September 15, 2009

G143: Red Sox 4, Angels 1

Angels  - 000 000 001 - 1  6  1
Red Sox - 000 002 02x - 4 9 0
Matsuzaka (6-3-0-3-5, 93) did not allow a hit until the fifth inning -- and he worked out of a 2nd & 3rd, 1 out jam in that inning by striking out pinch-hitter Gary Matthews and Chone Figgins.

Dice stayed with his fastball in the early innings. He threw 63% fastballs, much higher than his 52.5% career average. His pitches were faster, crisper and far less hittable than at any other point this season. However, he did throw only 56% strikes.

The Sox scored twice in the sixth. Alex Gonzalez singled off the Wall and Jacoby Ellsbury bunted for a hit. Dustin pedroia bunted down the third base line, and Lackey threw the ball away past third. Seabass scored. After J.D. Drew grounded out and Jason Bay walked to load the bases, David Ortiz singled off left fielder Juan Rivera's shoetops.

In the eighth, Drew tripled with one out and scored on Bay's single to left. Bay was easily thrown out trying for a double. Ortiz then launched a dong to dead center. It was his 270th home run as a DH, a new major league record.

Dice got ahead of the first batter of the game (Figgins) 0-2, but walked him. Same old Dice? No. He retired the next eight Angels until he walked Figgins again (with two outs) in the 3rd. But he got the next hitter and then retired the side in order in the fourth. He got out of the fifth inning jam, then worked around a one-out double in the sixth.

The Blue Jays belted five dongs in a 10-4 rout of the Yankees (although the MFY outhit them!) and the A's beat the Rangers 6-1, so Boston is 6.5 GB in the East and 5.5 GA in the WC.
Example
John Lackey (3.53, 129 ERA+) / Daisuke Matsuzaka (8.23, 57 ERA+)

Matsuzaka returns to the Boston rotation after almost three months. His last start was on June 19 (log). The big question -- the only question, really -- is which Dice will we see?

Along the way there was a bit of controversy about his training and pitching methods. (And NPB had a brief post in August about pitch counts in Japan and MLB.)

John Farrell:
He has done an outstanding job of committing to a program and getting himself in what we consider, just from the naked eye, better shape. He's reshaped his body. He's added core strength. He's gotten the strength levels in his shoulder back to a level where he was a year ago. I think he feels good about himself as well, so we're all looking forward to his next time out here.
Terry Francona:
He kind of evolved the last couple of years. He got away from the guy we had signed for a few different reasons. I think what we're hoping to do is see closer to the stuff that we saw when we signed him. You might not see the exact same stuff. I don't know if that's fair. But get closer to it this year, [and hope] that during the winter then when he comes back next year, we're back to that guy with a better comfort for pitching here and living here culturally and competing.
In his final minor league start, Dice hit 93 with his fastball and threw 61 of 89 pitches for strikes. But that was against A-ball hitters.

My guess for tonight? 5-4-1-2-6, 95.

Plus: A reminder of what a dush and clown Lackey is.

Blue Jays/Yankees at 7 and A's/Rangers at 8.

210 comments:

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Zenslinger said...

The 2010 schedule has been released. They are coming to San Francisco to play, Fri-Sun, Jun 25-27.

Were there more circumstances that needed to be met to consider having JoSpalooza in San Francisco next year?

Would be a ball.

allan said...

The 2010 schedule has been released. They are coming to San Francisco to play, Fri-Sun, Jun 25-27.

The wedding is at the end of July. I'm guessing the 31st.

And what is it? July 26-27-28 at Angels!

Ding ding ding! The second straight July 28, perhaps?

Zenslinger said...

LA? Hm.

At least it's in reach.

Amy said...

I am holding my breath about DiceK. The stakes are so high, and he makes me so nervous. Can't we just keep him in the minors a little longer until we lock up the wild card? Guess not....

allan said...

At 4.5, I think we have the WC in hand. Yet even though we are 7.5 behind the MFY, I maintain there is a slim chance we can catch them.

Odd, innit?

Zen: I was thinking that any old game in SF would be good, but if the Red Sox are actually nearby ....

laura k said...

Yes, the wedding in Sonoma County is July 31.

We could see the Sox @ Angels, then any game in either Oakland or SF. We have lots of blog friends in both southern and norther CA. And a few non-blog friends and family, too.

Zenslinger said...

Sox @ A's 7/19-21 is probably too long before your wedding.

