July 5, 2009

G81: Red Sox 8, Mariners 4

Mariners - 000 310 000 - 4  8  0
Red Sox - 200 001 50x - 8 9 1
Boston rallied to tie and take the lead the instant Morrow (6-6-3-2-7, 98) was pulled from the game. Three singles and three walks against Miguel Batista and Mark Lowe (who threw only four strikes among his 15 pitches) gave the Sox five runs and avoided a sweep.

The first three Boston runs came on solo dongs: Dustin Pedroia (#3) and David Ortiz (#9) in the first and Jacoby Ellsbury (#5) in the sixth.

Nick Green began the seventh by flying out to center. J.D. Drew walked on five pitches and Pedroia (who also doubled in the fifth) singled to left. Youkilis flied out to the track in left for the second out. Batista fell behind Ortiz 3-0 and Flo got the green light, ripping an RBI single into right to tie the game.

Lowe relieved Batista and could not find the plate. He walked Jason Bay on four pitches to load the bases, then walked Ellsbury on five pitches to force in the go-ahead run. He fell behind Mark Kotsay 3-1 before Kotsay grounded a full-count pitch into right field for two more runs.

Sean White, Seattle's third pitcher of the inning, struck out Jason Varitek, but not before Kenji Johjima's passed ball brought home Ellsbury with the fifth run of the inning.

An infield error prolonged the Mariners fourth inning and Lester (6.2-8-4-3-9, 122) gave up a bases-loaded triple to #9 hitter Ronny Cedeno. Only one of the four runs allowed was earned. The 122 pitches was a season-high for Lester.

Justin Masterson faced four batters and collected three strikeouts. Hideki Okajima pitched a perfect ninth to nail down the win.

The Yankees beat the Blue Jays 10-8 to stay 1 GB.

***

Brandon Morrow (5.14, 83 ERA+) / Jon Lester (4.35, 107 ERA+)

It's bad enough the Red Sox are assured of losing a series to Seattle at Fenway for the first time August 14-16, 2001.

But the possibility of getting swept at home by the Mariners is:

It would also be unprecedented. Seattle has never swept a three-game series at Fenway Park. Ever.

Morrow had made 16 relief appearances this season before starting on June 13 at Colorado. In four starts, he has pitched only 16.2 innings, allowing 19 hits and 11 walks, while striking out 18.

His ERA as a starter is 3.79, but opponents are hitting .297/.395/.391. Poor control has led to high pitch counts and limited his innings to 3, 4, 5 and 4.2 in those four starts.

Complete list of Red Sox players who have stolen 35+ bases in consecutive season:
Harry Hooper 1910-11
Tris Speaker 1912-13-14
Jacoby Ellsbury 2008-09
LBJ is also the first AL player to steal 35 or more bases before the All-Star break in back-to-back seasons since Rickey Henderson (1988-90).

The Yankees are 1 GB. They host the Blue Jays at 1 PM (Cecil/Chamberlain).

150 comments:

allan said...

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

1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Russell Branyan, 1B
3. Jose Lopez, 2B
4. Mike Sweeney, DH
5. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
6. Ryan Langerhans, LF
7. Kenji Johjima, C
8. Chris Woodward, 3B
9. Ronny Cedeno, SS

allan said...

Long feature from Benjamin on Wakefield here.

Anonymous said...

First time felt great, in Fenway of course. Took the tour, OMFG, I wanted to make love to Fenway. Beautiful, EPIC, too bad the Sox weren't in town when I was

laura k said...

By 5:00 p.m. today, let's be 2 GA.

laura k said...

FUCK YEAH!

Benjamin said...

FY!

laura k said...

PAPI DONG!!!!!!

allan said...

QUADRANGULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

laura k said...

We are cooking!

johngoldfine said...

Fuck yeah?

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/07/happy-fourth-parkerstone.html

tim said...

Fuck these hats.

laura k said...

For those who care: Wakefield made his 1st ASG.

laura k said...

I'm sure everyone knows Pedroia is starting.

