Red Sox - 000 001 410 - 6 14 1Dice did not pitch quite as well as his line might suggest (8-4-1-3-4, 106), but his infield mates turned four double plays behind him to limit any possible damage.
White Sox - 000 010 001 - 2 5 0
Matsuzaka retired the side in order only twice -- in the sixth and seventh innings. Yet he never faced more than five batters in an inning -- and that happened only once.
The big bat belonged to David Ortiz, who went 3-for-5, with two singles, a double, a run scored and three RBI. His bases-loaded (and bases-clearing) double to deep left-center was the key blow of the night as it increased Boston's lead from 2-1 to 5-1.
Jacoby Ellsbury was 3-for-4, with two singles and a home run; J.D. Drew walked three times from the leadoff spot; and Dustin Pedroia singled twice, giving him a hit in 28 consecutive road games. Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell also singled twice.
The Rays beat the Mariners 8-7 in 11 innings. The Angels scored eight runs in the eighth inning to pound the Yankees 11-4. We stay 3.5 GB, New York drops to 7.5 GB.
***
Daisuke Matsuzaka (3.04, 146 ERA+) / Jose Contreras (4.60, 97 ERA+)
Will Mike Lowell (.202/.265/.277 since July 1 and clearly playing hurt) get a day off?
Will Terry Francona move Jason Bay (.400/.471/.633 in a Red Sox uniform) up in the lineup?
Will Dustin Pedroia hit safely in his 28th straight road game?
Will the Red Sox find their bats and pound Contreras (just off the DL after right elbow tendinitis) as they did in their last meeting (7.1-10-10-3-2, including a Julio Lugo grand slam)?
Also: Yankees/Angels at 3:45 PM and Rays/Mariners at 10 PM.
TITO, TIME TO MOVE BAY UP.
ReplyDeletedice-k, don't be dice-bb, please.
PLEASE.
ReplyDeleteGah another missed game for me due to exam at 6:30.
ReplyDeleteOh well, after this...one more to go then its party time until I go back to work in September.
Got a few concerts lined up for the last couple weeks in Aug, plus gotta clean out 3+ years of university shit from my house!
plus gotta clean out 3+ years of university shit from my house!
ReplyDeleteTim, you should let me come over and do it - that's my specialty. You can come over here and write these stories for me.
I don't know if I can listen tonight, either. I'll have down-time at work, but that's also the perfect time to get my own work done. Hmm. Decisions.
Oh yeah: good luck Tim!
ReplyDeleteOooh sounds intriguing. I like stories :)
ReplyDeleteExcept that you and my father would be at each other's throats within seconds.
Except that you and my father would be at each other's throats within seconds.
ReplyDeletePass. I've had enough of that for one lifetime. :)
Ditto.
ReplyDeleteAnyone watching the MFY/MFA game?
ReplyDeleteTITO, TIME TO MOVE BAY UP.
ReplyDeleteHe didn't get your email.
According to NESN:
Drew, RF
Pedroia, 2B
Ortiz, DH
Youkilis, 1B
Lowell, 3B
Bay, LF
Lowrie, SS
Ellsbury, CF
Varitek, C
Nothing like having a cool breeze full of the smell of freshly cut grass coming into the house.
ReplyDeleteIf the lineup is going to be as fluid as its been, why does he have a problem moving Lowell from 5th to 6th?
ReplyDeleteDitto.
ReplyDeleteYou too, eh? :)
You too, eh? :)
ReplyDeleteHad to put up with that for 18 years, I'm surprised I didn't come out of it more screwed up.
NYY: 000 - 0 2 0
ReplyDeleteLAA: 000 - 0 1 0
ish said...
ReplyDeleteNothing like having a cool breeze full of the smell of freshly cut grass coming into the house.
How about actually going outside.
Will Mike Lowell (.202/.265/.277 since July 1 and clearly playing hurt) get a day off?
ReplyDeleteHe just had one...8/4 I beleive
That whole post read like the end of a Batman episode .(Adam West Batman)
How about actually going outside.