If you just want to see a Bay Area game, San Francisco has a much better park than Oakland. Giants are at home 7/26-29 v. the Marlins and 7/30 - 8/1 vs. LA Dodgers.

allan said...

Yook (back spams) and Martinez (?) out. With the cactus, every BB will be a double.

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

1. Chone Figgins, 3B
2. Maicer Izturis, 2B
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Vladimir Guerrero, DH
5. Torii Hunter, CF
6. Kendry Morales, 1B
7. Juan Rivera, LF
8. Erick Aybar, SS
9. Jeff Mathis, C

Rob said...

Oh man, I'd love to take a road trip out to Anaheim. That'd be great. But even knowing it's 10.5 months away, I'd be surprised if I could swing it.

tim said...

I'm down for a cross country JOS2!

Fuckin' shitty schedule for Toronto. Well, I guess it's not bad....I DEFINITELY wont be attending the first series, as its during the peak of tax season.

Second series in July should be fine.

MAYBE will get to go to the final series, but if all goes according to plan thats right around the start of the study time for the final C.A. exam.

Manny (possibly) returning to fenway with LAD if he stays there - cool!

tim said...

And as for tonight...FUCKIN WIN!!!!!

I'm tired of fuckin' around with this "win against shitty teams and don't do so well against playoff bound teams" thing they've been bullshitting.

And as for Martinez out, Tito just wants to make sure that he doesn't have to hear about the magic cactus again...if Dice is shit, then its all V-Mart's fault. But if Dice is shit with Tek behind the dish, then it's all Dice...

But, that's moot because Dice won't be shit. His pitches will tumble like they've been exiled on main street!

allan said...

Oh man, I'd love to take a road trip out to Anaheim.

L reminds me that we were thinking of having a get-together in Toronto: One game at Skydome and one at our house.

But at least with the west coast, we know (generally) when we will be there.

tim said...

Oh! I've been meaning to ask since I got your email the other day...how has your return to school been, L?

allan said...

2010 - Red Sox begin and end the season at Fenway against the Chokers! Fun!

Two mid-week series at Skydome:

April 26-27-28 (MTW)

July 9-10-11 (FSS)

August 10-11-12 (TWT, with Thursday at 12:30, as Sox fly to Texas afterwards).

allan said...

her post about day 1 is up. monday was some intro stuff, but today and wednesday are her regular class days.

Rob said...

I'd be so in for a trip to Toronto/Mississauga. That would be a blast!

tim said...

AWWWWWW MISSISSAUGA....don't tell me I gotta deal with that fuckin' QEW...stupid construction in Oakville makes that trek a nightmare! I'd rather drive to Buffalo and hop on a plane!

:-D

allan said...

drive to buffalo, fly on porter and we'll come into the city and pick you up! it's perfect!

***

that august series could be good. go to the wednesday night game, then watch the thursday afternoon game here and grill dinner/booze it up.

tim said...

I'll let you know once I find out whose pitching the Wednesday game.

allan said...

I'll let you know once I find out whose pitching the Wednesday game.

Felix Hernandez.

You heard it first right here.

tim said...

...bookmarking it in the "Nostradamus" folder next to my prediction from last week...

allan said...

"V. Mart is back in Cleveland; Personal issue could also keep him out of tomorrow's lineup."

Boo.

allan said...

Kilgore: "Youkilis is out with back spasms, and Martinez is in Cleveland attending to a family matter.
Youkilis went to Massachusetts General Hospital and it was believed he might have had a kidney stone. He does not, but he does have lower back spasms. ...
Martinez may not have played tonight, anyway, because he got hit in the leg while blocking the plate Sunday. ... Francona indicated Martinez is likely to return Thursday."

allan said...

Halladay/Mitre at the Toilet.

allan said...

Last game I sat at home and watched was September 2. Nearly two weeks ago. So don't piss me off, Sox.

tim said...

Registered for the postseason ticket draw :)

And so did "mom", "dad" and "Steph"

allan said...

nesn!

good luck with the tix

tim said...

Love how Orsillo mentions Dice-K's W-L record in rehab, as if its some sort of indicator of performance or something.

tim said...

Is your nesn broken too?

an 0-2 count with this guy on the mound?

allan said...

fixed

now 3-2

tim said...

Yup, back to normal.

allan said...

there goes the no-walker

Unknown said...

Great...leadoff walk

As if we expected anything else...

allan said...

CBC

tim said...

Everything's going according to expectations.

Now change that!

allan said...

