Well, as Jenn described it, the Sox had an interesting, if very wet, weekend to close out the season at Fenway. As one who's ridden out both a Category 4 hurricane as well as a 7.1 earthquake, I can tell you I'd rather do the hurricane any day--you at least get a warning before it arrives.
As for this one, it was a marginal Category 1, winds at least 74 mph, and hanging just off the New England coast as it moved north. Of course, due to the overall size of such a storm, even hanging a couple of hundred miles off the coast means that any land close to the coast is going to get rain--a lot of rain--as the storm moves on by. Such was the case as it headed for an actual landfall in eastern Maine near the Canadian border. That's what we New Englanders refer to as 'Down East' country--even though it's up north. You just have to look at a map and then factor in a bit of understanding of how things are in that part of the world.
Anyway, since Jenn already discussed the games for all of you out there, I'll just pontificate a little on the coming playoffs.
The first series has the Fenmen facing the Halos, a team that they have faced a number of times previously in the last few years in the post-season. We almost always seem to have minimal trouble with them, sweeping in most cases. In fact, that's what happened in 2004, when our relative positions were the same--the Angels had just won their division and the Sox were the wild card.
This year, there is a bit more ominoousity (don't know if that's really a word, but it must be--I just used it!) for the Hose. In nine games this year, the Angels swamped the Sox, eight games to one. Additionally, the Halos had the best regular eason record in baseball, winning an even hundred games. Our heroes' 95 wins wasn't bad, but there's the Angels' century to consider. The one good thing in that regard--it's a fresh season, in effect.
Serious worries: Lowell is questionable with his injured hip. He tried to play over the weekend, but lasted one at bat and limped to the pine. Possibly even more serious is the fact that Beckett strained his oblique during a bullpen session over the weekend, and has been scratched from the Game One start, moving instead to Game 3. Lester has been inserted as the Game 1 starter. Come tomorrow, we'll know how things work out.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Dancing Our Way to the Playoffs - Jenn
This weekend was the final series of the regular season and how fitting that the last three games the Sox play are against their hated rivals the Yankees. But unlike the last few seasons, there was nothing on the line for this series. The Sox had already clinched a playoff berth and the Yankees had... well... three more games before they were going home. So it should've been an easy series that focused on Dustin getting the batting title and us sweeping the Yanks. That wasn't quite the case.
As Dad already mentioned, Friday's game was a massacre. The Yankees came in and killed everyone they faced. No surprise though because the Yankees were playing against Pawtucket. Oh well, there was still Saturday and Sunday to watch and win. Only there wasn't because Saturday was rained out. So now we were looking at a double-header Sunday if that hurricane off the Massachusetts coast would stay where it was. And while there was some rain on and off on Sunday, it wasn't enough to dampen Sox fans' spirits.
Sunday's first game was a chance for Mike Mussina to get his 20th win. So of course all our regular Red Sox were out there in great form. At least almost great form. Dice-K was on the mound cruising along for the first three innings. So was Mussina. Neither team could get on base let alone cross home. But then in the 4th, Dice-K had a melt down. A-Rod ended up on base when a strike was called a fourth ball. (That wouldn't be the only time strikes were called balls and vice versa. The ump behind the plate was all over the place Sunday morning. What was a ball with one batter would be a strike with the next.) With Bobby Abreu already on base and only one out, it wouldn't take long before a single and a walk added up to three runs thanks to Xavier Nady's homer.
3-zip Yanks was the score until Joba Chamberlin took the mound and walked Jason Bay. Then Kotsay hit a ground-rule double and the two were in scoring position. Chris Carter ground out, but scored Bay, and Kotsay crossed the plate on Ellsbury's single. It looked like Mussina's win might be in trouble. But on a day when Dice-K only lasted four innings and Mussina was gunning for his 20th win, a comeback was not in the cards for the Sox.