ReplyDeleteIt's true. But sitting here is the best of both worlds.
John Sterling: "Back to Back! Belly to belly!"
ReplyDeleteHe makes the Hawk sound good.
Will the Red Sox find their bats and pound Contreras (just off the DL after right elbow tendinitis) as they did in their last meeting (7.1-10-10-3-2, including a Julio Lugo grand slam)?
ReplyDelete7.1 innings pitched, 10ER... you don't see that every day. As for a Wholio grand slam... crazy.
LACJEY YOU MOTHERFUCKER>
ReplyDeleteI'LL KNIFE YOU THE NEXT TIME I'LL SEE YOU (READ: NEVER)
NYY: 000 002 - 2 6 0
ReplyDeleteLAA: 000 00 - 0 2 0
Slappy and HGH with back-to-back dongs.
How about actually going outside.
ReplyDeleteOverrated. Plus there might be bugs.
vlad is a drag.
ReplyDeleteAnd now, who will help me bake this bread? Who will be the first to speak and leave complacency for dead, yeah? I've done all that I can on my own but stagnant minds persist to squeeze blood from this stone...
ReplyDelete/random lyrical interlude.
exam time! i need all the luck i can get!
LAAA not playing small ball tonight.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME!
ReplyDeleteNYY: 000 002 10
ReplyDeleteLAA: 000 001 2
FUCK YEAH -- OFF CHOCOLATE RAIN!
ReplyDeletevlad dong in the 8th = LAA 4-3
ReplyDelete5-3 Angels!
ReplyDeleteVlad dongs C. Rain's first pitch!
ReplyDeleteThen a double, single, Cano error, stolen base, another double -- and it's off to the showers for E-Ram!
LAA 7-3, guy on 2nd, still no outs in the bot 8th!!
ReplyDeleteRobertson comes in and gives up a single to Napoli. First 6 batters have reached for LAA.
ReplyDeleteAnd Figgins makes it 7 --- with a single to RF. 8-3! 1st and 3rd, no outs.
ReplyDeleteI step out for a half hour, talk to my grandmother on the phone, assume that the Yankees are going to win, and I come back and it's 7-3!
ReplyDeleteSterling: "This bullpen is AWFUL today."
I think it's a great game. Dan Giese pitches a great game and it gets ruined by the bullpen.
It looks like this inning will never end.
ReplyDelete9-3!
ReplyDeleteI love how earlier, Suzyn Waldman said it just demoralizes teams when they get a run back and then can't hold the next inning. Tex hits a dong to make it 2-1 and then the Yankees score to make it 3-1 when she says that.
Or, the other team's bullpen can suck balls and you can come back and beat the hell out of them.
And a stolen base and error make sit 9-3!
ReplyDeleteThat's what you get when your "big guys" are Chocolate Rain and Dave Robertson.
ReplyDeleteAnd Chocolate Rain's ERA went up almost a full run for his effort today.
ReplyDeleteNot error, WP. Whatever. Yankees suck!
ReplyDeleteIzturis = 8th straight man to get on base to start the inning!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete10-3.
Of course, we root for the Angels now, but in the back of your mind you know just how much of a pain they're going to be in the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteEhh, we'll worry about that in 2 months.
ReplyDeletePile it on!
ReplyDeleteAny way to find out what's the record for batters getting on base without making an out?
ReplyDeleteSo, the Red Sox would probably play the Angels in the ALDS, so you only have to win 3 games against the current WS favorites. That's not too much to ask.
ReplyDeleteAfter an out, Vlad singles in a run. 11-3.
ReplyDeleteNow Hunter -- the 11th batter of the inning ...
June 27, 2003
ReplyDelete25-8
Gump apologized afterwards (asshole)
1st 11 batters reached. Not sure if that is the record though. 14 runs.
Damon batted 3 times in the inning: single, double, triple! That had never been done befor.
Damon batted 3 times in the inning: single, double, triple!
ReplyDeleteIf I was the Marlins' pitcher, I'd tank it just to make it a cycle within one inning. Now that would be historical.
