Three weeks ago I was pretty much done with taxes, except for entering one form that my daughter needed to provide. After weeks of nagging, she finally sent it to me last Friday. I plugged it into the old 1040 today, and my refund got a happy ending. What's the lesson? Perseverance pays off. Maybe if the Twins persevere for the next five and a half months they could win the division. Probably not. But it's a good bet it will all come down to the pitching.
Today is Jackie Robinson day around the major leagues and you might see a number 42 here or there. I'll be going to see the movie on Sunday, so no spoilers, please.
Today the Angels send right-hander Joe Blanton to the hill, while the Twins offer Kevin Correia. Blanton in his last start gave up six runs in just over five innings, while Correia gave up three runs in eight innings and carried a shutout through the first seven. One move of note for the Twins, Oswaldo Arcia is called up before tonight's game to replace Wilkin Ramirez, who went on the three-day paternity list Sunday. I didn't even know there was such a thing.
Ben Revere just made a ridonculous play in Cincinnati.
Slo-mo.
So, is that the best one he's made yet? I mean, looking at it, it seems safe to say that it's one of the hundred or so best catches in major league history. But is it good enough to be his best?
Whoa. That's some serious speed and coordination to catch that.
Now I want to see the four-hop throw to the cut-off man, just to complete the circle.
He actually turned it into a DP.
That was a great catch. Almost enough to offset his offensive contributions so far.
jeez, look at the lift he got on that jump. i understood the trade, but i knew i was still gonna miss the kid, however irrational it was.
This is beautiful.
How cool that he got to do that wearing 42?
three days for paternity? That's some mighty fast gestation.
Brendan Harris sighting!
Brendan Harris!
I wonder if the Target Field Squirrel will return
Seriously? To Peter Bourjos? At least make him run for it.
I hate Peter Bourjos
Of course. Give up a home run to Bourjos but strike out Trout.
Bourjos has 23 career HRs. 5 have come against the Twins.
If I was told the top of the first would contain two strikeouts, a foul pop out, and a home run, Bourjos would be the fifth one I picked to hit the home run.
Brendan Harris sighting at shortstop. Team #3 (or 4?) that thinks they can make him a shortstop.
I'm just wondering if he'll be paying any visits to his old, ahem, stomping grounds this week.
We do know who to ask about [redacted].
I hope he crosses paths with Cole DeVries while out on the town.
I am sad, to this day, I missed the stories about [redacted].
I know nothing about any of this.
I know very little. I still find it amusing, though.
[Redacted] used to be a Twin. While he lived in Minnesota, he was [redacted] a friend of [redacted]. While with [redacted], he apparently had some [redacted] interests such as [redacted] himself while [redacted] and [redacted] [redacted] while [redacted] even if [redacted] didn't [redacted] or give [redacted].
I got all of that. He's certainly memorable, if nothing else.
I only got about half of it. Damn I wish I could remember the stories better.
Heh, DPWY captured the gist of it. They're not worth rehashing. But jeez, since my friend starting working for the team, I've become privy to more inside dirt than ever before. Perhaps one day my tongue will loosen...
Is it the trainer/physical therapist? If so, I'm pretty sure I had two physical therapy sessions with him when I had my ACL surgery a few years ago (I started PT in February that year, he left after those to go to Fort Myers).
Yeah, I think I remember you saying that. He's a good dude. He gets mad when I call him a physical therapist, though. I called him a masseuse once and he really got offended. He's in Fort Myers now for extended spring training, then he'll be the athletic trainer for the Elizabethton Twins once their season starts.
I don't think I can give this story a medal.
Like every Will story, I give it three golds!
That's why you're the best!
Tell me about it.
holy jeebus, Mauer got a hold of that one.
stupid wall
"You give [Scioscia] good players and he does good things".
new guy!
Welcome to the Show, kid!
Arcia lines a solid single into right. Hamilton bobbles the ball and Arcia takes second. I think he guaranteed himself playing time until Ramirez comes back.
He's already got the ROY edge over Hicks!
Having a child is a big deal. Ramirez should feel free to take all the time he wants.
oh my
[Redacted]
Somebody says, "[redact] this!"
Angels poll question is "Which is the hardest to do - Perfect Game, Hitting for the Cycle, or turning a triple play?"
Besides the strange choice to place a team event alongside two solo achievements, it's pretty silly that they'd ask a question that could be answered with numbers so easily.
They asked which is the hardest, not which is the least common. There's a big difference. /WTF is he talking about?!
I see two team achievements on that list. Unless it's an unassisted triple play.
Some teams are more inclusive than others.
Okay, yes.
And sometimes it's an achievement for both the team and the umpire.
But yes, your original point still stands.
Harris?! Oh, for stupid.
[redacted]
That's just adding insult to injury.
Hey, have the Twins figured out how to turn double-plays? I thought the first one might have been an accident.
I'm freakin' dying at [redacted]. I literally ROTFL.
Congrats to Dazzle for understanding Mauer's real worth.
okay, time to catch up with these:
PLOUF-DA!
PLOUFFE! There it is!
PLOOOOOUFFE
Nice bunt by Florimon.
Nice home run by Plouffe.
Darn. Won't link.
Joe Mauer. You don't run on him.
GUNNED!
I dislike how Gameday is always ahead of Gameday Audio. I feel like it spoils it for me.
Great play by Florimon. If only he could make a normal play or do a decent turn on a DP.
Luckily he'll have a lot of practice turning double plays.
Turning them? Or hitting into them?
Perhaps both.
More Pauer!
PAUER
Looks like I picked the right pitch to return.
PAUER!!!!!!
the crack of the bat sounded awesome on that.