Papelbon took the mound and also had one of his worst outings yet. From the first batter he faced, he couldn't get anyone out. And after 10 batters came to the plate the score stood at Yankees 6, Sox 2. That would be the final score for game one of the double header. But that was game one... game two is where we get our title.
Wakefield took the mound and with the way Wake's been pitching, it was anybody's guess whether we'd win or not. But he was on and win we did... after a little tension and 10 innings. Although Wake pitched five innings of shut-out ball, it was the relief staff that got Wake a no decision. Thanks to a two-run single from Sean Casey in the bottom of the 8th, the Red Sox were up 3-1 going into the 9th.
Unfortunately David Aardsma couldn't hold onto the lead. Betemit started the carnage with a single. Then Johnny Damon walked. Cabrera bunted, but was safe because Aardsma couldn't get a grip on the ball thanks to the wet field. Then Miranda popped out. But because Velazaquez doesn't understand that the outfielder has the right of way when it comes to catching balls, he and Van Every collided allowing Betemit to score. Gardner then struck out and the Sox were one out away from winning the game. But Cano, who already had a hit in the game, plated Johnny Damon with his single to left. The score was now tied, which meant the Sox were going to the bottom of the 9th and then onto extra innings.
After so much time in wet seats, the fans were starting to get antsy. They were doing anything the could to keep themselves and the Sox pumped up for one more win, including this couple who were a little early with the celebrating, but their dance was much appreciated all the same.
Anyway, the dancing in the seats must have been just what the doctor ordered because Cora started off the bottom of the 10th with a triple. It should have been over with the next batter, but these are the Red Sox and so it can never be that easy. Carter struck out when he swung at a pitch that was so far outside, it might as well have been down by the third baseman. Then the Yankees intentionally walked not one, but two batters in Bailey and Casey. So now the bases were loaded with just one out.
The Yankees were clearly looking for the double play. Thankfully Ross just struck out which meant the Sox still had a chance. That chance came in rookie Jonathan Van Every who had already gone 0-3 with a walk.
Van Every only saw four pitches. But it was on that fourth pitch that Van Every ended the season the way all seasons should end - with a single to right that plated Cora for the walk-off win. It was great! Not only did the Sox win the game in a great show stopping moment, but they're going to the playoffs. And the Yankees, they're heading home to watch the playoffs on their respective television sets.
Wednesday the Sox face the Angels for the first game of the ALDS. It's going to be tough competition, but the Angels have been division champs before... And the Sox still swept them.
As Dad already mentioned, Friday's game was a massacre. The Yankees came in and killed everyone they faced. No surprise though because the Yankees were playing against Pawtucket. Oh well, there was still Saturday and Sunday to watch and win. Only there wasn't because Saturday was rained out. So now we were looking at a double-header Sunday if that hurricane off the Massachusetts coast would stay where it was. And while there was some rain on and off on Sunday, it wasn't enough to dampen Sox fans' spirits.
Sunday's first game was a chance for Mike Mussina to get his 20th win. So of course all our regular Red Sox were out there in great form. At least almost great form. Dice-K was on the mound cruising along for the first three innings. So was Mussina. Neither team could get on base let alone cross home. But then in the 4th, Dice-K had a melt down. A-Rod ended up on base when a strike was called a fourth ball. (That wouldn't be the only time strikes were called balls and vice versa. The ump behind the plate was all over the place Sunday morning. What was a ball with one batter would be a strike with the next.) With Bobby Abreu already on base and only one out, it wouldn't take long before a single and a walk added up to three runs thanks to Xavier Nady's homer.
3-zip Yanks was the score until Joba Chamberlin took the mound and walked Jason Bay. Then Kotsay hit a ground-rule double and the two were in scoring position. Chris Carter ground out, but scored Bay, and Kotsay crossed the plate on Ellsbury's single. It looked like Mussina's win might be in trouble. But on a day when Dice-K only lasted four innings and Mussina was gunning for his 20th win, a comeback was not in the cards for the Sox.
