Twins - A's

[Frayed Knot]

The matchup of MLBs two best 2nd half teams;

Minnesota: 96-66 (50-31 2nd half)
Oakland: 93-69 (51-30)

Game 1: Santana v Zito

[Frayed Knot]

Quick 4 innings so far.

A's lead 2-0 thanks to a Frank Thomas HR and ex-ers Payton & Scutaro (in for the injured Crosby) teaming up on a 1B-2B combo.

Twins are hitless so far

[stevejrogers]

That guy pitching today for the A's. Think we can trade for him NOW?

[HahnSolo]

go Big Hurt!

[Guest KC]

Hard to believe that he's the oldest player ever to hit two ding dongs in
a post season game at age 38?

[Willets Point]

Shouldn't we be sticking to the IST's for these divisional series?

[Willets Point]

Things are looking grim for Minnesota. Losing the first two games at home is no way to win a 5-game series.

[Frayed Knot]

Back-to-back HRs from Cuddyer & Morneau in the home 6th tie up the game

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Back-to-back solo homers by the Twins and the game is tied at 2.

This game won't be over in an hour. Set your TiVo's for ESPN2.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Willets Point wrote: Shouldn't we be sticking to the IST's for these divisional series?

I think that makes for some good archiving.

Mmm-mmm. Good archivin'.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Inside the park homer puts the A's up 4-2.

Everyone needs to start swinging at the first pitch now so the game is over by 4.

[Guest Hillbilly]

Yancy Street Gang wrote: Inside the park homer puts the A's up 4-2. Everyone needs to start swinging at the first pitch now so the game is over by 4.

Won't one game go to ESPN2 if this one's still going?
BTW I have a funny feeling it will a rematch of the 1973 world series.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Yes, it'll probably be on ESPN2.

I'm glad I'm at home. If I had planned on watching on TiVo delay I'd be in trouble.

[Willets Point]

The final in Minnesota is 5-2 A's.

[Frayed Knot]

HORRIBLE decision by Torii on that I-t-P-HR
Diving for a ball while you're tied and there are two outs w/a runner on is bad enough, but he never got close to that ball. That's an almost shocking play by the guy who's been the best CF in the business the last few years.

And did you see Kotsay as he reached home? His shirt was pulled out in about 3 different directions and was flapping in the breeze as he ran. Looked more like he had been in a fight than someone who just ran around the bases.

[Guest vtmet]

I'm sorry but the Twins have no business being in the playoffs...they aren't getting beat, they are beating themselves...

[Guest Edgy DC]

Frayed Knot wrote: HORRIBLE decision by Torii on that I-t-P-HR Diving for a ball while you're tied and there are two outs w/a runner on is bad enough, but he never got close to that ball. That's an almost shocking play by the guy who's been the best CF in the business the last few years.

He didn't get the rep as the best centerfielder by showing good judgment, he got it by making those catches. But you're right, of course.

As Donn Clendenon was never shy about pointing out, Ron Swoboda had no business going for his most famous catch for similar reasons. Playoff fever does funny things to a man.

[Zvon]

Frayed Knot wrote: HORRIBLE decision by Torii on that I-t-P-HR Diving for a ball while you're tied and there are two outs w/a runner on is bad enough, but he never got close to that ball. That's an almost shocking play by the guy who's been the best CF in the business the last few years. And did you see Kotsay as he reached home? His shirt was pulled out in about 3 different directions and was flapping in the breeze as he ran. Looked more like he had been in a fight than someone who just ran around the bases.

Yea-Kotsay beat himself up rounding the bases.

That was a very unfortunate play by Hunter.
He wasnt even running to where the ball was coming down.
Kotsay on the post game said he thought the ball knuckled away from him--drifting to the right.
But, as you said, bottom line- Hunter was nowhere near that ball.

I think I heard earlier today that the last time there was an inside the park homer in the post season, it was the A's vs. the Twins and it was a ball that, also, got by Hunter.

I like the way the Twins fans gave Hunter an ovation (for the effort, I guess) when he batted after the play.
Those are real team fans.

[metirish]

Radke to pitch game three with a bum shoulder...

[Guest vtmet]

] I like the way the Twins fans gave Hunter an ovation (for the effort, I guess) when he batted after the play. Those are real team fans.

Regardless of Hunter screwing up on that play...Hunter has done so much for the Twins fans over his career...classy move by the Twins fans...but Hunter has done a lot to deserve it...

[smg58]

Yes, Minnesota is not New York or Philly... but you were also right before, the Twins are killing themselves right now.

[soupcan]

Last night on ESPN Hunter and Kotsay were interviewd.

Hunter said after the game 'Every CF in baseball knows exactly what happened there, I had it lined up and it just cut away from me'

Kotsay when told that said 'Yup, I can totally see that happening"

Not exact quotes but words to that effect.

[Guest Rotblatt]

I'm bummed. Well, I'm a tiny bit bummed. It's hard to be too bummed after last night.

Still, I wanted the Twins to do well. Three in a row, boys! Let's get it done!

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Game 3 is underway. Oakland scored twice off of Radke in the second inning on an Eric Chavez homer and a Marco Scutaro RBI double. 2-0 Oakland in the third.

[Willets Point]

Looks like a sweep is in the works. Lets hope the Mets add another sweep tomorrow. For the Cardinals-Padres of course I want nothing less than three consecutive 18-inning games.

[stevejrogers]

If the Twins come back to win this game and the series, do you cut Billy Beane loose if you are Oakland?

[MFS62]

Jason Tyner as a DH?

In a web sports column yesterday, writer Tom Verducci from SI.com wrote something like "Jason Tyner, who has as many major league home runs as I have....."

Good line.
And true.

But, we all know how much stronger the American League teams are. Right?

Later

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Marco Scutaro's 3-RBI double gives Oakland an 8-2 lead in the 7th inning!

[stevejrogers]

MFS62 wrote: Jason Tyner as a DH? In a web sports column yesterday, writer Tom Verducci from SI.com wrote something like "Jason Tyner, who has as many major league home runs as I have....." Good line. And true. But, we all know how much stronger the American League teams are. Right? Later

"Jason Tyner is gonna be a special ballplayer..."-Suzyn Waldman on Met rookie Tyner, comparing him to Brett Butler.

No wonder she wound up in the MFY booth!

[Valadius]

And the A's sweep.