July 1, 2009

G78: Red Sox 6, Orioles 5 (11)

Red Sox - 001 000 004 01 - 6 10  0
Orioles - 112 100 000 00 - 5  6  1
Canada Day Miracle!

When Ty Wigginton led off the fourth inning with a solo home run, it put Josh Beckett and the Red Sox in a 5-1 hole. Who knew that would be Baltimore's last baserunner of the day? Boston pitchers retired the next 24 consecutive batters and end up on the winning side of a 6-5 score.

Facing Jim Johnson in the ninth, Dustin Pedroia (bbbc) walked and Kevin Youkilis (cbb) cracked a home run to right-center! 5-3! Kirk gave Johnson a quick exit and asked George Sherrill to close it out.

Jason Bay went down swinging (he ended the day 0-for-5, with 5 K) and David Ortiz was caught looking. The Red Sox were down to their last out.

Jacoby Ellsbury dumped a single into left-center. Jeff Bailey, who had run for Mark Kotsay in the eighth inning, walked on five pitches. Jason Varitek also walked, loading the bases. Rocco Baldelli, pinch-hitting for Nick Green, grounded a ball to shortstop. It looked like it would be an easy, game-ending fielder's choice. But the ball rolled through!! Robert Andino made a Jeterian dive to his left and came up empty (which is the usual outcome of a Jeterian dive). Ellsbury and Bailey scored and the game was tied at 5-5.

Sherrill was still on the mound. He walked J.D. Drew to re-load bases -- and Kirk finally gave him the hook. Danys Baez came in and retired Pedroia on a foul pop to the catcher.

Both teams went down in order in the tenth. Ellsbury started the eleventh with a double down the left field line. I didn't see many replays, but it sure looked like the ball landed on the foul side of the line. However, the Orioles did not argue, so maybe the call was that it passed over the bag in fair territory. Bailey flew out to right and LBJ sprinted to third. Julio Lugo, who has taken over at shortstop for Green, looked at ball 1, then chopped a single through the shortstop hole to bring Ellsbury in with the go-ahead run. LUGO!

Jonathan Papelbon finished up in the bottom half to record his 133rd career save, passing Bob Stanley and setting a new Red Sox franchise record. He retired the Birds in order, something the Sox pitchers did for eight straight innings.

After Beckett allowed Wigginton's dong in the fourth, he got the next three batters (K, K, F8). And he retired the side in the fifth (3-1, F7, K), sixth (4-3, P8, 6-3), and seventh (P6, F9, K). Daniel Bard struck out the side in the eighth and pitched a perfect ninth (P6, K, P7). Ramon Ramirez breezed through the tenth (3-1, P4, K). Bot's inning went: P5, F7, P6.

***

Josh Beckett (3.48, 133 ERA+) / Brad Bergesen (3.76, 121 ERA+)

Okay, so maybe watching last night's game was like passing a kidney stone ...

Earl Weaver once said, "This ain't football, we do this every day." And so last night becomes a distant memory -- and lo: A new day and a new game.

(Still, if everyone in the bullpen was going to have a shitty outing, it was awfully nice of them to do it all in the same game.)

In his last seven starts, Beckett is 5-1 with a 1.24 ERA. He has not allowed an earned run in five of his last seven starts.

149 comments:

johngoldfine said...

"so maybe watching last night's game was like passing a kidney stone ..."

Definitely. Hope you and the bullpen feel all better today.

Amy said...

I assume you are feeling better, Allan?

I am hoping that the weather is good this afternoon (wouldn't that be a surprise?) and that we can get outside. If I am here, you will know that the weather continues to suck.

Enjoy the game.

Anonymous said...

Best news I've heard all day. Girlfriend is at work, and Bloggy's at home on Canada Day. Lookit the BoSox givin' the Canadians some love!!

allan said...

All better in the AM, thanks.

Last night was like a doubleheader. We won the first game 9-1 and the Birds took the nightcap 10-1.

allan said...

1. J.D. Drew, RF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
4. Jason Bay, LF
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
7, Mark Kotsay, 1B
8. Jason Varitek, C
9, Nick Green, SS

1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. Felix Pie, CF
3. Nick Markakis, RF
4. Aubrey Huff, 1B
5. Luke Scott, DH
6. Nolan Reimold, LF
7. Ty Wigginton, 3B
8. Gregg Zaun, C
9. Robert Andino, SS

allan said...

Globe: "The last time the Sox had coughed up a nine-run lead and lost was June 4, 1989, when they blew a 10-0 lead against the Blue Jays."

Rob said...

I'll be very interested to see the bullpen pitch again. Anyone in the bullpen. Including Ram-Ram who didn't pitch last night but has struggled lately.

allan said...

June 4, 1989: Sox lose 13-11 in 12.

