Game Thread: Oakland A's @ Twins, 7:10 p.m.CDT

[Don Walcott]

Welcome to another Game Thread. A few thoughts:

 

Big Momentum Shift Game

 

This is a big game today.  The Super Rosario homer last night was a turning point. It seemed like the lineup was able to relax and be themselves after that – and we got a couple more bombas as a result. It kind of reminded me of Brian Harper's 3-run homer against the A's in 1991 . . . .

 

Baseball seasons are long. They’re like epic sagas. The teams are like the Fellowship of the Ring. There are going to be good stretches and bad stretches. But there are also defining moments. I’m hoping last night’s turnaround was one of those defining moments that launches this team back on the path to the WS.

 

Former AL West Rivals

 

In 1969, MLB went from simply having two leagues to having four divisions.  The Twins won the AL West in 1969 and 1970. Then, the Swinging A’s won the division the next 5 years. I’m too young to remember if there was much of a rivalry at that time. However, I definitely remember when these teams both got good again. After what seemed like a miracle in 1987 for Twins fans, the A’s started dominating the division and the AL generally. They had dominant starting pitching, the best closer in the game, and the most fearsome lineup of the era. Looking back at those teams, it’s amazing the A’s didn’t win more than one World Series.

 

I still think of 1991 as the best season the Twins had in my lifetime. One of the best parts of it was the regular season battle with the big bad A’s. At that point, the A’s had gone to three straight World Series. They were unlucky against the Dodgers, then they dominated the Bay (Earthquake) Series, then they got caught in the buzz-saw that was the 1990 Reds. They were clear favorites to go to the World Series again in 1991. I was living in San Francisco at the time, having moved up from LA, where I had just graduated from college. So I was able to see the Twins on local TV when they played the A’s. And I probably gloated a bit too much at parties around A’s fans. In my defense, I was 21, and kind of an idiot (that may be redundant).

 

After the switch to 3 divisions, we lost that rivalry with the A’s. However, I continued to dislike them, and root against them. Especially when Moneyball came out, and the A’s got all the credit for winning despite a low payroll, when the Twins were doing just as well or better with a similar payroll. But even that reason for rivalry has all but faded into the ether, now that every front office is doing similar things with varying degrees of success. So this no longer feels like a rivalry. I don’t mind if the A’s succeed any more . . . just not against us!

 

I still remember some of the key moments in those games against the A’s in August of 1991 as if they were yesterday.  Speaking of yesterday . . . .

 

Big Game Thread Win Yesterday!!

 

I followed along with the Game Thread but didn’t participate. I guess I wanted to save my energy for tonight. Or maybe I was worried that things were going to get a little too negative around here. But what a great game that was! Our regular game thread stalwarts were all on their games. There definitely was some negativity, and even a bit of trolling. However, the game threaders persisted and were rewarded for their positive vibe.

 

Free Tacos

 

I live about 5.5 hours from Denver and 7 hours from Phoenix. So, on Comcast, these teams are both my “local” teams. For years, the Rockies have had a promotion with Taco Bell, where people get two tacos with the purchase of a regular-sized drink when the Rockies score 7 runs. This year, I noticed that Arizona has the same promotion when they get 6 runs. Earlier this year, I was thinking the bar would have to be set at about 10 runs for the Twins. For the Rockies, the promotion used to be pitched as “free tacos,” which always annoyed me since the tacos weren’t actually free. Someone must have complained, as they no longer market the tacos as free, they just say “We get tacos!” Alas, there is no such thing as free tacos.

 

But there should be free tacos. When I first moved to Santa Fe in 1996, Taos Ski Valley was still one of the only holdouts among ski areas that did not allow snowboarding. I believe the original developer, Ernie Blake, put a prohibition against snowboarding in covenants on the area. Snowboarders campaigned to be allowed to ride in Taos, displaying bumper stickers that said “Free Taos.” Whenever you saw a “Free Taos” bumper sticker, you knew someone was a snowboarder (and probably had some weed on them). Anyway, apparently, one run of bumper stickers got messed up by the printer, and it came out “Free Tacos.” I saw this bumper sticker a few times, and it always made me happy. It’s a great concept, much better than “Whirled Peas.” If everyone had free tacos, the world would instantly be a better place.

