Dad --
Well, as you know today, July 31st, is the trade deadline and as the day draws to a close, there was a flurry of activity. So much so, it may actually take a score card to keep track of everyone.
First off I have to thank a couple of my Twitter pals for the constant updates. There was so much going on today, my computer wouldn't stop chirping. So thanks to @intentionalwalk for the 140 character updates and bostondirtdogs.com for filling in the blanks.
Anyway, if you recall on July 22nd the Sox acquired 1st baseman Adam LaRoche from the Pirates. He only played a few games and did a great job. But now, 9 days later, he's been traded to the Braves for another first baseman - Casey Kotchman. Kotchman is 26 and is batting .282 with six homers and 41 RBIs this season. LaRoche is 29, has a batting average of .263, 13 homers and 43 RBIs. So other than the batting average, seems LaRoche is the better 1st baseman, not that it matters, because most of the time Youkilis will be playing 1st.
But the bigger deal is Justin Masterson. He, along with Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price, 2 pitchers I've never heard of, were traded to the Indians for catcher Victor Martinez. Although Masterson hasn't been doing well recently, he was 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA, he was still a good middle reliever and I'm sorry to see him go.
So, Dad, I ask you. Acquiring this new catcher makes me wonder if the Sox know something about Varitek we don't. He's been hitting this season, his .239 average is well above last year's .220, and he's still amazing behind the plate. Is he leaving? Are they going to give him more days off? Or is Kottaras disappearing? Or are they just covering their bases, no pun intended, in case something happens to either catcher. Martinez's average of .284 proves he has a powerful bat, but that can't be the only reason we traded him can it?
I don't think we need a catcher. What we need is pitching. Especially since it seems the only starters we can depend on pretty regularly are Lester and Beckett. But I guess Theo doesn't agree. There are 61 games left in the season, and only time will tell if these trades help or hinder. I for one hope they help, at least until we can get a good 6 or 7 games ahead of those dreaded Yankees and back where we belong in 1st place.
Jenn
P.S. As of 4:30 pm EST Roy Halladay had not been traded. Interesting, since he's the one everyone's been watching and talking about for the past few weeks.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
A Game Closer & Papi--Peter
Well, Jenn, as I suggested in my comment on your post of yesterday, the Sox could be 2.5 games out going into today's game if they'd not thrown away Tuesday's game. And now they are! They pulled a comeback that any Sox fan would be proud of today. After Lester gave up the lead in one rough inning, leaving the Hose behind 4-1, the Fenmen fought back, finally taking back the lead on Papi's 14th roundtripper of the season (more on Papi in a bit), and put it away with another pair in the 8th. Some of the team appears to have found their bats again, with Lowell really steaming and Ellsbury and Pedroia hovering around the .300 mark again. JD's staring to hit in the last few games too. Anyway, after TOM held on to the lead, Pap slammed the door and we had something for the Stripes to ponder on the scoreboard as they awaited their game tonight. Finally, completing a good Sox day, Mr. Hankie's Yankees lost on a walkoff single to the Chisox. I was getting a bit nervous, Jenn, on turning on the Chitown game to find those Sox up 2-1 in the top of the 9th with two outs and I'm hoping we'll pick up a game. Just in time for Swisher to tie the game with a shot of his own, and I'm thinking, "not now--not again!" Never fear, bottom of the 9th, the first two Chisox hitters get hits and then after a couple of outs, a pinch hitter settles the issue with a solid hit sending home the winner. Yes, Bosox close to 2.5 games! I can tell you, Jenn, I'd like them a game or three in front of the Stripes before the next series with them starts. I'd feel a lot more comfortable. I mean, think about it--eight straight is fabulous, but realistically, it can't last forever. Need to get some insurance.
Say hi to my grandson, the newest Sox fan.
Dad
Say hi to my grandson, the newest Sox fan.
Dad
Another Loss
Dad --
Just a short note today.
I was worried when I saw Penny was scheduled to pitch yesterday. And it turns out I was right to worry. In the first inning he gave up five runs. Five! While our men in red were able to come back with three in their half of the first, we never caught up to those guys in green. That was due in large part to the fact that Penny gave up another two runs before Francona finally pulled him.
