Doug Mirabelli sprained his left wrist in his last at-bat in Oakland. He came in for Varitek during the Wednesday blow-out and struck out swinging in the ninth inning.
Shawn Wooten was called up from Pawtucket (Kelly Shoppach tweaked his foot and is still a few days away from catching). Adam Stern moved to the 60-day DL.
May 20, 2005
Wells's Comments About Cleveland Hecklers
Following up on the comments to my post about David Wells complaining about Cleveland fans at Jacobs Field talking trash about his mother, I found the story that ran in the New York Times on October 12, 1998. The game in question was Game 5 of the 1998 ALCS. The series was tied 2-2.
From Jack Curry's article, which was headlined "Fine Pitching By Wells Is The Best Revenge":
And that is pretty much how I remember Wells's reaction. Another story in the Times, by beat writer Buster Olney, noted that Wells did not say anything to the fans as he warmed up before the game. So, outside of expressing his disgust and anger about it four or five hours later, there was no real reason for Wells to bring it up. Perhaps he made his comments in response to why he struggled in the first inning, I don't know. ... Nevertheless, players (especially pitchers in the bullpen and outfielders) hear a lot of comments from the stands -- and they don't usually make a habit of talking about those comments to the media after the game.
Sidenote: On October 4, 1997, exactly nine months after his mother's death, and one year before the game in question, Wells pitched Game 3 of the ALDS at Cleveland. The Yankees won 6-1. No one mentioned to the Times that Wells had been heckled (though I'm sure he was).
Second Sidenote: Wells saying he was "in awe" that kids could say such mean things is pretty hilarious, considering the stuff I have heard at Yankee Stadium during Red Sox games.
From Jack Curry's article, which was headlined "Fine Pitching By Wells Is The Best Revenge":
The Yankees gift-wrapped a 3-0 lead for Wells during a lucky top of the first today, and were privately expecting him to take the cushion, run with it and usher them back to New York in command of the American League Championship Series. Give us a smooth ride this afternoon, Boomer, and it will be a smooth flight tonight, the Yankees silently asked their burly pitcher.Indeed, Wells was not focused on Lofton. The Cleveland center fielder hit a home run. Then Omar Vizquel singled, Travis Fryman singled, Vizquel stole third, Fryman went to second on a wild pitch and Manny Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly. Fryman stole third and Jim Thome walked before the inning ended. ... Wells settled down after that. New York won the game 5-3 and beat Cleveland in Game 6 to win the pennant.
But there was nothing smooth about the bottom of the first for Wells. Later, he revealed the reason: Some Cleveland fans had screamed disparaging remarks about his mother, Euegnia Ann, as he warmed up in the center-field bullpen. Suddenly, Wells was thinking about his mother instead of Kenny Lofton, the Indians' leadoff hitter. The words seeped in and hurt. ...
Wells was unnerved as he thought about the woman who was known as Attitude Annie; the woman who died of heart disease on Jan. 4, 1997 at the age of 58, and the woman to whom he prays before each start.
"When you get a bunch of clowns out there that start talking about your mother and not knowing that my mom passed away, it really bothered me," Wells said. "What got me more was some kids out there started to do the same thing. I was in awe out there because I couldn't believe that could happen. ...
"I can deal with a lot of negative stuff out there, but when it involves my mom or any one of my family members, it really bothers me," Wells said. "So to those idiots out there, this one is for you."
And that is pretty much how I remember Wells's reaction. Another story in the Times, by beat writer Buster Olney, noted that Wells did not say anything to the fans as he warmed up before the game. So, outside of expressing his disgust and anger about it four or five hours later, there was no real reason for Wells to bring it up. Perhaps he made his comments in response to why he struggled in the first inning, I don't know. ... Nevertheless, players (especially pitchers in the bullpen and outfielders) hear a lot of comments from the stands -- and they don't usually make a habit of talking about those comments to the media after the game.
Sidenote: On October 4, 1997, exactly nine months after his mother's death, and one year before the game in question, Wells pitched Game 3 of the ALDS at Cleveland. The Yankees won 6-1. No one mentioned to the Times that Wells had been heckled (though I'm sure he was).