Papelbon took the mound and also had one of his worst outings yet. From the first batter he faced, he couldn't get anyone out. And after 10 batters came to the plate the score stood at Yankees 6, Sox 2. That would be the final score for game one of the double header. But that was game one... game two is where we get our title.
Wakefield took the mound and with the way Wake's been pitching, it was anybody's guess whether we'd win or not. But he was on and win we did... after a little tension and 10 innings. Although Wake pitched five innings of shut-out ball, it was the relief staff that got Wake a no decision. Thanks to a two-run single from Sean Casey in the bottom of the 8th, the Red Sox were up 3-1 going into the 9th.
Unfortunately David Aardsma couldn't hold onto the lead. Betemit started the carnage with a single. Then Johnny Damon walked. Cabrera bunted, but was safe because Aardsma couldn't get a grip on the ball thanks to the wet field. Then Miranda popped out. But because Velazaquez doesn't understand that the outfielder has the right of way when it comes to catching balls, he and Van Every collided allowing Betemit to score. Gardner then struck out and the Sox were one out away from winning the game. But Cano, who already had a hit in the game, plated Johnny Damon with his single to left. The score was now tied, which meant the Sox were going to the bottom of the 9th and then onto extra innings.
After so much time in wet seats, the fans were starting to get antsy. They were doing anything the could to keep themselves and the Sox pumped up for one more win, including this couple who were a little early with the celebrating, but their dance was much appreciated all the same.
Anyway, the dancing in the seats must have been just what the doctor ordered because Cora started off the bottom of the 10th with a triple. It should have been over with the next batter, but these are the Red Sox and so it can never be that easy. Carter struck out when he swung at a pitch that was so far outside, it might as well have been down by the third baseman. Then the Yankees intentionally walked not one, but two batters in Bailey and Casey. So now the bases were loaded with just one out.
The Yankees were clearly looking for the double play. Thankfully Ross just struck out which meant the Sox still had a chance. That chance came in rookie Jonathan Van Every who had already gone 0-3 with a walk.
Van Every only saw four pitches. But it was on that fourth pitch that Van Every ended the season the way all seasons should end - with a single to right that plated Cora for the walk-off win. It was great! Not only did the Sox win the game in a great show stopping moment, but they're going to the playoffs. And the Yankees, they're heading home to watch the playoffs on their respective television sets.
Wednesday the Sox face the Angels for the first game of the ALDS. It's going to be tough competition, but the Angels have been division champs before... And the Sox still swept them.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
On to The Playoffs!--Peter
Well, after the Sox had beaten the Tribe for the final time on Thursday night, I'd put together a rather long combination reportage/diatribe about the game, Bud Selig's idiocy on the 'tie-breaker' as opposed to a playoff for the division title, if the Sox and Rays were tied at season's end; how cool it was to see Joe Torre in the playoffs with 'Red Sox Lite'(Dodgers) after Mr. Hankie's Yankees had forced him out after the 2007 season; and the fact that with Dusty's 20th steal of the year, it was the first Sox team since 1914 to have at least three base stealers each with at least twenty steals for the season. The three: Ellsbury, Crisp and Pedroia.
Unfortunately, when I posted it, the computer erased the WHOLE DAMN THING--except for the title. So, sorry, you won't see it; just the highlights just mentioned above.
Now, for the Friday night game against same Yankees. Yuck!! The announced starter, Dice-K didn't start or pitch at all; got someone named Pauley. Due to the torrential downpour that caused rain delays of over two hours, Papi was scratched,Pedroia didn't play and, after a single at-bat, Lowell headed for the bench, which is probably where he should have stayed from before the game's start. After one grounder, he limped off the field, literally, not even running out the grounder. Tito later said he'd be 'day-to-day'.
