August 15, 2009

G116: Rangers 7, Red Sox 2

Red Sox - 000 110 000 - 2  8  0
Rangers - 020 200 12x - 7 12 0
Penny (5.2-8-4-4-6, 121) laboured through the first four innings, throwing 94 pitches. Texas stranded seven runners and the Red Sox were fortunate to be down only 4-1.

Boston's runs came on solo dongs from Jason Bay and Victor Martinez. Jacoby Ellsbury singled, doubled and walked, and stole his 53rd base of the year.

The Rangers were eight-for-eight in stolen bases. Julio Borbon stole four and Elvis Andrus stole three (including second and third on consecutive pitches in the fourth). It was the 23rd time since 1954 that a team stole at least eight bases in a nine-inning game (the list).

The Rays were also eight-for-eight in steals against the Sox this year (May 3). Penny started that game, as well. Baserunners are 27-for-29 (93.1%) with him on the hill, the highest rate of any pitcher in baseball.

And: the Yankees beat the Mariners 5-2, dropping Boston to 7.5 GB.
Example
Brad Penny (5.16, 91 ERA+) / Derek Holland (5.04, 89 ERA+)

Holland is a 22-year-old rookie left-hander who has both started and relieved this season. In his last outing, he threw a complete game three-hit shutout against the Angels, on only 96 pitches.

Alex Gonzalez will be with the team tonight; Chris Woodward was designated for assignment. Terry Francona says he plans to split time between Gonzalez and Nick Green. Jed Lowrie is eligible to come back from the disabled list on August 23.

The Globe's Adam Kilgore looks at some fielding metrics and presents evidence that Gonzalez has become merely average in the field since leaving Boston (age and injuries have taken their toll) and could actually be significantly worse in the field than Green.

Tim Wakefield starts today for Pawtucket and he will rejoin the Red Sox after that rehab outing. Catcher George Kottaras will also begin his rehab and catch Wake. Daisuke Matsuzaka threw all of his pitches in a 65-pitch session on Friday. He will throw again on Monday.

Terry Francona, on last night's win: "When you think you've seen everything ... you probably haven't come close."

10 PM: Yankees/Mariners.

134 comments:

tim said...

As I said...

WOW tonight's oatmeal looks more like diarrhea than a breakfast food.

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Victor Martinez, 1B
4. Jason Bay, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. David Ortiz, DH
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Brian Anderson, RF
9. Alex Gonzalez, SS
-- Brad Penny, SP

WTF, COOOOOOOOOOOME ON TITO

Pull your goddamn head out of your ass.

allan said...

Reddick was optioned to AAA for Anderson.

tim said...

Emphasis on 6,7,8,9....that is a gaping hole.

Hopefully 6 will continue from last nite tho. Besides the popup to end the 9th.

allan said...

SoSH (again)

Infield Infidel

My Sox's wins are nothing like the sun;
Others wear far more red, than our Sox red:
If vict'ry's joy, why then our wins aren't fun;
If wins be wires, wired wins come from the dead.
I had seen Sox hit with power and might,
But no such Sox seen I these many weeks;
And in some stadiums is there more delight
Than in the jeers that from our fan base reeks.
I love to hear them speak, yet well I know
That the stats hath a far more pleasing sound:
I grant I never saw a Williams go,
Our OPS, fueled by walks, treads the ground:
And yet by heaven, I think our wins as rare,
As any Yanks belied with false compare.

--------------------

Seat21Row37Section42

We few, we happy few, we band of Corpses
For he to-day that manages an RBI with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so Old
This day shall harden his bat
And Woodward DFA'd now-a-learning to fucking bunt
Shall think himself accurs'd he was not here
And hold his manhood cheap whiles any Sox
That win with us upon Saint Arnold's day!

--------------------

MyDaughterLovesTomGordon

The Nation hath happily received, Victor,
The news of thy success; and when they read
Thy personal venture in the Sox' fight,
Our wonders and our praises do contend
Which should be thine or his: silenced with that,
In viewing o'er the rest o' the selfsame day,
The Nation finds thee in the stout Soxian ranks,
Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make,
Strange images of game-winning doubles. As thick as hail
Came post with post; and every one did bear
Thy praises in Boston's great defence,
And pour'd them down before us.

