Twins Game Recap (9/27): Twins Cruise Past Royals to Earn 100th win

Yesterday was Friday, September 27.  It was the 160th game of the year putting the Twins 99% of the way through the season.  The Twins hit 2 home runs for a season total of 303 home runs.  Unfortunately, the Yankees hit 6 home runs.  The Twins are now 2 home run behind the Yankees for the new MLB single-season home run record.

A lot of experts said they wouldn't win 100 games at the All-Star break and nobody is predicting they'll go all the way but with the reconstituted bullpen...I think they will.

A team needs to be pretty darned good to win 100 games. Now try doing that while finishing the season with only 2 of the season's initial starting pitchers still performing well, while the other 3 are either sick, out of whack, or suspended. 

What's their secret? Nelson Cruz tipped us off early in the season when he said opposing pitchers were going to fear the Minnesota Twins. Indeed, even while getting surprisingly good performances from its starters, the Twins often buried their opponents under tons of runs. When you're ahead by four runs in the second inning, it's easy to attack the zone.

On the other hand, we must give full credit to the Twins pitching staff and the amazing coaches that re-formed, re-claimed, and resurrected some guys that surprised the league. Tyler Duffey and Trevor May both looked like they were about to become ex-Twins, before Wes Johnson taught them the mechanical magic tricks that nudged their heaters well over 95 mph.

In addition, both men reduced their repertoire of pitches, becoming two-pitch monster relievers. Who'd of thunk? Same deal with Zack Littell - a low-90's heater got boosted to mid-90's with a good slider. Another monster two-pitch reliever. Then there's That Dobnak Show. Unlike most magicians, Randy Dobnak appears to have pulled himself out of a hat, with the help of Wes and the boys. Together they have conjured a third starter, just before they needed one for the Tournament. 

Where'd that squirrel go? We need somebody low to the ground, for squeeze plays!

Great win and good to see Berrios have a nice outing and hit 200 innings.

I'm starting to wonder if Rosario needs soome Dobnak style glasses though. He is not tracking the ball well. I hope that is not a problem in the playoffs.

The agressiveness from the batters this season and the fact that it has not resulted in a high strike out team is the secret sauce. I know the Yankees have a similar ball club and that is why this series will be so fun. Whichever team catches fire.

Yesterday was Friday, September 27.  It was the 160th game of the year putting the Twins 99% of the way through the season.  The Twins hit 2 home runs for a season total of 303 home runs.  Unfortunately, the Yankees hit 6 home runs.  The Twins are now 2 home run behind the Yankees for the new MLB single-season home run record.

102 wins is meaningless for me at this point, as it just ties a Twins record. The only thing that matters until the playoffs is the season HR record. In 10 years, no one is going to remember that the Twins broke so many other HR records if they finish 2nd for the season record; the casual fan will just say “oh, the Yankees had the most HRs two years in a row”.

102 wins is meaningless for me at this point, as it just ties a Twins record. The only thing that matters until the playoffs is the season HR record. In 10 years, no one is going to remember that the Twins broke so many other HR records if they finish 2nd for the season record; the casual fan will just say “oh, the Yankees had the most HRs two years in a row”.

I really want the Twins to end up with the HR record. The Yankees ballpark is a joke, the Yankees suck, and I'm sick of the national media freakin' out anytime something happens in NY and ignoring everything that happens in MN. 

I live on the East Coast and as far as I can tell from the local news is that Minnesota is somewhere west of Philadelphia. Jlease is correct when he points out that nothing that happens in Minnesota makes the news (except really cold weather in International Falls).

I live on the East Coast and as far as I can tell from the local news is that Minnesota is somewhere west of Philadelphia. Jlease is correct when he points out that nothing that happens in Minnesota makes the news (except really cold weather in International Falls).

Considering what tends to me in the news, I'm glad MN isn't in it much.

For a good part of the game last night, it appeared to me that a number of guys on both teams were less than interested in playing that game. I can't say that I blame them, but.....

I hate it when I am right about bad things. I said in the game thread that the Yanks would probably hit 6 and darn it all, they did. Its obscene . Of course the way we were hitting them when everyone was healthy probably was too.

What concerns me though is their lineup. We saw it all season...we couldn't stop them. I wouldn't be surprised to see double digit scores each game...unless miraculously our pitching was able to stop them. Our guys say, bring them on...which is what they are supposed to say. But to not be afraid of that hitting machine would be unwise.

But would I rather face the pitching machine known as Houston? Geez....what choices! Well, thats why they play the games.