April 24, 2008

G24: Angels 7, Red Sox 5

Angels  - 000 010 411 - 7  9  0
Red Sox - 010 200 002 - 5 10 1
Masterson: 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 4 K.

Masterson was absolutely fantatsic. He used all four of his pitches from the very start, showed great poise, and despite the four walks, was around the strike zone all afternoon. The bullpen coughed up the lead, and a ninth-inning comeback was a bit short, but this was a good day for our future. We'll be seeing Masterson again very soon!

***

Joe Saunders (2.15, 200 ERA+) / Justin Masterson (MLB Debut)

Justin Daniel Masterson is 23 years old. He's 6-6, 250, and was born in Kingston, Jamaica.

Sox Prospects on RHP Masterson:
Masterson has a three-quarter delivery with a slinging-type motion. His arsenal includes a sinker, a slider, and a change-up. Of those pitches, his best is a phenomenal plus-sinker with an excellent heavy drop -- he can vary its speed from 84-94 mph, catching many hitters off balance. Also mixes in a very good slider that sits in the low 80s, and an improving 77-81 mph four-seam circle change. Uses his sinker predominantly as his out-pitch, but also can make use of his secondary pitches to get out of jams. His mix of pitches results in a high groundball-to-flyball ratio, getting a lot of double plays. Very good command of the zone. ... Converted to a starter in 2007 after coming out of the pen for Lowell in 2006, may still project as a reliever at this point depending on how well his change-up progresses.
With Portland (AA) in 2007, Masterson pitched 58 innings, allowing 49 hits and 18 walks. He struck out 59 and posted a 3.28 ERA.

In four starts for Portland this year, he has an 0.95 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 19 innings. In his last start on April 19, he threw five shutout innings and struck out 10. He has never pitched above AA.

256 comments:

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SoSock said...

Did a little research on Masterson last year when his name came up in the Santana talks - liked what I saw but not sure how he'll respond to this task, given lack of experience against serious competition. But then, you NEVER know, do you. Somebody (who knows more about him than me) obviously thinks he'll do fine or he wouldn't be doing it.
Last night = minor glitch. Still think this is whole team is like Papi on the basepath. Now that they're rolling, they're UNSTOPPABLE!
Will have to continue morning after comments for at least another week they're saying now - mersa, dammit.

Jere said...

Off to see Son of the Master at Fenway. Have fun in here, everybody.

I apologize to all I offended last night. I guess I just perceived something the way it wasn't. See y'all Friday night...

allan said...

Ellsbury, RF
Pedroia, 2B
Ortiz, DH
Ramirez, LF
Youkilis, 1B
Lowrie, 3B
Lugo, SS
Crisp, CF
Cash, C

Rob said...

I don't know what's worse - a 7-8-9 of Lugo, Cash, and Thurston? or Lugo, Crisp, and Cash?

Of course, that would mean I'd be saying Joe Thurston is better than Coco Crisp. Nevermind.

allan said...

Lugo's last 7 days: 11-for-22, .500/.522/.545.

So ... he's getting hits, but no walks (1) and the hits are singles (10 of 11).

Season: .338/.370/.377, 99 OPS+
Of the 26 hits, 23 are singles.

In the 7 spot, he's 9-for-14!

Rob said...

The great thing about singles is how they can do as little as start a rally, or do so much as to score two big runs. Good to see from Lugo.

laura k said...

I have to pass on gamethreading today. I'm hoping to watch the game off and on while I get other things done. Enjoy and GO SOX!

laura k said...

And thanks Jere, even though you're not here!

Sarah Haendler said...

Of course, that would mean I'd be saying Joe Thurston is better than Coco Crisp. Nevermind.

Ha ha! Thanks for rethinking that one Ish. I still have my irrational love of Ococ, even though Lyndon smokes him. I like having him around, and it hurt to hear you posit that Zora might be better!

allan said...

Health Update on Beckett, Dice, MDC and Tek.

allan said...

Someone sent this to me a few days ago:

Watching the phillies/mets tonight on ESPN. Phils at home are ahead 6-5 in the top of the 9th, when Phillies reliever Eric Lidge lets two men on base (1st and 2nd). Mets batter fails to get a bunt down and then strikes out. Wright fouls out when the wind blows his ball from into the stands back into foul territory. With two outs, Beltran hits a sharp grounder up the middle, and the Phillies shortstop makes a diving grab and bounces one to first for the final out.
They show a slow-mo replay of Lidge reacting, and he clearly mouths "Fuck yeah!" Joe Morgan announcing, fully aware of the lip reading abilities of his audience, describes it thusly: "And Lidge says 'Great play!'".

allan said...

