June 28, 2011

G78: Phillies 5, Red Sox 0

Red Sox  - 000 000 000 - 0  2  1
Phillies - 020 012 00x - 5  6  0
Cliff Lee (9-2-0-2-5, 112) pitched his third consecutive complete game shutout, and extended his scoreless inning streak to 32 (5th longest in Phillies history). In five June starts, he has allowed one run in 42 innings.

Lee did not allow a hit until the sixth inning. Boston had four baserunners, all of whom were the leadoff batter in their respective inning:
2nd - Youkilis walk
6th - Scutaro single
7th - Pedroia walk
8th - McDonald double
None of the runners advanced even one base.

Beckett (6-5-5-1-1, 84) allowed a two-run home run to Domonic Brown in the second. Brown doubled in the fifth and scored on Lee's sac fly, and Shane Victorino clubbed a two-run dong in the sixth. Franklin Morales and Bobby Jenks - both activated off the disabled list before the game - each pitched an inning of relief.
Example

Josh Beckett / Cliff Lee

John Gonzalez, Philadelphia Inquirer:
The next few days figure to test our collective patience and sanity. Brace yourself: Boston fans are coming. ...

They've gotten out of control, these Boston fans. They've mutated. There was a time when they took a perverse pride in their suffering, when they romanticized their lack of sports luck. Then the Pats won and the Sox won and the Celtics won and, more recently, the Bruins won. ...

The people in Boston have become obnoxious, arrogant, condescending. ... an openly supercilious lot who never hesitate to tell you exactly how good they have it. ...

[T]he fans there have become the sports equivalent of the mouthy businessman who gets loaded at the bar and won't shut up about how much money he's made and how much better his life is than yours. He drones on and on about his summer house and his expensive cars and his cushy Rich & Famous lifestyle ... Their gloating is insufferable.
HAHAHAHAHHHHA!

Over at the Globe, Chad Finn tries to make sense of Gonzalez's apparent disappointment that Bruins fans did not riot after winning the Stanley Cup ("So, more rioting=less obnoxiousness. Got it.") and chides him for basing his opinion of Boston fans on ESPN, WEEI, the Montreal Gazette, and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

(Well, at least Gonzalez did not suggest (as a PI columnist did in March) that fans bring D-cell batteries to throw at the Red Sox this week.)

A Simple Request to the Boston bats: Make Tito Apologize.

Beckett has not pitched since June 15, when he one-hit the Rays, as illness has laid him low. He still leads MLB with a 1.86 ERA.

Lee has pitched two complete game shutouts in the time Beckett has been out (June 16 and 22) and has allowed only one earned run over his last four starts (33 innings).

The Phillies (49-30) have the best record in baseball, with the Yankees (45-31) and Red Sox (45-32) at #2 and #3.

Philadelphia is 10th in the National League in average (.246), 7th in OBP (.320), and 11th in SLG (.373), and 8th in R/G (4.05). ... Their pitching staff is 1st in ERA (3.05), shutouts (11), and fewest walks (207), 2nd in WHIP (1.191, only .003 behind Atlanta's 1.188), 3th in opponents average (.243), 2nd in opponents OBP (.301), and 3rd in opponents SLG (.350).

Also: The Red Sox are the streakiest team in baseball. ... "The Franchise Moves That Almost Happened".

AL East: Brewers/Yankees and Reds/Rays at 7 PM.

105 comments:

allan said...

Activated
LHP Franklin Morales
RHP Bobby Jenks

To Pawtucket
LHP Tommy Hottovy
RHP Scott Atchison

Ellsbury, CF
Pedroia, 2B
Gonzalez, 1B
Youkilis, 3B
McDonald, LF
Varitek, C
Cameron, RF
Scutaro, SS
Beckett, P

Rollins, SS
Polanco, 3B
Utley, 2B
Howard, 1B
Victorino, CF
Ibanez, LF
Brown, RF
Ruiz, C
Lee, P

Lee in June: 33-19-1-6-24, 0.27.

