Okay, that was the weekend of going through the motions...now it's time to start playing again.
On Thursday, September 16, 2004, the Twins won their ninth game in a row by downing the White Sox 10-1. It expanded their AL Central lead to 13.5 games. With just 16 games remaining, the Twins did a little resting of their regulars. They finished 6-10 to end the regular season, and then lost three games to one to the Yankees in the ALDS. Minnesota fought, but looked rusty at times, and I remember having a number of conversations with my friends where we debated whether or not the Twins rested their regulars too much.
Obviously, circumstances are different this year. Guys are sitting for different reasons, and rest for some of these guys is more out of necessity than it is a luxury. All I mean to say is this: coasting into the playoffs is never a good idea.
This weekend was the perfect storm. There was some terrible defense, some shaky pitching and a curiously inconsistent case of assbats. And this team is completely different than the '04 incarnation (except Michael Cuddyer, Nick Punto, Matt Guerrier and Jesse Crain...naturally). I'm just looking forward to seeing the Twins look like a winning team again.
Delmon Young gave the Twins a lead in the fourth with his 19th home run of the season, absolutely destroying a pitch from 20-year old Rick Porcello. But Brian Duensing allowed a three spot in the bottom half of the frame, thanks to a three-run jack from Ramon Santiago, and Miguel Cabrera's two-run blast in the seventh game us the final score.
Danny Valencia had a rough moment in the field again today, botching what would have been an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the fourth. With that extra chance, well...Santiago.
Okay...big interview getting posted tonight. Be sure to check back for it.