This was the first game of the season during which ol' RD found himself cursin' and mutterin' and stutterin' and stammerin' and cursin' s'more. He fussed and he cussed when JustIncredible fouled out with the bases loaded and none out in the ninth and again when T-Phat! struck out on three pitches and again when Lewwwwwwwww went from 2-and-0 to 2-and-2 ... and then he tried to take all them dirty words back when Lewwwwwww drewwwwwww that walk to tie the game at 10. (That's 10-10 and 10 o'clock.)
And then RD knew everything was gonna be all right. All it took was hearing, "Number 33, J.C. Romero, now pitching for the Angels."
Tie game, 10th inning, top of the order coming up. Geezola, game over! The only question to be answered was, "Who's the hero gonna be?"
Shannon Stewart struck out and cussed the called third strike so vividly that a blind man could lipread and Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuis Castilllllllllllllo walked.
And then Romero must have forgotten that stealing bases is legal in the major leagues because he seemed not to pay a whit of attention to Castillo, who stole second and took third when the Birthday Boy grounded out.
At that point, RD turned to Sweet-N-Sassy and said with a straight face, knowing that LNPunto was the scheduled hitter, "I think Gardy's gonna pinch-hit Rondell, don't you?"
RD will check his bruised ribs in the morning.
And he'll ask himself whether S-n-S bruised those ribs in response to his question ... or whether they were bruised when he jumped KG-high when Michael Cuddyer, Twin-in-exile, thumped JC's lame offering over the wall for the game-winning homer ... or whether they were bruised by laughing so hard at the Angels defense ... or whether they were bruised in an act of self-flagellation for thinking that Kyle Lohse had grown up and turned a corner after that last start against Oakland.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 20 times, I must be stewwwwwpid.
Yes, it would be nice to do nothing but celebrate, celebrate, celebrate tonight, but RD needs to take a stand: GROW UP, KYLE! The tantrum/pout/sullen boy routine you pulled after your truncated night's work (8 earned runs, 7 hits 3 1/3 innings) was worthy of the rec-ballers RD used to coach in his youth basketball days. But those were 3d and 4th graders and, if things got bad enough, CoachRD could always have a talk with their parents.
You should know better. Nothing you did in your little dugout demonstration was anything more than a big, fat pity-party. You turned a 4-2 lead into an 8-4 deficit with fat pitches and bad command. Maybe this is a bit ol' fashioned, but RD thinks you should have sucked it up, patted some teammates on the a$$ when they came into the dugout at the end of that inning and led cheers for the rest of the night. At the very least, if you were gonna act out, you should have gone into the clubhouse and broken something.
Or, after last season, don't they allow you in the clubhouse unescorted?
Now, back to feeling good. It's so cool to see a team build chemistry by picking up for comrades who don't come through. RD'll bet you his Canterbury fund that the '05Twins would have melted after Justin and T-Phat! didn't come through in the bottom of the ninth. But Lewwwwwwwwwww came through in the way that JustIncredible did on Saturday night against Rivera and the Yankees. Another top closer, another blown save.
And wasn't that a sweet two-out rally in the sixth that brought the score from 9-4 to 9-8? And wasn't it sweet after Francisco Liriano, a/k/a Dominican Thunder, actually gave up a run, to see S. Cheeks Hunter get it back with a homer in the bottom of the inning? And wasn't it sweet to see WillieEyre, PosseLatino and the Vice President hold the Angels to 1 run after the Kyle/Guerrier implosion?
A win today and it's a 7-2 homestand heading into Chicago for three against the Bitch Sox. RD ain't looking past Thursday's game, but El Presidente against Buerhle on Friday night sounds like a reason to stay home.
For now, though, RD needs Advil. His ribs hurt kinda good.
Posted by Ron Davis at April 19, 2006 10:37 PMHmmm, and who was it that started that "sweet two-out rally" in the sixth with a sweet two out RBI?
Oh, that's right it was Sweet Lew. The same Sweet Lew that took an 8 pitch walk against one of the best closers in the game tonight.
It was also the same Sweet Lew that turned another walk into a run, giving him 6 runs scored this season in only 18ABs.
Cuddyer's HR was nice, but it was against one of the great implosion artists in all of baseball.
Lew's was truly a work of art.
Posted by: Twinz at April 19, 2006 11:37 PMThat's my Boyfriend.
Posted by: Jeb at April 19, 2006 11:42 PMWell done Twins.
