June 6, 2009

G56: Red Sox 8, Rangers 1

Rangers - 000 000 001 - 1  2  1
Red Sox - 010 034 00x - 8 9 0
Lester retired the first 19 Rangers with as strong a repertoire of pitches as Red Sox fans have seen in several years.

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»
laura k said...

"If David shows up pregnant on Tuesday, then we'll have a real issue!"

Morning sickness would explain a few things.

Amusing bit. :)

allan said...

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.

***

allan said...

Ortiz In Order

3rd: 183 PA - .195 .301 .299
6th: 38 PA - .162 .184 .243

Good lord.

allan said...

Fan Footage from the 3B Seats of Ellsbury Stealing Home

allan said...

FKR: 000 02
MFY: 010 1

KCR: 000 05
TOR: 002 0

Zenslinger said...

Yanks down 5-3 now.

allan said...

FKR: 000 023 0
MFY: 010 110

KCR: 000 050 01
TOR: 002 000 0

allan said...

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

allan said...

2 outs, then a BBI to Evan L. UPTON single -- 7-5!

FB spittin' the bit!

allan said...

Wow -- Fruitbat yanked, Coke in.

allan said...

come on, crawford, you sexy son of a bitch.

allan said...

SINGLE TO LEFT!

PR Sonnanstine scores -- 8-5!

allan said...

E-ROD misplay! No throw.

9-5!

wheeeeeeeeeeeeee......

allan said...

Boos at the New Loo!

allan said...

come on, pena, you sexy son of a bitch.

allan said...

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!

allan said...

Wheeler in to face CI, Noodle, Dee Snyder, and Slappy.

allan said...

What can Cap'n Clutch do today?

allan said...

Hmm, his trademark bloop single that goes 10 feet beyond the second baseman. Not bad.

Zenslinger said...

"Fruitbat yanked, Coke in."

Waaaaaaah!

allan said...

Shit. Damon jacks it overt Upton's head for a double. Jetes stops at 3B.

allan said...

come on, wheeler, you rag arm piece of shit.

allan said...

cock nuggets.

teix double to rcf, 2 runs in, 9-7.

come on, maddon, do something smart.

Zenslinger said...

9-7

If the Yanks win this game, I'm going to be pissed.

allan said...

Mound visit.
Bitch Tits = tying run.

allan said...

I'm pissed NOW.

Zenslinger said...

And, um, RS, are you rooting for our main division rivals?

allan said...

The 4th place team can win today, that's fine with me.

allan said...

Would love a LIDP here.

allan said...

Alice: 5-3, does not adv the runner.

allan said...

Ump calling very low pitches strikes - Dumbo ain't happy.

allan said...

shithead upton finally decides to play deep enough to catch dumbo's routine fly ball. 2 down.

allan said...

i think sterling may have called it a dong, though.

allan said...

Randy F'n Choate in to face Cano.

allan said...

full count now

allan said...

Line drive to CF, Upton races back, reaches way up and snares it

RAYS WIN!

THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE RAYS WIN!

allan said...

FKR: 000 023 004 - 9 9 4
MFY: 010 110 022 - 7 7 2

Red Sox tied for first again.

allan said...

Fruitbat the loser, charged with all 4 runs in the 9th. ERA now 3.47.

Zenslinger said...

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.

allan said...

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.

laura k said...

"Lugo just told reporters its not fair he is being boo'd"

Oh yeah, that's gonna help.

laura k said...

I wish there was some way to tell when the commercials were finished on the radio. Ads in my headphones are so annoying.

laura k said...

It's New Hampshire night. Yay New Hampshire, you became more equal this week!

allan said...

NESN had a brief intreview with LBJ! ... Too bad you missed it, L!

allan said...

Time the first one -- what are they now: 1:30, 1:45, 2:00?

laura k said...

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.

laura k said...

Maybe our friend will come by and ask who that guy named Francona is.

allan said...

2 fastballs at 98, then a 81 hook = buh bye andruw

allan said...

No, he'll ask: "What happened to Butch Hobson, he isn't the manager anymore?"

laura k said...

I don't think he's watched a baseball game in his life, y'all.

allan said...

"That's a nice park the Sox play in. They haven't been there that long, though, right?"

Unknown said...

Holy shit, when did Lester start throwing 98?

I like this development.

Lord Lynch said...

Good morning all!

allan said...

Cheers!

allan said...

"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?"

laura k said...

Hi Lord. Are you in for the duration tonight?

laura k said...

