May 26, 2010

G48: Red Sox 11, Rays 3

Red Sox - 013 020 005 - 11 13  0
Rays - 010 100 001 - 3 10 0
Boston's first three-game sweep in Tampa Bay since 2001* moves the Red Sox from 8.5 GB to 5.5 GB in three days. They are now in third place, two games behind the Yankees.

* Boston swept two consecutive three-game series at the Trop in 2001: April 17-19 and June 19-21. The following season, Boston swept two four-game series (May 3-6 and September 9-12, 2002), so the "first three-game sweep" tidbit is a bit of a trick.

Adrian Beltre went 4-for-5, with a single, triple, two long home runs to left, and tied a career high with 6 RBI. It was the 19th four-hit game of Beltre's career, but his first with a triple and two dongs. His other game with 6 RBI was July 27, 2000 in Colorado. (Alex Cora followed Beltre in the Dodgers order that day and had 5 RBI! And Eric Gagne started for LA!)

David Ortiz hit a two-run bomb in the fifth and Darnell McDonald had a two-run double in the ninth.

Lackey (6.1-8-2-4-1, 115) was the very definition of "winning ugly", allowing at least two base runners in each of his first five innings, thanks to seven hits and four walks up to that point. ... Garza (5-5-6-5-3, 103) also struggled -- 75 pitches in the first three innings -- and the Red Sox were able to hit three dongs to make his mistakes translate into runs.

Back in April, when Tampa swept a four-game series in Boston for the first time ever, I checked how many four-game series the Rays had played at Fenway by going through Tampa's schedules at B-Ref year by year. Soon after I did that, though, I realized there was a far easier way. I should have looked at this page, which lists every game the two teams have played. Boston is now 131-80 (.618) against the (Devil) Rays.

The Yankees resumed their suspended game and beat the Twins 1-0, then won the regularly scheduled game 3-2. The Jays lost to the Angels 6-5.

New York is 3.5 GB, Boston is 5.5 GB and Toronto is 6 GB.
Example
John Lackey / Matt Garza
Scutaro, SS
Pedroia, 2B
Ortiz, DH
Youkilis, 1B
Beltre, 3B
Hermida, LF
Varitek, C
Cameron, CF
McDonald, RF
Short-staffed tonight, as Martinez, Ellsbury, and Drew will not be in the starting lineup.

The Red Sox finally have a chance to move into third place with a win and a Blue Jays loss. (Blue Jays/Angels and Yankees/Twins at 7 PM. The Yankees and Twins will resume their suspended game at 5 PM.)

Lackey's last three starts: 18 innings, 23 hits, 12 walks, 13 strikeouts, 7.50 ERA, .922 opponents OPS. ... Walk totals in last four starts: 2, 3, 4, 5.

Looking at Lackey's 2010 splits, we see that he is at his worst the second time through the lineup, innings 2-4, and pitches 26-75. Part of that can be chalked up to a very high BABIP. ... Also, with 2 outs in an inning, batters against Lackey are hitting .323/.429/.523 (which is much better than they do with 0 or 1 out).
Example
This Date in Baseball History:

1959: Pittsburgh's Harvey Haddix pitches 12 perfect innings against Milwaukee before losing the game in the 13th. Joe Adcock hits a three-run home run off Haddix, but he "passes" Hank Aaron on the bases (actually, Aaron left the field), so he gets credit for a double and the final score is 1-0.

1976: Ken Brett of the White Sox has a no-hitter against the Angels with two outs in the ninth inning when Jerry Remy hits a slow roller down the third base line. Jorge Orta lets the ball roll and it is ruled a hit. Brett allowed another hit in the 10th and finally won the game 1-0 in 11 innings.

1993: Cleveland's Carlos Martinez hits a fly ball that bounces off the head of Rangers outfielder Jose Canseco and over the fence for a home run.

303 comments:

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9casey said...

The Red Sox finally have a chance to move into third place with a win and a Blue Jays loss.




Don't we actually have a chance to move into second place?

9casey said...

or at least % points behind......

allan said...

Oh yeah, NYY get two results today ...

Best case scenario - Sox W, MFY L/L, Jays L:

FKR 32 15 .681 ---
MFY 26 20 .565 5.5 GB
BOS 27 21 .563 5.5 GB
TOR 27 22 .551 6.0 GB
BAL whatever...

Zenslinger said...

At least the Rays' winning pct is down below .700 (thanks to us). That was just scary this late in the season.

Patrick said...

