Monthly Archives: April 2017

2017 Twins Game Logs

2017 Game 19: Minnesota Twins vs. Texas Rangers

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So, at what point do we resign ourselves to another crappy season of baseball? While we all enjoyed the 5-0 start, I don't think many of us felt any corners had been turned (okay, I'll admit to experiencing a few pangs of optimism (certainly nothing reaching socal levels), but they quickly subsided). Should we acknowledge it at all, or just try to remain as ignorant as Andie McDowell? Seems more pleasant that way. More wet though.

In any case, I suppose it's too early to start reaching for the alarm levers, however, I've seen this movie before, and I have a feeling I know where it's headed. Anyway, onto less existential topics:

The Twins flee Target Field, managing a meager 2-7 on the home stand. Kyle Gibson and the Twins (the former of which is pretty sure the Tigers were stealing signs) were clobbered yesterday in a messy affair to the tune of 13-4. They now hit the road for a 6 game trip, where hopefully their fortunes will improve. Tonight, they send Phil Hughes and his bulky ERA to the mound. Ol' Phil only made it 3.1 innings last time, so hopefully he can give the bullpen a little bit of a break tonight. If not, I may have to update the "Aces Through The Years" banner again.

The Rangers began the year a little iffy, however they're fresh off a 4-game sweep of the Royals, so their fortunes may be improving. Perez is also coming off a less than spectacular start, managing an extra .1 innings more than Hughes. Both pitchers will be fighting for redemption! And their mother's love (perhaps)!!

In other news, Boshers, one of the few brights spots of yesterday's pitching, was unceremoniously dumped back to AAA as a thank you. They will bring up Spring Training invite Nick Tepesch who has been pitching well in Rochester as of late. In a corresponding 40-man roster move, Ryan O’Rourke was moved to the 60-day DL.

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The Nation Has An Appetite

Burrito Bowl-ish

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I don't know quite how to say this, guys. I'm obsessed with meat's beans. I put this meal together to showcase the beans . . . and also so that I'll now have an easy way to find the recipe anytime I need it.

INGREDIENTS
Quick Pickled Red Cabbage:
2 cups sliced red cabbage
1/2 teaspoon peppercorns
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Meat's Black Beans:
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
freshly ground black pepper
1 small onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 15-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups vegetable stock

Greens:
1-2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups spinach, kale, or other greens, washed and spun in a salad spinner (or otherwise mostly dried)

Other:
cooked brown rice
avocado, sliced or cubed
cilantro
shredded cheddar cheese
salsa
sour cream
tortilla chips
(anything you want, really)

DIRECTIONS
To make quick pickled red cabbage:
Pack a 2-cup mason jar (or other heat-proof container) with the cabbage and peppercorns.

In a small saucepan, mix water, rice vinegar, honey, and salt. Heat and stir until the salt and honey dissolve. Pour hot liquid over the cabbage, making sure all of it is submerged. Seal and allow to sit at room temperature until the brine cools slightly and the jar is warm to the touch but not hot. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill. (Keeps for 2 weeks.)

To make meat's black beans:
Measure olive oil into a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Bloom cumin, chili powder, freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika in oil (about 1 minute). Add minced onion and garlic and saute until browned. (At this point, everything will smell insanely good.) Add black beans and stock. Let come to a gentle boil and cook uncovered until liquid is reduced to a paste.

To make greens:
In a skillet, saute garlic in olive oil. Add greens and cover until wilted, about 5 minutes.

To assemble your bowl of deliciousness:
Start with a base of brown rice. Add cabbage, beans, greens, avocado, cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, salsa, sour cream, tortilla chips, or whatever floats your boat. As lovely as it looks after assembly, I prefer to mix together everything except the chips before devouring it. But really, eat it however you want.

Cabbage recipe modified from Food for My Family.
General inspiration from Joy the Baker.

Keeping Track

Happy Birthday–April 24

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Bob Ewing (1873)
Howard Ehmke (1894)
Harry Harper (1895)
Andy Cooper (1896)
Ed Musial (1922)
Frank Lucchesi (1927)
Lou DiMuro (1931)
Terry Tata (1940)
Ivan Murrell (1943)
Bill Singer (1944)
Pat Zachry (1952)
Bill Krueger (1958)
Mike Blowers (1965)
Omar Vizquel (1967)
Todd Jones (1968)
Chipper Jones (1972)
John Barnes (1976)
Carlos Beltran (1977)
Miss SBG (2007)

Andy Cooper pitched in the Negro Leagues from 1920-1939.  He managed the Kansas City Monarchs to four consecutive Negro American League Championships from 1937-1940.  He also holds the Negro Leagues career record for saves with 29.

