More Catching Up To Do
Games 29 & 30 – At the Fens – May 6 & 7
Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians
Game 1 of the Series: L ~ 2-9
Another short series but this one at home and this one against the Indians. Pitching match-up of Justin Masterson vs Carl Pavano. Remember him? Connecticut boy gone bad…went to the dark side for a large contract….only played like sixteen games for the bad guys…..signed with the Indians. Well, I can’t believe we couldn’t get to him. I went to the game and wanted to leave with the other 20,000 people that did….but I didn’t. I always stay until the end. Sometimes, especially games like this I question my own loyalty. But, I love this team and will rejuvenate on the ride home. Additionally, this was Masterson’s first career loss at Fenway after winning seven in a row at home in the last two seasons. See, that’s also why I’m sad about this loss….(p.s. Way too many of those dot, dot, dots in this, huh?)
Game 2 of the Series: W ~ 13-3
Not only did we win this one, we couldn’t stop our offense for anything. It was the longest sixth inning I’ve seen since Little League. The Indians needed the mercy rule in this one. It was ugly for them but we’ve been there. It’s just nice to be on the winning end of ugly games. Another Wake on night and we’ll take it!
Next up: Tampa at home. WooHoo; I can’t wait.
Old News
Before I continue to update my blog to date, I just found this that I wrote but never posted; my bad. It’s about us sweeping that NY team so I couldn’t just overlook it.
We’re half-way through this long stretch of no days off for the Red Sox. The boys had a brief (but awesome) stop at the new Yankee Stadium. Other than the wins we chalked up there, the stop wasn’t as grand and wonderful as that NY team always think they are. Then back home with another short gig with the Indians.
Games 27 & 28 – At the New Yankee Stadium – May 4 & 5
Red Sox vs. That New York team
Game 1 of the Series: W ~ 6-4
A long wait for the game to begin but it was worth the wait. Personally, I didn’t stay up for the game, which in addition to the almost two-and-a-half hour- delay, lasted almost four hours. It seems they always do against that team. Lester was on his game and pitched a gem with ten strike-outs in his seven innings. Joba Chamberlain was scratched at the last minute; Hughes pitched instead. After scoring one run per inning in the first, second, third and fourth (see they add up when you do it that way), Jason Bay added some insurance by hitting a two-run homer in the seventh. Youk left the game in the with back stiffness; oh, no.
Game 2 of the Series: W ~ 7-3
We got on the board early thanks to a three-run homer by Jason Bay in the first. This surely got their mojo workin’. Beckett gave up ten hits including a three-run shot to Damon, but our offense must like this new place because they just keep hitting them. Chamberlain pitched tonight instead of last night and we got to him early; then he hung on. A wet night but we won and that’s very cool.
I Think I’m Going To Be Sick
It’s a(nother) sad day in baseball.
Open letter to Manny: Manny, I can’t tell you how disappointed I am. I am speechless.
I, just yesterday, apologized to several of my friends for being supporting Manny about his last days wearing a Red Sox uniform. I just experienced my son, pulling a Manny. I’m going to publish a letter I dreaded writing (or even having to acknowledge) but when I’m wrong, I admit it. I don’t always see the perspective that is common ground. I never drink the kool-aid. I like to always try to put a positive spin on things because I truly, in my heart believe people are born good. Now, with that being said:
As you probably know, my 12-year old Elliott, plays Little League. He’s in the Majors Division and up until now has held his own when it comes to ability. Probably doesn’t have inherent talent but works very hard and that is apparent watching him play. This season, for whatever reason, he’s in a funk, a slump or whatever you’d call it. This has taken this very positive player in to negative territory. What I witnessed at his last game was purely despicable. He was in the dugout bitchin’, moaning, complaining, not to mention, going up to bat, not swinging at pitches, not running for the ball that he was fielding, etc. This behavior made me want to vomit.