Ballgame over! Angels win!
ReplyDeleteJust popping in to say hi. Listening but working...
ReplyDeleteSo, the Red Sox have OWNED Contreras in the past. Let's keep our ownership of him.
ReplyDeleteNice AB for flo!!!
ReplyDeleteHe would have probably exploded if that ball was caught. Flo, I'm talking about.
ReplyDeleteSlow thread, to begin things, eh? Beautiful Saturday evening here. Wondering why I'm not out, but I'm not.
Very slow last night too. L and I both had work and few others were absent. I have work also, but I can put it off until 8 and then maybe after the game, not sure.
ReplyDeleteexcellent beginning. do you WANT me to go back to work, dice?
ReplyDeleteWonder if Patrick got someone to drive him to Manchester at 3 AM.
ReplyDeleteLowrie 2-out double, then LBJ with a chop to first. He races Contreras to the bag, Contreras bobbles the ball, LBJ safe, then Contreras goes down in a heap. Can't get up.
ReplyDeleteContreras stumbled a bit just before the ball his off his glove, no contact with Ellsbury. Limping off now.
ReplyDeleteNo owning of Contreras tonight. Hate to see him get hurt. Owie.
ReplyDeleteWhen Ellsbury stopped he turned around and made accidental contact with Jose and that's when he fell.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to turn on the sound on the Hawk, any idea what the injury might be?
ReplyDeleteHmmm, he did seem to stumble a bit when he was running to the bag, looked like his right leg/foot gave way a bit.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to turn on the sound on the Hawk, any idea what the injury might be?
ReplyDeleteThe trainers were focusing mainly on his ankle.
When Ellsbury stopped he turned around and made accidental contact with Jose and that's when he fell.
ReplyDeleteWHAT??? Ellsbury knocked an elderly man to the ground? ... STRING HIM UP!!!!
Evening all...Gameday tells me Dice had one of those frustrating 20-pitch innings again. Let's tag Carrasco for some runs!
ReplyDeleteGoddamn it, Tek.
ReplyDeleteNice play all-around on the DP, but Dice-K gets over there and handles his end very cleanly!
ReplyDeleteThere you go, Dice! That's the kind of inning I want from you (hit excepted, of course).
ReplyDeleteThe streak's alive!
ReplyDeleteLet's break this baby open, Tizzle!
28 straight road games for FY
ReplyDeleteugly fishing there, papi
ReplyDelete28 straight road games for FY
ReplyDeleteWell, you got one wish...
be nice to see bay up there now.
ReplyDeleteThere's a guy you can hear in the background that's said "OH YEAH!!!" real fat-middle-aged-guy-like, after a couple of called strikes.
ReplyDeleteOkay, to get two men on in front of our 3-4-5 hitters, and to have THAT happen, is beyond frustrating.
ReplyDeleteA five-pitch walk to Uribe, Dice? Really?
ReplyDeleteOh, cripes...
ReplyDeletewhy bother to bunt, ocab? he'll walk you.
ReplyDeleteWay to keep going to the well, Ozzie.
ReplyDeleteHoudini is dreamy.
ReplyDeleteFree outs from Ozzie are super-extra dreamy.
ReplyDeleteWhew! Big DP there.
ReplyDeleteStill...looking like one of those nights, isn't it?
Has the "Houdini" nickname been conferred to Dice now that Lester's worked out most of his issues, or did I miss something?
ReplyDeleteYou guys hear? Contreras = ruptured achilles tendon.
ReplyDeleteOUCH
This was his 1st game back from the DL!
ReplyDeletewell, that was quick.
ReplyDeletedice has certainly earned it, but it seems to be a general nickname now.
John Sterling: "Back to Back! Belly to belly!"
ReplyDeleteHe makes the Hawk sound good.
Nothing and nobody makes Hawk Harrelson sound good.
Sucks for Contreras. Come back off the DL, get hurt even worse. Ouch.
ReplyDeleteThat half-inning stunk.