Oh, yes--the game. The Yanks inserted a new guy at short for Jeter after the latter'd had an at-bat, and the sub promptly led a Yankee massacre of the Sox, getting two homers and a ringing double. Abreu, and Damon also accounted for a good deal of carnage, quickly changing the score from an end of 1st 3-1, Sox to a final of 19-8, Stripes. That score is correct--this is not a rerun of playoff game three in the 2004 Laegue Championships. It might have been worse, but the Sox staged a mini ralley in the 9th, getting three runs and a few doubles. Of course, the last time the Stripes beat up on the Sox by this score, it was the setup for the most incredible comeback in baseball history--the four game sweep of the Yankees by the Sox on the way to the 2004 World Championship. Perhaps this portends something similar for this year's edition of the Sox.
On the good side, in the Sox 1st, Ellsbury, followed by Yoooouk, each hit a homer, staking the Sox to that aforementioned 3-1 lead. Also, along the way, Speedracer stole his 50th base.
Unfortunately, when I posted it, the computer erased the WHOLE DAMN THING--except for the title. So, sorry, you won't see it; just the highlights just mentioned above.
Now, for the Friday night game against same Yankees. Yuck!! The announced starter, Dice-K didn't start or pitch at all; got someone named Pauley. Due to the torrential downpour that caused rain delays of over two hours, Papi was scratched,Pedroia didn't play and, after a single at-bat, Lowell headed for the bench, which is probably where he should have stayed from before the game's start. After one grounder, he limped off the field, literally, not even running out the grounder. Tito later said he'd be 'day-to-day'.
Oh, yes--the game. The Yanks inserted a new guy at short for Jeter after the latter'd had an at-bat, and the sub promptly led a Yankee massacre of the Sox, getting two homers and a ringing double. Abreu, and Damon also accounted for a good deal of carnage, quickly changing the score from an end of 1st 3-1, Sox to a final of 19-8, Stripes. That score is correct--this is not a rerun of playoff game three in the 2004 Laegue Championships. It might have been worse, but the Sox staged a mini ralley in the 9th, getting three runs and a few doubles. Of course, the last time the Stripes beat up on the Sox by this score, it was the setup for the most incredible comeback in baseball history--the four game sweep of the Yankees by the Sox on the way to the 2004 World Championship. Perhaps this portends something similar for this year's edition of the Sox.
On the good side, in the Sox 1st, Ellsbury, followed by Yoooouk, each hit a homer, staking the Sox to that aforementioned 3-1 lead. Also, along the way, Speedracer stole his 50th base.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Another win and A Milestone--Peter
Well, now that the Hose have clinched a spot in the post-season, they're still trying to catch the Rays for the division. Tonight, they started fast with a quick four zip lead in the first inning. Led by the usual stalwarts, Dusty and Big Papi, with their successive doubles, they jumped in front fast. Unfortunately, the Indians chipped and chipped away at their former teammate, Paul Byrd, until midway in the game, it was tied at four. It stayed that way as the innings rolled past until the 8th.
Neither team could get any runners across the plate. Jenn's favorite pitcher, Timlin, came in after Byrd and did a reasonable job for an inning. Although he allowed a couple of baserunners, he threw a scoreless inning. His successors did the same, Aardsma going two and ultimately getting credit for the win.
Finally, in the 8th, the Sox struck for a run. Bailey led off with a triple and was quickly plated with what turned out to be the winning run. In the Tribe 9th, The Only Manny-Delcarmen, took the mound. TOM quickly shut the Tribe down, preserving the victory and getting his second save of the year.
During the course of the evening, another Sox milestone was reached. With Pedroia's steal, his 20th of the year, the team became the first in Sox history since 1914 to have at least three players with 20 or more steals in the same season. The others this year, lest you forget, are Crisp with 20 and, of course, Ellsbury with 49. Speedracer's total also leads the league.
Unfortunately, even though the Fenmen won, the Rays also won, keeping their lead at three with four to go. Their magic number is now one for the division. Who'da thunk it back in April?
