Taz Picks Up Where Penny Left Off

Dad --

Could you explain something to me? Why is it every time it looks like the Sox have a great prospect and "the Nation" gets its hopes up, that prospect falls flat? It's annoying. Especially when we're so close to the post season.

After taking the first three from Chicago (the third in classic Red Sox style with a walk off by our favorite DH, Big Papi) our newest starter, Junichi Tazawa, took the mound the day after Penny asked, and was granted his release. I was thrilled - one less bad starting pitcher to worry about. Unfortunately, Tazawa evidently felt he needed to pick up where Penny left off and gave up nine runs in just four innings. While Tazawa had lost in two previous outings, this is the first time he's given up that many runs. It was painful to watch.

So painful in fact that I had to speed watch the rest of the game. I really only watched when our side got up to bat. I started to regain hope when the Sox got two runs in the 8th and another in the 9th, but the hole our guys had dug by that point was too deep to get out of.

So we lost the fianl game of the series 9-5. And since the Yankees lost to the Rangers yesterday, that means we're still six back in the division and now Texas is only a game and a half behind the Sox in the Wild Card.

Tonight we face the Blue Jays and after sweeping them at the Rogers Centre, I hope the Sox can keep that momentum going. I'm not too worried though since the Tampa Bay Rays just took two out of three from them earlier this week. Then again, Beckett's on the mound tonight, and after his last two outings, I'm not as comfortable as I'd like. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Jenn

Finishing What He Started--Peter

Well, Jenn, although the NY-Tex game isn't over, we gain either way. If Mr. Hankie's Yankees win (and they lead late in the game) we stay 6 behind them, but go up 2.5 on Texas in the Wild Card. If Texas wins, we stay 1.5 up in the WC and get to within 5 of the Stripes. Wake pitched tonight and it was as if he'd never been away. Out over a month with back pain, he came on, threw seven strong and left with a 2-1 lead--looked really good. The ball was really dancing around, almost daring the Chisox to hit it. Unfortunately, the first Sox reliever gave up a HR to a not-known-for his-power hitter and it was tied at a deuce. With the Pale Hose pitcher, we should have had at least a five run lead by then, but we didn't so it was sweat a bit. Papi had started the Sox scoring for the night with a solo shot to tie it at one. Going into the bottom of the 9th, 2-2, Papi came up and, as the head says, finished what he started. Nice fat pitch--see ya! Papi gives us one of his classic walkoffs and we win, 3-2. By the way, all three Sox runs came on solo shots.
Ooops--just went final. Texas lost, so we're up in the Wild Card 2.5. Tampa's still playing and leads 2-1 over the Jays. If Toronto could come back, we could get another game distance between us and Tampa.
One other comment. As happy as this win is for Boston and RS Nation, there is much sadness in the Hub today. One of the greatest Senators in history, Teddy Kennedy, a great Sox fan as well, died at 77 of brain cancer. Expected for a year, but still never easy when it comes.I worked on his first Senate campaign in 1962, fresh from high school.Too bad, but a great legacy for what he did for the country.

Our Sox Take Their Sox--Again & With a Record--Peter

Well, tonight the Sox had Lester on the mound--after hanging on and finally putting away the Chicago Mob last night, 12-8 with timely hitting by our newest member, Martinez. Tonight Lester looked good for a little while, slipped up a bit to fall behind, 3-2, and then the Hub Hose came back to tie things and, with TOM on the mound, put it away thanks in large part to Jason Bay's 28th roundtripper of the season and Martinez's latest two ribbies.

But, it wasn't all from the power. Right at the top of the game, Jake put one issue to rest--the record for steals by a Red Sock in a single season. Tied with Tommy Harper, he wasted little time. In his first at bat, he doubled and before you could blink was standing on third with his 55th steal of the year. From now on he sets a new team record every time he steals a base for the rest of the season. Then, he'll have a new target next year to go after. While he was at it, he also reclaimed the AL lead in stolen bases, 55-54, over Tampa's Crawford. Should be an additional interesting contest--beside the playoff placings. With tonight's win, the ox moved to within six of Mr. Hankie's Yankees, while still staying 1.5 ahead of Texas. Texas, you see, played and beat the Stripes in MY. Not sure who to root for in that series.

Bad Night for Beckett Feels Like Deja Vu

Dad --

The only thing I have to add to your post about last night's loss is that the last time Beckett lost two in a row by giving up 5 or more runs was last season when it came out shortly after his second start he had "tingling in his hand" and had to miss the next couple starts while it corrected itself.

