Bouncing Back Again:
Well, after losing the finale of the Rays series yesterday, and again failing to get over .500, the Hose showed some more of their recent resiliency, beating the Tigers today, 7-4. They built up a 7-2 lead as the game proceeded, chipping away at the Bengals' starter and the reliever, with the ammunition coming across the board. Papi had a pair of hits, including his 16th double and drove in his 31st ribbie. Sweeney, in his first game back from the concussion 7 day DL, went 3-4, including his 15th two-bagger and scored a pair of runs. Salty picked up his ninth homer. Hose starter Dubront gave a solid 6 innings, allowing a pair of runs, but K'ing a half dozen and allowing just four hits and a lone freebie, a game WHIP of 0.833. The middle relief also did its job and improved even more on its recent success/stinginess, accounting for two shutout innings. The Hose closer, Aceves, finished up, and though he allowed a 2 run shot to finish the scoring, was, overall, OK. Hope these late inning HR's don't get to be a habit though.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
The Importance of a Little Salt:
There used to be a joke that the way you improved the taste of salt was add it to a steak. Well, the Hose of late have reversed the adage. The way you improve the Sox is add a little Salt--as in Saltamacchia. The Hose overall did a good job today, getting nine hits in a very well pitched duel between JB and the Rays' Price, but when it came down to finishing, the offense came down to a walkoff shot by Salty that all at once produced the tying and winning runs. Facing the Rays' closer, a guy who'd converted his first 15 save attempts this season, Salty didn't waste a lot of time. On the second pitch he saw as a pinch hitter, he drove the ball into the right center stands , a no doubter almost from when it left the bat. Game over and the Sox again return to .500. Continuing their recent run of better play, this was their eleventh win in the last fifteen games.
The pitching was also outstanding. JB went seven, allowing just a lone single through six, before giving up a pair of runs in the 7th. The ace K'd just five, but the last of these was probably the biggest of them all. It came after he'd already given up the Rays' two runs in that 7th inning, and closed off the Tampa hopes of extending the rally any further. After JB's exit, the pen continued its recent run of quality work, allowing no runs for the last two innings, and, better yet only a single base runner, that on a freebie.
Outside the game, the word is that Sweeney may come off the DL from his concussion, and was seen doing well pre-game shagging flies in the outfield. Dice, recently extended on the DL, is just beginning his rehab assignment, and, likely will return in July, barring any further setbacks.
As part of the ongoing commemorative history of things Fenway to continue the season-long Centenary for the Park, Pudge Fisk threw out the first ball today. The honor was in commemoration of his 12th inning memorable shot that won the World Series game against the Reds in 1975, an event that still is celebrated throughout baseball.
There used to be a joke that the way you improved the taste of salt was add it to a steak. Well, the Hose of late have reversed the adage. The way you improve the Sox is add a little Salt--as in Saltamacchia. The Hose overall did a good job today, getting nine hits in a very well pitched duel between JB and the Rays' Price, but when it came down to finishing, the offense came down to a walkoff shot by Salty that all at once produced the tying and winning runs. Facing the Rays' closer, a guy who'd converted his first 15 save attempts this season, Salty didn't waste a lot of time. On the second pitch he saw as a pinch hitter, he drove the ball into the right center stands , a no doubter almost from when it left the bat. Game over and the Sox again return to .500. Continuing their recent run of better play, this was their eleventh win in the last fifteen games.
The pitching was also outstanding. JB went seven, allowing just a lone single through six, before giving up a pair of runs in the 7th. The ace K'd just five, but the last of these was probably the biggest of them all. It came after he'd already given up the Rays' two runs in that 7th inning, and closed off the Tampa hopes of extending the rally any further. After JB's exit, the pen continued its recent run of quality work, allowing no runs for the last two innings, and, better yet only a single base runner, that on a freebie.
Outside the game, the word is that Sweeney may come off the DL from his concussion, and was seen doing well pre-game shagging flies in the outfield. Dice, recently extended on the DL, is just beginning his rehab assignment, and, likely will return in July, barring any further setbacks.
As part of the ongoing commemorative history of things Fenway to continue the season-long Centenary for the Park, Pudge Fisk threw out the first ball today. The honor was in commemoration of his 12th inning memorable shot that won the World Series game against the Reds in 1975, an event that still is celebrated throughout baseball.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The New Streak Continues!
