It Ain't Who's Up At The Beginning!--Peter

Well, when things started off so well for the Sox last night, I figured, Livan Hernandez may be reviving his career as a pitcher, but not tonight. Papi drove in the first run with a single and then Manny left no doubt with his eighth shot of the year, and 498th of his career. Sox up 3-Zip. Unfortunately, things went mostly downhill from there. By the end of the 4th the final score was already posted on the board and it was 7-3 Twins--not good. I suppose if you are looking for something good, a silver lining, if you will, then the fact that the Bosox had men on in most innings and accumulated double figures again in hits was good. Had everyone on both sides that was LOB scored, the Sox would have been the winners--just like the night before. But that's not how the game is played. You actually have to cross the plate. I hate technicalities.

The bullpen crew did their job and even Jenn's 'favorite', Timlin pitched an inning of shutout ball, further reducing his bloated ERA to 9.00 for the first time since it hit double figures several weeks ago--only took him seven tosses too! However, the only stat that counts, the score left us with an L. Off to Baltimore to face the Birds, who, for the first time in quite a while are playing reasonably good baseball. Peter Angelos may start receiving less epithets if this lasts the season. Beckett's on the hill and that gives us a pretty good shot at a W, but it still has to be played out.

Separately, I'd noted in the comments yesterday and Jenn spoke of it in her posting, Julian Tavarez has departed the premises. The Sox answer to pitching schizophrenia has left the asylum--actually been discharged by the team. He gave us some good innings over the last couple of years, helping in last year's World Championship, but this year's Jekyll and Hyde impersonation just wasn't cutting it. Designated for assignment, he'll be officially gone in 10 days or less. Good luck, Julian.