Ugly! and Interesting News

First, the ugly! I'll keep this as short as possible. Yesterday the Hose got slaughtered by the Rangers, 18-3. Things started off well enough, with Pedey driving a two-run shot over the wall for a quick two zip lead. You figured with Lester pitching, things had to look pretty good for the Sox. WRONG! Texas wasted no time at all in retaking the lead, with a homer of their own, plus some other hits. When the dust finally settle, 6 hurlers had labored for the Sox, giving up a like number of HR's and 21 hits in all. Not pretty. Hopefully, things will be better with JB taking the ball today.
Separately, the Evil Empire has announced that, in honor of the Centennial celebration of Fenway this Friday, they'll wear throwback uniforms from the era. Saw them online and they look pretty good (for a Yankees uni). Actually, the Yankees of that year were still playing as the Highlanders, changing to the present name the following year.

Missed It By THat Much!

Well, as those of you in Sox Nation likely already know, the Sox had stormed back from their miserable start to take the first three games of the four game set with the Rays by just overwhelming the Rays--11 runs in game 1, 13 in game 2, and a more sedate 6 in yesterday's round. Today, in the traditional Patriots Day game, they tried, but couldn't carry it to four in a row. They lost a tight 1-0 pitching duel with the Rays' Shields. What hurt worst was the way the Rays got the game's only run--on a bases loaded free pass!
Youk might have made a difference, but, for whatever reason, he was not in the lineup. Which brings up the latest issue with the Sox--Bobby V's comments about him implying he wasn't the Yoouuk of past seasons because he, in Valentine's opinion, wasn't giving his all for the team. To imply anything remotely like that of Yoouuk, is so far beyond ridiculous that you can't even see it on your radar! Adding this to V's pre-season comments on the rotation's members makes one begin to believe that maybe he should be replaced, as Ken Rosenfield suggests, if it keeps up--by Francona! At least Terry knew how to win in the Hub.

News--Good & Horrible!

Well, I confess. I haven't been keeping all of you out there up on the latest Sox results. That's because the effort so far this year was beginning to look quite a bit like 2011. True, we didn't go 0-6 like last year, as our first win came after only 0-3. But then we dropped the next pair, resulting in our arrival back in the Fens at 1-5, and firmly ensconced in last. Could it get worse? Oh, Yeah! Really worse! If what happened today is any omen, I think I'll start waiting for the Pats this fall, followed by the 2013 Sox. I know it's only the 7th game in, and we did win. Actually, in the box score, it looks great! Sox 12, Rays 2. JB pitched not only much better than last week; he looked like the JB we've come to expect, allowing just a single run in 8 innings; five hits and a single freebie. Game WHIP was 0.75. So why am I sounding like the voice of doom? Well, in 2010, the Sox were expected to be a sure thing to make the playoffs, possibly win another Series. Until they hit an unbelievable string of injuries. Last year, they had many more injuries, although not quite as many as '10. Nevertheless, what they had didn't help the Sox as they missed the post-season for the second consec year. Believe me, the injuries had more to do with the results than off day chicken and beer that the writers were BS'ing about!
Anyway, here we are in 2012 minus a couple of starters due to major arm problems/surgery and back surgery, and in the 4th inning today, things took a decidedly drastic turn south. After getting his second hit of the game, Jake was on first and sped to second trying to break up a DP on Dusty's grounder. The Rays second sacker stepped on the bag, forcing Jake and then, in trying (successfully) to finish the DP, fell on Jake's arm, injuring it badly enough that the Hose centerfielder had to leave the game, obviously in pain, holding his arm with his other hand. No diagnosis yet, but it didn't look good. If you recall 2010, after an early season collision in center, he missed almost all of the rest of the season.
Keep your fingers crossed. This is one guy the Sox can't afford to lose.
On the positive side, by winning today, the Sox maintained their streak of victorious home openers, the longest in MLB at the present time.Also, although JB only got one K, his string of games with at least one K since he began his MLB career is now 281, second in MLB history only to Dwight Gooden's at 349.
Besides Jake, Gonzo, Yooouukk, Papi and Shoppach all had multi-hit games, with Sweeney, Papi and Shoppach each getting a pair of ribbies and Yoouukk getting a trey.
One other thing--if you see things differently, or have a comment you want to add, DON'T BE SHY! Write it up and submit. That's what the little pencil icon at the bottom is for. After all, we're Red Sox Nation; let's have some give and take here!

Getting Ugly!

Well, in the season's second game, things definitely took a major turn for the worse. Aside from Jake, Yoouk, and Dusty hitting very little of not at all, the pitching by JB, not to mention his successors, was worse than terrible. After four innings, it was Zip Five for the Hose, Zip Seven after six and went downhill from there. Both Bengals players Cabrera and Fielder had a pair of roundtrippers. Beckett had the worst start of his career, statistically (maybe his thumb really is in serious condition). I know it's just two games, but this is BAD!

Season Begins!

Well, with a chorus or two of "Put me in, Co", the season opener has finally been played. Results not much different from last year, although it went right down to the bottom of the 9th in Detroit. Facing the reigning Cy Young Award winner, Justin Verlander, the Sox had their work cut out from the start. However, after finding themselves down two zip, they came back late in the game to tie, right fielder Sweeney plating the tying run with a triple, his second hit of the day. This came after Papi picked up where he left off last year with a ribbie to get the Hose within one. Lester looked pretty good getting through the first six, but unfortunately, the Sox closer doesn't exist yet, at least not anywhere near the Sox. Melanson came in for the 9th to hold the tie and give the Sox a chance in extra innings. As it turned out, they never got that far. Facing 3 batters, he gave up a pair of hits, one of which became the winning run when Aceves allowed a walk-off run scoring single. Did you have to go to Philly, Pap? Not much else to say about the game. The Hose pick up on Saturday, with JB scheduled to take the ball, assuming his thumb is OK.

It Gets Worse!

Just came across the wire, so to speak. Bailey's definitely hurting and will have ligament repair surgery on his thumb. He'll be lost for at least 3-4 months! Hope our new GM has some ideas on getting a closer at this late date.

Not Again!

This is getting a bit monotonous! Here we are not even starting the season and already two of the Hose hurlers are injured and checking with the docs. Bailey, our newly anointed closer, has somehow injured his thumb and may be out "for....months", according to Manager Valentine, although Valentine says it could also be "days"; he just doesn't know yet. Doesn't look good. On top of that, JB is seeing the same hand specialist because of a 'minor' thumb injury that could sideline him or not, depending on what the doc finds. For now, he & Valentine are saying he'll pitch game 2 of the season as scheduled. So, we'll see.