Rob said...

Notice how we talk about it being just one game and we'll move on... But nah. We're still talking about last night.

That should end at 1:30.

I won't be threading much, most likely. Depending on how long it is, I'll be at hospital waiting for my mother getting her kidney stone broken up. Fun times and go Socks.

tim said...

...Except that the 9-1 victory was an exhibition game that didn't count in the standings!

Awful times last night but Beckett will roll today. I wholeheartedly agree with Jere there.

tim said...

Oh Toronto, how you never cease to amaze.

Peter N said...

Hello to you, my long time blog friends. I think the Boston 'pen will stick together and NEVER let that happen again.

For our sanity's sakes? At least mine!

I'm so glad Josh is going this afternoon. The sweet will replace the sour and another series win will be EARNED by our Sox..

Take care...Pete

allan said...

Tim, I had to leave a comment:

"important parts of the game"???

you NEVER do the fucking wave ever, at any game, at any point. NEVER!!!! do you hear me?

you do the wave you deserve any and all the shit that gets yelled, thrown or smeared on/at you.

any asstards doing the wave should be ejected from the park and somehow branded so as to never allow them to come in and see another baseball game for the rest of their lives.

fuck the wave!

Peter N said...

And that June 4th '89 loss was to Toronto. See ya.

Rob said...

On JoS1 a tiny section of the park will remain seated during the Wave. Maybe.

Rob said...

I find it funny how people say we're going to have a game like last night once a year, even though this hasn't actually happened in 20 years. lolz.

laura k said...

Now there's a prime example of why I don't read baseball blogs (with a few choice exceptions). Because they suck.

laura k said...

Watching without threading today. Hope you're all enjoying Canada Day.

allan said...

The comment about booing the zebras was funny.

Benjamin said...

I should probably order more coffee crisp.

allan said...

we are out on the patio with the dogs in the sunshine/some clouds -- radio today.

Benjamin said...

It's shitty weather in New England. Good thing this is being played in Fenway South.

johngoldfine said...

Benjamin--my wife and I have decided that from here on any day where it is not actually raining, we will award honorary Nice Sunny Day status to, so here in Eastern Maine it's a Nice Sunny Day! Whew, don't forget the sunscreen out there....

Benjamin said...

Runs, please.

Benjamin said...

In southern New England, it's thunderstorms all day, so no nice sunny day.

johngoldfine said...

Lots of runs--fuck these fuckers so bad they forget last night ever happened....

johngoldfine said...

'Bout the same weather here, apart from the fantasy life my missus and I live.

Benjamin said...

TOR 1 - FKR 0.

Benjamin said...

*sigh*

tim said...

Off for some Canada day golf today. This looks sucky...lets smash these mofos, pronto.

allan said...

was that double down the line or in the gap? radio (rish?) did not say, he also gave no info on the relay and the tag out.

terrible job (/jere)

Jeff Polman said...

Last night was the Perfect Red Sox Storm. Five events transpired to make the miracle comeback happen:

1. The rain delay that washed Smoltz up on the beach.

2. The idiot infield that ran into the dugout prematurely and LAUGHED about it, angering and motivating the Baltimore dugout to the max. Come on, they'd lost eight straight ti the Sox at home and over half the fans in the stands are from Boston!

3. Francona lifting Varitek with the game "in hand". When the bullpen melted down, Kotteras had no idea how to stop it.

4. Francona staying too long with Masterson and lifting Delcarmen too soon.

5. Julio Lugo being on the field. This man is a human voodoo doll, and should be relegated to pinch-hitting and running at all costs.

Benjamin said...

I'm at work watching on GDGD, so no idea.

Benjamin said...

Looks like we're getting day-game Beckett.

Benjamin said...

K and DP, please.

allan said...

there's the K.

... god, rish sucks...

Benjamin said...

Such a shitty ump.

allan said...

"down the line and into the corner" long dexcription of play, no mention of lefty or right or who was throwing it in.

THIS IS RADIO -- WE CANNOT SEE THIS SHIT.

now he says drew -- fucking lame

Benjamin said...

Guess I should get some work done.

allan said...

sox radio sucks ass -- worthless -- rish sounds like he is in training - and failing miserably.

mlbtv choppy outside -- so i am back inside watching masn on mute, but at least i will know what is going on on the field.

allan said...

another dong -- why am i making such an effort to see this game?

B.R. said...

At least you guys dont have to deal with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. For that be grateful.

allan said...

true. if i only had radio and was a nyy fan, i'd probably follow along on gameday or miss the game.

Rob said...

Rish tries way too hard and then misses important details.

B.R. said...

Sterling probably miscalls close to 10 plays a game...screaming at the top of his lungs, only for the call to be a "foul"....