Batgirl and RD, I know what ass bats are, but is there such a thing is ass arms? Cause thats all I've see so far.
AWESOME GAME THEY DIDN'T GIVE UP THAT'S WHY I LOVE THIS TEAM
WHAT THE CAPS LOCK IS ON?
Posted by: Paul at April 19, 2006 11:47 PMDear RD,
I miss Batgirl, but I heart you. "Now, back to feeling good." What a great line after a Kyle rant, or after a Kyle outing, for that matter. Ass arm, indeed.
Posted by: Dee Ann at April 20, 2006 12:20 AMMaybe Kyle wasn't mad at being pulled but at his performance tonight? I'll take a guy with fire over a someone who's ok with pitching like ass anyday.
Posted by: mmmarkiep at April 20, 2006 12:37 AMI think Lyle can be exorcized from Kyle by re-enacting the end of the A-Ha "Take On Me" video, where dude has to 8-hop himself off the walls to shake off the pencil-sketch alternate reality. I'd be happy to donate a hallway, and maybe we can find some ass-bats to accelerate the process.
Posted by: TD at April 20, 2006 12:38 AMWell I knew we would win whenever me and mom go to a game so far out of the 40 games we've been to they've only lost 2. ok so there we a few minor heart attacks here and there but no medics needed to be called that is until I waited after the game and my Boyfriend of the day (Who I've been yelling at gardy to put in, but he cant hear me cause i'm usually yelling at my tv at home) came out and signed my bat and gave me a hug. and that is why Michael Cuddyer is my boy friend of the day, week ok lets just say season.
Posted by: Christina at April 20, 2006 12:47 AMI didn't feel confident when Romero was pitching in the 10th. Mostly because he didn't have inherited runners. Usually he's pretty solid, but he'll always give up the runners on base when he comes in. We didn't have any so the win was a pleasant surprise.
Also, we need to play Cuddyer (and probably Lew) nearly everyday. Argh, but how how?
Posted by: MNPundit at April 20, 2006 01:09 AMis it just me or does baseball feel more exciting this year?
Posted by: Dan in London at April 20, 2006 01:17 AMHilarious picture of Lohse if you click my name.
(hint- read the words...)
Posted by: Eric at April 20, 2006 02:46 AMwe scored eeeeeeeeeeeleven two out runs. some kind of record?
Posted by: Mike&Jane at April 20, 2006 03:49 AMsorry, i recounted from the game notes- only ten but still that must be a rcord.
Posted by: Mike&Jane at April 20, 2006 04:12 AMOk as my oatmeal cools you get my rant. I am old enough to remember the 65 series (by the way that is when I feel in LOVE with BB)so that makes me old enough to be crabby and rant.
Rant #1-I cann't stand tantrums. Would not let my 2 year olds do it, so why would I want to watch an overpaid brat do it. RD is right grow up Kyle.
Rant #2-When did "ME" enter team?? I guess I am old fashion, ya know one for all and all for one.
Rant #3-Well this really isn't a rant. Lew has always been my BOD even before I had the honor of finding this wonderful site. The first time I watch him on TV (as I said before I am old so I still enjoy listening to the game on the radio, besides I alway had the hots for Dazzle)I noticed he smiled at the pitcher. Well I just about fell on the floor I laughed so hard! I thought this is my man he is warped. I love it. The weirder the better.
Go Twins I will alway love you, like my marriage-28 wonderful years and counting-I will be there for better or for worst, in sickness and in health till death do us part.
AHH, keep up the good work BG and RD or who ever the heir is. This is the first site I check in the am durning BB (NHL durning the winter months). This is where all the real news is. Thank you everyone for making my days a little brighter at the start.
Mary
hahahhahaha... JFC Romero, YOU STILL SUCK!!!
Posted by: kafumbly at April 20, 2006 07:04 AMAmen, sista! AMEN!!!
Posted by: LaurieNY at April 20, 2006 07:27 AMI never thought I'd say it, but I love JC Romero.
Posted by: Attyfan at April 20, 2006 07:47 AMEric - HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
JC - TAKE THAT YOU PANSY!
Michael - you are the best - I heart you =)
tho I think you had some divine help ;-)
Much Love
Wonder Woman
I wonder if, maybe, Gardy should consider talking to Kyle's parents about his behaviour... (Having not seen the full tantrum by Lohse, I have to say the picture Eric posted made me want to give Kyle a hug. I'm kinda like that, though.)
Well, I'm glad to know the J.Ro is still J.Ro. I was afraid he'd actually do as good as he can.