What's most interesting about this stat is that it was just about a year ago that this happened. Could the same thing be the culprit of Beckett's previous two outings? I hope so, only because then it would explain why Beckett's been so awful and there's hope that the problem will correct itself.

I guess all we can do now is wait and see.

Jenn

Doom From the Start--Peter

Well, Jenn, tonight was the perfect opportunity. JB vs. CC and a chance for some momentum against the Stripes. First pitch in the game--not good. Heater over the outside corner; home pen a few seconds later. Top of the second and Godzilla facing JB. Another heater out over the plate and it's four or five rows behind the pen; two zip Hankie's Yankees. Briefly had some hope when we tied it up the next at bat, but it was all down hill from there. By the final out, JB had surrendered more HR's in a single game than at any time in his career--5!

As if all of this weren't bad enough for our heroes, two former Sox pitchers shone in their new homes today. Pedro, yes, THAT Pedro, won his second start for the Phillies. OK, it's been five years since he pitched for us, and he was good or better most of his time at the Fens--even contributed to the '04 Series title. But on top of this, Smoltz started for his new team. Picked up by the Birds after his release by the Hose, he looked like the Smoltz of old the Sox had hoped to have in their rotation. Threw five innings of three hit shutout ball--was virtually unhittable, and got the W. In fact, he became the only pitcher in Cards history to strike out SEVEN batters--IN A ROW!! Now, I know the cards only played the Pads--the team with one of the worst batting averages in the whole National League, but still, it IS MLB. Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.

Well, Jenn, tomorrow we get the Pale Hose--the Chicago Mob at the Fens; while the Stripes get the day off before facing the Rangers.

More '04 Redux?--Peter

Well, Jenn: Last night I said the last time the Stripes hurt us as bad as they did last night was the last game they ended up winning in 2004(recalled our conversation after the 19-7 abortion in game three)--before our historic never duplicated comeback from 0-3 to win that series and then later The Series. I also said this was a great opportunity to start another return from the dead (or near dead--your choice, Jenn). Today, their newest pitcher, an amateur last year, Tazawa, led them to a 14-1 win over Mr. Hankie's Yankees. He gave us six innings of shutout ball, and stranded every runner they put on while he was on the mound. The only run those guys managed to get was a homer by Swisher off Bard, further concern for Bard's pitching. I mean, the guy flames them by at 100 mph, but with absolutely no movement on the ball. Compare his heater to JB's at 95-96, where it not only moves by the batter, but also has unbelievable sideways or vertical motion at the last second as well. Saw him on some replays a couple of weeks ago, and I'm thinking the only guy who hits that stuff is Teddy Ballgame--absolutely awesome!

Today's game started against the Yankee's acquisition obtained just because he has a history of beating the Hose--Burnett. Not today, Baby. Three zip after one, seven after two, and you can tell the rest! Yoouuukk contributed, including a three run yard shot, and Papi continued his latest return from Zombieland with another HR and an RBI double, now at 73 for the year. Today, in fact, was the Sox' 39th homer for August, a team record. It was also the day of eights for the Sox: 8th consecutive multi-homer game, a team record and 8th straight 20 homer season by Papi. The man could just get 30 again, and wouldn't THAT be a welcome event!
One final note of encouragement: the staff looks like it MAY be coming back to pre-season hopes with a slight difference in personalities. Wake's due back next week; Dice-K's lost 15 pounds, in great shape and tentatively scheduled to start on September 8, and now Tazawa has two good starts in a row and Bucky's looking like he did in his first year. Maybeeee....

UGLY part II

Dad --

I don't have much to add to tonight's blood bath, except for the only high point I can think of which was Ellsbury tying Red Sock Tommy Harper for most stolen bases in a single season. As I'm sure you know, Tommy stole 54 bases back in 1973. Tonight Ellsbury achieved the same feat.

Since as you said there are 39 games left in the regular season, something tells me Ellsbury will hold the record for most stolen bases by a red sock all by himself very soon. And when that moment happens, I'll not only include it in this blog, I'll tweet about it, too.

Tomorrow Tazawa takes the mound and hopefully he'll do better than Penny did tonight. Shouldn't be too hard to pull off.

