May 6, 2010

G29: Red Sox 11, Angels 6

Angels  - 400 002 000 -  6  9  2
Red Sox - 002 054 00x - 11 11 0
Boston rallied from a 4-0 hole -- sending 19 batters to the plate in the fifth and sixth innings -- to sweep Los Angeles. It was the first four-game sweep of the Angels at Fenway in 43 years.

Boston swept the California Angels on August 18-20, 1967 (3-2, 12-11, 12-2, 9-8), the start of a seven-game winning streak that boosted the Red Sox into a first place tie in the AL on August 22, Carl Yastrzemski's 28th birthday.

A quick look at Baseball Reference turned up 15 four-game series between 1968 and 2009 (two of those were five-gamers, actually), though only two of the 15 have been played since 1998. Only twice (1984 and 1991) did Boston win the first three games before losing the finale.

After Dice's craptastic 39-pitch first inning, including walks to the first two batters of the game, he settled down nicely. He gave up a single in the second, a wind-blown double in the fifth and a double off the Wall in the sixth. He went to a three-ball count only once in his final 18 batters.

Victor Martinez hit a two-run homer in the third and doubled in the first two runs in the fifth. Later in the inning, facing reliever Brian Stokes, pinch-hitter Jeremy Hermida smacked a first-pitch 2-run single and Darnell McDonald followed with a first-pitch RBI double. In the sixth, the Red Sox had only two hits, but were helped out by two walks, an HBP, and an infield error.

Dustin Pedroia singled, doubled, and walked, stole a base, and scored three runs; he also made a couple of nice plays in the field in the early innings.

The Yankees are in Boston this weekend; they did not play on Thursday. Tampa Bay is leading the Mariners 6-0 in the 6th inning.
Example
Scott Kazmir / Daisuke Matsuzaka
Scutaro, SS
Pedroia, 2B
Martinez, C
Youkilis, 1B
Lowell, DH
Drew, RF
Beltre, 3B
Hall, LF
McDonald, CF
The Red Sox go for a four-game sweep of the Angels. A win would put them over .500 for the first time since they were 1-0, after beating the Yankees on Opening Night.

Boston has gone 10-5 since April 20 and actually lost ground (one half-game) to Tampa Bay (20-7 overall, and 17-4 since April 11). In that 21-game stretch, the Rays have outscored their opponents by an average of almost four runs per game: 6.5 to 2.6. I hope they cool off by May 24.

Last night was Terry Francona's 1,000th game as Red Sox manager. At the end of this season*, he will be at 1,134, trailing only Joe Cronin (2,007, 1935-47). Francona would have to stick around until June 2016 to top the list.
Example
92 Years Ago Today: Red Sox manager Ed Barrow's lineup has pitcher Babe Ruth hitting 6th and playing first base. Boston loses to the Yankees 10-3 at the Polo Grounds, but Ruth goes 2-for-4 with a home run. The next day, Ruth bats 4th and homers off Walter Johnson. Barrow decides to keep Ruth in the everyday lineup.

159 comments:

Patrick said...

10-5 since 4/20. I didn't realize we started to turn it around then. It feels like we've been sucking hard for so long.

But it just shows how bad our first three weeks were.

Amy said...

Good evening. Dice K and Kazmir. Hope Dice can last longer this time.

allan said...

or we yank him earlier if he does implode

allan said...

last time the sox swept a 4-game series from the angels at fenway? 1967.

laura k said...

Boston has gone 10-5 since April 20 and actually lost ground

Amazing. If the FKRs weren't our rivals, I would really like them. An interesting team, and they're holding NY off.

allan said...

wind

nesn says 16 mph to R
gdgd says 21 mph L to R

Amy said...

WTF...

allan said...

there goes the no-walker

allan said...

and aybar looked at 6 pitches.
did OB plotz?

Zenslinger said...

Leadoff walk is especially bad news where Dice is concerned.

allan said...

LAA taking the first 9 pitches......

allan said...

myh nesn feed has no ball/strike/score box! just a little nesn logo in the top right

ah don just mentioned it

allan said...

12 pitches - no swings.

Amy said...

Two leadoff walks is even a worse sign.

Amy said...

I guess not two leadoff walks. Two consecutive walks to start the game.

Zenslinger said...

Yeah. Jesus.

Amy said...

It's hard to remember why I was so excited when the Sox signed DiceK.

Zenslinger said...

Even my Nipponophile self is losing hope here.

allan said...

tp pls

nick said...

heh. plotz. I don't hear that word enough. just popping in between two meetings. hopefully tonight's will be short enough to see some of this.

2 BB 2 Start?

Amy said...

So just how long DO we wait?

laura k said...

heh. plotz. I don't hear that word enough.

I know, I think Allan was channeling my mother there.

Zenslinger said...

Wanna go for three BB?

You got it.

allan said...

nesn shows wake in pen, arms folded across chest -- must be thinking: "yeah, send ME to the pen, real smart, this fucker can't throw a strike ...."

allan said...

dp, assholes, pls

allan said...

DO NOT walk in a run, for fuck's sake.

Zenslinger said...

