August 27, 2010

G129: Red Sox 3, Rays 1

Red Sox - 100 100 100 - 3 11  1
Rays - 000 100 000 - 1 3 0
Lester (7-2-1-5-10, 106) bested Price (7-10-3-0-8, 106) and Victor Martinez hit two solo home runs.

Lester -- who tied a career-high with the five walks -- worked out of several jams, getting double plays to end the first and third innings. He threw two consecutive wild pitches to put the tying run on third with one out in the fourth, but retired the next two hitters. Lester caught Sean Rodriguez trying to steal third to end the fifth and he got a boost in the sixth, when Darnell McDonell gunned down B.J Upton at the plate.

While Lester had only two 1-2-3 innings, Price had none. Martinez hit taters to left in the first and seventh innings, both times hammering a high fastball that was left right over the plate. In the fourth, David Ortiz doubled and scored on Jed Lowrie's two-out flair into center.

Jonathan Papelbon schooled Evan Longoria to begin the bottom of the ninth. Bot started him off with a slider for a called strike, had him swing over a nasty splitter in the dirt, then fanned him on a high fastball. Papelbon walked Willy Aybar and, after striking out Ben Zobrist, he walked pinch-hitter Dan Johnson. John Jaso, another pinch-hitter, battled a little bit, but finally struck out looking on a 2-2 pitch, ending the game.

The Yankees lost to the White Sox 9-4, so Boston moved to 4.5 GB New York and Tampa Bay in both the East and the WC. The Red Sox have not been this close to first place since July 7.
Example
Jon Lester / David Price
Scutaro, SS
McDonald, CF
Martinez, C
Beltre, 3B
Ortiz, DH
Lowell, 1B
Drew, RF
Lowrie, 2B
Hall, LF
AL East:
            W   L   PCT    GB   RS   RA  DIFF
Rays 78 49 .614 --- 637 439 +198
Yankees 78 49 .614 --- 679 515 +164
Red Sox 73 55 .570 5.5 650 584 + 66
Blue Jays 66 61 .520 12.0 592 556 + 36
Orioles 45 83 .352 33.5 473 665 -192
Boston is 5.5 GB in the Wild Card race. ... By Monday morning, the Red Sox could be as close as 2.5 games behind the Rays -- with 31 games to play -- or as far back as 8.5 GB.

Adrian Beltre: "We're trying to catch these guys but it's tough because they're not budging."

The Red Sox are 4-8 against the Rays this season. Tampa Bay has not lost a series at Tropicana Field in two months (though they did split a four-game set in that streak). The two teams meet at Fenway for three games on September 6-7-8.

This weekend:
Saturday, 7 PM: Clay Buchholz / Matt Garza
Sunday, 8 PM: John Lackey / James Shields
The Yankees are in Chicago, playing the White Sox, who are 9.5 GB in the WC.

Also: Season-ending surgery remains a possibility for Dustin Pedroia. ... Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Eric Patterson joined Pawtucket yesterday for rehab games. ... Hideki Okajima, who has allowed five runs and six hits in 2.1 innings (three appearances) for the PawSox, will be with the Red Sox in Tampa, but it's unclear when or if he will be activated.
Example
August 27:

1912 - In response to demands for an alternative way to rate pitchers besides wins and losses, the National League will officially keep ERAs for the first time. The American League will do so the following year.

1951 - Philadelphia catcher and 8th place hitter Del Wilber hits three solo homers as the Phillies beat the Reds 3-0.

1977 - Rangers Bump Wills and Toby Harrah hit back-to-back inside-the-park homers on consecutive pitches from New York's Ken Clay as Texas wins 8-2 at Yankee Stadium.

246 comments:

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Rob said...

The talk around MLB is of Stephen Strasburg maybe needing Tommy John surgery.

Anyone who had August of 2010 in the pool of when Strasburg would break, YOU WIN!

allan said...

Boston Globe Tailors Print Edition to Three Remaining Readers

laura k said...

Gotta be The Onion.

So most broadcasters and "analysts" are only as far behind as 1912? Not bad.

allan said...

Strasburg will have TJ surgery -- and miss all of 2011.

Rob Dibble is shaking his head in disgust.

laura k said...

Totally OT but I don't know how else to do this:

Sometime this summer, we were chatting on a gamethread about email frauds/scams. I think Amy's account had been hacked and that's how it came up. I mentioned I had read some academic articles on Nigerian 419 scams (or I was supposed to read them, may not have actually done so).

I said I would look for the articles and a few people expressed interest. Who are you? Amy, Zen, maybe Benjamin...?

