I'm going to start this game thread on a serious note. Tonight is cancer awareness night at Target Field. I don't think anyone, anywhere hasn't been touched by cancer in some way or another. For myself ... my Mom and sister both had breast cancer, my Dad had prostate cancer, my grandfather died from colon cancer, my aunt had uterine cancer, my uncle died from an an acute form of leukemia, and the latest, a very dear friend of mine diagnosed recently with melanoma. It's everywhere in one form or another, so take care, get check ups, offer help where you can to someone in need, donate, volunteer ... nothing is too small or too great.

That said ... onto baseball. Wow! Four in a row!!!!! I can't believe how exciting that is ... and I also can't believe that the reason for such excitement is because of a season of such despair. But ... I'll take what I can get ... in this season, nothing is too great, or too small. Okay ... well ... yeah, we could debate the specifics of that, but generally speaking. So, tonight ... we have J.A. Happ vs Tyler Mahle. I really don't want to say it, but, we may be reminded of our despair with this match up. Mahle is on a roll and Happ is rolling down the hill. I don't know how else to say it, but there it is. But, I'm liking the roster ... any roster is so much better looking with Buxton in it. And, I hate to say it, no Sano. If Happ can hang in there, I think we just might have ourselves a ball game.

And since I'm into brevity ... play ball! Go Twins!

REDS

 

1. Jonathan India (R ) 2B

2. Jesse Winker (L) DH

3. Nick Castellanos (R ) RF

4. Tyler Stephenson (R ) C

5. Joey Votto (L) 1B

6. Eugenio Suarez (R ) 3B

7. Aristides Aquino (R ) LF

8. Kyle Farmer (R ) SS

9. Scott Heineman (R ) CF

Tyler Mahle, RHP, 7-2, 3.39 era, 90 SO, IP 74.1, WHIP 1.09

TWINS

1. Luis Arraez (L) 3B

2. Byron Buxton (R ) CF

3. Trevor Larnach (L) LF

4. Nelson Cruz (R ) DH

5. Max Kepler (L) RF

6. Jorge Polanco (S) 2B

7. Alex Kirilloff (L) 1B

8. Ryan Jeffers (R ) C

9. Andrelton Simmons (R ) SS

J.A. Happ, 3-3, 6.12 era, 44 SO,  IP 60.1, WHIP 1.44

 

 

Get your tests people! It is a lot better to get treated early than late....A LOT.

And, go Twins.

Squirrel,  I'm sorry to hear how cancer has been so commonplace amongst your family and friends.  You sound like a person who won't let it get the best of you.  keep hanging tough and enjoy some baseball.

I guess there is crying in baseball. Even my cold, dead heart was moved by the tribute to Mike Bell

1 minute ago, shortround81 said:

I guess there is crying in baseball. Even my cold, dead heart was moved by the tribute to Mike Bell

I hear you.

Nice tribute for the Bell family

Why and what are umpires checking pitchers for?

It sounds like the umps are checking to see if Happ was using any foreign substances... if it turned out he was, how bad would he be without it?

Dave Bell obviously hurting. I too lost a younger brother to cancer when he was 43

1 minute ago, LVTwinsfan said:

Why and what are umpires checking pitchers for?

Any substance. MLB banned all pitcher grip substances. 

A groundskeeper is going to be executed for that happening to Buxton. 

Cancer has taken too many loved ones far too early. It’s common in my family history as well. We have constant reminders to live life to the fullest because tomorrow is not guaranteed! 

The irony is not lost on me seeing the Gorilla Glue sign behind home plate today. 

I do not understand why they play the second baseman soooooo deeeeep with the shift. Makes no sense to me.

Happ is one of those pitchers that’s just aggravating to watch. 

2 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Happ is one of those pitchers that’s just aggravating to watch. 

Seems to be a requirement of free agent pitcher signings. Hence, Shoemaker, too.

And Ricky Nolasco grabbed his crotch more than any other .......

10 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

The irony is not lost on me seeing the Gorilla Glue sign behind home plate today. 

Gorilla Glue - a fine blend. 

4 minutes ago, h2oface said:

Seems to be a requirement of free agent pitcher signings. Hence, Shoemaker, too.

And Ricky Nolasco grabbed his crotch more than any other .......

I don’t think any Twins pitcher made me want to throw a shoe through my television more regularly than Kyle Gibson. 

Just now, Brock Beauchamp said:

I don’t think any Twins pitcher made me want to throw a shoe through my television more regularly than Kyle Gibson. 

Maybe Mike Pelfrey. 

Cruz!!

 

1 hour ago, RickOShea said:

Squirrel,  I'm sorry to hear how cancer has been so commonplace amongst your family and friends.  You sound like a person who won't let it get the best of you.  keep hanging tough and enjoy some baseball.

Thanks. In the case of many of those examples, early detection was the key ... mom, sister, dad ... staying on top of your health is key. Even my friend recently diagnosed with melanoma ... early detection, hasn't reached her lymph nodes, so, that's really good. My Grandpa died in 1972 ... when they didn't have what now have available today. My sister's cancer ... she went in for her first ever mammogram at age 40 ... came back with cancer, early stage ... so ... the importance of keeping up with your medical tests!

CRUZ!!!!! Wooohoooo ... first blood on the board!

That, uh, left in a hurry. 

1 minute ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Maybe Mike Pelfrey. 

Maybe everyone on the staff this season minus Berrios

I don't think Cruz's neck stiffness is bothering him.

There goes the perfect game, the no hitter, and the shutout! NELLIE!

Score early and often!

This is the best lineup the Twins have fielded in I don't know how long...yeah, Sano that doesn't include YOU!

It’s really irritating to watch glimpses of what this team could have been. 

10 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I don’t think any Twins pitcher made me want to throw a shoe through my television more regularly than Kyle Gibson. 

Ah yes the Nibbler, doing pretty good for the Rangers this season, at home anyways