August 13, 2009

G114: Tigers 2, Red Sox 0

Tigers  - 000 100 100 - 2  5  0
Red Sox - 000 000 000 - 0 4 1
Verlander threw a gem (8-4-0-1-8, 123), still dealing in the upper 90s in the eighth inning.

Buchholz (7-5-2-3-3, 100) was good, but an unearned run in the fourth and a solo dong from Ryan Raburn in the seventh was plenty of runs for the Tigers. Raburn had both RBI.

Boston's best chance to score came in the first, when Josh Reddick doubled with one out and Victor Martinez singled him to third. Verlander then struck out Jason Bay and David Ortiz.

On Bay's whiff, Martinez stole second, the second theft of his career and first since 2003. He took off on the 3-2 pitch, stopped halfway to second, saw that Gerald Laird was not throwing down, and started up again and flopped into the base.

Martinez singled in the third and Jacoby Ellsbury doubled in the eighth. That was sum of the Red Sox offense.

The Rangers won this afternoon, so Boston's wild card lead is now only 0.5 GA.
Example
Justin Verlander (3.45, 132 ERA+) / Clay Buchholz (5.33, 89 ERA+)

Boston goes for a four-game sweep of the Tigers this afternoon before heading to Texas for the weekend.

The Red Sox lead the Rangers (who play in Cleveland today at noon) by 1.5 games in the wild card standings.

10 PM: Yankees/Mariners.

128 comments:

allan said...

1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Josh Reddick, RF
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. Jason Bay, LF
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Mike Lowell, 3B
7. Casey Kotchman, 1B
8. Nick Green, SS
9. Chris Woodward, 2B

Rob said...

I find myself at a car dealership with my sister while she gets her ignition looked at... But, this being the age of 2009 and computers everywhere, they have laptops here and I can thread! Hot damn.

There's a TV in the other room but there are a couple of old people watching soap operas. :(

Zenslinger said...

Old?

Don't tell me they're over 40!

Rob said...

Actually one of them is not old. There's a guy who looks to be 70+... The woman just left. She was in her 40s and no, that's not old. The guy is reading a book and might not have any idea the TV is on. But I'll just wait on it. Plus I can see if I can find a feed online perhaps.

Rob said...

I just wish I had a mouse.

In other news I had to drop my classes because I don't have enough financial aid to even go half-time,which is how long I'd need to go to receive any aid, and I have no money. So I'll wait a semester and find a job (I was going to do work study for find a PT job just for a little cash) and see what happens. I didn't like doing this but then again there was nothing about any of this I liked very much. Just doing the thing I don't like the least, I guess.

So that's that. Is it 1:35 yet?

allan said...

That sucks about the classes.

Does that TV have the sound on? I hate TVs in waiting places like that, but they should at least be muted.

allan said...

TEX: 002
CLE: 100

Rob said...

The TV has the sound on.

Rob said...

Well, if I can get the TV onto NESN I'll watch without threading because I can't see the TV.

I also have an X factor: A radio! But, will I get reception?

allan said...

Assholes. Can they put NESN on?

Rob said...

I could probably get it on. There's just one dude sitting here, reading a book. But I won't push the issue until 1:35. I'm not worried. Plus I might be able to find a stream online.

But crap! There's no Flash on this computer. lmao.

Rob said...

I have radio!

allan said...

Rogers has NESN - some military shit going on.

Zenslinger said...

3-1 Texas now. Andrus HR. Ugh.

Ish, that's bad news. If there's any way to swing it, it's better to get started. But I know it's not cheap. We had to raise our rates per credit at City College in San Francisco.

laura k said...

Oh man Ish, that sucks. Education seems to me like health care: it should be available to all who need it.

* * * *

It's really hot here today. A good day to stay inside w/ A/C and watch baseball - then have dinner outside when it cools off.

I'll probably only thread a little. I have a ton of blogging to catch up on.

Rob said...

The old guy is a baseball fan!

I'll see you guys later. Hot damn!

allan said...

Maybe Martinez will call for HH's curve more. I know he didn't have the feel for it for a few starts, but it has not been used to its full potential.

allan said...

Very nice and quick OTT on 9 pitches for Clay.

Zenslinger said...

You gotta think today's Advantage Tigers given the pitching matchup (Verlander's very much back near elite status), and our so-so lineup.

So, a sweep would be twice as sweet.

Zenslinger said...

I'm likin' th' hits...now, runs, you streaky Canadian Dounger, you.

Zenslinger said...

Yargh. It's up to the Large Father.

allan said...

