May 2, 2011

G28: Red Sox 9, Angels 5

Angels   - 001 010 021 - 5 13  1
Red Sox  - 100 020 60x - 9 11  0
With Weaver (6-6-3-1-6, 118) out of the game, the Red Sox attacked the Angels pen, sending 10 men to the plate in the seventh inning, knocking in six runs in a span of only seven pitches.

Boston led 3-2. With one out, Jason Varitek singled off Hisanori Takahashi and Jacoby Ellsbury doubled him to third. Mike Scioscia called on Francisco Rodriguez and after Dustin Pedroia walked to load the bases, the Boston bats erupted. Adrian Gonzalez doubled to deep center, clearing the bases. Kevin Youkilis hit a first pitch double off the Wall to score Evil Bert, and after a passed ball moved Yook to third, David Ortiz cranked a two-run dong to left. Boston led 9-2.

The critical at-bat of the game happened in the bottom of the fifth. The Angels led 2-1, but Boston had Carl Crawford at third and Ellsbury at first, with two outs. Pedroia was facing Weaver:
01 - Ball 1
02 - Foul, strike 1
03 - Ball 2
04 - Foul, strike 2
05 - Foul (Ellsbury off with the pitch)
Activity in the Angels' bullpen
06 - Foul (Ellsbury off with the pitch)
LAA visit to the mound
Throw to first
07 - Ball 3 (Ellsbury steals second)
08 - Foul
09 - Foul
10 - Foul
11 - Foul
12 - Foul
13 - Line drive single into CF, Crawford and Ellsbury score, Boston leads 3-2
In the next half-inning, Torii Hunter led off with a double. And when Alberto Callaspo hit a hard grounder to first, Gonzalez scooped it up and, without hesitation, fired a seed to third base. Youkilis put the tag on Hunter for the out.

It was a remarkable (and risky) play, but coming on the heels of Pedroia's 13-pitch at-bat (and, for that matter, yesterday's dramatic win), Gonzalez's fluid glove work and pinpoint throw across the diamond also exuded an air of supreme confidence, maybe even cockiness. ... And then it wasn't long before Gonzalez hit the biggest blow in the highest run-scoring inning of the season.

One post-game note: Ellsbury bruised the inside of his knee when he banged into catcher Jeff Mathis when he scored in the seventh.
Example
Jered Weaver / Clay Buchholz

Weaver has an ERA of 0.99 in six starts. In five of those six starts, he has allowed no runs or one run. Opponents are hitting .163/.216/.238 against him. Batters leading off an inning are 3-for-44, with two walks (.068/.128/.159).

Weaver and Dan Haren (who will face the Sox tomorrow night) are the first pair of teammates to finish April with four wins and an ERA under 1.25 since Atlanta's Phil Niekro and George Stone in 1969. Weaver was scratched from his start on Sunday, but if he had pitched and received credit for the win, he would have been the first pitcher since 1891 to have seven wins on or before the first day of May (Sadie McMahon went 9-0 in 1891 for the Baltimore Orioles (American Association)).

David Ortiz has great numbers against Weaver, but most of his damages was done in 2006-2008. Angels vs Buchholz here.

Each of Buchholz's five starts has been rough; he has allowed 34 hits and 16 walks (and six home runs) in only 27 innings (1.85 WHIP (only Bobby Jenks is worse) and a 5.33 ERA). However, Jason Varitek believes Buchholz is close to regaining his form. "He's just one click away from having that feel and different touches on the ball."

Boston swept four games from the Angels a little more than a week ago: 4-2, 4-3, 5-0, 7-0. Weaver did not pitch in that series.

AL East: Yankees/Tigers at 7 PM; Orioles/White Sox at 8 PM.

147 comments:

allan said...

Ellsbury, CF
Pedroia, 2B
Gonzalez, 1B
Youkilis, 3B
Ortiz, DH
Drew, RF
Lowrie, SS
Crawford, LF
Varitek, C

Ellsbury has a 10-game hitting streak and Gonzalez an eight-game streak. ... Crawford has seven RBIs in his last seven games. ...

