May 30, 2008

G57: Red Sox 5, Orioles 2 (13)

Red Sox - 200 000 000 000 3 - 5  10  2
Orioles - 010 100 000 000 0 - 2 8 4
After losing five of six games on the west coast, Boston won a Friday night nail-biter at Camden Yards.

Terry Francona played with fire yet again, avoiding a rested Jonathan Papelbon when the game was on the line.

Tito was pro-active in choosing Hideki Okajima over Manny Delcarmen for a tie-game in the 7th inning. I liked his choice of MDC for the ninth. Craig Hansen, called in with one on and one out in the 10th, not only shut the door, but pitched a perfect 11th. Francona put his trust in the kids, and they came through.

The Red Sox rallied in the top of the 12th -- a two-out walk to Julio Lugo and a single and stolen base from Jacoby Ellsbury (he stole three tonight) -- but they could not score. Since Boston did not have a lead, and there was no immediate opportunity for a save -- Francona brought in Mike Timlin rather than his best pitcher.

As we have seen at least twice this season, this move has backfired. And when Nick Markakis doubled with one out in the 12th, it looked like Francona would get burned again. Aubrey Huff was walked intentionally and Kevin Millar grounded to shortstop. Lugo bobbled the ball, but it stayed in front of him. He threw high to first, Kevin Youkilis pulled it down, and Millar was nipped -- but only because of the grand piano on his back.

The runners moved to second and third, so Luke Scott was also put on base. Ramon Hernandez, who had failed to drive in the winning run from second against Hansen in the 10th, flew out to left to end the 12th. During that entire 21-pitch inning, Francona was happy to have Bot sit on his ass in the pen, content to trust the game to Timlin. After a Jamesian decision to go with Jeemer in the 7th, Francona acted Gumpian in the 12th. It was the wrong move, but Tito and the Red Sox dodged the bullet.

The Red Sox sent eight men to the plate in the 13th, as a couple of hits, a walk, two Baltimore infield errors and a double steal from Youkilis and Mike Lowell (!) equaled three runs. With a save now up for grabs, Papelbon made quick work of the Birds.

Cliff Floyd's solo home run gave Tampa a 2-1 walkoff win over the White Sox, so the Red Sox remain 1 GB. The Yankees beat the Twins 6-5 to move up into fourth place.

***

Josh Beckett (4.43, 97 ERA+) / Daniel Cabrera (3.70, 113 ERA+)

I hate off days. With my work schedule (Fri/Sat/Sun), I get four nights at home -- and I'd like to see the Red Sox every night. But the team's off days fall generally on Monday or Thursday. I can often follow the game at work, but it's never guaranteed.

SoSH: While noting that the Red Sox faced a number of good starters in Oakland and Seattle, their batting numbers are still depressing:
14 runs in 6 games
No runs in 45 of 54 innings
.169 batting average
.252 on-base percentage
More strikeouts (45) than hits & walks (43)
Only 1 hit in one game and 2 hits in another
Youkilis, Varitek, Crisp and Cash went a combined 0-for-40
AL East: Tampa lost to the White Sox last night, so we are 1 GB. Those teams play again tonight at the Trop, while the LPY are in Minnesota.

509 comments:

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Benjamin said...

Maybe six.

allan said...

bogus comment stuffing for 201.

booooooooooooooooooooooo!

laura k said...

that's a good idea

Benjamin said...

Just a little heart-felt beseeching.

allan said...

bot up

laura k said...

comment stuffing should be banned

laura k said...

i didn't even see it. my computer is so friggin slow tonight. i posted "that's a good idea" after your "let's score a run or five" - and look where it showed up.

allan said...

i've plugged the plug on any "x01" contest, so it's all moot. or it's its own reward.

we will be having a "guess 2008's 'yankee elimination day'" however. coming soon ...

Amy said...

OK, I am here to save the day. Perhaps I will bring luck?

Benjamin said...

That's all it ever was.

Amy said...

Uch. Two outs. Can someone give me a quick overview of the game?

WHO IS THIS GUY??

allan said...

floyd dong = a tampa walkoff 2-1.

laura k said...

you mean you've pulled the plug? that's good.

hi amy, we could use some luck. a very annoying game.

allan said...

GUMBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amy said...

Annoying how? Frustrating? Bad calls? Errors? Just dead bats?

Patrick said...

walk off home run for the Rays...

laura k said...

Amy, don't you read this blog? ;)

Patrick said...

It's been a whole lot of nuthin after the first.

laura k said...

annoying = LOB

we scored early, took an early lead, they came back to tie, we've done nothing but leave guys on base since then

maybe someone else can give you a better summary. my computer is too annoying right now.

allan said...

the gumball was gritty, but then lost its flavour.