When this kid left his game, his mother gave him the talking to of a lifetime. I gave him 24-hours to come up with a solution to this disgusting behavior regarding baseball. We’re hoping the situation turns around and we’ll see since he has two games this week.
OK. The reason I tell this to you is because I wanted to apologize since I was your biggest critic for you expressing your disdain for the number 24. I now see at a very low level how this must have impacted our players last year. This is a perspective I never saw before. I probably won’t go as far as to say I hate him for this, but I clearly can see now how people can. I thought you’d enjoy my recent revelation.
I am so sad. That’s all I have to say right now because I am speechless. I feel like crying but instead I think I’ll go throw up.
At the Trop
It’s the Red Sox versus the Rays but this time it’s in Tampa at the Trop. The Trop always seems to be a nightmare for the Red Sox. Other than Wakefield, nobody is consistant or even does well there. It’s a four-game stand. I don’t get to see Kazmir pitch but that’s just as well because at the end of the week, the Rays will be in Boston again and I’ll see him pitch there.
Games 23, 24, 25 & 26 – At the Trop – April 30, May 1, 2 & 3
Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay “Devil” Rays
Game 1 of the Series: L ~ 0 – 13
This one was ugly; I mean really ugly. It had all the makings of a good game: Beckett vs Garza. I love to see Beckett and I can’t stand Garza: Perfect. What has happened to our Josh Beckett? I will be forever-indebted to Jacoby Ellsbury for messing up Garza’s no-hitter. Thank you, sir. That’s the only good thing that happened this game. Tampa got 18 hits! We even pulled our right fielder, Jonathan Van Every and put him in to pitch. Ugly. Time to move on.
Game 2 of the Series: L ~ 2-6
O.K., admittedly this one wasn’t as bad as yesterday but I’m sort of becoming a sore loser when it’s against the Rays. It just isn’t supposed to be this way. Justin Masterson vs. Sonnanstine. Masterson had a terrible fifth inning, in fact, a six run fifth. Yuck. Pedroia got three hits and other than that, it was a losing game.
Game 3 of the Series: W ~ 10 – 6
Wake vs Niemann. Niemann did terrible, thankfully for us. We jumped on him early scoring six runs in the first three innings. Lots of hits from both teams. Mike Lowell homered; yea, Mike! Not much else other than the Rays walked Pedroia to get to Ortiz. That is sad. Though Big Papi is hitting .215, he has no home runs this season at all. Not good.
Game 4 of the Series: L ~ 5 – 3
Brad Penney is pitching against James Shields. Shields hasn’t been doing that well this season, of course one of his losses coming against the Red Sox earlier in the season. He didn’t look great. But Penny has been 50/50 – won 2, lost 2. The two he’s lost have been as terrible as a game could get. Luckily, though we lose this one, it wasn’t that Horrible Brad we’ve seen. Oh, those devils. They have our number, especially in Tampa. They take three out of four from us. Now it’s on to the new Yankee Stadium for a two-game stop before going home. There’s no place like home.
A Long Week
I lost my voice last week. Still hasn’t recovered 100%. I was up at Fenway with no voice, perhaps it’s permanent damage. The remnants is a lower, grainy voice. My chief announcer at the station says it’s a desired radio voice. I want my old voice back.
I suppose since I couldn’t talk, I also couldn’t write. Yea, good excuse; right? Works for me.
Note: Red Sox have seventeen games in a row between the start of this and their next day off.
Games 17, 18 & 19 – Fenway Park – April 24, 25 & 26
Red Sox vs. That New York Team
SWEEP!
Game 1 of the Series: W ~ 3-1
Long, long, roller coaster game. Lester vs. Chamberlain. Red Sox score first. Jason Bay hit a two-run homer to tie it up in the ninth. YOUK(!) slams a walk-off in the 11th. Nuf ‘ced.
Game 2 of the Series: L ~ 16-11
I was at this game with my favorite Red Sox fans. Couldn’t talk. The NY fans were lucky for that. Beckett vs A.J. Burnett. First time we see Burnett in pinstripes. He pitched better than Beckett. Wonder what’s going on with that #19. We were down 0-6 in the beginning. Another roller coaster game that we win! Long game.
