September 1, 2009

G131: Red Sox 8, Rays 4

Red Sox - 010 311 011 - 8 12  1
Rays - 100 100 020 - 4 11 3
The calendar has turned over to September, the ball games are getting more important, and Terry Francona is getting into Playoff Assassin mode.

Boston led 7-2 as Hideki Okajima began the bottom of the eighth inning. He had a rough time, however. Evan Longoria dropped a first pitch bunt single towards third. Carlos Pena worked a nine-pitch walk. Pat Burrell singled to left and Willy Aybar and Dioner Navarro followed with identical bloop singles into short right field. The lead was cut to 7-4, the bases were loaded, and there was no one out.

Francona went to Jonathan Papelbon. It was the correct move. With the game on the line in the late innings, you don't give a damn about "the book" or "saves", you go with your best pitcher. And despite Daniel Bard's success, the top gun in the pen is still Bot.

Papelbon struck out B.J. Upton. Jason Bartlett lined a ball to short center, but Jacoby Ellsbury (who made an astounding diving catch in left center off Pat Burrell in the fourth) came sprinting in and snared this sinking liner with a sliding catch. Burrell was stutter-stepping off third like Jeff Suppan circa 2004 and could not advance. Bot got ahead of Carl Crawford 0-2, but the count went full and Crawford fouled off the 6th, 7th and 8th pitches of the at-bat before finally lofting a fly ball down the left field line that Jason Bay caught in foul territory. Three batters, three outs (on 18 pitches) and no runs scored! That was the save!

With two outs in the top of the ninth, Alex Gonzalez singled and Ellsbury tripled him in. Boston led 8-4 and Takashi Saito got up. However, after Dustin Pedroia made the final out, Papelbon came back out for the ninth, with Manny Delcarmen and Daniel Bard getting ready to back him up.

Papelbon snuffed the side in order. Ben Zobrist lined out to first, Longoria struck out looking, and Pena struck out swinging. In total, Papelbon threw 28 pitches for a six-out save -- the first one by a Boston reliever since Mike Timlin on September 5, 2006.

Lester (6-7-2-2-9, 97) had only one perfect inning, but it never seemed like he was in any trouble. After the first inning, he allowed only one Tampa runner past second (Pena's solo home run in the fourth). Lester struck out the side in the second and fanned two in each of the fourth and fifth.

Dong Watch: J.D. Drew hit a two-run homer in the fourth, Jason Bay began the fifth with his 30th home run of the season, and Kevin Youkilis homered in the eighth.

The Yankees beat the Orioles 9-6 so the Red Sox are still 6.5 GB in the East. Texas swept a doubleheader from the Blue Jays 5-2 and 5-2, so Texas is now 3.5 GB Boston in the wild card. With tonight's loss, Tampa drops 6 GB in the WC.
Example
Jon Lester (3.60, 132 ERA+) / Andy Sonnanstine (6.61, 69 ERA+)

MLB calls this three-game series "crucial" for the Red Sox in knocking the Rays out of the wild card race, but since I still have an eye on the AL East, every game from now until October 4 is crucial.

Boston leads the wild card race by 4 games over the Rangers and are 6.5 GB the Yankees. They have won 10 of their last 13 games -- hitting .302 with a .921 OPS and a staff ERA of 5.23 (though subtracting the gruesome 20-11 loss to New York drops that ERA all the way down to 4.08) -- yet they have gained only one game in the standings.

Lester has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 15 of his last 16 starts, dating back to May 31. ... Sonnanstine -- 4.40 ERA in nine starts for AAA Durham -- is being recalled to take Scott Kazmir's spot in the rotation.

And: Yankees/Orioles at 7 and Blue Jays/Rangers at 5 and 8.

287 comments:

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tim said...

I agree that this series is crucial in knocking TB out, if we can get a sweep.

More importantly to me though, this series is crucial to see if Boston can carry the past week's success over to dominate teams that are actually good. Not like the Double-A caliber teams we've played the past week.

Get 'em, Sid.

Let's fucking win.

A Conformer said...

With Lester going up against Sonnastine, and the Rangers playing a doubleheader, today's a good day to increase the WC lead.

allan said...

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Jason Bay, LF
7. Mike Lowell, 3B
8. J.D. Drew, RF
9. Alex Gonzalez, SS

1. Jason Bartlett, SS
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Ben Zobrist, RF
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Carlos Pena, 1B
6. Pat Burrell, DH
7. Akinori Iwamura, 2B
8. Dinoer Navarro, C
9. B.J. Upton, CF

s1c said...

