I just cracked a beer and sat down at the computer. Guess what I am gonna do til i go to bed?

Ratface with 3 RBI and Buck Fifty with One as Sweet Music pitches a complete game and loses 5-4. Suck.

Ok, now. Sid Bream was struck by lightning and unable to score thus sending the Buccos to the '91 NL pennant. Here is how the Twins/Pirates Series played out:

Game 1
Twins win 2-1
Pagliarulo drives in one and scores on a Mack ground out. Morris CG

Game 2
Twins win 11-7
Down 5-3 in the fourth the Twins tag Zane Smith for 6 runs. Puckett 4 for 5.

Game 3
Pirates win 5-3
Hrbek's 2 run 7th inning HR pulled the Twins within one but Bonilla responded with a GR RBI double in the bottom to seal the win.



(Now I am going with Morris in game 4 just as the Twins did that year but Atlanta used a four man rotation... hmmm. Did the Braves know they were a deeper staff that year? Couldn't have with Liebrant their No 1. Lets say the Buccos would go with a three man like the Twins.)



Game 4
Pirates win 11-10
Fuck! Well at least Black Jack won't be tired for game 7 after giving up 7 fucking runs in two fucking innings. Shit! (I told you I would be here for a while. I am getting fuckin worked up here.) Drabek gave up 7 runs in the 3rd but lasted through the 7th and Bonilla came up with 4 more RBI. Quiet series from Bonds so far. Twins score on all Texas leaguers and errors.

Shit! The drama... tied 2-2. Can the Twins steal one from Three Rivers? Stay tuned.

Game 5

In the third Knoblauch bloops one into right striking a beer bottle thrown at him by Steve Bartman landing him at 3rd with a triple. While being intentionally walked, Puckett hits the would-be ball four into left bringing home the first run. Mack moves Puckett to third on a bloop single to right, they exchange air-handshakes. Hrbek drives Puckett home with another bloop. Harper hustles into an inning ending double play. Twins 2-0.

In the fourth the Jose Lind singles in VanSlyke from third making it 2-1. Pagliarulo adds a run in the 6th. Twins 3-1.

Tapani walks Bonilla in the 7th to load the bases but gets VanSlyke to fly out to end the inning. Leyland drops heater into lap.

Aguilara enters in the 9th and strikes out the final two batters to send the Twins home with a 3-2 lead.

Human Man,

It *would* take a bolt of lightning to stop Sid Bream.

I personally decided to match a Twins team that I considered to be underrated -- the 1984 squad with MVP-runner up Kent Hrbek, a rookie Kirby Puckett, and a competent Frank Viola -- against the 2009 Twins. Of course, it wasn't close, even with my clever decision to start Ron Washington over Houston Jimenez and bat DH Randy Bush in the 8 hole.

2009 squad wins 8-2, with the 1984 team held to 5 hits by Scott Baker. Bruno plates Puckett on a 2-run shot and then Baker settles down & gives a solid 8. Usual suspects (Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer) go a combined 5 for 11 with 6 RBIs. Delmon Young held hitless.

Kudos though to the 1984 Twins bullpen contingent of Larry Pashnick, Bobby Castillo, and Mike Walters for throwing 3 scoreless innings against the 09ers, allowing only 2 hits, no BBs, and striking out both Nick Punto and Denard Span. Go team.