Amy said...

Too tired to scroll through or even check the box score. But if I have to, I will. :)

Amy said...

Good enough summary for me. You know how I hate men LOB.

allan said...

ha -- after putting cora in for lugo in the late inning, PHing gumball = lugo at short in the 9th.

laura k said...

i meant read today's post re "who is that guy"? jeff bailey, gumball.

Benjamin said...

If Oki in the 7th was Jamesian, what's Delcarmen in the 9th?

allan said...

tie game on the road, 9th inning -- where is timlin?

Amy said...

Who is Bailey? And who is Gumball?

I feel like I missed the first hour of a movie.

Phew. That looked close.

laura k said...

thank you for hacking

Patrick said...

scared me there....

Amy said...

I must have missed the post about Bailey. OK, I will go check. Don't let the Orioles score.

allan said...

mdc here is okay. he's had a couple of strong outings. it's him or bot. i can live with this.

laura k said...

see, you *don't* read the blog ;)

allan said...

clean-shaven mdc = outs

Benjamin said...

Which blog?

laura k said...

don't leave, i was only kidding!

shit, now we have to keep the orioles from scoring while amy is gone

Amy said...

I see now the mention of Bailey in the post about Dice on the DL.

And yet...it does not explain Gumball. Do I find this in the glossary?

Amy said...

I am back.

MDC on the hot seat. I am nervous.

laura k said...

this blog

joy of sox

you know, here. us.

Benjamin said...

Should I be embarrassed that I like Coldplay's track Viva La Vida? I confess I'm a sucker for cellos.

Amy said...

GOOD! OK, other Manny!

allan said...

Do I find this in the glossary?

(insert Kif noise here)

laura k said...

mdc clean shaven > mdc with strange facial growth

Amy said...

Poor Phil. Hard to follow the bouncing ball!

laura k said...

cellos = great

coldplay = sucks

Patrick said...

Phil, I'll go listen to that song and make a judgment.

Amy said...

Kif noise? OK, I really feel now like those nightmares where you find out that you registered for a course and forgot to go until the week before the final.

allan said...

Futurama reference.

allan said...

imagine a very world-weary sigh

laura k said...

kif noise = a very long-suffering sighing sound. the most world-weary sigh ever made.

Benjamin said...

Link.

It's so damn corporate, too.

laura k said...

come on, little manny, just one more out!!!

Amy said...

Shooot.

Futurama: the course I forgot to go to class for.

Gumball: the identification question on the final for the course.

Bailey: the famous person I never heard of because I never did the reading for the course.

Can we get the third out?

allan said...

i'm sure that link violates several jos standards.

laura k said...

OUT PLEASE!!!!!!

laura k said...

fuckin a. could we get out of this please?

Amy said...

OK, now we have the force. Good job, Manny #2.

Patrick said...

Markakis can't hit anything right now. K HIM

Patrick said...

Oh... its Mora....

laura k said...

ok.

now we have to win in the 10th because I have to let the do(n)gs out. i can't ignore these pleading looks much longer.

Benjamin said...

It'll be taken down later tonight, I'm sure. EMI's usually on top of these things.

Amy said...

OK, now we win. The momentum shifts, and we win.

allan said...

mdc: "there's nothing better than making 258 orioles fans shut up."

Patrick said...

We really need to win this one. Runs please. And I mean you, Jacob boy.

Amy said...

The link is already down. I just checked it.

allan said...

mdc threw 3 more pitches in that inning than jeemer did in his two innings. which sucks, because maybe he could have taken the 10th.

extras! extras!

laura k said...

Not a whole lot of momentum in this game, in either direction.

allan said...

It's so damn corporate, too.

Coldplay -- corporate?

Next thing you'll be telling me that water is wet.

Patrick said...

TMBGPIBH gets his third run of the night: 6-4 Yanks.

Amy said...

I hate 1-2-3. More than LOB.

Patrick said...

I want to win on a DDong.

Amy said...

Papi dong would be just right about now.

allan said...

3 pitches and 2 outs -- after getting sherrill to throw 24 pitches to 3 batters last inning.

FUCK!

Amy said...

Well, at least I get to watch some baseball. The silver lining in the cloud here.

laura k said...

well that was lovely. i'm going to take care of the pups. we'd better still be playing baseball when i get back.

Patrick said...

Losing is not an option here guys.

Rob said...

Free baseball!

Amy said...

Perhaps Manny will hit #500 to put us ahead in the 11th.

allan said...

lopez?

just for markakis, right?

Patrick said...

Why not Pappelbon?

Patrick said...