Let me know and I'll send you pdfs.

Rob said...

The White Sox were awarded the waiver claim for Manny. They have until Tuesday afternoon to work out a deal.

FenFan said...

In other news:

Hank Steinbrenner: ‘We’ll make the playoffs’

I wonder if he consulted coolstandings.com before making such a BOLD prediction.

allan said...

Cameron had surgery today.

Pedroia says it looks like he will have surgery also.

Jeemer back tomrorow?

Upton, CF
Bartlett, SS
Crawford, LF
Longoria, 3B
Pena, 1B
Zobrist, RF
Aybar, DH
Rodriguez, 2B
Shoppach, C

SoSock said...

Man, the 5.5 games we are behind would seem a lot more surmountable if we were looking at a lineup that includes Yook, LBJ, and Petey instead of a DL that includes them.
Damn. Just, damn!

Tom DePlonty said...

I'm taking hope from the fact that Tampa Bay has a lot more to lose than we do.

allan said...

Tom: Are those songs on your blog all you? (Love the bird picture, too.)

allan said...

P.S. If you have not, check out the Onion link in the second comment. Their video segments are amazing, esp. the morning show segments.

laura k said...

Oh fucking A, I have Fox. Hello, MLB Audio.

tim said...

Crush the fuck out these fucks... Starting NOW!!!!!!!!!

Win it for Steve Irwin.

On my way to see The Specials. So this is it for me tonite.

laura k said...

I'm taking hope from the fact that Tampa Bay has a lot more to lose than we do.

And that would have what effect on the game...?

allan said...

I'm taking hope from the fact that Tampa Bay has a lot more to lose than we do.

I'd say we have *much* more to lose.

allan said...

Tim, off to the "Nite Klub"

Joe Gravellese said...

Let's fucking go! I'm showing my fucking emphasis by using fucking curse words. Dude guy.

Joe Gravellese said...

I still hate these fucking blue jerseys.

Joe Gravellese said...

I knew that wasn't reaching the wall, but I let myself hope.

laura k said...

Oh man Castig, check the OF before you get all excited, eh.

allan said...

hey, joe!

hope these guys did shots before the game.

laura k said...

The Specials? That can't be the same band from the 80s, can it? Please tell me it's not.

allan said...

CLEAN UP ON AISLE 1!

laura k said...

EXTRA MART!!!!!!!

Joe Gravellese said...

V-MART RETURN LINE MOTHERFUCKER

laura k said...

Late 70s-80s that is. Even older.

allan said...

they reformed in 1996 ... and 2009!

laura k said...

Oo, this is fun!

Joe Gravellese said...

I haven't been this jazzed up about a Sox game since the 2008 playoffs. 2009 was like a lost year for me, I barely watched, but I've really grown to like this 2010 team and I'm hoping for a last hurrah.

allan said...

"cleans it out" - remy drinking game

pile it on, papi.

laura k said...

How can we miss you if you won't go away?

Lord Lynch said...

A brief stay only... a shame as we have it on our ESPN America Channel here.

laura k said...

I haven't been this jazzed up about a Sox game since the 2008 playoffs.

Explain this to me if you will. Not missing 2009, I know how that happens. Why the excitement about this game?

Joe Gravellese said...

Explain this to me if you will. Not missing 2009, I know how that happens. Why the excitement about this game?

I don't know. I just woke up this morning and thought, woo! big game tonight. When I get home I'm gonna sit my ass down, make some dinner and watch the whole damn thing without moving.

Lord Lynch said...

We need good Jon Lester tonight.

laura k said...

A perfectly good explanation :)

Come on Sox, win it for Joe!!!

allan said...

very big game/series - bit of a playoff feel to it. we can be back in the thick of the race if we take 3.

Joe Gravellese said...

Plus I went to Fenway three times in the last homestand and have tickets to 5 more games in September, so I feel very involved and in an extra basebally mood.

allan said...

ack - crawford out of lineup - break out the wite-out.

Lord Lynch said...

Looking at Gameday all four of those pitches to Bartlett were extremely close.

allan said...

Sid-dini, pls

allan said...

FUCK YEAH!

Joe Gravellese said...

FuckYeah

laura k said...

DP!

Lord Lynch said...

I like a Longoria double play just before I retire.

Night all.

allan said...

LL: enjoy your dog!

laura k said...

Playoff feel. You're not joking, are you?

I wouldn't be anywhere else tonight - and I was very annoyed to have to miss 2 games on the day before an off-day.