Josh Beckett threw about a 10-minute bullpen session (around 2:30). PeteAbe: "That Beckett threw in the bullpen isn't unusual. That Epstein and Francona were watching closely is. Beckett is obviously having some sort of physical issue and it seems to be related to his throwing 125 pitches in Anaheim on April 21. ... Beckett is now listed as the starter for Wednesday's game."

***

"... the Red Sox are readying the left field wall-sized U.S. flag for tonight's game. There will be some sort of ceremony in the wake of yesterday's historic news."

I know Crawford was in a slump, but this seems like a bit much.

Patrick said...

Celebrating killing a dude is pretty strange in my opinion, but looking for a bright side, maybe this will help people who were strongly effected by 9/11 heal a little.

Regardless, I hope Weaver gets his first loss.

allan said...

I am so disgusted by this idea that I can't think straight.

Jere offered a short news item on one person's non-healing.

Donna Marsh O'Connor, whose pregnant daughter was killed in the September 11 attacks:
"His death didn't bring her back. We are not a family which celebrates death, no matter who it is."

You can be sure she won't be speaking at Fenway or any other similar pom-pom waving event.

Man, if this doesn't drive the fucking nail home about how cheering the military's bloodlust is the default setting of US culture, nothing will.

allan said...

Izturis 2B
Abreu DH
Kendrick 1B
Hunter RF
Callaspo 3B
Wells LF
Aybar SS
Mathis C
Bourjos CF

Amy said...

I am puzzled also by all the jubilation. Yes, I am glad that Bin Laden is no longer a threat, but his death does not bring back all the lives lost nor does it make the world safer.

allan said...

This is one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen. And pointless. And stupid. Is every park doing this? It seems like a new low for the US.

laura k said...

I'm threading the election tonight, while the game is on. Go Sox, Go NDP!

laura k said...

It's bizarre and disgusting.

allan said...

Maybe they can wheel his body out on the mound and all the players and fans can hack off a piece to take home as a keepsake, like they did with lynchings in the south.

laura k said...

his death does not bring back all the lives lost nor does it make the world safer.

Indeed. His death is meaningless.

laura k said...

No word about Jerry yet, I assume. I guess we all fear it is a recurrence, or that he's in treatment again.

allan said...

So it took 10 years, hundreds of billions of dollars, thousands of dead US troops, tens of thousands more damaged for life, close to 2,000,000 dead or displaced people in Afghanistan and Iraq to get one guy with a dialysis machine?

U-S-A! U-S-A!

laura k said...

Because somebody has to say it:

There's no evidence that OBL was ever a threat to the US in the first place, or that he had anything to do with 9/11.

laura k said...

Ha ha ha ha ha ha OUT

allan said...

looked like he was out on the first tag, and was safe on the second tag

allan said...

then don does what jere loves to hear: sees one thing on tv and claims that the opposite happened.

Kathryn said...

We were in DC last night, staying two blocks from the White House. We could hear the cheering, chanting, and horn blowing most of the night. It woke us up again at 2:00 and probably lasted until 3 or so. I understand the importance of the event, but celebrating any death is very, very strange.

allan said...

I understand the importance of the event

I don't. I truly don't.

laura k said...

There's that too. I find celebrating the death of another human being just plain wrong. (Besides finding the actual event completely meaningless.)

allan said...

bring him in, yook. pls.

laura k said...

that's partly what happens when people are demonized.

Maxwell Horse said...

"There's no evidence that OBL was ever a threat to the US in the first place, or that he had anything to do with 9/11."

But, but, the confession tape! The tape where that fat guy who looked nothing like Osama said some evil stuff. That proved it!

It's pretty pathetic how human psychology works. Our freedoms are now greatly compromised. We are in infinite debt, our future bleak. We have destroyed two countries, killed millions--all actions that had no direct relation to the Osama boogie man, even if one were naive enough to believe he "masterminded" 9/11.