VMart with the 2nd SB of his career (first was 2003)!!!

Runs on Bay K, stops, Laird does not throw, and so he goes the rest of the way and flops into 2B.

Zenslinger said...

Well, shit.

Least we made him work for his zero.

Zenslinger said...

VMart SB -- hilarious.

Beckett's ML-best at 14 wins...and is just barely on pace to make 20.

'Course we don't talk about wins 'round here. But it's very possible there won't be a 20-game winner this year.

No surprise in this era.

allan said...

No no-no today, but HH looks great. FB, change and that curve. 3K to first 5 batters

allan said...

clay with 23 thru 2 (19 strikes, 4 balls)

Unknown said...

Three Ks and three groundouts in the first two innings, only 23 pitches, 19 for strikes

Very nice start

Pepe Lepew said...

Oh man Ish, that sucks. Education seems to me like health care: it should be available to all who need it.

* * * *

It's really hot here today. A good day to stay inside w/ A/C and watch baseball - then have dinner outside when it cools off.

I'll probably only thread a little. I have a ton of blogging to catch up on.


I'm writing a mountain-climbing article for a local outdoors magazine and got the game on and this thread. Epic multi-tasking.
That sucks, Ish.

Zenslinger said...

Man, Baseball Reference is sweet.

Beckett fifth (3.10) in ERA in the AL, but second only to Halladay (1.08) with his 1.11 WHIP.

Pepe Lepew said...

VMart SB -- hilarious.

Beckett's ML-best at 14 wins...and is just barely on pace to make 20.


Maybe Beckett will finally get that Cy Young. I thought he got screwed out of one a couple of years ago.

Zenslinger said...

Beckett, Cy Young?

Felix, Halladay and Greinke all have better ERA and can compete in terms of wins (12, 12, 11). It's going to be a tough field. Wins are potentially Josh's only really distinguishing stat. His K's are good, but Felix and Greinke have more. Both Halladay and Greinke have way better K/BB ratios.

A couple people would have to have a few bad outings to give him a serious shot, I think.

Zenslinger said...

I reluctantly had to admit that CC deserved it in 2007 over Josh. Josh was 20-7, CC was 19-7...and CC had a slight edge in ERA, and pitched 40 more innings, 4 more games started. I think that counts for a lot.

allan said...

if clay needs to take his necklaces and put them in his shirt after every pitch or every 2 pitches, maybe he should leave them in the clubhouse or put them in his pocket. wtf?

Pepe Lepew said...

A couple people would have to have a few bad outings to give him a serious shot, I think.

Beckett's been so hot, lately, though. He seems to be getting stronger as the season goes on. The Jays seem to be giving up on the season, and I don't think that'll help Halladay.
I think CC won it in Beckett's monster year. I guess he deserved it, but I really thought Beckett was going to win it.

allan said...

and an even bigger wtf - eck's son enlisted?

Unknown said...

Alright, time to score some runs

Zenslinger said...

Enlisted...in the Army or something?

allan said...

yeah - not sure he said army, though.

allan said...

eck says buch is the kind of pitcher that doesn't like to give in to the hitter.

where is the list of pitchers who like to give in to hitters?

Rob said...

Back home now as the Tigers get on the board. Ah well. Only 1 run. Why a curve on 3-2 to Ordonez is beyond me but I'm not a pitching instructor.

laura k said...

Eck said Army. Son in basic training now. Said it will toughen him up - make him different.

I hope it doesn't make him too different. Like blind different or paraplegic different.

MacLeodCartoons said...

Eck said his son was in the army, and was currently at bootcamp at Fort Knox, KY; he totally teared up, and was kinda speechless for about 30 seconds.

Rob said...

One thing Eck does is make for some interesting TV when the game gets boring.

For whatever reason. Him there makes listening to the game interesting.

MacLeodCartoons said...

You beat me to it L-girl. Gdammit I thought you were supposed to be blogging!

laura k said...

Did he sound choked up or speechless to anyone else? I didn't pick up on it, and I normally would.

laura k said...

Heh, sorry. I got three quick posts up and am now writing another.

Rob said...

I got to actually hear Remy during the inning he was in the booth last night. Speaking of choking up, although for him you could tell his voice was just shaky by the nerves.

I thought it took a lot of courage for him to talk about being depressed. With how quiet he's been throughout this whole thing, it really surprised me that he talked about it.

Rob said...

Lightning fast blogger.

allan said...

i didn't think he was even stopped talking. there was a beat or two when he said it, then don went back to the game.

laura k said...