Well, as I mentioned a couple of days ago against the Phils, the Sox have quickly recovered from the first game loss to the Phils that ended their 5 game streak and begun a new one--exactly how you want your team to react to a streak ending loss. Now, the new streak has reached 3 games with last night's come back win against the O's, 8-6. While definitely a team effort, the singular event in the win was Papi's homer, his 10th of the year. To call it a monster shot fails to adequately describe the blast. Back in my youth, blows like this were called 'towering fly balls'. Even that doesn't do justice to this. The O's outfielder looked up briefly and, the ball's destination being so obvious, didn't bother to even watch it's flight, much less follow it to the wall. The minute this ball left the bat, the only question was whether it would go into orbit and endanger the space station. It finally ended up in Eutaw Street outside the huge warehouse wall that forms the backdrop barrier to the field in that direction, a destination that only a very few balls have reached since the stadium was constructed. It keyed the Sox comeback, with them trailing 5-2 when Papi stepped to the plate. By the inning's end, the game was tied at five. The Hose later added to that and took an 8-5 lead into the 8th, which the O's cut by one run before finally folding their tents.
The Sox bullpen continued its overall excellent support that has existed since the Yankee debacle comeback last month. The collective ERA for the pen is sub-2, and in many cases, we're seeing perfect innings thrown by the squad. Aceves now has ten saves. Pretty good for someone who wasn't supposed to be closing.
Speaking of pitchers, the intended Sox closer, Bailey, is expected back around the All-Star break, and Dice may be back in the next 1-2 weeks. Also, both Crawford and Jake are expected back about the same time as Bailey, so it could be quite a boost for the Hose.
Well, as I mentioned a couple of days ago against the Phils, the Sox have quickly recovered from the first game loss to the Phils that ended their 5 game streak and begun a new one--exactly how you want your team to react to a streak ending loss. Now, the new streak has reached 3 games with last night's come back win against the O's, 8-6. While definitely a team effort, the singular event in the win was Papi's homer, his 10th of the year. To call it a monster shot fails to adequately describe the blast. Back in my youth, blows like this were called 'towering fly balls'. Even that doesn't do justice to this. The O's outfielder looked up briefly and, the ball's destination being so obvious, didn't bother to even watch it's flight, much less follow it to the wall. The minute this ball left the bat, the only question was whether it would go into orbit and endanger the space station. It finally ended up in Eutaw Street outside the huge warehouse wall that forms the backdrop barrier to the field in that direction, a destination that only a very few balls have reached since the stadium was constructed. It keyed the Sox comeback, with them trailing 5-2 when Papi stepped to the plate. By the inning's end, the game was tied at five. The Hose later added to that and took an 8-5 lead into the 8th, which the O's cut by one run before finally folding their tents.
The Sox bullpen continued its overall excellent support that has existed since the Yankee debacle comeback last month. The collective ERA for the pen is sub-2, and in many cases, we're seeing perfect innings thrown by the squad. Aceves now has ten saves. Pretty good for someone who wasn't supposed to be closing.
Speaking of pitchers, the intended Sox closer, Bailey, is expected back around the All-Star break, and Dice may be back in the next 1-2 weeks. Also, both Crawford and Jake are expected back about the same time as Bailey, so it could be quite a boost for the Hose.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Starting Another New Streak:
Well, I admit it's been a bit of time since my last entry here, but life has been conspiring to keep me off the blog. Anyway, in the interim, Sox have run up their second longest win streak of three year--5 games, which ended last nite in a tough 2-1 loss to the Rays. However, in the recent spirit of things, they started another streak tonite against those same Rays, winning 5-3, with Cody Ross accounting for the win himself, driving four of the Hose' five runs, including a solo shot to the cheaps and a game winning two run single in the 8th. Dubront got the W, going a solid 5 2/3 before leaving and Aceves took the Save, his 9th of the year. In fact, with this latest save he's right behind his predecessor in the Sox closing role, Pap, who's doing very well for his new team, the Phillies. Speaking of which, tomorrow interleague play (How I hate it) starts again against those same Phils, and it would be something if the Sox had to face The Laser at the same time as their new closer, Aceves, were holding on against the Phils.
Stats for the night: (beside Ross) the Dustman had a pair of hits, upping his average and Papi also had a hit, continuing his excellent year for a B.A. Dusty's first hit extended his hitting streak to 17 games, and, while it's a long, long way from 56, I'll keep hoping. Fantasizing a bit, if he were to get there, it would occur sometime in late July. Stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed.
In the weekend series against the crew from the city of Brotherly Love, since there won't be a DH, Papi will play first and Gonzo will shift to right for at least one of the games, if not all.