The final score was 8-6. Which means we're now 3.5 games out of first. We haven't been this far back since the beginning of May. But there's one more game and hopefully we can at least split the series.
On the positive side of things, I've now got Aidan watching the games with me.
Jenn
Just a short note today.
I was worried when I saw Penny was scheduled to pitch yesterday. And it turns out I was right to worry. In the first inning he gave up five runs. Five! While our men in red were able to come back with three in their half of the first, we never caught up to those guys in green. That was due in large part to the fact that Penny gave up another two runs before Francona finally pulled him.
The final score was 8-6. Which means we're now 3.5 games out of first. We haven't been this far back since the beginning of May. But there's one more game and hopefully we can at least split the series.
On the positive side of things, I've now got Aidan watching the games with me.
Jenn
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Bad Day for Pap and Green
Dad -
What the hell happened to Papelbon and Green last night?
After a very nice ceremony for recent hall-of-famer Jim Rice, Buchholz took the mound and did a decent job. Although he allowed 9 hits, he kept the A's to just 2 runs. During his 5.2 innings he got something the Sox haven't been giving lately - run support. By the time he left the mound, the Sox were leading 5-2 and it looked as if he'd get the win.
Unfortunately the bullpen took over. Ramon Ramirez allowed a run and Okajima also allowed a run. But thankfully the Sox added two more runs to their score. So by the time Pap took the mound the score was 7-4 Sox. Which means with three runs, it should've been a slam dunk.
But slam dunk hasn't been in Pap's vocabulary as of late. Sure he's getting saves, before last night's fiasco he had 25 saves out of 27 opportunities. But it's been taking him a long time to get these saves. He's throwing way more pitches than he has in past seasons and he's given up way more walks. Where before it was a joy to watch him pitch, it's now torture. I don't even remember the last time I wore my "Papelbon Saves" T-shirt.
Anyway, Pap took the mound and he walked the first guy he faced. But that's okay, I thought, we're up by three runs. Even if he gives up a hit or two or even a run we're okay. But that walk was just the beginning. He got the next 2 guys out, thanks to some awesome defense. Unfortunately after that, everything went south.
Tommy Everidge, a guy making his major league debut, hits a ball high off the monster and drives in a run. Score's now 7-5. Dad, why is it that these guys we've never heard of before are always the ones to cause trouble for the Sox - Dent, Boone, the list goes on and on.
If that were the end of the trouble the Sox would've won. But as I'm sure you know, it wasn't. Mark Ellis then hit a little nubber back up the middle that Green got his hands on, but threw into the dugout making it his 10th error of the season. That error causes another run to score and now it's 7-6 Sox. At this point I'm watching the game through my fingers.
Finally Rajai Davis comes to the plate and hits a grounder to Green that he throws away AGAIN. Another run scores. The game is tied and Pap has his third blown save of the season.
The game would continue for two more innings. And while the Sox would get one more run, the A's outscored the Sox with two, which of course means they won the game. It was awful to watch.
Hope today's game turns out better.
Jenn
What the hell happened to Papelbon and Green last night?
After a very nice ceremony for recent hall-of-famer Jim Rice, Buchholz took the mound and did a decent job. Although he allowed 9 hits, he kept the A's to just 2 runs. During his 5.2 innings he got something the Sox haven't been giving lately - run support. By the time he left the mound, the Sox were leading 5-2 and it looked as if he'd get the win.
Unfortunately the bullpen took over. Ramon Ramirez allowed a run and Okajima also allowed a run. But thankfully the Sox added two more runs to their score. So by the time Pap took the mound the score was 7-4 Sox. Which means with three runs, it should've been a slam dunk.
But slam dunk hasn't been in Pap's vocabulary as of late. Sure he's getting saves, before last night's fiasco he had 25 saves out of 27 opportunities. But it's been taking him a long time to get these saves. He's throwing way more pitches than he has in past seasons and he's given up way more walks. Where before it was a joy to watch him pitch, it's now torture. I don't even remember the last time I wore my "Papelbon Saves" T-shirt.
Anyway, Pap took the mound and he walked the first guy he faced. But that's okay, I thought, we're up by three runs. Even if he gives up a hit or two or even a run we're okay. But that walk was just the beginning. He got the next 2 guys out, thanks to some awesome defense. Unfortunately after that, everything went south.