FSN on the package, but NESN on the Toronto sports station! Fuck Yeah!

Jack Marshall said...

Did anyone else hear Peter Gammons talking about how the Red Sox and Yankees would be constantly second-guessing themselves about the Snatana trade that never was, as the young pitchers struggled? Bullshit, at least from the Sox end, and that's before we get to see how Masterson looks. And how about this whopper from Hickory: "After all, the Red Sox traded an all-star pitcher to Cincinatti for a fourth outfielder." That would be the "all-star" Bronson Arroyo, who stunk up the joint last year, and Wily Mo, who was picked up because of his potential to be a regular slugger, not as a "fourth outfielder." And watch-when and if WMP hits 40 homers, Gammons will say that Theo traded an star power threat for a "minor league first-baseman."

allan said...

And Brandon continues to struggle this year. Gammons may be in the twilight of his career.

I am really excited to see Masterson!

allan said...

#63

allan said...

shit - first 2 MLB batters -- he looks good!!!!

Sarah Haendler said...

FSN on the package, but NESN on the Toronto sports station! Fuck Yeah!

That's interesting - I have NESN on the EI package here. (For which I am ever grateful.)

Sarah Haendler said...

I'm liking what I see.

allan said...

cracked a smile just as he got the dugout

figgins - cs 4-3
matthews - bscb K
vlad - fbbb - BB (pitching inside, nice to see)
mrs garrett - bc 4-3

allan said...

1st ballot HoFer so far

Rob said...

Ellsbury with the wheels, making a close play at first.

Just got in from a jog and a shower. I am very relaxed now. Time for some baseball!


Was it a 1-2-3 for Masterson?

Rob said...

figgins - cs 4-3
matthews - bscb K
vlad - fbbb - BB (pitching inside, nice to see)
mrs garrett - bc 4-3


:)

allan said...

ish - see above.

walked vlad but still looked good. showed all his pitches within 2 batters. i like that easy sling motion

Rob said...

Heh. He wasn't just faking bunt there.

allan said...

fy sasahe -- which would be a tek's waist!

allan said...

video of don coming into the tunnel -- hilarious!

Rob said...

They should have played Foreigner's "Juke Box Hero" for that little video of Don going through the tunnel. I thought that was funny.

Masterson is impressive. Slow move with men on, but that's just nitpicking at this point.

Sarah Haendler said...

Another nice inning. Let's get some runs for this kid!

Sarah Haendler said...

Ah, you Greek God you...

Sarah Haendler said...

And a Jedi mind trick!

allan said...

loaded for lugo!

allan said...

lowrie - 6 ML starts -- hits in all 6 games.

Rob said...

Castig: "I know how to boil water, and occasionally make tomato sauce."

He's talking to a representative from Shaw's, who has teamed up with America's Test Kitchen to create 30 minute recipes.

The guy from Shaw's gave Joe a chefs hat and a stainless steel BBQ set, and the first four recipes they're doing. Castig: "Nothing I can burn, right?"


Bases loaded for a singles machine!

Rob said...

He can also be a whiffing machine.

allan said...

good news: made only 1 out.

do it, ococ

Sarah Haendler said...

Come on Ococ, justify my love!

allan said...

a run is always good, but meh.

Rob said...

Good news: Coco only made one out.

Bad news: Cash.

Rob said...

Whiff.

allan said...

"We do not accept cash."

Sarah Haendler said...

Well, no surprise there. Alas.

Sarah Haendler said...

Wow - they're still showing that dope who dropped the ball the other day.

allan said...

eff you chone!

(rhymes with loan)

Rob said...

O'Brien: We're finding out that Masterson has very long arms. If there's a bunt, he just jogs over, reaches out like it was on an apple tree, and there it is.

Rob said...

also, O'Brien says he's working quickly. "He's working like he's got a date at 4:00 that he cannot miss."

etc etc.

allan said...

there goes the no no

Sarah Haendler said...

Good fielding there from Masterson. Do we have a name for him yet? I like "Sky", but I'm a recovering musical theatre junkie.

Rob said...

Master Sargent.

He looks like a marine.

Rob said...

He may not have a quick move to home, but he's got a pretty good move to first.

Rob said...

LYNDON WITH THE SLIDING CATCH.

allan said...

there's lyndon!

allan said...

I know he's going back to AA after today, but I wonder at what point is Masterson > Lester?

