July 9, 2011

G89: Red Sox 4, Orioles 0

Orioles - 000 000 000 - 0  4  1
Red Sox - 000 030 10x - 4 10  0
Lackey (6.2-3-0-1-7, 106) walked off the mound in the seventh inning to a well-deserved standing ovation, keeping his cool despite allowing the leadoff batter to reach base in four of the first five innings. And Boston struck for three runs in the fifth when two intentional walks ordered by Buck Showalter both blew up in his face.

In the fifth, Jacoby Ellsbury tripled with one out, but was caught in a rundown when Dustin Pedroia grounded back to the mound. Two outs and FY was on second. Adrian Gonzalez was put on, but Kevin Youkilis doubled over Nolan Reimold's head in left to give Boston a 1-0 lead. Then David Ortiz was intentionally walked -- and Josh Reddick roped a 2-run double to right field.

Youkilis's second double of the game scored Pedroia in the seventh. Yook also singled in the first for a 3-for-4 night. Ellsbury was also 3-for-4, singling in the first, doubling in the third, and tripling in the fifth. He had a shot at a "natural cycle", but grounded out to first to end the sixth, and was left in the on-deck circle at the end of the eighth.

Lackey hit Derrick Lee in the left thigh with an 0-1 fastball with two outs and the bases empty in the seventh. Unlikely Lackey's HBP of Nick Markakis on an inside pitch in the previous inning, this fastball (Lackey's 101st pitch of the evening) seemed at least semi-intentional. Both teams were warned.

The Yankees beat the Rays 5-4 this afternoon, as Derek Jeter went 5-for-5, collecting career hits 2,999-3,003. While Jeter is the 28th player in history to have 3,000 hits, he's only the second to both reach the milestone with a home run (joining Wade Boggs) and have at least five hits in the game (along with Craig Biggio).
Example
Alfredo Simon / John Lackey

Simon has pitched for the Orioles for parts of four seasons: 4, 2, and 49 appearances before this year. He has started only three times in his major league career: once in September 2008 and twice in April 2009. I believe these facts will work to our advantage.

My friend Kap sent this, with the note "i think this sums it up":
And over at SoSH, Savin Hillbilly juxtaposed quotes from Kevin Gregg ("We have just as much right to play the game here ... they think they're better than everybody else") and C.S. Lewis:
No man who says I'm as good as you believes it. He would not say it if he did....The claim to equality, outside the strictly political field, is made only by those who feel themselves to be in some way inferior. What it expresses is precisely the itching, smarting, writhing awareness of an inferiority which the patient refuses to accept.
Maybe another beating and a 10+-spot on the board will helps the patient accepts their reality.

Will (or can) Lackey "step up"? Having the worst starter in MLB shut down the Fightin' Os would be nice. The MASN Morons will likely attribute any signs of life from the Baltimore bats to Showalter's uncanny ability to inspire his troops to sink 16 games out of first win, but the more likely reason will be the presence of Mr. Lackey. So if that happens, we'll simply have to win 15-12.

AL East: Rays/Yankees (Price/Burnett) at 1 PM.

127 comments:

allan said...

Ellsbury, CF
Pedroia, 2B
Gonzalez, 1B
Youkilis, 3B
Ortiz, DH
Reddick, LF
Saltalamacchia, C
Drew, RF
Scutaro, SS

Hardy, SS
Markakis, RF
Jones, CF
Guerrero, DH
Wieters, C
Lee, 1B
Reynolds, 3B
Reimold, LF
Andino, 2B

allan said...

So Don says Lackey has had good success* against the Orioles - 10 wins. (*As opposed to "bad success"?)

That includes two wins in September 2002. I wish I could ask Don what pitching well against Jay Gibbons, Mike Bordick, Brook Fordyce has to do with tonight's game.

allan said...

There goes the no-hitter.

Maxwell Horse said...

Lackey will pitch a complete game shut-out. Book it!

Kathryn said...

And so it begins.

allan said...

nice body language on the wild pitch, shithead

allan said...

4 swings and misses!

in that good start against the phillies on june 29 he had only 3 in 7.2 IP.

allan said...

drop the hammer, pls

allan said...

it's show time.

Maxwell Horse said...

Ortiz with the bases loaded. This has the potential to be enjoyable.

laura k said...

Castig: Ortiz's first fight since kindergarten, "he's a hugger, not a fighter".

allan said...

enjoyment is ppd.

Maxwell Horse said...

That wasn't what I had in mind.

Kathryn said...

Lackey scoreless through two? I'll take it.

andy said...

My wife just informed me that Beckett was missing his spine or something. that was the reported injury according to her sources.

Adam said...

Maxwell,

Booked how much can I wager?

Benjamin said...

At the game. Woo!

Kathryn said...

Nice, Benjamin. Enjoy it.

Maxwell Horse said...

Adam, I'm not sure at this point. His pitch count is a little high. Certainly no more than a couple thousand.

Maxwell Horse said...

Wow. And was that a piece of gum in Jones's mouth, or is his tongue freakishly pink and flat and floppy?

Adam said...

100 USD. It's a win-win for me.

Kathryn said...