It all comes down to the fact that I [heart] my boyfriend. Thanks, Michael!
Posted by: JustBeth at April 20, 2006 08:03 AMHey Mikey!
Posted by: nailbiter at April 20, 2006 08:46 AMGee, that's the first JC Romero outing in years where I haven't been filled with dread.
And how brilliant was Lew's walk, huh? That made me all squidgy inside. Of course, he's my boyfriend, but still... taking on a 3-2 count? Yowza.
When the Twins feel behind 9-4, I turned to my wife and said "Well, that'll just make the comeback more dramatic." I was kidding, of course, but it sure turned out that way. What a game!
Posted by: Jeff A at April 20, 2006 09:24 AMLike I told my dad in an email after the game:
"It's nice to see Romero's pitching finally helping us out for a chance."
Posted by: Torhu at April 20, 2006 10:27 AMI agree with Torhu, TOTALLY!
It's so nice to finally be on the other end of Romero being not a wonderful pitcher.
Posted by: Stacy at April 20, 2006 10:42 AMDear J.C.
thank you for still sucking.
ah ah ahahahah ahaha
Sincerely,
Mic
I'm looking forward to us facing Hector Carrasco today, too.
Posted by: nailbiter at April 20, 2006 11:57 AMMiscellany:
Hey, didn't Dr. Feelgood announce last year that his name is MORneau? I notice the radio announcers are saying morNEAU again.
I have to confess that I gave up on the radio broadcasts of both the second Yankee game (when Rivera came in and got the double play in the 8th) and last night's (I had been listening in the car and when I got home it was 9-4, Eyre was coming in, and Ervin Santana had just pitched back-to-back 1-2-3 innings, so I didn't turn it on in the house). Silly me, eh? This isn't last year's offense, is it? Cuddy wins it with a dinger, for god's sake! And you gotta figure the starting pitching will come around any day now.
So far the defense looks a little better too, I think. I agree with what I take to be Gardy's philosophy that if you have to choose between offense and defense in a shortstop, take the guy who can play the position. I hope Bartlett will come around, but Castro's the right guy for now.
This is my first (and most long-winded, I promise) post of the season. Greetings, fellow BatFans.
Posted by: edge at April 20, 2006 12:06 PMWOW! Why did I go to sleep insteaed of finishing watching?
Posted by: kb at April 20, 2006 12:17 PMWow. That was amazing. Simply amazing. So nervewracking to watch...but it all paid off in the end.
LLLLEEEEWWWWWWW came through HUGE!!! :D And so did Michael! :D
And as people have mentioned before, Luis Castillo. Amazing. It's nice to have a real live second baseman.
Posted by: Candace at April 20, 2006 12:21 PMIt was swell to see J.C. in the postgame interview once again referring to himself in the third person and to not find myself thinking, "Man, I wish he wasn't a Twin". Because he isn't. And, last night in particular, his not being a Twin came in handy.
What I want to know is, are we going to be able to keep Luis Castillo after this year? I like him. He can stay. Please, let's ask him to stay.
Posted by: adidasman at April 20, 2006 01:14 PMWOW--what a game. And Kfumbley is correct--JFC Romero STILL SUCKS.
According to Twins web site--DJ Cuddles hit the first pinch hit walkoff homer for Twins in five years--definitely worthy of BOD. As others have said--lots of help from Lew and Luis and Angels defense and Torii homer.
This is a good looking offensive team but how many chances for Lyle before Liriano takes spot in rotation and Reyes gets lefty spot in pen. I give Lyle one more against KC if he doesnt grow up them dump him.
DAM
Posted by: DAM-DC Twins Fan at April 20, 2006 01:50 PMNice pic Eric,
Lyle doing his best Thinking man impression.
Hopefully thinking that he has to improve or Liriano is taking his spot.
Posted by: caluofmn at April 20, 2006 02:07 PMCaluofmn,
Click on my name for a comparison of Kyle and Rodin's Thinker.
Posted by: RonDavis at April 20, 2006 02:43 PMK-Rod is no longer K-Rod, but BB-Rod!!!
Posted by: Shaughn at April 20, 2006 03:01 PMMake the cazy voices stop!!!!!! The only good thing that came from that game besides our win was I got Romero's autograph and hopefully a wicked sweet picture. I do love Romero, but found it ironic that we, the Twins, gave him his first ERA of the season.
Posted by: Mel at April 24, 2006 10:31 PM
