Blake

Hey, the late great Harmon damaged a seat at the old Met. Maybe Sano could take out a window...

Last night when Hunter was talking about Duffey and describing what happens when certain pitches are thrown and the KC batter proceeded to do exactly as Hunter described, "Butt out, I'm out" I about died laughing. I am admit I'm torn but I wonder if Duffey isn't more valuable in the bullpen. With the way the game has changed, someone like Duffey is a very valuable piece of a dominate bullpen.

Pitchers: Twins: Adalberto Mejia (L) Kansas City: Ian Kennedy ® KC Lineup: 1. Alcides Escobar ® SS 2. Mike Moustakas (L) 3B 3. Lorenzo Cain ® CF 4. Eric Hosmer (L) 1B 5. Salvador Perez ® C 6. Jorge Bonifacio ® RF 7. Brandon Moss (L) DH 8. Whit Merrifield ® 2B 9. Alex Gordon (L) LF Providing, of course, the game isn't postponed.

Thank you. It was fun to write.

Hopefully, lineups will follow.

I recently received a message from RB accusing me of holding his book, 10,000 and 1 ideas for Game Threads, for ransom. What RB calls “ransom” I prefer to think of as “storing safely for a small fee.” Anyway, to defuse any sort of thread polarization, I thought I'd offer a transcript of the conversation I personally recorded when I called RB to ask him when he was going to pay up, I mean, chat with him about safe storage of aforementioned volume. Me: beep beep boop boop boop beep beep (briiinnnggg!) Che RB: Hello? Me: Yo, RB? Che RB: No, this is the downstairs maid. Did you wish to speak to the master? Me: Downstairs maid? Really? Okay, well, sure, I'd like to speak to RB. Che RB: Okay, I'll contact the second floor maid, who will inform the third floor maid who will then see if RB is awake to take your call. Me: Say what? Che RB: Yes, RB tends to sleep in after the stress of putting together a game thread. Me: You don't say. ($$$ fee flashing in my head) Did he seem to have any trouble getting the thread together? Che RB: No, not really. He actually laughed when it turned out someone had stolen his 10,000 and 1 ideas for Game Threads. He had evidently used all the material and moved on to 10,000 and 2 and beyond Game Thread ideas. Second volume as it were. Me. (strangled sound in throat) Hey, wait, that volume was not stolen! It was put in storage for safe keeping and I was about to negotiate the, ah, “fee.” Che RB: Oh, it's YOU. (I could almost hear the eyes roll) Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but, all the material has been used, so, not only is it worthless to RB, you can't even use it yourself. Me: Sentimental value? Che RB: (Choked laughter) You go with that if that's what it takes to keep you happy. Me: Fine! RB hasn't heard the last of this! Che RB: (sounds of hysterical laughter) As you Californians are wont to say: “Whatever!” (sound of call being cut off) (roughly seven minutes of tape inexplicably missing at this point) Me: Crap, now what? I thought at least I'd have some material I could use! And I need a thread now! Sigh, okay, fine, I guess it's baseball. What to make of our Twins? They keep winning. It's moving beyond the smoke and mirrors phase to mirrors phase, in that the current team is a reflection of the team last year. And as we know, a reflection is the reverse image. In some ways, this is the path KC went down, in that KC had decent pitching, but their pitchers went to the mound knowing the people behind them, especially the outfield, would make all the routine plays along with making stellar plays. And arms. Running on the arms in the Twins outfield is a fools errand. The middle infield, while not formidable, has been competent. And Mauer is showing what an excellent defensive first baseman looks like. At the rate Mauer is going, he's going to be a gold glove at first base along with producing a few rbi's along the way. This is the second bite of the KC apple and KC looks just as befuddled this time around. And it just goes to show how fine the line is between a championship team and a mediocre team. Though, I have to admit, it's bit early to write off KC. Some thoughts to think: Buxton: "Nothing but rain hits the grass in the outfield." Kepler: Looks like he was born to play right field. Berrios: Here to stay? The Twins: Still above .500. Middle of May. Cool beans. Duffey: While I wanted that curve ball making hitters bail when he started, it's even more fun late in the game. Watching hitters bail on a strike is hilarious. Kintzler: Independent ball? Really? And now he's getting the job done at the end of an MLB game? Accuweather is showing rain pretty much all day. However, Play Ball!

And it looks like the job has been done.

Ahem.

To quote the Boss: Have a little faith, there's magic in the night...He ain't a beauty but he's alright...

Are we sure he hasn't already had one or two?

I call fake news. Where are the dog shaming pictures?

Wish: Granted.

And was there a follow-up story? Color of car? Seating arrangements? MPG?

I would guess that Belisle's number mean Belisle hasn't fooled very many hitters.

They could use those commercials in Gamblers Anonymous. Probably be an effective deterrent.

Yeah, I had some morning afters after dart night.

Fun fact: I used to drink and play darts with the guy who played the cop who got shot early in "Fargo."

Okay, Twins, get Duffey the win!

I say keep it, because it will distract mom from pointing out other problem areas. And, if you inadvertently say the wrong thing you can always holler "BEARD" to change the subject.

Seriously? I have to admit, once in a while I make a mistake and get serious. Usually, though, I get over it.

I should toss you in the penalty box for that one. You want to scare off talent by telling him that we're serious?

That's sort of like being the "fastest slow runner." Not exactly a badge of honor.

You just got signed up for game thread duty. You can thank me later. Or curse me. Either way works. (I have no power to do such a thing but you show promise, IE, you've a pulse and a keyboard)

Not first.

I was driving back from Laughlin while this game was on. I did make a trip to 7 mile range while I was in Laughlin, however. What a great shooting range.