Article: Game Thread: Twins v Athletics, 7/4 @ 1:10pm CT

[Riverbrian]

If you are looking for something to do for your 4th of July, the Twins are hosting the A’s to kick off a 3 game series. The 4th of July is a celebration of our Independence and that means a day off to go be independent and independence will give you some time on your hands.

And if you have time on your hands… Interesting stuff can happen...

Terry Ryan has a little time on his hands to clean up a little and as a result… that ol’ Jepsen has been discarded. A new and improved Rosario has been planted in the LF corner, May is in the garage waiting and I hear that a large truck has been secured to bring in a Vargas real soon… maybe even a Berrios isn’t far away. Because that Berrios is starting to look good.


Here are some things to think about:

 

1. Cleaning Day – 4th of July 2015… Last year I was living in Michigan by myself and my wife and family were back in North Dakota. We wanted to do something together but the distance made that difficult so my wife came up with the idea of making it a cleaning day for both of us and it would be like we were together. I didn’t have anything else planned… so why not? My wife put together a list: wipe down countertops, cabinets and stovetop… clean inside microwave… soak stove drip pans and knobs in sink… sweep and mop kitchen floor… remove everything from shower and tub… apply grout and tile cleaner… scrub shower walls and door… clean shower rack and soap dish… clean the shower track… scrub the sink… shine the faucets… wash the floor and replace all the rugs, mats and wastebaskets… organize sock drawers… wash all the blankets and pillowcases… pick up all clutter… dust and vacuum. I put together my own list... put my beer on a coaster and don’t drop jelly on the couch.


2. Catch of the Day – 4th of July 2014… My wife and I went out for supper. We walked in and the sign in the entrance with the specials said “Catch of the Day $8.00.” I’m usually disappointed to see a sign like that because it does nothing for me… I’m not a big fish guy. My wife loves fish… so she locked in on that “Catch of the Day.” She ended up disappointed when the waitress brought her a jar of fireflies.


3. Fireworks – 4th of July 2013… Our Neighbor purchased about $2,000 worth of fireworks. He got drunk and set them off all night long. I believe he finally passed out about 5AM because that’s when all the bang and sizzling sounds stopped. The next morning he is upset with ME because I woke him up when I was mowing my lawn at 10AM. I suppose I could have mowed around him but it would have left a strange outline in my grass.


4. Counting Calories – 4th of July 2012... As I was rolling out the grill… my wife informed me that today was the day that she was going to start counting calories. The food that she was now planning on eating had hardly any calories to count. I told her “it would be much more challenging to count all the calories that I’m having today.”


5. Birds and the Bees – 4th of July 2011… As part of the duties of a father… there comes a time when you must conduct… the "Birds and the Bees" talk. It’s necessary but as many of you know… it’s awfully uncomfortable. My dad finally decided to have that talk with me… it was odd timing because my wife and kids were impatiently waiting in the car.
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Lineups:

ATHLETICS
Coco Crisp (S) LF
Jed Lowrie (S) 2B
Josh Reddick (L) RF
Danny Valencia [R) 3B
Khris Davis [R) DH
Stephen Vogt (L) C
Marcus Semien [R) SS
Yonder Alonso (L) 1B
Billy Burns (S) CF

Kendall Graveman [R) P

TWINS
Eduardo Nunez [R) SS
Joe Mauer (L) DH
Miguel Sano [R) 3B
Brian Dozier [R) 2B
Kennys Vargas (S) 1B
Max Kepler (L) RF
Eddie Rosario (L) LF
Juan Centeno (L) C
Danny Santana (S) CF

Ricky Nolasco [R) P

Game-time forecast: 76-80 deg F, 39% cloudy, 54% humidity, 0% chance of rain, winds from the SSW at 11mph.

Go Twins! Play ball!

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[SwainZag]

Pound for pound the Twins have to have the biggest corners in baseball.  During a 5-3 putout today the ball will transfer from well over 500 pounds!  Either way, excited to get a look at Kennys again!