--------------------

Redkluzu

Our game must not persuade that we are old,
Although on aged ice Sir Brad and Mike do skate;
For when in their time's furrows we behold,
We search for how they must approach the plate.
For all that frailty that doth cover fields,
Missed strikes, missed hits, a range that feels like sin.
We rest our spears on what the Rangers wield
And in all ways, beat Holland for the win.

O, therefore, Ells and Drew, be oh so wary
And may Kinght Gonzo's arm appear to chill
the Rangers from their game of cheese so hairy,
And Pedey keep our team from faring ill.
Presume not Rookie when your pitching's hit;
And Bullpen, prepareth not to give back a bit

--------------------

MeBeingMe

So far has been the month of our discontent
Made worse last week by the MFYs of York;
But last eve the misery of the bombs dropped on our staff
By men donning the garb of dastard fiends,
Was tempered by the great Martinez’s bat;
Our third starter’s on-base gaffe turned to a merry jest
Our recent sorrows pushed aft for a day at least
Our Wild Card lead extended by a single game.
Grim-vis’ged August hath abated just a bit;
And now, stead of proclaiming all is lost
Tonight we sally forth to combat the Texas heat and nine,
Our hearty Falstaff aims to take the ball,
Yearning to sample the postgame spread;
While the Ranger’s slugging Hamilton
Looks toward the tavern with wenches scantily clad.
Alas, dive thoughts, down to my soul;
Here the bats come yet again.

--------------------

allan said...

Brian Anderson #32
Seabass #13

allan said...

On Fire out until Wednesday.

allan said...

1. Julio Borbon, LF
2. Michael Young, 3B
3. David Murphy, RF
4. Marlon Byrd, CF
5. Josh Hamilton, DH
6. Ian Kinsler, 2B
7. Hank Blalock, 1B
8. Taylor Teagarden, C
9. Elvis Andrus, SS

laura k said...

that's my boy :)

off to a good start. fuck the oatmeal. let's just win.

laura k said...

oh there's my potty mouth again.

allan said...

I'm giving Viola another chance.

You know the expression "a face made for radio"? Viola has "a voice made for print".

Lord Lynch said...

Evening anyone... your wounded London lord here. This game is on live on big screen TV here.

allan said...

crap. wasted single.

why are you wounded, lord?

laura k said...

How wounded? And why live?

laura k said...

Borbon on the All Drinks team

allan said...

SEABASS!

allan said...

did someone put murphy's head in a vice when he was a baby to make his head so narrow?

laura k said...

i hope not.

is that what happened to tala?!

allan said...

AGon's is using Lowrie's glove. His has not arrive yet. NESN showed the glove with Lowrie's signature on it.

laura k said...

Lord is keeping mum about his wounds.

allan said...

I can see that just about everyone in the media will be acting as though Seabass is in 05-06 form, despite the stats.

Lord Lynch said...

The game is live on our new ESPN channel.

Wounded - tore a muscle in my shoulder playing cricket. Rotator cuff... felt like Pedro when diagnosed. Unfortunately affects sleep, and typing.

laura k said...

Ouch. Sorry to hear that Lord. I will not ask you any more questions so you can type as little as possible.

Save your typing for DIRTY WATER.

Rick (f/k/a westcoastsox) said...

25-pitch first inning. Very Matsuzaka-like. Ugh. Bullpen going to be tested today.

laura k said...

houdini

allan said...

Penny on pace to throw 104 pitches in 4 innings.

Lord Lynch said...

It is sleeping for an hour before waking up in pain I can't abide...

And because i left the laptop in the bedroom last night, i followed all the excitement on GDGD on the mobile.

Rick (f/k/a westcoastsox) said...

Hey! I just discovered that the Sox are on MLB Network, with the NESN feed, thanks to this thread!

allan said...

Dr. Singles

Rick (f/k/a westcoastsox) said...

Big Popout

allan said...

howis byrd's range? he's been catching every fucking fly this series.

Lord Lynch said...

Who is this lump. Who was thst lump?

laura k said...

It is sleeping for an hour before waking up in pain I can't abide...

pain sucks.

Lord Lynch said...