Wakefield is 2nd oldest man to play in an ASG.

tim said...

Yay Wake! As much of a joke the ASG is, nice to see him getting some love.

laura k said...

Yeah, that's the way I look at it. He wanted it, so it's nice that he gets it.

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

I don't think I'm going to win the LBJ stolen base contest!

laura k said...

Was there an LBJ SB contest? Or was that the tiebreaker for the W/L?

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

That's great about Wake. Must go find list of pitchers for ASG. And then off to do invitations for kids' birthday parties. Have fun.

allan said...

FLO with the hug!!!!!!!

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

I think it was the tiebreaker. I don't remember exactly, but I think I had around 30 or 40.

laura k said...

Flo hugging Wake? (I'm listening to radio)

allan said...

there is a link to the contest under important stuff. i think it was tek's OBP this year.

allan said...

They had a live interview with Wake sitting in dugout and out of nowhere Tiz came in and hugged him --

big 34 just about filled the whole screen!!!

laura k said...

Heh, cool.

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

There were 2 tiebreakers, LBJ's steals and Tek's OBP. I had 96 wins for the Sox, 50 steals for LBJ and .299 OBP. Right now, LBJ is on a path to 69-70 SB and Tek is at .343. I think this guy is in the lead, at least as of the halfway point:

Edward Nunez 99-63 69 .329

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

Link to lineup of ASG: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2009/roster_league.jsp

allan said...

Yookie?

laura k said...

It's bad enough that people use both Memorial Day and Veterans Day as a way to glorify the war machine - when it should be exactly the opposite.

But damn, why must they militarize July 4 too? It really pisses me off.

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

Let's try that again:

http://bit.ly/196yQC

6 Red Sox (Pedroia, Bay, Youk, Papelbon, Beckett, Wake)

3 Yankees (Jeter, Texeira, Rivera)

Even more Mets than Yankees. Feels weird without Ortiz, Ramirez, and even without A-Rod.

allan said...

TOR: 00
MFY: 22

Worthless fucking Jays....

Lisa Cohen said...

Happy for Wake. Just hope this years' ASG doesn't become the quiddich match last year's game was.

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

Double, Single, HR - now 4-3 MFY

laura k said...

I can't remember the last time I cared about the ASG. It has to be at least 15 years.

This year we'll be in Stratford Ontario, seeing theatre and staying at a B&B. The little trip is perfectly timed to not miss any games that count.

laura k said...

Blue Jays coming back, 4-3 NYY

Lisa Cohen said...

The boy is wicked into the ASG, but that's because he follows so many teams and loves to see the players all mashed up. Sort of the ultimate fantasy league. :)

I'm much less of an ASG fan.

A Conformer said...

Good for Wake. But I think that if the game doesn't go extras, or is a total blowout (no matter for which side), he's not going to actually pitch.

tim said...

Stratford?! That's right up my way!

laura k said...

Wake will probably pitch. He's one of the 5 chosen starters, and it's his first and probably only ASG.

tim said...

...WTF yookie?

Lisa Cohen said...

CRAP!

laura k said...

Tim, are you busy on Tues July 14? We have a show that night but we'll be around during the day?

tim said...

Have they announced the derby contestants? God I hope Bay isn't on there.

allan said...

Bay said awhile back no derby for him.

Lisa Cohen said...

Nasty pitch!

A Conformer said...

Was the E on a potential double play ball?

tim said...

Tuesdays are my school days...class until 3 or 4 pm (supposed to be 4 but usually gets out early).

What time is the show at?

tim said...

Crap, I may be going to a concert in T.O. that night.

tim said...

Fucking shat on a turtle.

laura k said...

oh fuckety fuck fuck

tim said...

What kind of mushrooms is Drew chewing out there?

laura k said...

Show is the usual show time, probably 8. Can you meet for dinner?

Lisa Cohen said...

at least we're out of that inning.

laura k said...

Tim, we have a matinee on Weds but are staying over that night. Dinner Weds? Late drink on Weds?

