September 7, 2008

G142: Red Sox 7, Rangers 2

Red Sox - 020 022 100 - 7 12  1
Rangers - 000 000 011 - 2 7 1
1.5 GB!

Byrd was dynamite (6.2-3-0-3-4, 102), holding the Rangers in check while his mates battered McCarthy. Francona was thus able to use whichever pitchers he wanted to in preparation for the Rays series that begins tomorrow night in Fenway.

And once again, it was a team effort from the lineup.
Ellsbury - RBI single, BB
Pedroia - RBI single, BB
Ortiz - 2-run HR, single
Youkilis - double
Bay - solo HR, single
Casey - single, run
Varitek - single, run
Cora - RBI triple, BB
Crisp - RBI single, double, walk, 2 runs, SB
Toronto shutout Tampa Bay 1-0, completing a three-game sweep of the Rays. Los Angeles beat the White Sox 3-2 and Detroit beat Minnesota 7-5 -- so the Red Sox increased their WC lead to 6.5 games.

And Seattle beat New York 5-2, dropping the Yankees into fourth place!

***

Paul Byrd (4.58, 97 ERA+) / Brandon McCarthy (2.25, 192 ERA+)

RHP McCarthy has made only three starts this season: 16 IP, 13 H, 5 BB, 9 K.

Even after going 1-for-7 in the last two games against Texas, Dustin Pedroia is still batting .537 over his last 10 games. Since June 14 (70 games/335 PA), FY is batting .395/.437/.628!

Since August 18, Coco Crisp has hit .469 (23-for-49).

***

Out-of-town:
Rays/Blue Jays at 1
Tigers/Twins at 2
Angels/White Sox at 2
Yankees/Mariners at 4
East
Rays 85 55 --- Magic #
Red Sox 83 58 2.5 20
Yankees 76 66 10.0 12
Blue Jays 75 66 10.5 12
Orioles 63 78 22.5 E

Wild Card
Red Sox 83 58 --- Magic #
Twins 78 64 5.5 16
Yankees 76 66 7.5 14
Blue Jays 75 66 8.0 14

382 comments:

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allan said...

Amusing stuff from Steven Kranser, Journal:

When the Jays' Gregg Zaun stepped into the batter's box against Troy Percival with the bases filled, two outs and Tampa Bay leading, 4-3, in the 13th, the Sox began chirping. Zaun, apparently, is not one of their favorite players. Or at least, he wasn't.

"Zaunie Bench," yelled one member of the Sox, derisively comparing Zaun, a journeyman catcher, to Hall of Famer Johnny Bench. ...

As the ball left Zaun's bat, the Sox stood as one, popping up off the couch or their chairs, some of them raising arms in hopeful triumph as the ball soared toward right. And when the ball cleared the fence, there was a loud cheer, almost as loud as if it had been the Red Sox who had captured a dramatic walkoff win. ...

"What a hitter. We love him now," said another.

*********

allan said...

Andy, last night:
I have a riddle. How many runs would have to score in a half inning to guarantee that every player scored at least one run?

It has to be 9, right? Every player gets on base, comes around on future hits, then the 9th guy dongs so he also scores on his own at-bat. 9 runs with 9 batters. I can't see how there is a trick involved.

I have one:

"How can a team get 2 triples, 1 double, and 3 singles in one inning and not score a run?"

This probably isn't exactly how I first read it, but it works.

Benjamin said...

Andy elaborated that eight players could have scored those nine runs. You could have 24 runs by having eight players each dong thrice but the 9th make all three outs. With 25, there's no way for the 9th to make a third out before he scores the 25th.

Benjamin said...

Triple.
Double, but baserunner doesn't advance.
Triple, out at home, out at home.
Single
Single. Bases loaded.
Single, but leading baserunner interferes with play after the batter reaches first but before the runner reaches home.

?

allan said...

Your post baffles me. What's this 24 and 25 stuff? Who said anything about players scoring 3 times?

Wait, do you mean everyone on the 25-man roster each scoring a run?

allan said...

Triple.
Double, but baserunner doesn't advance.
Triple, out at home, out at home.
Single
Single. Bases loaded.
Single, but leading baserunner interferes with play after the batter reaches first but before the runner reaches home.


