Wendell Kim Redux? One of the worst moments of last night's 5-2 loss to the Royals came in the 6th inning -- when third base coach Dale Sveum waived Mark Bellhorn around third into a certain out.
At the time, the Boston bats were finally starting to stir. Fifteen consecutive Sox had been retired before Doug Mirabelli began the inning with a home run. After Pokey Reese popped out, Johnny Damon and Bellhorn both singled. David Ortiz then blasted a double over Matt Stairs's head in right that went to the wall. Damon danced off second, waiting to see if the ball was going to be caught. Bellhorn, with perhaps a better angle on the hit, was running hard right away. So when Damon rounded third, Bellhorn was right behind him. Damon scored, but Bellhorn was tagged out as he tried to scamper back to third.
Courant: "Sveum put up the stop sign for Damon before realizing Bellhorn was well on his way to third. 'Bell was right on his butt,' Sveum said. 'So I had to start Johnny back up. I didn't want two people stuck at third.' Sveum said he was so focused on Damon scoring that he forgot about Bellhorn, who kept running. He was halfway down the line when catcher Benito Santiago had the ball."
Herald: "As the pair neared third, Sveum waved in Damon, but Bellhorn, not looking at the ball, saw the wave and assumed it was for him. Wrong -- he got caught in a rundown between third and home. 'It was just a brain-fart -- I completely forgot about Bellhorn,' said Sveum. 'He did the right thing.'"
Globe: "With only one out and Manny Ramirez on deck ... Sveum initially signaled for the runners to hold at second and third. 'But then I saw Bell was right on Johnny's butt and we were going to have two people at third, so I started Damon up again,' Sveum said. 'My focus was strictly on Johnny just scoring. I was so caught up in making sure Johnny saw me starting him back up again after having my hands up to hold him that I brain-[cramped] and completely forgot about Bellhorn. ... I couldn't wave and stop somebody at the same time,' Sveum said. 'At the time, the only thing I could have done was tackle Bellhorn.'"
ProJo: "'I didn't hold Bellhorn,' said a clearly disappointed Sveum. 'They were so close together. I was waving Johnny in to make sure he knew the ball had bounced back (to right fielder Matt Stairs) so quick. I just lost track of Bell. He read the ball so good. It was just one of those plays. I should have held him.' When Bellhorn looked up, he saw Sveum waving and kept on motoring around the bag."
First, I never saw a replay that showed Sveum initially giving the stop sign. It could have happened, but I don't think it was mentioned during the telecast. Second, Sveum's quotes sound contradictory; he says he saw Bellhorn right on Damon's heels, but he also "forgot" about him. There are only three bases to keep track of -- how do you forget a baserunner?
Finally, NESN showed a clip from (I think) the first base camera that showed Damon sprinting several steps past Sveum while Sveum looks back towards third base (where Bellhorn would be) and he's still windmilling his arm, obviously waiving Bellhorn around also. That seems to fly in the face of what he said after the game. ... And contrary to what Sveum said, I don't see why he couldn't have waived Damon around with his right arm and put up a stop sign with his left hand for Bellhorn. And once Damon had run past, Sveum could have put both hands up to stop Bellhorn. Yelling and pointing might have helped too.
It's not the first time Sveum has sent a runner to certain death at the plate. He did it to Manny Ramirez back on May 12 against Cleveland. Ramirez was still 3-4 steps from touching third base when the left fielder had the ball in his hand (at Fenway).
Also: The Globe's refusal to print the word "fart" was amusing. ... "So far, so good for Nomar" ... Some ugly numbers by the pitching staff. ... You know things are going bad when 68-year-old Benito Santiago steals third base on you (his first theft since 2002).
June 5, 2004
Administration Freed Terror Suspect: "Nabil al-Marabh was No. 27 on the FBI's list of terror suspects after Sept. 11. He trained in Afghanistan's militant camps, sent money to a roommate convicted in a foiled plot to bomb a hotel and boasted to an informant about plans to blow up a fuel truck inside a New York tunnel, FBI documents allege. The Bush administration set him free — to Syria — even though prosecutors had sought to bring criminal cases against him and judges openly expressed concerns about possible terrorist ties." ... There is plenty of jaw-dropping information about al-Marabh -- including his possible connection to at least four of the 9/11 hijackers -- here.
MSNBC: "More than a year before 9/11, a Pakistani-British man told the FBI ... he had been trained by bin Laden’s followers to hijack airplanes and was now in America to carry out an attack. The FBI questioned him for weeks, but then let him go home, and never followed up. Now, the former al-Qaida insider is talking."
MSNBC: "More than a year before 9/11, a Pakistani-British man told the FBI ... he had been trained by bin Laden’s followers to hijack airplanes and was now in America to carry out an attack. The FBI questioned him for weeks, but then let him go home, and never followed up. Now, the former al-Qaida insider is talking."
Pedro's Wrist? That's Just Swell. Pedro Martinez says his right wrist swelled up during and after his most recent start in Anaheim. He claims the problem isn't any big deal, saying he had a similar ailment last year. "I've been getting treatment on it. Maybe it's part of the reason I'm not getting the fastball down. ... when I throw the curve, the ball has felt too light and it is not rotating enough; not enough break, plus it's not going where I want it."
After watching video, Martinez thinks he found a glitch in his mechanics and hopes to work on that during a side session Saturday afternoon. The Herald notes that Pedro "has not thrown off a mound between starts since April." That's interesting, but it's also pretty vague. Did Pedro throw on the side during some of April? If so, when did he stop? I would think the absence of side sessions could be one reason why Pedro's control has not been sharp. ... The Globe reports that the flaw is that his right shoulder is flying open in part because of a faulty leg kick. Martinez's next start is on Tuesday against the Padres at Fenway Park.
Francona is adjusting the rotation so Tim Wakefield does not pitch in Colorado's thin-air. Arroyo, Schilling and Lowe will face the Rockies on June 15-17; Wakefield, Martinez and Arroyo will pitch in San Francisco June 18-20.
After watching video, Martinez thinks he found a glitch in his mechanics and hopes to work on that during a side session Saturday afternoon. The Herald notes that Pedro "has not thrown off a mound between starts since April." That's interesting, but it's also pretty vague. Did Pedro throw on the side during some of April? If so, when did he stop? I would think the absence of side sessions could be one reason why Pedro's control has not been sharp. ... The Globe reports that the flaw is that his right shoulder is flying open in part because of a faulty leg kick. Martinez's next start is on Tuesday against the Padres at Fenway Park.
Francona is adjusting the rotation so Tim Wakefield does not pitch in Colorado's thin-air. Arroyo, Schilling and Lowe will face the Rockies on June 15-17; Wakefield, Martinez and Arroyo will pitch in San Francisco June 18-20.
June 4, 2004
Summer Home. Edward Cossette's blog "Bambino's Curse" has once again moved to the main page of Fox Sports New England. ... Check out Firebrand's entry on Portland Sea Dog Abe Alvarez. ... Sports Retort stumps for Bellhorn. ... PSF on Pedro. ... Nomar in Toledo. ... Have I mentioned that the 2004 AL MVP has a website?
The Sox had yesterday off, but the Soxaholix never rest (and they seem a little more animated than usual). ... The Orioles laid down again for the Evil Doers, so Boston is 2½ games back in the East. Since sweeping the Yankees and Devil Rays at the end of April, the Red Sox have gone 16-16. That shit's gotta stop. Wakefield and Gobble in Kansas City at 8 pm tonight.
The Sox had yesterday off, but the Soxaholix never rest (and they seem a little more animated than usual). ... The Orioles laid down again for the Evil Doers, so Boston is 2½ games back in the East. Since sweeping the Yankees and Devil Rays at the end of April, the Red Sox have gone 16-16. That shit's gotta stop. Wakefield and Gobble in Kansas City at 8 pm tonight.
