July 2, 2011

G82: Red Sox 10, Astros 4

Red Sox  - 300 010 141 - 10 13  0
Astros   - 100 001 101 -  4 11  1
The Red Sox began the game with three quick runs, as the first five batters reached base, and after the Astros came close to tying the game (or taking a lead) in the seventh, Boston immediately erupted for four runs, three on a long blast to left field from Darnell McDonald, whose slugging percentage before that swing was .182, to pull away for good.

Miller (6-7-2-2-3, 85) allowed at least one baserunner in each inning, but only three Astros were able to get past first base against him, and two of those were in the first inning.

Alfredo Aceves got into some hot water in the seventh. Working with a 5-2 lead, he retired the first two batters, but then allowed two singles and a walk, loading the bases. Daniel Bard came in and walked Hunter Pence to force in a run, but considering that Pence had singled twice and homered in his three previous at-bats, that may not have been so bad. Bard then retired Carlos Lee on a first-pitch ground out.

Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, and Kevin Youkilis each went 3-for-5, with an RBI; Gonzalez also scored three runs. Jacoby Ellsbury doubled, walked, and scored twice.

Yamaico Navarro hit his first major league home run as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. The last Red Sox player to do that was Juan Diaz (June 23, 2002). Diaz's home run came in his eighth, and last, major league plate appearance. (Diaz was still playing baseball as recently as 2010, however, in the independent Northern League.)

The Yankees beat the Mets this afternoon 5-2 for their 17th win in their last 21 games (since being swept by the Red Sox on June 7-9). Boston remains 2.5 GB.
Example
Andrew Miller / J.A. Happ

This is Miller's third start since being called up from Pawtucket last month. In his last outing, against the Pirates, he allowed five hits and one earned run in six innings.

In 16 starts, Happ has a 5.54 ERA and 1.54 WHIP (92 hits and 43 walks in 87.2 innings). ... At the plate, he's a surprising 7-for-24, with an .804 OPS. Of the eight regulars in the Phillies' lineup, only two have an OPS over .800 (Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard).

Terry Francona is considering playing Adrian Gonzalez in RF today.

Unfortunately, Dustin Pedroia did not tell us what he barked at umpire Laz Diaz as he ran to first base after his game-tying single last night: "I don't even remember, man. I'm out of my mind half the time anyway." (I assume FY does not want to incur a fine.)

In addition to the Francona/Brad Mills and Ron Johnson/Chris Johnson connections between the two teams, Carl Crawford and Astros center fielder Michael Bourn played on the same Little League team in Houston.

AL East: Roy Halladay returns to Toronto to face the Jays at 1 PM. Yankees/Mets at 4 PM and Cardinals/Rays at 7 PM.

50 comments:

allan said...

Ellsbury, CF
Pedroia, 2B
Gonzalez, RF
Youkilis, 3B
Ortiz, 1B
Saltalamacchia, C
McDonald, LF
Scutaro, SS
Miller, P

allan said...

Bourn, CF
Sanchez, 2B
Pence, RF
Lee, 1B
Michaels, LF
Johnson, 3B
Barmes, SS
Towles, C
Happ, P

Jere said...

How fucking stupid are the Mets? Loaded, one out, 0-0 game. Pitcher up. You have to keep him in, but can you at least create the fucking illusion that he's not TRYING to hit into an inning ending DP? For my sanity? Bunt? Swing up (and maybe end up with a run god forbid)? Strike the fuck out on purpose to just give us a chance? You're the NL, surely you must have thought of this.

And after several foul would-be DP tappers, he finally nails it, wussing it softly right to A-Rod standing practically on third base. Stupid Mets, stupid NL, stupid .045 batter in the middle of a game that affects MY division.

allan said...

MFY - 000 004
WFM - 000 000

WFM - Worthless Fucking Mets

allan said...

MFY - 000 004 001 - 5 8 0
NYM - 000 000 002 - 2 8 0

7th straight win
17-4 in last 21 games

allan said...

anyone else unable to get mlbtv to work?

allan said...