Game 3 of the Series: W ~ 2-1
Nice short, get it done kind of game. Young pitching vs. old guy: Masterson versus Pettitte. Highlight of this game, Jacoby Ellsbury steals home. HOW COOL WAS THAT? Plus, we sweep that NY team. It doesn’t get better than this. Winning streak at 10 in a row!!!!!
We head west, well, west of Boston to Cleveland.
Games 20, 21 & 22 – Progressive Field – April 27, 28 & 29
Red Sox vs. Indians
Game 1 of the Series: W~ 3-1
Tim Wakefield pitches another gem. It’s Wake vs. Cliff Lee, who goes eight innings. Tight, I mean zero, zero game until the ninth when Jason Bay smashes a three-run homer. That’s all it took. Winning streak extended to 11 in a row!!!!
Game 2 of the Series: L~ 8-9
With eight runs, fourteen hits and a tied ninth inning, you know the Red Sox are up to the challenge of making it twelve in a row. But, no. Youk makes a great catch, throws it to Lopez who’s covering first, and what happens, Lopez misses it. Game ends and so does the streak.
Game 3 of the Series: W~ 6-5 (in 10 innings)
Lester vs. Carmona. Looks like we were getting eaten up early. Man, that Carmona can pitch. J.D. Drew out (again?). In Jonathan Van Every. Not a household name until he starts a Red Sox rally. Then in the tenth, with his first major league career homer, he helps the Red Sox secure the lead to a win. Yea! On to Tampa!
Twin Wins Versus the Twins
“If it was up to me, obviously we would have went through with this whole thing because I don’t think I deserve even one game,” Beckett said. “(But) when your boss tells you that something is best for the whole group then that’s what we do.”
This is where pitching versus principles are in conflict. One oversight in my last blog was to acknowledge the reduction of Josh Beckett’s six-game suspension to “just” five games. This reduction allows Beckett not to miss a start and to be scheduled to pitch Saturday against that NY team when they play this coming weekend at Fenway.
It’s a tough one. I understand Beckett’s passion for getting the facts straight since I am probably the most principled person I know, but…. As I commented earlier, it’s a fine case of an outside source trying to determine the intentional versus the unintentional, which is entirely impossible. I just don’t like precedent setting decisions made to appease the boss. But I do understand what is at stake…I think.
Games 14 & 15 – Fenway Park – April 21 & 22
Red Sox vs. Minnesota Twins
Game 1 of the Series: W ~ 10-1
What started out as a beautiful day around here, ended in a cold, rainy, call-the- game kind of day. The Tuesday night game versus the Minnesota Twins was rained out and will be played as a day / night double header tomorrow. This is the only time the Twins will be in Boston so they did what they could to get these two games in.
My days are pretty much reserved for a little play and a lot of work. Whether it be for my ‘real’ job or just work around the house, I do need to get things done. Between Easter and school vacation, my kids have been out of school for what seems like forever, forcing me to put things off until this week. Now, these darn day games (Patriot’s Day and now
this) have put me behind again. O.K., I’m really not complaining since many of you are at work every day and don’t get to see the games, I’m stating fact. I suppose I could work and listen, right?
Wake was on the mound and the RS offense once again went into action early. Youk sets the pace by clobbering a two-out, two-run homer in the first; Nick Green clocks a two-run shot in the second; and
Mike Lowell gets a two-out, two-run homer in the third.
Our bats went silent until the seventh when Big Papi got a rally started
with a double. Then Youk, J.D. Drew and Jason Bay walk, which forces in Ortiz. Again, with loaded bases, Mike Lowell singles, Kottaras gets a sac fly and Nick Green gets an RBI double. Then it clouds up and starts to rain. By now the score is 10 – 1 and they halt the game. With no break in sight, they call it a game after seven and we win.