Enemies Of The State. Yikes. "... Bush's increasingly erratic behavior and wide mood swings has the halls of the West Wing buzzing lately as aides privately express growing concern over their leader's state of mind. In meetings with top aides and administration officials, [Bush] goes from quoting the Bible in one breath to obscene tantrums against the media, Democrats and others that he classifies as 'enemies of the state.' ... In interviews with a number of White House staffers who were willing to talk off the record, a picture of an administration under siege has emerged, led by a man who declares his decisions to be 'God's will' and then tells aides to 'fuck over' anyone they consider to be an opponent of the administration."
June 3, 2004
Nomar Back on Tuesday? Nomar Garciaparra resumes his rehab with Pawtucket tonight in Toledo. He may rejoin the Red Sox next Tuesday at Fenway. When he does return, he'll DH as well as play short. ... Scott Williamson is eligible to come off the disabled list tomorrow, but is not ready to rejoin the team.
Kevin Youkilis capped his first month in the majors by being named AL Rookie of the Month for May despite playing only 13 games (.318 avg, .446 OBP, 15 runs scored). ... Trot Nixon's left quadriceps muscle is still sore, so he has stopped playing spring training games. He will continue to take batting practice, and will face Ramiro Mendoza today.
Francona said the cut on Derek Lowe's finger shouldn't prevent him from making his next start. Rats. ... Red at Surviving Grady notes that "Lowe is this close to talking to squirrels and getting 'secret messages' in his waffles." ... A Large Regular on Lowe: "On top of everything else - today [June 1] is Derek Lowe's birthday (he turned 31). Imagine spending your birthday knowing that everyone in the town you work in is talking about how bad you suck."
In his 300th career start, Pedro Martinez recorded his 2,500th strikeout. It was the five minute/15-pitch battle with Casey Kotchman in the third inning. After Martinez fell behind 3-0, Kotchman fouled off the next 11 pitches, before whiffing on a breaking ball. Martinez is tied with Christy Mathewson with 2,502 strikeouts. ... Pedro admitted he was "struggling" and "missing location," but "the good news is I'm healthy." That's what is such a concern -- that Martinez is healthy and is simply in decline.
Out Of Town: Oregon Line: "Embree is having the time of his life." ... Rivals in Exile: "Ben Jacobs and Larry Mahnken discuss the seesawing nature of this season's race between the Red Sox and Yankees, and why it's probably not a good idea for fans of either team to get too high or too low just yet."
Kevin Youkilis capped his first month in the majors by being named AL Rookie of the Month for May despite playing only 13 games (.318 avg, .446 OBP, 15 runs scored). ... Trot Nixon's left quadriceps muscle is still sore, so he has stopped playing spring training games. He will continue to take batting practice, and will face Ramiro Mendoza today.
Francona said the cut on Derek Lowe's finger shouldn't prevent him from making his next start. Rats. ... Red at Surviving Grady notes that "Lowe is this close to talking to squirrels and getting 'secret messages' in his waffles." ... A Large Regular on Lowe: "On top of everything else - today [June 1] is Derek Lowe's birthday (he turned 31). Imagine spending your birthday knowing that everyone in the town you work in is talking about how bad you suck."
In his 300th career start, Pedro Martinez recorded his 2,500th strikeout. It was the five minute/15-pitch battle with Casey Kotchman in the third inning. After Martinez fell behind 3-0, Kotchman fouled off the next 11 pitches, before whiffing on a breaking ball. Martinez is tied with Christy Mathewson with 2,502 strikeouts. ... Pedro admitted he was "struggling" and "missing location," but "the good news is I'm healthy." That's what is such a concern -- that Martinez is healthy and is simply in decline.
Out Of Town: Oregon Line: "Embree is having the time of his life." ... Rivals in Exile: "Ben Jacobs and Larry Mahnken discuss the seesawing nature of this season's race between the Red Sox and Yankees, and why it's probably not a good idea for fans of either team to get too high or too low just yet."
It's Official. I am worried about Pedro Martinez. Seriously worried. He had next to nothing last night, in 72-degree Anaheim. He has made 12 starts -- that's about one-third of the 2004 season -- and his ERA is 4.40. ... 4.40 ... He's allowed more than one hit per inning -- 76 in 75.2 innings -- something he has never done over an entire season in his career. According to Bowlerman9, for Pedro to finish the season with 200 innings and a 2.75 ERA (quite poor by previous Pedro standards), he needs to pitch at 1.73 for the rest of the year. Is there anyone out there that thinks that is even remotely possible?
Look at his performance last night (* = rbi):
1st inning: single, K, home run**, walk, F8, FC
2nd inning: 1-6-3, 6-3, F9
3rd inning: single, single, double**, HBP, F9, F8 (deep), K
4th inning: single, K, single, single, L9*, 3U
5th inning: single, single, K, P4, 6-3
Dave Wallace came out to talk to Pedro after the second single in the 5th. Martinez had thrown 86 pitches and it seemed clear that if could get out of this inning, that would be the end of his outing (Lenny DiNardo had been warming up after the 3rd single in the 4th inning). At that point, Martinez turned it on, throwing 92-94 mph consistently. We've seen this many times; Pedro knows he's at the end of his outing and he "empties the tank" (I hate that expression, but it fits). He struck out Kotchman on three pitches, got Benji Molina to miss two pitches before popping to second and got Kennedy to ground to shortstop (a fantastic play by Pokey behind the mound that was almost an infield hit). Martinez walked off the mound with this line: 5 innings, 9 hits, 5 runs, 98 pitches.
While the Red Sox batted in the 6th, Pedro was on the bench, his right hand wrapped in a towel, listening intently to Wallace. Martinez's night was, in fact, not over. Francona sent Martinez back out to start the 6th. For those of you scoring at home, this is the 3rd (some would say the 4th) consecutive game that Tito has Gumped the starter, leaving him in for more punishment when it's clear to almost everyone else that he is cooked, out of gas, bleeding, etc. ...
Of course, Pedro had nothing left (he was back to throwing only 91). Eckstein got his 4th single off Martinez and then Figgins walked on 4 pitches. Timlin came in at that point and Guerrerro launched a 3-run bomb to left center (he finished with 9 rbi) and the lead (and the game) was gone. ... Tito's decision wasn't Game 7-bad, but it was no less foolish and it still caused smoke to pour out of my ears. What is going through that man's head?
P.S.: K-Rod didn't have his sharp fastball in the 9th and walked Bellhorn. No problem. He went exclusively with his curve and quickly retired the side, throwing one bender to Manny that made Ramirez's knees buckle like he was a 17-year-old rookie. ... The Angels are scary.
Look at his performance last night (* = rbi):
1st inning: single, K, home run**, walk, F8, FC
2nd inning: 1-6-3, 6-3, F9
3rd inning: single, single, double**, HBP, F9, F8 (deep), K
4th inning: single, K, single, single, L9*, 3U
5th inning: single, single, K, P4, 6-3
Dave Wallace came out to talk to Pedro after the second single in the 5th. Martinez had thrown 86 pitches and it seemed clear that if could get out of this inning, that would be the end of his outing (Lenny DiNardo had been warming up after the 3rd single in the 4th inning). At that point, Martinez turned it on, throwing 92-94 mph consistently. We've seen this many times; Pedro knows he's at the end of his outing and he "empties the tank" (I hate that expression, but it fits). He struck out Kotchman on three pitches, got Benji Molina to miss two pitches before popping to second and got Kennedy to ground to shortstop (a fantastic play by Pokey behind the mound that was almost an infield hit). Martinez walked off the mound with this line: 5 innings, 9 hits, 5 runs, 98 pitches.