But no playoff feel. No big game.

laura k said...

LL has the most adorable dog. As Allan said recently, good thing there's a big pond in the middle, cause we'd go steal that puppy.

laura k said...

J.Dingle!

Joe Gravellese said...

On Fire

allan said...

No, I'm dead serious. A sweep either way is unlikely, but we could be only 2.5 GB on Monday.

Joe Gravellese said...

L, I'm not joking, but I have consumed a whole lot of beer

Tom DePlonty said...

Alan - yeah, the music and pictures on the blog are all mine.

I meant TB has more to lose in the sense that everybody *expects* them to make the playoffs - but if we do, it'll be gravy. Who knows, maybe they'll be a little tight.

I can't thread because I want to see this one - computer upstairs, TV down. Go Sox!

laura k said...

I know neither of you are joking. And I'm assuming Allan isn't even drinking! (Since he's at work.)

Joe Gravellese said...

I'm assuming Allan isn't even drinking! (Since he's at work.)


A little irish coffee in the mug never hurt anyone

allan said...

Sadly, nothing to drink.

But I don't need any of the demon rum to tell me that it's totally and completely ON.

laura k said...

Work gives Allan 36 hours when he's not drinking. Throw in breakfast, and sleep, and he's practically sober.

laura k said...

Microwave Baby!!!

allan said...

"safe and secure" at third?

booooooooooooooooooooooo.

laura k said...

They did the S&S ad for a triple? God NESN sucks.

allan said...

yep, just like he was at second.

laura k said...

Radio is OB-free tonight. Castig and Riche.

allan said...

DP!

laura k said...

Another nice DP.

laura k said...

Papi half dong! We're not having any problem with Mr Price

allan said...

tizzle time!

Joe Gravellese said...

Let's GO

allan said...

JED POWERED!

laura k said...

Jedi Bloop Mind Trick! 2-0

Joe Gravellese said...

jedi mind tricks!

allan said...

Eva-K!

allan said...

another blown call.

laura k said...

bah

2-1

laura k said...

Eva K

that's our niece

allan said...

maybe i should call him arod jr. instead.

Joe Gravellese said...

LOL umpfail

allan said...

i want runs.

laura k said...

RSVP

laura k said...

PA-PI
PA-PI
PA-PI

Joe Gravellese said...

ShiftSuccess

laura k said...

Crap. Shift.

allan said...

goddamn job.

allan said...

MFY - 1
CWS - 4

burnett: 5 hits, 1 walk, 4 runs, 37 pitches

allan said...

hahaha -- nice gamble!

laura k said...

CS! Cool

allan said...

pitch count ... rising

allan said...

wow - hall is totally lost.
three 3-pitch Ks.

Patrick said...

I feel like we used to have a good second baseman that would've done a lot better than Hall against Price, but it escapes me right now.

laura k said...

Hall's been good for who he is. Price has his number, is all.

allan said...

OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MICROWAVE!!!

Patrick said...

OMFG!!!! UPTON GUNNED DOWN!!!!!

Joe Gravellese said...

WOW V-Mart was PUMPED

laura k said...

OUT!!!!!!!!!!

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

laura k said...

Microwave Baby!

allan said...

sveum coaching for the rays now?

allan said...

remy hammering upton for not running hard or for thinking he'd be held. he probably should have been held anyway with 0 outs. but also 3B coach has to see upton not sprinting and hold him.

remy not placing any blame on the coach that i hear.

Patrick said...

I know sabermetritians say that stolen bases are that big of a deal, but I would love to have a catcher other teams are scared to run on.

laura k said...

I just got the weirdest voice mail. People call me to rant. These days ranting should be typed. The days of voice mail rants are over.

laura k said...

Patrick, that would be cool.

Some SB are very big deals. Red Sox fans know that.

allan said...

but if teams can steal at will on you, they suddenly become more valuable for the other team!

allan said...

every rays batter has reached base this inning. that trend should stop. now.

allan said...

sit down!!!!!

Patrick said...

oooh, one more out.

laura k said...

Yay, Chelsea Baker saw my post about her. I found it on Twitter.

allan said...

dp pls

allan said...

or:

sp, pls

allan said...

Yay, Chelsea Baker saw my post about her.

*That* is cool!

laura k said...

Lesterdini strikes again!

Joe Gravellese said...

Somehow, someway, the Red Sox remain in the lead.

laura k said...

I like to check Twitter to see who is tweeting wmtc posts. Several people got the baseball ads post.

allan said...

MFY - 101
CWS - 40

allan said...

choate and qualls up

allan said...