But because everyone is in a fist-pumping, "U-S-A" chanting mood from this news story, it's like it somehow "justifies" all the atrocities done in the name of "freedom" over the last decade. "Hooray! Our own freedoms have been curtailed and our economy is destroyed! U-S-A! U-S-A!"

I swear, we could've spent the last 10 years sinking billions into mining the moon for blue cheese. And as long as it was done in the name of "freedom," the Osama news would still make people go, "See? All that moon-mining was worth it after all!"

Also, whenever the anouncer at the baseball games--like today's game, just now--introduces special days (which seem to happen every other game) dedicated to the troops, am I the only one reminded of a parent explaining to 5-year-old minds why they need to eat all their vegetables and do what they're told or else Santa won't come? "And now, please stand and pay tribute for those who conducted the military action that killed Osama. Because without them, these never-ending wars, and our political leaders, there would be no one to keep you safe from the terrorists that hide under your bed at night." No, they didn't use the phrase "under your bed" in today's game, but the rest of it was pretty close.

But I digress. Ellsbury just got a hit. Whee.

laura k said...

yoooooook

Kathryn said...

Enough of the political talk (except what is going on with Canada's elections)...

YOUUUUKKKK!!!! &

LBJ!!!!!!!!

allan said...

Enough of the political talk (except what is going on with Canada's elections)...

So why did you post your comment?

laura k said...

Maxwell H, as soon as I saw your name in comments, I knew it would be good. Thanks for that - very much.

Kathryn said...

I didn't mean it as a directive, but understand how it was interpreted that way. I was typing my response to the importance of the event (depending upon your viewpoint of Al Qaeda's threat to the world) when we scored a run.

I decided to just go with the excitement of scoring a run.

Maxwell Horse said...

Hey, thanks. I just had to post somewhere to blow off steam after seeing all mindless pre-game hoopla.

Benjamin said...

I'm just glad the U.S. gets to vent its bloodlust upon killing someone actually bad for once (instead of the usual case).

allan said...

Does this means he's finally off the CIA payroll?

Amy said...

I saw on Remy's facebook page a few days ago that he had the flu and that it is not a recurrence. But then Harvey just saw that he has pneumonia. I hope that the first story still holds true...

laura k said...

I'm just glad the U.S. gets to vent its bloodlust upon killing someone actually bad for once (instead of the usual case).

Speaking of threats to the world.

Kathryn said...

From the Globe:



-----
NESN's Jerry Remy just wrote on Twitter that he will not be part of tonight's broadcast.

"Doctor just confirmed I have a bit of pneumonia. Suggested we get it under control before doing (the) Red Sox game. It's day by day I guess," he wrote.

laura k said...

After I posted that, Allan told me Jerry has pneumonia. I hope that's not a euphemism. Although now he is more susceptible to pneumonia, so perhaps it is true.

allan said...

i heard he has the boogie woogie flu.

wilson said...

...am I the only one reminded of a parent explaining to 5-year-old minds why they need to eat all their vegetables and do what they're told or else Santa won't come?

Now Silvia you eat your broccoli or the terrorists win.

laura k said...

"...or the terrorists have won."

That became quite the punchline in late 2001.

Kathryn said...

OUT.

Jere said...

Ball beats him AND tag is made in time--not good enough for that ump.

laura k said...

Ump fuckup costs us

allan said...

I look forward to the Red Sox's celebration when someone really evil finally dies.

wilson said...

"...or the terrorists have won."

O yes, I misremember it well.

Kathryn said...

I look forward to the Red Sox's celebration when someone really evil finally dies.

Speaking of threats to the nation...RSN.

laura k said...

Ha ha, I guessed those pics without even clicking. :)

allan said...

when we think of players we don't like, i always overlook hunter. i REALLY do not like him and hope he always does poorly.

Kathryn said...

Laura, when do you get the results of the election?

laura k said...

Ha, Kathryn, we are chatting about that on wmtc. It will be 10:00 at the earliest before we know anything much.

laura k said...

And then, assuming the Conservatives do not get a majority, things may get very interesting once Parliament resumes. We may yet see that coalition govt!

allan said...

framed by!

allan said...

keep bunting, laaaaaa!

allan said...

dp pls

Amy said...

