It is SO good to see Torii these last few games! Congrats sweetcheeks, we love you!

I couldn't even bring myself to "watch" the bottom of the 9th on gameday. Now it is time for a beer or seven.

WHY GUERRIER, WHY?????????????

My heart aches for him.

LNP's homerun was the highlight of my week.

What a spectacular game all around. I don't think my poor heart, weak with hyperactive beating throughout the second half of this game, could possibly have survived a loss. . . so even though Sweetcheeks definitely deserved the BOD, I think Barty will always be the hero of this game for me for knocking in the winning run (and The Force for being with Lew out there on the bases).

That's my boy.

The Piranas owned the ninth inning....Ozzie will regret ever saying that! With Lewwwww running for White, Tiny Tyner gets him to second and Bartles hits the single up the gut. Love the PiranaBall.

WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

That is all.

You can put it on the board .... YESSSSSSSSSSS!

He gone!

*deflates in a puddle on the floor like a used up pool toy*

holy crap that was... amazing!!!

Well - you knew we had to win - we couldn't let
Little Nicky Punto's first homerun go to waste.

Is there a conspiracy that we don't know about - I mean come on - Poor Shaggy - he comes so freaking close to that win!

Hey AJ - let's stop Barry Bonds-ing at home plate Ok - or least not against my boys - ok?!?!

Mr. VP - it doesn't have to get THAT EXCITING OK?!

David Riske - nice expression after Sweetcheeks took you deep - that was the best look ever.

Brad - I love ya man for even trying to go out there tonight - I guess the fish glue was just not strong enough today.

Now for your purchasing pleasure - Nick's in Downtown has the Smell 'em T-shirts.
Gardy had some made and sent to Baltimore - and they will make their debut at BP tomorrow - I guess he even had one made for AJ =)

Oh is it not right to have 17 white dress shirts??

Let's go ahead and win tomorrow =)

Much Love
Wonder Woman

I think you mean "PirantaBall," TFIBT.

I love it when Torii keeps the hatred for him alive in Chi.

The parting image of one of the Bitchfans who interfered on the last play screaming at someone (umpire? Justin?) was just a priceless picture to end the game.

Oh, and btw, I said at the time that Torii was a better "trade deadline pickup" than anyone available that TR could have traded for. God I love being right occasionally.

Player of the game is Hunter. But play of the game is still that fan.

"I guess he even had one made for AJ =)"
LOL. But you have to have an RBI to qualify

Oh, and let's not forget about The Assassin! His execution of a guy at the plate in the 2nd helped minimize what could have been a huge inning, and that saved run proved to be quite valuable.

Dude, I want a "Smell 'Em" t-shirt!

HUZZAH!! God that game was a killer, but the moment for me was LNP's homer, because it was beyond cool.

Good point, Will. That was aa absolutely fabulous play and kept us focused on the prize

I just worked a 13-hour day today between two jobs, and was sitting on Nicolet mall at Washington at around 1030, waiting for my bus, wondering how the Twins were doing, when all of a sudden this whole string of cars on Washington started honking, and all these guys were screaming out the windows 'Twins win MotherFuckas!'

It made my entire day.

Barty...that just made my day!! lol.
And can those shirts be purchased online? I so want one.

Listened to the game on the radio at my studio. After Radke exited the game with our Twins trailing 3-nil, I thought that a song from LNP might be in order tonight. Some melancholy number, perhaps. But instead of singing, he goes yard! What the hell? Yea Punt-O! Rally started, Torii comes up with another big boom. (I'm sorry, for any cracks I may have made about you lately, Mr.Hunter. Particularly when I compared you to Willie Mays. As a Met. My bad.) Anyhoo, I got so excited that I spun around in my swivel chair, accidently knocking over a jar of brushes soaking in turpentine.

Tomorrow El Prez takes his turn sitting the bitches down. Could this season be any more exciting? Um, I don't think so.

so...woozy...need...fresh...air. Is that a unicorn?

Punto-licous.

And yay Torii! He's playing like he's starring in the 3rd act of his own Disney movie.

Whew, another great game. Despite what Jeff Brantley on ESPN seems to think of the interference call to end a game, it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too obvious not to call.

Santana going tomorrow makes me feel good about the game. I really wanted to go to the game tomorrow night but there could have been an issue with work. Instead I get to see the Jackal in person on Sunday. Please pitch well Carlos!

oh good god with the spelling shi-shi already...

Punto-LICIOUS.

I need an editor. Or a beer.

Jeff Brantley on ESPN = :|

I'm sure if the ump hadn't called it, he would have reacted with "the ump should have called that, it was a obvious out." Jeff likes to be different. Whatever, a win is a win is a win and Joe would have gotten us out of the game no matter.

Wow, so "spent" is definatley the word to use right now. What a freaking game. Wow.

That's my man Torii. What a guy, that was just amazing.