0-2onvlad -- why go 3 feet outside with 3 ina row?

tim said...

Dice seems to be auditioning for the newest star wars role, 0-2-3-2...

lame? damn right.

allan said...

lame?

i smiled.

tim said...

Almost fire....just smoke for now.

Zenslinger said...

One walk and then three outs from the Dicer? I'll take it!

Zenslinger said...

And then an OTT?

I'll double take it!

allan said...

7 pitch OTT

6 in a row set down after the BB

Unknown said...

My computer must be malfunctioning, it says Dice-K just pitched an OTT.

A Conformer said...

Evening. Daisuke is looking ok so far, eh?

allan said...

if you don't know how to do it
i'll show you how to walk the doc

Zenslinger said...

Good evening, Conf.

Yeah...so far, so pleased.

allan said...

Both KC and TB get 4 in top 1st of their games.

TOR: 00
MFY: 0

A Conformer said...

Conf. That's a new one.

My stream is showing NESN, but it's supposedly on ESPN America. What's ESPN America, anyway? It's not what we get in "Europe".

Unknown said...

I'm liking this version of Dice-K

Zenslinger said...

He's already surpassed so many dire predictions. 3 scoreless and a low pitch count.

allan said...

L: "TMB"

(she also says hi)

A Conformer said...

Lyndon was out by a ton. Great throw...

tim said...

L: Too Many Books??? hahaha

(yes i know what she meant)

allan said...

4 IP: 0 0 0

A Conformer said...

Man, if Matsuzaka pitches a no hitter it will be hilarious.

allan said...

well, he won't do it *now* -- thanks ofer ...

Zenslinger said...

We don't believe in jinxes and curses.

...right?

A Conformer said...

It's OK, I'm sure that somewhere, someone said it before me, anyway. I'd bet that there's at least one person somewhere in the universe that mentions the dreaded words after the first out of every game.

A Conformer said...

Why is there a goose being tortured before every one of Lackey's pitches?

Zenslinger said...

Adam LaRoche had a .993 OPS since going to Atlanta -- and that's coming into today. Today he has a solo HR and an RBI double.

I know I've mentioned him before, but...you go, LaRoche.

3-2 Toronto over MFY now on a couple of HRs. Yahoo!'s reporting Pettite will skip a start with a tired shoulder.

allan said...

bah.

...

TOR: 003
MFY: 02

A Conformer said...

Yeah, OK, I guess that one is on me hahaha.

allan said...

no throw - great.

allan said...

K

A Conformer said...

OK, 0-2 and he didn't nibble. This is a different Daisuke.

allan said...

"nibble this"

Unknown said...

Well, not exactly an OTT, but I'll take it

A Conformer said...

Nibbling- no.
Houdini- yes.

I like it.

SoSock said...

Oh, HELL YEAH!
I get in and Dice is not only "not shitting the bed", he's got a 2-hit shutout!
And Ks the last 2 w/ men on 2nd & 3rd!
Hot Damn!

So, were both hits that inning? That's what it looks like.

allan said...

Dice PBP:

BB/SB
3-1
F7
6-3

6-3
4-3
P4

P6
K
BB
F9

K
L8
P4

1B
F9
1B
K
K

SoSock said...

Oatmeal could be a tad tastier tonight. Any word on why no V-Mart

Amy said...

So I have been watching and cooking. So happy to sit down and just watch and thread.

I see the new DiceK is a lot better than what I recall from the early season. Houdini is back?

allan said...

personal/family matter

no other info

Amy said...

Heh, SoSock, we got here at the same time with the same thought and the same question---what's the issue with VMart?

SoSock said...

Thx for the pbp!

allan said...

nice hustle, white guy

Unknown said...

Well, he didn't SASAHE for once...

SoSock said...

Amy - great minds...etc

allan said...

TOR: 003 2
MFY: 020

A Conformer said...

A professional DPer couldn't have done it better.

SoSock said...

I must confess. Even though he has apparently had a pretty damn good game so far - given that this IS his first start after such a long time off - I'd really love to see some serious O about now.
Excuse me, after this next OTT I mean.

A Conformer said...

Is he on a limited PC? 90-100? Any word on that?

SoSock said...

damn

Amy said...

Serious O ? Please translate....

Amy said...

Vlad always worries me.

allan said...

gotta be on some kind of limit. they may take 6 shutout innings and be thrilled.

K YES

SoSock said...

O - offense. runs
And once again.... I was just getting ready to say I'm none too happy about having Vlad up with a man in sp.
But...Dice gets him!