The way I remember it is:

triple, out at home.
triple, out at home.
double
infield single, 1st/2nd
infield single, loaded
one runner gets hit by batted ball, third out, but batter gets a single

there may have been more action to make it even more nutty, but i can't remember. you could also have a few dropped foul pops count as infield or outfield errors!

Benjamin said...

His riddle wasn't phrased the best, but his point was you can't guarantee that everyone scored a run if you're told that 9 runs were scored in that half inning, because there are ways to score 9 runs without one of the batters participating. It isn't until 25 runs have scored that you can be sure that all nine batters each scored a run.

Benjamin said...

It's the difference between "minimum number of runs to have all nine batters each score one" (9) and "minimum number of runs to guarantee that each batter scored one" (25).

Benjamin said...

FKR go down in eight pitches in the top of the first.

Benjamin said...

Inglett and Scutaro both K on seven combined pitches, but Rios gets a triple.

Benjamin said...

Which Wells erases on his first pitch.

FKR - 0
TOR - 0

Benjamin said...

FKR - 00
TOR - 01

allan said...

The Sack is back!

Benjamin said...

I know this is a USian-football-free zone, but a certain someone had something happen to him today.

s1c said...

And every Patriot fan in America had heart palpitations. Good thing I'm a Cowboy fan!!!

allan said...

Recently, L wanted me to find a football with a red circle and line through it and post it on the side bar! (I found soccer balls with circles/lines, but no football.)

Benjamin said...

No dogs or football allowed.

Benjamin said...

Football not allowed.

allan said...

That top line can be easily erased!

RF Lyndon
2B Fuck Yeah
DH Florida Evans
3B Sultan of Sweat
LF Bay
1B The Mayor
C Tek
SS Einstein
CF Funix

2B Joaquin Arias
SS Ramon Vazquez
DH Michael Young
CF Josh Hamilton
LF Marlon Byrd
1B Hank Blalock
RF Nelson Cruz
3B Chris Davis
C Taylor Teagarden

Benjamin said...

Strictly no football allowed in this area.

allan said...

Football not allowed

I like that one!

The circle/line would have worked well with the blog's colour scheme.

Benjamin said...

FKR - 000 00
TOR - 010 00

Benjamin said...

The bricks match the color scheme pretty well, though. You'd just have to crop it a little to make it smaller, rather than extract the sign from the wall.

allan said...

Why I really hate football:

Coming home from work on September weekends in NYC at 9:30 or so, when the pennant races are going full bore -- and having to sit through 30 minutes of boring football shit on Sportscenter before ANYTHING baseball-related, even Sox-MFY. Horrible.

Benjamin said...

And now in Canada you have to sit through hockey coverage instead?

allan said...

And now in Canada you have to sit through hockey coverage instead?

Now, I don't watch anything.

Benjamin said...

Resized to be the same dimensions as your Canadian Blog Awards pic.

Benjamin said...

FKR - 000 000 0
TOR - 010 000

nixon33 said...

LBJ with a lead-off pop-up out.
surprising

Benjamin said...

Should've kept him batting 4th.

s1c said...

Redsock check your e-mail

laura k said...

No dogs or football allowed.

Half right, half abomination!

Coming home from work on September weekends in NYC at 9:30 or so, when the pennant races are going full bore -- and having to sit through 30 minutes of boring football shit on Sportscenter before ANYTHING baseball-related, even Sox-MFY. Horrible.

Ditto. First the games themselves, which never end, then football news on SportsCentre. Grrr.

s1c said...

Whistling while you trash america's favorite sport. Nothing to see here, move along, just keep moving!!!

laura k said...

america's favorite sport.

Oh yes, I deeply care about what's favourite in the US.

'Nt.

And anwyay, isn't that Nascar?

Benjamin said...

And anwyay, isn't that Nascar?

Cockfighting.

s1c said...

Everybody drink!!! Tek got a hit!!!

efd said...

Cockfighting.

That's only every four years.

laura k said...

Cockfighting.

And anyway, isn't that what Andy wants to do with Lowrie?

s1c said...

1-0, yeah boy!!!

allan said...