And my heart truely goes out to poor Shaggy (whom I have a huge crush on, firmly in place since Twins Unplugged at Brit's last week where he was charming and fun - and went lawn bowling) but I have a suggestion for a new nickname (care of my favorite aunt) that will hopefully bring him more luck:

I submit for the approval of BG and batlings:
Matt Guerrier, AKA "Brad Jr."

Because I spent tonight at a Class-A ball game, I was unfortunately unable to utilize my newly acquired MLB.TV subscription to watch the Twins game live. From the accounts I've read, it appears I missed a good one! So I'm logging on the website to enjoy a game that will, no doubt, have me drifting off to sleep with a huge smile on my face. Sweet dreams, everyone!

That=amazing game.

THANKS, bitch sox fan!!

Jason Bartlett, how do I love thee? I can't begin to count the ways!

LNP, I'm soo proud of YOU! First homer!

Sweetcheeks, congrats on the BOD and keep it up baby! What a game!

I wonder if Tiny Superhero would name his HR bat "Magicial Fucking Unicorn".

My friend Jim calls Guerrier "Cheese." As in:

Gru·yère--A nutty, pale yellow, firm cheese made from cow's milk.

Always cracks me up. Maybe Crain could be "Crackers"?

Pakerchu: Funny you said that. I was watching "The Natural" before the game tonight and was thinking how cool it would have been if Roy Hobbs' bat would have had a unicorn on it.

I'm also having a hard time not having this site internally narrated by Samuel L. Jackson last couple of days.

If I had the Photoshop skills I do up a "Unicorns on Plane!" movie promo. Either that or a "Piranhtas!" poster circa 1956.

Off subject (sorry BG) but I just read this and it exemplifies why you just have to like these guys... all of them.

Quoting from Neal's article in the Strib: (http://www.startribune.com/509/story/636829.html or click my name for the link if you want to read it all)

When Josh Rabe was demoted Wednesday night, Remzi Kiratli, Twins director of team travel, gave him a chance to spend a few days in Baltimore before reporting to Rochester.

Rabe declined.

"There was no sense me sitting around in Baltimore," Rabe told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. "I told him 'Find me a flight.' "

Rabe took a flight out of Baltimore at 10:50 a.m. Thursday. He suited up, doubled in the first, hit a two-run single in the second and hit a two-run homer in the fifth as Rochester beat Ottawa 5-2.

Looks like Bartman can't even be a White Sox fan now.

Torii Hunter = so hot right now.

But LNP's homer did it for me. There is no better feeling than looking at the scoring recap on ESPN.com and seeing "N Punto homered to right." Beautiful.

ABSOLUTELY the correct call on the last play. Like Guillen said, he was halfway into the field of play. I didn't hear Brantley's comments but I'm sure what he means is that it's a VERY tough call to make in a close game like that, wild card implications, tying and winning runs on base. It is a very tough call but the ump didn't hesitate at all and it absolutely was the correct call.

Awesome game. Before Torii's HR, I said that he was either gonna go yard or strike out-- I'm so very glad he hit that homerun.

Brantley's an idiot. IIRC, he's the guy who said (shortly before the trade deadline) that the Twins needed to make a move for a reliever so they'd have someone to bridge the gap between the starting pitchers and Nathan. (This was on Baseball Tonight; the look that Tim Kurkjian gave him was priceless. He didn't correct him, just went on about some other stuff that actually made sense.)

Congratulations to the Minnesota Twins for taking the Wild Card lead. I am very happy for my second most favorite team in the American League.

I hope you guys keep the lead, beat the Tigers in the ALDS and then face my A's in the ALCS. We can get our revenge for 2003.

That would be a nice thought Joko, but the Twins can't play the Tigers in the ALDS.

Did anyone else hear the bitch sox in the background when Nicki was up to bat for his big home run. The guy yelled "slide into first that will help you a lot" then on the next pitch he hit the long ball. We should bring that guy to our ball park so he can really help us win. I felt bad for SideShow Pat, what an ass AJ!

I'm told that sweet cheeks loves Bat-Girl's daily offering, and I'm certain he'll be honored by the BOD ribbon!

Last night was one of those mid-winter memories that will sustain!

TwinsKiz: That's exactly what i was calling Guerrier last night. Or maybe "Mini-Brad."
I'm so happy for LNP! that may be his only HR of the year, but at least he has one, and he'll stop being egged on to get one. then again, he could go on a hitting streak and have like 15 by the end of the year...that'd be so cool.

From the Chicago Sun-Times game recap:

"I think they're here to kick our butt this weekend,'' Guillen said of the Twins, who have won eight of their last 11 games and six of their last seven against the Sox. ''They were on the top step [of the dugout] cheering for each other. You look at their eyes -- wow. I'd rather compete against any other club. If we don't wake up, they'll sweep us.''

TwinsFoghorn--Sam Jackson narrating--LOL. I think the site was becoming a strange and wonderful mash up of Mamet and a children's book.