Tommy Everidge, a guy making his major league debut, hits a ball high off the monster and drives in a run. Score's now 7-5. Dad, why is it that these guys we've never heard of before are always the ones to cause trouble for the Sox - Dent, Boone, the list goes on and on.
If that were the end of the trouble the Sox would've won. But as I'm sure you know, it wasn't. Mark Ellis then hit a little nubber back up the middle that Green got his hands on, but threw into the dugout making it his 10th error of the season. That error causes another run to score and now it's 7-6 Sox. At this point I'm watching the game through my fingers.
Finally Rajai Davis comes to the plate and hits a grounder to Green that he throws away AGAIN. Another run scores. The game is tied and Pap has his third blown save of the season.
The game would continue for two more innings. And while the Sox would get one more run, the A's outscored the Sox with two, which of course means they won the game. It was awful to watch.
Hope today's game turns out better.
Jenn
Monday, July 27, 2009
From Out of the (recent) Past--Peter
Omygod! Hits! Can it be? The guys appear (if one game is to judge by) to be hitting again! Admittedly, Jake and Papi have been fairly consistent in the recent slide into second place, but in the nine games before tonight, Jenn, since the All-Star Game, the team has only scored 25 runs and batted a not so robust .225. Getting scary. However, tonight was a pleasant turnaround against the A's. The Hose collected 14 hits, six of them for extra bases, including a trip by Jake and a shot to the cheaps by Dusty. I tell ya', Jenn, it was enough to restore my hopes for the moment. This new guy they picked up from Pittsburgh, LaRoche, is, after three whole games, living up to his second half heroics. He's now batting .417 since joining the Sox, including his 2-4 evening tonight. Driving in runs too! That's what we need and want. The Sox twin to your hub, Bay, also has resumed collecting the ribbies, getting his first in what seems like forever. Maybe he can regain the league lead in ribs.
JB was JB for seven plus, picked up 10 K's and, in general, had the A's in check. I'd kind of hoped that Nomar would put in an appearance, but no show tonight. Of course the A's are in town for four, so he's got three more opportunities--just as long as he doesn't contribute to an A's win.
JB was JB for seven plus, picked up 10 K's and, in general, had the A's in check. I'd kind of hoped that Nomar would put in an appearance, but no show tonight. Of course the A's are in town for four, so he's got three more opportunities--just as long as he doesn't contribute to an A's win.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Moving From Mannywood--Peter
A quick comment about Manny, Jenn. With that slam, Manny now has 21 career slams and holds second place in MLB history for number of career slams. The all time leader is in the Hall. You may have heard of him--guy named Gehrig; played first base for 2130 consecutive games for the Yankees (which also once was a record).
Now, moving on to Sox history, although our heroes lost again today, simultaneously ending their two game win streak and falling once again 2.5 games astern of the Stripes, history was made. When Jake stole his 43d base of the year, he moved into sole possession of the career record for steals for the Hose. The steal was Jake's 103d career steal, breaking the old record held by Jimmy Collins and a guy you also may have heard of: Duffy Lewis. Yup! Same guy as our blog is named for. Shows you how old the record was. Also, this is the second historical ref to ol' Duffy that we've had here in the past couple of weeks. That's baseball.
Regarding today's game, although everybody says Smoltzie's heater is still really good, if this keeps up much longer, Terry and Theo are going to have to do something fast before it costs us the post season. This on top of our hitters suddenly forgetting how to hit en masse, although LaRoche has made a pleasant intro for himself to the team.
One other Sox point. You may not remember him all that well, but we had another Hose left fielder enter the Hall today--Jim Rice. Only guy in MLB history to hit at least 35 HR's and get at least 200 hits in three consecutive seasons.
Now, moving on to Sox history, although our heroes lost again today, simultaneously ending their two game win streak and falling once again 2.5 games astern of the Stripes, history was made. When Jake stole his 43d base of the year, he moved into sole possession of the career record for steals for the Hose. The steal was Jake's 103d career steal, breaking the old record held by Jimmy Collins and a guy you also may have heard of: Duffy Lewis. Yup! Same guy as our blog is named for. Shows you how old the record was. Also, this is the second historical ref to ol' Duffy that we've had here in the past couple of weeks. That's baseball.