While the Red Sox batted in the 6th, Pedro was on the bench, his right hand wrapped in a towel, listening intently to Wallace. Martinez's night was, in fact, not over. Francona sent Martinez back out to start the 6th. For those of you scoring at home, this is the 3rd (some would say the 4th) consecutive game that Tito has Gumped the starter, leaving him in for more punishment when it's clear to almost everyone else that he is cooked, out of gas, bleeding, etc. ...
Of course, Pedro had nothing left (he was back to throwing only 91). Eckstein got his 4th single off Martinez and then Figgins walked on 4 pitches. Timlin came in at that point and Guerrerro launched a 3-run bomb to left center (he finished with 9 rbi) and the lead (and the game) was gone. ... Tito's decision wasn't Game 7-bad, but it was no less foolish and it still caused smoke to pour out of my ears. What is going through that man's head?
P.S.: K-Rod didn't have his sharp fastball in the 9th and walked Bellhorn. No problem. He went exclusively with his curve and quickly retired the side, throwing one bender to Manny that made Ramirez's knees buckle like he was a 17-year-old rookie. ... The Angels are scary.
Jail To The Chief. Capitol Hill Blue: "Witnesses told a federal grand jury President George W. Bush knew about, and took no action to stop, the release of a covert CIA operative's name to a journalist in an attempt to discredit her husband, a critic of administration policy in Iraq. Their damning testimony has prompted Bush to contact an outside lawyer for legal advice because evidence increasingly points to his involvement in the leak of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame's name to syndicated columnist Robert Novak." (Scroll through TPM for more.) ... In what is likely a related story, CIA Director George Tenet has resigned for "personal reasons."
June 2, 2004
Update! Nomar went 2-3 with a walk on Monday for Pawtucket. ... For the second straight game, Garciaparra hit the game's first pitch, lining a fastball for a single to right field. He also swung at the first pitch in the third inning, singling up the middle. He walked in the fourth and fouled out in the sixth. Nomar had only two routine chances in the field, a grounder and a pop-up.
Francona's Slow Hook. Once again, Terry Francona's use of his pitching staff made no sense -- and led to a loss in Anaheim. ... Bronson Arroyo was not sharp on Tuesday night. He allowed 2 hits, a walk and a run in the first inning and he hit two batters in the 4th (it could have been three, but somehow a pitch went between David Eckstein's legs). Still, after four innings and despite leaving eight men on base, Boston had a 4-3 lead. And a tenative Bartolo Colon had thrown 109 pitches in 4 innings.
Arroyo began the bottom of the sixth at 83 pitches. Casey Kotchman singled to left-center and was sacrificed to second. Arroyo plunked Adam Kennedy for the second time. Eckstein hit a first-pitch single to left to tie the game at 4-4. Pitching coach Dave Wallace came out to talk and Alan Embree began warming up (Anastacio Martinez was the first man up -- why? -- during Kennedy's at-bat). Chone Figgins flew out to center field after a 10-pitch battle for the second out (pushing Arroyo's pitch count to 104). I would have liked to see Embree face Guererro, but (I guess) because Arroyo had gotten Vlad in his previous at-bats (a strikeout and two pop-ups), Tito left him in. ... Guererro ripped a 1-1 pitch to the wall in left center and Anaheim had a 6-4 lead.
Embree got into trouble in the 7th, hitting Kotchman and walking Jose Molina. Francona went to the pen -- for A-Mart, who surrendered a first-pitch double to Eckstein that brought home the 7th Anaheim run. Boston got a 2-run homer with 2 outs in the 9th from Brian Daubach to make the game appear closer than it was. ... Francona's tendency to leave his starter in a few batters too long (or until the lead has been lost) and his questionable choices out of the bullpen are becoming disturbing trends. Considering how well the team has played, this may be nit-picking, but it may also point to potential problems that could cost this team some games as the season goes on. (See The Soxaholix.)
Francisco Rodriguez has the flithiest stuff I've seen in a long time -- probably since Pedro in 1999-2000. His stats are insane: 45 strikeouts in 28 innings, only 19 hits allowed and an ERA of 0.64. ... He struck out Kevin Millar to end a rally in the 7th, then struck out the side in the 8th. Kevin Youkilis began that frame by singling to third and taking second on Figgins's throwing error. Pinch-hitter Andy Dominique was ridiculously overmatched on three pitches (it was painful to watch and seemed cruel of Francona to send him up in that spot), Damon looked at three straight strikes (clocked at 92, 93 and 94) and Bellhorn went down looking (after a vicious breaking pitch at 77 mph for strike two, Rodriguez finished him off with a fastball at 92). The hitters never had even a glimmer of a chance. It was like watching Mike Tyson beat up a six-year-old.
Gordon and Rivera allowed 4 runs in the top of the 9th, but the Yankees held on to beat the Orioles 8-7 and grab a one-game lead in the East. ... Pedro and Washburn tonight at 10 pm.
Arroyo began the bottom of the sixth at 83 pitches. Casey Kotchman singled to left-center and was sacrificed to second. Arroyo plunked Adam Kennedy for the second time. Eckstein hit a first-pitch single to left to tie the game at 4-4. Pitching coach Dave Wallace came out to talk and Alan Embree began warming up (Anastacio Martinez was the first man up -- why? -- during Kennedy's at-bat). Chone Figgins flew out to center field after a 10-pitch battle for the second out (pushing Arroyo's pitch count to 104). I would have liked to see Embree face Guererro, but (I guess) because Arroyo had gotten Vlad in his previous at-bats (a strikeout and two pop-ups), Tito left him in. ... Guererro ripped a 1-1 pitch to the wall in left center and Anaheim had a 6-4 lead.
Embree got into trouble in the 7th, hitting Kotchman and walking Jose Molina. Francona went to the pen -- for A-Mart, who surrendered a first-pitch double to Eckstein that brought home the 7th Anaheim run. Boston got a 2-run homer with 2 outs in the 9th from Brian Daubach to make the game appear closer than it was. ... Francona's tendency to leave his starter in a few batters too long (or until the lead has been lost) and his questionable choices out of the bullpen are becoming disturbing trends. Considering how well the team has played, this may be nit-picking, but it may also point to potential problems that could cost this team some games as the season goes on. (See The Soxaholix.)
Francisco Rodriguez has the flithiest stuff I've seen in a long time -- probably since Pedro in 1999-2000. His stats are insane: 45 strikeouts in 28 innings, only 19 hits allowed and an ERA of 0.64. ... He struck out Kevin Millar to end a rally in the 7th, then struck out the side in the 8th. Kevin Youkilis began that frame by singling to third and taking second on Figgins's throwing error. Pinch-hitter Andy Dominique was ridiculously overmatched on three pitches (it was painful to watch and seemed cruel of Francona to send him up in that spot), Damon looked at three straight strikes (clocked at 92, 93 and 94) and Bellhorn went down looking (after a vicious breaking pitch at 77 mph for strike two, Rodriguez finished him off with a fastball at 92). The hitters never had even a glimmer of a chance. It was like watching Mike Tyson beat up a six-year-old.
Gordon and Rivera allowed 4 runs in the top of the 9th, but the Yankees held on to beat the Orioles 8-7 and grab a one-game lead in the East. ... Pedro and Washburn tonight at 10 pm.
Catching Up. I watched four Red Sox games yesterday -- zipping through tapes of Saturday, Sunday and Monday -- and then watching the Red Sox lose to the Angels 7-6. Some quick notes:
Saturday -- Mariners 5, Red Sox 4: You always hear that a knuckleballer can lose his stuff in a blink of an eye; pitches go from unhittable to flat and back again. Wakefield seemed to have that trouble in this game. He allowed 8 hits and 5 runs in the first 2.2 innings. Then he settled down and retired 12 of the next 14 batters on only 38 pitches. But with 2 outs in the 7th, his control deserted him. He walked two and after a passed ball, intentionally walked a third (none of the walks scored, however). ... There was a strong wind blowing in and from left to right most of the afternoon. In the 3rd inning, Mirabelli was absolutely dumbfounded that his shot to deep left was caught at the warning track. In the next inning, Manny blasted one through the wind and off the Sports Authority sign above the Monster seats (the home run actually hit in the "O" in "Sports" -- like a bullseye).