Zenslinger said...

And how about this whopper from Hickory: "After all, the Red Sox traded an all-star pitcher to Cincinatti for a fourth outfielder."

The only thing you can really say for Bronson is that he has had a couple of long streaks of good results: the end of 2004 and the beginning of 2006 (which earned him his all-star berth).

For the Sox, he was at least relatively consistent when he wasn't in a streak. This year, he's been awful and was ripped last night, I believe.

I liked him, but Andrew Jackson is way off on this one.

I watched a WMP at-bat the other night and he still is not much trouble for a pitcher who can throw anything but a fastball.

I'm still pulling for both of these guys, but I'm afraid nothing's going to change for either of them.

allan said...

pc:

masterson: 16-21-15 - 52
saunders: 12-26-15 - 53

Rob said...

A's signed Frank Thomas... for the minimum.

Rob said...

masterson: 16-21-15 - 52
saunders: 12-26-15 - 53


Kind of an improbable pitcher's duel.

allan said...

don praising sox for working theit 40-man roster so well during all the injuries/sicknesses.

but if i recall, they have only 37 guys on the 40-man, so it's been pretty easy, actually. no real work involved.

allan said...

looks like it'll be 6 for masterson.

allan said...

GG

allan said...

boooo - bunt.

let's go, ogul.

allan said...

Coco 2, Angels 0

Zenslinger said...

ocoC = RBI machine?

allan said...

ococ GR double & RBI and then steals third on the next pitch

CASH!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!

allan said...

cash with a bomb over hunter's head in CF, one hop from the triangle into the bleachers. 3-0 sox.

Sarah Haendler said...

So wait - while the dumb electrician who is working in my bathroom turned off my whole apartment rather than just the bathroom, my boy Ococ and Check Please both hit GRDs? And I didn't get to see it? Cranky...

Zenslinger said...

Not missing 'Belli at the moment.

Rob said...

Goodness. Masterson is pitching very, very well. I'm very impressed.

Lots of ground ball outs.

allan said...

ack - our cable went out. takes a while to turn it back on. missed matthews, but he's out 4-3.

80 pit for bat-mat, one more inning, pls.

Zenslinger said...

Comes back from the solo homer to get three in a row.

79 pitches, 5 innings, 1 ER, 1.00 WHIP?

No problem.

Rob said...

Bidding closed on the tattered Yankee Stadium Ortiz jersey. $175,000.

Rob said...

Crap. I got seriously TRUPED there.

Ortiz didn't get help from the wind there. Joe was yelling yelling yelling "Swing a loonnnnnng drive to center! Waaay back and it is... caught on the warning track!"

allan said...

did remy just say the top 3 in BA in the AL this morning were

fy
yook
manny

!

Sarah Haendler said...

If not, Allan, we just shared the same hallucination.

allan said...

it's only april 24, but you'd think they'd make a bigger deal about that. or at least mention it in the first inning, when pedroia batted

allan said...

mdc & lopez up

Rob said...

That was close. Foul just to the left of the chalk.

Masterson's never too far from a DP.

Rob said...

My point exactly. DP!

Zenslinger said...

DP!

allan said...

fuckin' a!!!

see you real soon, kid.

Rob said...

What an outing!

(most likely) ends his day with a Good morning, good afternoon, good night K on Torii Hunter!

Zenslinger said...

Give that kid a freakin' hand. Well done.

(I assume he is done.)

allan said...

6 IP
2 H
1 R (HR)
4 BB
4 K
95 PIT

allan said...

done?

dusty baker ain't runnin' this club.

...

at 95 pit, that's it. excellent to end it on a high with a GIDP and K.

Rob said...

Circus catch by Torii.

allan said...

nearly an extra cripsy dong!

double. 2nd of day for ococ

Rob said...

Got truped by the cameraman.

For good reason. That was was inches from being a dong.

Coco's back.

allan said...

money walks!

Sarah Haendler said...

Ococ is doing an excellent job of making me look like an idiot for playing Lyndon on my fantasy team today. Not that I mind.

Benjamin said...

Coco wants to keep his job.

Did Masterson look as good as his line?

allan said...

cripsy running wild!

Rob said...

!!!sleehw ocoC

allan said...

Did Masterson look as good as his line?

I think he looked better. Great poise, used all 4 pitches, worked fast, always around the plate, even with the 4 walks.

The first 3 of the BB were all with 2 outs and one on. 4th began the sixth and was doubled off.

Jack Marshall said...