A Conformer said...

Was that really a scrotum? Or was he bunting for a hit? 'Cause if it's the former, then WTF??

allan said...

who is this idiot asshole? get out of the booth, dushbag

allan said...

is o'malley doing a lenny clarke ultra-lite?

tim said...

Yeah, dinner Tues or Weds would work. Tues would be better I think, but if I am going to that show in Toronto then Weds should be OK. I'll shoot you an email this week sometime.

allan said...

yo, sid, come on.

allan said...

jays have tied the chokers 4-4, top 4

laura k said...

Tim, you can leave it flexible and let us know. We have no special plans except our theatre tix. Other than that, relaxing, strolling around and such. I'll give you my cell # and you can let us know.

laura k said...

WTF Lester

allan said...

Bard up

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

8-4 Toronto, at least

allan said...

HAHAH

eat shit, joba! ... and a bowl of dicks!

tim said...

8-4 Toronto?! Ga-WAH?! Nice.

This game...not so much.

RSVP!

allan said...

19 minute wait!

allan said...

TOR: 003 5
MFY: 220

Lisa Cohen said...

PD!

laura k said...

FUCK FUCK YEAH YEAH

laura k said...

Castig: "The Red Sox have a giant squander."

yes

allan said...

LOB-otomy....

allan said...

WOW -- amazing back hand short hop pick from Pedroia!!!

laura k said...

THAT'S MY BOY!!!

(That's my boy's dong!!)

allan said...

i step away for 30 seconds and miss the dong.

laura k said...

8-7 in the Bronx

laura k said...

"i step away for 30 seconds and miss the dong."

You were giving us privacy.

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

Each pitcher with 98 pitches and 7 K's through 6 innings.

allan said...

A-HA - L giving NYY updates!

laura k said...

"A-HA - L giving NYY updates!"

Yup. The lead is now officially slim enough for me to watch.

Mind you, it's updates from the 2nd place team, who happen to be NYY. If NYY was in 3rd or 4th, or if we had a 4-game lead, I wouldn't pay attention.

allan said...

lester fiishing with a flourish

allan said...

season high in pitches for lester: 122

laura k said...

Lester acknowledges Griffey at 1B? O'B said they might have said something friendly to each other.

allan said...

crowd was standing and he briefly touched his cap. maybe he said something to first also.

story in today's paper about lester growing up in tacoma and loving griffey. lester was 5 when griffey debuted. talked about facing him for the first time.

allan said...

Donkey says Sit.

allan said...

God Bless the Mute Button.

tim said...

Is this guy for real?

tim said...

The voice does not match the picture.

laura k said...

griffey was ellsbury's idol too, the player he wanted to emulate.

tim said...

Fucking Jeter dong. Yankees up 9-8.

laura k said...

who??

laura k said...

who re mute button not jeter dong

tim said...

Thats what i figured, guy singing GBA was some skinny 20 year old dude with a dirtlip but had an opera voice.

laura k said...

FY needs a triple for the cycle.

allan said...

ROPE

the table is set.

tim said...

Clutch time for Papi...

allan said...

time to bedazzle some shit.

tim said...

Fuck toronto in their dicks. Useless fucks.

tim said...

Yes Papi!

laura k said...

Shift this!! Alright Papi!

allan said...

GOTTA LET A FLO BE A FLO!

A Conformer said...

the table is set.

Bon Appetit!

allan said...

Loaded for Lyndon.

tim said...

Dreamboat time.

tim said...

Gimme some shuga, LBJ.

A Conformer said...

It's up to L's boy, now. How about showing us half a dong, eh?

laura k said...

It's so great to have Papi back.

Also, how cool to do so well without him through all those slumping weeks.

laura k said...

[my last comment took 3 mins to get through]

go lbj

tim said...

I'd settle for a full out dongapalooza.

tim said...

That works. Moneyball our way to the lead.

laura k said...

SEE ALLAN???? HE DOES WALK

allan said...

mark lowe face?

laura k said...