He was blowing a bubble!

Maxwell Horse said...

Maybe his tongue is just really big, pink and bubble-shaped.

Kathryn said...

Now that *would be* freaky.

Kathryn said...

He used two hands!!

allan said...

lacKKKKKKey!

Kathryn said...

5 innings? 81 pitches? Six Ks? Zero runs?

Who is this guy??

allan said...

ELLSBURY

1st - single
3rd - double
5th - triple

!

Maxwell Horse said...

Is it taboo to mention when someone could potentially have a cycle before it happens?

laura k said...

Today's the day, LBJ! CYCLE!!

laura k said...

This is it!! He's got plenty of time!! And it's a perfect cycle, he's going in order!

Oh please please please...

laura k said...

Oh damn, out.

I've been predicting an LBJ cycle all year. Is today the day??? Is he UNSTOPPABLE????

Kathryn said...

L, are you posting from work? An LBJ cycle would be the exception.

Damn it.

laura k said...

MH, no way. I say it every time anyone hits a triple! And no one's ever told me it's taboo. And you know someone would! (Like someone who usually watches games a few feet away from me...)

laura k said...

Yes, Kat! I am posting from work and I have no idea why it's not blocked.

Kathryn said...

I've never understood ibb to EB to get to Youk. I know it gets second available for the force, but still.

allan said...

A natural cycle occurs when all four of the qualifying hits in the cycle come exactly in the following sequential order: single, double, triple, home run.

There have been 14 natural cycles in the major leagues; seven in each of the two modern leagues (NL and AL).

allan said...

Simon Says:

I'm Going To Allow An RBI-Double!

laura k said...

Well, we know he's a natural.

Kathryn said...

Is EB really that slow that he couldn't score with two outs??

laura k said...

We are so unstoppable.

allan said...

How are those BBIs working out for ya, now, Genius?

Kathryn said...

IBBs. Our best friend so far.

Maxwell Horse said...

Reddick with the double. And Tim Conway comes out to replace Simon.

allan said...

we've had lots of fun with hendrickson before ... pour it on.

allan said...

when he was with the rays, hendrickson lasted only 6 batters in the first at fenway. laura and i were there on our 20th anniversary of meeting, july 20, 2005. sox got 6 runs in the first and we had a nice relaxing win!

laura k said...

laura and i were there on our 20th anniversary of meeting, july 20, 2005.

My first time at Fenway as a Sox fan! (Not my first time there.) A month before we moved to Canada.

allan said...

1 triple
2 doubles
2 intentional walks
3 runs

laura k said...

not yet

Maxwell Horse said...

Okay, I'm counting on Lackey having 3 3-pinch innings.

allan said...

14 "natural cycles"

October 6, 1910 Bill Collins Braves
September 26, 1926 Bob Fothergill Tigers
June 3, 1932 Tony Lazzeri Yankees
May 27, 1939 Charlie Gehringer Tigers
July 3, 1943 Leon Culberson Red Sox
August 7, 1963 Jim Hickman Mets
June 16, 1964 Ken Boyer Cardinals
July 17, 1966 Billy Williams Cubs
April 22, 1976 Tim Foli Expos
September 15, 1979 Bob Watson Red Sox
May 18, 1996 John Mabry Cardinals
April 27, 2000 José Valentín White Sox
June 24, 2003 Brad Wilkerson Expos
September 13, 2006 Gary Matthews, Jr. Rangers

Is Ellsbury "allowed" to make an out, then hit a HR? The 4 hits would still be in order....

Kathryn said...

Fire flashing some glove.

allan said...

WARNINGS!

you know what comes next!!!

laura k said...

Is Ellsbury "allowed" to make an out, then hit a HR? The 4 hits would still be in order....

I think it still counts, because it's still in order. Are we sure none of those 14 had an out or a walk in between two of the hits?

laura k said...

Castig and Rish are marvelling at Showalter's stupidity. They're not using the word stupid but it is strongly implied.

Adam said...

We're even better at hitting batters than they are.

Pokerwolf said...

Nice leather by JD! Wooo!

laura k said...

A rare standing O for the Butler.

Maxwell Horse said...

Nice standing ovation for Lackey.

allan said...

Valentin had 1B, 2B, 3B, K, HR ... so Ellsbury can still do it.

Kathryn said...

Maxwell, I'm giving it to you if these guys don't score. Almost 7 scoreless from Lackey equals complete game for anyone else.

Maxwell Horse said...

Kathryn, great. Looks like they didn't score.

laura k said...

Seven scoreless from anyone is great. I think this Lackey's 3rd really good start this year? Maybe 4th. I remember 2 others, for sure.

Adam said...

Max, beautiful outing I was getting nervous, but no dice.

Kathryn said...

Nice call, Maxwell. I thought you were crazy making that prediction after a lead-off hit.

meunier said...

@ Ft Worth Cats (Ind. American association)

Pokerwolf said...

YOOOOOOOK!

allan said...

sweaty double.

Maxwell Horse said...

What are the odds that Ortiz gets drilled here?

Dr. Jeff said...

I love this team!

Jere said...

another batter close to Ells getting up again. And another!