Bits of hope: Bailey has been cleared to begin throwing and still hopes to get back sometime in July. Dice continues his rehab assignment from TJ surgery and may join the big club in the next couple of weeks. The big question, obviously, is how will he do when he gets there. So far his rehab performances have shown a lot more promise than Pettite's did before he rejoined the Stripes over the past weekend, so, as always in the Spring (OK, it's not Spring Training, but still), hope springs eternal.
Well, I admit it's been a bit of time since my last entry here, but life has been conspiring to keep me off the blog. Anyway, in the interim, Sox have run up their second longest win streak of three year--5 games, which ended last nite in a tough 2-1 loss to the Rays. However, in the recent spirit of things, they started another streak tonite against those same Rays, winning 5-3, with Cody Ross accounting for the win himself, driving four of the Hose' five runs, including a solo shot to the cheaps and a game winning two run single in the 8th. Dubront got the W, going a solid 5 2/3 before leaving and Aceves took the Save, his 9th of the year. In fact, with this latest save he's right behind his predecessor in the Sox closing role, Pap, who's doing very well for his new team, the Phillies. Speaking of which, tomorrow interleague play (How I hate it) starts again against those same Phils, and it would be something if the Sox had to face The Laser at the same time as their new closer, Aceves, were holding on against the Phils.
Stats for the night: (beside Ross) the Dustman had a pair of hits, upping his average and Papi also had a hit, continuing his excellent year for a B.A. Dusty's first hit extended his hitting streak to 17 games, and, while it's a long, long way from 56, I'll keep hoping. Fantasizing a bit, if he were to get there, it would occur sometime in late July. Stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed.
In the weekend series against the crew from the city of Brotherly Love, since there won't be a DH, Papi will play first and Gonzo will shift to right for at least one of the games, if not all.
Bits of hope: Bailey has been cleared to begin throwing and still hopes to get back sometime in July. Dice continues his rehab assignment from TJ surgery and may join the big club in the next couple of weeks. The big question, obviously, is how will he do when he gets there. So far his rehab performances have shown a lot more promise than Pettite's did before he rejoined the Stripes over the past weekend, so, as always in the Spring (OK, it's not Spring Training, but still), hope springs eternal.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Starting A New Streak!
Well, after extending the season's longest to date streak to six wins, the Hose lost yesterday, basically on a single bad pitch by JB. Otherwise, he was excellent and looking like the JB we're used to seeing. So, back to the Fens for tonight's contest against the A's. After spotting the Oaklanders an early run, the Sox quickly seized the lead with Papi starting the ball rolling (actually, flying--out of the park) in the very next inning as the start of a four run inning. This was followed by a deuce in the 3d, with, who else, Papi, scoring the initial run ahead of McDonald's shot into the cheaps. Before too long, it was 11-1 and looked as if the Hose were going to sail home easily. That was until the pitching fell apart. Bucky gave up a five spot in the 7th to turn a laugher into a somewhat competitive game, and it took the combined efforts of the Sox' pen to stave things from getting any scarier until Aceves could get in and keep the Hose on top by slamming the door. (In Laserland, by the way, Pap now has 8 saves in 8 attempts with a continuing sub-2 ERA). The Sox, overall, had a pretty good evening at the dish. Papi and McDonald led the way, with the former getting a pair of jacks, both solo, to raise his total so far to six, get his BA back above 400 and his ribbie total to 20. The latter went 3-4, including a two-bagger and the aforementioned HR, for a pair of ribbies. Also among the leaders tonight was the Hose new SS, Aviles. He was 2-5, but made every hit count, garnering four RBI's.
Separately, away from the Fens, Dice is scheduled to make another rehab start, this time with the Pawsox, one more step on the way back to the best ballpark in history. We could have a rotation yet (fingers firmly crossed).
Separately, away from the Fens, Dice is scheduled to make another rehab start, this time with the Pawsox, one more step on the way back to the best ballpark in history. We could have a rotation yet (fingers firmly crossed).
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Four In A Row!
Well, here we are in the Windy City after sweeping the Twinkies in their home park. Dubront (the victim of V's yanking vs the Yankees) against the newest perfect gamer. Sox settled that issue fast tonight. One batter, no second perfecto. Two batters, no second consec no-no (Johnny Vander Meer relaxes wherever he's buried). By the end of the inning, the Hose were up two zip and well on their way to an eventual laugher of 10-3, with Dubront getting his first W. He tossed a respectable six innings and was succeeded by the Hose' latest Japanese hurler, Tazawa. After no pitching last year from injuries, he has looked excellent out of the pen in his first pair of outings. He still has a 0.00 ERA, and has an excellent repertoire, including a devastating cutter--just drops through the floor. He got the save tonight, although I'm not certain how a reliever who comes in with a 9-3 lead is eligible for a save. Anyway, based on his efforts so far this season, he may be the stopper the Hose have been looking for since Pap took his talents south to the world's pretzel capital (where he's five saves out of 5 tries, so far, with a sub-2 ERA).