And anyway, isn't that what Andy wants to do with Lowrie?

LOL -- I was just about to post something like "Who won the match between Andy and Jedi?"

Finishing up work.

nixon33 said...

WTF JUST HAPPENED? TEK SCORES FROM 1ST ON A CORAS TRIPLE????

I DIDNT EAT THE ACID YET!!!

s1c said...

!!!ocoC

allan said...

FUNIX STRIKES AGAIN!!!!!!!!

nixon33 said...

FU NIX!

BTW IM WITH YOPU ALLAN THE ANSWER SHOULD BE 9, NUFF SAID

nixon33 said...

;P

efd said...

Nix becoming even more disoriented.

Benjamin said...

Heh, I try googling "penis fencing" for a minute and we end up 2-0.

allan said...

IM WITH YOPU ALLAN

Ass-kisser.

...

I got the jpg, btw. Not crazy about the yellow.

laura k said...

Everybody drink!!! Tek got a hit!!!

...

I DIDNT EAT THE ACID YET!!!


Substance abuse abounds :)

allan said...

JoS is "Hooked on Funix"

laura k said...

We gotta get this guy Teagarden on a team or two.

Beverage team, house team (with Stairs, Mesa, et al), outdoor hangout team...

allan said...

and all with 2 outs and 0 on.

allan said...

When Teagarden was a prospect, SoSH was super-high on him as a backup and then regular c.

nixon33 said...

Ass-kisser.

FU

efd said...

damn, I thought of an all-something team the other day when I wasn't online... I think it was only a two-person team, though; maybe it'll come back to me during this game.

Teagarden could also be on the all-old-jazzbo team with Mike Hampton, any number of Millers, and others.

nixon33 said...

wow toronto's bullpen is horrid

nixon33 said...

except for getting out of that inning.

Benjamin said...

FKR - 000 000 00
TOR - 010 000 0

allan said...

FKR: 000 000 0
TOR: 010 000 0

LAA: 000 00
CWS: 000 11

DET: 020 0
MIN: 012 0

s1c said...

Not crazy about the yellow

I can send it in RED!!!

allan said...

turned on mlbtv -- game is something called "my 27"

public access?

allan said...

I like Phil's sign on the brick wall better.

Rob said...

my 27

Just another former UHF station. UPN and the WB turned into the CW and MyTV took over the UPN stations.

Benjamin said...

2-1 CWS. LAAAAAAAAA has second and third with one out.

Rob said...

FUCK YEAH!!!

Rob said...

Hey, Rangers... THIS is how you play defense!

efd said...

"my 27"

public access?


it's the over-the-air station in Texas... there are a bunch of Fox-owned stations that aren't Fox Network affiliates that use the "my" branding, including Ch. 9 here in NJ, which carries the few Yankees games that aren't on YES

s1c said...

That is the way to turn two!!!

nixon33 said...

FY

allan said...

I play 2B.

My name is Yeah.

Fuck Yeah.

efd said...

ish with the much more concise explanation. :)

laura k said...

"my 27"

Like My 9 in NYC, and "My Fox Buffalo" we get on 28.

Just more advertising crap.

Benjamin said...

I like Phil's sign on the brick wall better.

Suck it, s1c.

laura k said...

Teagarden could also be on the all-old-jazzbo team with Mike Hampton, any number of Millers, and others.

Nice!

efd said...

My name is Yeah.

Fuck Yeah.


LOL!

laura k said...

Although it might as well be public access, quality-wise.

efd said...

My Fox Buffalo

whoops, I should have said "that aren't *necessarily* Fox Network affiliates."

allan said...

Tiz running at 3/4 of Manny's speed, but the media will be silent.

nixon33 said...

is youk rocking the "STATE TROOPER GIAMBI" stache or is it the shadows...?

nixon33 said...

oh, ok, for a sec it looked like he only had a stache...

Benjamin said...

Can't be worse than Vazquez's GDGD 'stache. That thing's drawn on with a magic marker.

s1c said...

I like Phil's sign on the brick wall better

mumble,grumble,mumble,grumble

Benjamin said...

FKR - 000 000 00
TOR - 010 000 00

Top of the ninth. Carlson in to close.

allan said...