OK, I think we've taken this joke about as far as it can go. :)

Lord Lynch said...

Probably not. I have to take the wife to a proper English castle tomorrow.

allan said...

looks like sid has got his shit together tonight.

laura k said...

Very nice Mr Lester

allan said...

15 pitches thru 2

me likey

laura k said...

Which castle will you be visiting?

Lord Lynch said...

Nicely done.

Lester justifying my faith in him in my fantasy team.

Unknown said...

OTT

Extremely efficient pitching thus far.

Lord Lynch said...

Leeds Castle. I couldn't give a stuff to be honest, but the wife wants to go to a craft show there.

Lord Lynch said...

Tom Hicks!!! The man bankrupting Liverpool Football Club!

Good man!

allan said...

98 FB and 80 curve! Fuckin A

allan said...

RX!!!!!!!!

laura k said...

Dr Dong or Half Dong???

laura k said...

I think if you've seen one castle you've seen them all.

allan said...

not bridge ...

LOWELL GOES LEDGE!

laura k said...

goes ledge, cute

remember that if he hits one off lidge

allan said...

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!

laura k said...

Dong it is!

Lord Lynch said...

Well done the glacier!

Unknown said...

Woohoo! Replay goes in our favor!

HRx!

laura k said...

Glacier, that's an excellent name for Slowell.

Altho these days glaciers are moving faster than they used to.

allan said...

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."

***

Lord Lynch said...

Tizzle is smouldering...

Lord Lynch said...

This lower middle order is built for speed...

laura k said...

Like a volcano?

Geology night here at JoS

allan said...

Can Baldy go tunnel off Holland?

laura k said...

*rolling eyes*

Lord Lynch said...

Holland beat us at cricket yesterday. So I'm not laughing.

allan said...

Lster is toying with these guys. Jesus.

Salty fans on strike 4.

Lord Lynch said...

Utter filth.

laura k said...

go lester go!

Unknown said...

Damn, he is absolutely DEALING tonight.

allan said...

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.

allan said...

9 up, 9 down, 25 pitches!

allan said...

Ortiz fouled that ball off his foot, no fewer than 7 sosh posts said "DL him!" :>)

Lord Lynch said...

I guess Lester doesn't get to pitch against the MFYs this week?

allan said...

Thursday?

allan said...

JoS1 will NOT be in one of those suites, sadly.

laura k said...

I'm thinking no mtg for me this Weds. It would be nice to watch the whole series vs NYY.

laura k said...

You're threading at SOSH too? And scoring? Busy!

Lord Lynch said...

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...

Lord Lynch said...

midweek series against the Yankees don't work for me!

laura k said...

Not if you have to work for a living...

allan said...

oh yeah, an off day on monday.
right now mlb has:

Burnett/Beckett
Wang/Wakefield
?

**

just checking sosh for any lester insights

Lord Lynch said...

disgusting filth

laura k said...

This pace is great for me - I leave work at 10 and would like to hear the whole game.

laura k said...

Altho if he keeps this up, I'd have to miss my bus.

allan said...

Smoltz for Paw: 6-1-1-2-3, 74

The Plan: One more for Paw, then 6/16 against the Marlins.

laura k said...

wow!

allan said...

I literally laughed out loud at that last pitch and swing. Man oh man!

Lord Lynch said...

Evil, depraved filth

Unknown said...

Ks THE SIDE!

allan said...

"Evil, depraved filth"

I just wrote this on my scorecard!

allan said...

Holland doing quite well also; luckily we have all the runs we need already.

Lord Lynch said...

At this pace, I might be here for the duration.

9casey said...

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...

Lord Lynch said...

Smouldering Papi is ready to blow. Hence they are walking him!

laura k said...

It wouldn't be so bad to get a run or two more. Lessens the pressure as the innings go along.

Unknown said...

Alright I have to head out for a bit, be back in 20ish.

allan said...

4 innings in 55 minutes

Lord Lynch said...

Feel the speed on the base paths... Glacier, Smoulderer and Cap'n Slow. A double play dream...

allan said...

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."

Lord Lynch said...

Just thought I'd let you know, I also have a football game on from Paraguay. Chile have just gone 2-0 up!

Lord Lynch said...

That was one in the eye for Nelson.

laura k said...

We were just talking about Chile. Or I was, anyway. Easier to thread there - one time zone.

allan said...

that cutter ought to be illegal

laura k said...

K K K K K K K K

Lord Lynch said...

Dick Van Dyke's Cockney Accent in Mary Poppins filth...

laura k said...