The Sox just need to start winning on the road again. A below .500 record on the road is just not good enough.

Rob said...

All you have to do is make sure you win 6 or 7 more games than the Yankees do in the next 31 games. That's not hard... right?

laura k said...

Watching sans computer tonight, at least for the first 5-6 innings.

Be wicked, Lester.

Zenslinger said...

The last couple of games I have checked have not been available on atdhe.net. I wonder if there's any rhyme or reason to when they're there and when they're not.

allan said...

I was hoping to the see the Jays/Sox last weekend, but nada. No baseball at all, actually.

G1
TOR: 000 101
TEX: 100 20

allan said...

ugh - dave roberts.
fuckin' a.
better than kevin kennedy, but not by much.

Rob said...

I bet MLB snuffed them out and put the screws to 'em.

Rob said...

Plleeeeeeeeaaaasssseeeeeeee don't let Dave Roberts near NESN againnnn!

PAIN!!! My ears!!!!

Mrs.GotRibe said...

You could have the stinkin' Rays' announcers. Ugh.

allan said...

i know - we've had them before. it thought it could not get worse than migraine. but along came kennedy....

allan said...

roberts talked to the red sox players -- they really want to win this first game. interesting .....

Mrs.GotRibe said...

I don't like Kennedy on XM's Home Plate. He is a know-it-all blowhard. And, these guys will talk about a topic for-e-ver.

allan said...

for years, staats and migraine complained about EVERY umpire's call that went against the rays. ... then kennedy came in -- and he got right into that whining mode.

i have to admit i was surprised. it's like it's a job requirement, to whine about "bad calls" for five innings in a row.

allan said...

alright crawford, we got a new catcher now!

Zenslinger said...

Was strike three to the Large Father as worthy of complaint as it looked on GDGD (clearly outside)?

s1c said...

alright crawford, we got a new catcher now!

Who has made multiple errors on throws to second.

s1c said...

Was strike three to the Large Father as worthy of complaint as it looked on GDGD (clearly outside)?

Almost same spot as strike 1, too close to take.

Zenslinger said...

Tough first inning for Beavis -- solo HR, but two singles come to nothing and Baltimore over the Yanks by 1-0.

Texas getting run(s) after an error. 5-2 now.

Zenslinger said...

Almost same spot as strike 1, too close to take.

Hm. Thanks.

allan said...

"bluffs off the back side"

glug!

Iridescence said...

Zenslinger

Myp2p.eu has more games than that other site.

http://www.myp2pforum.eu/mlb-baseball/42656-baseball-today-tuesday-september-1-streaming.html

often they are a bit lagged but still a great site.

Zenslinger said...

Lovely. Thanks very much, Iridesence.

Unknown said...

Crap

Mrs.GotRibe said...

i have to admit i was surprised. it's like it's a job requirement, to whine about "bad calls" for five innings in a row.

Yep, they were non-stop on the ball that got stuck in the equipment bag a few weeks ago. It was innings after Benjamin (I think) posted the rule here that their crackerjack research department found the rule and then they half-way explained it. They then berated the rule and kept talking about how the rule needed to be changed.

Zenslinger said...

Carlos Pena has turned into Adam Dunn. .223 BA, but .353 on base with all that power.

Yargh.

Iridescence said...

Damn Pena

Unknown said...

Alright, one run allowed isn't bad

Let's score some

allan said...

E-wamura

Zenslinger said...

When did Iwamura come back? I remember he led off the game I went to in Fenway with an HR.

Benjamin said...

DO waits until after the catch to tell us the infield fly rule was in effect. Seems like it would've been nice to know when it was called.

Zenslinger said...

L B J!

Make them pay!

L B J!

Make them pay!

Benjamin said...

lbjrbi

Mrs.GotRibe said...

TV guys never said it.

Wow, it's painful to watch Lowell run.

Unknown said...

Lyndon!

Zenslinger said...

Ha! Chanting = reality.

I will now become religious again.

Benjamin said...

In fairness to Sonnanstine, that pitch would have hit any other player in the ankles.

Iridescence said...

Lyndon nice!

Mrs.GotRibe said...

Now they're talking about what an effective pitch that is and that they're surprised that more pitchers don't pitch FY like that!

Benjamin said...

Bleh.

I discovered stickbaseball.com today, by the way. Not as good as stickcricket.com, but it's an adequate time killer.

Zenslinger said...

