April 7, 2011

G6: Cleveland 1, Red Sox 0

UPDATED: Links to Brooks Baseball's pitch f/x data on Ortiz, Santana, and LaPorta ABs in the 4th and 5th innings.

Red Sox - 000 000 000 - 0  4  0
Spiders - 000 000 01x - 1  3  0
After Lester's day was done (7-3-0-3-9, 109), Cleveland scored the game's only run in the eighth off Daniel Bard. Adam ".294 Career OBP" Everett walked and, while Bard fell behind Orlando Cabrera 2-0, stole second. Cabrera bunted him to third, and Asdrubal Cabrera dropped down a suicide squeeze to bring in the run.

Down to their final out against Chris Perez in the ninth, David Ortiz walked and Darnell McDonald pinch-ran. J.D. Drew lined the first pitch back to Perez, and the ball caromed off his leg towards Everett at third. Everett had no play on Drew, and it looked as if the Red Sox would have something resembling a last-minute rally.

But McDonald had rounded second too aggressively, and when he tried to get back, he slipped a bit. Everett whipped the ball to Orlanda Cabrera and McDonald was tagged out before he could get his hand back on the bag.
And "just like that", the Red Sox had lost their sixth straight game.

McDonald:
I'm trying to be aggressive. I'm trying to make them make the throw, lost my footing out there and just got caught in no-man's land. I was just trying to be aggressive and make them make the throw to first base.
Scoring opportunities were scarce against Lester and Carmona (7-2-0-2-4, 109). A Boston rally in the third was thwarted by a blown call at second base. With one out, Marco Scutaro walked and Jacoby Ellsbury singled. Carl Crawford grounded to first and Matt LaPorta's wide throw to second pulled A. Cabrera's foot off the bag. However, umpire Dan Iassogna said that Cabrera was able to tag Ellsbury's leg in time. Replayed showed that LBJ was safe. So instead of bases loaded/one out, the Sox had first and third/two outs. Dustin Pedroia flied to deepish center to end the inning.

In the eighth, Scutaro singled and Ellsbury walked. Facing Rafael Perez, Crawford grounded to third, moving the runners to second and third, and Pedroia grounded out to the pitcher.

The outside half of home plate umpire Jerry Meals's strike zone was inconsistent all day, and his rulings on what constituted a strike seemed to favour Carmona. In the fourth, Ortiz took two outside pitches in the exact same spot. One was called a ball (for a full count) and the next one was called strike three. That inconsistency became doubly annoying a few minutes later, when in the home half of the inning, Meals ruled a similar 3-2 pitch to Carlos Santana was ball 4. And Meals did not call two other outside-edge pitches strikes to LaPorta to begin the fifth. So LaPorta ended up walking on what was most likely a 1-3 pitch.

[Update: I looked at the f/x data for those three AB. For Otiz, the 5th pitch (ball 3) was outside and the 6th pitch (strike 3) was on the corner. Ball 3 to Santana was a hair off the corner; a borderline pitch. And the first and third pitches to LaPorta were not too far out of the zone, but, according to the data, they were outside. Cumulative data shows neither pitcher receiving a significant advantage.]

The Red Sox will open Fenway Park tomorrow afternoon against the Yankees (4-2).
Example
Jon Lester / Fausto Carmona

Lester hopes to bounce back from a bad Opening Day start (5.1-6-5-1-0, 88; 3 HR allowed) in Texas, though compared to the shellacking the White Sox gave Carmona (3-11-10-1-5, 88), he was nearly lights out.
Example
       Winless    First      Finish
        Start    25 Gms
1905     0-6      10-15      78- 74
1927     0-6       8-17      51-103
1945     0-8      10-15      71- 83
1966     0-5       7-18      72- 90
1996     0-5       6-19      85- 77

151 comments:

laura k said...

I have to study for my exam next week, in order to watch the home opener tomorrow. So I'll have to miss the first win of the season.

Right?

Please?

allan said...