Neither team could get any runners across the plate. Jenn's favorite pitcher, Timlin, came in after Byrd and did a reasonable job for an inning. Although he allowed a couple of baserunners, he threw a scoreless inning. His successors did the same, Aardsma going two and ultimately getting credit for the win.
Finally, in the 8th, the Sox struck for a run. Bailey led off with a triple and was quickly plated with what turned out to be the winning run. In the Tribe 9th, The Only Manny-Delcarmen, took the mound. TOM quickly shut the Tribe down, preserving the victory and getting his second save of the year.
During the course of the evening, another Sox milestone was reached. With Pedroia's steal, his 20th of the year, the team became the first in Sox history since 1914 to have at least three players with 20 or more steals in the same season. The others this year, lest you forget, are Crisp with 20 and, of course, Ellsbury with 49. Speedracer's total also leads the league.
Unfortunately, even though the Fenmen won, the Rays also won, keeping their lead at three with four to go. Their magic number is now one for the division. Who'da thunk it back in April?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
CLINCH!--Peter
Well, Mr. Hankie--How are your Yankees? Not in the playoffs, that's for sure! And stop complaining about one of the classiest guys to wear the pinstripes in the last half century--Torre. Also stop complaining about injuries--like every other team didn't have to deal with them. The difference is we dealt--you whined. Torre's lucky he's in LA. He's got Red Sox lite to get to the playoffs with. You got NOTHING! The Sox clinched their fifth post-season engagement in the last six years tonight, beating the Tribe 5-4. Now, they still have an opportunity to get the division championship with five games left, trailing Tampa by 2 1/2 and awaiting the outcome of the Rays' second game today with the O's. Rays win and their magic number drops to three; lose and it's still four. Basically, the Sox almost have to run the table. It's not impossible, but, as they're now in the playoffs, they may do some juggling of players, particularly as they'll want to set up the rotation for the first round.
Tonight had some nail biting, but also showed the various components of the Sox as a team, and how they've persevered and made the playoffs again in spite of some major injuries over the course of the season.
Down 4-2 halfway through the game, they quickly responded with a trey in their half of the 5th to take the lead and then handed it over to the pen. Wake had done a decent job to that point. The only rough inning he had was the Tribe's 5th, when they took the lead, 4-2.
The Only Manny, Delcarmen, gave us a good 2/3 of an inning to start off the 7th, even while loading the sacks. Then, Oki came in and closed out that inning without any damage. Masterson held the Indians scoreless for 2/3 of the 8th, allowing a pair of runners, and when Lopez couldn't get the only batter he faced to make an out, instead loading the bases, Laserman came on to squash that rally getting the batter to foul to Yoouk. After that, Pap continued on in the 9th, getting a pair of K's and a harmless grounder to end the game--on a total for the 1 1/3 innings of ten pitches!
A final note--the Rays came back and won the second game as well. So, our heroes are now down three with five to play, and the Rays' number is three to clinch the division. Let's run the table and also be thankful that we're in the post-season.
Tonight had some nail biting, but also showed the various components of the Sox as a team, and how they've persevered and made the playoffs again in spite of some major injuries over the course of the season.
Down 4-2 halfway through the game, they quickly responded with a trey in their half of the 5th to take the lead and then handed it over to the pen. Wake had done a decent job to that point. The only rough inning he had was the Tribe's 5th, when they took the lead, 4-2.
The Only Manny, Delcarmen, gave us a good 2/3 of an inning to start off the 7th, even while loading the sacks. Then, Oki came in and closed out that inning without any damage. Masterson held the Indians scoreless for 2/3 of the 8th, allowing a pair of runners, and when Lopez couldn't get the only batter he faced to make an out, instead loading the bases, Laserman came on to squash that rally getting the batter to foul to Yoouk. After that, Pap continued on in the 9th, getting a pair of K's and a harmless grounder to end the game--on a total for the 1 1/3 innings of ten pitches!