Regarding today's game, although everybody says Smoltzie's heater is still really good, if this keeps up much longer, Terry and Theo are going to have to do something fast before it costs us the post season. This on top of our hitters suddenly forgetting how to hit en masse, although LaRoche has made a pleasant intro for himself to the team.
One other Sox point. You may not remember him all that well, but we had another Hose left fielder enter the Hall today--Jim Rice. Only guy in MLB history to hit at least 35 HR's and get at least 200 hits in three consecutive seasons.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Manny Rant
Dad -
Not only did we lose the first two games against the Rangers, we also lost last night, which means we lost the series. And since we're on a losing streak, I'm going take a break from the Red Sox to talk about a former Sock - Manny Ramirez.
As you know, Manny was traded to the Dodgers last year in the middle of the season and since then he's been crushing the ball on a regular basis to a place called Mannywood. While it sucks that he's hitting homers, I don't miss the left fielder because his attitude the last few seasons in Boston were awful. Manny can be Manny on the west coast and normally it doesn't phase me. But yesterday's homer is another story.
I guess it was Manny Ramirez Bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium, and Manny wasn't in the lineup due to a bruised hand. The Dodgers were playing Cincinnati. It was the sixth inning with the game tied at 2 when Joe Torre gave the nod to Manny to pinch hit. And on a 2-2 pitch the left fielder hit a grand slam to "Mannywood" to win the game.
Now I'm a big fan of nail biters. I've always said that what makes baseball so interesting for me is that the game comes down to a pitch. One pitch could be a home run to win or a strike out to lose and that still holds true.
But what upsets me about this grand slam that had not one, not two, but four different LA radio stations talking this morning, was that it happened in the 6th inning. The 6th! So the home team still had another three innings to score at least one run and beat the Reds. Who brings in a pinch hitter in the 6th? The ninth, I get, even the 8th. But the 6th? Give me a break!
I didn't realize baseball had become a six inning sport, Dad, did you? But then again with the economy the way it is, maybe America's National past time has to save money. So, as I said, I have no problem with a pinch hit grand slam, even one hit by Manny. But a pinch hit grand slam should only get national air time when it's a walk off or achieved during extra innings.
Okay, now that that's off my chest, I now return this blog back to its regularly scheduled Red Soxness.
Jenn
Not only did we lose the first two games against the Rangers, we also lost last night, which means we lost the series. And since we're on a losing streak, I'm going take a break from the Red Sox to talk about a former Sock - Manny Ramirez.
As you know, Manny was traded to the Dodgers last year in the middle of the season and since then he's been crushing the ball on a regular basis to a place called Mannywood. While it sucks that he's hitting homers, I don't miss the left fielder because his attitude the last few seasons in Boston were awful. Manny can be Manny on the west coast and normally it doesn't phase me. But yesterday's homer is another story.
I guess it was Manny Ramirez Bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium, and Manny wasn't in the lineup due to a bruised hand. The Dodgers were playing Cincinnati. It was the sixth inning with the game tied at 2 when Joe Torre gave the nod to Manny to pinch hit. And on a 2-2 pitch the left fielder hit a grand slam to "Mannywood" to win the game.
Now I'm a big fan of nail biters. I've always said that what makes baseball so interesting for me is that the game comes down to a pitch. One pitch could be a home run to win or a strike out to lose and that still holds true.
But what upsets me about this grand slam that had not one, not two, but four different LA radio stations talking this morning, was that it happened in the 6th inning. The 6th! So the home team still had another three innings to score at least one run and beat the Reds. Who brings in a pinch hitter in the 6th? The ninth, I get, even the 8th. But the 6th? Give me a break!
I didn't realize baseball had become a six inning sport, Dad, did you? But then again with the economy the way it is, maybe America's National past time has to save money. So, as I said, I have no problem with a pinch hit grand slam, even one hit by Manny. But a pinch hit grand slam should only get national air time when it's a walk off or achieved during extra innings.
Okay, now that that's off my chest, I now return this blog back to its regularly scheduled Red Soxness.
Jenn
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