I can barely watch. And I'm only seeing freakin' GDGD or equivalent.

Amy said...

Good thing I am not a manager. I'd pull him now. Patience not being one of my strengths.

Zenslinger said...

And is this inning going as slowly as it seems to be?

laura k said...

oy

Amy said...

Yeah, this inning is endless. This game will be endless.

Amy said...

It seems Don and Jerry think Wake will be in for the second. If we ever get to the second.

Zenslinger said...

Yeah. I dunno. He's just -- he ain't good. Or he's not pitching well. Now. Ever? Christ.

laura k said...

sarcastic cheers for a strike

allan said...

strike 3 looked like a gift.

Amy said...

DiceK has never been terribly effective. A few good innings, a few good games, but always on the edge of imploding. I can't stand watching him pitch. I had forgotten. Now I remember why.

allan said...

i assume dice will start the 2nd and tito will hope he can get his shit together.

allan said...

long wait for kazmir, perhaps?

laura k said...

Yeah, I think that he'll put Dice out there for the 2nd.

allan said...

"bill of the cap high" - drink.

Zenslinger said...

Heck with the drinking cues -- just DRINK. Our starting pitcher is all the "drink" we need!

laura k said...

We can do it too!

Zenslinger said...

Dr. Nothing BUT Doubles! C'mon, do it again.

Amy said...

At least Lowell is making Kazmir work.

Amy said...

Wow, he struck him out!

allan said...

dice throwing all strikes now.

Zenslinger said...

Now we get three strikes down the pipe?

Amy said...

Thank God for FY.

laura k said...

FY!

allan said...

he is very inscrutable.

FY!

Kathryn said...

I was late getting to the game (on TV) and was worried when I saw the defensive line up when I turned the TV on at 7:39. Yikes!

laura k said...

we love FY

laura k said...

That was scary! Glad someone caught that.

laura k said...

Extra Mart!

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

Hi everyone. Gamethreading somewhere over Colorado. Heading home, thank god. Did I mention I finally get a vacation in 2 weeks? Can't wait.

Amy said...

YES!

allan said...

so is vic's slugging over .300 now?

:</

Amy said...

Hi, WCS. Where are you going for vacation?

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

I show up, and the Sox score 2 runs. That's nice.

laura k said...

Hey Westcoast, we've been trying to email you about the game in July, but mail to the address you used is bouncing.

I got a different email address off Facebook and I think Zenslinger is going to try again.

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

Family. Atlanta. Taking the kids to see the grandparents.

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

Almost went to a Nationals game last night vs. the Braves. Didn't have the energy.

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

Laura, I got Zenslinger's email just now and emailed him back. I'm buying a ticket and keeping my fingers crossed re work travel.

laura k said...

Great! JoS2 West.

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

Wow. 70 pitches, in the 4th. I missed a hair-pulling first inning, I see.

laura k said...

Yeah, it was a doozy. A Dicey.

allan said...

wcs:
LAA 1st
aybar BB and SB
abreu BB
hunter 1B, 1-0
morales F7
[double steal]
matsui BB
rivera FC, 2-0
kendrick 2B, 4-0
napoli K
39 pitches

allan said...

ugly ugly ab.

allan said...

hall does that jeterish right hand up while getting set?

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

Yikes RS, how frustrating. Looks like he's calmed down.

allan said...

after it was 4-0, schoeneweis got up and wake was stirring too.

allan said...

the table is set

Zenslinger said...

Got it, Rick.

If anyone else plans on being in San Francisco on July 28, shout out.

laura k said...

YES!!! and still no outs

Kathryn said...

V-Mart!!

allan said...

blue light > red dot

Zenslinger said...

VMart comes alive!

laura k said...

I don't know if we forgot any commenters/threaders who live out there. Andy can't make it, I guess. He's not exactly local, in San Diego.

Amy said...

Feeling good!

Zenslinger said...

The DOCTOR has gone two at bats without a DOUBLE?

Zenslinger said...

I better get down to The Bar to see the laser show.

Amy said...

LOL. San Diego to San Francisco being local---you sound like an Easterner there, Laura.

laura k said...

Oh come on, who are you fooling.

No one, apparently.

allan said...

start dancing, erick.

Amy said...

That was odd....

laura k said...

Uh... that's what I said. Not exactly local. I figured it was worth an ask.

allan said...

past a diving cano!!!!!!!!!!

Amy said...

I know what you meant. But it sounded like most people on the east coast think---that California is as small as Massachusetts or something.

We are ahead!

laura k said...

Hermider! Our new secret weapon.

Whoo-hoo, pile it on.

Kathryn said...

past a diving cano!!!!!!!!!!

Where have I heard that before?

Amy said...

Darnell!

So there, Angels.

allan said...

2 pitches = 3 runs!

laura k said...

Yes!!

No, I'm very familiar with the geography and driving distances out there. Andy was hoping to come up but couldn't, or ast least can't plan on it.

allan said...

mdc up

dice at 88

Amy said...

Got to go rest the eyes. Getting a headache from the screen.

Amy said...

Yeah, I know you know that. That's why I thought you were being funny...

allan said...

quick hook here!

laura k said...

