Rotation Woes

In early March, I stated "if Baker, Liriano, Perkins, Slowey and Blackburn can provide a stable rotation, I think we [the MN Twins; yes I am an integral member of the organization] got the division locked up." Here's where things stand in mid August (stats from MLB):

• Baker: 10W-7L 4.54 ERA .283 OBA 140.2 IP
  
• Liriano 5W-11L 5.39 ERA .350 OBA 125.1 IP
  
• Perkins: 6W-7L 5.89 ERA .341 OBA 96 IP
  
• Slowey: 10W-3L 4.86 ERA .340 OBA 90.2 IP
  
• Blackburn: 8W-7L 3.99 ERA .330 OBA 146.2 IP

Slowey is out for the rest of the season (bone chips in right wrist) and Perkins is on the 15-Day DL (left shoulder tendinitis). The result: the Twins are 6 games back and fading fast. We have lost three consecutive series against Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City. The loss of Slowey may prove to be the turning point in the season. (Earlier in the season, he appeared to be the second coming of Brad Radke, one of my all-time favorite Twins.) Pavano was a solid mid-season pickup, but there is no one to fill the fifth position (Swarzak?: 3W-6L 5.87 ERA 53.2 IP 3.65 OBA). Not to mention what a disappointment Liriano has been. So much for my spring training prediction!

How did you get so good looking?

We enjoyed a series of visitors/trips in July. First, Mike and Amelia came from Pittsburgh to celebrate the 4th of July. While in town, Mary introduced them to the wonders of bee pollen, which she purchased from the farmers' market. Mike, an ardent vegan, pointed out that bee pollen (like honey) is the product of human enslavement of bees; therefore, he righteously refused to eat it. He later confronted a beekeeper, who naturally denied the accusation. Whether or not it is immoral, bee pollen tastes bad.

Aaron, Shiloh, Jude & Michelle

Jude, Michelle and Shiloh then visited from Mississippi, which afforded Shiloh the opportunity to taste a new environment. (Her favorite past time is putting things in her mouth.) On the first day of their vacation, Mary subjected our visitors to a death march tour of the monuments. To provide relief from Mary's tour guiding, we departed for Philadelphia to visit Aaron and Jennifer. Our affable hosts kept us well fed: Philly cheese steak sandwiches (with cheeze wiz french fries), homemade pizza, blueberry pancakes, and a pork shoulder roasted in Aaron's backyard smoker. While the food was great, the highlight of the trip was a conversation that we overheard in the Italian market (read in a thick South Philly accent):

Man 1 to Man 2: Damn! How did you get so good looking?

Man 2 to Man 1: I dunno; must be the women I'm messing around with.

We also watched Aaron take 5th place in a bike race in West Chester, PA. The race took place in the old downtown on a rectangular mile-long circuit with 90 degree turns. The riders up front were incredibly fast and it was a rush to watch them take the corners.

Aaron on the Pink Bike

Finally, after Jude, Michelle and Shiloh left, I traveled home to the Twin Cities for Bo and Katy's wedding. The ceremony and reception were at Macalester; it felt like a reunion with so many former Mac harriers in attendance. While home, I also got to visit with the family and check in on Ben, Marye and young Levi. A busy month spent in good company!