CLEAN UP ON AISLE 7!

Patrick said...

V-MART!!!!!!!

laura k said...

EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA MART!!!!!!!!!!!

Patrick said...

I'm gonna miss his bat next year, if we don't resign him (and I don't think we will).

allan said...

nice cat and mouse in that AB

martinez = cat

Joe Gravellese said...

a little late, but VMART

allan said...

bard up

Patrick said...

baseball is so weird. Zobrist was a monster last year. This year not at all.

allan said...

anyone seen that new nesn show for (what is it?) the obsessed fan or the discerning fan?

i saw one commercial where they were saying how in-depth and serious the show would be and mccarthy asked "does the star athlete have enough heart?"

oh yeah -- very serious stuff.

laura k said...

I love V-Mart. I will totally miss him if he's gone next year.

allan said...

rollin'

laura k said...

I can't even imagine what a TV sports show for the serious fan would look like.

allan said...

if they don't sign victor, then we start the winter with salty and cash -- and hope theo has some ideas.

Patrick said...

After experiencing the best seasons by a pitcher ever so recently, it's harder (at least for me) to fully appreciate excellent seasons by our starters now.

Amazing season by Lester, but not a pitcher you mark the calendar for.

Amy said...

Hi all. Just catching up. Had friends over for dinner. I am happy to see we are ahead, the Yankees are behind. Even Harvey is rooting for the Sox, though I do not trust his motives...

Amy said...

As I scan the thread from bottom up...

I agree. VMart must stay.

allan said...

price: 7-10-3-0-8, 106

everyone but hall had a hit

Amy said...

Shit, out...

Joe Gravellese said...

All sorts of faily baserunning tonight.

laura k said...

Alright then, we'll just have to cling to this little lead. Shakespeare can do that.

allan said...

Even Harvey is rooting for the Sox, though I do not trust his motives...

He wants you to be happy.

Amy said...

Laura, I have to read your Chelsea Baker post, but it's great that she saw it. And you know how to use Twitter?? I cannot figure it out.

And why wouldn't we sign VMart?

laura k said...

Harvey's motives are definitely suspect.

Amy said...

Oh, Allan, you are a true romantic. Harvey might say that also, but I would not believe him

allan said...

He would want too many years or too much money per year. The usual!

laura k said...

Amy, I'm not on Twitter, although I do know how to use it.

What I'm talking about is I go to Twitter.com and search for "we move to canada" and "wmtc". Then I see who is tweeting my posts.

allan said...

lester: 7-2-1-5-10, 106

run was unearned

Amy said...

Yes, I was interested in the Nigerian scam thing.

And no playoff feel for me.

allan said...

just wish it was more of a laura post -- rather than the article -- if she was going to see it.

laura k said...

Amy, if you want to learn how to use Twitter, talk to Ish. He is a big Twitter guy and someone who will patiently explain things, I believe.

Patrick said...

5 more outs boys. Looks like we can gain a game on both rivals if things continue as is.

laura k said...

Thanks, A. I thought of that, too. But for a Laura post on Chelsea Baker, I would have to speak with her. Would have loved to for SIFK or Girls Life or 17.

allan said...

CWS 7-2
Cletus lasts 3.1?

laura k said...

Amy, should I send you the pdfs?

allan said...

She would likely talk to you, even for your blog. Not that you probably want to put the work in for that, though.

fusionmouse said...

Kalish! I like that kid.

Was at Fenway Wednesday night for the second game of the double header--pretty good game despite the loss. But the coolest thing were all the nighthawks weaving in and out of the lights chasing moths. It's migration time for them!

allan said...

BJ - K!

Amy said...

Laura, I wouldn't even know to do that. I just cannot figure out Twitter. I have an account, but have no idea what to do with it. I am only cool enough for Facebook, I guess. :)

Come on, Bard. One more out.

allan said...

snuffer up

laura k said...

No way I can do that now. Could have over the summer, maybe, but not now.

I would love to talk to her, though.

allan said...

soda review:
sprite zero sucks! it's horrible.

laura k said...

Amy, come on, if you can use Google or any other search engine, you can do what I just did.

1. Go to twitter.com.

2. In search box, type in your search string.

3. Click search or hit enter.

That is all I did. Do not tell me you cannot do that.

laura k said...

That's leftover from the party? You should bring it to work and give it away.

laura k said...

Bard doing it all!

Joe Gravellese said...

NICE

Amy said...

Well, we need a catcher. I think we will sign him. I am feeling hopeful.