Bard's last 11 games: 13-4-0-3-12.

allan said...

#5 batter, 2011: .109/.163/.174
#9 batter, career: .148/.185/.231

Shoulda flipped 'em, Tito.

Tom DePlonty said...

Shoulda flipped 'em, Tito.

I remember this game when Beckett came to bat after giving up four runs at the bottom of the fifth, and he hit that pissed-off home run.

allan said...

Q Re McDonald:

When was the last time a contending team batted a player with an -8 OPS in the 5-spot in late June?

Jesus fuck.

Benjamin said...

I hate how our lineup has to carry five pitchers in NL interleague games.

Kathryn said...

We are at the park. It's very nice, but it's no Fenway.

wayneswhirld said...

From Bristol, VT - GO PHILLIES!!! (I can't watch any of these games live since I don't have NESN and therefore blacked out on MLB.TV).

allan said...

Our one game at the new park was July 8, 2004, when Abreu hit a game-winning dong off Franco and the Phils beat the Mets 5-4.

(Who hit a HR for the Mets? Mike Cameron!)

allan said...

SoSHer Snodgrass'Muff:

"And out of curiosity, I've just run the [Baseball Reference] play index for 49 plate appearances (the amount [McDonald]'s amassed so far this year) and again come up with no players who have posted a -8 OPS+ or worse over that span. If Darnell McDonald was cut right now, he'd be the only player in history to have held his job for that long while being that bad. I ran it again with a .311 OPS instead of the -8 OPS+ and unsurprisingly, the list was also empty."

*****

And he's fucking batting fucking fifth!!!!

FIFTH!!!!!!!!!!!

allan said...

Wait - That McD search can't be right.

Kathryn said...

McDonald is in the cage and he has hit two out of the park. Now Drew nails one.

Kathryn said...

Our one game at the new park was July 8, 2004, when Abreu hit a game-winning dong off Franco and the Phils beat the Mets 5-4.

Wait. For abreu to hit a homer he would actually have to swing the bat. I guess he does that every once in a while.

allan said...

leadoff batter against franco
2nd pitch, if i recall

wayneswhirld said...

Ok, last comment on here so I don't know what is happening in the game until I can watch it later in archive. Just know that John Gonzalez "Gonzo" is hated by most Philly bloggers -- generally considered to be the worst Philly sports writer -- who therefore rarely dissed Red Sox fans, plus, some of them admitted they were just as obnoxious if not more so. Enjoy the game!

allan said...

Yeesh - 5-pitch OTT for Flee.

allan said...

I saw the Gonzalez column at Sam Horn. Almost everyone loved it. I know I did.

laura k said...

The Phillies' park is totally awesome compared to what they used to play in. The Vet was a true dump.

Hopefully we'll make Flea work a little harder in the coming innings.

Jere said...

I also was at a Sox game in Philly where Beckett homered. The 2006 one. I was gonna link to a pic I took of it, but instead I'll show you this one from that same day--it's Manny avoiding signing for little kids and making excuses. Oh, wait, I mean the opposite.

laura k said...

Philadelphia fans (all sports) are more like stereotypical NYY fans than NYY fans, IME.

laura k said...

I wonder why Wayneswhirld doesn't just listen to the game on MLB Audio.

/obligatory MLB Audio plug

allan said...

Don, on that line out, says Scutaro "tracks it down".

Only in NY should moving 3 steps to your left be referred to as "tracking it down"

laura k said...

OTT!

allan said...

it's Manny avoiding signing for little kids and making excuses. Oh, wait, I mean the opposite.

Photoshop!!!

Jere said...

As a sports fan in 2011, I have witnessed one inning that went by rapidly, with no baserunners, and have determined the rest of the game will continue exactly in this manner.

Jere said...

"Photoshop!!!"

Ya got me

Kathryn said...