Ellsbury CF
Crawford LF
Pedroia 2B
Gonzalez 1B
Youkilis 3B
Ortiz DH
Drew RF
Saltalamacchia C
Scutaro SS

O. Cabrera 2B
A. Cabrera SS
Choo RF
Santana C
Duncan DH
Kearns LF
LaPorta 1B
Buck CF
Everett 3B

nick said...

It saddens me that you won't be here to see the first win of the season, Laura.

I, on the other hand, will be in Boston for their sweep of the MFY and will miss even hearing the games on the radio.

laura k said...

That is sad, too, Nick. So close and yet.

This, on the other hand...

their sweep of the MFY

Philip said...

Ooh, thanks to Globe 10.0, we were treated to Chad Finn fending off Mazz while the latter tried desperately to get Finn to complain with him about Drew.

Pokerwolf said...

Game threading from work! Woohoo!! (Note to self: Keep the FY impressions to a minimum. Your bosses and co-workers probably frown on that sort of thing!)

allan said...

NESN!

Thank you, cable gods!

allan said...

fog rolling in off the ocean.

Jere said...

So foggy I can't see the empty seats.

Pokerwolf said...

Nice bit of fog we have going on there. 38 degrees at noon for the game!

Pokerwolf said...

Atta boy, Lester!

s1c said...

Having my coffee, listening to Uncle Joe and Brother Dave - waiting for the first win of the season - !!!

allan said...

very nice.

allan said...

BBert

Lord Lynch said...

Online in the office. Might be a bit blatant putting on MLB TV until the boss goes home!

Pokerwolf said...

Based on how the players are reacting, the inside strikezone is wide today.

allan said...

that drew fly seemed "well struck" at first.

allan said...

texas toast - LOL

s1c said...

Only problem with listening in the car - have to turn the key every 10 minutes stupid ford

allan said...

don going crazy with the press notes (santana and kearns, especially)

Pokerwolf said...

Well, looks like Lester is more of his old self. Now, let's get the bats there.

Pokerwolf said...

I wonder how many of these pop-ups would be homers if it was warmer.

Pokerwolf said...

LBJ!!!

Rob said...

I'm watching from home, in the living room, on a recliner. A rare moment of relaxation.

allan said...

another blown call at 2nd? foot was off on the FC, but what about the tag? SAFE!

Jere said...

His foot stopped before it reached second--he was still safe but maybe that's what fooled the ump.

Pokerwolf said...

Yeah, that was a crappy call. I think the ump couldn't see the tag. Crapola!

nick said...

bullocks!

Pokerwolf said...

Dammit! I think the cold weather is doing more to help Cleveland than anything else at this point!

allan said...

ump was actually in decent position -- they usually are not on tag plays at second.

allan said...

L wandered in while they were discussing the Tek screwup last night and she wondered what the media storm would have been if Salty had done it?

Way more intense, I would hazard.

Pokerwolf said...

If Salty had made Tek's gaffe, a lot of people would be howling to replace him. No doubt in my mind.

Pokerwolf said...

Dammit! What's up with all the fielding errors? Also, I really don't like how Youk is treating his hand right now. Looks like he might have jammed it.

Pokerwolf said...

LESTER! Nice!

Jere said...

puddle of asdrubal left on home plate

Pokerwolf said...

You can tell that Heidi generally eats healthy food. Bwahahahaha!

Rob said...

Heidi's food bit would be hilarious if it was in between innings... kinda forgot a game was going on.

allan said...

yook staring at left hand on the bench

allan said...

reference to don eating a lot?

Rob said...

But it was HILARIOUS.

allan said...

heidi would not be so honest if it was a concession at fenway, however.

Jere said...

And they finally get around to noticing Youk's wrist--the fried chicken waffle sandwich was waaaay more important.

Pokerwolf said...

EB with the glove!

allan said...

so nesn has this stupid "we're all in" slogan. i noticed both abraham and cafardo have used "all in" in recent stories. just a coincidence, i'm sure.

Pokerwolf said...

Did we get an "Enjoy the game!" today from Don? I didn't hear it, but I want to make sure.

Pokerwolf said...

That's because Abraham and Cafardo play poker, Allan. Yeah, yeah...that's it.

Pokerwolf said...

SAAALLLLTTTYYYYYY!!!