So does that home run, L

Unknown said...

come on penny...a high breaking ball to kinsler?

Lord Lynch said...

have we planted a tree in right field?

allan said...

OMG Anderson. We hate you already.

Jere said...

Just wanted to see if anyone here was trying verify Sweet Music's glove-tossing story. I found the articles from after the game (8/21/92), and, other incorrect facts aside, he didn't throw the glove 20 rows up into the stands. He just threw it. And later changed gloves. Butch Hobson said "I thought he was going to throw it into the stands one time," which pretty much proves he did NOT throw it into the stands. So, someone may "still have that glove," but they, too, would be lying.

Lord Lynch said...

I feel the allure of sleep...

Lord Lynch said...

Phew.

allan said...

I was wondering about that, but di dnot feel motivated.

Were there three grounders right at him in a row, like he claimed? I can't remember if he said he made errors on then all.

allan said...

frank giving advice to kids out there.

"stay in drugs, don't do milk, and drink your school"

laura k said...

"stay in drugs, don't do milk, and drink your school"

Excellent advice! Especially if you're lactose intolerant.

Jere said...

Wasn't even charged with any errors. A ball he deflected, and a ball hit by a young Tino Martinez that he bobbled. Not in a row.

laura k said...

They team is determined to strand LBJ.

Jere said...

He also failed to mention the 8-inning masterpiece he spun between the glove getting stolen and the three (two) (non) error game.

laura k said...

So what are you guys talking about? I have radio.

allan said...

viola going to toronto too. (glad i'll miss him!)

so ... did roberts get the axe?

allan said...

i checked a couple of eck's stories early on -- and he was pretty much dead on both times.

Lord Lynch said...

2 am. time to try some more sleep. night all.

Jere said...

just another misremembered ex-jock story

laura k said...

okay.

i doubt roberts is out altogether.

Jere said...

Right--Eck is absolutely amazing with years-old stats, his own and others.

Rob said...

Varitek being Posada. Rag arm.

laura k said...

obie: tek has caught 9 of 96 steal attempts this season

laura k said...

9 OF 96

Rob said...

I'm at least liking Gonzo's defense...

Jere said...

Tek really gives it 10 percent.

laura k said...

Good new nickname. Mr 10%

allan said...

PC:

Holland: 13-12-13 = 38
Penny: 26-25-19 = 70

Rob said...

The female baseball is gone.

Goune, I tell you!

laura k said...

DOUNG!!!

allan said...

you've been










THUNDERSTRUCK!

allan said...

A "Jeter special" for our own Capt. Intangibles.

allan said...

I know Penny is slow to the plate, but is 'tek "Mr. 9%" yet?

Rob said...

He will be.

Rob said...

This is absurd.

allan said...

jesus fuck

Rob said...

Red Sox are looking like a bunch of little leaguers out there.

allan said...

9 of 99 or 9 of 100, now?

Unknown said...

I get home, and the first thing I see is the Penny-Varitek battery allowing a stolen base...

allan said...

well, just about whenever you tuned in, you'd see that.

Unknown said...

Holy fucking shit, they've allowed SIX steals already?!

allan said...

penny at 94 in 4.

allan said...

direct quote from viola:

"these young players today are so
into me me me"

...

"and get off my lawn!!"

allan said...

Viola is 49.

allan said...

BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL AT THE V-MART

Unknown said...

Dong!

allan said...

mdc up

laura k said...

"these young players today are so into me me me"

that's sad coming from someone so young. i wonder what he could point to that his generation did differently.

seriously, if you asked him, what would he say?

allan said...

he actually used the term "before they get too big for their britches"

Unknown said...

"obie: tek has caught 9 of 96 steal attempts this season"

I don't know where he got that stat, Baseball Reference and ESPN have him at 15 CS out of 99 attempts

So now 15 out of 105

Not that Mr. 14% is much better than Mr 9%...

Amy said...

So I think this was the score when I tuned in last night. I hope that I have the same effect tonight that I had last night.

Amy said...

All right, that's a start.

Amy said...

OH,damn.

Unknown said...

That happens way too fucking frequently...

Unknown said...

Alright FY, we need a clutch hit here

Amy said...

A HR would be very much appreciated here.

