Well, they always say there's nothing like home cooking to cure whatever ails you, and it certainly looked that way tonight in the Fens. The Diceman went deeper than usual into the game without giving up any runs: 7 1/3 innings and was matching zeroes with the Twinkies' pitcher.
Replaced by Okajima, the zips continued to mount on the board. Oki pitched his second successive 'Oki of Old' appearance. After entering with two men on base, he walked the first batter, Morneau, he faced, on a full count. The he buckled down and got the Twins' pinch hitter to foul out and Young to ground to a fielder's choice ending the inning.
On came the Sox in their half of the 8th. Dusty got a two bagger to extend his career high hitting streak to 15 games, was moved to 3d by JD and Manny came through with a crisp single to plate the game's only run.
Into the 9th--who else? The Saver! Pap came on, threw nine pitches, eight of them strikes and just like that the door was slammed shut. With the Rays losing to KC, the Sox also picked up a game in their pursuit of the Rays. Let's hope that it's the start of a nice long winning streak that will get them back into first.
As part of their roster activity, Masterson was sent down to the Pawsox, to be converted to a reliever. Buchholtz may soon be called up, particularly with the way he's been pitching in AAA ball. Add in Big Papi in the weeks after the All-Star Game and the Hose look like they'll be ready for the stretch run.
Speaking of the All-Stars, Sox put seven players on the AL roster for the game next week. The AL will be managed by Tito.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
A Classic Pitchers' Duel--Peter
Well, the third game of this four game set at Yankee Stadium turned into a classic pitchers' duel. Note the location of the apostrophe. Before pitch counts and setup men followed by closers, a pitcher went as far as he could, and if it was a tight low scoring game, it became a real pitcher's duel--each against the other starter. Often, you'd end up with a 1-0 or 2-1 final, sometimes even over into extra innings.
This game had Sox rookie Masterson going against Mussina. Mussina, as good a pitcher as he is, has never won a Cy, nor had a 20 game season, AND the Sox,more often than not, have really taken him to the cleaners. Not yesterday!
Scoring early and later, the Yanks had a two zip lead going into the 9th. Both teams were finding hits difficult to come by. In fact, with a total of seven hit batsmen between the two teams, a major league record was tied. To the 9th, Stripes had 6 hits and the Sox 5.
Mariano Riviera in to pitch. Very quickly, not to mention uncharacteristically, he quickly loaded the bases with a combination of a hit, a walk and the 7th hit batsman of the game. In fact, by hitting Manny, he tied another record. It was the third time Manny'd been hit in the game. However, he again became himself and struck out the next batter, got the next in a popup, and finished out with a K of Lugo. Game over.
So, the Sox are now just five up on the Stripes, and, more important for now, FOUR behind the Rays, who won again.
This game had Sox rookie Masterson going against Mussina. Mussina, as good a pitcher as he is, has never won a Cy, nor had a 20 game season, AND the Sox,more often than not, have really taken him to the cleaners. Not yesterday!
Scoring early and later, the Yanks had a two zip lead going into the 9th. Both teams were finding hits difficult to come by. In fact, with a total of seven hit batsmen between the two teams, a major league record was tied. To the 9th, Stripes had 6 hits and the Sox 5.
Mariano Riviera in to pitch. Very quickly, not to mention uncharacteristically, he quickly loaded the bases with a combination of a hit, a walk and the 7th hit batsman of the game. In fact, by hitting Manny, he tied another record. It was the third time Manny'd been hit in the game. However, he again became himself and struck out the next batter, got the next in a popup, and finished out with a K of Lugo. Game over.
So, the Sox are now just five up on the Stripes, and, more important for now, FOUR behind the Rays, who won again.
Yanks Take Game 3 - Jenn
After the Sox took the first two games of this four game series, yesterday they dropped one. And as is classic Red Sox style they dropped it in a very depressing way.
So, fine. They got their win. Now it's back to what I hope is the Sox' regularly scheduled program of winning. The Sox play their final game against the Yanks today and Wakefield's on the mound. Here's hoping the Sox can do what they did in the first two games and take the series away from the Bronx Bombers.