 

I’m a big fan of tacos. My Dad is from LA, and there was a place there called “Tito’s Tacos.” My uncle raved about the place and had to take me there to bond over deep fried ground beef tacos – evil, but good. My grandfather made an even better version of the deep fried ground beef tacos as his specialty. My favorite tacos currently, are fish tacos at a place called La Choza. They can either cook them in their super hot salsa, or in butter and you can get the salsa on the side. My wife and I often make shrimp tacos, grilling the shrimp with a homemade marinade of olive oil, chopped garlic and freshly squeezed lemon. It goes perfectly with Sadie’s Salsa (from Albuquerque). My 7-year-old daughter doesn’t usually like eating meat, so we make her tofu tacos. I’m mentioning all of this to show how truly incredible tacos are, and to emphasize that we should all envision the day when tacos, all tacos, are free.

 

Tonight for dinner, my wife just informed me, we’re having chicken tacos!!

 

GO TWINS!!

 

Pitching for OAK

Chris Bassitt
6-4, 3.98 ERA, 81 SO

 

OAK Lineup

   
    Marcus Semien ® SS
    Jurickson Profar (S) 2B
    Matt Olson (L) 1B
    Mark Canha ® RF
    Ramon Laureano ® CF
    Khris Davis ® DH
    Robbie Grossman (S) LF
    Chris Herrmann (L) C
    Chad Pinder ® 3B

 

PItching for Bomba Squad

Jake Odorizzi
11-4, 3.06 ERA, 98 SO

 

MIN Lineup

    Max Kepler (L) CF
    Jorge Polanco (S) SS
    Nelson Cruz ® DH
    Eddie Rosario (L) LF
    C.J. Cron ® 1B
    Marwin Gonzalez (S) RF
    Luis Arraez (L) 2B
    Miguel Sano ® 3B
    Jason Castro (L) C

 

Weather: Looks like it's going to be hot and humid, slight chance of rain. Makes me sweat just thinking about the humidity you people tolerate up there.

[ashbury]

In the team lineups, alongside the players' handedness and position on the field, you need to list their ages. How many of Oakland's players tonight are babies?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

In the team lineups, alongside the players' handedness and position on the field, you need to list their ages. How many of Oakland's players tonight are babies?

They are 0 eons old.

 

And when you say babies, are speaking physical or emotional development?

[ashbury]

They are 0 eons old.

 

And when you say babies, are speaking physical or emotional development?

I'm speaking of RandBall's Stu.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Stay hydrated folks if your going to the game tonight, it is hotter than hades out right now.

How hot is hades?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I'm speaking of RandBall's Stu.

Ah, yeah. That article. I thought only Cleveland got to play them babes?

 

Anyway, sorry, i just felt like taking it seriously. I guess i am just another internet troll.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Has anyone found wisdom in the great debate "Is (X) a sandwich?"

 

I know done heard folk discuss the question for various examples, like, well, hot dog, corn dog (from last night's game thread) or taco (from tonight's)

 

What might the Twins Daily faithful think on the subject?

[Cooper Carlson]

The Twins will taco 2 out of the 3 remaining games in this series

 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

The Twins will taco 2 out of the 3 remaining games in this series

Are they gonna win 'em back to back?

 

Or will the wins sandwich the loss?

 

(Edit to keep everything on topic... I fixed that for you, but more for myself)

[Cooper Carlson]

 

Are they gonna win 'em back to back?

Or will the wins sandwich the loss?

(Edit to keep everything on topic... I fixed that for you, but more for myself)

They will sandwich them just for your sake

[Nine of twelve]

 

I’m a big fan of tacos. My Dad is from LA, and there was a place there called “Tito’s Tacos.” 