That's likely a career-ending injury at his age. Also super painful.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe it! Castig just gave the real reason Chicago is called the Windy City. (Hint: it's not because the weather is windy there.)
ReplyDeleteThat really sucks for Contreras. :\
ReplyDeleteRats...I just typed out an amusing (to me, at least) post about Plaschke eating animal penises in Beijing and Blogger ate it. Maybe that was a sign.
ReplyDeleteThome rhymes with Rome.
ReplyDelete4-6-3, but 1 out!
ReplyDeleteDoes Thome rhyme with Jim Rome?
ReplyDeleteIf so, that'd be...CLASSIC!!!!!
Jason Being Manny down the line.
ReplyDeleteRip him, CHB!
Just so nobody gets the wrong idea, I think Jim Rome sucks...I've just listened to him enough times to know a mannerism or two of his.
ReplyDeleteHe called Manny Ramirez "ManRam". That tells you what kind of stain he is.
Another 1-2-3 inning. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteJust passin' on how we say his name at home....
ReplyDeleteRome
chrome
home
Shalom
Thome
Ah, gotcha. How about a few more?
ReplyDeletedome
gnome
foam
loam
roam
This is WAY more fun that watching Dice walk people.
"bunt pop"? What happened there?
ReplyDeletewent to bunt, little pop to the 3B side, hit the grass and rolled sort of towards the line, but it died. lowell just watched it. he must have been back aways, no play, just hoped it went foul
ReplyDeleteAh, okay, gotcha, redsock. That sounds about right.
ReplyDeletewasn't a popup pop, just a little bloop thing.
ReplyDeleteeffin ocab.
Thank God Dice got out of that with only 1 run allowed. Watching that inning was like having teeth pulled.
ReplyDeleteWhat is that, the 3rd inning out of 5 the White Sox have DPed themselves out of a potential big inning?
DPs to end the 2nd, 3rd and 5th.
ReplyDeleteTony said...
ReplyDeleteThank God Dice got out of that with only 1 run allowed. Watching that inning was like having teeth pulled.
Most innings are like that with Dice, just get some dentures and save yourself the time...
Maybe I should use my night mouthguard during Dice starts so I don't grind my teeth away.
ReplyDeleteOzzie could careless about this guys arm 100 pitches total since Tuesday 4 th game this week...
ReplyDeleteBig Man Wheels!
ReplyDeletestop hacking, bay!
ReplyDeleteA run! Yay!
ReplyDelete85 thru 6
ReplyDeleteGreat inning from Dice there. Wouldn't it just be the bee's knees to get another one of those, maybe even two, out of him tonight?
ReplyDeleteYeah, Bellsbury! Whatever's gotten into him recently, I hope it stays there!
ReplyDeleteTEK HIT!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTEK follows.
ReplyDeleteDo NOT waste this.
LOADED for FY!
ReplyDeleteDo it, FY! We CANNOT get out of this inning runless. We just can't.
ReplyDeleteFY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBig run!
FLO giving us some GOOD TIMES!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNow THERE'S the Tizzle I know!
ReplyDeleteGreatest Hero in American History~!
none out - we're doing our impression of the angels in their 8th!
ReplyDeleteHow did Tizzle not move there? Did Cabrera bobble the grounder or something?
ReplyDeleteYook, Lowell, Bay = teh suck
ReplyDeletemissed the play - was typing!
ReplyDeleteHoly shit, what did I miss?? I'll go find out...
ReplyDeleteBack after getting some ice cream. Had the radio on, and the game was on at the ice cream place.
ReplyDeleteI still managed to miss Ortiz's double!
Lowell's struggling. Bay, yeesh - not a good night for him. Thank the Lord Tizzle brought out his hitting stick tonight.
ReplyDeleteDo some work, Dice!
Look at the last three comments - we all missed stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteWHOO-HOO, we have offense!
Bay's struggling tonight, but he still manages to bat in the tying run - by RUNNING!
ReplyDeleteI feel like Amy, missing some big play because I'm out getting ice cream.
ReplyDeleteLowell and Pawtucket both won their games at Futures at Fenway today.
