Rangers - 000 000 001 - 1 2 1Lester retired the first 19 Rangers with as strong a repertoire of pitches as Red Sox fans have seen in several years.
Red Sox - 010 034 00x - 8 9 0
Fastball, cutter, curveball -- he was absolute command of all of them. His fastball was hitting 98 in the early innings and coupled with a 81 mph cutter -- "evil, depraved filth", as Lord Lynch said during the game thread -- the Texas batters had no clue what was going on. In 6.1 perfect innings, Lester threw only 64 pitches, yet racked up 10 strikeouts!
In the fifth inning, it seemed like there was only one way this game could possibly turn out. I had the overpowering feeling of knowing the ending and the sense that I was rewatching the game, reveling in the majesty of Lester's performance. I can't recall another instance of that feeling of inevitability.
Michael Young broke the tension with a first-pitch double to left-center in the seventh. After acknowledging a loud standing ovation, Lester walked Andruw Jones, but got the next two outs. He breezed through a 1-2-3 eighth. Elvis Andrus walked to start the ninth, moved to second on a grounder, took third on Young's single to left and scored on Jones's fly out to center.
Three pitches later, the game was over. 9-2-1-2-11, 107. Masterful.
Also: David Ortiz walked, singled and homered (off the right field pole) in four plate appearances. Mike Lowell also hit a dong. Dustin Pedroia had two singles and two RBI, Jason Variek and Rocco Baldelli both singled and walked, and Jason Bay whacked a two-run single to cap a 10-pitch at-bat and send Holland to the showers in the fifth.
Boston is in sole possession of first place, 0.5 GA of the Yankees.
***
Derek Holland (6.33, 72 ERA+) / Jon Lester (5.65, 85 ERA+)
Holland is a 22-year-old lefty who has pitched in only 11 major league games, including nine in relief. After his two starts on May 22 and 27, he was back in the pen for two appearances.
BP 2009:
Even the Rangers don't have a good explanation for what happened to Derek Holland last year, and frankly, they don't care, they're just enjoying it. One of the last of the draft-and-follows, Holland had signed with an average fastball, but he kicked off the year at Low-A Clinton touching 95 on the speed gun (2.40 ERA), and by the end of the season, it was there consistently while reaching as high as 99 mph [0.69 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 26 AA innings], and he fills the strike zone with it. It's an absolute monster of a pitch, and he'll be a future stud if he can figure out a more breaking ball than his current slurvy offering. That will be his primary focus in 2009, and will determine his future as either a power starter or power reliever, but he'll be awfully valuable either way.After his dreadful performance last night, Julio Lugo will get a seat on the bench and Nick Green will start.
***
Terry Francona and Theo Epstein both tried to stamp down the story of David Ortiz possibly having vision trouble.
Tito:
I had a feeling this one would get some legs. ... He had dry eyes on this last trip and he was blinking on a couple of at-bats. So he went to the trainers. Rather than give a guy a thing of eyedrops, we have really good ophthalmologists . He had some dry eyes, which I think we all do [at times].[While searching for the word "optometrist", Tito initially said "obstetrician" -- and once everything was clarified, he said: "If he ends up pregnant on Tuesday, we have an issue!"]
Theo:
We used probably the most experienced baseball ophthalmologist. ... He has lots of fancy charts and graphs. Even if a player is 20-20, they'll still push for a correction because an average big leaguer is significantly better than 20-20. David tested really well back in Spring Training. But it makes sense, any time a guys eyes are bothering him, to get re-tested.***
At 1 PM: Rays/Yankees and Royals/Blue Jays. New York leads the East by 0.5 over Boston and 2.5 over Toronto.
249 comments:
1 – 200 of 249 Newer› Newest»"If David shows up pregnant on Tuesday, then we'll have a real issue!"
Morning sickness would explain a few things.
Amusing bit. :)
ProJo:
Some, not all, Red Sox players were walking around the clubhouse with new T-shirts on Friday.
It’s not unusual for a player to have motivational T’s made and hand them out to everyone on the club, but not every Red Sox player was wearing the new navy blue "Rescue Squad" shirt, with a mock Fenway Fire Department logo on the front and the slogan on the back
Rocco Baldelli, Mark Kotsay, Nick Green, George Kottaras and the members of the bullpen were sporting them because the only players allowed to have them are the bench players and relievers.
"Ellsbury wants one bad," joked Baldelli.
Shirts were sent to the players in Pawtucket who have been recalled this season, including Jeff Bailey, Gil Velaquez, Chris Carter, Jonathan Van Every and Michael Bowden.