Second Sidenote: Wells saying he was "in awe" that kids could say such mean things is pretty hilarious, considering the stuff I have heard at Yankee Stadium during Red Sox games.
May 19, 2005
G40: Athletics 13, Red Sox 6
I don't like David Wells. Never have, never will. The media's image of him as some kind of metal-head, rebel biker is laughable. These are the same clowns who go on and on about how wild it is that Johnny Damon has long hair, or that Barry Zito meditates. Whenever I hear how Wells "marches to a different drummer" or "shoots from the hip," I remember his comments after a playoff start in Cleveland where he was very upset because while he was warming up, the Jacobs Field fans were -- cue whiny voice -- making fun of his mommy.
I didn't like Theo signing him for two years, even though it was largely an incentive-based contract. And so far this season, Wells has given me little reason to even consider changing my opinion.
Making his first start since April 25 yesterday afternoon in Oakland, Wells lasted 1.1 innings, allowing seven runs and nine hits on only 49 pitches. While several of the hits were grounders that just found their way through the infield, it was clear that Wells was fooling no one. The A's did not swing and miss on any of his 49 pitches.
Jeremi Gonzalez, who had been scheduled to start the game before Wells came off the disabled list, then allowed four of his first five batters to reach base, putting Boston in a 9-0 hole after two innings. Oakland was hitting .706 (12-for-17) after two trips through the order. (By the way, the A's swung and missed at only one of Gonzalez's 75 pitches.)
Wells will eat a lot of innings -- and anything else in his path, it seems -- but he's also been only league average in six of his last nine seasons. There is no reason to expect him to be anything other than a decent place holder at the back of the rotation, who will occasionally throw a good game. In six starts, he's has two non-shitty outings. His ERA is 6.75 and he has an opponents batting average of .346.
After the rout, the media wanted to know if Wells thought he should have made a rehab start? "I'm not going to answer any questions like that because obviously you guys think I should have. I know what I'm capable of doing. Because the game looked bad today, you guys are going to decide I needed one."
Seth Etherton held the Red Sox to four hits (including two solo homers) in seven innings. Boston rallied for four runs in the eighth, making the final score of 13-6 sound way closer than it really was. It was the first time Oakland had scored at least 10 runs in a game this season, making them the last team to do so.
Since his hitting streak ended at 18 games, Damon has gone 2-for-22. ... Cla Meredith was sent to Pawtucket to make room for Wells. ... Red Sox batters walked 11 times Tuesday. The team record is 15 against Washington July 7, 1949 and the White Sox May 7, 1992. ... Manny Ramirez is putting his 400th HR ball on eBay -- with the proceeds going to charity.
In Seattle, Jason Giambi took strike three with the bases loaded in the ninth inning as the Yankees lost 7-6, their first defeat in 11 games. Baltimore beat the Royals again, so Boston is still in second, though now 3.5 games behind. ... Day off today.
Probable Atlanta match-ups:
I didn't like Theo signing him for two years, even though it was largely an incentive-based contract. And so far this season, Wells has given me little reason to even consider changing my opinion.
Making his first start since April 25 yesterday afternoon in Oakland, Wells lasted 1.1 innings, allowing seven runs and nine hits on only 49 pitches. While several of the hits were grounders that just found their way through the infield, it was clear that Wells was fooling no one. The A's did not swing and miss on any of his 49 pitches.
Jeremi Gonzalez, who had been scheduled to start the game before Wells came off the disabled list, then allowed four of his first five batters to reach base, putting Boston in a 9-0 hole after two innings. Oakland was hitting .706 (12-for-17) after two trips through the order. (By the way, the A's swung and missed at only one of Gonzalez's 75 pitches.)
Wells will eat a lot of innings -- and anything else in his path, it seems -- but he's also been only league average in six of his last nine seasons. There is no reason to expect him to be anything other than a decent place holder at the back of the rotation, who will occasionally throw a good game. In six starts, he's has two non-shitty outings. His ERA is 6.75 and he has an opponents batting average of .346.