How do you think the Twins feel right now? Do you think they wish they had pulled the trigger on Lester, Crisp, Masterson and Lowrie for Santana?

Rob said...

The first 3 of the BB were all with 2 outs and one on. 4th began the sixth and was doubled off.

And he wasn't missing by much with those walks.

Great action on his pitches. He can break outside, inside, up, down, and all around. He looked great.

And remember, he just came down from the Portland Sea Dogs! Great story today.

allan said...

and only 3 outs in the outfield -- and two of those were pops to short rcf.

the one truly fly ball out to the outfield was hunter fly to crisp on the CF track.

allan said...

plus the dong, of course.

other hit was a chopper over pitcher and into cf

allan said...

way to go, loogy.

mdc to the rescue.

Rob said...

the one truly fly ball out to the outfield was hunter fly to crisp on the CF track.

And then, of course, there was that dong. That was really the only hanging pitch.

Goodness. Did you see Delcarmen? He still looks terrible. Then Varitek walked up to him and pat him on the back, and he didn't look too good, either.

I would not want to be in that bullpen today.

Benjamin said...

I hope video doesn't catch up to him on his next start, whenever that is.

allan said...

aardsma/jemmer up

Zenslinger said...

God...damn it.

My kingdom for last year's bullpen!

(Yes, I know it's mostly the same guys.)

Rob said...

Bases loaded - 0 out.

With a sickly pitcher who can't find the zone.

Let's just say this 3-1 lead is not safe at all.

Rob said...

Oh dear.

Error on Youk?

allan said...

mdc pitching like he's still flu-y.

4 ptch walk loads the sacks.

and 2-0 to aybar ... shit safe on the 3-1 atttempt.

allan said...

error yook?

Rob said...

Shouldn't be an error...

And it won't be.

Base hit, RBI.

Rob said...

Jeemer Time

Rob said...

Triple play, plz.

Rob said...

Ehh. Tie game.

allan said...

let's still get 3.

Rob said...

That sucks because Masterson will get a no-decision now. Tough break, stats wise.

Rob said...

Ow.

We'll NEED to score 3 runs now.

Zenslinger said...

Fuck!

Patrick said...

This is the inning from heck.

Rob said...

Sit down, Pink Eye.

Big K.

DP plz.

allan said...

hallafuckinglooyah

Patrick said...

Much needed K

allan said...

HOLD THE LINE!!!

we got fy, tiz and mbm in the 7th -- 7th? puh-lenty of time

Patrick said...

I don't appreciate Dave O'Brien saying because this inning has given LA the lead, Masterson's performance was 'for naught'. WTF?

Patrick said...

at least if he hits a grand dong my fantasy team will be doing good....

allan said...

dave o'brien is an idiot.

allan said...

OW

Rob said...

Ow.

Those tarps aren't soft.

Patrick said...

I like the new guy, Dale, better than Dave.

Patrick said...

Youk always getting beat up

allan said...

at least if he hits a grand dong my fantasy team will be doing good....

and you'll be hanging out in the game thread at which blog ...

allan said...

singing the blue with torii a-miss.

(/jere)

Patrick said...

BWAHAHAHA

Patrick said...

I know Allan, I should be kicked in the nuts for that comment.

allan said...

WTF UMP?????????

Joe Grav said...

ahhh come on that was a strike

allan said...

JEEMER ROOOOOLS!!!!

Joe Grav said...

what a great job!!!!!!! here we go

Patrick said...

the bleeding has stopped.

allan said...

jesus, jeemer got totally fucked on the outside pitch, but recovered for the pop up.

now we hit!!!

Rob said...

Come on, Dusty. Time for some happy profanity.

Patrick said...

I love Dustin's AB music. So sexy.

Rob said...

another sasahe. jeez.

Patrick said...

FN

allan said...

that almost hit him in the chin

Patrick said...

52

b2b dongs.

Patrick said...

ughhh. Make it a one run game, being.

allan said...

THAT was bizarre.

Rob said...

Wow.

Hunter caught it, crashed into Matthews, and the ball falls.

Heh, oops.

Can we get a sweaty dong?

allan said...

aardsma in

Patrick said...

Nice! Primus to open the inning! Claypool gets me pumped.

Amy said...

Hmm, guess we blew the lead. Time for an 8th inning comeback.

Just tuned in---who gave up all the runs in the 7th?

Patrick said...

It was a collective effort Amy.

Lopez walked one and singled another, and was pulled without getting an out.

MDC did the exact same thing, leaving the bases loaded with one if for Oki.

