in year 21!
Herman's Head. Yeah, me neither...
Well, even the show's stars have come out and made fun of how bad that one is.
stars?
Hey now, Lisa is pretty famous.
There were technically people who starred in the show.
My heart shouldn't be in my throat for a Pena Jr. at-bat.
Friggin TPJ is gonna give us some Keppel time if he keeps this up.
Aaaaaand exhale.
Steve Palermio (sic?) tells us to get off his lawn with e-mailing and such.
Awww, snap! Baker may finish this inning yet.
So, I'm guessing Baker isn't gonna be out there for the 6th.
You know, these 10+ pitch at-bats to Royals turdsicles aren't helping his pitch count much.
Light RailJeesus. I've been gone for 15 minutes. Is that Tony Pena Jr. AB still going on?
Finally tried back after the DeJesus Denial-of-Service Attack on WGOM was foiled. Now if only the Twins could generate some offense.
Would it kill Baker to find his strikeout pitch?
He's thrown 53 pitches (through the Princess Willie at bat) with 2 strikes already on the batter.
Tony Pitcher-type-hitter Jr and Willy Scrapquist? Baker is working with some flat yeast tonight.
Sorry, the only acceptable nicknames for Willie Bloomquist are:
Princess Willie
Willie Ballgame, or
Boom-Boom Bloomquist
You can't call him Ballgame, though. That's for Dougie.
Or Ted F*ckin' Williams.
Looking at Wikipedia, apparently I missed "The Silent Assassin". It was always hilarious to check out Lookout Landing and USS Mariner to find the latest in snarky nicknames for their former favorite local boy.
Holy cr@p, how long will the Dazzle/Gordo All-Star Pick comedy routine go on? STFU, guys, you're talking out of your behinds. Guerrier?!?
Which was in the same breath with Gordo saying "Nevah!" to the idea that a middle reliever would ever be picked. His head is on a friggin' swivel!
Speaking of, I saw a Sid Hartman bobblehead at Field of Dreams store at MOA this evening...
does it come with a walker?
Mind-numbing, really.
I mean, there are 13 other teams in the AL, too; Guerrier doesn't even make the Twins All-Star team.
Unless you're talking about the Twins WGOM nickname all-star team.
the 'Email Segment of the Game' they do every night needs to be dropped. Save the emails for blowout games
although, the pace Baker was throwing tonight, I guess they needed time to kill
Time for Joe to end the slump. This Aggression Will Not Stand, Man!
Your Kansas City Royals!
A wild pitch would've been perfect, but I guess the Sac Fly will do.
chalk one up for the "little things".
Yes, you don't want to score a run without giving the opposition an out. Wouldn't be sporting.
Attention Buscher/Young/Punto: that was a sac fly, learn it, live it, love it.
Oh, they can hit fly balls just fine (with 2 outs or nobody in scoring position).
Those are called pop-ups.
Span would have had tha...
That was a catch. Fucking Teahan and his krpytonite mojo.
Was it, like, and inandoutoftheglove situation?
Nope, clean catch with the glove right on the grass.
Well poop
At least it wasn't turned into an inside-the-park homerun...
This would be a good place for a 6-4-3.
Okay, Goddamit, I'm sick and tired of battling the Royals close.
mid-90s fastball? We can do that?
I sure missed the Punto conferences on the mound.
Nothing tops Tony Batista waddling over for a conference.
was he even ever aware that they were talking about the game during those?
Hee hee. Trey Hillman strikes again!
that was a good result for what Dazzle initially called a basehit
Dazz: "Base hit. Dive stop, underhand flip to Punto!"
good lord.
I'm going to suggest he start plays like that with "Ground ball".
Radio guys making this game virtually unlistenable.
They're living up to expectations, then, eh?
If you can call that "living."
As much as Dazzles most likely had, I sure would.
Dick: When Gomez plays, he's strictly a CFer.
SBG: When Gomez plays, he's the best outfielder in the game, so naturally he plays CF.
Dick: When Gomez plays, he's strictly a CFer.
FTLT: He is a better option than Cuddy.
It all starts with the bunt.
No matter what happens next, the bunt was the key.
Dick, Bert, Dazzle, Gordo, and Gleeman agree.
Ouch. Just call Gleeman a hack and get it over with!
I was going to say one of these things is not like the other....
I thought I would interrupt this program for some sad cat pics.
Awww.
Awwwwwwww.
Pawwwwwwww
I should note that she has since had the bandages removed and is currently terrorizing the dogs.