I watched the 8th and 9th innings with about 60 other fans at the FSN booth at the state fair. The atmosphere was great.

I want a little #*@%ing piranhas T-shirt. Or piranhas on a stick.

Keeping the salty thread alive: Tonight as Santana takes the mound, imagine him as Pacino in Scarface, taunting the Bitch Sox with, "Say hello to my little friends!" Then watch as he mows the motherf***ers down.

Ozzie's obvious attempt at counter-intuitive motivation makes me giggle.

Joko, not only can the Twins not play the Tigers in the ALDS, but it was 2002 that we beat your A's in stunning fashion with a *shudder* A.J. homer.

But hey, I'd be up for it! You just have to beat the Tigers first. :-)

It'd be nice to have two 'small market' teams in the ALCS.

No argument that Brantley is an idiot but jamar's offspring is correct -- he wasn't doubting the call, he was pointing out that it takes a certain amount of guts on the part of the umpire to call it in those circumstances. At least that's how I heard it.

Can we please keep Torii around if nothing else just for these situations? Not only is he a Bitch Sox vengeance machine, it is just so gratifying to see the fear and loathing he inspires among their fans.

There is certainly going to be some serious "business decision" making on the part of TR and Torii in the off season. But that's then, this is now... and he is fun to watch at the plate right now.

Is it because he swallowed his pride and decided Vavra MIGHT be worth listening to a bit? Is it because he's just on a hot streak at the right time? No idea... but the Evil Empire can talk all they want about how adding Abreau was such a great addition at the trade deadline because in my book, Hunter being added to the Twins line-uo at the same time was just as huge. His hits have been CLUTCH the last couple weeks.

Congrats to Torii and the well deserved BOD... and keep up the good work.

My Boyfriend hit a homer! I'm so fricking proud of him. His first of the season. Good boy, Nicky.

I thought the team with the best record (Tigers) played the WildCard winner. Or is that football?

Pardon me also for not remember which of our four straight first round exits was the year of the Pierzynski. I'm stilling yelling, "Slide, Jeremy, Slide!"

Joko,

The team with the best record in the leaugue plays the WC team in the first round UNLESS they are in the same division. It seems like they always are in the same division, which is why the Twins had to play the Yankees in the first round in 2003 and 2004 (because the Yankees couldn't play the RedSox).

What a game. Hats off all round. My boy Bart, Tyner, Torii, the bullpen, LNP, everyone. I want the numbers on how many headfirst slides LNP has this year. There's gotta be a stat for that, and I am dying to know.

And I would just like to say that when we were down 3-zip and Torii was stepping to the plate, I grabbed my Twins cap and put it on. I felt compelled.

And is Jermaine Dye using Thome's bats, or what? Dasterdly.

God, and we get to do this all again tonight, only even better, with El Presidente on the hill. I have to take deep breaths just thinking about it.

I want a 'Smell 'Em' shirt. Immediately.

Story of my life... a week too late. I was at Dick's after the game last Sunday and no such merchandise was there.

The question is... why didnt WE think of that first and get something out there in the Bat-Store?

Dearest Mr. Crikket,

Goober actually suggested this just yesterday, but Batgirl feels funny about it as it isn't her idea, you know?

Weirdly,
Batgirl

well ma...I think Ozzie is a good manager when it all comes down to it. I think he knows how to motivate his players and he says what's on his mind...for someone who's been to press conf. with a coach who says absolutely nothing for an hourm it's refreshing to see someone who will say what is on his mind. Where I don't like him is when he disrespects his own players, other people (Marriotti), and other teams. In the end do you want him as your manager? no. But you can't deny his record with the Bitch Sox so far.

BG, there you go letting ethics get in the way of good business decisions. Perhaps you'd better stick to writing for a living if you don't want to do what's necessary to make a buck in sales.

Yours, tongue-in-cheekly,

JC

I'M BACK FROM MY VACATION (not that any of you knew I was going to be gone). JASON BARTLETT DOES IT AGAIN!! I LOVE HIM!! YAY, LNP!! He needed that homerun. I also love that ChiSox fan. And Assassin. And pretty much the whole freakin' roster. I haven't watched a game on TV for eight days. Let's hope they can get another win tonight, with El Presidente on the mound.

WHOOHOOO - i was at this game with a friend from MN and it was amazing to watch. for the first few innings, it just didn't seem like the twins could get anything through the infield, but this was remedied when torii snuck slow rolling single between the two middle infielders to get himself on base in the 9th. radke's departure was worrisome (we wondered if perhaps his arm had fallen off between innings) but guerrier really stepped up. it's the mark of a good team that we can lose our starting pitcher after 2 innings and still win. mark of a good bullpen, mostly. LNP's homerun was just awesome - i was so happy about that! i was really hoping tyner would get one too, just to destroy statistical improbability and send the universe careening into chaos.