Game 2 of the Series: W ~ 7-3
I was pretty convinced they’d get this game in because it had stopped raining pretty early here in Connecticut. Though 7:00 p.m. came around and it was still looking pretty dismal in Boston, they did see a break and began the game shortly before 8:00 p.m.
With the anticipation of Brad Penny taking the mound, I put my head into a positive vibes state of mind. Though I’m not a big fan of the Penny signing to begin with, I try to keep myself from cringing when he’s set to pitch, especially in light of his previous disastrous start, because that doesn’t help anyone. That’s not to say the Twins weren’t hitting him, our defense, especially Ellsbury, were getting a full workout. Penny did give up one home run to Justin Morneau, who went 2 for three and scored two of
the three Minnesota runs.
Our smokin’ offense pitched in as well. Jeff Bailey got us on the board in the bottom of the second by hitting a three-run homer. Bailey had just been called up from AAA Pawtucket to fill the void that Rocco Baldelli created when he was listed on the DL. (I’m not going to say I told you so; I’ll save that for later in the season on this one.)
Luckily we were able to get this game in. It surely looked cold in Boston but it is April in New England; anything is possible
How’s the song go: Train kept a rolling, all night long. Man, these boys are hot!
This game concludes the mere two game series with the Twins. Now it’s six in a row at home, and throwing in the win in Oakland, it’s seven. How ’bout makin’ it ten, guys? A day off, a rested bullpen, and being at home….what more can we ask for when those pinstriped, overpaid boys come to town? It’s suppose to be a beautiful (and warm) weekend in Boston for the next three games when that NY team comes to town. Lester v Joba the Gut; Beckett v A.J Burnett; and young v old (I mean Masterson v Pettitte). All I can say is, “go get ‘em boys!”
There’s No Place Like Home
I love when the Red Sox come home. The Red Sox must too. Why can’t we play all of our games at Fenway? After all, it is America’s Most Beloved Ballpark, right? The most amazing things seem to happen when the Red Sox are at home.
Games 10, 11, 12 & 13 – Fenway Park – April 17, 18, 19 & 20
Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles
Game 1 of the Series: W ~ 10-8
I had to go to a wake tonight. An old friend passed away. She was a very big Red Sox fan. She was 80 and unlike her husband, she was lucky enough to see the Red Sox win two championships.
I heard the beginning of the game and it was ugly. As much as I’d rather not talk about, I will. When I got out of the wake, Brad Penny had given up a total of seven runs. Penny gave up a gazillion walks to load the bases and Nick Markakus hits a grand slam. Remember, this is the second inning. Luckily the Red Sox offense came alive and on my way to pick up the kids; Jason Bay hits a homer that drives in three runs. The Red Sox scored four in the bottom of the second. OK., cool. At least we’re not going to get shut out.
After taking Penny out in the third, they put Delcarmen in. With no outs and one on, Markakis hits a double to drive in a run. I still wasn’t ready to throw in the towel, afterall, we’re playing the O’s. Delcarmen retires the next eight batters in a row. J. D. Drew hits a homer in the third. The RS offense stays hot and we get three more in the fifth, including a 2-run double by Nick Green. Youk gets drilled by a ball thrown by Baez and ends up scoring the 10th run off a single by Mike Lowell.
Overall, it was one of those crazy nights, ones that only seem to happen to the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Game 2 of the Series: W ~ 6-4
You know what they say about payback? Youk gets drilled by a pitch last
night, and what better way to pay back those O’s but by going 4-5 with four RBI’s. Youk’s four hits in the game included a single, two doubles and his third home run of the season that brought home Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz.
Luckily our offense is coming to; it’s the second night in a row the Red Sox got 12 hits. Josh Beckett got the win. He’ll begin serving his suspension after this so it’s great he’s on a high note.
