Week 24: The Minnesota Twins September 12th Starting Line Up

Eddie Rosario and Byron Buxton, 2 of my 9 MLBoyfriends,
celebrate at home plate on September 12th.

I made one last trip to Target Field before the season ends. Last Tuesday was a beautiful, warm evening in the Twin Cities, and it turned out to be a great night for Minnesota baseball--I'm not just talking about the weather. The Twins shut out the San Diego Padres 16-0. They had a whopping eighteen hits in the game and seven home runs--the most homers the Twins have hit in a game this season, and the most that have been hit by a single team at Target Field in the seven seasons it has been open. By the way, the Twins had another first in that game: they are the first team to hit one home run in each of the first seven innings of a game in the history of Major League Baseball.

I knew I would end up choosing a Twin for my MLBoyfriend this week. But which one? They all played so well. Then, I remembered that it's my blog, so I can change "the rules". This week, for the second week in a row, I have multiple MLBoyfriends. It's not just two this time but nine. Yes, the entire Twins starting line up from September 12th have won the coveted title.

1. Brian Dozier, Second Base

Brian Dozier it the first homer in Minnesota's first at bat of the game. My Week 19 MLBoyfriend went three for four in the game. In addition to his home run, he hit a triple and a single making him just a double short of a cycle.

2. Joe Mauer, First Base

Joe Mauer had a good game on Tuesday with one hit, one run and two RBIs; however, he did not deserve the celebration in this photo. But that's okay. While all the other pictures in this post are from the September 12th, I couldn't find a good one of Mauer in that game (which is sort of strange considering how photogenic the former MLBoyfriend is). So, I cheated and used this adorable picture from May 5th when he hit the first walk-off home run of his fourteen year career.

3. Jorge Polanco, Shortstop

Jorge Polanco got his only hit of the game in the second inning but it was a doozy--a two run homer.

4. Eduardo Escobar, Third Base

Eduardo Escobar was another Twin whose only hit was a home run. I guess if you're going to go one for four with two strike outs, that's the best way to do it.

5. Byron Buxton, Center Field

Unfortunately, my Week 21 MLBoyfriend, Byron Buxton did not hit a home run during the game. He did have a hit and scored a run. He also made a great catch in center field, but that seems to happen at least once a game with him.

6. Eddie Rosario, Right Field

Eddie Rosario had an excellent game going two for five with two hits, two runs and two RBIs. His solo homer came in the sixth inning.

7. Robbie Grossman, Designated Hitter

Robbie Grossman went two for five in the game scoring two runs. Also, he's pretty.

8. Jason Castro, Catcher

If I had to choose just on MLBoyfriend from the game, it would have been Jason Castro. He was the only Twin to hit two home runs that night. He had three hits, three runs and four RBIs.

9. Ehire Adrianza, Left Field

I almost feel bad for Ehire Adrianza. In any other game, his two hits, two runs and one RBI would be considered an excellent showing for the last batter in the lineup. His effort my have been overshadowed by the fireworks of his teammates, and the literal fireworks at Target Field, but I noticed and he totally deserves to share the glory of the win and of being my MLBoyfriend.

Congratulations to all nine of my MLBoyfriends this week! Brian, Joe, Jorge, Eduardo, Byron, Eddie, Robbie, Jason & Ehire, thanks for showing me such a good time at Target Field last Tuesday. By the way, this was my view of the game--an excellent one for watching those home runs fly over the wall.

PS: Honorable mention goes to Kennys Vargas who took over for Joe Mauer late in the game. Vargas hit the last of the Twins' seven home runs--a three run dinger in the seventh inning.