ReplyDelete97 thru 7
ReplyDeletenot always pretty, but he's doing the job
2 K's for Dice this inning - good times!
ReplyDeleteShould Tito send him out for the 8th? I say yeah, but on a real short leash.
Just got back from celebrating the fact that my kitten is home and doing well. NOthing else matters right now, though I did hear the ORtiz double on the radio driving home, which made me smile even more.
ReplyDeleteNo ice cream tonight, Ish. Just sushi and cosmos to celebrate Luna (the kitten) and life. And the Red Sox (me, not Harvey).
With a 4 run lead (at least), def. send him out. I might even let him pitch with 1 guy on.
ReplyDeleteLAURA'S BOY HAS A DONG!!!
ReplyDeleteLYNDON!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletehot damn.
LOL, Of course he has a dong!
ReplyDeleteLyndon wants to win it for the kitten!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBELLSBURY DONG!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Jesus, has he caught fire or what? Could it be that he smells October? :D
3 walks for Werd.
ReplyDeleteJust another day at the office for Drew...3 walks, my goodness. Wonder if he's comfortable in the leadoff spot?
ReplyDeleteYes, LBJ is a cat lover. Of course.
ReplyDelete(Sorry, Laura, I know you are allergic, but these cats are like my babies!)
And here's Dice. Would it be insane to hope he gets through the 8th real quick and MAYBE head for the 9th?
ReplyDeleteIf the Red Sox get more starts like this from Dice-K, the division will be OURS.
ReplyDeletei think we might see aardsmer.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Of course he has a dong!
ReplyDeleteHey, I wasn't going to check...
I must admit that I am a bit intoxicated. So whatever I say tonight---just chalk it up to that.
ReplyDelete106
ReplyDeleteYet ANOTHER Pierzynski DP. Good night for him!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, Amy...it's a Saturday night, and your cat's okay, so a few pops is perfectly understandable. ;)
Thanks, Tony. A little support is always appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI am also very happy to hear about your kitten. Such a stressful time when you don't know what's going on and whether or not they're going to be okay.
ReplyDeleteAmy - :).
ReplyDeleteWish I had some sushi right about now. A shrimp tempura roll, one of those fancy-pants Rock & Roll dealies...hell, even a good old fashioned California roll would be fantastic right about now.
Yes, Ish. Thanks. And I am glad you are okay. Even if the car isn't.
ReplyDeleteWe have two on!
Hey, a hit for Youk! He was having a tough night, so good on him. Now we just need Bay to get a hit and the bingo card'll be all full.
ReplyDeleteThe place we went to tonight has great sushi, and we started off with what they call a spicy tuna mango martini---basically, spicy tuna tartar with mango and avocado. It is unbelievable. We then had a regular salmon roll and something with smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado---sort of bagel and lox without the bagel.
ReplyDeleteDarn it, Bay.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they are talking about the wild card race already. (On NESN.)
ReplyDeleteI also can't believe I am typing and spelling correctly.
Damn, 2 LOB.
That sounds really good, Amy. The one with cream cheese is a Philadelphia roll, and I love those too.
ReplyDeleteAll right, Tito, I'm not just asking for Dice in the 9th, I'm demanding it. Make it hap'n, cap'n!
ReplyDeleteDarn, Timlin instead. Ah well.
ReplyDeleteTimlin won't give up 5 runs. He has quite good lately.
ReplyDelete(I am still holding my breath, though.)
One away, two to go.
ReplyDeleteOne more to go, and the water is dirty.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been too much to ask for a scoreless inning from the toast.
ReplyDeleteAh sushi talk for the win. :)
ReplyDeleteAre Philadelphia rolls not common around those parts? Those are yummy, we eat them all the time.
Now for some dirty water.
Good thing we have that five run lead. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteBut not yet.
ReplyDeleteThe water is dirty tonight!
ReplyDeleteWe do have Philadelphia rolls, but do they usually have avocado? These were particularly good.
ReplyDeleteDIRTY WATER! A good night all around!!