But, that’s only part one of the exciting night in baseball. I had to TIVO the game because I went to a concert last night. I was bummed I’d miss the game but knew I could watch it later. I headed up to Worcester to see the Dead. Had VIP passes that had all the perks of an important person. It was fun and the concert was great but the reason I bring this up is that instead of heading to our seats when we arrived at the venue, we went to the pre-concert party before hand. When we walked in the first thing I saw was huge widescreens with Cleveland playing those pinstripers. Of course, my first impression was, why on earth would they have this game on. So, I look at the score and it’s 20-4, Cleveland. Wow! What a fun way to start a night!
It only got worse for that NY team, but, oh well…you can’t win them all.
Game 3 of the Series: W ~ 2-1
Finally. Jon Lester looked like Jon Lester. Like everyone, I was a bit
worried since Lester had two really horrible starts, of course the only two of this season. But tonight he pitched seven shut out innings. That away, Jon.
Youk was being Youk; he doubled in the second, knocking in the first of the two RS runs. Man, he is hot! Sato finished up the game, giving Paps the night off. Yes, three in a row and a day game tomorrow!
Game 4 of the Series: W~ 12-1 – Patriot’s Day 2009
The game started as a Red Sox slug-fest and ended as a slug-fest with a fifteen hit outing. With Justin Masterson on the mound, my eyes were glued to the set. I love to watch him pitch but I am really concerned for any young arm to go from starter to bullpen, to starter and back to bullpen. I guess it’s the mom in me but after seeing Paps carry his arm off the mound a few years ago, I am nervous about this. He did a fine job
covering for Diva Dice-K who is recovering from playing in the WBC.
It appeared to be a cold, windy day at Fenway but our bats were hot. (How cliche.) The wind must have been blowing just the right way. Dustin Pedroia had four hits, drove in three and scored three runs. Even
Big Papi, who so far has been silent, had a double, a triple and drove in two runs. Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits and scored three times. Tek continued to show he means business by adding two RBI’s that included a shot over the Monster.
This game concludes the four game series with the O’s. It’s nice to know that we’ve won four in a row now; it sort of takes the sting away from the west coast trip.
With All Eyes On That New York Team
The day has come. That NY team had their home opener in their new zillion dollar stadium. Who better to open it than their zillion dollar pitcher?
Can I say it? Ha, ha. They got spanked; BIG TIME. Couldn’t happen to a nicer group. Can I add the loss came with a NINE run seventh inning? Grady Sizemore makes NY history with the first grand salami there. Anyway, where was Swisher when you need him?
I guess they didn’t find the OTHER buried #34 shirt.
What do they say? Ya can’t win them all. What else do they say? Just because you spent a lot doesn’t make it better.
Oh well.
The Left Coast – Ugghhh
To say it’s nice to have left Anaheim is a gross understatement. However, heading to Oakland from there wouldn’t be my first choice if I had a say in it. As I have stated before, the A’s are going to win the West. I’m certain of that. Well, as certain as anyone can be. I think this team is going to get it done.
Games 7, 8 & 9 – Oakland Coliseum – April 13, 14 & 15 - Red Sox vs A’s
Game 1 of the Series: L ~ 2 – 8
These 10:00 p.m. west coast games will kill ya. Yea, especially when there’s a thrashing involved. Sure being devoted sure takes its toll.
The Red Sox continued their slide as Jon Lester suffered through another rough outing, one painfully similar to his previous one. In his second start, Lester came away after six responsible for six runs and 10 hits, most of which came in the 5-run second.
This was a reuniting of sorts for a few ex-Red Sox players. We got to see OC at short and Nomar at third, who decided he’d show off in Nomar-style with a homer in the fifth.
Youk hit a solo home run in the second, but as usual it wasn’t enough to get the offense rolling for the Red Sox. One thing I can say is that as much as I like J.D. Drew, they’ve got to do some serious rethinking about where he’s falling in the line-up. Last year it was Tek we could depend on to get the last out, this year it’s J.D.
