Notes and observations from a victorious Friday evening:
- If you don't count the first or fifth inning, Glen Perkins' outing was highly effective. Unfortunately, the system we're stuck with (thanks a lot, Doubleday!) counts all innings equally, and Perkins struggled mightily to get out of those innings alive. He gets the win*, but it comes with Francisco Liriano's trademarked asterisk for throwing 100+ pitches in only five innings of work.
- The Rangers stole bases on Joe Mauer with impunity. BRING BACK MORALES.
- The game has been over for 20 minutes, and the Twins just hit into another double play.
- Nick Punto's appearance as a defensive replacement in the 9th inning was brought to you by Getting After It, the new body wash/shower gel for the gritty, undersized man in your life. Getting After It: Go Out There and Compete!
- Joe Crede is better at fielding his position than Tony Batista.
- Ranger reliever Dennis O'Day's song Undercover Angel was a Billboard #1 hit on this day in 1977. A remarkable feat any way y--I'm sorry, the singer's name was Alan O'Day. I regret the error.
- Another day, another 3-run bomb for Jason Kubel.
- Another day, another comical strikeout by Michael Cuddyer.
- Did you guys know that Wisconsin Dells has water parks?
- Carlos Gomez is keeping hope alive.
- My Player of the Game: Bobby freaking Keppel. Were this May, that would have been Luis Ayala or Jesse Crain out there, and my first Twinkie Town recap would be about an 8-5 Rangers win. Hats off to you, Bobby.
I hope you enjoyed my nonsense today. Thanks to Jesse and Jon for inviting me to the party. Have a good weekend, everybody. RIP Walter Cronkite.