I really liked the move Tito made in the 6th. Mirabelli had doubled home Millar, cutting the Seattle lead to 5-4. With shortstop Crespo up, Reese went in to run for Mirabelli and Varitek pinch-hit for Crespo. Boston couldn't get the run home (Tek flew out and Damon K'd), but it was a smart move -- getting the speedy Reese on 2nd as the tying run and removing Crespo's "bat" from the lineup -- without burning a player. And while I don't think the Red Sox really need another slow 1B/DH type like Andy Dominique, especially once the injured players are back, it's nice having a 3rd catcher to provide that type of flexibility.
Sunday, Red Sox 9, Seattle 7 (12): I made a list of all the offensive contributions after this game in an earlier post. Not much else to add, but it was great seeing Dominique get his first major league hit and RBI on his game-tying single in the 8th. Also great hustle by Youkilis to score from second on the wild pitch/catcher's error in the 7th inning. ... I followed the game on the web and watching the tape of the 12th inning, I actually wondered, as McCarty worked the count to 3-0, he's not going to hit a home run again, is he? ... He did.
Monday, Orioles 13, Red Sox 4: This game is best forgotten, but I don't think it had to turn into a disaster. Although he trailed 2-0, Lowe didn't pitch badly through the first 5 innings (one run came on a cheapo HR down by the right field pole). And considering Lowe's performances this season, it was probably unwise to expect too much more. Foulke had thrown 30 pitches the day before, but Timlin (12 pitches) and Embree (2) should have been ready. ... Lowe developed a blister on his thumb in the 6th or a pre-existing blister burst and he began bleeding. He walked Lopez on a full count and allowed a single to Surhoff and an RBI-double to Matos. At that point, the trainer came out quickly and the pen got busy. If Francona had wanted to pull Lowe here, wouldn't the relief pitcher get as much time as he needed? (Blisters do count as injuries, right? If not, Boston could have sent each infielder separately to the mound to stall.)
Anyway, Francona left Lowe in. Was he hoping for a ground ball/double play? Who knows, but it's better to yank Lowe a little early than a little late. So with his control obviously gone, and wiping his bloody fingers on his pant leg after every pitch, Lowe walked Bigbie to load the bases. Still no call to the pen. Lowe then walked Hairston on five pitches, forcing a run home and giving Baltimore a 4-0 lead. Then Tito brought the hook. And who did he bring in -- at a point when the O's rally absolutely needed to be stopped? Why, "Everyday" Lenny DiNardo, of course -- who with 4 pitches (ball to Roberts, 3-run double, ball to Mora, 2-run home run) -- turned the game into an 9-0 disaster. Francona made a huge blunder letting Lowe pitch to Bigbie and Hairston and it make zero sense to rely on DiNardo to keep the game close when there were better options available.
There are tough decisions a manager has to make where even if the move backfires, you can't really criticize or second-guess him for it. It was the smart move, but the players simply didn't get the job done. ... Then there are moves like pulling Lowe and bringing in one of the pen's top arms to keep a game within reach. Those two decisions seemed obvious, not only after they both blew up in Tito's face, but at the time. ... Overall, Francona has done a very good job so far, but some of his decisions on when to remove starters and his bullpen management leave me scratching my head.
Saturday -- Mariners 5, Red Sox 4: You always hear that a knuckleballer can lose his stuff in a blink of an eye; pitches go from unhittable to flat and back again. Wakefield seemed to have that trouble in this game. He allowed 8 hits and 5 runs in the first 2.2 innings. Then he settled down and retired 12 of the next 14 batters on only 38 pitches. But with 2 outs in the 7th, his control deserted him. He walked two and after a passed ball, intentionally walked a third (none of the walks scored, however). ... There was a strong wind blowing in and from left to right most of the afternoon. In the 3rd inning, Mirabelli was absolutely dumbfounded that his shot to deep left was caught at the warning track. In the next inning, Manny blasted one through the wind and off the Sports Authority sign above the Monster seats (the home run actually hit in the "O" in "Sports" -- like a bullseye).
I really liked the move Tito made in the 6th. Mirabelli had doubled home Millar, cutting the Seattle lead to 5-4. With shortstop Crespo up, Reese went in to run for Mirabelli and Varitek pinch-hit for Crespo. Boston couldn't get the run home (Tek flew out and Damon K'd), but it was a smart move -- getting the speedy Reese on 2nd as the tying run and removing Crespo's "bat" from the lineup -- without burning a player. And while I don't think the Red Sox really need another slow 1B/DH type like Andy Dominique, especially once the injured players are back, it's nice having a 3rd catcher to provide that type of flexibility.
Sunday, Red Sox 9, Seattle 7 (12): I made a list of all the offensive contributions after this game in an earlier post. Not much else to add, but it was great seeing Dominique get his first major league hit and RBI on his game-tying single in the 8th. Also great hustle by Youkilis to score from second on the wild pitch/catcher's error in the 7th inning. ... I followed the game on the web and watching the tape of the 12th inning, I actually wondered, as McCarty worked the count to 3-0, he's not going to hit a home run again, is he? ... He did.
Monday, Orioles 13, Red Sox 4: This game is best forgotten, but I don't think it had to turn into a disaster. Although he trailed 2-0, Lowe didn't pitch badly through the first 5 innings (one run came on a cheapo HR down by the right field pole). And considering Lowe's performances this season, it was probably unwise to expect too much more. Foulke had thrown 30 pitches the day before, but Timlin (12 pitches) and Embree (2) should have been ready. ... Lowe developed a blister on his thumb in the 6th or a pre-existing blister burst and he began bleeding. He walked Lopez on a full count and allowed a single to Surhoff and an RBI-double to Matos. At that point, the trainer came out quickly and the pen got busy. If Francona had wanted to pull Lowe here, wouldn't the relief pitcher get as much time as he needed? (Blisters do count as injuries, right? If not, Boston could have sent each infielder separately to the mound to stall.)
Anyway, Francona left Lowe in. Was he hoping for a ground ball/double play? Who knows, but it's better to yank Lowe a little early than a little late. So with his control obviously gone, and wiping his bloody fingers on his pant leg after every pitch, Lowe walked Bigbie to load the bases. Still no call to the pen. Lowe then walked Hairston on five pitches, forcing a run home and giving Baltimore a 4-0 lead. Then Tito brought the hook. And who did he bring in -- at a point when the O's rally absolutely needed to be stopped? Why, "Everyday" Lenny DiNardo, of course -- who with 4 pitches (ball to Roberts, 3-run double, ball to Mora, 2-run home run) -- turned the game into an 9-0 disaster. Francona made a huge blunder letting Lowe pitch to Bigbie and Hairston and it make zero sense to rely on DiNardo to keep the game close when there were better options available.
There are tough decisions a manager has to make where even if the move backfires, you can't really criticize or second-guess him for it. It was the smart move, but the players simply didn't get the job done. ... Then there are moves like pulling Lowe and bringing in one of the pen's top arms to keep a game within reach. Those two decisions seemed obvious, not only after they both blew up in Tito's face, but at the time. ... Overall, Francona has done a very good job so far, but some of his decisions on when to remove starters and his bullpen management leave me scratching my head.
May 31, 2004
Nomar 0-for-3 With Pawtucket. Nomar Garciaparra played shortstop for Pawtucket Sunday night, playing 4½ innings and going hitless in three at-bats against LHP Brandon Claussen.