After a shutout eight innings from Mussina and the Yankees bullpen, they brought on their closer - the Yanks version of Papelbon, only 11 years older. And as is normal for the Sox, they got to Rivera. So, after a hit, a walk, and two hit batters the bases were loaded with nobody out. It looks like the Sox will tie it up. But these are the Red Sox. And while I'm a huge fan of the team, I also know that they leave men on base. A lot.
So Coco came up to bat and for some weird reason on an 0-2 count he waved at a ball that was so far outside the strike zone, he missed and was called out on strikes. At that point I knew the game was over, because while there were still two outs left, the next two batters were Varitek and Lugo.
Varitek has been in a horrible slump. He's only been hitting .138 since June 1st and was already 0 for three in the game. He popped out to the first baseman on a 2-0 pitch. Now it's up to Lugo another batter who hasn't been doing well. He's only gotten three hits in his last 25 at bats. So while it took five pitches, he also struck out against Rivera. That means the Sox left the bases loaded, Rivera got out of a jam and got the save, and the Yanks took their first game of the four game series.
I'm sure this win made Joe Girardi happy. In case you hadn't heard, after Thursday's shutout, Joe met with his team for over thirty minutes. He wasn't happy with where they were in the standings and he let his team know it. He also let the press know it, though not in detail. That meeting accompanied by this wonderful picture on the back cover of the New York Daily News made for a Yankee team that really needed a win.
So, fine. They got their win. Now it's back to what I hope is the Sox' regularly scheduled program of winning. The Sox play their final game against the Yanks today and Wakefield's on the mound. Here's hoping the Sox can do what they did in the first two games and take the series away from the Bronx Bombers.
Friday, July 4, 2008
A Real RED SOX Team Effort--Peter
Well, today was a true Red Sox team victory--the kind we've come to expect these last few years, where help comes from all corners--starters, relievers, different batsmen delivering just when a timely hit is needed.
Today started ominously for the Hose. A combination of Jeter's hit, a walk and A-Rod's (say hi, Madonna!) double followed by a sac fly from Giambi had the Sox down early, 3-0, after one inning. They'd had opportunities, but with multiple base runners, couldn't pull the string and get the hit to plate any of them.
However, after the depressing first, Josh settled down and in their half of the 3d, the Sox struck back. Getting the first run on Lowell's sac fly, they then got a pair of runners on and found Yooouk at the plate. Hitting a long drive to the centerfield wall, it looked for a moment as if former teammate Johnny Damon had gloved the ball for a loud out. However, that's all he did--glove it. But he didn't hang on and it bounced up out of his glove to the top of the wall, where it sat for a few moments looking for all the world like a long putt trying to decide whether or not to drop. Everyone waited--into the seats for a homer or back on the field and in play--which would it be. It was the latter and Yooouk hadn't slowed for a second. Steaming around the bases while Damon tried to locate the errant sphere, he ended up with a triple, the other two runners having scored and tied the score.
Things quieted down for a couple of innings, but with two men on in the 5th Lowell closed out the Sox afternoon and his contribution. On a 2-1 count, he drove one into the cheap seats for a three run homer and a 6-3 Sox lead. This, along with the prior sac fly, gave him 53 RBI's for the season.
Becket, meanwhile, while not being at his best, was still moving through the Yankee order with no major issues. After six, it was obvious to Tito that JB was tiring and he brought on Okijima. Oki made it through 2/3 of an inning without any damage, but it was an extended hold-your-breath minute. Something still isn't right here, and Oki looked every bit the way he has for the past four or five weeks at least. He's not mystifying batters the way he formerly did. This time he gave up a hit and two free passes, loading the bases before being replaced by The Other Manny-Delcarmen.
Now here's the ultimate in recent inconsistency! When TOM shows up, I'm starting to get like Jenn does whenever Timlin is announced. However, to my great relief, TOM this time threw 2/3 of an inning of shutout ball, surrendering only a harmless walk.
He was followed, again, for 2/3 of an inning, by Lopez, with similar results, although in this case nobody reached base. This is the type of bullpen work I like.
Which brings us to the 9th and The Laser. Not as efficient as he usually is, Pap managed to close out the game with his 25th save, but only after a BB and a supposed run scoring two bagger by the Yankees' captain, Jeter. Although replays clearly showed the ball was caught in a miraculous effort by Coco, the umpires ruled it a trap and a run scored that should not have counted. Nevertheless, undeterred, Laser then buckled down and closed out the game for another Sox W.