Sonnanstine: 47-26 on the pitch count.

Could been more runs, but I call it Advantage: Us.

A Conformer said...

Why doesn't NESN have radar gun readings? Am I missing something?

Zenslinger said...

Rockies have snagged up Jason Giambi.

Is it just me or are post-July 31 moves more common this year?

Rob said...

Lester is wreaking of filth.

Unknown said...

Sit, sit, and SIT!

s1c said...

Zen - I think they are also - especially bigger contracts (thome, giambi).

A Conformer said...

I love me a racist Mo Lester.

Mrs.GotRibe said...

Crazy call

allan said...

wow THAT was a bad call. jesus.

allan said...

shift that

Unknown said...

Not even close to being a strike

allan said...

roberts: "as the season progresses, which it has ..."

:>)

Unknown said...

Bleh

Amy said...

Wow, I am FINALLY able to watch a game and thread. This moving stuff kind of is overwhelming.

Mrs.GotRibe said...

DOCTOR!!

Amy said...

Dr Doubles!

Anyone here? So quiet.

A Conformer said...

Fuck, I really want Lexus' sale ends already.

Unknown said...

Rx

Amy said...

FIRE DONG!

allan said...

MY DONG IS ON FIRE!!!!

Benjamin said...

(yay)

Mrs.GotRibe said...

FIRE!!!!!!

Unknown said...

ON FUCKIN FIRE!!!!

Iridescence said...

DREW!

Rob said...

Yeeeeaahhh uhhaaaaa this DONG is on fireeeeee

Rob said...

Anyone who knows of the song Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon, knows what I'm talking about.

allan said...

keep pitchin' out, moron.

Rob said...

HA. Hot bullpen action in the FOURTH.

Benjamin said...

Foul scrotum.

Mrs.GotRibe said...

LBJ wheels!!

Rob said...

Scuse me, Dionner. Ima just slip past you and score me a run! Hot damn.

Rob said...

That is one fast former President.

Unknown said...

Sweaty scrotum!

Benjamin said...

'Scuse me while I kiss the plate.

s1c said...

Lester needs to continue to be filthy

Rob said...

That was not filthy. That was very clean.

allan said...

WOW!

Unknown said...

Ugh

Rob said...

DEEEEEFENSE!

allan said...

gotta a late jump on that (which he often does) but speed helps.

Mrs.GotRibe said...

Pena is the AL home run leader. Why can't we get players like that?

Unknown said...

Sit

allan said...

"the bacon beckons like a springboard to paradise"

now that's poetry!

Amy said...

Yay Bay!

allan said...

30 DOUNGS!

Unknown said...

THUNDER!!!

s1c said...

Right in his power zone

Mrs.GotRibe said...

DOCTOR (again)

s1c said...

Dr. Doubles!!!

Time to knock stiney out of this game.

Unknown said...

Doctor!

Benjamin said...

Nooooooo. Leave him iiiiiiiiiin.

allan said...

MFY: 021 0
BAL: 102

G1
TOR: 000 101 000 - 2 6 3
TEX: 100 200 20x - 5 10 1

G2
TOR: 0
TEX:

A Conformer said...

SweetBay!

Rob said...

A storm rages on Thunder Bay.

A Conformer said...

Wow, I'm really behind...

Unknown said...

Loaded!

I have a good feeling about this game

Iridescence said...

Strategic discussion to beg Shouse not to pitch like crap.

A Conformer said...

Maddon: "OK, guys, don't forget, 9=8, 17-5=23, and the square root of 7 is love."

Man, their D has been nice today.

Rob said...

Tyler Kepner of the New York Times tweeted that A-Rod gave an anti-steroid talk to kids today.

I can see it now. "You don't want to end up like me." Real convincing.

I tweeted this to him and he replied back, "Don't know what A-Rod said; that was the only statement the group released, and speech wasn't open to media. I'm OK with that."

I guess I am too. Better to give an anti-steroids talk to some kids than not to.

But seriously. "Don't do steroids." I hope he gives them some graphic story about his balls shriveling up or him getting really angry for no reason. Other than that, what's so bad about steroids? They might make you as good as A-Rod.

A Conformer said...

So, rules question: if Longoria drops the ball on purpose to be able to get the DP instead of only one out, is that allowed? I mean, if the ump thinks that was his intent?

Benjamin said...

So, rules question: if Longoria drops the ball on purpose to be able to get the DP instead of only one out, is that allowed? I mean, if the ump thinks that was his intent?

