So, like, what's up with Rondell (the Other) White (Meat)? I mean, yeah, he got a hit tonight but no designated hitter, no major-league batter for that matter, is supposed to have 0 as the first number in his batting average.
And this Jesse Crain thing? Gardy got a good inning out of him Friday night with a 4-run lead and then he goes with him in a clutch situation tonight. Then -- Wham! Bam! Slam! -- a 4-2 lead becomes a 5-4 deficit and Posse Latino needed to take over the mound to keep things from getting any worse. Gardy calling on Crain in that situation, alas, was like saying "I Love You" to a phone-sex operator. He wasn't gonna get anything of substance in return.
And this Santana guy? What's up with El Presidente? That's three straight struggling starts and ... (Therapist's Note: RD isn't really considering Johan's situation a problem.)
DAMN, AIN'T IT GREAT NOT TO HAVE TO DWELL ON ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE A PROBLEM TONIGHT!? PROBLEMS ARE FOR YANKEE FANS, JOE TORRE AND MARIANO RIVERA TO PONDER WHILE THEY UNWRAP THEIR BUTTERFINGER BUNNIES TOMORROW MORNING.
JUST WHEN IT LOOKED LIKE RIVERA WAS GOING TO PUT ASUNDER WHAT THE TWINS HAD CREATED IN THE NINTH INNING -- LUIS CASTILLO'S FOURTH HIT AND JOE MAUER'S FULL-COUNT, CASTILLO-RUNNING SLAP TO LEFT FIELD -- UP STEPPED JUSTINCREDIBLE.
White had swung at strike three and S. Cheeks Hunter had taken a called third. Confidence had been replaced by uncertainty in a two-batter span.
And then, like the Easter Bunnies that will make their chocolatey hops through many of our houses early tomorrow morning, Morneau slapped a grounder. Hop, it went. Hop, hop, hop. Between the second baseman Cano and the first baseman Cairo. Into right field.
Castillo, whose speed made it all possible, scored the tying run. And Mauer, whose bat made possible whatever Castillo couldn't do on his own, came across home plate. Twins 6, Yankees 5.
JustIncredible circled back toward the dugout, where giddy teammates came to meet him, taking running leaps and slapping him on the helmet. Lewwwwwwwwww Ford got in an especially good hit and L-Rod almost got credit for a takedown. All those blows to the helmet could be why, during his post-game interview on FSN, JustIncredible said "you know" 10 times in about 100 seconds. (Remembering back to some of last year's interviews, RD was ready to count 'em, all fingers and toes at the ready.)
Uhhhhhh, you know, if, like, JustIncredible keeps, you know, getting key hits like, uhhhhh, that one, you know, he can, like, talk any friggin' way he wants, you know.
Sweep tomorrow, eh! It'll be the first one for the Twins over the Yankees since 1991, which is remembered as a very good year.
I think White needs to take a seat for a few games while he gets his head back in the game here.
And Crain...combined with Rincon last night. Guess they're making sure to get some drama in these games eh?
I'm glad Justin picked up Hunter and White though. That way those two guys can learn from their mistakes instead of just being haunted by them.
My big question though...who's idea was it to send Morneau home that firs time, and Cuddyear the second time? I remember a smiilar situation last year against the Yankees, where two runners were cut down at home like hat. Oddly enough, the same guy was managing third.
...hmmm...
Posted by: Torhu at April 15, 2006 11:08 PMMy favorite two scenes of the whole post-game celebration.
1. Joe Mauer's reaction to Luis Castillo's frenzied hug at homeplate.
2. Justin Morneau's reaction to Shannon Stewart's frenzied hug in the infield.
Basically, for both of them - Holy Crap, man-love!
Posted by: Ryan at April 15, 2006 11:11 PMTerrific game... great recap, RD.... but...
I was about to suggest that a man should always be careful about making reference to any knowledge he might have with regard to phonesex operators... when I decided I should click on the link provided to make sure I wasn't missing an important frame of reference. Only to find the link taking me to an episode of LOST.
I admit I had several beers at a sports bar while watching the game tonight, but now I'm way confused.