The other day he goes...."SWISHER....THERE IT GOES!!!...and it goes foul...." He should be canned

allan said...

if you say "line drive down the line and into the corner" and then fail to say whether it was bay or drew who goes into the corner and throws the ball in, you should not be announcing any more games on the radio.

how hard is it to say "line drive down the RIGHT FIELD line and into the corner .. DREW over to get it"

fusionmouse said...

Whose is this imposter on the mound and what have they done with Beckett of June?

Rob said...

BR, I remember listening to Sterling on my local Yankee affiliate when Cleveland closed them out in 2007 ALDS... I think it was Posada who hit a long foul and Sterling goes, "That ball is high! It is far! It is a.... foul ball!"

Kirk looks like he needs to go number two.

allan said...

Looks like April Beckett is in there today.

Rob said...

To me saying right or left field line is more important than who picks it up and throws it. The average fan knows where right field and left field are. They may not know that Bay plays LF and Drew plays RF. Especially on the other side. Probably don't know who the OFs are for the other team.

fusionmouse said...

OTT... finally

nixon33 said...

I HATE this team at this very moment.

fusionmouse said...

OTT on 11 pitches; lets trade Lugo for this Brad guy ;-)

fusionmouse said...

Man since the rain-delay last night the Sox look woeful.

fusionmouse said...

I'm waiting for Bay to break out some appropriate show of power for Canada Day.

allan said...

i'm getting sleepy.

Rob said...

Sean Casey will be in the NESN booth this weekend for the M's series. Eck will be on TBS for the All-Star selection show.

Rob said...

I am sleepy.

allan said...

beckett has retired the last 9 batters on 30 pitches. where were you nearly two hours ago?

Amy said...

So the weather changed, I came inside and find THIS? I think I will go back and wait for it to start raining.

At least I got a 20 mile bike ride in today.

Rob said...

"I gotta have it." Drink!

That pitch had some "sinkage"

allan said...

i'd drink to that -- but i might end up taking a nap

Rob said...

I wish I had enough time to take a nap.

fusionmouse said...

Ish... don't fret, the Red Sox bats are napping for you.

allan said...

runs pls

allan said...

Canada Day Miracle!

Starting *now*!

allan said...

FY BB - it starts small.

allan said...

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK

SULTAN OF SWEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

5-3.

woo hooo

allan said...

kirk bringing in cheryl

allan said...

keep the CDM alive, bay!

Benjamin said...

Please.

allan said...

way oitside, shithead

allan said...

It's K-K-K-K-anada Day for Bay.

allan said...

what's with the eric gregg zone?

allan said...

gumball time.

allan said...

is it possible? can tek deliver?

Benjamin said...

Remember when you were awesome for those couple months, Green? Help us remember too.

Benjamin said...

Or Baldelli PHing.

Benjamin said...

!

allan said...

OMGF

jeterian range there on what looked like a shitty FC

Amy said...

YES!!!

Amy said...

(Been here, just too disgusted to comment til now.)

allan said...

sherrill:
K
K
1B
BB
BB
1B
BB

eat shit, orioles, eat shit!!!!!!

Rick (f/k/a westcoastsox) said...

(me too - to Amy's comment)

Rob said...

!!! This is fun all of a sudden!

laura k said...

Canada Day Miracle!

allan said...

miracle ongoing ....

Benjamin said...

Bleh.

So Lugo to SS and Kottaras in for Baldelli?

allan said...

redsock said...
Canada Day Miracle!
Starting *now*!
Wed Jul 01, 03:42:00 PM


What this guy said.

Amy said...

Kottaras in for Tek, not Baldelli.

nick said...

Mighty thunder claps drew me to the front window at work where I saw the action on the lobby TV. The runs rain in and the rain pelts down.

laura k said...

Beautiful!

Amy said...

Nice catch!

Thunder has arrived on the outer Cape. Guess we were just a few hours behind the rest of you.

allan said...

long long run for bay!

10th...

allan said...

bay can still celebrate canada day!

nick said...

What was that? 8 pitches?

laura k said...

On screen at MASN: "No lead big enough," with several Boston comebacks against Baltimore.

Our Mother's Day Miracle is caled the "Mother's Day Massacre". That's like "freedom fighter" vs "terrorist".

allan said...

bard? 10.

Rob said...

Danys Baez: "I have a big head and little arms!"

Benjamin said...

Kottaras in for Tek, not Baldelli.

Lugo had already pinch run for Tek, so it was basically a double switch of the SS and C spots.

Rob said...

Oh shit Youk's limping.

Amy said...

Our Mother's Day Miracle is caled the "Mother's Day Massacre". That's like "freedom fighter" vs "terrorist".

Or like Civil War v. War between the States.

Rob said...

Platinum Sombrero for Bay.

Benjamin said...