We got the scoop on what to do with our SRO tix. We are standing at the top of the lower level. Directly behind home plate. Amazing angles of everything!!

Nice pic jere

Kathryn said...

Flee: 13 of 18 for strikes

Zenslinger said...

We can say one good thing for McDonald (this year): he chased that down in RF, made a good throw, and didn't let Ryan Howard even think about a double.

Tom DePlonty said...

"Cued" foul - we had that one yet?

laura k said...

sliced foul - but we already have that one

allan said...

don sounding impressed that the sox played before a new record crowd at pnc park -- because that place has been around FOREVER!!!!!!

laura k said...

Cued foul - nope, that's new!

(I didn't see your comment til I had posted mine. :) )

Jere said...

Don, you're really, really idiotic sometimes

allan said...

"will have no play"

..... then gets howard easily.

allan said...

pbp guy should describe what happens -- not what he thinks might happen

Jere said...

I figure a good 90% of us were watching that play thinking, "It's Howard, we've got a shot..."

Meanwhile Don not only says no chance but continues with his theory even while watching the play being made!

allan said...

becuz then you sound like sterling

laura k said...

tapped foul

Jere said...

god dom it

laura k said...

We're dooooomed

allan said...

that's what brown can do for the phillies.

laura k said...

You know how I feel about interleague and having two sets of rules, but man, I love National League baseball. So much better than our game.

allan said...

Cliff Lee is pitching a NO-HITTER!!!
Cliff Lee is pitching a NO-HITTER!!!
Cliff Lee is pitching a NO-HITTER!!!
Cliff Lee is pitching a NO-HITTER!!!
Cliff Lee is pitching a NO-HITTER!!!

Kathryn said...

Clif Flee is pitching a no-hitter

allan said...

MIL - 00
MFY - 25

CIN - 000 0
FKR - 000 1

Kathryn said...

This is kinda strange. Most of the games we get to are in Baltimore. Weird to see a crowd actually rooting for the home team. It's a good atmosphere.

Jere said...

"So much better than our game."

I find ours the better game but I know the rules on not bothering having a debate about personal favorites.

Don has done the Predict-a-call two more times at least. One was on the pitchout--"Red Sox guess right but still.....(THEN runner gets in safely)...they steal the base."

Tom DePlonty said...

Finally.

Jere said...

Slapping a bass hit off Flea

laura k said...

I don't think it's a rule, but we've been around it enough. I was just excited about seeing a pitcher bat. I'll go back to enjoying it quietly.

There goes the no-hitter! Finally.

Jere said...

I don't think in a million years you could convince me that what just happened is better than having an actual batter in the lineup in place of the pitcher. Maybe not a million--if society changes and pitchers learn to hit major league pitching one day, I'd be all for it.

allan said...

I don't want to see McDonald and Cameron hit. Can we do something about that?

laura k said...

Non-pitchers GIDP all the time.

Jere said...

But at least they run to first and don't carry the bat all the way to first. It's a complete joke to have AL pitchers batting. I think.

laura k said...

PS I'm not trying to convince you or anyone else.

Jere said...

Non-pitchers aren't told "don't run, we don't want you getting hurt."

laura k said...

PPS: I did not say "what just happened" is better (as you can plainly see). It's not like NL play = GIDP and AL play = guaranteed HR. Pretty sure when we watch regular AL baseball, the Sox GIDP or strand runners all the time.

allan said...

i figured they told ortiz to not run to first on ground balls. isn't that why he's always 40 feet from the bag when he's called out?

laura k said...

Non-pitchers aren't told "don't run, we don't want you getting hurt."

I'm not sure that's true.

Jere said...

Yes I'm always pissed at Papi for never running but at least he's an actual hitter.

allan said...

Looks like we needed a Designated Pitcher in this one.

Kathryn said...

5 hits = 5 runs. Yeesh.

Rob said...

I hate the National League Red Sox.

Jere said...

Lee's losin' it!

Kathryn said...