1st inning: Swung at the game's first pitch and hit a one-hopper to shortstop and was thrown out. ... 3rd inning: Tried to check his swing on a 1-2 pitch and was called out by first-base umpire Mike Belin. ... 5th inning: Hit a routine grounder to short on a 2-0 pitch and was thrown out again.
He handled three chances: a ground ball hit right at him and two popups. On the second pop, he drifted out to short left field and was nearly run over by teammate Justin Sherrod, who dove to the ground about a foot behind Garciaparra's legs.
Nomar joked about offering at Claussen's first delivery. "I don't know what the over-under was that I'd swing at the first one." ... The game was delayed for 27 minutes because of thunderstorms and tornado warnings (PawSox announcer Andy Freed saw a twister just over the Ohio River beyond the left-field fence). Garciaparra was set to DH if the field was too wet. ... Reports from the Providence Journal, Boston Globe and Hartford Courant.
1st inning: Swung at the game's first pitch and hit a one-hopper to shortstop and was thrown out. ... 3rd inning: Tried to check his swing on a 1-2 pitch and was called out by first-base umpire Mike Belin. ... 5th inning: Hit a routine grounder to short on a 2-0 pitch and was thrown out again.
He handled three chances: a ground ball hit right at him and two popups. On the second pop, he drifted out to short left field and was nearly run over by teammate Justin Sherrod, who dove to the ground about a foot behind Garciaparra's legs.
Nomar joked about offering at Claussen's first delivery. "I don't know what the over-under was that I'd swing at the first one." ... The game was delayed for 27 minutes because of thunderstorms and tornado warnings (PawSox announcer Andy Freed saw a twister just over the Ohio River beyond the left-field fence). Garciaparra was set to DH if the field was too wet. ... Reports from the Providence Journal, Boston Globe and Hartford Courant.
Fifty Games In. Although Trot Nixon and Nomar Garciaparra have yet to play a single inning and the team has been without Bill Mueller, Ellis Burks, Scott Williamson and Byung-Hyun Kim for various lengths of time, the Red Sox have the best record in baseball at 31-19 (a 100.44-win pace). I looked over my scorecards and picked out some of the best games:
May 30 (#50): Schilling, Embree and Foulke implode in the 8th inning and Seattle scores six times, taking a 7-5 lead. But Boston comes right back, tying the game in the bottom of the inning. Varitek singles, McCarty doubles, Damon hits a sac fly and Andy Dominique's first major league hit ties the game. McCarty then sends everyone home happy with a 2-run home run to center (on a 3-0 pitch; Boston hitters are now 8-for-8 after getting the green light) in the bottom of the 12th. Schilling had retired the first 17 Mariners, but by the end, it was a distant memory. Sox win 9-7.
May 7 (#29): Kansas City leads 6-2 going into the bottom of the 8th. After singles from Ramirez and Kapler, Mirabelli's hit and a throwing error close the gap to 6-4. In the 9th, Damon walks and Bellhorn belts a game-tying home run. Ramirez walks and with 2 outs, pinch-hitter Varitek lines a first-pitch double into the right field corner to win the game, 7-6.
April 11 (#7): Trailing Baltimore 4-1, Boston scores single runs in the 8th (Damon walks and scores on Millar's single) and 9th (Crespo doubles and scores on Damon's hit) before Ortiz belts a 2-run home run into the Monster seats in the 12th. Red Sox win 6-4.
April 16 (#9): Facing the Yankees for the first time since the ALCS, Boston nails Vazquez for 4 runs in the first inning. Damon reaches on an error, Mueller homers, Ramirez homers, Millar singles; Burks reaches on a force, takes second on a walk and scores on Jeter's error. Wakefield throws 7 strong innings and the Red Sox win 6-2.
April 24 (#17): Both the Yankees and Red Sox have numerous scoring chances in the Bronx before Boston finally comes out on top 3-2 in 12 innings. Ramirez begins the inning with a double, goes to third on a groundout, and after Millar is hit with a pitch, Manny scores on Bellhorn's sac fly. Timlin then retires the Yankees in order, capping 6 no-hit innings from the bullpen. (Boston has won 6 of its 7 games (so far) against New York.)
May 8 (#30): With me and roughly 250 other Sons of Sam Horn sitting in the right field stands, Schilling pitches a complete game (5 H, 0 BB, 8 K) against the Royals, winning 9-1. Pokey Reese hits 2 home runs (one an inside-the-parker to right). After the game, I get my scorecard autographed by Sam Horn himself.
May 11 (#33): In the home half of the 8th, trailing Cleveland 3-2, Ramirez and Varitek quickly make outs. But then Ortiz doubles off the wall. Mueller follows with another double to left to tie the game, Kapler singles and McCarty, fresh off the bench, lines a 2-run triple into the right field corner. Foulke sets Cleveland down in the 9th (with 2 K) and Boston wins 5-3.
April 29 (#21): After Lowe allows 2 runs in the top of the first (snapping the team's 32-inning scoreless streak), Boston explodes for 7 in the bottom half. The first 6 (and 8 of the first 9) batters reach safely. The inning is highlighted by Varitek's 3-run home run and Reese's two-run single. Boston finishes a doubleheader sweep 7-3.
April 25, 28 and 29 (#18-20): Three straight shutouts: 2-0 over New York (Pedro 7 IP, 4 H, 7 K), 6-0 over Tampa Bay (Schilling 7.1 IP, 5 H, 8 K) and 4-0 over Tampa Bay (Kim, 5 IP, 1 H).
May 15 (#37): Bronson Arroyo (overcoming the flu) throws 100 pitches in Toronto (8 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 6 K). Youkilis makes his major league debut and homers in his second AB. Bellhorn and Ortiz also go deep and Boston wins 4-0.
[As far as worst games, there was April 8 (#4) when Bobby Jones walked four Orioles in the 13th inning, giving Baltimore a 3-2 win; May 13 (#35) when Toronto's 1-2-3 hitters (Hudson, Catalanotto, Wells) reached base in 14 of their 15 plate appearances, leading the Jays to a 12-6 win; and May 27 (#47) when Oakland routed the Sox at Fenway 15-2.]
May 30 (#50): Schilling, Embree and Foulke implode in the 8th inning and Seattle scores six times, taking a 7-5 lead. But Boston comes right back, tying the game in the bottom of the inning. Varitek singles, McCarty doubles, Damon hits a sac fly and Andy Dominique's first major league hit ties the game. McCarty then sends everyone home happy with a 2-run home run to center (on a 3-0 pitch; Boston hitters are now 8-for-8 after getting the green light) in the bottom of the 12th. Schilling had retired the first 17 Mariners, but by the end, it was a distant memory. Sox win 9-7.
May 7 (#29): Kansas City leads 6-2 going into the bottom of the 8th. After singles from Ramirez and Kapler, Mirabelli's hit and a throwing error close the gap to 6-4. In the 9th, Damon walks and Bellhorn belts a game-tying home run. Ramirez walks and with 2 outs, pinch-hitter Varitek lines a first-pitch double into the right field corner to win the game, 7-6.
April 11 (#7): Trailing Baltimore 4-1, Boston scores single runs in the 8th (Damon walks and scores on Millar's single) and 9th (Crespo doubles and scores on Damon's hit) before Ortiz belts a 2-run home run into the Monster seats in the 12th. Red Sox win 6-4.
April 16 (#9): Facing the Yankees for the first time since the ALCS, Boston nails Vazquez for 4 runs in the first inning. Damon reaches on an error, Mueller homers, Ramirez homers, Millar singles; Burks reaches on a force, takes second on a walk and scores on Jeter's error. Wakefield throws 7 strong innings and the Red Sox win 6-2.