[Craig Arko]

Pound for pound the Twins have to have the biggest corners in baseball.  During a 5-3 putout today the ball will transfer from well over 500 pounds!  Either way, excited to get a look at Kennys again!

But it's all prime.

[wsnydes]

Where is Buxton?

On the way to AAA to make room for May?

Edited July 4, 2016 by wsnydes

[SwainZag]

 

Where is Buxton?

One the way to AAA to make room for May?

 

Here is what Rotowire said: Buxton is out of the lineup Monday due to general soreness after running into the outfield wall Friday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

 

Spin: Buxton is available off the bench. He was also out of Sunday's starting lineup due to the issue.

[Halsey Hall]

Buxton could be a little bruised up after that catch the other night.  I can't see sending him down.  More likely a pitcher.  Hoping for a good start from Vargas today to get him rolling. 

[Obsvr]

No tv today?

[twinssouth]

Good to see Vargas up and playing 1st base. Hope he sticks around.

[spinowner]

 

No tv today?

No local TV. Don't know if there's an Oakland feed available anywhere.

[SwainZag]

 

No local TV. Don't know if there's an Oakland feed available anywhere.

 

Dick said during the game last night they are only doing 1 of the 3 broadcasts.  

[Don Walcott]

It's on Oakland TV.

[Blake]

"3. Fireworks – 4th of July 2013… Our Neighbor purchased about $2,000 worth of fireworks. He got drunk and set them off all night long. I believe he finally passed out about 5AM because that’s when all the bang and sizzling sounds stopped. The next morning he is upset with ME because I woke him up when I was mowing my lawn at 10AM. I suppose I could have mowed around him but it would have left a strange outline in my grass."

 

Our neighbors decided to practice last night in preparation for tonight. As you are probably aware, dogs don't really like loud explosions and our dogs are no exception. On top of that, there are probably as many dogs as there are people in our neighborhood. 

 

Our neighbors suck on a good day. Today is not going to be a good day. And it won't matter that a lot of us need to be up at 4 to 5 am to get to work. The neighbors will probably set off fireworks until midnight anyway.

[Squirrel]

And here we go ...

[Squirrel]

And a lead-off walk to start the game ...

[Squirrel]

Wow! Great DP guys!

[spinowner]

Just turned on the radio and heard Corey say a very interesting factoid. Going into this game the all-time record between the two franchises is 1000-1000.

[jimbo92107]

Fun Fact: The combined mass of the Twins' two corner infielders is well over 500 pounds, which is enough to cause a slight curvature of the earth, just enough to affect the roll of a bunt down the line by approximately two inches. Hitters must adjust for this by aiming their bunts well within the lines. 

[mikeee]

Nolasco...  The Twins ace.

[SwainZag]

I kind of want to pick up one of the hats they have on today

[HitInAPinch]

oh wow, Plouffe on DL with cracked ribs

 

No freaking TV.....

 

No word yet on a potential move to activate relief pitcher Trevor May, expected later Monday or Tuesday.

Edited July 4, 2016 by HitInAPinch

[Don Walcott]

I like these A's announcers. Just pointed out Tony Oliva in the crowd. Noted that he was the first DH to hit a home run. Hit it off Catfish Hunter. And then said he should be in the hall of fame.

[HitInAPinch]

 

It's on Oakland TV.

URL ?

[Squirrel]

Bases loaded ... one out ... Kepler up ...

[Squirrel]

He hit a DP type hit, but they didn't get him at 1st so run scores.

[SwainZag]

A LEAD?

[Don Walcott]

URL ?

Don't know. I'm watching it on Apple TV.

[mikeee]

 

A LEAD?

shhh!

[Squirrel]

I have the MLB package, and I'm not local.

 

And one is all they get this inning.

[SwainZag]

"Rosario might have just swung at Ball 4."  ~A's Announcer

 

Wasn't the first time and won't be the last time.

[Don Walcott]

Rosario swings at ball 4 and hits a rapper to first. . . . Baby steps?