I just saw a rare event live.

allan said...

Sox get a runner to 2B!!

baby steps ... but it's the 8th.

Amy said...

When does interleague play end? I have not enjoyed these games at all!

And hi, everyone. Figured I'd drop in and commiserate.

Rob said...

So much for baby steps...

allan said...

we have this series and the asstros.

i think that's it.

until october.

allan said...

Now in the 9th, we got to get a guy to 3B.

Jere said...

"I'm dead wrong!" --Remy

Another rare event witnessed.

Jere said...

I certainly hope we're not using the "in the tenth, we finally score" theory.

Tom DePlonty said...

And just think - we have Lackey to look forward to tomorrow night!

tim said...

Ahh, just in time for the comeback.

Kathryn said...

"I'm dead wrong!" --Remy

Put that on the bingo card.

tim said...

yay Kathryn for live threading!

tim said...

gin fueled rally pls.

Tom DePlonty said...

Rally time.

Kathryn said...

Or... Jen filled rally?

Jere said...

All "Making Copies" Team?

Victor... Victo-ra-maaa.... Victor-eeno...

Okay, at least All Classic Films Team.

Kathryn said...

**fueled

Kathryn said...

Millar just walked by!! JOnathan went up to him.

Jere said...

The All-Bastard Team:

Antonio Bastardo
The Yankees Roster

allan said...

tell him "hello mirror"

tim said...

fuckassshitty clean water.

Jere said...

Dirlee Water

Amy said...

Boo.

Dr. Jeff said...

Bummer

laura k said...

Annoyingly clean.

laura k said...

All "Making Copies" Team?

Victor... Victo-ra-maaa.... Victor-eeno..


Every single time I hear Victorino's name, I think this same thing. Every. Single. Time.

Jere said...

"Every single time I hear Victorino's name, I think this same thing. Every. Single. Time."

Woohoo! Then we'll have to be on the lookout for more AMCTeamers, eh? It's funny, Kim and I always do that voice, but specifically with "-areeno!" So, yeah, Shane's name always makes us think it too. And should that ever get old I see us transitioning smoothly into "Shane! Come back!"

Kathryn said...

I was hollering, "cabin. Cabin". But no response.

9casey said...

Whatever happened with that whole Adrian was going to play right and Papi play first thing the media talked all last week about?

tim said...

9c, papi at first tomorrow.

gonzalez likely to start in RF.

gulp.

tim said...

to follow up that previous comment.

FY's thoughts: "It'll be good offensively, but damn, I've gotta play second, first and right. That's a lot of ground to cover, man. I've got small legs."

Jere said...

Well supposedly Ortiz will be at 1st tomorrow. Some media are assuming this means AG is in right. They could just be switching roles though.

allan said...

And in a Lackey start?!?!?

Better stock up on the booze.

allan said...

I was hollering, "cabin. Cabin". But no response.

He knows about the nickname - and was amused when told. (But that was about 5 years ago.) He might have answered to the full "Cabin Mirror".

I'd actually like to know who his agent is. Is he still working for the MLB Network?

Philip said...

Shame Lester will be pitching to avoid the sweep on Thursday.

9casey said...

Philip said...
Shame Lester will be pitching to avoid the sweep on Thursday.





Really........What is this 2003?

laura k said...

Really........What is this 2003?

Yeah, WTF? Pencilling in a loss before a pitch has been thrown???

Don't all Sox fans know - hell, don't all baseball fans know - ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN?????

allan said...

Pencilling in a loss before a pitch has been thrown???

Well, it is Lackey.

Jere said...

Millar's still working for MLBN because he has that weekly talk show, Intentional Talk. I have yet to see it.

mpONeill said...

ugh, as a Phillies Fan I like to say most of us here think John Gonzalez is a idiot, and he just showed it there. In fact one of the few fans I like to see in town are red sox fans, and I know plenty of people would agree with me there.

laura k said...

It was nice of mpONeill to stop by and say that.