The odds are clearly stacked against us this game. It would be HUGE if we could battle it out for a win.

Good defense and timely hitting.

allan said...

Damn. CI homered in the 6th and NY won the suspended game 1-0.

Zenslinger said...

The odds are clearly stacked against us this game.

Unless Lackey finds his groove and Garza bumps out of his. But, yeah, this one looks to be tough.

allan said...

Lackey needs to get his shit together. Maybe Tek can break out some of those catching/leadership intangibles that he has loads of. If Lackey can hold down TB, we can get to the Spitter, even with our semi-professional lineup.

allan said...

nesn - thank god.

allan said...

garza deserves to get pounded solely for that disgusting shit on his chin.

Kathryn said...

Yes, NESN. Actually I have a choice. I choose...NESN.

Amy said...

Oh, good, Allan won't be complaining about the Rays' announcers tonight, just the Sox announcers instead. :) (At least I will know what he is complaining about.)

Amy said...

I like beards, but I detest that beard. What cartoon character did we all agree he looks like? I can't remember the name.

allan said...

that is not even close to a beard.

allan said...

L has vomited twice already this inning because if it.

laura k said...

Oh, good, Allan won't be complaining about the Rays' announcers tonight

You have no idea.

Back to not threading... :)

Kathryn said...

That is an ugly mess of a squirrel on his chin.

Amy said...

Heh, my comment got a reaction from Laura. Hi, Laura!

allan said...

garza scooped out some hair from the shower drain and glued it to his chin

Amy said...

Oh, damn. Squandered that opportunity.

Patrick said...

Shades of last night...

Amy said...

No one remembers what we used to call Garza? It was some Looney Tunes character, I think.

Zenslinger said...

Youk...is he human after all?

Zenslinger said...

The Beak gave up a run, at least.

Amy said...

Yes, Youk seems to be human tonight.

Arggh, Lackey. What a lacking lacky.

allan said...

dp pls

Patrick said...

Fucking Lackey

Amy said...

Youk returning to form!

Kathryn said...

Good D, YOUK

Amy said...

It wasn't the Beak, though that fits.

Was it one of those crows from Song of the South?

Zenslinger said...

I have some memory of what you're referring to, Amy.

The Beak = Andy Pettitte.

allan said...

don is really spitting out the stats tonight

Amy said...

Thanks, Zen. I am glad someone else has a vague memory. If I knew how to search through comments, I would. As you can see, this is driving me crazy.

Amy said...

Lackey plays Houdini.

Patrick said...

Again like last night.

Zenslinger said...

Yanks fail to score as well. Yay.

Kathryn said...

Yipee!!!!!

Patrick said...

Belllllllltre!!!

allan said...

Crawford does not move an inch!!!

Amy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathryn said...

Toronto up 1-0

Yanks down 1-0

Zenslinger said...

Toronto's gettin' to Pinerio in the 2nd, though. 3-0.

allan said...

good eye, 'tus.

allan said...

joe grav watching the game at prof thom's in the east village. just texted laura

Zenslinger said...

'tus

Is that supposed to take the sting out of his nickname?

allan said...

lackeyzaka is annoying me.

Patrick said...

lackeyzaka is annoying me.

It hurts a lot more considering the contract.

Kathryn said...

I think we are finally seeing that D from Beltre. Nice play.

allan said...

remy butchered the hell out of that promo

Kathryn said...

I don't even listen anymore. I tune him out during promos.

Amy said...

NESN/Nissan

Even I heard that one. Pretty funny.

Amy said...

Mrs G, you share my ability to block out ads!

allan said...

if he would slow down and just read the thing, he'd be fine, but the words end up being a huge twisted knot of sound. he never gets thru one smoothly.

tim said...

Hey guys!

FKR announcers have been going on about last nights strike zone for the past 1/2 inning or so... Have "many emails" from viewers... I feel like emailing them some pitch
fx shit

allan said...

send them my post.

Kathryn said...

Amy, I can block out a lot of stuff. Just ask my husband. It's usually there somewhere in my brain, I just have to search to find it. I remember hearing the NESN/Nissan thing now that you mentioned it.

Amy said...

Yes, it truly is a blessing. I block out almost all the announcing. The downside is that sometimes I miss something that I might actually want to hear. But that's probably only about 1% of what anyone is saying.

Kathryn said...

That was a good defensive inning. Well done.

allan said...

i am the opposite - all that shit makes a beeline right into my ear

Amy said...

I do feel sorry for you, Allan, especially since it seems to get you so aggravated!

tim said...