April 24 (#17): Both the Yankees and Red Sox have numerous scoring chances in the Bronx before Boston finally comes out on top 3-2 in 12 innings. Ramirez begins the inning with a double, goes to third on a groundout, and after Millar is hit with a pitch, Manny scores on Bellhorn's sac fly. Timlin then retires the Yankees in order, capping 6 no-hit innings from the bullpen. (Boston has won 6 of its 7 games (so far) against New York.)
May 8 (#30): With me and roughly 250 other Sons of Sam Horn sitting in the right field stands, Schilling pitches a complete game (5 H, 0 BB, 8 K) against the Royals, winning 9-1. Pokey Reese hits 2 home runs (one an inside-the-parker to right). After the game, I get my scorecard autographed by Sam Horn himself.
May 11 (#33): In the home half of the 8th, trailing Cleveland 3-2, Ramirez and Varitek quickly make outs. But then Ortiz doubles off the wall. Mueller follows with another double to left to tie the game, Kapler singles and McCarty, fresh off the bench, lines a 2-run triple into the right field corner. Foulke sets Cleveland down in the 9th (with 2 K) and Boston wins 5-3.
April 29 (#21): After Lowe allows 2 runs in the top of the first (snapping the team's 32-inning scoreless streak), Boston explodes for 7 in the bottom half. The first 6 (and 8 of the first 9) batters reach safely. The inning is highlighted by Varitek's 3-run home run and Reese's two-run single. Boston finishes a doubleheader sweep 7-3.
April 25, 28 and 29 (#18-20): Three straight shutouts: 2-0 over New York (Pedro 7 IP, 4 H, 7 K), 6-0 over Tampa Bay (Schilling 7.1 IP, 5 H, 8 K) and 4-0 over Tampa Bay (Kim, 5 IP, 1 H).
May 15 (#37): Bronson Arroyo (overcoming the flu) throws 100 pitches in Toronto (8 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 6 K). Youkilis makes his major league debut and homers in his second AB. Bellhorn and Ortiz also go deep and Boston wins 4-0.
[As far as worst games, there was April 8 (#4) when Bobby Jones walked four Orioles in the 13th inning, giving Baltimore a 3-2 win; May 13 (#35) when Toronto's 1-2-3 hitters (Hudson, Catalanotto, Wells) reached base in 14 of their 15 plate appearances, leading the Jays to a 12-6 win; and May 27 (#47) when Oakland routed the Sox at Fenway 15-2.]
May 30, 2004
McCarty Does Some Yard Work. Wow! Red Sox 9, Seattle 7 in 12 innings. Box.
A total team effort. I couldn't watch the game -- and have to wait until Tuesday to watch my tape -- so I'll concentrate on the offense and pitching (though from the SoSH game thread, I know Pokey made some fantastic plays (as usual) and McCarty and Crespo also helped out with their gloves):
Bellhorn: 2-5, 2 runs scored
Youkilis: 3-5, double, HBP, 3 runs scored
Ramirez: 1-4, double, 2 rbi
Varitek: 1-5, HBP, 2 runs scored
Millar: 2-2, double, walk
McCarty: 2-3, double, game-winning HR, 2 runs scored, 2 rbi
Dominique: 2-2 (his first 2 major league hits), game-tying rbi
Schilling: Retired the first 17 Mariners, 7.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R
Timlin: Scoreless 10th inning on 12 pitches
A. Martinez: 2 hitless innings (the 11th and 12th)
Keith Foulke blew a save for the first time this season in an ugly 8th inning. Seattle scored 6 times -- capped by an Ibanez's three-run home run -- to lead 7-5. But the Red Sox came back immediately against Hasegawa in the bottom half. Varitek singled on a 1-1 pitch. McCarty (who had gone in to play first base in the top of the inning) doubled on the first pitch he saw. Pinch-hitter Damon brought Varitek in with a sac fly and Andy Dominique (another pinch-hitter) singled in McCarty to tie the game.
The Yankees lost 7-6 in Tampa Bay, so the Red Sox reclaim first place by one-half game (and have baseball's best record). ... Nomar plays for Pawtucket tonight.
A total team effort. I couldn't watch the game -- and have to wait until Tuesday to watch my tape -- so I'll concentrate on the offense and pitching (though from the SoSH game thread, I know Pokey made some fantastic plays (as usual) and McCarty and Crespo also helped out with their gloves):
Bellhorn: 2-5, 2 runs scored
Youkilis: 3-5, double, HBP, 3 runs scored
Ramirez: 1-4, double, 2 rbi
Varitek: 1-5, HBP, 2 runs scored
Millar: 2-2, double, walk
McCarty: 2-3, double, game-winning HR, 2 runs scored, 2 rbi
Dominique: 2-2 (his first 2 major league hits), game-tying rbi
Schilling: Retired the first 17 Mariners, 7.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R
Timlin: Scoreless 10th inning on 12 pitches
A. Martinez: 2 hitless innings (the 11th and 12th)
Keith Foulke blew a save for the first time this season in an ugly 8th inning. Seattle scored 6 times -- capped by an Ibanez's three-run home run -- to lead 7-5. But the Red Sox came back immediately against Hasegawa in the bottom half. Varitek singled on a 1-1 pitch. McCarty (who had gone in to play first base in the top of the inning) doubled on the first pitch he saw. Pinch-hitter Damon brought Varitek in with a sac fly and Andy Dominique (another pinch-hitter) singled in McCarty to tie the game.
The Yankees lost 7-6 in Tampa Bay, so the Red Sox reclaim first place by one-half game (and have baseball's best record). ... Nomar plays for Pawtucket tonight.
Is There a Worse Perversion Of The English Language Than "Friendly Fire"? According to an Army investigation, former NFL player Pat Tillman was killed by other US troops, not enemy fire. Sisyphus Shrugged: "I find it incredibly distasteful when supporters of the current administration try to shove [Tillman] up on a pedestal because he could have been rich instead. I haven't found any other area of political discourse where [they] think that it's honorable and righteous and patriotic to consider anything over profits."
Digby: "Like the Bush administration, [the New York Times] seem[s] to think that 'taking responsibility' means acting as if it was some vague and ephemeral 'somebody' who committed the act and then going on as if nothing happened. These are children's ethics."
"An internal Army report warned in November that Iraqis were being detained too long and without appropriate review in an immense U.S.-run prison system that failed to keep track of them, did not provide proper sanitation and medical care, was understaffed, and inappropriately mixed juveniles and adults." Good to see the "liberal" Washington Post giving this story the visbility it deserves -- on page A31.
AWOL shows off his souvenir. In time, Bush'll probably start believing he wrestled it away from Hussein himself. The pathetic fool has a bad case of penis-envy.
Digby: "Like the Bush administration, [the New York Times] seem[s] to think that 'taking responsibility' means acting as if it was some vague and ephemeral 'somebody' who committed the act and then going on as if nothing happened. These are children's ethics."
"An internal Army report warned in November that Iraqis were being detained too long and without appropriate review in an immense U.S.-run prison system that failed to keep track of them, did not provide proper sanitation and medical care, was understaffed, and inappropriately mixed juveniles and adults." Good to see the "liberal" Washington Post giving this story the visbility it deserves -- on page A31.
AWOL shows off his souvenir. In time, Bush'll probably start believing he wrestled it away from Hussein himself. The pathetic fool has a bad case of penis-envy.
May 29, 2004
Good News! Nomar Garciaparra begins a rehab assignment with Pawtucket in Louisville tomorrow night. He will lead off and play four innings on both Sunday and Monday, then return to Boston for physical therapy. If all goes well, Nomar would join the PawSox in Toledo on Thursday. (More on his progress here.)