K K K K K K K K K

15 up 15 down

allan said...

it feels like i already know how this turns out and am simply rewatching the majesty.

is this the best he has ever looked?

Lord Lynch said...

Rick Astley's Cover of "When I Fall In Love" filth

allan said...

Lord startin' to get it goin', too.

allan said...

How the F do you K 9 guys in five innings on only 52 pitches?!?!?!

Lord Lynch said...

More swings than Glen Miller, that's how...

laura k said...

A, you're way ahead of yourself with the re-watching. Even tho we're all thinking about it.

allan said...

Only saying how it feels.

laura k said...

balk?!

allan said...

eck and don just shooting the shit, waiting for lester to come out again, i guess

laura k said...

"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!

Lord Lynch said...

FY with his own brand of dirt...

laura k said...

I wonder if any JOSers are there today.

laura k said...

A: please note.

allan said...

?

laura k said...

Castig said that LBJ said he doesn't have many walks because he is rarely thrown anything outside of the strike zone.

laura k said...

LBJ walked

allan said...

Ah! I covered that a bit a few days ago.

laura k said...

Yes, I know

allan said...

Nevertheless, Green has a higher OBP than Ellsbury.

allan said...

Yay - outs!

laura k said...

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...

Lord Lynch said...

Bay's been all at sea so far...

allan said...

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!

Lord Lynch said...

roll your eyes at that dreadful pun.

laura k said...

"Bay's been all at sea so far..."

Was that pun intentional?

laura k said...

I guess it was! :)

Unknown said...

Nice, Lester's delivered an OTT and two more Ks.

laura k said...

double steal?! cool

Unknown said...

Double steal! Nice.

allan said...

p c ... r

allan said...

eck: did you scratch your head?

don: i did. i did a lot of scratching.

laura k said...

4-0 us!

Lord Lynch said...

Very smooth, Bay.

Unknown said...

JBay!

allan said...

Adjusted Batting Wins:

Green: -0.1
Ellsbury: -0.4

Lord Lynch said...

I don't think that's the last we'll see of that pitcher. He looked pretty good for a kid.

laura k said...

"p c ... r"

??

allan said...

Win Probability Added:

Green: +0.60
Ellsbury: -0.68

laura k said...

"Adjusted Batting Wins:

Green: -0.1
Ellsbury: -0.4"

I have no idea what this is.

Lord Lynch said...

Not Mr Anna Benson?

laura k said...

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?

laura k said...

K K K K K K K K K K

16

Lord Lynch said...

Look at That Strike Filth....

Unknown said...

Sit!

10 Ks!

Lord Lynch said...

Battting with a pitching wedge!

allan said...

Maybe.

His glove is better!

laura k said...

that's 18!

Lord Lynch said...

Elvus hasn't left the ball-park!

Lord Lynch said...

Coffee on, I think.

Unknown said...

Another OTT!

61 pitches through 6.

laura k said...

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.

laura k said...

Yes, Lord, get the coffee going.

allan said...

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.

allan said...

think kirk.

laura k said...

PAPI DONG!!!!!!!

allan said...

LARGE FUCKIN FATHER

laura k said...

got it, thanks

never would have figure it out!

Unknown said...

PAPI!!!!

Lord Lynch said...

Boiled kettle HOT! Big Papi boiling like my water!

Unknown said...

"But meanwhile I don't know what

p c ... r

means."

Pitch count ... rising.

allan said...

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.)

Pepe Lepew said...

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?

allan said...

Adjusted Batting Runs/Wins: Estimates a player's total contributions to his team's runs or wins.

laura k said...

thanks, kevin. allan already said:

"think kirk."

then i got it immediately :)

laura k said...

A, I'm working and listening to a game. Can't learn about stats right now. Tomorrow.

laura k said...

"I'm allowed to mention Ortiz's home run, right?"

that's allowed, yes :)

Lord Lynch said...

Eyes getting heavy....

laura k said...

Lord, take naps while the Sox are batting.

allan said...

dp pls?

laura k said...

Whoo-hoo! I hope Lester can stand the prosperity.

Pepe Lepew said...

"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.

allan said...

Green and LBJ both fly out to CF on the first pitch. Spooky!

laura k said...

A, that's terrible! :)

laura k said...

yeah pepe, lugo doesn't think he deserves to be boo'd. mm-hm.

8-0!!!

Lord Lynch said...

Ah well, we've in all likelihood won this game, so I'm off to bed...

«Oldest ‹Older   1 – 200 of 249   Newer› Newest»