I thought those were boxing wraps.
He's got a good cut man.
Leftover BBQ brisket, chips, pluot, New Belgium Skinny Dip. The Boy is sitting in on Community Band practice and the Girl and Mrs. are at socker practice.
There you go throwin your brisket in our faces again.
We had pork chops with some kind of maple syrup glazed sweet potatoes, though, so I'm not all that jealous.
I'm thinking that the 4th probably calls for some pork ribs. With firecracker-hot sauce, of course.
I'm thinking I wouldn't mind hanging out at your house on the 4th.
as long as you brought beer, I would take care of you, ct
If I brought the beer, who would be taking care of who?
I never allow the beer to ruin the meat on the grill, cheaptoy. Well, once. But other than that, never.
Honey chicken & vegetables at Rainforest Cafe
I just had beer for dinner. Well, that and some Rold Gold Honey Wheat thins.
You gourmand.
I am a single man in my 20's. If my meals did not consist of alcohol and pretzels there would be something wrong with me.
Yeah, that about sums up my single days. I threw some chicken breast/ramen/frozen veggie mix in there too.
you didn't get all the food groups, but you got a couple of the important ones, anyway
Yea, where are the Omega 3 fatty acids? Open a can of sardines, dude!
Mmmmm, beer and sardines in mustard sauce. Now that's eatin!
Fatty acids? I am keeping an eye on next year's WGOM wellness challenge. I can't put too much weight on!
If you're looking to next year, I recommend putting on as much as possible.
Those are good fats, FTLT. Good fats. And mustard is good for you too!
Nice to see that Keppel can handle the AAAA competition.
Long relief in classical style
+3 shells
+1 Demolition Man
So my friend has now twice offered to have Sheenie and I up to his cabin for the Fourth only to have it shot down by external circumstances. Looks like we're stuck spending the long weekend in town...
I know by now that when Gordo says "It's well hit!" he means it cleared the infield
Most of the time, anyway.
a bingle from Cuddy would be nice here.
Do we reaaaally want to see Keppel for a third inning?
I say no, not particularly.
It is so creepy just how much Marney Gellnar looks like Nick Punto.
That poor woman.
...and there went the last shred of Marney Gellner's sexual magnetism.
What if she was sliding into first?
It's not nice to sexually confuse me, cheapsies.
You? How do you think Gardy feels?
Fide et fortitudine.
Give that man an estate!
Dirty Harry's all about the hot metal between his thighs.
I'm having a real hard time not cursing right now. Real. Hard. Time.
Try this: "Goram Mijares!"
Easy Cheesy.
Good cheese, please, good cheese.
He's only gotta be good cheese for one out, so he can be a good, young cheese.
good, young cheesedoodle.That's something else, E
Not much hope of a BOSO from the Gentlemen given the batters this inning.
Joe Crede, threat to steal.
...towels from the hotel.
So Cruz threw those balls to the Hilton?
Motel 6, I think.
Alton Brown making pretzels = my appetite growing.
Before Alton Brown, my youngest girl was barely interested in eating, let alone cooking. Now she's in the kitchen all the time.
I have the Pretzel episode on DVD! Target has AB in their DVD aisle
Shake 'em for Joe
Joe Nathan can slam this.
Well done, sir.
Excellent. Baseball argument. Has Trey turned his hat around? Damn.
Bottom of the ninth in a one run game, I definitely want a guy named Tug at the plate to face Nathan.
Ya gotta believe, I guess.
I didn't know religion could be so spy-friendly!
Uhhhh, the spinning latch handle features an embedded digital display? Or is that the Devil's T-800 vision superimposing a status in its Heads Up Display?
I told you guys I had a good feeling about this game.
Everyone's a wiener.
Victory!
Cuddy and WPA agree: Bobby Keppel for player of the game.
Dazz: "I think the bunt by Denard Span ... is gonna get him going."
Yep, the bunt was, is, and always will be the key.
It wasn't pretty, but it's still a W.
Red Sox blow a 10-1 lead on the Orioles, giving up five each in the 7th and 8th. It's in Baltimore...I wonder how many poor saps went home early.
I bet they had a good crowd, but of the (what I guess) 20,000 fans there, 15,000 of them were BoSox fans
I watched the ending, and indeed, the crowd was very Red Sox-heavy. That made it all the more delicious to see.
32,000 at the game
not bad for a Tuesday night
and there was a 79 minute rain delay in the 5th inning
Jeremy Guthrie in for the key pinch run!