Done. Those fuckers are probably too ignorant to pay attention to it though. If they even bother to click on it, they'll probably see "Joy of Sox" and discount it as biased crap because its from a Boston fan blog.

I'll let you know if anything comes of it though.

allan said...

i am cursed.

allan said...

what is the address?

tim said...

Has to be sent from this page.

tim said...

Speedy Pedrzalez!

Kathryn said...

FY. Always so smart.

tim said...

Also, the Dewayne Staats pic beside the Email the Booth module on that page looks like a feature from "To Catch a Predator"

Patrick said...

No way!!!!!!!

Kathryn said...

GET OUT. BELTRE!!!!!!!!!!

allan said...

DOUBLE DONG NIGHT!!!!!!!!

Edward Lee said...

FY. Always so smart.

With two out? Not so much. Maybe he thought the ball got through the infield.

tim said...

DOUBLE DOUBLE BELTRE BELTRE!!!!

Kathryn said...

That looked like an FY swing.

tim said...

FKR announcers just said Adrian made it 4-0. Idiots.

tim said...

OK, pizza (and cheap ass US beer) time. Enjoy the game, thread, be back later!

Amy said...

Beltre belts it again!

allan said...

Zen
Unless Lackey finds his groove and Garza bumps out of his. But, yeah, this one looks to be tough.

Part II has been accomplished.

Dr. Jeff said...

I retract my earlier comment about Beltre from a game thread a few days ago. Nice diving play last night and huge offense tonight. Great swing. Three-run homers always make me think of Earl Weaver. Does anyone remember that quote?

Pepe Lepew said...

FKR announcers just said Adrian made it 4-0. Idiots.

They're still wanking about the home plate umpire last night.

Vanilla Fudge broke up! Get over it!

Kathryn said...

With two out? Not so much. Maybe he thought the ball got through the infield.

I don't have a problem with aggressive base running if it is thought out. Nobody covering third, keep going and hope you beat the third baseman there. That's what happened. I would have been okay with that even if he had gotten thrown out.

Pepe Lepew said...

You know almost all my friends are Mariners fans and they all hated Beltre. I couldn't figure out why they were so down on him.

Amy said...

Can't we get him thrown out of the game again?

allan said...

garza pc: 22-21-32 = 75

Pepe Lepew said...

Cuddyer misses a home run by two feet.

Pepe Lepew said...

garza pc: 22-21-32 = 75

Ouch.

he went to Fresno State.

I went to Fresno State.

Fresno State won the 2008 College World Series.

Doesn't mean anything. I just felt compelled to remind everyone.

Amy said...

BTW, Harv still rooting for the Rays, despite being scolded by some fellow Yankee fans.

Patrick said...

Cuddyer misses a home run by two feet.

I'm watching that games. The two outs before it were also both warning track flies, getting basically to the wall in left.

Amy said...

I mean, rooting for the Sox.

I guess I still can't believe it.

Amy said...

First strikeout...finally.

Pepe Lepew said...

I'm watching that games. The two outs before it were also both warning track flies, getting basically to the wall in left.

The announcers are claiming it's a pitching friendly new park.

Pepe Lepew said...

C'mon Lackey, hold this lead.

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

I'm annoyed. Trying to listen to MLB Audio at work, and when I select WEEI, I get both the Boston feed and the Tampa Bay feed at the same time, talking over each other. Back to mute.

Patrick said...

Lackey again flirting with trouble, and escaping without a run

allan said...

westcoast: do you also have gdgd open? there is an audio thing in that now too. maybe if you muted that one ...

allan said...

3 hits off garza tonight.

allan said...

heidi is brave.

Pepe Lepew said...

redsock said...

3 hits off garza tonight.


Five walks, tho'

Amy said...

Lackey does seem be acting like Houdini tonight.

tim said...

OK back. Rays announcers talking about how excellent that call on ball 4 to Jaso was. Of course Fox pitch fx showed it like 30 feet out of the zone, zoomed in CF camera showed borderline. They didn't bother showing the overhead.

Kathryn said...

westcoast: do you also have gdgd open? there is an audio thing in that now too. maybe if you muted that one ...

What he said. That has happened to me too.

tim said...

I'd like to drive up to Tampa right about now, and get our dog to gnaw that thing off of Garza's face. Unfortunately the dog is in Canada.

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

RS: I logged out of MLB Audio, closed the window, then reopened and logged back in, and that killed the FKR announcers. Well, I mean they're still alive, but you know what I mean.

Pepe Lepew said...