He's allowed to do that if they didn't call the infield fly rule. That's what that rule's for.

Rob said...

There have been line drives ruled infield fly.

Benjamin said...

But for the infield fly rule to be in effect, the ump has to call it at the time.

A Conformer said...

He's allowed to do that if they didn't call the infield fly rule. That's what that rule's for.

OK, cool. That ball was definitely not IFR worthy.

Unknown said...

Oh, the bases apparently were never loaded, GDGD just sucks.

Dang, we should have gotten more than one run out of that

A Conformer said...

And since we're on the subject: when the infield fly rule is in effect, if you do drop the ball on an error, you would only be able to get one out, regardless of if you have time to get two, right?

Benjamin said...

Hmmm. Now that I look at it again, under 6.05(l) the runners get to stay at their bases even if an infield fly isn't declared.

Benjamin said...

If the infield fly rule is in effect, then the only out you make is the batter, unless one of the runners steps off the base or tries to advance and gets tagged out.

Benjamin said...

6.05 A batter is out when-
...
(e) An Infield Fly is declared;
...
(l) An infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first, second and third base occupied before two are out. The ball is dead and runner or runners shall return to their original base or bases;

A Conformer said...

If the infield fly rule is in effect, then the only out you make is the batter, unless one of the runners steps off the base or tries to advance and gets tagged out.

Yeah, but what happens if the defender drops it? The runners are on their bases, so the batter doesn't have first base open.

Benjamin said...

2.00
An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule. When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire shall immediately declare "Infield Fly" for the benefit of the runners. If the ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare "Infield Fly, if Fair." The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly. On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder_not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or the base lines. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire's judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire's judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately. When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk. If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of Rule 6.05 (L). The infield fly rule takes precedence.

Benjamin said...

The batter is immediately out once an infield fly is declared. It doesn't matter what happens to the ball.

Benjamin said...

(Assuming the ball stays in play, of course. If it's foul and drops, then it's nothing.)

A Conformer said...

The batter is immediately out once an infield fly is declared. It doesn't matter what happens to the ball.

Huh. So the defender can just stand around and not even make the effort to go there and catch it. Interesting.
(Of course, he would need to be at least close to it so the runners wouldn't advance).

A Conformer said...

Man, that's a crazy dong leader board. Russell Branyan, Aaron Hill and Kendry Morales. Who would've thought?

Benjamin said...

Ofer, now try to explain it to the Russian dude. :)

Rob said...

V-Mart fisted that ball.

A Conformer said...

Ofer, now try to explain it to the Russian dude. :)

Hahaha. I couldn't even get through tagging up on a regular fly ball. I think that would be a required lesson before you can take the IFR course.

allan said...

HAHAHAH!

Mrs.GotRibe said...

Wow, their defense sucks tonight.

allan said...

roberts defends crawford.

COME ON!

Unknown said...

Third error they've had tonight and it's only the 6th inning

Unknown said...

Loaded for the Dr

s1c said...

Yeah, make them burn through the pen. Want those boys tired out for the next two nights.

A Conformer said...

That is why errors are problematic. Bay wouldn't have even come close to touch it with his glove, so he wouldn't get the chance to get the error. It would be a routine single (or double).

Rob said...

Haha. Randy Choate. What an unfortunate name.

allan said...

chadford's opp avg: .417!

Amy said...

"Another long wait for Jon Lester...."

Do these pitchers really mind waiting that DO always mentions this??

Unknown said...

Scrotum fly!

Amy said...

Boy, I make a comment, and everyone disappears again.

Benjamin said...

Bruschi's SVLI commercials are still running after he retired.

A Conformer said...

Scrotum Doctor.

Rob said...

Too bad Choate wasn't a batter. Then when he hits a home run we could call it a fat dong.

Benjamin said...

DO specifies Choat was a "non roster SPRING TRAINING invitee". As opposed to the other kind.

Benjamin said...

It'd be a Choate choad.

Rob said...

One of those words that's proof that the English language has produced some very fitting names for things.

A Conformer said...

Man, just as I was going into B-Ref to check how many double-digit SO games Lester's had, DO says the answer.

Rob said...

"What's a choad?" Somebody tells you and you're like "Yup. Makes sense."

Unknown said...

Score additional runs

allan said...

NYY: 021 021
BAL: 102 030
6-6!

TOR: 000 0
TEX: 000 2

Mrs.GotRibe said...

MFY have scored 3 in the top of the 7th and still no outs. 9-6

Rob said...