J.A. Happless

allan said...

okay, got the houston feed.
that will do for awhile

Tom DePlonty said...

Listening to Castig and O. I see the boys are getting started early tonight.

Tom DePlonty said...

How's Tala doing? Claude seems to be on the mend, glad to say.

allan said...

Laura wrote about Tala here. Reasonably good news, we are trying restricted activity and pain meds for a few weeks. Not sure if that will do the trick, though.

allan said...

these astros annc. are not quite the homers the white sox guys are, but jeez ....

Tom DePlonty said...

All Extra Money Must Go To A Veterinarian

Lord, I know it.

Has Miller caught whatever Happ-less has?

allan said...

his affliction is not quite as bad. looks curable.

allan said...

I keep telling L if we immediately spend all our extra money on books, music, and great food, then the dogs won't get sick.

Tom DePlonty said...

I always thought the pet health insurance was silly. I'm going to take a hard look at it now.

Miller seems to be settling down...

allan said...

Man, GDGD has ball 4 clearly inside the lower third of the zone, not even on the white border.

Tom DePlonty said...

Castig just said that Laz Diaz did see Pedroia turn around and shout at him last night when he was running for first, but didn't say what he thought about it. FY's lucky he didn't get tossed. Wish I could have seen it.

allan said...

It might be one of the highlight videos in you go to last night's Gameday. Or MLB's video page.

allan said...

Tom: L is following along at work, but can't thread. She says: "thx for asking about tala, glad to hear claude is better."

andy said...

The broadcast out of Houston has some of the best camera work i have ever seen for a game.

allan said...

that is what i'm watching, with sox radio a beat or two behind the picture. i will pay attention.

andy said...

i feel like im there. i sit that close usually

andy said...

they pan and switch views in a very natural way.

allan said...

the shot of the pitcher/batter is nice and tight.

Tom DePlonty said...

Sounds great. I don't get to Fenway often, once or twice a season, but try to get good seats when I go. Tonight I'm keeping an ear on the game while I try to pound out some code. Regards to Laura. When I have a spare hour or two, I'm going to collect the foul words!

Tom DePlonty said...

As soon as Tito takes Papi out, naturally.

allan said...

3 pitches

HR
single
DP

!

allan said...

YADONGICO!!!!!!!

allan said...

aka - PH dong for Navarro, 1st MLB home run!

meunier said...

Im at a AA game in Frisco TX & getting the full Monty of jingoism even though it is not the 4th yet.

allan said...

Texas - that sounds scary.

meunier said...

Not only army top uniforms but they had an ENLISTMENT CEREMONY on the field before the anthem.

meunier said...

Ive also been to an Indy team called the Grand Praire Air Hogs

allan said...

they had an ENLISTMENT CEREMONY on the field before the anthem

Was it sponsored by the local funeral parlor?

allan said...

I just noticed that I spelled this batter's name "Towels" on my scorecard.

allan said...

potato, pls

meunier said...

No, "Springtime for Hitler" was the 1st thing that came to mind for me.

Jere said...

The ryhmes are Darnell's, the dongs are McDonald's! Or something! 9 effin' 3.

Tom DePlonty said...

That was good to see.

allan said...

HEY NOW!

was away - and i like what i come back to

allan said...

Fernando is Abad pitcher!

Jere said...

I wanted to face Wandy Rodriguez in this series for the Wandy's/McDonald's matchup.

Jere said...

2B dij.

allan said...

O'Brien says Bogusevic could be the last man to swing the bat tonight. ... There is one out and no one is on base.

allan said...

Dirty Water > Minute Maid

laura k said...

When I have a spare hour or two, I'm going to collect the foul words!

No need, it's done!

tapped
carved
sprayed
cued
ripped
sliced
flared
bending
rifled
cranked
lifted
lined
grounded

That's all we have so far!

Tom DePlonty said...

I remember pointing out "hooked" and "laced" one game. I'm also pretty sure I've heard "shot".

How does he come up with all these, I wonder?

laura k said...

Oops, I must have missed those! Now added to the list...

laura k said...

I just found those two. Forgot I started another list one night!