Amy said...

Thanks for the translation, SoSock. I know D for defense, but have never heard of O for offense!

Can this DiceK be for real?

Unknown said...

Some runs would be really nice right about now.

SoSock said...

Go Dice Man!
87 pitches. 2 line drives that inning. Enough you think?

SoSock said...

O for offense.
Might be just a LL thing. Not sure. We use it there.

allan said...

send him out with a one-runner lease?

Amy said...

Why didn't we like this guy the first time around??

A Conformer said...

send him out with a one-runner lease?

My thoughts exactly.

allan said...

because he was absolute shit before.

Amy said...

NICE bunt!

Unknown said...

"send him out with a one-runner lease?"

He threw first-pitch strikes to three of the four batters last inning, plus he's already through the toughest part of their lineup, I'd say let him at least start the 7th.

Amy said...

Oh, yeah... He was a non-entity, IIRC. Not bad in the field, but awful at the plate.

allan said...

LACKEY !!!!!!!!!!

i saw that happening

allan said...

wait, amy - i meant dice.

you meant seabass?

Unknown said...

I see run(s)!

SoSock said...

I see run(s) too. No explanation yet.

Amy said...

Yeah, I meant Seabass.

SoSock said...

Got it.

Unknown said...

Yay for shitty fielding!

Amy said...

Run---bad throw to third, Seabass scored. Just one

A Conformer said...

Hahaha, I love the bunt double.

allan said...

pen might need some work, after the strong rays series and the off day -- and now dice can get a W (rolls eyes)

Amy said...

Bases full!

allan said...

do it, flo, do it.

Amy said...

So does your absolute shit comment apply to the earlier version of Seabass also?

Amy said...

YES!!!

allan said...

lackey pissed at his teammates.

again.

Unknown said...

Good times!

SoSock said...

Tizzle! Not a grand slam, but nice

allan said...

seabass could always field. dice could do nothing earlier.

amazed that his mates do not beat the shit out of lackey

Amy said...

Yeah, like I said about Seabass, nothing at the plate, but ok in the field.

allan said...

nesn has not shown the sox pen at all

Amy said...

I would have liked more than two out of that.

Unknown said...

Meh, we should have gotten more than that.

Still, every run helps.

allan said...

current line for halladay

4.2-10-2-0-5

still 5-2 jays

allan said...

jays have 4 dongs off mitre including 2 from #9 hitter travis snider

allan said...

ramram up

Zenslinger said...

LaRoche adds another dong of his own.

allan said...

dice is back and he is back, maybe, just maybe, a bit big.

SoSock said...

bleh, 0-2 then 4 straight balls.
Still, a good first game back!

Watch out world, here we come

allan said...

wag now up

Unknown said...

Sit

Amy said...

Ramram did his job.

Rob said...

Hey, everyone! Better late than never to thread, right?

I've had a FANTASTIC Tuesday.

Rob said...

This was an entertaining tweet by Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News:

Edwar Ramirez in the game. We can only hope Kevin Millar - who once said Edwar was "a cute little fella" and "good hittin'" comes in to PH.

allan said...

nix is nowhere so i'll say

CHOCOLATE RAIN

A Conformer said...

So, who chose 6IP, 0ER in the pool for tonight?

Amy said...

Ish, what made it a great day?

allan said...

i had:

5-4-1-2-6, 95

it was:

6-3-0-3-5, 93

Rob said...

I climbed a mountain on my bicycle with a friend (who was on his bike, in case anyone was wondering :P) without stopping once (friend stopped twice), went down this TREACHEROUS downhill off-road trail with HUGE rocks in the middle of it... The craziest and trickiest terrain I had ever ridden on in my life. At times I feared or my life, at other times I just laughed so hard at how I just kept going! I wasn't crashing!

It was hilarious. Then I went up the hill a little bit again, then raced down and got up to 43.5 mph on a MOUNTAIN BIKE.

Amy said...

Wow, Allan, that's pretty close.

SoSock said...

showoff :)

allan said...

of course, i based it on nothing.

Amy said...

Sounds very cool, Ish. I hope you were wearing a helmet!

allan said...

bard up

allan said...

JAYS 7-2!

Rob said...

I was, Amy! Most definitely, haha. I should have been wearing full body armour if I had known the terrain I'd be riding on. :)

Had a great dinner, went to the gym, great exercise and hanging out at the front with a friend of mine where much hilarity ensued... I get in the car and I'm like HUH! That's right, the Red Sox are on!