With today's performance, the Hose have three players with over 50 ribbies, and JB is climbing the rankings in wins and K's, though today he only garnered four. If Big Papi hadn't been out injured, it's a good bet the Sox would have a solid shot at having four players with 100 RBI's at season's end.
Today started ominously for the Hose. A combination of Jeter's hit, a walk and A-Rod's (say hi, Madonna!) double followed by a sac fly from Giambi had the Sox down early, 3-0, after one inning. They'd had opportunities, but with multiple base runners, couldn't pull the string and get the hit to plate any of them.
However, after the depressing first, Josh settled down and in their half of the 3d, the Sox struck back. Getting the first run on Lowell's sac fly, they then got a pair of runners on and found Yooouk at the plate. Hitting a long drive to the centerfield wall, it looked for a moment as if former teammate Johnny Damon had gloved the ball for a loud out. However, that's all he did--glove it. But he didn't hang on and it bounced up out of his glove to the top of the wall, where it sat for a few moments looking for all the world like a long putt trying to decide whether or not to drop. Everyone waited--into the seats for a homer or back on the field and in play--which would it be. It was the latter and Yooouk hadn't slowed for a second. Steaming around the bases while Damon tried to locate the errant sphere, he ended up with a triple, the other two runners having scored and tied the score.
Things quieted down for a couple of innings, but with two men on in the 5th Lowell closed out the Sox afternoon and his contribution. On a 2-1 count, he drove one into the cheap seats for a three run homer and a 6-3 Sox lead. This, along with the prior sac fly, gave him 53 RBI's for the season.
Becket, meanwhile, while not being at his best, was still moving through the Yankee order with no major issues. After six, it was obvious to Tito that JB was tiring and he brought on Okijima. Oki made it through 2/3 of an inning without any damage, but it was an extended hold-your-breath minute. Something still isn't right here, and Oki looked every bit the way he has for the past four or five weeks at least. He's not mystifying batters the way he formerly did. This time he gave up a hit and two free passes, loading the bases before being replaced by The Other Manny-Delcarmen.
Now here's the ultimate in recent inconsistency! When TOM shows up, I'm starting to get like Jenn does whenever Timlin is announced. However, to my great relief, TOM this time threw 2/3 of an inning of shutout ball, surrendering only a harmless walk.
He was followed, again, for 2/3 of an inning, by Lopez, with similar results, although in this case nobody reached base. This is the type of bullpen work I like.
Which brings us to the 9th and The Laser. Not as efficient as he usually is, Pap managed to close out the game with his 25th save, but only after a BB and a supposed run scoring two bagger by the Yankees' captain, Jeter. Although replays clearly showed the ball was caught in a miraculous effort by Coco, the umpires ruled it a trap and a run scored that should not have counted. Nevertheless, undeterred, Laser then buckled down and closed out the game for another Sox W.
With today's performance, the Hose have three players with over 50 ribbies, and JB is climbing the rankings in wins and K's, though today he only garnered four. If Big Papi hadn't been out injured, it's a good bet the Sox would have a solid shot at having four players with 100 RBI's at season's end.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Let's Visit the Bronx Zoo--Peter
In the late 70's a former Red Sox closer, Sparky Lyle, who'd free agented to the Yanks. wrote a book on his experiences with the Stripes. Detailing in detail the craziness he found in the House That Ruth Built, he called it The Bronx Zoo. Given the latest goings-on in NY, it sounds like as good a time as any to revive the sobriquet.
I know you're on the blog because you're concerned about RED SOX BASEBALL, but this is what's really important--or at least that's what the tabs and web would have us all believe. Let's see, now. From what I read A-Rod is swinging in the direction of Madonna, who is possibly leaving her hubbie, while A-Rod's wife is reported to be in Paris (as in France) visiting with Lenny Kravitz. That's quite a box score! I mean you can't tell the players without a program. I can just imagine Abbott & Costello: "Who's on first?" Or is it, "Who's on--first?" But I digress.On to Bosox vs. Mr. Hankie's Yankees.
