Great weekend
The Twins had an excellent weekend against the Angels. This series had a little bit of everything. A thrilling come from behind win (Friday) a blowout (Saturday), and a close-ish game (Sunday).
During the game on Friday, our terrible bullpen was on display. As they were giving up a parade of hits to the Angels, I was about ready to give up on the team. They seemed unable to do anything right or good. Then came Jason Kubel. Even before the grand slam, he had put together a pretty good game, which was overshadowed by our terrible bullpen. You know how it ended, so I will spare you.
I attended the game on Saturday and it was pretty ho-hum. Kevin Slowey made one mistake, a two run homer to Hunter. The Twins actually trailed until the 5th inning when they took the lead for good. It would be nice to see them take the first lead of the game and hold it wire to wire, but I’ll take what I can get.
Sunday brought another superb pitching performance from Perkins not only did he shutdown the Angels, but he took a comebacker off the leg and walked it off. What a badass.
I hope nobody missed the good parts of the game on friday, if you did you better have been doing something really awesome. Skydiving is one acceptable excuse. Something involving supermodels is OK too.
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I have two questions:
1) How have we not swept the Angels since 1996? 2) How did we sweep the Angels in 1996?
Okay, third question:
3) Is Jason Kubel the slowest person to ever hit for the cycle?
And a comment:
The Hall of Fame asked for Kubel’s helmet and batting gloves to commemorate his cycle. I think they should have asked for his cleats.
Weren’t we pretty terrible in 1996 as well? I know that was a year where we were inexplicably good on offense, but I’m sure we lost something like 90 games.
Another question I had: Who was the last person, if any, to complete the cycle with a grand slam? what about a go-ahead grand slam?
Yeah 1996 was one of the dark years. Which is why I was surprised we swept someone.
I read that Kubel is the third person to complete a cycle with a grand slam. I don’t know if they were lead changing, though.
I think the more important thing is that Kubel turns into Babe Ruth when the bases are loaded. 1.400 OPS, 264 OPS+ … he should bat 4th and we need top hope to get him as many bases loaded situations as possible.
FunBobby: According to one of the very excited announcers on MLB network, it was Miguel Tejada in 2001. Only three players have hit for the cycle ending on a grand slam in the past 100 years.
Kind of neat.
First sweep of the Angels since 1996… Maybe before I die the Twins will sweep the Blue Jays. That would be fun.
Way to go Kubel. And Perkins.
One good line: After Delmon Young walked, a Twins announcer said, “Tonight on 60 Minutes, Delmon Young walks twice in two games”.
On Saturday, both Gomez and Young walked in the same inning.
You know your pitching staff is going through some really tough times if THAT happens.