AHHH! Ish go tell the Celtics to not lose. I don't like it.

Rob said...

Sometimes a save situation can happen when the game is still tied.

Patrick said...

.....

allan said...

Sometimes a save situation can happen when the game is still tied.

that's a true fuckin fact right there.

Rob said...

AHHH! Ish go tell the Celtics to not lose. I don't like it.

Tell the refs not to suck so much. You think MLB umpires can be bad... Wooo wee. These guys take away from the credibility of the game.

Amy said...

Arggh. My positive energy is waning.

allan said...

oh -- hi tito!

Patrick said...

Amy, you just got in. No excuses! We need cheerleaders.

Patrick said...

Lead us in your cheer.

allan said...

i ate a banana -- that's good luck, right?

allan said...

i didn't see who's coming in

i'm a-scared.

Amy said...

Hansen. OK, I can generate more positive energy now.

allan said...

hansen.

it's hansen.

motherfucker.

i think i'd prefer timlin.

Patrick said...

AHHHHH! IT'S HANSEN! O god. O no. I am going to curl up under my desk. Tell me if we enter the 11th.

Amy said...

Millar. Hmmm. The surprising Millar.

allan said...

this is tito's "show faith in the kids" night.

allan said...

do us a solid, cabin, okay?

nixon33 said...

is pap hurt?????? WTF!

Amy said...

Good thing Millar has those slow legs.

Patrick said...

It's not the Man Ram special I was hoping for, but I'll take it.

one more out, please.

laura k said...

i'm back. i see the o's have men on base for a change...

allan said...

no, bot warmed earlier.

but the sox do not have the lead.

so no bot.

dumb as a box of gumps.

Rob said...

is pap hurt?????? WTF!

Not a save situation. Haven't you ever watched baseball before?

/tito

allan said...

I have FAITH in HANSEN!

yes i do.

laura k said...

wow, you'd rather see timlin. scorch.

Amy said...

Come on, Hansen. You can do it. I think you can get this third strike.

nixon33 said...

very funny ish...

jesus christ, every other manager brings the fucking closer in for two innings...im not saying tito should,m but in the last THREE situations like this he hasnt, at least do it once!

Amy said...

YES! OK, Manny PLEASE put us ahead.

Rob said...

K.

Money.

allan said...

YEEEAHHHH!

I heart hansen

Patrick said...

YESSS!!!! RUNS PLEASE!

laura k said...

he got it done.

allan said...

come on, manny, we don't get paid for overtime!

allan said...

hansen - neptune balls!

Benjamin said...

Runs, please.

laura k said...

this would be a nice time for #500

Benjamin said...

Neptune because they're big? Or Neptune because they're blue?

Rob said...

jesus christ, every other manager brings the fucking closer in for two innings...im not saying tito should,m but in the last THREE situations like this he hasnt, at least do it once!

Oh I know it. The way I look at it, you give your offense enough chances to come back, and if they can't, they can't. Why waste the game early in extras and not giving your offense a chance to take the lead?

Amy said...

Yuck, Manny. First pitch popup?? Give me a break.

allan said...

SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT
SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT
SHIT SHIT

laura k said...

he DIDN'T just do that! how many pitches has manny seen tonight? or how many after his 1st hit?

Benjamin said...

Manny wants to get back on the field.

allan said...

size, i guess.

arroyo had saturn
this game isn't important enough for jupiter
how big would pluto balls be?

laura k said...

neptune b/c they're not saturn, i think.

allan said...

3 pitches - double
6 pitches - K
2 pitches - F9
1 pitch - F9
1 pitch - PF2

Rob said...

Don't look now but here (quietly) come the Blue Jays. They're winning tonight and right now are only 2 GB of the Red Sox.

Patrick said...

.....

laura k said...

pluto balls would be really far away

Benjamin said...

Putting runners on and stranding them suggests blue balls.

laura k said...

the blue jays. you are dreaming. you and the blue jays announcers and 10 people in toronto

Rob said...

I'd like a vote from everyone... How many innings does this game go tonight?

Benjamin said...

Second half Youk?

allan said...

since the end of the sixth, only 2 of 17 sox batters have reached base. and 1 was quickly erased on a DP.

Rob said...

the blue jays. you are dreaming. you and the blue jays announcers and 10 people in toronto

I'm not saying I'm afraid of the mighty Blue Jays or anything. I'm just saying they're 2 games behind the Red Sox.

allan said...

14 - sox win.

laura k said...

very nice for them.

Patrick said...

Who's pitching now?

allan said...

as long as the jays pound the piss outta joba on tuesday, i'll be happy.

laura k said...

i can't vote. i didn't even think it would go this long.

allan said...