Here we are going into the den of the Evil Empire in the midst of a five game slide. We really need this one and yet every game, something or someone else pops up to thwart our attempts to get the W and get moving again in the right direction. Tonight we got one!
Jon Lester tossed a complete game 5-hit shutout to take the opener of a four game set, seven zip. In fact, he tossed only 105 pitches for the entire evening. Wait! It gets better. The Stripes hurler is Pettite, who over the years, more often than not, has been a real pain in the ass for the Sox. Not tonight. He was behind 5-0 when he departed with just two outs in the 5th, and the Sox rolled on from there.
Starting with two runs in the first, partially assisted by a rare error from Derek Jeter, the Sox quickly added another pair in the 2d, followed by single runs in the 4th, 5th and 8th innings. Jake and Lowell each got a pair of ribbies, while JD, Youk and Coco picked up two hits apiece. Also, the Sox completed three twin killings in the field. And, perhaps just as important, the bullpen got the night off. Maybe the rest will do them some good. Sure couldn't hurt.
I know you're on the blog because you're concerned about RED SOX BASEBALL, but this is what's really important--or at least that's what the tabs and web would have us all believe. Let's see, now. From what I read A-Rod is swinging in the direction of Madonna, who is possibly leaving her hubbie, while A-Rod's wife is reported to be in Paris (as in France) visiting with Lenny Kravitz. That's quite a box score! I mean you can't tell the players without a program. I can just imagine Abbott & Costello: "Who's on first?" Or is it, "Who's on--first?" But I digress.On to Bosox vs. Mr. Hankie's Yankees.
Here we are going into the den of the Evil Empire in the midst of a five game slide. We really need this one and yet every game, something or someone else pops up to thwart our attempts to get the W and get moving again in the right direction. Tonight we got one!
Jon Lester tossed a complete game 5-hit shutout to take the opener of a four game set, seven zip. In fact, he tossed only 105 pitches for the entire evening. Wait! It gets better. The Stripes hurler is Pettite, who over the years, more often than not, has been a real pain in the ass for the Sox. Not tonight. He was behind 5-0 when he departed with just two outs in the 5th, and the Sox rolled on from there.
Starting with two runs in the first, partially assisted by a rare error from Derek Jeter, the Sox quickly added another pair in the 2d, followed by single runs in the 4th, 5th and 8th innings. Jake and Lowell each got a pair of ribbies, while JD, Youk and Coco picked up two hits apiece. Also, the Sox completed three twin killings in the field. And, perhaps just as important, the bullpen got the night off. Maybe the rest will do them some good. Sure couldn't hurt.
The Bullpen Sucks! - Jenn
Well, yesterday I was going to talk about how the Rays' starters have just been better than ours. But last night, all their pitching was better than ours. I don't know what the bullpen's drinking but whatever it is, it's bad.
Like Dad said Oki may have been fine (much to my shock) but Delcarmen and Hansen, who just a week or so ago were lights out, have hit the skids. It's a good thing I wait a day to discuss the games otherwise last night's blog would have been chock full of four-letter words.
I was so pissed off. The Sox got a gift yesterday in Kazmir. He's usually the Rays #1 pitcher and the Sox always have a hard time against him. But every pitcher has an off day and clearly last night was Kazmir's. And we made him pay for it. What looked like an opportunity to pick up a game on the Rays was obliterated the minute Delcarmen took the mound in the bottom of the 7th inning. He started the nail in the Red Sox' coffin when he loaded the bases with nobody out. Then Hansen came in and finished the job.
It's so frustrating. We have a good lead and Dice-K had actually calmed down enough after the first inning to get five K's. But he couldn't stay in for the whole game since he'd alreay thrown 101 pitches by the end of the 5th inning, and it was only his third start back from the DL.
I guess there's nothing more to say. Today we face the Yanks. Let's hope the bullpen has their act together, otherwise, it's going to be a long 2nd half of the season.
Like Dad said Oki may have been fine (much to my shock) but Delcarmen and Hansen, who just a week or so ago were lights out, have hit the skids. It's a good thing I wait a day to discuss the games otherwise last night's blog would have been chock full of four-letter words.