Vazquez

laura k said...

My Fox Buffalo

whoops, I should have said "that aren't *necessarily* Fox Network affiliates."


i wasn't nitpicking. i was so busy copying the My9 link i didn't notice the question had been answered.

Benjamin said...

Aybar K. 1 out.

allan said...

Nice that Giambi's has not been updated in a couple of years.

Benjamin said...

Bartlett 5-3. 2 out.

efd said...

no worries, I didn't think you were nitpicking at all - it hadn't occurred to me that in smaller TV markets there probably wouldn't be a Fox station and a 'my' station.

laura k said...

When Giambi went to the Yankees, at the press conference, ppl were asking him about having to cut his hair and get rid of his scruffy (ugly, IMO) facial hair.

Somebody said, You can still have a mustache. Are you going to do that?

He said, A mustache??? [Like he thought it was a crazy joke!] Do I want to look like I'm 40 years old??

Then he must have seen the looks on some writers' faces, and he said, Uh, uh, not that there's anything wrong with looking 40, if you are 40, but, but...

efd said...

Carlson closes it out- 1-0 TOR.

Benjamin said...

Perez K.

RAYS LOSE

Benjamin said...

FKR - 000 000 000
TOR - 010 000 00X

allan said...

8 in a row for the jays?

laura k said...

The Fox Buffalo station is a riot. I use it to watch conveniently timed Simpsons and Seinfeld re-runs.

Half the ads are for personal injury lawyers, the other half are used cars. Buffalo must be a helluva town these days.

laura k said...

FKR - 000 000 000
TOR - 010 000 00X


Wow! Yeah, 8 in a row.

Benjamin said...

Yeah, eight in a row.

Pssst, something happening in Milwaukee.

efd said...

yeah, #8 for TOR - they're now tied with the MFYs.

Rob said...

Rays lose!!!

allan said...

FKR: 000 000 000 - 0 6 2
TOR: 010 000 00x - 1 6 0
Purcey: 8-6-0-3-7, 111
Upton had 3 of FKR's 6 hits

LAA: 000 002
CWS: 000 11

DET: 020 001
MIN: 012 01

Rob said...

Great way to come back from getting a ball to the face. Keep the other team from hitting the ball at all.

I always liked Chris Young.

allan said...

MFY HAVE to lose! 4th place!

allan said...

6 IP so far.

Old friend David Riske getting torched at the moment.

efd said...

MFY HAVE to lose! 4th place!

I know, that's what I was hoping for yesterday! Didn't quite work out that way...

I'm actually going to two of the TOR-BOS games in a couple of weeks, I hope they cool off by then!

nixon33 said...

COME ON BYRD, DONT FUCK AROUND

s1c said...

wasn't pretty but put that 0 up on the board. Now lets get some runs!!!

nixon33 said...

WOW

Benjamin said...

Nice stop.

4-4 DET.

laura k said...

I'm actually going to two of the TOR-BOS games in a couple of weeks, I hope they cool off by then!

They always give us fits. Games at Fenway or Skydome?

Benjamin said...

2-2 LAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Remember when Casey's average was something like .380? Good times.

Jere said...

sock, my answer to your riddle was the same as yours, except my first two triplers just get picked off third.

allan said...

Here we go with the giant part of the order!

allan said...

sock, my answer to your riddle was the same as yours, except my first two triplers just get picked off third.

you could have them both try to score on wild pitches and be tagged out. puts more stuff into the question.

Benjamin said...

Still interesting in Milwaukee.

efd said...

They always give us fits. Games at Fenway or Skydome?

Skydome! It's a little pre-birthday trip/present from (and with) my gf. The Fri and Sat games of that series. I know, given the way the season series with them has gone so far I'm hoping for at least *one* win up there!

Benjamin said...

A hit would've put Cora over .300.

allan said...

7 innings done in Milwaukee. Young at only 71 pitches!

Benjamin said...

5-4 DET.

Jere said...

"you could have them both try to score on wild pitches and be tagged out. puts more stuff into the question."

Yeah, you have a lot of options with that question.

Speaking of Giambi's press conference, I also remember him pissing me off by saying "if ya can't beat 'em, join 'em." But his theory hasn't worked out for him.