After the rout, the media wanted to know if Wells thought he should have made a rehab start? "I'm not going to answer any questions like that because obviously you guys think I should have. I know what I'm capable of doing. Because the game looked bad today, you guys are going to decide I needed one."
Seth Etherton held the Red Sox to four hits (including two solo homers) in seven innings. Boston rallied for four runs in the eighth, making the final score of 13-6 sound way closer than it really was. It was the first time Oakland had scored at least 10 runs in a game this season, making them the last team to do so.
Since his hitting streak ended at 18 games, Damon has gone 2-for-22. ... Cla Meredith was sent to Pawtucket to make room for Wells. ... Red Sox batters walked 11 times Tuesday. The team record is 15 against Washington July 7, 1949 and the White Sox May 7, 1992. ... Manny Ramirez is putting his 400th HR ball on eBay -- with the proceeds going to charity.
In Seattle, Jason Giambi took strike three with the bases loaded in the ninth inning as the Yankees lost 7-6, their first defeat in 11 games. Baltimore beat the Royals again, so Boston is still in second, though now 3.5 games behind. ... Day off today.
Probable Atlanta match-ups:
Friday: Wade Miller / Mike HamptonAfter that, it's back out on the road, first to Toronto, then to New York, where the Yankees are considering tweaking their rotation to throw Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano and Mike Mussina at the Sox. Bring it on.
Saturday: Tim Wakefield / Tim Hudson
Sunday: Matt Clement / John Smoltz
May 18, 2005
"You Smell Real Good"
Great stuff on NESN last night. After the bottom of the third was over, EI did not go to commercial and the audio from the NESN booth was still on.
Was this just a coincedence or inspired by last night's between-innings entertainment?
Remy: "Don't take this the wrong way, but you smell real good."Remy starts talking about how Orsillo's eyes are beautiful and how nice his shoes look. Don is kind of egging him on. Remy said something like, "I'm going to hit the street later, working on my game." ... Practicing his pick-up lines on Don?
Orsillo: "Who, me?"
Was this just a coincedence or inspired by last night's between-innings entertainment?
G39: Red Sox 7, Athletics 5
The Oakland A's were like Henny Youngman last night: "Take this game -- please." The Red Sox seemed skeptical for awhile, before finally accepting the gift. Which was the polite thing to do.
Boston scored seven runs on only four hits. They drew 11 walks, including a career-high seven from Barry Zito in five innings. The only inning in which they did not get a walk was the seventh. Oakland also committed three errors, two of them coming in the eighth inning:
On the plus side, Alan Embree retired the five batters he faced and Keith Foulke look great in the ninth. He threw all fastballs to strike out Byrnes and after getting ahead of Chavez with fastballs, got him swinging and missing at a 71 mph changeup to end the game.
If I'm going to stay up until 1:33 am, it's good to see a win. Jere has a suggestion: "Why can't these west coast teams play their games at 4:00 PM local time? Don't they know we need our rest? How's this for a compromise--when the Red Sox are gonna lose, start the game two hours earlier? Please?" ... There are only two more late-night west coast games this season: August 18 and 19 in Anaheim.
The Yankees won their 10th in a row as Carl Pavano threw 133 pitches in a complete game shutout. Apparently, Torre doesn't trust his bullpen with a 6-0 lead.
Wells / Etherton at 3:30.
Boston scored seven runs on only four hits. They drew 11 walks, including a career-high seven from Barry Zito in five innings. The only inning in which they did not get a walk was the seventh. Oakland also committed three errors, two of them coming in the eighth inning:
Cruz pitching; A's up 5-3.Matt Clement was alright, although he faltered in the fifth and sixth inning. Jay Payton threw a runner out at the plate to end the fifth and Clement left with two on in the sixth. Matt Mantei allowed both of those inherited runners to score.
Varitek hit by pitch.
Mueller walked.
Payton walked.
Rincon in to pitch.
Bellhorn struck out.
Damon safe on Hatteberg error at first, run scores.
Street in to pitch.