I didn't even know that was a stereotype.

Amy, do you use default system colours on your computer? You frequently mention eye strain or headaches. The default windows colours give me an instant headache. I keep mine on softer grays, I find it much easiser on my eyes.

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

I go away to check work email, and miss a 5-run inning. Sheesh

allan said...

need a recap?

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

I have done the SF to San Diego drive before - made it in about 8 hours with 2 small kids wanting to see Legoland. It's like driving from Boston to DC.

laura k said...

I've done that drive several times, but no kids were involved!

How was Legoland? I wanted to go - I love Lego. But it's really expensive and we opted not to.

allan said...

mini laser.

allan said...

vmart 6 for 8 vs stokes

Kathryn said...

Pedey can do no wrong.

laura k said...

NYC in Lego, kind of

Kathryn said...

Youk with another HBP.

allan said...

loaded for mr. rbi

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

Legoland is perfect for the 3-to-6 year old crowd!

allan said...

an rbi without swinging the bat -- drew's favorite kind (/ob)

allan said...

better plan, beltre -- rather than swinging at every fucking thing thrown in your general direction

allan said...

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA

laura k said...

Ha ha ha, that was amusing.

laura k said...

How is it for the almost-50 crowd?

allan said...

19th sox batter in the last 2 innings.

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

Every time I see Scutaro's name now, I think of Phil Collins singing "Scu-scu-Scutaro, whoaoh." That's thanks to a RS comment in a gamethread yesterday or the day before.

allan said...

i wholeheartedly apologize. :>(

johngoldfine said...

Every time I hear Scutaro's name I think my little malti-poo Scooter is out there patrolling the infield, a task he would adore. Chasing balls, fielding the odd Fenway frank, jumping up on the second base ump, etc. He'd be a natural.

laura k said...

Aw. That's sweet.

laura k said...

Remy: "Some people wait for their bags, they have to have their candles..."

johngoldfine said...

The only problem, l-girl, is that he loves to be put "out" so I don't know how useful he'd be to the team.

laura k said...

Don is losing it, diong that squeaky voice thing.

Nice fielding out there. Yooooooooook

johngoldfine said...

Yook!

Kathryn said...

They're talking about the size of their (hair) brushes and the resulting brush envy.

laura k said...

I have imagined Tala patrolling the outfield, since that's what she does here. She loves to chase balls and get them, but doesn't always like to bring them back. That could be a problem.

laura k said...

Don said Jerry must have been waiting for years to bring this up, the size of Don's hair brush.

Jerry said he's wanted to mention it for 3 years!

"The ball brushed the wall out there..."

johngoldfine said...

Is there an all-dog team? Surely Boof Bonser could be its mascot.

allan said...

it *is* a big brush ...

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

Bummer, they're making me shut down my computer for landing. Great 11 runs while I was half-watching!

Kathryn said...

My husband, "Can you imagine being an Angels fan and listening to this?"

johngoldfine said...

Mrs GotRibe--can you imagine being a Red Sox fan listening to the last B'more series???

Kathryn said...

John--it would have been worse to have been there. We almost went to one game. But yes, it only took a little prompt from Laura for me to cut the TV audio and get the radio going.

allan said...

the angels fan might have enjoyed remy saying "woo-hoo" when the sox made the third out, happy that the inning was over.

laura k said...

MLB Audio to the rescue

There must be an all-dog team! There must be at least one Sheppard.

laura k said...

Larry Dobie?

laura k said...

Jimmy Foxx (Terrier)

allan said...

Jack Russell

SoSock said...

Wassup?
Who are these strange people wearing the Red Sox uniforms?
Glad to see Dice got past his bad inning. Were all 3 of those walks in the 1st?

allan said...

Albert Poodle-jols?

allan said...

Brian Bark

johngoldfine said...

Barking Out Loud--great team!

allan said...

sosock, yes. batters 1, 2 and 5 in the 1st

allan said...

dice: in his last 18 batters, he went to 3 balls only one time

SoSock said...

Well, apparently he was pretty good after that. At least there were no more walks, which is what I worry about most when he's pitching. The plethora of walks

Kathryn said...

And, of course, the Astro's

SoSock said...

Ram Ram to close it?

laura k said...

Rut-row! How could we forget the Rastros? Good one.

Kathryn said...

I think that reference will define the generations that are here.

laura k said...

I gotta say good night now. Enjoy the dirty water! Great to go into this weekend's series on a roll.

SoSock said...

OK, I take it back.

Kathryn said...

Good gosh. Pap is going to have to warm up now? Just close this out already.

Kathryn said...

Hit it to FY and game will be over.

allan said...

K

jesus -- make them hit it. we'll catch 2 before they score 5.

allan said...

SWEEP!!!!!!!

The water is Muddy!!!

Kathryn said...

DIRTY>CLEAN

SoSock said...

I see "out(s)".
I do believe that equates to... Dirty Water!

SoSock said...

4 game sweep > 3 games swept

SoSock said...

Dogs - Russ Springer (Spaniel) as in my Noah!

SoSock said...

And of course, Orel "Bulldog" Hershiser