One last thing: We have Nick Green at Short. We’re now relying on a triple-A’er to handle the job full-time. Jed Lowrie was put on the 15-day DL for wrist sprain. This sprain came when the switch-hitter is going 1-15. Is this another trip to the DL because we’re not hitting, or is this a serious matter? Maybe we’ll never know. Hopefully this is just a case of identifying our needs early in the season. Oh, wait. Didn’t we have these needs in Spring Training? My bad.
Game 2 of the Series: L ~ 5 – 6
Can’t win for trying.
Dice K takes the mound and leaves after one inning and 43 pitches, surrendering five runs. Uggh. I think it’s fair to say that his arm fatigue may have come from the WBC. It sure isn’t because of the long, enduring season the Red Sox have had so far.
Then, the game goes on for 12 innings, a total of 4 hours and 23 minutes. Yes, I did stay up. Yes, I am sorry I did. Thank God for the caffeine in all the Easter candy I ate. I would have never been able to otherwise. Worst part of it is it wasn’t worth it. With bases loaded and two outs, A’s right-fielder Travis Buck helps out the A’s with their first walk-off win of the season. More Uggh. We exhaust our bullpen. Afterall, they had to cover 11 innings.
Bad game overall. Yea, sometimes I am a sore loser. Only good thing that came out of this game is that the inconsistant J.D. Drew got three hits.
Game 3 of the Series: W ~ 8 – 2
We all know, Wake is either on or off. Today he’s ON, big-time! Luckily because we were on our way to a three-game sweep at the hands of the A’s but worse yet, it would have been six out of the last seven games in the loss column.
Tim Wakefield, our veteran knuckleballer, one of only a few players left of our coveted 2004 World Series Championship team, almost tosses a no-no at 42- years old.
Luckily it was a day game because if it was another 10:00 p.m. game, there was no way I was staying up for this one. I didn’t watch this one, I listened to it on the radio. The sound of Joe Castiglione’s Red Sox voice was the perfect way to enjoy this one.
Also, lucky for us, Wake was willing and able to do what he had to here because our bullpen surely needed the rest. Who would’a thunk? The guy pitches the entire game and comes within five outs of his first career no hitter. Not to mention, we win it. “Can you believe it!”
And, beyond popular belief: yes, our boys do have some pop left in their bats. Home runs by Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew.
Phew….time to go home to Boston. This is a road trip I’d like to forget real soon.
Put Me In Coach, I’m Ready To Play…
What do Chien-Ming Wang, Jonathan Albaladejo, Edwar Ramirez, Phil Coke and Nick Swisher all have in common? They’re all NY pitchers….well, maybe not.
One can make a joke around here, right? This is what I love about that NY team, they are constantly giving us fodder to do that.
So this is how it goes: On Monday I’m paying attention to this game because, of course, the mighty Kaz is pitching. That NY team never had a prayer. The Trop was rockin’ as the Rays celebrated pregame by hoisting their championship banners. Upton was just joining the lineup after some off-season shoulder rebuilding surgery. Should I go on?
All-in-all Wang pitched a little more than one inning before they pulled him in the second. By then he had thrown 61 pitches, allowed six hits, three walks and struck out one. Now in two starts, he’s got something like a 29.0 era in four-and-a-half innings pitched. Ya think he could use a raise?
Looking for someone that can actually throw a strike, that NY team goes to their bullpen, then their bench. Yes, newly acquired utility infield-outfielder says, yes, he pitched in high school – gave
up a couple homeruns then, but heck, how could he be any worse than what was seen earlier? Not only was ol’ Nicky not worse, he was actually better. Unlike the four pitchers before him, he didn’t allow a run and even struck out Gabe Kapler. It’s pretty pathetic that your bench has a better ERA than your second starter.
So another edition of the Rays doing a job on that NY team. The Rays win 15-5. I love it! It’s the best thing a Red Sox fan could wish for!
p.s. OK, yes, this is yesterday’s news but tax time is busy for me…I’ll try to do better, but this joke will never get old.
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