"Heidi Watney is going one-on-one with Terry Francona"
ReplyDeleteJEALOUS.
Oh no, what happened to Amy's cats? I am leaving work now, but I'll catch up as soon as I get home.
ReplyDeleteI like it.
ReplyDeleteAgua sucia!
ReplyDeleteGood win tonight. Dice walked in between raindrops, lots of hits up and down the lineup, Bellsbury's still on fire, FY continued his streak, and Tizzle had a breakout game. What more can you ask for, say I?
How about some good sushi? :D
Dice's ERA down to 2.90.
ReplyDeleteDirty water.
ReplyDeleteI hate avocados and never eat anything with them in it.
LAURA'S BOY HAS A DONG!!!
Duh. Most do.
Amy, I didn't know anything was wrong with the kitten! I'm so sorry I missed that - and so glad everything is ok!
2 more hits for Manny tonight. Could he REALLY be aiming for the NL MVP?
ReplyDeleteRunning home now, but hopefully when I get there, Amy will have filled me in about Luna.
ReplyDeleteLaura, to catch you up----yesterday one of the two kittens came down with a fever. She was very lethargic, so I took her to the animal hospital around 30 miles from here. They kept her over night; we went back tonight to get her. Vet said that it was some viral thing, and she seems fine. But it was pretty much a sleepless night for all of us, including her litter mate, who was bereft without her for the first night in his 4 and half month life.
ReplyDeleteShe seems fine now, but I am watching her carefully.
I am signing off. Tired after one sleepless night and two cosmos!
ReplyDeletewas pretty much a sleepless night for all of us, including her litter mate, who was bereft without her for the first night in his 4 and half month life.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course he has no idea why she's gone or where she is. I'm sure he's glad to have her back!
Looks like the FKR are about to start in the land of Grilled Salmon Sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteTaking off as well. See you all tomorrow at 11 AM PST!
ReplyDeleteNice win. How's come only about 200 comments last night? And tonight?
ReplyDeleteAnyone who's not watching the Dodgers on MLB.TV, be glad. It's all Barry Bonds, all the time. (WHILE THE GAME IS ON, of course.) I've had to tie my hands to the keyboard so I don't punch out my monitor.
They could show Willie Mays a bit more, that I could go for.
ReplyDeleteBut not while stuff is happening on the field, dagnabbit!
A little night musing said...
ReplyDeleteAnyone who's not watching the Dodgers on MLB.TV, be glad. It's all Barry Bonds, all the time.
Not a fan?
Weekends are usually slower around here..
Nice win. How's come only about 200 comments last night? And tonight?
ReplyDeleteAs 9C said, weekends are usually slow. Friday night is generally the quietest thread of the week.
Allan and I both work weekends and often can listen to the game but not thread. Other people are busy doing weekend-y things.
Amy (since I know she'll see this tomorrow), I'm so relieved to hear it was nothing worse. I know (only too well) how nerve-wracking it is.
ReplyDeleteYou *never* have to apologize for animal love here! Just because I'm allergic to cats doesn't mean I don't understand how much you love them. My dogs aren't "like" my babies - they ARE my babies. Allan and I both totally get it.
Hooray for good kitten news.
And hooray for dirty water! 2-0 Seattle right now, but I won't get my hopes up.
Thanks for responding. I wasn't really expecting an answer, just surprised at the contrast between 1000 comments a few days ago and last night... (I'm never online on Friday nights myself, so who am I to complain? ;>)
ReplyDeleteAnd of course he has no idea why she's gone or where she is.
ReplyDeleteThat's the worst part. I wish there was some way to tell them!
What happened with Amy?
ReplyDeleteYay Mariners! 4-0
ReplyDeleteWell, the 1000 was highly unusual. I think we've had that many only once before -- for last year's ALCS Game 7.
ReplyDeleteAlso, a lot of people were unavailable Friday (me & L for starters).
FKR - 00
ReplyDeleteSEA - 22
SEA wins - BOS 2.5, NYY 6.5
FKR wins - BOS 3.5, NYY 7.5
200
ReplyDelete