Jere said...

that was like a slow motion DP

laura k said...

Skydome! It's a little pre-birthday trip/present from (and with) my gf.

Cool! You'll be right next door to us, but we'll be working. (That's why we'll be nearby.)

If you come up early, like Thursday, we could all meet for dinner or a drink or something.

Benjamin said...

Nice.

allan said...

I also ducked out of work one Saturday after the last Sox series up here and had a beer with a JoS reader. I am not opposed to doing that again.

Benjamin said...

You've got to be some shitty kind of baseball team to give up ten runs to San Diego. They've got a new kid with .161 OPS leading off.

Benjamin said...

Byrd at 60 through four. Pretty good.

efd said...

right, I remembered that you(se) have weekend work schedules... we are flying up sometime Thursday; I forget what time we get in, but I think it's the afternoon; I'll check the flight and will let you know via email. Would be cool to meet up if the timing works!

laura k said...

I also ducked out of work one Saturday after the last Sox series up here and had a beer with a JoS reader. I am not opposed to doing that again.

I was going to mention that, but didn't think I should volunteer you.

allan said...

They've got a new kid with .161 OPS leading off.

He clearly doesn't clog the bases.

laura k said...

Efd, if you are renting a car, we are very near the airport, then it's super easy to get from our place to downtown.

efd said...

Would be cool to meet up if the timing works!

Of course, I will only talk to Allan and you will have to only talk to my gf. ;D

allan said...

Yeah:

"Gee, Allan, would you like to leave work for an hour or so and drink a couple of beers with a Red Sox fan?"

Hmmmm, let me think it over....

laura k said...

Of course, I will only talk to Allan and you will have to only talk to my gf. ;D

On second thought, I think I'm busy that day.

Whatever day it is... :)

Benjamin said...

And Chip Ambres is batting second with .473 OPS. Kazmar is eighth with .495 OPS.

Basically that lineup has four pitchers in a row.

allan said...

Crips = on base machine

Benjamin said...

CI dong. 1-0 MFY.

A Conformer said...

Funix is an on base machine.

nixon33 said...

lemme guess, LBJ Pop-up out?

allan said...

I love the Rays getting swept by Toronto right before they come to Fenway! Love!

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE????

laura k said...

I love the Rays getting swept by Toronto right before they come to Fenway! Love!

I will only love it if they keep losing once at Fenway. Other than that, pfft.

efd said...

On second thought, I think I'm busy that day.

heh... I don't think we're renting a car, but I'm sure we can figure something out.

Benjamin said...

lemme guess, LBJ Pop-up out?

Not yet, but there's still time.

Benjamin said...

Kapler dong ends the perfect game.

Jere said...

that is ridiculous. the balancing act of the 08 Sox continues.

Rob said...

Heh. Gape Kapler breaks up the perfect game with a dong!

nixon33 said...

Not yet, but there's still time.

well he already did it to lead off the game...

nixon33 said...

not a productive out FY.

Jere said...

orDONGyez. 6-4 DET

laura k said...

I don't think we're renting a car, but I'm sure we can figure something out.

I just realized, maybe you're flying Porter from Newark? In which case the airport is near downtown and you don't need a car - and you're also not near us. (Although we can meet you in town.)

If you're flying to Pearson (the usual way), then you will be near our homestead.

* * * *

WSJ breaks up the perfecto.

A Conformer said...

CI dong

You know, after reading the whole WOW affair, every time I see CI I think of that first. It'll probably dissipate soon. It's negative vibes either way, so it fits, I guess.

laura k said...

Ofer, me too (of course). And since I don't hate Jeter the way you all do - I don't care about him one way or the other - for me it's WAY more negative.

Jere said...

Papi certainly knew that was gone!

s1c said...

Papi Dong!!!

Yeah Boy!!!

Benjamin said...

3-2 LAAAAAAAAAAA.

efd said...

PAPI-DONG!!

Rob said...

DONG ALERT.

nixon33 said...

WAIT ORTIZ ACTUALLY HIT A HOMERUN AGAIN?
WOW

laura k said...

PAPI DONG!!!!!!

allan said...