I think I'd rather listen to Rick Sutcliffe than the Rays' announcers whining. Kind of like choosing between a root canal and deviated septum surgery.

allan said...

tonight, the role of "redsock, the annoyed fan who has to suffer through the diarrhea of the other team's announcers" will be played by tim.

allan said...

when beltre hit the 2nd dong, those were our only 2 hits.

tim said...

fine by me, been tolerating it the past couple nights. but tonight you all get to hear me bitch and moan!

almost out of cheap US beers...this is dangerous. no place to go but the jack/tequila/bucket of frozen margaritas

tim said...

and i do consider myself a respectable understudy to that role.

allan said...

bitch away!

tim said...

Fuck off, rays runs.

allan said...

i actually almost enjoyed my root canal. quite peaceful - i dozed off during the drilling a few times

Amy said...

I am much more annoyed with Lackey than any stupid announcers!

tim said...

Anything is enjoyable with enough anesthesia. Unfortunately Publix didn't have any laughing gas.

tim said...

OK Lackey, wtf is this.

Pepe Lepew said...

I am much more annoyed with Lackey than any stupid announcers!

He's definitely shaky tonight.

allan said...

"big time pitcher", my ass.

allan said...

is this where crawford give tb the lead

tim said...

No. This is where fuckey gets a GIDP.

tim said...

Fuck you, ump.

Kathryn said...

"big time pitcher", my ass.
Yeah, that's what I thought yesterday when they said it.

tim said...

Rays announcers say its "close" - i.e. they know it should've been an out.

Kathryn said...

It's going to be a stinkin' stealfest.

Patrick said...

I like Reid's name. Sounds like Brainiac.

allan said...

remy: "hard to tell"

esp. since nesn's replays do not show yook's glove

allan said...

they had not been running this series. maybe they had forgot.

Pepe Lepew said...

Yankees take the lead.

Amy said...

At least Lackey made the play at first.

tim said...

Err we go. Now lets rip this joint.

Amy said...

We need some more runs. Too close for Lackey to get away with for too much longer.

Patrick said...

The 8 inning outings by Wake and Matsuzaka are looking huge now. These guys definitely work out our bullpen.

Kathryn said...

Toronto and Angels tied up.

allan said...

We need some more runs. Too close for Lackey to get away with for too much longer.

Beltre is up 4th this inning.

allan said...

lackey's fat chin/neck annoys me.

allan said...

fy rip to left.

RedSoxDiehard said...

The laser show is starting back up again!

tim said...

Oh. Apparently this email the booth thing goes to the TB equivalent of Heidi, some dude.

Very informative and quizzical question from some people, can Kennedy can remember his best argument. After a question about BJ Upton's "swagger"

tim said...

Lets go flo...don't do me wrong.

tim said...

Thank u flo.

Sweet sweet dong. Mmmmmmmmmm

Kathryn said...

PAPI!!!!!!!!!!

Again.

Papi of old.

Patrick said...

2010 PLAYER OF THE MONTH!!!!!

Amy said...

PAPI heard you!

nick said...

The Large Father is fucking awesome!

allan said...

FUK DUH RAYZ

Patrick said...

...for May, I should say.

Pepe Lepew said...

Big Papi's done. He's got nothin' left. They're going to release him.

RedSoxDiehard said...

PAPI!

tim said...

b2b yook?

Pepe Lepew said...

Garza embarrassing my Bulldogs!

No one embarrasses my Bulldogs!

nick said...

Why the hell do I eat pizza knowing it's so hot it'll burn the roof of my mouth? Stupid, stupid.

There must be some lame facebook group for that.

Amy said...

Sheesh, Youk almost beat that out.

tim said...

Oh, but THATS an out....fine.

nick said...

close play with a new camera angle that cut the glove off on the other side of the screen.

allan said...

yeah, hit him.

Kathryn said...

Again, NESN doesn't show us bag and glove in the same picture.

Kathryn said...

All six runs on dongs.

Pepe Lepew said...

Beltre, you SUCK!!!!

Channeling my Mariners friends.

allan said...

if the sponsor's commercial box isn't covering up the amazing diving catch, the glove is 20 feet outside the camera shot.

Kathryn said...

Angels up 5-3.

tim said...

I'm struggling to comprehend wtf Garza is thinking with that thing on his chin. Who the hell thinks thats a good idea? Seriously, this is annoying to me.

If I needed work on my pipes done, and a plumber showed up at my house with a Garza beard, I would turn him away.

Pepe Lepew said...