Terry Francona says that when Nomar returns, he may mix and match with his infielders. Garciaparra, Pokey Reese, Mark Bellhorn and Kevin Youkilis may rotate into three infield spots - second base, shortstop and third base - and sometimes at DH.
Bill Mueller's knee surgery yesterday was a success and he began his therapy today. Red Sox medical director Bill Morgan: "He had essentially a 20-30 minute procedure. There were no structural defects whatsoever. [The ligaments were] intact. His meniscal cartilage, the fiber cartilage, the knee was intact. He has some very mild degeneration of his patella joint, his kneecap. He has some arthritis, that part was shaved out just to get rid of the fibrillated tissue, which will help the symptoms to some degree. He did very well. He had no problems." ... Trot Nixon may begin his rehab assignment as early as next week and Scott Williamson is expected to begin throwing on the Red Sox next road trip.
Pedro Martinez struggled a bit last night, giving up a home run to Bret Boone in the 2nd and a leadoff double to Randy Winn in the 3rd; Winn later scored. In the 5th, Rich Aurilia homered, and after Pat Borders struck out, Winn doubled (again), Ichiro Suzuki singled and Scott Spiezio was hit by a pitch. A double steal put runners at second and third; the score was 4-1. ... But Pedro got Edgar Martinez swinging and Raul Ibanez on a pop to third. Francona: "That was the game, I thought, in the fifth. If they go up 6-1, it makes it tough."
Boston rallied for 5 runs in the bottom half of the inning. Kevin Millar and Gabe Kapler doubled with one out. When Pokey Reese struck out, Joel Pineiro had two outs, a 4-2 lead and a man on second. But he couldn't close the door. He walked both Johnny Damon and Mark Bellhorn before David Ortiz bashed the first pitch he saw to right-center. It was Ortiz's 100th career home run and 2nd career grand slam. Ichiro: "It was just close enough for me not to get it. I want to say it was really close, but in that situation, it felt really far."
Martinez is now 13-0 against Seattle with a 1.30 ERA in 12 starts and one relief appearance (August 14, 1999).
Terry Francona says that when Nomar returns, he may mix and match with his infielders. Garciaparra, Pokey Reese, Mark Bellhorn and Kevin Youkilis may rotate into three infield spots - second base, shortstop and third base - and sometimes at DH.
Bill Mueller's knee surgery yesterday was a success and he began his therapy today. Red Sox medical director Bill Morgan: "He had essentially a 20-30 minute procedure. There were no structural defects whatsoever. [The ligaments were] intact. His meniscal cartilage, the fiber cartilage, the knee was intact. He has some very mild degeneration of his patella joint, his kneecap. He has some arthritis, that part was shaved out just to get rid of the fibrillated tissue, which will help the symptoms to some degree. He did very well. He had no problems." ... Trot Nixon may begin his rehab assignment as early as next week and Scott Williamson is expected to begin throwing on the Red Sox next road trip.
Pedro Martinez struggled a bit last night, giving up a home run to Bret Boone in the 2nd and a leadoff double to Randy Winn in the 3rd; Winn later scored. In the 5th, Rich Aurilia homered, and after Pat Borders struck out, Winn doubled (again), Ichiro Suzuki singled and Scott Spiezio was hit by a pitch. A double steal put runners at second and third; the score was 4-1. ... But Pedro got Edgar Martinez swinging and Raul Ibanez on a pop to third. Francona: "That was the game, I thought, in the fifth. If they go up 6-1, it makes it tough."
Boston rallied for 5 runs in the bottom half of the inning. Kevin Millar and Gabe Kapler doubled with one out. When Pokey Reese struck out, Joel Pineiro had two outs, a 4-2 lead and a man on second. But he couldn't close the door. He walked both Johnny Damon and Mark Bellhorn before David Ortiz bashed the first pitch he saw to right-center. It was Ortiz's 100th career home run and 2nd career grand slam. Ichiro: "It was just close enough for me not to get it. I want to say it was really close, but in that situation, it felt really far."
Martinez is now 13-0 against Seattle with a 1.30 ERA in 12 starts and one relief appearance (August 14, 1999).
Date Site IP H ER BB SO Result
04-11-98 Fenway Park 9 2 0 2 12 Red Sox 5-0
05-12-99 Fenway Park 8 4 2 1 15 Red Sox 9-2
08-14-99 Fenway Park 4 3 1 1 6 Red Sox 13-2
09-04-99 Safeco Field 8 2 0 3 15 Red Sox 4-0
04-04-00 Safeco Field 7 2 0 2 11 Red Sox 2-0
08-02-00 Fenway Park 9 5 2 2 7 Red Sox 5-2
09-04-00 Safeco Field 8 6 1 1 11 Red Sox 5-1
05-01-01 Safeco Field 8 3 0 4 12 Red Sox 2-0
05-12-02 Safeco Field 8 4 1 3 12 Red Sox 10-4
05-18-02 Fenway Park 8 6 1 0 9 Red Sox 4-1
08-16-03 Safeco Field 7 3 1 3 7 Red Sox 5-1
08-25-02 Fenway Park 6 6 1 2 4 Red Sox 8-1
05-28-04 Fenway Park 7 8 4 0 9 Red Sox 8-4
Totals 97 54 14 24 130 1.30 ERA
May 28, 2004
Updated!
The Glass Is Half-Full. Michael Silverman is right: "The Red Sox are in first place, they had the best record in baseball at first pitch last night, their pitching staff is ranked at the top or in the top three of nearly every significant pitching category, and the offense can boast being one of the five best around. ... [S]omeone should state the obvious. Things are good right now. Stop and smell the flowers." ... The lineup is missing these two important pieces:
On the mound, Derek Lowe has a 6.22 ERA, Scott Williamson has been hurt, Pedro Martinez and Bronson Arroyo have been inconsistent and Byung-Hyun Kim (6.17) is on the DL and back in Korea. And yet, thanks to Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield and a superb bullpen, the Red Sox are 1st in team ERA, 1st in fewest walks+hits per inning, 1st in opponents batting average (.241, .014 lower than Tampa Bay), 1st in opponent on-base (.313) and 1st in opponents slugging (.376).
The Red Sox are tied with Anaheim for the best record in baseball (29-18) -- and they have a ½-game lead on the Yankees, who are in Tampa Bay.
Martinez, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are assisting the relief effort in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, where flooding has killed more than 800 people. ... The Red Sox are 7-for-7 when they swing at 3-and-0 pitches. Ortiz has been the most successful (3-3, with a double and home run); Ramirez, Brian Daubach, Jason Varitek and Doug Mirabelli are all 1-1.
Korea Times, quoting Byung-Hyun Kim: "I feel my shoulders, ankles and hips are not working properly, but not too seriously either. I will be here until I'm fully recovered." ... The Herald reports that "all signs point to [Nomar Garciaparra] beginning his 7-10 day rehab with Triple-A Pawtucket at Toledo sometime between June 3-6." ... A report on Trot Nixon from the Naples Daily News.
Weekend match-ups:
Tonight: Pedro Martinez (4-3, 3.68) -- Joel Pineiro (1-5, 5.43)
Saturday: Tim Wakefield (4-2, 3.21) -- Freddy Garcia (2-3, 2.71)
Sunday: Curt Schilling (6-3, 2.82) -- Ryan Franklin (2-4, 4.75)
The Glass Is Half-Full. Michael Silverman is right: "The Red Sox are in first place, they had the best record in baseball at first pitch last night, their pitching staff is ranked at the top or in the top three of nearly every significant pitching category, and the offense can boast being one of the five best around. ... [S]omeone should state the obvious. Things are good right now. Stop and smell the flowers." ... The lineup is missing these two important pieces:
2003 AVG #AL OBP #AL SLG #ALIn addition to winning the batting title last season, Bill Mueller (who is having knee surgery today) was 6th in OBP (.398) and 11th in SLG (.540). Kevin Millar is still slumping and Ellis Burks is out of action. But the team is currently 5th in runs scored, 2nd in on-base percentage (.001 behind Cleveland), 5th in slugging and 8th in batting average.