***
Ortiz In Order
3rd: 183 PA - .195 .301 .299
6th: 38 PA - .162 .184 .243
Good lord.
Fan Footage from the 3B Seats of Ellsbury Stealing Home
FKR: 000 02
MFY: 010 1
KCR: 000 05
TOR: 002 0
Yanks down 5-3 now.
FKR: 000 023 0
MFY: 010 110
KCR: 000 050 01
TOR: 002 000 0
FKR: 000 023 00
MFY: 010 110 02
Yanks tie it at 5-5, but Fruitbat allows a triple and a single to start the Rays 9th. 6-5 Tampa, 1 out.
KCR: 000 050 010 - 6 9 1
TOR: 002 000 000 - 2 4 0
2 outs, then a BBI to Evan L. UPTON single -- 7-5!
FB spittin' the bit!
Wow -- Fruitbat yanked, Coke in.
come on, crawford, you sexy son of a bitch.
SINGLE TO LEFT!
PR Sonnanstine scores -- 8-5!
E-ROD misplay! No throw.
9-5!
wheeeeeeeeeeeeee......
Boos at the New Loo!
come on, pena, you sexy son of a bitch.
TB tries a double steal, caught at third. Inning over.
Top of the order in the bottom of the 9th for the Chokers, down by 4!
Wheeler in to face CI, Noodle, Dee Snyder, and Slappy.
What can Cap'n Clutch do today?
Hmm, his trademark bloop single that goes 10 feet beyond the second baseman. Not bad.
"Fruitbat yanked, Coke in."
Waaaaaaah!
Shit. Damon jacks it overt Upton's head for a double. Jetes stops at 3B.
come on, wheeler, you rag arm piece of shit.
cock nuggets.
teix double to rcf, 2 runs in, 9-7.
come on, maddon, do something smart.
9-7
If the Yanks win this game, I'm going to be pissed.
Mound visit.
Bitch Tits = tying run.
I'm pissed NOW.
And, um, RS, are you rooting for our main division rivals?
The 4th place team can win today, that's fine with me.
Would love a LIDP here.
Alice: 5-3, does not adv the runner.
Ump calling very low pitches strikes - Dumbo ain't happy.
shithead upton finally decides to play deep enough to catch dumbo's routine fly ball. 2 down.
i think sterling may have called it a dong, though.
Randy F'n Choate in to face Cano.
full count now
Line drive to CF, Upton races back, reaches way up and snares it
RAYS WIN!
THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE RAYS WIN!
FKR: 000 023 004 - 9 9 4
MFY: 010 110 022 - 7 7 2
Red Sox tied for first again.
Fruitbat the loser, charged with all 4 runs in the 9th. ERA now 3.47.
Sorry to leave you alone on the thread. I went down to the Bar to see if I could catch the end of the game...but, as I always forget, it's Saturday and everything's blacked out but the freakin' Game of the Week.
Don't be silly.
***
Kinsler, 2B
Young, 3B
Jones, DH
Cruz, RF
Byrd, CF
Boggs, LF
Davis, 1B
Saltalamacchia, C
Andrus, SS
Pedroia, 2B
Ellsbury, CF
Youkilis, 1B
Bay, LF
Lowell, 3B
Ortiz, DH
Varitek, C
Baldelli, RF
Green, SS
***
SoSHer SoxScout: "Lugo just told reporters its not fair he is being boo'd"
Hoo-boy. I need to see an actual quote.
"Lugo just told reporters its not fair he is being boo'd"
Oh yeah, that's gonna help.
I wish there was some way to tell when the commercials were finished on the radio. Ads in my headphones are so annoying.
It's New Hampshire night. Yay New Hampshire, you became more equal this week!
NESN had a brief intreview with LBJ! ... Too bad you missed it, L!
Time the first one -- what are they now: 1:30, 1:45, 2:00?
Yes, it is too bad!
How can I time the ads? I don't have a stop watch. Plus I'm working, I can't be that precise.
I just keep lowering and raising the volume.
Also, if I miss a pitch or two, it's ok.
Maybe our friend will come by and ask who that guy named Francona is.
2 fastballs at 98, then a 81 hook = buh bye andruw
No, he'll ask: "What happened to Butch Hobson, he isn't the manager anymore?"
I don't think he's watched a baseball game in his life, y'all.
"That's a nice park the Sox play in. They haven't been there that long, though, right?"
Holy shit, when did Lester start throwing 98?
I like this development.
Good morning all!