Pedroia must have velcro in his glove and springs in his feet!

Kathryn said...

Nice description, Amy.

laura k said...

NESN promo: "...and the sports world's reaction to the death of Osama bin Laden..."

We are cracking up over here. "The sports world's reaction to the royal wedding..." "The sports world's reaction to the birth of Mariah Carey's twins..."

Kathryn said...

Yay, CC. 2 for 2, with a double.

Amy said...

I bet they won't have a promo for the sports' world's reaction to the Canadian election.

allan said...

yeah, we were laughing at that.

reaction to:
royal wedding
mariah carey's twins
NDP showing in Quebec
dfw's novel

i'm sure the sports world's reaction to OBL is quite varied and nuanced.

Amy said...

I'd love an LBJ hit right here.

laura k said...

And I only know Mariah Carey had twins because we had to change channels during the pre-game nonsense!

Amy said...

I had no idea she was even pregnant. But I do know who she is!

Amy said...

What was the NDP showing in Quebec?

Amy said...

He is damn lucky he is fast or I would have been REALLY pissed.

laura k said...

I know who she is but barely recognized her on whatever snippets we saw. I admit I take pride in my ignorance of celebrity gossip.

It's getting hard to keep track of my posting tonight!

allan said...

glad i could offer some breaking news.

laura k said...

ha ha, Amy, we don't know yet, but we're all waiting to hear! it may be historic.

Amy said...

I tend to be aware of celebrity gossip, but my definition of celebrity is somewhat limited. I would not care if Mariah Carey had quadruplets.

Amy said...

Oh, I thought you really knew! No projections yet? Are all the polls closed throughout the country?

laura k said...

Polls have only closed in one region, Atlantic Canada, east of here.

Polls close in Ontario & Quebec at 9:30 eastern time.

No results for any region until polls close in that region.

allan said...

not proud of his cheese!

Kathryn said...

Not proud of his cheese. I heard that.

Benjamin said...

Amy, Laura already knows. She just doesn't want to be fined $25k for prematurely transmitting vote results.

Kathryn said...

C'mon FY. Win this one.

laura k said...

Hey, I'm ready to go to jail for free speech. :)

But no, we only know Atlantic Cda so far.

Benjamin said...

!!

Amy said...

Are there similar rules there about no projections until all the polls are closed nationwide?

YES!! FY IS MY HERO!

laura k said...

FUCK YEAH!!!!!

allan said...

FY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

long AB to let HH's blister heal!!!

Amy said...

He sure battled that one out. What a hell of an at bat!

Kathryn said...

FY!! FY!! Fuck Yeah!!!!!!!

Yes. What an at bat.

allan said...

HUGE!

fuckin huge!

allan said...

1st pitch, bert? jeez.

Benjamin said...

Nicely fucking done.

allan said...

FY, EB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

laura k said...

YER OUT!

allan said...

FUCK YOU, TORIIIIIII!!

Amy said...

Good play!

Kathryn said...

What a play. Amazing.

laura k said...

Great play!

Polls close here in 10 minutes. I have to watch CBC.

Benjamin said...

It's nice to have a left-handed first baseman.

Benjamin said...

It'd be nice to have more runs.

Amy said...

Hey, I liked that commercial---is Pedroia a better pitcher than Lester is a hitter? I bet he is.

Benjamin said...

What was the paper Eck just had someone pick up with gum(?) on a stick?

laura k said...

It was his scorecard. Nice trick.

Benjamin said...

Sometimes I think I shouldn't watch this game muted. But then I wouldn't miss all the stuff I miss (the talking, the ads, the talking about ads).

allan said...

i want hunter to lose a fly ball in the moon

laura k said...

I'm going upstairs to watch CBC until the game is done. I'm so nervous!

Kathryn said...

Having the game streamed on Apple TV instead of off the cable with EI, we miss all the commercials. A good thing in the long run, but I would like to see them once or twice. I don't know what commercial Amy is talking about.

allan said...

line drive ... rising.

Amy said...