Nixon .306 13th .396 7th .578 5th
Nomar .301 16th .524 16th
On the mound, Derek Lowe has a 6.22 ERA, Scott Williamson has been hurt, Pedro Martinez and Bronson Arroyo have been inconsistent and Byung-Hyun Kim (6.17) is on the DL and back in Korea. And yet, thanks to Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield and a superb bullpen, the Red Sox are 1st in team ERA, 1st in fewest walks+hits per inning, 1st in opponents batting average (.241, .014 lower than Tampa Bay), 1st in opponent on-base (.313) and 1st in opponents slugging (.376).
The Red Sox are tied with Anaheim for the best record in baseball (29-18) -- and they have a ½-game lead on the Yankees, who are in Tampa Bay.
Martinez, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are assisting the relief effort in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, where flooding has killed more than 800 people. ... The Red Sox are 7-for-7 when they swing at 3-and-0 pitches. Ortiz has been the most successful (3-3, with a double and home run); Ramirez, Brian Daubach, Jason Varitek and Doug Mirabelli are all 1-1.
Korea Times, quoting Byung-Hyun Kim: "I feel my shoulders, ankles and hips are not working properly, but not too seriously either. I will be here until I'm fully recovered." ... The Herald reports that "all signs point to [Nomar Garciaparra] beginning his 7-10 day rehab with Triple-A Pawtucket at Toledo sometime between June 3-6." ... A report on Trot Nixon from the Naples Daily News.
Weekend match-ups:
Tonight: Pedro Martinez (4-3, 3.68) -- Joel Pineiro (1-5, 5.43)
Saturday: Tim Wakefield (4-2, 3.21) -- Freddy Garcia (2-3, 2.71)
Sunday: Curt Schilling (6-3, 2.82) -- Ryan Franklin (2-4, 4.75)
"Wolf!" As John Ashcroft warns of "disturbing" intelligence that Al Qaeda is "almost ready to attack the United States," another administration official says: "There's no real new intelligence, and a lot of this has been out there already. There really is no significant change that would require us to change the alert level of the country." Ashcroft himself says there is no new information indicating when, where or how an attack might happen.
Could the administration be crying wolf to distract the public (yet again!) from Bush's dropping poll numbers, the 806 dead American soldiers and the ever-increasing reports of torture throughout Iraq? ... It turns out the Homeland Security department was shocked by Ashcroft's announcement and the Justice Department didn't bother to inform state and local police forces of any alleged threat. The FBI's field offices were also kept in the dark. ... And the seven people Ashcroft says pose a "clear and present" danger to the US? Newspaper links here indicate that several of them have been in custody for quite some time.
Remember back in May 2002, when the mainstream media first reported that the Bush administration had known of bin Laden's threats to hijack airplanes for terrorist activity? White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer admitted the terror warnings at that time were issued to change the subject. When asked if the warnings were to "raise the awareness [or] to arouse the American people to a new danger, Fleischer said: "[I]t was just more as a result of all the controversy that took place last week."
Could the administration be crying wolf to distract the public (yet again!) from Bush's dropping poll numbers, the 806 dead American soldiers and the ever-increasing reports of torture throughout Iraq? ... It turns out the Homeland Security department was shocked by Ashcroft's announcement and the Justice Department didn't bother to inform state and local police forces of any alleged threat. The FBI's field offices were also kept in the dark. ... And the seven people Ashcroft says pose a "clear and present" danger to the US? Newspaper links here indicate that several of them have been in custody for quite some time.
Remember back in May 2002, when the mainstream media first reported that the Bush administration had known of bin Laden's threats to hijack airplanes for terrorist activity? White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer admitted the terror warnings at that time were issued to change the subject. When asked if the warnings were to "raise the awareness [or] to arouse the American people to a new danger, Fleischer said: "[I]t was just more as a result of all the controversy that took place last week."
May 27, 2004
Notes 'N Things. Mark Bellhorn has played 43 games this season -- and he's either walked or struck out in every one of them. ... Andy Dominique enjoyed his debut. ... Gary and Daryle Ward are the first father and son combination to hit for the cycle. ... An announcement: "Boston.com has acquired Boston Dirt Dogs, a popular Red Sox fan Web site, and will incorporate its content into Boston.com's award-winning sports section in June." ... Manny Ramirez is The Sporting News' cover story.
BlogWatch: El Guapo's Ghost: "There doesn't seem to be any women that want to explore how Mark Bellhorn can hit 225 with an OBP of 400. If you know where they are located, please let me know." ... Fenway Hotdogs in October saw her first game at Fenway in 2 years; it was a good one. ... The House That Dewey Built was there also. ... Damn! So was Sports Retort. ... Musings from RSN has been silent for a month. ... Obey Pedro has also been on a sporadic schedule. ... RallyCuff is (like me) sick of seeing the sports media fawn over Ben Affleck as though he is The Grand High Exalted Mystic Red Sox Fan. ... Red Sox Haven looks at Keith Foulke. ... Top of the Ninth is writing letters to a certain Skydome waitress. ... All the cool Red Sox fans are addicted to The Soxaholix. ... A new blog: Surviving Grady.
BlogWatch: El Guapo's Ghost: "There doesn't seem to be any women that want to explore how Mark Bellhorn can hit 225 with an OBP of 400. If you know where they are located, please let me know." ... Fenway Hotdogs in October saw her first game at Fenway in 2 years; it was a good one. ... The House That Dewey Built was there also. ... Damn! So was Sports Retort. ... Musings from RSN has been silent for a month. ... Obey Pedro has also been on a sporadic schedule. ... RallyCuff is (like me) sick of seeing the sports media fawn over Ben Affleck as though he is The Grand High Exalted Mystic Red Sox Fan. ... Red Sox Haven looks at Keith Foulke. ... Top of the Ninth is writing letters to a certain Skydome waitress. ... All the cool Red Sox fans are addicted to The Soxaholix. ... A new blog: Surviving Grady.
With Blood Dripping From Their Hands ... Upon further review, the editors at the New York Times think they may not have been as "rigorous" in checking out some of the administration's claims about Iraq's alleged WMD. "In some cases, information ... was insufficiently qualified or allowed to stand unchallenged. Looking back, we wish we had been more aggressive in re-examining the claims as new evidence emerged — or failed to emerge." ... The Times is sorry. ... Good comments from Left I on the News, Daily Kos and Slate (lots of helpful links at Slate). And don't miss the incomparable Get Your War On.
Kos: The idiot establishment media is playing along with Bush (as usual) and pretending that the 'handover' date has significance beyond the shuffling of a few legal documents. Fact is, nothing much will change. The decidedly non-liberal Wall Street Journal makes this clear as day."
I'm sure the Times et al. will continue to play along with this charade and then 'round about, oh, January 2006, they publish an Editors' Note stating that now they realize that they failed to apply basic journalistic practices to their reports on the "handover" claims of the Bush administration back in the summer of 2004. And the Times will once again say "sorry" and promise to do better next time.
Kos: The idiot establishment media is playing along with Bush (as usual) and pretending that the 'handover' date has significance beyond the shuffling of a few legal documents. Fact is, nothing much will change. The decidedly non-liberal Wall Street Journal makes this clear as day."
I'm sure the Times et al. will continue to play along with this charade and then 'round about, oh, January 2006, they publish an Editors' Note stating that now they realize that they failed to apply basic journalistic practices to their reports on the "handover" claims of the Bush administration back in the summer of 2004. And the Times will once again say "sorry" and promise to do better next time.
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