Squirrel

Well ... it might look right-side up ... but it's supposed to be an upside-down cake. So, posting sklz are still a fail.

I'm very talented in the kitchen.

Okay ... who wants a piece? http://culinarycory.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Coconut-Raspberry-Cake-2.jpg

I've got a great recipe for German chocolate cake ... makes 3 layers. My mom used to make it with broiled coconut frosting ... but I make mine with the regular coconut pecan frosting.

I love coconut cake ... but I usually have to have it with some kind of a filling ... hmm ... may have to make something ... vanilla cake, with a raspberry cream filling, and vanilla frosting with coconut.

Okay, big dog ... did you see that? You can never not watch another Twins game ever.

Depends on my mood and on the season. I've made all kinds ... but my favorites lean towards to utterly decadent ... chocolate, chocolate, chocolate ... or something lighter, fruity.

because cake baking is easy with the right recipe ... I've made some good ones over the years

Yummm! What's for dessert? (Besides a Twins win)

So, you're saying you are to blame for the losses?

I'm at rehearsal but am leaving at 3 and don't need to be present for the concert. It's sounding quite lovely, so you should have a good time.

Yup ... in center ... game thread with lineups just posted.

And so the 2nd-half begins ... Game-time forecast: Mostly sunny. Winds blowing in from right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Temperature around 75. RAYS: SP, Cobb Jennings CF Zobrist LF Joyce DH Longoria 3B Loney 1B Escobar SS Figueroa 2B Casali C Kiermaier RF TWINS: SP, Gibson Santana CF Dozier 2B Morales 1B Plouffe 3B Arcia RF Willingham DH Suzuki C Escobar SS Fuld LF ------------------------- And now for Brian and his musings ... always a treat ... stay tuned ... -------------------------- And so it does begin... The 2nd Half which isn't as long as the 1st half... But much longer then the 3rd half and it's been awhile since the Twins were part of the 3rd half. Things to Think About: 1. Derek Jeter -- It's a feather in the cap of an organization to host an event like the All-Star game. I was proud of the Twins organization when it comes to their organization of the all-star game. It all went off without a hitch... unless you want to curse mother nature for the rain that fell during the home run derby. I'm not going to curse mother nature... she can be a lot tougher. I only wish that ESPN, The Sportswriters, The Baseball Talking Heads around the globe would have mentioned at some point time that Derek Jeter was playing in this all-star game. Talking about Derek Jeter for 96 Hours straight seemed to under do it. 2. Tampa Bay Rays -- How the mighty have fallen... The Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays are looking around and thinking to themselves... What's going on. The Rays suck... The Red Sox suck... and the Yankees suck. Umm... Wake up the scouts... Wake up the marketing department... We've got a chance to do something here. We need to think about the 2nd half differently then we usually do. As for the Rays... The once mighty pitching staff wasn't healthy enough to be a mighty pitching staff and without pitching... The great Joe Maddon can try all the voodoo he wants but it ain't gonna work. There was a time when the Rays had the worst record in baseball... but they are starting to get some pitching back and they are starting to win some games. The Twins can't overlook anyone and they should not overlook the Rays. 3. Alex Cobb -- A fairly talented 26 Year old right-hander from Boston Massachusetts... Alex Cobb was named after corn. On a serious note... I rarely do that... so pay attention... On a Serious Note... When I think of Alex Cobb... I think of my biggest fear in this game that I love. My biggest fear is a pitcher getting struck by a hard come backer and getting killed. I know we don't have pitchers dropping like flies but I really do believe it's not a question of IF but when. Probably at the College level with metal bats but it is a thought that has scared me for quite some time. I mention this because Alex Cobb was out for two months last year after getting hit in the skull with a come backer. Alex is now endorsing the use of protective caps at the youth level. I'm all for that and I support Alex and this effort. On the mound... He's a good locator of pitches and I think his splitter is his best pitch. 4. Danny Santana -- He's back and playing CF tonight... I hope he comes back... hitting the ground running... His speed is a welcome addition to the club. 5. The Mall -- I went to the mall with my wife. She asked me if I wanted to come and for some reason I said OK. That was my first mistake... For the life of me... I have no idea why I said OK. I wonder if she would have asked... Do you want to go with me to the DMV? I wonder if I would have said yes to that... It was obviously a weak moment.

Great write up, Nick. I'm not one who usually watches much of the game, but I did last night. Having Perk and Suzuki to come in and finish it off for the win was as good as it gets.

Concur

Geez, that was a weird report re Wainwright.

And pitching to Suzuki?

Do we see Perk at the top of the 9th?

Wow, that stretch. Sorta ouch.

I want to see another Miggy blast!

Yeah, that, too. But he made it here and that's something after what he's been through.

Aww, didn't want Neshek to give the lead back.

I must've missed that press conference. ​And let's leave the politics at home.

Okay with it is a bit strong, but, well, whatever.

Really, Gibby? I expected better from you than the 'boys will be boys' excuse.