Ah well... one more stanza of "Oh Canada" and I'm going to bed.
Posted by: JimCrikket at April 15, 2006 11:17 PMJimC,
Read the episode description!
Best, RD (who's only knowledge of such things would be second hand)
Posted by: RonDavis at April 15, 2006 11:24 PMAh yes, I remember that particular episode. Poor Locke...
Posted by: Torhu at April 15, 2006 11:28 PMOk, I can't decide on which archvillain to equate the Yankees with, and even less on who to equate the twins with, so I'll just say congrats. One step closer to seeing the Blue Jays win the A.L. East for Canada!
Note: Is there any chance y'all could think of a nickname other than "Justincredible?" Because, y'see, there was this pro wrestler a while back named "Justin Credible" and the trains of thought are crashing and the result is mentally awkward. Not that you have to change for me, though, just pointing out that the nickname isn't as completely original as most of the standard nicknames.
Posted by: PsyMar at April 15, 2006 11:44 PMDear Mr. Davis,
Clearly you are a good luck charm, even more so than you were for the Twins in the 80s!
Yours,
Batgirl.
Please note that I'm still a Twins fan more than a Blue Jays fan; the Blue Jays are just my Random Non-Yankees A.L. East Team That Might Actually Do Something Interesting for this year.
But if it's a Twins-Cubs world series, I'll talk to you afterwards.
(As in, after I recover from the hangover induced by the Cubs making the series.)
Posted by: psymar at April 15, 2006 11:46 PMPsymar-Check out Batgirl's nickname guide, linked from the main page.
Posted by: Bob at April 16, 2006 12:05 AMWhat a wild game! Did anybody else notice Jeter trying to slow Castillo down when he was running from first to third on Mauer's hit? I mean, it's not like Jeter was shoulderblocking him or anything, but he just so happened to coincidentally be directly in Castillo's path, so much so that Luis had to avoid him. I was shaking my fist from my perch in section 113.
Either way, arigato, Hideki Matsui, for throwing to third base and allowing Joe Mauer to move into scoring position!
Posted by: Roscoe at April 16, 2006 12:16 AMThanks Bob, hadn't checked that guide in a while. I like "Twitchy McXanax," although I think that could refer to how almost any closer tends to make his team's fans feel (at least, any closer of the "why don't I give up all but one run of the lead and load the bases with none out before striking out the side" variety.)
As for Jeter, was he trying to field the ball? If he was trying to field the ball at the time then it's perfectly legit. If not... he needs to spend less time around "Slappy" Rodriguez and go back to being Derek Jeter and making plays like That Play Against Oakland In The Playoffs which I still consider one of the greatest 10 defensive plays ever. If the Yankees are ever dumb enough to trade him, the team with which he lands will quickly find itself on my list of teams to root for.
(But as long as the Yankees spend 60% more than any other team in baseball but manage to suck nonetheless due to Steinbrenner overpaying guys like the aforementioned Rodriguez, they will continue to be the Evil Empire. Derek, it isn't too late! Come back from the dark side! Join the Twins or Cubs! Pleeeeeeease?!?!?)
Click my name for a great celebration picture...
Posted by: Eric at April 16, 2006 12:54 AMEric: great photo!
Posted by: talldrinkowater at April 16, 2006 01:15 AMfirst game we got to this year. BEST GAME EVER.
Posted by: Mike&Jane at April 16, 2006 01:47 AMI guess it really was too early to panic afterall. A team that wins coming from behind, a lot, is a team with grit heart and (dare to whisper it) clutch hitting.
Maybe things are gonna be ok after all
peace and joy
D
Posted by: Dan in London at April 16, 2006 02:43 AMMy voice is all scratchy from screamin in the 9th inning. What a game. What a night! Torii "Sweetcheeks" Hunter received his 5th golden glove trophey, I got an excellent picture with the very good looking Kyle Lohse and the team came from behind to be the Yankees so I have some bragging rights in my house (my parents are Yankee fans) The was one of the best last second wins that I've seen at the Dome.