I like this Wagner guy.

Mrs.GotRibe said...

Good 'ol Virginia boy.

A Conformer said...

Wagner no longer at 3 K's per inning...

allan said...

bard up

Rob said...

5 K's per 2 innings though.. Pretty damn good!

Unknown said...

Sit

This alpaca farmer is quite the dominant pitcher

A Conformer said...

The Wagner trade has the potential of being great. If he continues to pitch well, he will have given the Sox well pitched innings out of the bullpen, hopefully another power arm there in the playoffs, and some compensation picks.

Amy said...

Youk! Nice lead now.

allan said...

SULTAN!!!!!!!!!!

of sweat!

Benjamin said...

Feels good.

Unknown said...

YOUK!!!!

tim said...

that score great sight to come home to!

mfy and tex, not so much.

Benjamin said...

Lifnei iver is the offense of putting a stumbling block before the blind. Surely there's a similar prohibition against laying down bunts in front of a gimpy thirdbaseman.

tim said...

*tumbleweed*

Unknown said...

*awkward turtle*

Amy said...

Oh, man. WTF? Good thing we have a nice cushion.

Benjamin said...

Feels like Okajima's had a rough few weeks lately.

Unknown said...

Um, Oki, get it together here

tim said...

Time for one of them fancy unassisted triple plays.

allan said...

it's the non-dancing aybar.

Benjamin said...

Cut this shit out.

Mrs.GotRibe said...

Get him out of there.

tim said...

Is that where Apple employees go to unwind after a long day at work?

The iBar?

Rob said...

Hold on to your butts.

allan said...

tying run at the plate. jeez.

Unknown said...

I'm not a fan of this inning

Outs please

Mrs.GotRibe said...

And I hate Navarro

Benjamin said...

Before tonight, the last 14 days (5 games): opposing batters have been hitting .385/.385/.462.

Unknown said...

Shouldn't we be going with, like, Ram-Ram to try to get a DP here?

allan said...

fucking nickling and diming jeemer to death.

tim said...

The Tampa Bay Jeters.

Fuck. Get Jeemer out of there.

PLAYOFF ASSASSIN TITO? WHERE ARE YOU?

Benjamin said...

Where the fuck is playoff-assassin Tito?

Amy said...

Um, why no pitching change??

OK, finally...

Unknown said...

Pull him

allan said...

bot.

allan said...

surprised to see bot over bard here.

Mrs.GotRibe said...

Going with Bot? Why?

Unknown said...

Bot?

Wow, going for the six out save

allan said...

bot in the 8th, bard in the 9th

tim said...

i love how we're all surprised at bot coming in.

but if bard had been coming in we would all be bitching, using the ol "fuck sakes bring in your BEST reliever when the game is on the line" line.

Rob said...

Are you all so sure it'd be a 6 out save? I think if Bot gets these guys here and the Sox stay ahead, it'll be Bard for the "SV"

Although the REAL save is right here.

allan said...

The Tampa Bay Jeters.

Werd.

Iridescence said...

damn stupid little bloops! How lucky can you get?

allan said...

P.A. Tito gettin' his James on.

Rob said...

I don't think Bard could survive the ultimate white-knuckle inning like this: Bases loaded with 0 out. Papelbon CAN. Will he? Let's see.

Mrs.GotRibe said...

Yes TIm, we ask for it but rarely see it. I guess that's why we're surprised.

Let's hope it works.

Iridescence said...

Love this move :)

A Conformer said...

This inning is the save. No matter what the stupidest stat ever invented has to say about it.

Straddling the Border said...

I'm late with this comment, so I can fairly be accused of 20/20 hindsight now that Okajima is gone, but since Wagner threw only 13 pitches in the 7th, 9 of them strikes, why not bring him out for the 8th? Is he on a post-surgery pitch or inning limit?

Benjamin said...

I don't know if I can survive those fucking cowbells.

There's one.

Unknown said...

Sit!

allan said...

it's both -- a good move *and* surprising.

but is bot our best reliever with the sacks full?

Benjamin said...

Wagner's reportedly being kept to one inning per appearance and a couple days rest, perhaps as an informal condition of his trade.

Iridescence said...

Rays are just fucking lucky though. Jeemer should have a couple of outs here.

tim said...

i prefer bot > bard, and glad tito did as well.

2 to go.

allan said...

yeah, if wag can't go back to back days, he ain't going 2 innings a night.

allan said...

dp pls

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