If I needed work on my pipes done, and a plumber showed up at my house with a Garza beard, I would turn him away.

He's embarrassing MY Bulldogs with that THING on his face!

Kathryn said...

I think this season turned around on Laura's post and the "Still, We Sit" talk.

allan said...

I'm struggling to comprehend wtf Garza is thinking with that thing on his chin. Who the hell thinks thats a good idea? Seriously, this is annoying to me.

My theory: there is a group of players who have an ongoing contest of who can have the most fucked up facial hair and still go out and get laid.

allan said...

L: "I am honoured."

nick said...

"This isn't a real smooth Lackey performance"...

have we seen one?

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

@##$@%$@#!$% computer. Now Gameday/At Bat/Audio all not working. The only thing that's working is this blog. Time to get in the car and listen on the way home, while my computer gently weeps.

Kathryn said...

Really? Do you think he gets laid? With that?

I don't know, but that would be an interesting contest.

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

For those of you who don't speak Canadian, "I am honoured" translates to "I am honored." :-P

tim said...

Any one who finds that thing attractive (enough to make coitus with him) is no one I wanna know.

Pepe Lepew said...

Twinkies tied it.

Amy said...

Another inning of Lackiness.

Pepe Lepew said...

For those of you who don't speak Canadian, "I am honoured" translates to "I am honored." :-P

I speak Canadian!

Kathryn said...

I always get a chuckle out of those extra u's. I'm afraid if I mouved to Canada, I'd be throuwing them in all the time, not knouwing what to do.

Pepe Lepew said...

So, is this what you call "scuffling?"

allan said...

bi-lingual!

Amy said...

Or is that bilingoual?

Pepe Lepew said...

Mrs.GotRibe said...

I always get a chuckle out of those extra u's. I'm afraid if I mouved to Canada, I'd be throuwing them in all the time, not knouwing what to do.


And don't forget centre and defence!

allan said...

7 hits and 4 walks in 5 innings.

that's not scuffling, that's shit.

Kathryn said...

Is it really defence? I don't think I knew that. Any other se/ce words?

allan said...

i don't do it all the time, but L does, so i had to throw it in there.

Amy said...

Are there words spelled with just the "o" without the "u" in Canada? Does it signify something about pronunciation? And why isn't hounour instead of honour? what IS the rule?

Kathryn said...

Hah, good transcribing there Allan.

Pepe Lepew said...

Mrs.GotRibe said...

Is it really defence? I don't think I knew that. Any other se/ce words?


Offence!

:)

allan said...

so beltre is canadian.

Pepe Lepew said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathryn said...

Offence!

Okay, that made me laugh out loud.

Benjamin said...

Now instead of "still, we sit", it's "crush the Rays, see them driven before us, and hear the lamentations of their asshats".

Amy said...

LOL, Pepe!

Kathryn said...

Hey Benjamin,

I believe it was you who quickly quoted the rule book last year when the Sox played at the Trop and an errant throw ended up in an equipment bag in the **bullpen** (or whatever they call it). The FKR announcers were relentless about that one.

allan said...

time to clean another one out.

Benjamin said...

That sounds like something I'd do.

Pepe Lepew said...

C'mon Papi put this shite out of reach.

nick said...

I think we did talk about this last year, but I've never understood why they design stadiums with "bullpens" on the field.

Architect forgot them? They build the place, get ready for the first practice and are like, "damn..."

Kathryn said...

The thing that got me was they kept talking about what a terrible call it was, and how could that be without ever bothering to LOOK IT UP. (And where was the production staff during all of this?) LOOK IT UP!

tim said...

Alright, going to watch the rest of this and have some frozen margaritas and try out the new hookah.

Enjoy the rest of this shit! Hopefully our bullpen doesn't cause me (and Steph) to finish the entire bucket tonight.

Amy said...

Maybe some teams prefer the field version of a bullpen? Maybe it means there is more room for seats? I assume it's probably about money. What isn't?

Kathryn said...

The lease on the Trop goes through the 2027 season. What were they thinking?

nick said...

production staff was probably smoking jays up in the catwalk.

Pepe Lepew said...

A-Rod makes an error.

Magic up by 12.

So help me, I don't know why, I just can't get into the NBA anymore.

allan said...

jesus - charlie moore is still on the air?

Pepe Lepew said...

Mrs.GotRibe said...

The lease on the Trop goes through the 2027 season. What were they thinking?


I wish they would move to Portland.

Kathryn said...

That's it Amy. They sure need those extra seats down there!

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