The game this past fall when I came home to see my Wisconsin Badgers block a punt and pounce on the football in the Gopher's endzone to win the game in the final minutes trumps tonight's game. Man, I love sports.
Posted by: Shelley at April 16, 2006 02:45 AMNot to take anything away, but i'm glad Castillo got away with those check-swings against Rivera.
Posted by: shteevers at April 16, 2006 03:22 AMShelley, I wanna see the picture of Kyle! ....Uh...I mean, the picture of you with one of the Twins' starting pitchers. Can we see it?
Posted by: twink at April 16, 2006 05:11 AMFrom AP:
"With the game on the line and hard-throwing Mariano Rivera pitching, Justin Morneau knew he needed to make an adjustment.
So he ditched his bat for teammate Joe Mauer's shorter, lighter stick, and promptly delivered the Minnesota Twins' latest comeback victory.
"I told him I wanted to use his because his has the hits in them," Morneau said."
SEE? This is what happens when you ditch the assbats.
Posted by: CarrieICL at April 16, 2006 07:29 AMThis is soooo much like the Sux last season, coming from behind, winning when it looked so bleak. Could it be the winds of fate have shifted from the windy city?
Eric, great photo!!
Posted by: insider at April 16, 2006 08:24 AMTwink, click on my name it'll take you to my blog and Kyle Lohse. Mmmmmm.
Posted by: Shelley at April 16, 2006 09:28 AMJesse Crain is going to be just fine!!!
I didn't get to watch all of this one, but I got home in time to see Torii whiff and then Justin... woohoo! we almost swept the Yankees at home last season... I hope we get it done today! frickin' sweet!
Posted by: kafumbly at April 16, 2006 09:30 AMAn absolutely incredible game followed by a great recap. Thanks RD - keep up the great work.
For the record - Castillo is quickly becoming my favorite player. I loved his reaction to the Mauer hit in the 9th.
RD: Great recap.
Roscoe only one here to make the point that I saw. Hideki Matsui owes Rivera BIG TIME. If he throws to second like he is supposed to--MAuer holds at first and maybe Rivera gets save. As it turns out--Twins win cause Mauer takes extra base on both Matsui and Sheffield--this is catcher. Yankees need to find outfielders who throw or they wont make playoffs.
Time to put Lewwwwwwww back at DH.
DAM
Posted by: DAM-DC Twins Fan at April 16, 2006 12:21 PMClick my name for a nice write-up by Mike Bauman.
Posted by: Kurtis at April 16, 2006 12:35 PMOnce someone points out to Jesse Crain that he has taken over JC Romero's resposibilities, but doesn't have to PITCH like JC, things should be back to normal for him...
Posted by: dlarso01 at April 16, 2006 01:20 PMOh my god... Rondell White is garbage. Send that guy home. If I have to watch that guy fan with runners on one more time I'm selling my voice box to science - my landlord can't stand my screaming any more, and is raising the rent to flush me out.
Posted by: haplo at April 16, 2006 04:28 PMI was so sure that the game was over when Rivera came in, but I was PLEASANTLY surprised. I flew off the couch when Justin hit that bloop single and scared my dog, not to mention my parents, I was jumping around so much. The excitement was so high I felt like I was at the game. Way to go Twins!!
(The happiness of last night has now been sucked out of me as I watch today's game. But that's okay. It'll be more fun to sweep the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in September when the games REALLY count. =) )
Posted by: Laura at April 16, 2006 05:27 PMThis was the most dramatic game of my life. I cried at the end. It was so, beautiful.....
Posted by: Rivasfan at April 16, 2006 08:30 PMSat. game. A complete joy. I, too, was sure the game was over when Rivera came in. My sweetie and I were both home with influenza (must have caught it from Punto)-- we gave our tickets to one of the kids (lucky duo). When Morneau got his hit I found my voice, woke up my better half (who turned in early), and laughed, cried, in a swirl of 6-5 Twins Win ginger ale. What a wonderful life.
Heck I don't even care about Sunday's outcome. We can win big, hit, pitch, come from behind, score. More please.
Cheers to the Twins!
kal
Posted by: kal at April 16, 2006 10:32 PM