Good Lord, Mauer.
It's been a rough day, but Mauer homering is the kind of thing that can help restore one's faith in humanity.
MAUER WITH PAUER!
I turned on the game at a good time.
I wish it was Jackie Robinson Day every day for the Pauer!
How often do you see it? Joe Mauer throws out a guy for the first out and then hits a homerun to lead off the next inning.
This is one of those cases where you don't want to run up the opposing pitcher's pitch count.
Nice opposite field hit by Plouffe.
Huh, I think the Angels are kinda bad.
Oh great, Scoscia goes to the pen. This game is going to take forever now.
And they said I was crazy to leave them out of the playoffs!!!
Okay, nobody said that, but if they had, you know.
And they said I was crazy
to leave them out of the playoffs!!!FTFY
Well, naturally they said that.
Scioscia fearing Arcia, brings in the LOOGY.
Kinda short leash for Blanton, huh? 80 pitches, no chance for a win- interesting.
It's weird, because as mediocre as he is, he's known as an innings-eater, isn't he?
Yup, that's his reputation. Groundball pitcher, throws strikes, yadda yadda.
I sort of like this Arcia guy. He put a sting in that one.
This is where klawitter says, I told you so.
I told you so.
Scoscia is already fearing Arcia
soooo close
Impressive scouting report for the Angels on Arcia. Normally there is no way a LFer makes a play on that ball hit by a left-handed batter.
Plus it's Mike Trout.
Correia is a very 'Twins' pitcher.
What up dudes? Things are looking good, except for that thing that Brendan Harris did. Which one of you is responsible for that?
Casilla, somehow.
Dammit, Casilla!
Might have to check the video tape on that.
I can't believe I came by 50 minutes later and this hasn't been [redacted].
Good night for Mauer.
Mauer just needs a triple!
A pussy triple!
A triple away from the cycle!11!1!1!
I wonder how much a great hitter like Joe fouling off a few affects a pitcher? I have to assume it'll put you on edge knowing he was this close.
ooooooops
Oh, Oswaldo.
Send him back.
They did.
Turrible.
Just setting up a double play of some sort.
seeing a play like that by a LFer wearing 42 remind me of the time Butch Husky patrolled Metrodome for half season.
I blame Florimon.
You've got the wrong guy.
Nah, it's his fault. See: Casilla, Alexi
Goood pitch by Correia, there.
Left it up? It was like a foot off the ground. Ah, Bert.
Solid start by Correia. Great last inning.
is a Twins starting pitcher allowed to strikeout 5 in a game?
Not without also walking 7.
Bizzaroiea.
Is it too early to start rejoicing in our glorious victory?
68% - Perfect Game
22% - Hit for the Cycle
10% - Triple Play
I predict all 3 will happen this game.
Mike Trout: slower than a speeding Mauer fastball.
YDNHWCSGOJM!
After that start Correia takes the lead in the clubhouse for the Twins all star this season. Assuming the Twins hang on to win, of course.
Shh - Gleeman might hear you.
Apparently I can't "watch" game day from my iPad because the MLB is interested in grabbing my cash.
SEND HIM!!!!!!!!!
I like this "good pitching" thing. I think the Twins should try it every game!
Ok dudes, I'm gonna catch the rest of this tomorrow when I can fast forward through all the pitching changes. Night!
I don't know if I've ever seen so many one-run innings on a scoreboard before.
It's like a conversation with Woodstock.
Love this.
Yeah, that is just an excellent, esoteric reference.
Oh, very nicely done.
Yup, sean nailed it- again.
Time for the Twins to bust out a few runs to give Mauer his chance at a triple.
Wow. Did Bert just explain that spring training stats might not be reliable?
Wins excepted.
Not a strikeout!
not a strikeout!
You're just copying Sean all over the place, wattsy.
no kidding
Primus inter pares has its advantages.
Baby steps, Hicks. Nice
at batplate appearance.Well, here come another 23 pickoff moves.
Okay, that's gotta put Hicks on top of the ROY list
This is Hicks' best game so far.
Not impressed with the steal of second; it seemed like Iannetta let him. Advancing to third though, that was nice.
The ol' no-hit triple.
look at all these runs!
dozier was dead there.
Floride!
2 run inning? That ruins everything.
Some nice baserunning on display this inning.
I think it would be prudent to walk Mastrioanni to set up Joe's bases-clearing triple.
Through one in Oakland, the A's lead 6-0 on 4 walks and two hits, including a 3-run donger. Houston manager is not amused.
Okay, need to score a few more runs to get Joe another chance.
just have to settle for a 4-5 night, 3 rbi, 8 total bases night.
ho hum.
The Lew Ford All-Stars thank him.
BABY JEEBUS
HE IS RIDICULOUS
Not so fast, Kevin Correia. Joe Mauer think HE deserves the Twins All-Star spot.
All our base are belong to him?
All Saints something something...
We like it. We really like it!
AngelsNuns in the OutfieldFirst series-opening win!
Ha ha. MLB Gameday briefly said who the Twins had due up in the bottom of the 9th. Even they were confused.
So my Dad was telling me how Mauer is no good yesterday.
He wasn't good yesterday. Today, very good.
A fellow on a Twins group on Facebook a coworker invited me to posted before the game today how the "184 million dollar man" was off to a bad start to the season with his one dinger and one RBI.
Kevin Correia: Proven winner.
Suck it. Gleeman?
Arcia back to Rochester.
Makes sense, I guess.
See you soon, Oswaldo.
Solo homers don't hurt you, at least not when you're Cy Correia. This Mauer guy seems pretty good--where's he been all year? We're still on track for 155-7!