Ump says you are VERY out!

allan said...

kotchman!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob said...

Heh. Chris Woodward and Casey Kotchman doing some good defensive work for your Boston Red Sox.

MacLeodCartoons said...

I just watched the part where he refers to his son; I am pretty sure you can hear his voice breaking, and then when they cut to the visual of the booth, he looks like he's been close to tears, then kinda says , 'ahem..woo!...' and then he settled down.

laura k said...

I didn't see Remy (Weds war resister meetings) but from what Allan told me, I so agree with Ish.

He must have been very nervous - it's a very difficult thing to do, especially the public nature of it. Really great he is being open about being depressed. That's good for people with cancer and other diseases - including depression - everywhere.

I asked Allan, did they show him on the scoreboard? Did the crowd go nuts? Then later I saw a replay of that part.

Rob said...

Breaking ball that didn't break. Don't get carried away, fans.

allan said...

5 games.

MacLeodCartoons said...

Talking of people talking about their illnesses, does Eck ever mention alcoholism? I have a vague idea that he did when that dude from the Sopranos was in the box with them a couple weeks ago. Anyone remember that?

laura k said...

Re lightning fast, I wasn't really writing, just putting up some stories and alerts. Now I have to do a personal update because people keep asking me.

Rob said...

Looks like Woodward is VERY lucky to still be on the paths.

allan said...

didn't see that game. when he and don talk about studio 54 or something (!), he mentions how he went out and hints at a serious party lifestyle, but that's it. but i could have easily missed something.

laura k said...

I remember the actor in the booth, but IIRC, we muted it. We generally do for booth visits.

laura k said...

Eck will allude to things like "straightening himself out" or "that was when I was still a wild thing". Maybe I've even heard him say "before I cleaned up" or "got clean" - not sure. But nothing specific, as far as I know. Never actually saying alcoholic or alcoholism or AA.

Rob said...

Hilarious. Don trying to get Eck to go on the road with him. Eck says NO WAY! Haha great stuff.

Rob said...

So Frank Viola will be in the booth with Don in Texas. Interesting.

laura k said...

But what I want to know is when will Eck do something about his hair?? He's like the Wendy Malick character on Seinfeld. His hair is about 30 years out of date.

allan said...

Final: Texas 4-1

Rob said...

I don't want Eck to change his hair. I feel he would lose his Eckness.

MacLeodCartoons said...

It'll be great to have Jerry back, but definitely Don and Eck's chemistry has been really good. It seems like Eck brings a little more life out of Don, and even kinda challenges him to reveal a little more baseball knowledge. And this shit right now about how many medallions Eck wore back in the day - classic nonsense.

laura k said...

I'm sure you're right. I just really dislike his Eckness.

I guess I just lack Eckability.

laura k said...

You really think Jerry is coming back? I don't.

I dread that Eck might be Jerry's replacement. I'm going to want radio sound every night, and Allan won't. Potential conflict on the horizon.

Rob said...

I just figure that, for better or worse, this is Eck. He makes some big change like that he loses some of his Eckness and, like him or not, that's kind of sad, because of how unique he is.

allan said...

Eck without his look would be like seeing a bald or chubby Jagger.

laura k said...

I think it's just an out-of-style haircut. Not some essential component of his being. :)

Rob said...

I feel like when Eck's in the booth it's a LOT more easygoing than when Jerry was there. Jerry brings a lot of insight but it always got so boring and rhythmic, whereas with Eck there's more unpredictability and fresh air. I find myself actually laughing out loud when I listen to them. I don't need them to be totally professional during the game - I can see what's going on.

laura k said...

Eck without his look would be like seeing a bald or chubby Jagger.

Neverrrrr!

laura k said...

Believe me, it's not lack of professionalism that bothers me.

But this is all old news. I just don't like him in the booth.

Rob said...

Ok, Don, shut up about the military. You guys did the bit with Heidi but move on, please. We don't give a shit about Operation Iraqi Freedom. We want to watch baseball and talk about hairy cheese.

laura k said...

bye for now

allan said...

looks like it's time for a dong

Rob said...

I'll get on that.

Rob said...

It's amazing, the strength and longevity of this guy. Verlander can throw 100 on his 100th pitch. I find that staggering.

Rob said...

Verlander is a very fidgety and high-energy guy isn't he?

Rob said...

Someone wants Eck to give her sister some sneaky cheese.

That's hilarious.

That dong wasn't.

Unknown said...

Shit

Pepe Lepew said...