Maxwell Horse said...

Thanks, guys. Actually, I was kind intending that comment as sarcasm. Glad to have the sarcasm backfire.

meunier said...

Of course CI's 3000th hit had to be a HR, what a showboat.

Pokerwolf said...

Berken's warming up really fast for the O's. He's not even pausing between pitches!

Kathryn said...

Sweaty *RBI* double.

Benjamin said...

Runs are good.

laura k said...

I should be able to hear one more Lyndon AB before I go home tonight.

Maxwell Horse said...

Hm. Unless Salty, Drew or Scutaro get on base ...

Jere said...

Anything but a DP there meant he would definitely get a shot at the Natty Light Cycle

Maxwell Horse said...

Man, Jenks's velocity is looking awesome tonight. I guess that second DL stint did him some good! He's also looking a lot skinnier. That facial hair doesn't quite work on him though.

laura k said...

Of course CI's 3000th hit had to be a HR, what a showboat.

And if he hit a little nubber, you'd say, Of course Ci's 3000th hit had to be a little cheap shot, what a loser.

allan said...

i didn't think scutaro would even get a glove on that.

allan said...

ortiz flipping gum into the stands!

Maxwell Horse said...

Ortiz just kissed Wakefield on the cheek.

Dr. Jeff said...

Sweet pitch.

Maxwell Horse said...

Are we sure that was gum and not chaw?

Pokerwolf said...

I loved how Ortiz was watching what the cameraman was filming too.

allan said...

that slider is so nasty!

so on a night when the orioles get decent pitching, they can't score a run!!

laura k said...

Well, I'm driving today, no bus to catch, so I will do an Allan - stay at work past my quitting time to finish a game. Can't take a chance.

allan said...

johnson vs salty

the two other ejections!

allan said...

missed the kiss.

but don said: "this team is very close"

allan said...

i don't think that's irony, don.

Maxwell Horse said...

"johnson vs salty

the two other ejections!"

That sounded almost disgusting.

Jere said...

saving the cycle for the time being

Kathryn said...

Good call, L. I hope it pays off.

allan said...

gotta get on marco ...

laura k said...

That sounded almost disgusting.

LOL I almost spit up.

allan said...

so we have to have the Os tie it at 4-4 and then have ellsbury HR to win it

Jere said...

take sign! nope...and another cycle-saver by the SS.

Can't say I'm rooting for 4 runs to score here... but if they do get exactly 4, a leadoff cycle walk-off dong would be pretty cool

laura k said...

Looks like I will leave on time after all.

But it's going to happen - this season!! Maybe not in order, but he's going to do it.

Maxwell Horse said...

Come on, Pap! Everyone's counting on you to give up 4+ runs. We know you can do it.

Jere said...

I wonder if we'll ever see a guy be called out for abandoning all 3 bases in one game.

allan said...

and with the way bot has been pitching, baltimore has a decent chance at tying it.

laura k said...

We sure know he CAN do it. But I don't think he will.

Jere said...

Has there ever been a bicycle? Two cycles in one game? (That would be a two-seater, a one-seater would be if one guy had two of each hit in one game.)

laura k said...

a leadoff cycle walk-off dong would be pretty cool

It would be so unstoppable.

allan said...

yeah, i'll opt for the 4-0 win here and give ellsbury 70 shots to get a cycle down the stretch...

Kathryn said...

Oh no!! Not the closer in the nonsave situation.
/sarcasm

Benjamin said...

One.

Kathryn said...

Hey Benjamin. You saw a good game.

laura k said...

Was it last season people were stressing over a lack of shut-outs? Or longer ago than that?

This makes the 7th shutout so far this season, I believe.

laura k said...

Dirty Non-Cycling Water!

johngoldfine said...

bingo!

Pokerwolf said...

WATER! Wooo!

Eat that, Buck!

Maxwell Horse said...

Well, that's that.

allan said...

Nice Win!

Lackey is allowed to live for another 5 days.

laura k said...

9:58, I leave on time. :)

Benjamin said...

Water!

Jere said...

We've clinched at least a virtual tie for 1st at the break

Jere said...

I gave my mom my tickets for tonight--was feeling bad she was getting the Lackey game, but I'm sure she's happy singing Dirty Water/Tessie/part of Joy to the World right now.

Amy said...

Unstoppable dirty water! It's a flood!

Maxwell Horse said...

NESN just spelled "Chronicles" wrong.

allan said...

SoSH BaSH game today, also!

(I was at the 2004 BaSH Game. Schlling pitched and Pokey hit 2 dongs, including an ITPHR!)

Jere said...

"NESN just spelled "Chronicles" wrong."

They have a tough time with Myers, too.

9casey said...

laura k said...
Was it last season people were stressing over a lack of shut-outs? Or longer ago than that?

This makes the 7th shutout so far this season, I believe.



ESPN says 8 , imagine Philly has 13 and also 11 complete games.

laura k said...

Unstoppable dirty water! It's a flood!

This is it! Our tag line for the season! Amy FTW.

And my comments are posting from work. Whoo-hoo!

laura k said...

Philly has 13 and also 11 complete games.

How many are Halliday? I will check.