Iridescence said...

come on MVP!

Amy said...

Uch.

Unknown said...

Damn

Iridescence said...

Ballplayers of Viola's generation are probably just pissed that today's ballplayers make so much more money for doing the same thing they did.

Can't blame them really

allan said...

way to lean into that one, idiot

allan said...

According to the info at B-Ref, Frankie made at least:

$25,319,000

johngoldfine said...

$25,319,000--not chumpchange

allan said...

and players in the 60s and early 70s were saying the same fucking things about viola and his generation. shit, players have been doing it since the 1900s.

johngoldfine said...

$25,319,000--crying all the way to the bank, as they say

Iridescence said...

"$25,319,000--not chumpchange"

No, but about 2 or 3 years salary for a good pitcher today.

johngoldfine said...

$25,319,000--Wealth beyond the dreams of avarice...

Iridescence said...

"and players in the 60s and early 70s were saying the same fucking things about viola and his generation. shit, players have been doing it since the 1900s."

True...Doesn't mean they don't have a point though.

johngoldfine said...

Millionaires don't get all that much sympathy

Iridescence said...

Damn. I hate balk calls. the balk rule is so stupid.

Unknown said...

Shit

allan said...

i don't think he has a valid point. what he is saying (baseball-wise) is exactly what the previous generation said about him, and the generation before that said about that generation. same exact things.

all they care about is money, they don't know how to play the game right (and don't much care), can't do basic things like bunt, never hang around to talk baseball but run off right after the game is over, ungrateful, self-centered ...

it's all the same.

ty cobb has a great quote from 1925 ripping players then as compared to when he broke in.

Amy said...

Let's see if V-Mart can ignite something again tonight.

Amy said...

That's one long single.

Not digging Mr. Viola. Now that I know who he is.

allan said...

damn, from an expected dong to a single.

Unknown said...

Leadoff batter on

That's a start

Amy said...

Squander. Uch.

Unknown said...

Squander...

There is no excuse for Tek to be batting to start the 9th

allan said...

Sadly, we will likely not see Francisco tonight.

Iridescence said...

MFY winning 4-1 in Seattle bleh

Unknown said...

Can we just sit a cactus behind home plate? I think it would have more luck throwing out runners...

Amy said...

I hate this game.

Iridescence said...

geez this is pathetic.

allan said...

how many SB is that now? 376?

Iridescence said...

8 SB

9casey said...

Some nights I fell like I am watching try-outs.....

9casey said...

redsock said...
viola going to toronto too. (glad i'll miss him!)

so ... did roberts get the axe?



I don't know if anyone aswered you , but Roberts is doing the New England Little League championships for NESN....

Amy said...

I hate this game.

allan said...

looks like we're gonna need another 6 spot.

Unknown said...

Ugh...

allan said...

roberst doing little league?

that's a whole other level of brutal. wow.

Unknown said...

Alright, we need another miracle

allan said...

don't steal so many bases up by 3 in the 8th and no one gets hurt.

Unknown said...

Only the 23rd time since 1954 that a team has stolen at least eight bases in a nine-inning game

Amy said...

No miracles tonight. :(

Unknown said...

Clean water...

Unknown said...

"Only the 23rd time since 1954 that a team has stolen at least eight bases in a nine-inning game"

And the second time it's happened this season against the Penny-Tek battery

Iridescence said...

Stealing bases is part of the game. Wouldn't be such a problem if we used a catcher who could actually throw people out.

not like a 3 run lead in the 8th is totally safe either especially in that park.

Unknown said...

Ellsbury would have around 60 steals right now if he had the luxury of having Tek trying to throw him out

laura k said...

If we played against a catcher like Varitek, and we didn't run wild on his lame-ass arm and attempt to score as many runs as possible, I'd be pissed at Francona. We all would be!

The object of the game is to score as many runs as possible. It's not like they had a 15 run lead.

allan said...

Ellsbury would have around 60 steals right now if he had the luxury of having Tek trying to throw him out

I think you mean 160.

He has 53 already -- without a "Tek boost".

allan said...

MFY: 040 00
SEA: 100 1

laura k said...

Can we just sit a cactus behind home plate?

Nickname of the year. The Cactus. I'm going with it from now on.