He walks just to win Allan's approval.

A Conformer said...

RBBI

tim said...

Alright, time to watch the end of this inning then go continue getting my shit together for next weekend's camping/white water rafting trip to Ottawa River!

Ciao JoS!

A Conformer said...

LBJ has been great ever since he was taken out of the leadoff spot. FY has been shitty pretty much ever since he was put there.

I have no idea if that means anything or not.

laura k said...

bye tim - i'll email you my cell

laura k said...

YEAH BABY!!!

Give this man a nickname!

allan said...

AH YEAH!!!

allan said...

That's not Moneyball, goddamn it.

laura k said...

"I have no idea if that means anything or not."

I think it doesn't, but it will go down as the reason. Any coincidence is enough for baseball.

laura k said...

"That's not Moneyball, goddamn it."

I was wondering when Allan would say that.

Easy big fella.

laura k said...

8-4!

A Conformer said...

How do you say Passedballa!!! in Japanese?

allan said...

28 minute wait!!!

mdc/jeemer up

allan said...

casey: "that thing used to be a circus tent, now it's your hat!"

allan said...

Masturbate back in the swing of things!

K, K, 4-3, K

laura k said...

ha ha, who did casey say that about?

allan said...

don.

there was a sign that had don with one of those big red white and blue tophats; casey had a pilgrim hat on.

casey said it was a good look and don then said the truck said that they don't make them that big.

then casey made his crack. (i think that he repeated something from the truck though too.)

allan said...

triple time?

laura k said...

dp dp

allan said...

looks like jeemer in the 9th to nail it down.

Amy said...

Hi, all. Here for the last two outs.

Amy said...

I missed a lot of game threads this weekend. But the sun came out, so why complain?

allan said...

if ichiro can hit dongs "at will" in BP, why wouldn't he hit them in a game? they are instant runs.

allan said...

green with the GUN to nip itchy

laura k said...

because no one does anything "at will"

Amy said...

Dirty water! Nice to win at least one of these games.

laura k said...

dirty non-sweep water

allan said...

The water is muddy.

Amy said...

Allan and Laura, story today about Toronto in the Travel section of the Times...neighborhood called the Junction, IIRC?

Amy said...

OK, bye. Hope to catch a game thread one of these days.

allan said...

There will be another thread tomorrow!

laura k said...

Nothing to say about NYT Travel Toronto story, but your comment looked so lonely w/o a reply.

laura k said...

"I missed a lot of game threads this weekend. But the sun came out, so why complain?"

Better not, after complaining about all the rain! :)

Amy said...

LOL, re my lonely comment. I just think of you guys every time I read something about Toronto, so figured I would share. Sounds like an interesting neighborhood.

And I am NOT complaining! Just sorry to miss all that baseball.

laura k said...

"LOL, re my lonely comment. I just think of you guys every time I read something about Toronto"

You have that in common with my mother. She is always telling me what she reads about Canada.

"And I am NOT complaining! Just sorry to miss all that baseball."

I know, if only we could be in two places at once. I feel that way when I miss games for meetings and other activist events. I want to go to the meeting, but I want to stay home and watch the game, too.

Great weather here too. I am home sick but enjoying sitting on the patio.

allan said...

OAK: 100 011 011 - 5 11 0
CLE: 001 001 000 - 2 7 0

7 runs total in a game with only 0 or 1 run innings. I think that's the most total runs so far this year.

Amy said...

Hope you feel better soon, Laura.

laura k said...

Thanks. I think I had food poisoning. Yuck. Much better now.

SoSock said...

Yahoo!
All is right with the world again. The Sox win, my BL guys won their 1st game, (after 5 straight losses to open the season), and I finally got home in time to go do some justice to Cathy's garden. It meant missing the end of the game thread,(the game had just ended when I got home) but it was SO overdue, and who knows when I'll get another chance. Pulled 3 big wheelbarrows full of weeds out of only 2 gardens. There are 6 total, but those 2 were by far the worst.