Hansen is the man.

Patrick said...

I'll take a win in 14. Sure!

Rob said...

Wow. Open your eyes to Craig Hansen tonight.

laura k said...

hansen = good

allan said...

awwwwwwwwwwwwwww yeah.
sit down bynum!

nixon33 said...

nice work mmmbop

Amy said...

I told you Hansen gave me positive energy. I believe.

Patrick said...

Hansen is scoring huge brownie points right now

allan said...

I want to apologize to Craig Hansen for saying I'd rather have seen Mike Timlin instead.

It won't happen again.

allan said...

mmmbop > coldplay

Amy said...

Cute, Nixon. Mmmbop.

FWIW, I am not opposed to the "wait for Bot" approach. If the winning run was threatening, I would bring him in, but not to start the inning.

Can Tek save the day?

laura k said...

hansen forgives you (re timlin). please don't make that mistake again.

Amy said...

Uh oh, guess who comes in next.

I can't bear to watch.

allan said...

semi-SASAHE

Rob said...

Can Tek save the day?

If by "saving the day" you mean cooling off the catcher and umpire by blowing air in their faces with the bat? Then yes.

nixon33 said...

i hate coldplay! i hate hanson (the band)!

allan said...

alright lugo -- shock the world.

Patrick said...

I like Beck (Hansen).

nixon33 said...

i like beck too! MORE ACID PLEASE

Patrick said...

Ol' Yeller come in the bottom frame...

nixon33 said...

i wanna see lugo on 2nd

Rob said...

Ol' Yeller come in the bottom frame...

Please score.

Patrick said...

OH LUGO. You can redeem so many botched plays, so many GIDP, IF YOU CAN JUST SCORE!

allan said...

pls don't get picked off

laura k said...

YEAH!!!! That's my boy!

Amy said...

Yes, we have a man in scoring position! When did we last see that!!

Rob said...

LYNDON!!

nixon33 said...

OK COME ON LASERSHOW!

Patrick said...

I love me some Jacoby. MMMMM HMMM.

Amy said...

Come on, FY. Two men in scoring position for you.

allan said...

When did we last see that!!

Lyndon in the 7th.

Rob said...

Scored a stolen base for LBJ

Patrick said...

Steal home Juli hoe.

laura k said...

bot and white flag both warming

Rob said...

Scored a stolen base for LBJ

allan said...

bot & OY in the pen.

make it bot, fy

Zenslinger said...

This is eerie...on MLB.tv, I'm getting the MASN feed with field noise, but no commentators. Wow. Guess I shouldn't complain...

Just getting back in the thread in case this is already under discussion.

Rob said...

Oh cock.

It's yelling time.

Amy said...

SHit. Shit. Shit.

laura k said...

fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck

Patrick said...

FY hasn't been very hot.

allan said...

This is eerie...on MLB.tv, I'm getting the MASN feed with field noise, but no commentators. Wow.

I will check it out.

Patrick said...

oooo, we may hit 401 tonight. Keep the blabber coming...

allan said...

i hear thorne, so away go the earphones.

come on yeller. you can do it.

nixon33 said...

FUCKING TIMLIN

laura k said...

my laptop is driving me completely insane. i have to watch the rest of the game alone.

so if you get all negative, just imagine me getting all cranky and complainy atcha.

allan said...

my scorecards hold 12 innings. i wanne start a new one in a few minutes. got that, mr. toasty?

Rob said...

Listening to the Celtics radio... play-by-play guy says "This is so good, it must be fattening."

Amy said...

What is wrong with the laptop?

Perhaps it is also pissed off with the Red Sox.

Amy said...

Full count. I don't even know if I can watch this.

Patrick said...

Hey guys, you remember that squeeze play that happened like, 5 hours ago? That was lame...

Just sayin

Amy said...

Yay for Mora.

Patrick said...

REOW, HISSS, FFFFFTT, FFFFFT

allan said...

ococ bounced right up out of that dive.

allan said...

the leverage index is pretty mf-ing high, camo boy.

allan said...

see how tito is not going to bot here to slam the door?

Patrick said...

O NO. The omnipresent Millar.

allan said...

he is saying "in this situation, timlin is a better pitcher than papelbon."

Amy said...

Oh, God, what the hell, Lugo? Again, we are saved by Millar's lead legs.

allan said...

JESUS CHRIST LUGO

WTF ARE YOU DOING?????????????

THANK GOD FOR THAT BANK SAFE ON CABIN'S BACK.

nixon33 said...

THIS IS A FUCKING JOKE

Amy said...

Yes, this is when I bring in Pap.

But not Tito.

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