Game-time forecast: Mostly sunny. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Temperature around 80.

 

I just couldn't wait to get game thread up... ChiTown has to wait to post the lineups.

 

Chi here. And I'm still waiting. You'd think they'd get these things up 5 hours in advance, but nooooooo ... but the game-time weather forecast is up.

 

INDIANS:

SP, Salazar

 

Kipnis 2B

Dickerson FL

Brantley CF

Santana 1B

Chisenhall 3B

Swisher DH

Gomes C

Murphy RF

Aviles SS

 

TWINS:

SP, Pino

 

Santana CF

Dozier 2B

Plouffe 3B

Morales 1B

Willingham DH

Suzuki C

Arcia RF

Escobar SS

Fuld LF

 

------------------------------------------------------

 

Things to Think About:

 

1. Entire Week -- They won last night... Prior to last night... They hadn't won a game since July 13... They went an entire week without winning a game. How a team can go an entire week without winning a game... I have no idea. It's almost like they are not trying. A week... How can a team do that. Wait... Oh yeah... The All Star Break. That makes more sense... Never mind. The Twins went 3 days without a win. How can a team go 3 days without winning a game?

 

2. Danny Salazar -- He's a young 24 year old right hander out of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Almost a million people live in Santo Domingo... If you include the surrounding area the population is around 2 million. Kind of Like... There are more people living in Duluth if you include Cloquet. Salazar made his debut last year and immediately became an effective pitcher. In 52 innings of work he tossed an ERA of 3.12 while punching out 65 batters. This year... He is still punching guys out but Runs allowed have ballooned. He's been so sub par this year... He has actually thrown more innings in AAA. When I've seen him... He was a two pitch guy. A fastball that gets to the plate quick and a change of pace that drops down. I'm sure he throws a breaking pitch... I don't remember it. I just remember his upper 90's fastball and what happens when he pulls the string.

 

3. Hammer -- Gardy has been saying that Hammer has been starting to put better swings on the ball. Last night... He finally went deep... And deep at a key moment. Let's just say it... Hammer wasn't signed for his defensive ability... He was signed for his speed... He wasn't even signed for his BA... He was signed to hit the long ball and I think he owes us a few.

 

4. Kris Johnson -- He pitched well but he looked sad when being interviewed after the game. He could be sad because he didn't get the win... He might be sad because they informed him that he was going back to Rochester after the game. Too bad... It was a good performance from someone who was waiting for the chance to contribute a good performance. Nice Job Kris... Now go see the traveling secretary... You are going to Rochester. It's a tough game.

 

5. Wink Wink -- I was at work on Saturday getting some stuff done. My phone rings and it's my wife. I detected a different tone in her voice. A softer... Gentler tone... Almost sultry. And She Says... "You should come home... There's nobody here". That was basically all she said. I returned to working and thought... The tone... No real reason to call just to tell me the boys are gone. They are mobile... They are gone a lot. Boom... The lightbulb went on... And then I figured it out. I looked at what I had left and said... I can do this later. And I took off for home. She was right... There was nobody home. She had gone shopping as well... She really meant... There is nobody home.

Edited July 22, 201412 yr by ChiTownTwinsFan

3. Hammer -- Gardy has been saying that Hammer has been starting to put better swings on the ball. Last night... He finally went deep... And deep at a key moment. Let's just say it... Hammer wasn't signed for his defensive ability... He was signed for his speed... He wasn't even signed for his BA... He was signed to hit the long ball and I think he owes us a few.

 

He also, let's just say it, was signed for his willingness to take less money than Michael Cuddyer.

 

5. Wink Wink -- I was at work on Saturday getting some stuff done. My phone rings and it's my wife. I detected a different tone in her voice. A softer... Gentler tone... Almost sultry. And She Says... "You should come home... There's nobody here". That was basically all she said. I returned to working and thought... The tone... No real reason to call just to tell me the boys are gone. They are mobile... They are gone a lot. Boom... The lightbulb went on... And then I figured it out. I looked at what I had left and said... I can do this later. And I took off for home. She was right... There was nobody home. She had gone shopping as well... She really meant... There is nobody home.

 

I trust that you made good use of this windfall.

 

5. Wink Wink -- I was at work on Saturday getting some stuff done. My phone rings and it's my wife. I detected a different tone in her voice. A softer... Gentler tone... Almost sultry. And She Says... "You should come home... There's nobody here". That was basically all she said. I returned to working and thought... The tone... No real reason to call just to tell me the boys are gone. They are mobile... They are gone a lot. Boom... The lightbulb went on... And then I figured it out. I looked at what I had left and said... I can do this later. And I took off for home. She was right... There was nobody home. She had gone shopping as well... She really meant... There is nobody home.

 

Another day saving #5!

Been up to my eyeballs in alligators this week, so no time for fun and frivolity. But I did read yesterday's game posts early this a.m., and must note that it is Super 8, not Motel 6, that was founded in Aberdeen, S.D. Sheesh. Get the numbers right, man. Almost ruined my enjoyment of our 5-4 victory.

 

Also, while waiting for church to start, I came across this joke that our chefs and other food lovers on TD might like:

 

ME: "I'll take Epicurean Beheadings for $1,000, Alex."

 

ALEX: "Oooo, good one, Circus Boy. For the lead, this famous play involves a chef who's executed when he doesn't add enough basil and sea salt to the king's fettecini."

 

ME: "What is 'A Man for All Seasonings'?"

 

ALEX: "Well played, Circus Boy. You own the board."

ME: "What is 'A Man for All Seasonings'?"

 

ALEX: "Well played, Circus Boy. You own the board."

 

Groan ...

1-2-3 inning ... and away we go!

Just a little more oomph there, Dozier!

Just a little more oomph there, Dozier!

 

Wasted.

Trying to work and watch the game at the same time ... it'll end up with more game watching in the end and less work accomplished.

Groan ...

 

Yes, it was a groaner. Things can only go up from here.

You know, you just don't see a triple play much anymore!

You know, you just don't see a triple play much anymore!

 

I'll settle for that strike-out and a DP!

Sigh

I'll settle for that strike-out and a DP!

 

 

Jinxed that.

 

Sorry.

...and we're screwed.

Any left handlers warming up?

I just learned something I never knew before .... they have GameDay for minor league games.

 

Went to look at the Rock Cats score and discovered I could click on GameDay:

http://www.milb.com/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_07_22_altaax_nbraax_1&mode=gameday

 

 

Rosario having a great night .... 2 HR and a double.

• Mike Berardino ‏@MikeBerardino 3m
  For the fourth time in five games since the break, #MNTwins trail 3-0 within the first 3 innings.
   
  Not something we really want to pursue.
   
   
  

Catch up time!

Yes, it was a groaner. Things can only go up from here.

 

Never underestimate the ability of being able to find new depths and low levels on the game thread. Things can always go lower.

Ok-no triple play. How about a grand slam?

Okay, Mr. Stanford ... get it done!

C'mon you DFA pickup!

Suddenly this guy remembers where the strike zone is.

Never underestimate the ability of being able to find new depths and low levels on the game thread. Things can always go lower.

Yep, it's just one big game of limbo.

Ugh

Come on! Geez.

Crap

I can't take it ....

Well, that inning was motivation to get back to work.