I was so pissed off. The Sox got a gift yesterday in Kazmir. He's usually the Rays #1 pitcher and the Sox always have a hard time against him. But every pitcher has an off day and clearly last night was Kazmir's. And we made him pay for it. What looked like an opportunity to pick up a game on the Rays was obliterated the minute Delcarmen took the mound in the bottom of the 7th inning. He started the nail in the Red Sox' coffin when he loaded the bases with nobody out. Then Hansen came in and finished the job.
It's so frustrating. We have a good lead and Dice-K had actually calmed down enough after the first inning to get five K's. But he couldn't stay in for the whole game since he'd alreay thrown 101 pitches by the end of the 5th inning, and it was only his third start back from the DL.
I guess there's nothing more to say. Today we face the Yanks. Let's hope the bullpen has their act together, otherwise, it's going to be a long 2nd half of the season.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Devil Rays Sweep;Ugly Bullpen--AGAIN!--Peter
Well, I've been away from the computer for a few days, so I'll sum up the latest Sox disaster in a few words--Just Look At the Title! Says it all. And for those of you who want to respond by reminding me that the team changed its name to Rays, dropping the 'Devil', as far as I'm concerned, they're more the Devil Rays than ever before! I mean 3 1/2 games ahead of the Sox after the first half of the season? Best record in baseball? No, that's NOT a misprint--how I wish it were. The Hose have again lost five in a row, and are to visit the Stripes as they move back up the coast. This is the same team that scored a total of 12 runs tonight in just two late innings to win 18-7.
It all started so promising tonight. The Diceman rode through the Rays' lineup in fairly easy fashion, giving up just two hits in five innings. He also got five K's and held the Rays to a lone run. Though he did allow five free passes, he managed to pretty much ride things out. But after five, at 101 pitches, Tito figured it was enough. His countryman, Oki, followed for an inning, pitching shutout ball and getting a pair of K's in the process.
Then, the roof fell in! The Other Manny-Delcarmen and Hansen each faced three batters in the sixth, getting no-one out after throwing a combined 30 pitches--you saw that correctly--THIRTY PITCHES--and giving up three runs apiece, so that Dice's 4-1 lead was metamorphosed into a 7-4 deficit. It was all the Rays needed. It may be time to send TOM and Hansen down for a bit and get someone who can hold a lead.
Aardsma and Lopez followed and managed to staunch the bleeding, but it was too late--particularly frustrating as, once again, the Sox almost came all the way back only to finally lose by a single run.
On the bright side, if there is one, Dusty almost hit for the cycle, getting a second double instead of what would have been a cycle-completing single as part of a 4-5 evening. JD and Moss each went 2-4, and the Sox accrued five extra base hits, including a pair of trips and a homer--all to no avail.
Now I know there are still 75 games left to the season and this is only the start of July, but who'da thunk the 'Devil' Rays in first 3 1/2 games up on our heroes this late in the season?
It all started so promising tonight. The Diceman rode through the Rays' lineup in fairly easy fashion, giving up just two hits in five innings. He also got five K's and held the Rays to a lone run. Though he did allow five free passes, he managed to pretty much ride things out. But after five, at 101 pitches, Tito figured it was enough. His countryman, Oki, followed for an inning, pitching shutout ball and getting a pair of K's in the process.
Then, the roof fell in! The Other Manny-Delcarmen and Hansen each faced three batters in the sixth, getting no-one out after throwing a combined 30 pitches--you saw that correctly--THIRTY PITCHES--and giving up three runs apiece, so that Dice's 4-1 lead was metamorphosed into a 7-4 deficit. It was all the Rays needed. It may be time to send TOM and Hansen down for a bit and get someone who can hold a lead.
Aardsma and Lopez followed and managed to staunch the bleeding, but it was too late--particularly frustrating as, once again, the Sox almost came all the way back only to finally lose by a single run.
On the bright side, if there is one, Dusty almost hit for the cycle, getting a second double instead of what would have been a cycle-completing single as part of a 4-5 evening. JD and Moss each went 2-4, and the Sox accrued five extra base hits, including a pair of trips and a homer--all to no avail.
Now I know there are still 75 games left to the season and this is only the start of July, but who'da thunk the 'Devil' Rays in first 3 1/2 games up on our heroes this late in the season?
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