Nice!!

Maxwell Horse said...

Oh, Jesus Christ. Now a segment on Terry and Osama. Am I the only one who did anything besides watch The Today Show for the past 10 years?

allan said...

Tito/Osama > Dennis/Callahan?

allan said...

oop - time to change the channel

Benjamin said...

Polls haven't closed yet, so I haven't learned the election results. I have, however, learned that you guys have a magazine called The Walrus up there. That's adorable.

allan said...

goo goo gah joob

Amy said...

Yay, Tek!

Benjamin said...

Tek waits on the stutter step.

allan said...

tek gets his may hit out of the way early.

Amy said...

Yes Yes!

allan said...

lots of opp field hits for lbj!

Amy said...

Hey, be nice. No reason to be mean to one of our own...and me!

Kathryn said...

LBJ! Let's score some RUNS.

allan said...

i know. just kidding. :>)



(i know he'll get 4 or 5 hits this month!)

laura k said...

Benjamin, The Walrus is Canada's answer to Harper's. One of the best.

Amy said...

Allan, I'd be happy with 4 or 5. :)

allan said...

PeteAbe noted that the rotation was jiggered so that Tek and Salty and play every other night. Don and Eck never mentioned that.

Who knows, Tek may hit .620 this month.

Benjamin said...

!!!!

allan said...

That is how it is done.

Amy said...

I really am enjoying our games against the Angels this season. Can we just play them between now and October?

allan said...

FY with LBJ step for step!!!!

Amy said...

OK, now we are playing baseball.

Kathryn said...

Evil Bert! Gotta love it.

Bases clearing double insurance.

Kathryn said...

Wall ball. Finally.

allan said...

"if they can hold onto this ..."

f u, don.

allan said...

MATHISBALLA!!!

Benjamin said...

Awww yeah.

Amy said...

Where the hell have these bats been?

allan said...

QUADRANGULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

EAT SHIT, SCOISIA

Kathryn said...

That didn't get any of the wall!

allan said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAA

Amy said...

That lovely outfield defense!

allan said...

GORGEOUS FROM BOURJOS!!!!!!!!!

Amy said...

Is this that bad on defense or only when they play the Sox?

Benjamin said...

Angels can't do anything right. (Projections suggest the same of Canadian voters.)

Kathryn said...

WOW

Zenslinger said...

Yanks take lead 4-3, now middle of ninth.

Kathryn said...

How about an out, Wheeler?

allan said...

GODDAMN, FY is good!!!!!!!!

Kathryn said...

Thanks, FY.

Pokerwolf said...

Just popping in to say hello since I can't thread tonight. I figured you guys would like this comic too.

Also, since we're talking Canadian elections in here tonight, should we all be saying "Geaux Sox"? ;)

allan said...

... wrong thread!

Benjamin said...

The only voting less sensible than first past the post in a two-party-dominated society is first past the post in a three-party-dominated society.

allan said...

L says the Liberals have either formed the government or been the official opposition for the entire history of Canada -- until now (it appears).

Mind-blowing defeat for war&torture apologist Ignatieff!!!!

Benjamin said...

Water.

allan said...

sox 9 runs on 11 hits

9 - 11

omg!

laura k said...

Geaux Sox ! ROFL

The only laugh I've had tonight.

The only voting less sensible than first past the post in a two-party-dominated society is first past the post in a three-party-dominated society.

So true. I look forward to seeing Fair Vote Canada's recalculation of the same numbers under a proportional representation system.

9casey said...

It was a remarkable (and risky) play, Gonzalez's fluid glove work and pinpoint throw across the diamond also exuded an air of supreme confidence, maybe even cockiness.



It was a great play on both ends , Yook saved his hide on that one..

johngoldfine said...

I missed hearing last night's game.

The street celebrations for OBL's death are repulsive, even if spontaneous, but when celebrations are sanctioned and encouraged by businesses as part of creating a fullservice and profitable pander of spectacle, distraction, triumphalism, chauvinism, and self-righteousness, then it's fucking disgusting.

I thought better of the Red Sox management.