Ah, poo!

allan said...

Sounds like a different kind of cheese!

Ish, can you do the thread on Tuesday? We're at Skydome.

allan said...

they are hitting clay a bit more now.

pen up?

Rob said...

Allan, send me an email as we get closer to Tuesday just to remind me. Shouldn't be a problem.

Unknown said...

GDGD says in play out(s) for Laird, but claims its a homer

Um, which is correct?

allan said...

mdc getting up

Unknown said...

And NOW it changes it to a fly out

allan said...

ball 4 looked alright

Unknown said...

Alright, a damn nice game for Clay (again), let's score some runs and get him a win this time

allan said...

kotchman
green
woodward

(not what we had in mind back in april...)

Unknown said...

"kotchman
green
woodward

(not what we had in mind back in april...)"

If it were March right now it might make sense as a spring training lineup...

Unknown said...

Would they PH Pedroia for Woodward if someone gets on?

Zenslinger said...

This is going to be very tough for HH if we lose. He's equalled BEckett's outing yesterday, more or less.

Unknown said...

"This is going to be very tough for HH if we lose."

Especially considering that this is looking like a repeat of his last start

allan said...

2 outs now - verlander at 104

Unknown said...

Verlander's only at 105 pitches, if we get lucky maybe he comes out for the 8th and we can get to him

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

How about Verlander for Cy Young if he keeps this up the rest of the season?

allan said...

i think that was strike 3.

Zenslinger said...

Verlander could be in the mix. He's 10th in ERA before today. This would give him 13 wins. But as I was saying earlier, it's a crowded field.

Unknown said...

Alright, time to score some effing runs

allan said...

top of the order

Unknown said...

Leadoff double! Nice

Pepe Lepew said...

That helps.

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

Was JD not available to pinch-hit?

Unknown said...

Damn, K

Anyone else find it insane that five of his first six hits are for extra bases?

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

120 pitches and still throwing 99 mph.

Unknown said...

123 pitches and still throwing 100

That's fucking incredible

allan said...

well, the "is the pitcher dealing or are our bats dead" question is pretty easy to answer today.

wish it was still 1-0, but we got 3 more outs to go

allan said...

f-cab in

Unknown said...

Well, at least we don't have to deal with 104mph Zumaya in the 9th

allan said...

my memory says we've eaten rodney's lunch a few times.

flo
mole
kotch
green
woodward

i saw FY with a bat in the 8th.

Zenslinger said...

Whoa, Cabrera. Mows 'em down.

Unknown said...

Damn, K's the side in order

Small sample size thus far, but I'm liking Cabrera

Unknown said...

Rodney's allowed at least one run in three of his last five appearances

allan said...

"tough to watch your game slip away"

eck, it really ain't at that point yet

laura k said...

yucky clean water

go mariners

Unknown said...

Clean water...

richard said...

Go Mariners. Go Spiders

Unknown said...

Clay's last two starts: 13 IP, 3 ER, 2 losses, 0 runs of support

richard said...

Oh, shoot. I see Cleveland have already lost to Texas.

Rob said...

Stupid crystal clear, sparkling clean water.

Like I said about Verlander earlier, though. And I was conservative! Saying 100 on pitch 100. How about 100 on pitch 123? That's insane. He's certainly got the stuff to be the best pitcher in baseball. But as Eck said earlier in the game, when you throw 99-100, it's hard to paint.

9casey said...

Ish said...


Like I said about Verlander earlier, though. And I was conservative! Saying 100 on pitch 100. How about 100 on pitch 123?



New York Times reported that radar gun at Fenway was on the list.


It has to be a good 3mph off...

9casey said...

Bronson:"I can see where guys like Hank Aaron and some of the old-timers have a beef with it," Arroyo said, according to the report. "But as far as looking at Manny Ramirez like he's [serial killer] Ted Bundy, you're out of your mind. At the end of the day, you think anybody really [cares] whether Manny Ramirez's kidneys fail and he dies at 50?

"You were happy if the Red Sox won 95 games. You'd go home, have a cookout with your family. No big deal," he said, according to the report.






Save it , Bronson, I am sorry if you think no cares about your well being, I am sure you keep yourself up at night worried about mine, we help pay your salary, isn't that enough?

Rob said...

9C, it doesn't surprise me AT ALL about Fenway's gun. When guys like Papelbon and Brad Penny are throwing 97-99 it seems a little bit off. Yet, Bard was still hitting 99-100 and Verlander, who does hit 99-100 was hitting it today.

Hard to figure.