Yeah, let's see Tek do THAT!! Wooo!!!

allan said...

they are not doing that ad anymore, it seems. we need to change it to "hi, again, everybody"
or just a free square.

SALTY GUN!

Jere said...

Both the Red Sox AND White Sox are using "all in," cashing in on the Texas Hold 'em craze of a decade ago.

allan said...

Possible slogans for 2012:

Red Sox baseball - that's the ticket!

It's groovy, Daddy-O.

Pokerwolf said...

Home plate ump ignored Salty's outstretched glove and threw a new ball to Lester. Interesting.

Lester K!

allan said...

"It's All Good."

allan said...

OCab is starting to annoy me.

Pokerwolf said...

Is it just me or is the home plate ump really opening up the right side of the plate for Cleveland?

allan said...

he is -- and is also being very inconsistent.

Pokerwolf said...

Other possible Sox slogans:

"Whoomp! There it is!"

"Talk to the hand"

Jere said...

I think Jerry Meals is eager to get to Mendy's.

allan said...

Who Let The Sox Out?

Can't Touch This!

Pokerwolf said...

MARCO!!!!!!! (Do we have a nickname for him yet?)

johngoldfine said...

"Home plate ump ignored Salty's outstretched glove and threw a new ball to Lester"

Do you think the ump meant to show Salty up, pokerwolf, or was it a brain cramp?

Pokerwolf said...

Allan, you're killing me with "Who let the Sox out". Hahahaha!

Jere said...

Don't forget about "Boston Red Sox baseball: Get your [any related noun] on."

Pokerwolf said...

I'm not sure, John. I don't think Salty has said anything to him, so he might just have had a brain cramp. Something to keep an eye on, though.

allan said...

i wanna see if lester gets any calls like that.

Pokerwolf said...

Don't hold your breath Allan. He already took away the strike that Lester thought he had in the last inning.

s1c said...

Actually - a lot of umps throw the ball to the pitcher - ignoring the catcher - depends on the ump - some just use it to stay active and warm behind the plate.

allan said...

if amica is consistent, lester got fucked on 2 of 5 pitches in that AB

allan said...

laporta walks on the 1-3 pitch.

Pokerwolf said...

I trust the Amica Zone more than this ump, Allan.

allan said...

i mean if amica is consistent within itself. i don't think it is accurate at all w/r/t the top half of the zone.

allan said...

may have to pay a visit to brooks, and get even more pissed off at meals.

Pokerwolf said...

I just realized that we missed a bingo square! Don talked about his appetite during the Heidi food segment!

allan said...

i mentioned it (sort of) and checked it off...

allan said...

it was a borderline mention, but i ruled Yes

allan said...

MIN - 0
MFY - 0

OAK - 000 00
TOR - 000 0

allan said...

fuck - trooped

allan said...

another potato on the board

allan said...

by way of the K

allan said...

about half the clips of the bruins ad are fights ...

Pokerwolf said...

Don's warming up with his catchphrases!

allan said...

bard up

allan said...

i hate wheat thins

Pokerwolf said...

Hopefull, Bard will lower his ERA this time around.

Pokerwolf said...

SAAALLLLTTTYYYYY!!!!!!!!

allan said...

NICE dive and catch after lester gets fucked on the 1-0 pitch

allan said...

after the bunt pop out, did the next 2 guys hack at the first pitch? (I think they did)

Kathryn said...

Hey, I just checked in from work. Looks like some good pitching. Now how about some offense.

Jere said...

both first pitch

Pokerwolf said...

Come on, Sox! Scutaro is doing his best to get a run!

Zenslinger said...

Lester comes out so well, but Carmona's got to get his shit together at the same time?

bard up

Never thought this would fill me with foreboding.

Pokerwolf said...

Hey, Kathryn! Yeah, this game has been all about pop flys dying at the warning track. Ugh.

Pokerwolf said...

Yes! Here we go!

allan said...

2 ON!

Kathryn said...

Two on, one out. LET'S GO!!!!

Kathryn said...

So are we hitting the ball well and they're just not carrying? Or, just hitting popups?