5-K Jason Bay. That's brutal.

allan said...

or "civil" vs "war"

Rob said...

MDC behind Ram-Ram

Rob said...

So that's... 19 in a row retired now?

Rob said...

Ram-Ram has huge shoulders.

Amy said...

SCORE RUNS!

allan said...

21 in a row.

laura k said...

runs pls

Amy said...

Go ahead run on 2d!! LBJ!!

allan said...

that hit in foul territory, did it not?

Amy said...

And on third!

laura k said...

Here comes a Secret Weapon dong

Rick (f/k/a westcoastsox) said...

That looks like it hit him (on GameDay)

Amy said...

We are ahead! LUGO!

laura k said...

YEAH!

allan said...

lugo is the man.

laura k said...

This is perfect - Kottaras for the CDM.

Benjamin said...

Much better.

Amy said...

And I lost my internet connection right after the Lugo hit...and the TV momentarily.

Damn thunder.

fusionmouse said...

Lugo... once again trying to interfere with my desire to trade him for a warm bologna sandwich.

Amy said...

Now can our closer not blow another save?

Rick (f/k/a westcoastsox) said...

Redemption time.

Benjamin said...

VORB?

Value Over Replacement Bologna?

Benjamin said...

Uhhhh, Paps?

Benjamin said...

Nevermind, GDGD painted the first strike a green ball.

Rick (f/k/a westcoastsox) said...

GDGD is all haywire now. I have no idea what is going on.

Benjamin said...

Two down.

Amy said...

Two down.

This will make up for last night.

Mostly.

Rick (f/k/a westcoastsox) said...

shhhh

Benjamin said...

FKR lost, by the way.

Amy said...

I meant IF. Not counting chicks yet.

Benjamin said...

WATER

Amy said...

YAY!! Dirty water! And Lugo makes the last out! Without dropping the ball!!

fusionmouse said...

PAYBACK FILTHY WATER!!!!

laura k said...

ah, back to dirty water! extra sweet after last night and before an off day.

johngoldfine said...

Yeehah!

Rick (f/k/a westcoastsox) said...

To me, that makes up for yesterday. A game we should have won, we lost. A game we should have lost, we won. The road trip ends 6-3, and we go to a pre-All Star Game 10-game home stand against 3 mediocre teams (although Seattle's pitching has been quite good this year). G'day all.

Zenslinger said...

I didn't see last night's game and had only kept track of it until the delay. Today's I did not keep track of until the very end.

When I saw last night's score, I was grateful I had not watched the game. But today's would have been pretty sweet to suffer through.

Ah, the ups and downs of fandom.

laura k said...

Last night I called Allan as I was getting in the car to come home. Score was 8-2.

While we were on the phone, it became 8-5.

When I got home it was 8-8.

Then I watched the rest.

I thought the worst thing about that bad loss would be all the agonizing the next day. Good to avoid media and internet the day after a huge blown lead!

Rob said...

I was convinced my laptop would run better on Windows than Linux.. Uh... How about it just doesn't run well on anything?

That's because it's an old laptop with 256mb Ram. Laptop fail.

Amy said...

Laura, we had ten runs, not eight. But I get your point. And also good to see I am not the only one who does not remember every detail. :)

allan said...

We were on the phone when Salazar hit his dong to make it 10-5...

9casey said...

Redsock said: I didn't see many replays, but it sure looked like the ball landed on the foul side of the line. However, the Orioles did not argue, so maybe the call was that it passed over the bag in fair territory.




Nice win.......got to watch this one with a yankee fan....I don't believe passing over the bag in fair territory matters there , not on a ball in the air...

Pepe Lepew said...

So, I just got back in. Missed today's game. Looks like it made up for last night's game ... a little.
Happy Canada Day!

SoSock said...

Holy Shit I SUCK!
Glad the Sox are doing better.
I'm now 0 for my last 8.
My 13-14s lost their last regular season game a few weeks ago and the All-Star team from that division lost their 1st game Sunday. They will try to avoid the dreaded 2 and out tomorrow. Tonight my 16-18s lot their 5th straight to open the season.
It's been 8 games since my last win - BOO!
OK enough ranting - way to go Lugie! Make us rethink....a little.

9casey said...

SoSock said...
Holy Shit I SUCK!
Glad the Sox are doing better.
I'm now 0 for my last 8.
My 13-14s lost their last regular season game a few weeks ago and the All-Star team from that division lost their 1st game Sunday. They will try to avoid the dreaded 2 and out tomorrow. Tonight my 16-18s lot their 5th straight to open the season.
It's been 8 games since my last win - BOO!
OK enough ranting - way to go Lugie! Make us rethink....a little.



So, do you coach all three of these teams? It might be time for a change...............:) and Lugo still will go,maybe if Jed couod stay healthy