Although I had been watching on the TV on an elliptical and doing play-by-play in my head, haha.

Such an entertaining day. Glad I got a lot of sleep last night!

allan said...

TOR: 003 202
MFY: 020 00

Unknown said...

Sit

allan said...

I get in the car and I'm like HUH! That's right, the Red Sox are on!

And that's why you are the *back-up* thread host.

:>)

Amy said...

Sounds a lot more fun than my day, Ish. Taught two classes, cooked for the weekend, and got to watch baseball. One out of three was fun....

Rob said...

:>) is right! Haha that gave me a good laugh.

SoSock said...

OK, I commented showoff directed at Allan. But it turns out to be a dual purpose comment.
You too, Ish!

allan said...

bard in for vlad

SoSock said...

Assassin?

Unknown said...

Bard in

Amy said...

The always dangerous Vlad, as they say.

SoSock said...

Way cool Ish. Was going to share a bit about my son, who rides mountain bikes as well, but just got a call from Dora, my dear friend. She's banged up her head and daughter has the car and is not answeringthe phone. On my over to check on her.
Win, plz.
Later

allan said...

99 away and vlad flailing!!!!!

allan said...

now tie him up

Amy said...

Whoa, that was fast. Like a magic trick.

Unknown said...

Alright, maybe an insurance run or two here?

allan said...

164!

Amy said...

Hope your friend is ok, SoSock.

allan said...

snuffer gettin' snuffy

allan said...

LAZY TRIPLE FOR INDIFFERENT DREW

Amy said...

On Fire! How did that NOT end up in the stands? What a break!

allan said...

OAK: 110 2
TEX: 000

it's all good

tim said...

Back from wings with a friend. Watched some of the Jays game at the restaurant.

Pleasant sight to come back to. I'm gathering our runs were scored on a seabass ROE and papi something?

Fuck Lackey.

J FUCKIN BAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amy said...

Guess Bay hit it TOO hard for a double.

tim said...

Sounds like a sweet day, ish. Damn you and your maine/new england with your hills and mountains and stuff...

Plan on getting myself a road bike next spring and getting into that a bit. This beer gut isn't gonna take care of itself.

Anonymous said...

Who is getting married in Sonoma?
I may be at one of the SF games if I am still in Sacramento.

Unknown said...

Hm...not the greatest outcome, but I'll take it

Rob said...

TIZZZZZZZLE DNA!!

allan said...

TIZZLE -- INTO THE URBAN BOSTON NIGHT

Amy said...

Papi!!!

"Absolutely crushed"

Unknown said...

FLO!!!

Amy said...

He says it TWICE (Absolutely crushed)

allan said...

L reminds me she predicted 4-0 when it was 2-0

tim said...

TUNIN UP TO 93.4 FLO FM

ALL DONGS ALL DAY

FUCKIN JACKED!

Amy said...

So does Bot still come in since it's now a 4-0 lead?

Anonymous said...

That's a record, most HR for a DH.

allan said...

yep #270 as a DH

if bot is warm, he's in.

Unknown said...

Considering we're playing a team as good as the Angels, I'd say bringing in Bot is the right move.

allan said...

bot: pls don't use 30 pitches for the save.

tim said...

furthermore bot:

dont make this a save situation.

allan said...

nesn dunkin donuts runs scored ad says we got 2 on that tiz HR last inning.

(shakes head)

Rob said...

Looking like a great fucking night tonight on the standings! Sox winning, Yanks and Rangers losing. HOT DAMN.

tim said...

well we did get 2 runs that inning....was that it?

Amy said...

Bot still not my favorite.

allan said...

it said: "2 runs on Ortiz HR in 8th"

and that is wrong.

allan said...

JAYS 8-2

Amy said...

Thank God for LBJ.

I hate Pap.

allan said...

but but but

ANYONE CAN BEAT THE BLUE JAYS

allan said...

nice catch

allan said...

looks like it's the dancin' aybar for the final out.

Unknown said...

Sit

One more

Amy said...

Like I said...

Unknown said...

Ugh

Mrs.GotRibe said...

Hi Everyone. Trying to watch the game and pack for a trip at the same time. Just sat down and am catching up on the thread.

Nice pitching, Dice and nice prediction, Allan.

allan said...

The water is Muddy!!!

AYBAR OUT!!!!

Amy said...

Phew.

Unknown said...

WATER

Mrs.GotRibe said...

Water. Dirty.

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