King Thome Brightens the Day For a Twins Win Over The Royals

It was a dark and dreary day. The clouds threatened rain and occasionally made good on those threats throughout the day. Then, like a ray of sunshine, all was made well.

KUUUB! After missing a few games because of a swollen wrist Kubel was back in the lineup as the right fielder. Now admittedly I am not a huge Kubel fan, but today he came up with a big two-run homer. Then, as if he missed the limelight, Thome (aka Mr. Incredible)blasted another one out to right field. It hit the flag pole or it might still be going. I think this one broke the record he set yesterday for the longest hit ball at Target Field.

Slowey started the game and managed to complete only four innings. He was back in the lineup after going on the DL. Unfortunately, he didn't look too sharp. Despite the Royals hitting Kevin pretty easily they didn't string enough together for many runs so we were still in the game when Manship came in. Manship did a great job handing the ball over to Flores who sucked. He gave the ball to Mattie who then gave the ball to Crain. Now if I didn't lose track I think we went ahead when Manship was on board in the fifth. Capps closed things in the ninth. By then we had a 5-4 lead, not enough for the Capster usually, but he pulled through today. Good thing too because those Sox won again today.

Back in our seats Wednesday for the third game of the series. Let's hope it's sweep time!

Thome and Tolbert Make Toast of Texas

It felt a little bit like football weather to me, but overall, a pretty good day for a baseball game.  Particularly a good day to WIN a baseball game.

And it was all about Jim Thome, with a little Matt Tolbert thrown in for good measure.  Together they accounted for 9 RBI's.  Yup, we clobbered the Rangers today winning 12-4.    

Scoreboard shows Thome's accomplishments for the day

But let's talk about Thome.  Hubby loves when Thome comes to bat.  Thome always points his bat to right field, then pulls on his pants leg, getting himself ready for the pitch.   On his second time to the plate, Hubby asked me, has he pointed to right field yet?  At that moment he did.  Then the next moment, the ball was sailing over the fence.  It was a beauty.  I read today in the Strib, it was the longest home run hit ball in Target Field so far.  As if that wasn't enough, he came back up later and hit a three-run homer for good measure, putting him past the steroid popping Mark Maguire in most home runs hit.

Thome points to Right Field (taken at a Yankees game)

Tolbert was no slouch either.  He came into today's game substituting for Danny Valencia.  I've become quite a Valencia fan since he came up so was very disheartened to hear he had a tight hammy.  (Don't you just love these baseball expressions...tight hammy!)  Anyhow, Tolbert was kept very busy at 3rd base fielding flawlessly.  And he had TWO base-clearing triples.   Triples, I've decided, are as exciting if not more exciting than home runs.

Pavano, always the trouper, pitched seven innings and broke his three game losing streak.   He started giving up a few too many hits late in the game, but the Twins had such a lead that Gardy stuck with him until he hit the magic 100+ pitch count.

Had my binoculars and spent some time checking out the comings and goings in the Twins dugout.  It really is amazing how many of our starters were sitting on the bench.  Lots of "day-to-day" injuries.

Players congratulate Thome after his 2nd homerun

I'll be back in my seats on Labor Day, but today the radio will have to do.  Hoping for the SWEEP because the Sox are not giving us any breaks.