Cheers!
"One more question for y'all. I hear the announcers talk about an or tease guy. Has he ever done anything good for the Red Sox?"
Hi Lord. Are you in for the duration tonight?
OK, I think we've taken this joke about as far as it can go. :)
Probably not. I have to take the wife to a proper English castle tomorrow.
looks like sid has got his shit together tonight.
Very nice Mr Lester
15 pitches thru 2
me likey
Which castle will you be visiting?
Nicely done.
Lester justifying my faith in him in my fantasy team.
OTT
Extremely efficient pitching thus far.
Leeds Castle. I couldn't give a stuff to be honest, but the wife wants to go to a craft show there.
Tom Hicks!!! The man bankrupting Liverpool Football Club!
Good man!
98 FB and 80 curve! Fuckin A
RX!!!!!!!!
Dr Dong or Half Dong???
I think if you've seen one castle you've seen them all.
not bridge ...
LOWELL GOES LEDGE!
goes ledge, cute
remember that if he hits one off lidge
Penny back from the clubhouse, having seen replay, is yelling at Lowell to just start trotting again - before the ump comes it. "It's gone!" Waiving his hat!
Dong it is!
Well done the glacier!
Woohoo! Replay goes in our favor!
HRx!
Glacier, that's an excellent name for Slowell.
Altho these days glaciers are moving faster than they used to.
Report on Smoltz:
"5 innings, 1 run, 1 hit, 2 BB, 3 K's for Smoltz so far in Pawtucket. 68 pitches (46 strikes), not sure if they'll send him out to start the 6th, I believe they were talking about getting him up to 85 pitches."
***
Tizzle is smouldering...
This lower middle order is built for speed...
Like a volcano?
Geology night here at JoS
Can Baldy go tunnel off Holland?
*rolling eyes*
Holland beat us at cricket yesterday. So I'm not laughing.
Lster is toying with these guys. Jesus.
Salty fans on strike 4.
Utter filth.
go lester go!
Damn, he is absolutely DEALING tonight.
This is why Lester's sluggish pace is so annoying. When he's rolling, he's quick and fuckin' Pedro-esque. Anything well hit tonight seems like it'll be an accident.
9 up, 9 down, 25 pitches!
Ortiz fouled that ball off his foot, no fewer than 7 sosh posts said "DL him!" :>)
I guess Lester doesn't get to pitch against the MFYs this week?
Thursday?
JoS1 will NOT be in one of those suites, sadly.
I'm thinking no mtg for me this Weds. It would be nice to watch the whole series vs NYY.
You're threading at SOSH too? And scoring? Busy!
redsock - means missing someone out of the rotation, doesn't it. I know Torre did that at the end of his reign, but that's not what we do, is it...
midweek series against the Yankees don't work for me!
Not if you have to work for a living...
oh yeah, an off day on monday.
right now mlb has:
Burnett/Beckett
Wang/Wakefield
?
**
just checking sosh for any lester insights
disgusting filth
This pace is great for me - I leave work at 10 and would like to hear the whole game.
Altho if he keeps this up, I'd have to miss my bus.
Smoltz for Paw: 6-1-1-2-3, 74
The Plan: One more for Paw, then 6/16 against the Marlins.
wow!
I literally laughed out loud at that last pitch and swing. Man oh man!
Evil, depraved filth
Ks THE SIDE!
"Evil, depraved filth"
I just wrote this on my scorecard!
Holland doing quite well also; luckily we have all the runs we need already.
At this pace, I might be here for the duration.
redsock said...
Smoltz for Paw: 6-1-1-2-3, 74
The Plan: One more for Paw, then 6/16 against the Marlins.
hmm, Wake is in line for that game...
Smouldering Papi is ready to blow. Hence they are walking him!
It wouldn't be so bad to get a run or two more. Lessens the pressure as the innings go along.
Alright I have to head out for a bit, be back in 20ish.
4 innings in 55 minutes
Feel the speed on the base paths... Glacier, Smoulderer and Cap'n Slow. A double play dream...
SoSH:
"I'm watching the Mets/Nats game on TV, too. The Mets have hit into 4 double plays in 4 innings, the last one was a 9-3-6 double play. Yes, right fielder, to first, to short."
Just thought I'd let you know, I also have a football game on from Paraguay. Chile have just gone 2-0 up!
That was one in the eye for Nelson.
We were just talking about Chile. Or I was, anyway. Easier to thread there - one time zone.
that cutter ought to be illegal
K K K K K K K K
Dick Van Dyke's Cockney Accent in Mary Poppins filth...