A final note--the Rays came back and won the second game as well. So, our heroes are now down three with five to play, and the Rays' number is three to clinch the division. Let's run the table and also be thankful that we're in the post-season.
Not the Way to Clinch--Peter
Well, here we were--back at the Fens with Beckett on the mound against the Indians. A win clinches the post-season and eliminates once and for all the Stripes. A loss--welllll. Anyway, JB wasn't his usual self in this game--very wild. Although only a single BB, he hit three batters, a career high and uncorked a wild pitch. When the dust settled, we were behind four zip.
Gradually, the Hose fashioned a comeback, including another blast from Papi. However, as part of a comeback, any comeback, when you get men on base, you have to plate them. In the final two innings, the Sox kept getting multiple men on base--and leaving them there. The bull pen gave them their opportunity, but at the end of the game, the final score read 4-3, Tribe. This had better stop--and fast. The Sox have three more against the Tribe and then finish up against the guys from the Bronx, now temporarily homeless since they closed their Stadium last weekend. If the Sox want to keep it closed, they'd better win one and soon. With the loss, they're up just six on Mr. Hankie's Yankees.
Today, they face the likely Cy Young winner of 2008, Lee. The only pitcher in the league with a better W-L than Dice-K, he's 22-2 and counting. The Hubhose have to remember he can be beaten and get to him early. Once he gets in a groove, it will not be easy.
Gradually, the Hose fashioned a comeback, including another blast from Papi. However, as part of a comeback, any comeback, when you get men on base, you have to plate them. In the final two innings, the Sox kept getting multiple men on base--and leaving them there. The bull pen gave them their opportunity, but at the end of the game, the final score read 4-3, Tribe. This had better stop--and fast. The Sox have three more against the Tribe and then finish up against the guys from the Bronx, now temporarily homeless since they closed their Stadium last weekend. If the Sox want to keep it closed, they'd better win one and soon. With the loss, they're up just six on Mr. Hankie's Yankees.
Today, they face the likely Cy Young winner of 2008, Lee. The only pitcher in the league with a better W-L than Dice-K, he's 22-2 and counting. The Hubhose have to remember he can be beaten and get to him early. Once he gets in a groove, it will not be easy.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Roll The Dice-Pap & Papi With a Burst of Speed--Peter
Well, after yesterday's loss (Toronto, 6-3 with Lester allowing five in the first two innings, and only partially balanced by Bay's 31st homer of the full year, I was ready for a return to victory--and some possible closure in the form of a post-season clinch.
The game started well, Jake leading off with a triple, the first of what would be three extra base hits on the day in four at bats. The next batter up,Dusty, the Bosox' potential MVP, hit a deep fly and, just like, that the Sox were up one zip. With the Diceman holding up his responsibility, the 3d inning arrived. Jake had again gotten on base, this time with the first of a pair of doubles, and, two batters later, Big Papi worked the count full and then unleashed one. When it finally landed, the score was three zip, Sox. It was Papi's 22d homer of the year, and further evidence, if any is needed, that the big slugger appears ready for his usual role in the post-season, a point I made the other day.
Dice-K continued to knock off Jays batters just as quick as they appeared at the plate. He didn't issue as many walks as he normally does, and when he finally left, the line showed he'd allowed just a pair of hits in seven innings, a like number of free passes and struck out a half dozen. He reduced his season ERA to 2.80, and his WHIP for today was just over 0.5--pretty impressive game by any standard.
Following the Diceman in the 8th was his compatriot, Okajima. Oki performed just like the Oki of '07. He faced the minimum three hitters, retired tham all for an inning of perfection, and handed the ball over to Papelbon, better know to readers of this site as Laser.
Laserman wasted little time. Although he got no K's to boost his incredible 73/7 K to BB ratio, he took care of the Jays in fairly short order. He did allow one hit, a single, by Vernon Wells, always a thorn in the Sox' side, but left him to die on first as he kept throwing the ball past Jays hitters.