I had it the other way. When I read the diahreea at those blogs, I thought of ol' Capt. Molasses.

s1c said...

That was a bomb, an absolute bomb!!!

A Conformer said...

Big Papi was looking at his stats today and said: "Fuck the heck? I'm tied in dongs with the bald midget? FUCK THAT!"

Way to not squander.

allan said...

love that casual "i hit that 10 miles, won't be needin' this for awhile" bat toss

Benjamin said...

7-4 DET.

allan said...

LARGE FATHER!

QUADRANGULAR!

WHO LET THE DONGS OUT?

...

etc etc etc

Benjamin said...

We're not done yet.

Benjamin said...

Okay, now we are.

allan said...

LAA: 000 002 01
CWS: 000 110 0

DET: 020 003 2
MIN: 012 010

NYY: 1
SEA:

FKR: 000 000 000 - 0 6 2
TOR: 010 000 00x - 1 6 0

efd said...

I just realized, maybe you're flying Porter from Newark?

I thought I had an email from my gf with the itinerary, but I can't seem to find it so maybe not; I'll ask her to send me the info. I'm almost positive we're flying out of Newark, but not sure which airport we're flying into. I'll let you guys know when I find out!

Jere said...

Bay completely off camera when he makes the catch.

Benjamin said...

For a porn fiend and a fundie, Byrd isn't terrible.

laura k said...

Efd, ok.

There's a new-ish discount airline that flies from Toronto's little-used island airport, to Montreal, Ottawa and Newark. Much less expensive and you don't need a car, so perhaps that's what she arranged.

Porter Air

Jere said...

(maybe on HD he was on camera)

Benjamin said...

GDGD says it has video of the Papi dong but isn't coughing it up.

laura k said...

Bay completely off camera when he makes the catch.

Radio said Ococ caught it.

Or this is yet another joke I didn't get.

Benjamin said...

HGH dong. 2-0 MFY.

Benjamin said...

GDGD says Bay caught it.

Benjamin said...

72 through five. On pace for seven.

Rob said...

love that casual "i hit that 10 miles, won't be needin' this for awhile" bat toss

Dave O'Brien likened it to flipping the keys to the valet.

efd said...

Crisp caught the first one (with Bay nearby), then Bay caught the one after that off-camera - I guess NESN thought Crisp had that one too.

Benjamin said...

7-5 DET.

efd said...

Nady hit a solo HR, MFY up 2-0.

Benjamin said...

Casey earned that single.

Benjamin said...

Nady hit a solo HR, MFY up 2-0.

GDGD had awarded it it HGH. GD that GDGD.

efd said...

GDGD had awarded it it HGH. GD that GDGD.

I didn't see it, but Yahoo says it was Nady.

Benjamin said...

Rather, GDGD gave Giambi a dong and then corrected it to a fly out. Nady subsequently hit an actual dong.

laura k said...

No wonder it's called GDGD.

Benjamin said...

Cora is on fire^H^H^H^Hbase.

Benjamin said...

Coco has a 1.292 OPS for the month.

allan said...

8.35 ERA
.339 opponents batting avg

...

good choice.

Benjamin said...

Unfortunately.

Benjamin said...

Still, going into baseball with the name Mendoza can't be advisable.

Jere said...

that was a "Pedroia circa August/September '08"-ish hit. Just swing and you get a hit automatically.

efd said...

say, l-girl, who drove in that run??

Benjamin said...

Funix2 didn't fly out that time.

Jere said...

6-0 our team

Rob said...

wooooot

Staring 1.5 GB in the face!

laura k said...

Sorry, I can't update too often, or I read the play before the batter even steps to the plate.

In other words, I have no idea what anyone is talking about. :)

Benjamin said...

LAA - 000 002 010
CWS - 000 110 000

Pale hose lose.

Jere said...

goin' bottom 8 in MinnyHaHa, 7-5 Catz.

Jere said...

but Angels win...we gotta get that best record...

allan said...

LAA: 000 002 010 - 3 8 1
CWS: 000 110 000 - 2 5 0

DET: 020 003 20
MIN: 012 010 1

NYY: 11
SEA: 00

FKR: 000 000 000 - 0 6 2
TOR: 010 000 00x - 1 6 0

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