Why We Go To The Ballpark – Volume II

Made it to my second game of the year – thanks Nick – and was reminded again (see post of April 12, 2012) of why we go to the ballpark.  Very simply, EVERY game offers something unique for the baseball fan.  Today, April 4, at Target Field (Minneapolis), was no exception.

“The Princess Bride – for a future power hitter?

Before we get into the game, it’s time for a little rant.  First, when it comes to scoreboards, sometimes less is more.  For example, did I really need to know that power-hitting Josh Willingham’s favorite movie as a kid was “The Princess Bride” – ironic choice for a future power hitter; that it’s possible to earn a degree in “Exercise Science;” or that a certain player would like to see Australia, while another “wishes he could sing?”  Note:  During the seventh-inning stretch, we all sing.   Let’s limit the scoreboard to baseball related minutia.

“Unique warm-up technique of Rick Porcello.

Okay, now to the game – starting with the pregame.  Here’s one of those “unique” opportunities.  Sitting in row four down the left field line, I had the opportunity to watch the Tigers’ Rick Porcello warm up.  He started with the regular, stand-up/wind-up, building speed and sizzle.  Then, with the pitching coach watching, he laid down a pad and threw (nearly as hard) kneeling on one knee.  (Made me think of Tim Conway’s short golfer routine).  It was the first time I’d seen this warm-ritual and I’d like to know what purpose that particular exercise serves.  (See photo.)

The game itself was great – starting with the temperature:  sunny and in the fifties, lots more conducive to baseball then Monday’s bone chilling home opener. (See post of April 1, 2013).

My Twins got off to a slow start, giving away two unearned runs in the first three innings.  They tied it in the bottom of the third with a two-run homer by the aforementioned Josh “Princess Bride-fan” Willingham and moved into the lead with a solo shot (into the wind and off the facing of the second deck in left field) by third baseman Trevor Plouffe, dutifully identified as a “Lion King” fan in his youth.  It stayed that way (tight 3-2 game) until the Twins broke it open with five runs in the bottom of the eighth. 

Among the happenings that helped make this game unique:  the Twins (effectively) used seven pitchers (six over the last 3 2/3 innings); while the Tigers (less effectively) used five hurlers (four over the last 2 2/3); Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks got his first major league hit (and RBI)  in the eighth inning, a two-run single; Twins pitcher Ryan Pressly made his first major league appearance in the ninth inning, giving up one hit and also notching his first-ever MLB strikeout (former Twins fan-favorite Torii Hunter).

The highlight for BBRT was the Tiger seventh.  In a 3-2 game, Twins reliever Josh Roenicke opened by walking number-nine hitter, shortstop Omar Infante and giving up a double to lead-off hitter, center fielder Austin Jackson.  Then with runners on second and third, Roenicke struck out right fielder Torii Hunter.  Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire had Roenicke intentionally walk the always dangerous Miguel Cabrera (2012 Triple Crown winner), bringing up the also dangerous first basemen Prince Fielder (with the bases loaded and one out in a one-run game).  Gardenhire then brought in Tyler Robertson to face Fielder and the move paid off, as Robertson struck out Fielder.  This brought up DH Victor Martinez with the bases still full.  Gardenhire again went to the pen, bringing in Casey Fien, who got Martinez to pop out to second base – and a collective sigh of relief went through the crowd.  This kind of tension is what keeps us all coming back to the ball yard.

Like all of you, BBRT is looking forward to many more tension-filled movement over the next 7+ months.