K K K K K K K K K
15 up 15 down
it feels like i already know how this turns out and am simply rewatching the majesty.
is this the best he has ever looked?
Rick Astley's Cover of "When I Fall In Love" filth
Lord startin' to get it goin', too.
How the F do you K 9 guys in five innings on only 52 pitches?!?!?!
More swings than Glen Miller, that's how...
A, you're way ahead of yourself with the re-watching. Even tho we're all thinking about it.
Only saying how it feels.
balk?!
eck and don just shooting the shit, waiting for lester to come out again, i guess
"how it feels"
I know. I only caught the last innings of that game. I'm glad to be hearing all of this.
There's the extra run!
FY with his own brand of dirt...
I wonder if any JOSers are there today.
A: please note.
?
Castig said that LBJ said he doesn't have many walks because he is rarely thrown anything outside of the strike zone.
LBJ walked
Ah! I covered that a bit a few days ago.
Yes, I know
Nevertheless, Green has a higher OBP than Ellsbury.
Yay - outs!
Yes, Green is a much better player and contributes much more to the team than Ellsbury.
***
Let's see if I can roll my eyes any more than this...
Bay's been all at sea so far...
Yes, Green is a much better player and contributes much more to the team than Ellsbury.
Could someone get WPA and Win Shares stats for these guys? I'm curious!
roll your eyes at that dreadful pun.
"Bay's been all at sea so far..."
Was that pun intentional?
I guess it was! :)
Nice, Lester's delivered an OTT and two more Ks.
double steal?! cool
Double steal! Nice.
p c ... r
eck: did you scratch your head?
don: i did. i did a lot of scratching.
4-0 us!
Very smooth, Bay.
JBay!
Adjusted Batting Wins:
Green: -0.1
Ellsbury: -0.4
I don't think that's the last we'll see of that pitcher. He looked pretty good for a kid.
"p c ... r"
??
Win Probability Added:
Green: +0.60
Ellsbury: -0.68
"Adjusted Batting Wins:
Green: -0.1
Ellsbury: -0.4"
I have no idea what this is.
Not Mr Anna Benson?
I'm lost now!
In any case, does Green have enough playing time this season to make these numbers meaningful?
Also, aren't you digging a bit deep for your anti-Ellsbury campaign?
K K K K K K K K K K
16
Look at That Strike Filth....
Sit!
10 Ks!
Battting with a pitching wedge!
Maybe.
His glove is better!
that's 18!
Elvus hasn't left the ball-park!
Coffee on, I think.
Another OTT!
61 pitches through 6.
Maybe on the way to work tomw you can explain those 2 stats to me. But meanwhile I don't know what
p c ... r
means.
Yes, Lord, get the coffee going.
WPA is the difference in win expectancy between the start of the play and the end of the play. That difference is then credited/debited to the batter and the pitcher. Over the course of the season, each players’ WPA for individual plays is added up to get his season total WPA.
think kirk.
PAPI DONG!!!!!!!
LARGE FUCKIN FATHER
got it, thanks
never would have figure it out!
PAPI!!!!
Boiled kettle HOT! Big Papi boiling like my water!
"But meanwhile I don't know what
p c ... r
means."
Pitch count ... rising.
tito drags tiz by the collar for the curtain call.
don: "they (fans) have been with him all the way."
(well, except for the one who have been booing.)
I'm watching Pens-Wings, but I heard during a game break there are interesting things happening in this game! :)
I'm allowed to mention Ortiz's home run, right?
Adjusted Batting Runs/Wins: Estimates a player's total contributions to his team's runs or wins.
thanks, kevin. allan already said:
"think kirk."
then i got it immediately :)
A, I'm working and listening to a game. Can't learn about stats right now. Tomorrow.
"I'm allowed to mention Ortiz's home run, right?"
that's allowed, yes :)
Eyes getting heavy....
Lord, take naps while the Sox are batting.
dp pls?
Whoo-hoo! I hope Lester can stand the prosperity.
"I'm allowed to mention Ortiz's home run, right?"
that's allowed, yes :)
Yayyy! Go Ortiz!
I read a story today that Lugo is complaining he isn't getting enough playing time. Hoo boy. What a putz. And I don't mean J.J.
Green and LBJ both fly out to CF on the first pitch. Spooky!
A, that's terrible! :)
yeah pepe, lugo doesn't think he deserves to be boo'd. mm-hm.
8-0!!!
Ah well, we've in all likelihood won this game, so I'm off to bed...
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