#6. Scott Baker's Near Perfecto

Baker was always one of my favorite pitchers.  Maybe it was that he looked terrified every time he was out on the mound.  Maybe it was because the Twins announcers (especially Bert) relentlessly criticized him for no reason.  But man I was pulling for him so hard every start and this was a dream come true.

He entered the 9th inning with his perfect game.  He didn't make it, but a 1-hit shutout is still nice.

#11. Twins Homer 11 Times on April 20th, 2019

Man, playing the Orioles was fun last year.

1. 2nd inning Game 1: Eddie Rosario solo HR (415 feet)
2. 2nd inning Game 1: Willians Astudillo solo HR (372 feet)
3. 5th inning Game 1: Eddie Rosario solo HR (367 feet)
4. 1st inning Game 2: Nelson Cruz 2-run HR (410 feet)
5. 1st inning Game 2: C.J. Cron solo HR (381 feet)
6. 3rd inning Game 2: Eddie Rosario 2-run HR (398 feet)
7. 3rd inning Game 2: Mitch Garver 3-run HR (378 feet)
8. 4th inning Game 2: Jonathan Schoop 3-run HR (389 feet)
9. 8th inning Game 2: Mitch Garver solo HR (394 feet)
10. 8th inning Game 2: Nelson Cruz solo HR (415 feet)
11. 9th inning Game 2: Jonathan Schoop solo HR (435 feet)

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#6.  Darrell Evans Picked Off Third by Tim Laudner

Up 2-1 in the series and up 4-2 in the 6th inning, the Tigers got to Viola. Dave Bergman had just singled in a run off Keith Atherton and the Tigers had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out.  Not sure why Evans was so far off third base, but Buck Ninety took advantage.

https://youtu.be/laIQMVJcrDM?t=4840

#11.  Willians Astudillo Scores From First

Oh, La Tortuga.  An inspiration to us all.

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#6.  Don Baylor's Two-Run Blast

Until I bought the 87 World Series DVDs and rewatched Game 6, I had completely forgotten about the gravity of Baylor's homer.  I had seen it in the boxscore, but I couldn't remember it (to be fair, I was seven years old).  But the Twins had been down 5-2 in the 5th inning in the deciding game.  Baylor had slugged only .306 since coming from Boston with zero homers.  He would only hit 7 more in his career after this.  But he tied the game to help set up Hrbek's heroics the next inning.

#11  Twins Turn 5-4-2 Double Play in Division Clinching Game

I never knew about this play until Algonad brought it up last week.  Ballsy move by Newman and I love Blyleven's acrobatics.

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Okay, we still have one more tie to break.  This poll will expire at midnight.

#11  Carlos Silva Throws 11-Hit Shutout

Against the Angels, Silva allowed a baserunner in every inning, including 11 hits, 2 walks, and 1 error.  He induced four ground-ball double plays and two line out double plays.  When Silva's magic was working it was delightful.

#11  Francisco Liriano Outduels Roger Clemens

As has been discussed, this was one of the seasons where Clemens joined half-way through the season to much fanfare.  Liriano was good, not great.  And Clemens was also good (and he had a fantastic season just like F-Bomb), not great.  But this was about the narrative.

Liriano had a couple of 8-inning, 12-strikeout games in 2006 and some more dominating performances, but this game was probably the most memorable.

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Okay, time to vote on all the added moments you put forth.  You can vote for UP TO EIGHT.

I'll close this poll on Friday night I think.

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Okay, today you guys will throw out all the best moments since 1987 that I missed.  Only rule is it has to be a moment during an actual game the Twins played.  It can be the culmination of a season-long performance (e.g. Mauer wins batting title), but no off-the-field stuff.

After everyone has had a chance to give suggestions, we will run a poll to see everyone's favorites to add into the tournament.  But before that, here are the #6 seeds:

But wait!  Before that, I have to let you know that I did something half-baked.  In the Puckett region the Kubel slam that went up against Gladden's slam was supposed to be the walk-off slam against the Red Sox, not the one to complete the cycle.  Whoops!  So now we have a #6 seed to fill as well.

Kirby Puckett Region: Game 4, ALCS, Laudner Picks Darrell Evans Off Third Base

Kent Hrbek Region: Game 6, WS, Don Baylor 3-Run Blast

Johan Santana Region: NOW OPEN

Joe Mauer Region: Scott Baker's Near Perfect Game

Lastly, a couple of 2019 moments for ya'll.

#7.  Twins Eke Out Yankees For Home Run Record

Jason Castro launched homer number 307, which not only helped them beat the Yankees by one, it set the major league record for most team homers by catchers.

#10. Kepler Walks It Off in the 17th Inning

I honestly don't remember if I stayed up for this game.  I may have following on Gameday in bed, but I think I went to sleep after the 14th.

Anyway, Kepler had quite the game.  He didn't even enter until the 6th, pinch-hitting for Marwin and getting a walk.  Then all he did was tie the game in the 8th with a single, tie the game in the 13th with a homer, and win the game in the 17th with a based-loaded single.

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#2.  There'll Be No Play!

The best game log the WGOM ever had was a nice consolation for me not being able to go to the game because I couldn't get off work.

#15.  Mauer Wins First Batting Title

I remember watching this game very intently, very much wanting Mauer to become the first AL catcher to win a title, and very much wanting Jeter not to catch him.  Mauer doubled in the fourth to make us breathe a little easier, then single in the fifth to clinch it.

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#3. Nathan Induces Line Out Double Play in Game 163.

Can't find a stand alone video, but you guys all remember this.  Ordonez lined out to O-Cab, and Granderson for some reason was in a big fat hurry.  Nathan was a bit excited.

#14. Mauer Catches Ball Behind the Net

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