I mentioned Ellsbury's multiple extra base hits today. At least two of them were due to his blurring speed. The leadoff triple had extra bases written all over it, but anyone else would have had only a fifty-fifty shot at three bases. With Jake, it was almost a foregone conclusion, as he was in top gear before he'd gone halfway down the first base line, and quickly turned the corner there and at second, making both seem as if they lay in a straight line from first.
His second double was more of the same. Lining the ball to right, Ellsbury didn't even slow down as he rounded first. The fact that the Jays right fielder has a howitzer for an arm meant little to Jake. Almost any other runner would have been out by a foot or two, even with a slide. With Jake at speed and coming in standing up, it merely ended up appearing to be a bit closer than it might otherwise have been had he slid. In fact, as the replays showed, it wasn't even as close as it had first appeared. Two bases, no question about it!
Having won their 91st game of the year, the Sox will clinch the post-season AND ELIMINATE MR. HANKIE'S YANKEES, if the aforementioned Stripes lose the final game ever at Yankee Stadium tonight. Wouldn't THAT be symbolically sweet! It would also be an interesting extension of the notorious SI cover jinx to a ballpark. Check it out about half past eight PST tonight.
The game started well, Jake leading off with a triple, the first of what would be three extra base hits on the day in four at bats. The next batter up,Dusty, the Bosox' potential MVP, hit a deep fly and, just like, that the Sox were up one zip. With the Diceman holding up his responsibility, the 3d inning arrived. Jake had again gotten on base, this time with the first of a pair of doubles, and, two batters later, Big Papi worked the count full and then unleashed one. When it finally landed, the score was three zip, Sox. It was Papi's 22d homer of the year, and further evidence, if any is needed, that the big slugger appears ready for his usual role in the post-season, a point I made the other day.
Dice-K continued to knock off Jays batters just as quick as they appeared at the plate. He didn't issue as many walks as he normally does, and when he finally left, the line showed he'd allowed just a pair of hits in seven innings, a like number of free passes and struck out a half dozen. He reduced his season ERA to 2.80, and his WHIP for today was just over 0.5--pretty impressive game by any standard.
Following the Diceman in the 8th was his compatriot, Okajima. Oki performed just like the Oki of '07. He faced the minimum three hitters, retired tham all for an inning of perfection, and handed the ball over to Papelbon, better know to readers of this site as Laser.
Laserman wasted little time. Although he got no K's to boost his incredible 73/7 K to BB ratio, he took care of the Jays in fairly short order. He did allow one hit, a single, by Vernon Wells, always a thorn in the Sox' side, but left him to die on first as he kept throwing the ball past Jays hitters.
I mentioned Ellsbury's multiple extra base hits today. At least two of them were due to his blurring speed. The leadoff triple had extra bases written all over it, but anyone else would have had only a fifty-fifty shot at three bases. With Jake, it was almost a foregone conclusion, as he was in top gear before he'd gone halfway down the first base line, and quickly turned the corner there and at second, making both seem as if they lay in a straight line from first.
His second double was more of the same. Lining the ball to right, Ellsbury didn't even slow down as he rounded first. The fact that the Jays right fielder has a howitzer for an arm meant little to Jake. Almost any other runner would have been out by a foot or two, even with a slide. With Jake at speed and coming in standing up, it merely ended up appearing to be a bit closer than it might otherwise have been had he slid. In fact, as the replays showed, it wasn't even as close as it had first appeared. Two bases, no question about it!
Having won their 91st game of the year, the Sox will clinch the post-season AND ELIMINATE MR. HANKIE'S YANKEES, if the aforementioned Stripes lose the final game ever at Yankee Stadium tonight. Wouldn't THAT be symbolically sweet! It would also be an interesting extension of the notorious SI cover jinx to a ballpark. Check it out about half past eight PST tonight.
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