Until tomorrow,

Jenn

UGLY!--Peter

Well, Jenn, the title says it all! Here we were going into tonight's first of three at the Fens, no less, against Mr. Hankie's Yankees--coming off a Toronto sweep and a run of six out of seven wins. Even with Penny on the mound (please let him join Smoltz, Theo)it looked like we had a chance. So much for 'looked like'. Final score was 20-11, Stripes. The only time after they got going that we were close was at the end of the first inning when we only trailed 2-1. After that it wasn't so much down hill as off a cliff! Don't want to talk much about it, but if one can find a silver lining, remember, I was the one the morning after the 19-7 crushing by these same guys in '04 who said to you that the rules require a team to win four to take the series. And we all know what happened next. Well, here we are 7.5 out of first with 39 games left in the season, five of them against these same Stripes. This time, however, we only lost by nine. In '04 it was by 11. Gotta' look for signs of something. Tomorrow's another day.

It's a Sweep!

Well Dad, the surge continued!

Lester was on the mound last night to finish up the final game of the series. And he pitched a gem.

He went eight innings and threw 105 pitches. He only gave up one run, struck out five, and gave the bullpen a much needed rest. But better than Lester's pitching was the run support he garnered.

The Sox got eight runs over the nine inning outing, three of which came from homers from JD Drew and Victor Martinez. (JD actually hit the ball out of the park in his first two at bats.)

Speaking of V-Mart, I was wondering how often we were going to see him since he really only catches and plays first, but thanks to Tek's sore neck and Youkilis' suspension, we've seen quite a bit of him over the last few games, and I gotta tell you, I like what I'm seeing. Over the 17 games he's played with the Sox, he's gotten 24 hits, five of which have been home runs. It's been a boost that came at just the right time.

Last night's win means the Sox are now only 6.5 games behind the Yankees and leading Texas by a game in the Wild Card.

Today it's back to the Fens to face the Evil Empire and hopefully close the gap in the AL East. Course with Penny on the mound tonight, that gap may grow as opposed to close. Guess we'll have to watch to find out. But don't worry, you know Aidan and I will be glued to the big screen.

Jenn

How About Tonight, Jenn?--Peter

Yes, it was great to get down to see you guys over the weekend, especially our new Sox fan, Aidan. Love the way he smiles when he "flies". Anyway, I agree last night was a gut churner, but,in contrast, how about tonight? Facing Doc Halliday with Bucky, and things turned out pretty well. Roundtrippers by Papi (again), Bay (again) and Martinez and some damned good pitching by Bucky and the pen, and here we are with a 6-1 win. Bucky really pitched tonight, especially in the 6th when he jammed the sacks. The pen then took over with three no-hit innings, including one of perfection by Oki, and one for three K's by Saito.

I think Papi's coming out of his post-drug report exposure funk, as this is his third HR in the last few games, and he went 2-3 tonight. He's got 69 ribbies for the year, and, if he continues his resurgence, actually has an outside shot at another 100 RBI season. Bay also continued his hot streak, with his sixth shot in the past two weeks. At almost 90 RBI's and 26 HR's he's back among the league leaders in both categories. Martinez also has 80 ribbies, so, if Papi manages to get to 100, we could conceivably have three 100 RBI men in one season--not unprecedented, but definitely rare. Here's hoping the surge continues tomorrow. It would be great to be on a roll when Mr. Hankie's Yankees come to the Fens Friday.

Rollercoaster for Beckett and Papelbon

Dad --

Great having you here over the weekend although because of your visit, neither one of us got to blog about the disastrous series against the Rangers. So we're still seven games behind the Yankees but at least we're tied for first with the Rangers. And that's because of last night's game.

Yesterday was the first of a three game series against the Jays and Beckett was on the mound. It should've been smooth sailing. But Varitek had a sore neck so he was out of the lineup which meant Victor Martinez, or V-Mart as the fans call him, was behind the plate. Beckett's never worked with Victor before and while it shouldn't have made a difference it obviously did.

Beckett was great for the first four innings allowing only three runs to score, all from solo shots. Meanwhile, in very un Red Sox style we had racked up six runs and chased the Jays starting pitcher from the mound in the fourth. But then the fifth inning happened.

While the Sox got another run making their lead 7-3, Beckett took the mound and wound up giving the game away. The Jays scored two more times in the fifth and then again in the sixth tying up the game and chasing Beckett from the mound. It was very unusual for Beckett to fall apart like that, but I really think it was because he was working with a new catcher. He probably wanted to be extra perfect and wound up failing. I just hope future outings with Beckett and Martinez don't have the same result.

Luckily the Sox were able to get another three runs in the top of the 8th. But as is Sox fashion recently, for some reason we can't get runs without giving up some in exchange. Bard was pitching, and I don't know what's happened to this kid. His first few outings he was lights out, but now he's good for a couple batters and falls apart. He got the first two outs of the 8th, then gave up two hits. Francona didn't want to take any chances so he pulled Bard and put in Papelbon, Mr. Lights Out.