My son earned a master's degree from Rice University. There's a Texas taco chain called Torchy's and there was a location near his apartment. Highly recommended. I believe they have at least one stand inside Minute Maid Park.

[Blake]

 

In the team lineups, alongside the players' handedness and position on the field, you need to list their ages. How many of Oakland's players tonight are babies?

All of them after the loss last night?

[Blake]

 

Stay hydrated folks if your going to the game tonight, it is hotter than hades out right now.

Pfft. Just got back from Laughlin, NV, where it was a balmy 98 degrees....in the shade. Fortunately, the weather here where Mrs. Blake and I live is just a bit cooler. An almost spring like 94.

[twinsnorth49]

Well, I'll be having tacos for dinner tonight.....like it or not.

[twinsnorth49]

I'll be sporting my Super Rosario shirt tonight, so guaranteed win.....for somebody.

[Cooper Carlson]

 

Well, I'll be having tacos for dinner tonight.....like it or not.

Hot dogs for me. Hot dog and taco are both a sandwich, correct?

[ashbury]

 

Has anyone found wisdom in the great debate "Is (X) a sandwich?"

I know done heard folk discuss the question for various examples, like, well,

• hot dog, not a sandwich
• corn dog (from last night's game thread) not a sandwich
• taco (from tonight's) not a sandwich

This is a sandwich:

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Has anyone found wisdom in the great debate "Is (X) a sandwich?"

 

I know done heard folk discuss the question for various examples, like, well, hot dog, corn dog (from last night's game thread) or taco (from tonight's)

 

What might the Twins Daily faithful think on the subject?

Gyro

[Blake]

Wow, everybody is having tacos and Mrs. Blake and I are going to have to suffer through with grilled ribeyes.

 

Ah well, I'm okay with taking one for the team. 

 

Team Blake, that is.

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Hey Don, sorry to pick nits, but the game is 7:10 cdt

[twinsnorth49]

Hot dogs for me. Hot dog and taco are both a sandwich, correct?

Incorrect....afaic.

[Blake]

Sandwich:

 

Pumpernickel Rye

 

Slice Ham

 

Mustard

 

Mayo

 

Tomato

 

Romaine Lettuce

 

Swiss cheese

 

Or,

 

Pumpernickel Rye

 

Mustard

 

Mayo

 

Salami

 

Romaine Lettuce

 

Medium Cheddar

 

Tomato

 

Or,

 

Pumpernickel Rye

 

Roast beef

 

Mayo 

 

Mustard

 

Colby Jack 

 

Romaine lettuce

 

Tomato

 

Anything other than the above is folly and those who indulge in such shall be dismissed from polite company.

[Blake]

 

 

• hot dog, not a sandwich
• corn dog (from last night's game thread) not a sandwich
• taco (from tonight's) not a sandwich

This is a sandwich:

 

 

PBJ&B?

[stringer bell]

And in San Francisco, it hasn’t gotten above 70 degrees since we got here on Wednesday.

[Cooper Carlson]

 

Incorrect....afaic.

Cereal is also a sandwich

[twinsnorth49]

Wow, everybody is having tacos and Mrs. Blake and I are going to have to suffer through with grilled ribeyes.

 

Ah well, I'm okay with taking one for the team.

 

Team Blake, that is.

 

Chop them up, stick them in a taco....like you do with Ribeye of course.

[Blake]

 

Chop them up, stick them in a taco....like you do with Ribeye of course. (:

Nah, if one is going to chop up this kind of cut, best on a skewer as shish kabob.

 

Mmmm.

[Nine of twelve]

According to the FSN broadcast it's 95F with 66% humidity on the field. And people say we didn't need a retractable roof. (/sarc)

[twinsnorth49]

Cereal is also a sandwich

This is correct

[ashbury]

PBJ&B?

Y