The heroics tonight were spread throughout the lineup with every starter except Anderson getting at least one hit and Yoouuukkkk getting three. The biggest was his third inning Slam, basically putting the game away early. His average is now up to .241, and he added four ribbies. Other stats: maintaining their place among the league leaders in ribbies were Papi with his 16th and Gonzo with his 14th, while Salty put a pair in the cheaps to reach his fourth of the season. While doing so, tonight and his recent hitting binge has gotten his BA into respectability at .261. Papi continues to lead the league in hitting, well over .400, which while always a very nice number, will not start to excite me until I see it after his name well after June. The farther after June I see it, the more excited I'll get.
On a negative note, the Globe reported that Crawford will be out until at least late June with his injury. Remdog mentioned tonight during the telecast that there are unconfirmed rumors that Jake may be out as long. Neither prospect is encouraging.
Bard goes tomorrow and hopefully, the Sox can get closer to breakeven, perhaps even reach it by the start of the week. Wouldn't that be sweet!
The heroics tonight were spread throughout the lineup with every starter except Anderson getting at least one hit and Yoouuukkkk getting three. The biggest was his third inning Slam, basically putting the game away early. His average is now up to .241, and he added four ribbies. Other stats: maintaining their place among the league leaders in ribbies were Papi with his 16th and Gonzo with his 14th, while Salty put a pair in the cheaps to reach his fourth of the season. While doing so, tonight and his recent hitting binge has gotten his BA into respectability at .261. Papi continues to lead the league in hitting, well over .400, which while always a very nice number, will not start to excite me until I see it after his name well after June. The farther after June I see it, the more excited I'll get.
On a negative note, the Globe reported that Crawford will be out until at least late June with his injury. Remdog mentioned tonight during the telecast that there are unconfirmed rumors that Jake may be out as long. Neither prospect is encouraging.
Bard goes tomorrow and hopefully, the Sox can get closer to breakeven, perhaps even reach it by the start of the week. Wouldn't that be sweet!
Monday, April 23, 2012
V Goes Both Ways
Well, tonight the Sox could have dropped another, but hung in there and took the W. What made it interesting was that after leading 3-0 and then dropping behind 5-3 (shades of Saturday), Lester hung tough and gave the Hose a couple of good solid innings, limiting the damage. He appears to be just a few innings away from the Lester we've come to expect the past several years. Hopefully, he gets all the way back before too much longer. Anyway, V announced before the game that, for the time being--at least a couple of games--he was sending Bard to the pen to try to stabilize the group of firemen that have morphed into the Arson Squad. Bard was, understandably, less than enthusiastic, commenting he wasn't going to get eight other guys to start winning just by being in the pen. Yet when the time came, he came in with a man on third, score at 6-5, Sox,(complements of Ross' pair of bleacher shots --more later on that), and got the first two batters without giving up a run. Then, what does V do? He's got things going well--just one more batter to get. Does he do the logical & leave Bard to close things out? Are you kidding me? No, he brings in Aceves. Now, I grant youy Aceves has had some success so far this year as the de facto closer, but, at this moment it was starting to resemble Saturday's removal of Dubronte while he was cruising along over thye Yankees. And we all know ehere that brilliant idea went. This time we got lucky; Aceves closed out the game on a simple grounder and the Sox were back in the winning column, albeit quite a bit deeper in last than when they last had won.
Back to Ross. He got his 4th & 5th shots of the young season to put himself squarely in the race for the HR lead for the moment. These two made the diff tonight. Perhaps the magical thong has been reactivated (You'd have to look back two years to the Giants' Championship history to understand the connection). Papi and Sweeney, with a pair of knocks apiece, remain at or near the top of the league in the batting race, and Ross jumped into the fray for league lead in ribbies at 13.
A good night, all things considered, but let's hope it's just the first in a long run.
Back to Ross. He got his 4th & 5th shots of the young season to put himself squarely in the race for the HR lead for the moment. These two made the diff tonight. Perhaps the magical thong has been reactivated (You'd have to look back two years to the Giants' Championship history to understand the connection). Papi and Sweeney, with a pair of knocks apiece, remain at or near the top of the league in the batting race, and Ross jumped into the fray for league lead in ribbies at 13.
A good night, all things considered, but let's hope it's just the first in a long run.
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