Well Papelbon was anything but lights out last night. He gave up a hit that plated two more Jays, but manages to get out of the inning with the Sox still ahead by a run. He finished off the 9th by walking three more batters. I was a wreck. What happened to our Laserman from the last few years? You used to be able to count on a win if Pap took the mound, unfortunately it doesn't seem to be a given anymore. Luckily, Pap didn't allow any other runs and the Sox won 10-9.

It was definitely a nail biter, one I hope we don't duplicate tonight or for the rest of the series. See Dad, we really need to start wracking up the wins if we want to see the post season.

Jenn

Celtic Pride!--Peter

I know we're talking about the Sox here, Jenn, but tonight's 9th inning comeback showed plenty of what has long been called Celtic pride. Down with just three outs left, they needed two just to tie, but they came back with SIX, including three after two outs and two strikes. Martinez showed the quality of his acquisition; JD settled the issue with his 13th HR of the season, one that has been adverse for him from injuries; and Papi--what else can you say? He may be on the down side--hard to decide if it's residual from last year or he's really sliding-but tonight he showed he still has not only character, but also ability to turn a game with a swing. He tied it in the 6th with a two run shot, and in the penultimate 9th, kept the rally going with a solid double. I'll tell you, Jenn, if the Sox ultimately decide to part ways with him, he'll ALWAYS remain a Fens Favorite--just because of things like tonight.
Sox now up 1.5 on Texas and, I believe, five on the Rays for the Card. Still have a chance at the Yankees as well.Keep hoping later this week.

Run Support is a Glorious Thing!

Dad --

Well, it's finally happened. The Sox are finally out of their hitting slump. And you know what that means - they're winning. Who knew all they needed was to come back to the Fens.

We've now won three in a row and moved up a game on the Yankees. And it's all been due to the fact that our boys are finally swinging their bats. Check out these scores: 6-5, 7-5, and 8-2. It's been awesome. And each night has brought something special.

Penny was actually good on Monday, going six innings and only giving up three runs. He did throw 93 pitches over those six innings but 56 of them were strikes. Pedroia, Green and Bay all hit homers and Ellsbury stole his 51st base. The only thing that made Monday better was the fact that the Yankees lost and the Sox moved up a game in the standings.

The bats continued working Tuesday, but the baseballs weren't the only things being hit. No, Tuesday's game was all about the benches clearing brawl that took place during the 2nd inning. It all started when Junichi Tazawa, getting his first start as a major league pitcher, threw inside and hit Tigers' first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Then the Tigers pitcher, Rick Porcello threw inside to Victor Martinez, but failed to make contact. So if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Well, Dad, try again he did.

Since Porcello couldn't get the job done in the 1st, he threw at Youkilis to start the 2nd inning. This time Porcello made contact - right between Youk's shoulder blades. Youkilis not only charged the mound, he threw his helmet at Porcello. By the time the benches cleared, Porcello and Youkilis were rolling around on the ground throwing punches. Of course both were ejected immediately and both received 5 game suspensions. I just hope Youk won't be serving his sentence when the Sox face the Yankees next week.

Tonight Beckett took the mound and did what Beckett does best - get outs! He pitched seven innings and gave up only two runs and three hits. He also got his 14th win, making him the first pitcher in the majors to reach that feat. Meanwhile both Jason Bay and Mike Lowell continued their hitting streaks by adding another couple homers to their stats. It's good to see both Jay Bay as the kids call him and Mikey coming out of their slumps. And it couldn't come at a better time.

Another special moment tonight was when NESN reporter, Jerry Remy, made a special appearance at Fenway and got a heartfelt standing ovation from the fans. He said he's recovering nicely and hopes to be back in the booth soon. Although Dennis Eckersley has done a fine job covering for the Rem Dawg while he's been away, he isn't Jerry.

So there's just one more game against the AL Central leaders tomorrow and Buccholz has the start. I'm hoping for the sweep, not only because we need it, but because it'll keep Red Sox Nation's spirits up. But with the bats swinging like they have been the past three games, I'm really not that worried.

Jenn

What A Difference A Day Makes--Peter

Well, Jenn, there was a song when I was younger, by Dinah Washington, that perfectly describes the Sox situation of the past couple of days. Title's right there at the top of this post. After losing yesterday in NY (for the season high sixth time in a row, mind you), the Hose wasted no time tonight. Just ten pitches into the game against the Bengals from Motown, they equalled their run production of the past three games combined. Not satisfied with that, they put up another four on the evening and with the help of Laser's four out 28th save, won a game.