I looked at Crawford's and Youk's numbers yesterday. Brutal. And see that they are both hitless today.

Pokerwolf said...

CC almost beat out that throw! Wow!

Pokerwolf said...

A bunch of hits didn't carry, but they aren't hitting much beyond balls in the air today.

Grant Salzano said...

Come on FY

Kathryn said...

It's always scary to see in play, out(s) on GDGD. I wait for the verdict on the double play.

BZ said...

It's an Oil Can Boyd kind of day

Pokerwolf said...

Whooooooooooo! Close one!!

allan said...

FOUL! get back there perez

Jere said...

haha, pitcher thanks god, who it turned out was actually rooting against him on the play

Pokerwolf said...

Dammit!

Kathryn said...

Ugh, more LOBS:(

Rob said...

Balls.

allan said...

lester likely done, too. was at 108.

Pokerwolf said...

Come on, Bard!

allan said...

bard wild -- shit

Kathryn said...

Strikes please.

allan said...

yeah, bunt - lower your chances of scoring.

allan said...

if he can't throw a strike, why waste an out?

SB, fuck

allan said...

off the back side

allan said...

we need a K, bard

BZ said...

Why are our opponents able to do just about everything that we can't do? It is getting very wierd.

Rob said...

95-96 instead of the usual 99-100 for Bard...

Pokerwolf said...

Son of a.....!

Rob said...

They fucking squeezed! Well played, Cleveland. Well played.

BZ said...

Excellent execution.
I hope we are watching and learning how to play ball.

Kathryn said...

Frustrating.

allan said...

Bert
Yook
Flo
OnFire
Salty
etc.

Kathryn said...

A run without a hit, right?

allan said...

1 run, 0 hits

and when they got the 4-spot last night, they had 1 hit in that inning.

allan said...

tie this shit, pls

allan said...

multiple hits seem like a pipe dream, so we need a dong

allan said...

hellooooooooo, sox?

are you listening? dong pls

Kathryn said...

At least Laura isn't watching this mess. Good luck to her on her exam.

Pokerwolf said...

Come on, Flo!!

BZ said...

12 straight first pitch strikes by Cleveland pitcher.
As already mentioned, I hope our team is learning things.

allan said...

yeah, she'll see tomorrow's loss instead.

Pokerwolf said...

Good eye, Flo!!

allan said...

Get Started.
Start A Fire.

Pokerwolf said...

What the crap was that?!?!

allan said...

OMFUCKINGG

Jere said...

oh my fucking god good night everybody

Rob said...

Are you kidding me!!!

2011 Boston Red Sox are inventing new and more interesting ways to lose.

allan said...

HOLY BONEHEADED CHRIST

Kathryn said...

Is this the first game of the season with no home run hit against us?

Kathryn said...

Man, this sucks really big ones. A sweep of the MFY would go a long way, but given what we are seeing, what are the chances of that?

Pokerwolf said...

It's also the first game where we haven't given up a hit, Kathryn.

Zenslinger said...

What Kurtz said.

Jere said...

Do they really not have another angle of that last play? I watched the same one they showed again in slo-mo and it doesn't seem like he could have gotten the tag on him in time, but obviously we were shielded.

Jere said...

Guess they don't have another angle. Because they just showed it again twice in a row, ALL from that same angle.

Pokerwolf said...

I haven't seen one, Jere. But, if that's the case then we were fucked on two calls at 2B today.

Amy said...

So glad I missed this one. Like I said last night, work is more fun than watching these games. Fortunately for me, I had to teach and meet with students.

Will we ever win a game?? I may be going to the Saturday game, but right now I am not so sure I want to sit with two Yankee fans in order to see the Red Sox play.

laura k said...

When will this end?????

laura k said...

Will we ever win a game??

Yes.

Pokerwolf said...

I think this Yankees series is the perfect time for things to start going right for the Sox.

Straddling the Border said...

Asdubral Cabrera stepped way out of the batter's box to lay down that bunt. By Rule 6.06, he should have been called out.

hman360 said...

How did you get that movie that keeps restarting?
Thanks

allan said...

Someone posted a gif at SoSH. I copied it.