Oki let two more in before ending the pain

allan said...

lopez started: BB, single
MDC (looking ill): BB, single
jeemer:
RBI single
single & E8, 2 more runs
BBI to vlad, loads bases
K
K
P6

Amy said...

UCK

allan said...

THAT'S A HIT???????

jesus christ.

Amy said...

Yikes, two pitchers in who couldn't get anyone out. At least Francona minimized the damage.

Thanks for the update.

allan said...

rbi on that mdc-allowed single.

allan said...

going with mdc was a mistake. he didn't look well. first 6 pitches were balls.

Amy said...

Jere, in case you read this later. Thanks for your apology. I appreciate it. And I am sorry if I overreacted.

Hope he is enjoying the game.

Patrick said...

Is this the first day for walkoff theatrics? I'd like me some good walkoff dongs.

Amy said...

Boy, these guys need to keep away from each other. That flu just knocked them out. Too much sharing of towels? Too many shared beers? Too much kissing?

allan said...

wave-doing dolts.

allan said...

The hugs could be an issue.

Amy said...

A walkoff would be very sweet.

allan said...

AAARDSMA -- GET THE 3RD OUT!!!

Amy said...

OH, shit!

Amy said...

Did Masterson do well? It looked like it from the box score.

Rob said...

Meh.

I like scotch. Scotch scotch scotch.

Rob said...

Did Masterson do well? It looked like it from the box score.

He was absolutely terrific.

allan said...

Masterson was great!

Replay looks like FY got him on the left knee a hair before his foot got the bag. Hard call in a cloud of dust.

Sarah Haendler said...

Yeah Amy, Masterson was the new hotness. He looked even better than the numbers make him look.

allan said...

Keep Masterson; send Lester to AA.

Rob said...

Big cheer for V-Tek jogging into the dugout from the bullpen.

allan said...

seriously, if they replay the game on nesn, check it out. very impressive.

Amy said...

Was the meh for Masterson? Or just the gam?

Rob said...

Lips warming.

allan said...

time for some redsock "this game is in the crapper" mojo

Amy said...

That's great to hear about Masterson.

Are we calling him Bat?

Rob said...

Uh oh. Did anyone else see that? Looked like at the tail end of that shot, Coco grabbing his hamstring and hopping a little bit.

I could have just been seeing things.

Amy said...

Walkoff would definitely be sweet.

Patrick said...

Amy, do you think a walkoff would be sweet?

allan said...

missed it, ish. was putting 3-1 on my paper.

Rob said...

missed it, ish. was putting 3-1 on my paper.

Coco's still in CF, so it was probably just me.

Patrick said...

I wish we could've gotten past Cash, but at least CASHIESGOINGDEEP.

Amy said...

Sweet as maple syrup on pancakes, Patrick!

Rob said...

Cash looking like Posada behind the plate.

Amy said...

Nice play!

Rob said...

Jedi using the force.

Rob said...

Tavarez is fun to watch.

Looks at the runner.
Looks at the plate.
Looks at the runner.
Looks at the plate.
Looks at the runner.
Pitches.

allan said...

ish, you are right. we traded for dumbo -- as the ball goes to the backstop

Amy said...

So do you think we should have kept Mirabelli?

Amy said...

Four run gap. Not feeling like this is going to be a walkoff....

allan said...

So do you think we should have kept Mirabelli?

HAHHAHAHAHAHHAH!

Rob said...

So do you think we should have kept Mirabelli?

I think it's a crapshoot between the two. At least with Cash, you get a more reliable guy behind the plate. Mirabelli's probably more prone to injury.

Patrick said...

UGHHH!!!

Patrick said...

scoreboard is real ugly after the 6th

allan said...

this game is over.
it's in the shitter.
we are doomed.
the big slide has begun.
we may never win again.
god we suck.
should i even watch the 9th?

Rob said...

Welp, it'll need to be a huge rally of the likes of the mother's day miracle to get it done here today. We shall see.

Currency, Lyndon, and FY.

allan said...

Just biding our time until Canadian Kotteras can take the job!

Rob said...

Sean Casey to pinch-hit for $$$.

Notice the $. Weak dollar.

Patrick said...

No, Allan, I think it's time we regroup and start thinking about oh nine.

Amy said...

Let's see if Cash outhits Mirabelli. If he gets a hit now, I will agree.

allan said...

5 straight dongs would make me happy in the pants.

Rob said...

Maybe from now on I'll call Cash £££... just to be optimistic.

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