Yes, Laura, I would like the pdf.

Uh oh, good thing I had wine tonight. Up to Papelbon to save it with only a two run lead.

allan said...

BARD = BEAST

allan said...

Amy: See that bag?








Our win is in it.

fusionmouse said...

Lovely sonnet Bard!

(Fifteen pitches though.)

laura k said...

I also counted the pitches to see if it was a sonnet!! :)

Amy said...

Oh, I CAN do it. I just wouldn't even think to do it because I cannot quite figure out what Twitter is. I know that sounds stupid, but I have looked at it a number of times, and it gives me a headache. All those posts, and I only have about three people I am "following." I just don't find it very user friendly.

allan said...

I only have about three people I am "following"

i'm one of them, right? and i say i'll never post on it!

think of them like blogs, but every post is only 1 sentence or a 1/2 sentence....

laura k said...

I think to do it because I am obsessive over seeing who is posting links to wmtc. That's the only reason I'm there.

Are you doing this on a mobile device? I think Twitter is geared towards that.

But anyway, if you want to learn, talk to Ish. He will help you. :)

Amy said...

Allan, I wouldn't know how to find you on Twitter to follow you! Uch, you must all think I am an idiot!

Amy said...

OK, I will sign up for a tutorial with Ish. Where IS Ish?? He must be using Twitter to game thread this season!

laura k said...

I doubt anyone here thinks you're an idiot.

allan said...

i thought you once emailed me about it?

allan said...

i thought you once emailed me about it?

laura k said...

Here are current tweets of JoS material

allan said...

despite saying "this will be my only tweet ... there will be nothing more to read", i have five followers!

Amy said...

Nah, that wasn't me, Allan. Maybe it was Ish? Or I sure don't remember any emails about Twitter. Who knows?

BOT TIME. Yikes...

allan said...

Super_Duty_King linked to the wmtc ad post?

fusionmouse said...

Bot; please BE bot!

Patrick said...

Shipping a win up to Boston

allan said...

Snuffalupagus!

laura k said...

One of my socialist/activist friends tries to talk me (and anyone else) into using Twitter and using BBY Messenger, which is free and unlimited between Blackberry users. I asked him, James, do you read? Books?

He is a PhD student. I assume he reads but I don't know when.

allan said...

starts him with a slider!

laura k said...

A, that is a "bot" post. Not the Snuffin kind of bot, the robot scooping up post kind of bot.

Amy said...

Just checked (after having to reset my password because I forgot it). I am neither following or being followed by you, Allan.

Joe Gravellese said...

A - make that 6 followers!

allan said...

holy shit!

he's got fuckin flithy shit tonight!

RedSoxDiehard said...

I can't even imagine what a TV sports show for the serious fan would look like.

Not like that!

All they have is celebrity interviews and annoying banter between the hosts. No substance. Much worse than SportsDesk already was becoming.

Patrick said...

It's sweet to see all of Pap's pitches working.

Gotta move him to the rotation (not).

laura k said...

He's the bot tonight!

Amy said...

ONE!

OK, I looked at that link for JOS Tweets. NO clue what it means.

laura k said...

But ARE there serious sports shows on TV? I used to be addicted to BBTN but that was to see highlights, not for analysis and discussion. (I MISS IT!!!!)

laura k said...

NO clue what it means.

Maybe you're overthinking this, Amy. It doesn't really mean anything. I did a search to see who was tweeting JoS posts.

allan said...

not enough people would watch an intelligent show.

you'd have to find a good blogger doing a podcast for something. BP radio?

Amy said...

Hmmm. COME ON, DO YOUR SHIT, PAPELBON.

allan said...

setting up the dp? good.

Joe Gravellese said...

But ARE there serious sports shows on TV?

Weirdly, the NHL shows on Versus are really good, and from what I've seen from the CBC, their hockey stuff is usually pretty good too.

Some of the programming on MLB Network in the US is reasonably intelligent.

And although I don't like american football much, there's a show on HBO called "Inside the NFL" that's really really good (and intelligent).

fusionmouse said...

Butt cheeks clenching!!!

How does he walk Aybar after blowing away Evan?!?!?

Amy said...

Me? Overthink something? Gee, I have never been accused of that before. :)

It reads like the fortunes in fortune cookies to me. No clue what they mean.

allan said...

yeah, take that pitch. 0-2!

laura k said...

That's what I meant. Sports TV can't be in depth. It has to play down. And with a sports-watching crowd, that can be pretty far down.

Amy said...

TWO. Phew.

Joe Gravellese said...

K

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