Another good thing about home cooking--they picked up a game each on the Stripes in the division, on the Rays in the wild card and on Texas--yes, Texas (a half game) in the wild card. Jake looked like he has for much of the season getting a pair of hits and another steal, his 51st of the year, while JD continued his hitting recovery and Bay hit his 22d round tripper. Martinez is still not hitting like he's capable and his average has dropped since his arrival from the Tribe on the Lake. However, Jenn, he's a classic Theo acquisition--good reliable hitter (his best of his few Sox hits was the 9th inning HR yesterday in NY that had me screaming, "YES" so loudly you probably heard me all the way down in Redondo) and great versatility (think Youk, only more so) as he can play catcher (what to do with Skipper?), first and outfield.

Anyway, I'm going to enjoy this and try to be positive, because even during the Striped debacle this week, we got winning quality pitching from JB, Lester and Bucky--and we have six more opportunities to take it out on Mr. Hankie's Yankees before the end of the season. This fight's not over by a long shot. We just need to keep tonight in mind and move forward.

What's Going On with Our Pitching?

Dad --

After the fiasco that was the 2 game series against the Rays, I thought we head into the Bronx and continue doing what we've been doing all season - kick the Yankees butts. But then I realized John Smoltz was starting.

To quote several twitters I follow - I'm soooooooooooooo done with the John Smoltz experiment. He said it'd probably take him 5 games to find his footing. Well, it's been seven.

I don't know what it is with our starters. They can get through 3 innings then somewhere around inning 4 or 5 they starting giving up the hits and/or the home runs.

Yesterday it was inning 4. And to Smoltzie's benefit, it wasn't all him. Yes, he started the damage by giving up 9 hits and 8 runs over his 3.1 innings. But this new kid - Billy Traber - (who they just called up from Pawtucket and was a Yankee last year) followed by allowing another 9 hits and 5 runs over his 3.2 innings. Maybe he forgot which team he was playing for.

I can't believe this is the guy they replaced Masterson with. I mean at least Masterson would get through an inning or two before things went south. Traber couldn't even finish off the fourth without giving up another homer (the second of the inning) to Posada with 2 men on. It was sad. Very, VERY sad!

And that's when I quit watching. I fast forwarded through the rest of the game because I couldn't take it anymore. It seems these days, the Sox can't get a run without giving up 2 or 3 more to the other team. It's pathetic.

Today's game 2 against the Evil Empire, but this time Beckett's on the mound, so hopefully we can save face and win! Just three more games before the Sox head back to the Fens. And they better win all three, otherwise they'll be below .500 for this road trip and we can't have that.

Jenn

Words Fail Me--Peter

Well, Jenn, looks as if Theo may have done it again! Vic Martinez, who the Hose have been rumored to be interested in all year certainly announced his presence in no small way last night! Equaled his career best hits and ribbies in a game--5-6 at the plate. Add that to Youk's continuing onslaught, Jake's multi-hit evening and Lowell's continued resurgence and what do you get--18-10, that's what. Had the Sox not left as many guys stranded as they once again did, it easily might have topped 20 or 25. Bucky was a little suspect on the mound, as were some of the pen. But overall, not a bad return to form this week vs the O's. Good BP for the Stripes in NY end of the week after a pair in Tampa. Who set this schedule?

During the Game--Peter

Separate from the Sox great game yesterday, led b JB's superb pitching, followed by Oki and Bard (isn't He something!?), thought i'd get an irritant off my chest while the Sox are still playing. As usual, my complaint target is FOX, although this time it's not political--at least I don't think it is. As I write, Fox has a "Breaking News" thing flashing constantly across the top of the Sox game page--to the effect that the Rays pitcher is ----ing KC through, at present, the 7th. They did this last week when the Chisox Buehrle was trying to become the second coming of VanderMeer until he finally gave up a hit; and a week prior to that when Buerhle tossed his perfecto. What I'm complaining about is that long, and I mean VERY long, standing baseball tradition is that you don't talk about any kind of no-hitter as long as it's still in progress. It's bad luck. It's bad enough Fox has some of their political know-it-alls, but do they have to also stain hallowed baseball tradition as well? Haven't checked while I've been writing this, but I'll bet...Yep! It happened. I just checked and the Rays pitcher lost his no-no in the 8th. Thanks, Fox!