Sunday, October 10, 2004
SMALLBALL
I didn't get to see Saturday's Twins-Yankees finale, but checking the box score I noticed the Twins were caught stealing three times. I don't know for certain what happened (although it looks like Cuddyer and Ford both tried to steal in the 6th or 7th and no runs resulted) and given they only lost by one run (again) in extra innings (again)... I'm just saying. A lot of people will talk about the Twins' bad luck (Koskie's double bouncing over the wall on Thursday to stop the go-ahead run), but sometimes you do it to yourself.
Well, if the Cards and Astros can finish-off their opponents, I think it'll be fair to say that the two best teams in each league will face-off in their respective LCS. When was the last time that happened?
UPDATE: Yup, that's what happened. Cuddyer singled to start the 6th, and was thrown out going to second with Blanco at the plate. (Blanco apparently swung through the pitch. Was it a missed hit and run?) Whatever happened, now with one out Blanco battled and eventually singled, Stewart poped out to 1B, and then Jones singled. So instead of a RBI for Jones and runners on 1st and 2nd with one out, it's runners on the corners with two out. The inning ends with a popout by Hunter. No runs for the Twins. In the 7th, Morneau and Koskie both grounded out, but then Lew Ford singled. Ford's running on the first pitch to Guzman, which Guzman takes for a ball and Posada throws Ford out at 2B. No runs for the Twins.
The third failed attempt actually happened earlier back in the 1st inning, as Jones tried to steal 2B with Morneau at the plate in a strike 'em out throw 'em out to end the inning. So much for the rally.
The Twins did have a successful SB in the 2nd inning, but curiously it didn't factor into the scoring.