The brother of Stan Musial, Ed Musial played in the minors in 1941 and from 1946-1950.

Frank Lucchesi managed in the minors for twenty-three seasons and in the majors for seven seasons.

Lou DiMuro was an American League umpire from 1963-1982.

Terry Tata was a National League umpire from 1973-1999.

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Cup of Coffee

April 24, 2017: The Upside

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Well, I still saw a game at Target Field, and hung out with Dread Pirate for the seventh inning. Plus, I was one single short of a blackout in Twingo. Plus, today is my fifteen year anniversary of quitting smoking, if you allow for a pack's worth of cigarettes in that span (though none since 2009 or so).

2017 Twins Game Logs

Game 18: Tigers at Twins

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Michael Fulmer vs. Kyle Gibson

After the game yesterday, the Twins demoted Adalberto Mejia and put Justin Haley on the DL, but the corresponding moves weren't announced, although it was pretty clear that Jose Berrios was not one of those being called up. Late last night from LEN3: "Source says Vargas and Boshers coming up."

So the good news is that the Twins are going to a 12-man pitching staff and can win the series with a victory today. The bad news is they send out their worst starting pitcher to the mound today, at least thus far in the early going.

Twins management might argue that Mejia was the Twins' worst starter thus far this season, but while he struggled with control and it was almost painful to watch at times, his numbers still haven't been as bad as Gibson's, whose ERA and FIP are both north of 6. Gibson worked hard in the offseason to rework his mechanics. Thus far, you'd have to say it's still a work in progress at best.

Meanwhile, the Twins are waiting on the fallout from the scrum involving Miguel Sano yesterday, who threw a punch at Tigers catcher James McCann after the Tigers threw a pitch behind Sano in an obvious retaliation to Twins rookie pitcher Justin Haley hitting the Tigers' JaCoby Jones in the face with a pitch. When the Tigers' Matt Boyd threw behind Sano, he took a few steps toward Boyd and wagged his finger at Boyd to let him know he did not appreciate that. It was pretty obvious that Sano didn't intend to charge the mound, but while he was sending his message to Boyd, McCann jammed his catcher's glove (while still wearing his mask) in Sano's face and Sano reacted to it by throwing a punch at a guy in full catcher's gear.

The umpires did what was expected and ejected Sano as well as ejecting Boyd, apparently not for the pitch but for taking steps toward Sano that escalated the situation. Nothing happened to McCann, who was the obvious instigator.

The question now is what happens to those involved. MLB will be reviewing the situation, which could result in fines and/or suspensions. If Sano is suspended and nothing or little happens to McCann, I think the Twins would have a right to be indignant.

Mejia being sent out so quickly could also serve as a warning for Byron Buxton and his offensive struggles that he could be on a short leash. Inserting Kennys Vargas' bat into the lineup won't be easy since it means moving either Robbie Grossman (from DH) or Joe Mauer (from first base). Grossman has been the Twins' best hitter besides Sano, so Grossman will have to play a corner outfield spot to remain in the lineup, which means moving Max Kepler (who's been hitting well) or Eddie Rosario (who's been heating up the last few games after a very slow start).

Mauer would seem like a prime candidate to get reduced playing time because of his slow start at the plate. However, he's actually been hitting well with very poor luck, especially on line drives. He had another hard line drive that was caught in the outfield yesterday after hitting a double off the center field wall when taking over for Sano.

Buxton seems like a prime candidate to sit with Kepler or Rosario moving to center and Grossman taking over the vacant corner outfield spot and Vargas DHing. That seems very likely today since Buxton has sat Gibson's 2 previous starts as manager Paul Molitor hopes that Gibson gets back to his ground ball ways and thus Buxton's defense won't be needed as much.

Stat of the day: The Twins are 0-3 in 1-run games and are the only AL team that hasn't won a 1-run game. The Tigers are 5-1 in 1-run games. The Twins have a +12 run differential. The Tigers are -23.