Renteria singled to right, Byrnes makes two-base error, three runs score.
Ortiz struck out.
Ramirez struck out.
On the plus side, Alan Embree retired the five batters he faced and Keith Foulke look great in the ninth. He threw all fastballs to strike out Byrnes and after getting ahead of Chavez with fastballs, got him swinging and missing at a 71 mph changeup to end the game.
If I'm going to stay up until 1:33 am, it's good to see a win. Jere has a suggestion: "Why can't these west coast teams play their games at 4:00 PM local time? Don't they know we need our rest? How's this for a compromise--when the Red Sox are gonna lose, start the game two hours earlier? Please?" ... There are only two more late-night west coast games this season: August 18 and 19 in Anaheim.
The Yankees won their 10th in a row as Carl Pavano threw 133 pitches in a complete game shutout. Apparently, Torre doesn't trust his bullpen with a 6-0 lead.
Wells / Etherton at 3:30.
May 17, 2005
Toast (Not Toast)
On May 7, I drafted a post: "Are The Yankees Toast?"
Since then, the Yankees have played nine games and won them all, outscoring their opponents 71-33. They are 20-19 and still five games behind the Orioles, but to reach 95 wins now, they need to play at a .610 pace (75-48). A bit easier, but still not assured -- the Yankees of 1999, 2000 and 2001 didn't play that well.
Back on May 7, SG at RLYB suggested waiting until Memorial Day:
New York is 11-19 (.367) -- a 59-win pace. To finish with 95 victories -- the absolute minimum number of wins to even begin thinking about a playoff spot, in my opinion -- the Yankees need to go 84-48 the rest of the season. That is a .636 pace -- and right now, only four teams (Baltimore, St. Louis, the White Sox and Los Angeles) are playing that well.And several Yankee fans agreed.
Can this Yankees team, as currently comprised, play .636 ball -- starting now? No.
Since then, the Yankees have played nine games and won them all, outscoring their opponents 71-33. They are 20-19 and still five games behind the Orioles, but to reach 95 wins now, they need to play at a .610 pace (75-48). A bit easier, but still not assured -- the Yankees of 1999, 2000 and 2001 didn't play that well.
Back on May 7, SG at RLYB suggested waiting until Memorial Day:
Joe Torre is beginning to show the flaws in his managerial style that were masked by tremendous roster depth and talent that were put in place by the front office from 1996-2004. ... His postgame interviews are indicative of a man who has no idea what to do. Torre is a fine manager when he doesn't have to think ...I closed my post by saying:
The front office put this team in place with a plan, but it was a lousy plan. They expected players who had career years to repeat them, and they expected the ravages of age and injury to stay away. They did not fill their biggest hole on defense with a marquee player who was just entering his prime. ... Can this team still make the playoffs? Sure. Will they? I am pretty sure they will not at this point. If they are not around .500 by the end of May, I think they need to face the reality of the situation.
I don't think we have to wait that long. The New York Yankees will not make the 2005 post-season.This winning streak will end -- and Tino Martinez will soon be playing like Lou Gehrig circa 1939 (and not 1927) -- so I'm not ready to retract that statement just yet.
G38: Athletics 6, Red Sox 4
LOB: 13.
The Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth inning and did not score (Bellhorn struck out, Damon struck out and Renteria flew out).
The Red Sox had the bases loaded with one out in the seventh and did not score (Varitek struck out and Youkilis grounded out).
The Red Sox had runners at first and second with one out in the eighth and did not score (Renteria struck out and Ortiz grounded to first).
The Red Sox ended the game with runners stranded at second and third.
Boston puts a lot of guys on base -- they lead all of MLB in Runs Created Per 27 Outs with 5.84 (and led everyone in 2004 by a huge margin) -- and because of that they will end up leaving a lot of guys on base, but knowing that doesn't make it any less frustrating. ... P.S. Oakland is 30th (dead last) in RC27 with 3.55.
Bronson Arroyo had one bad inning in seven. A single, double and hit batter loaded the bases and Mark Kotsay's triple to right brought all three runners in. Kotsay then scored on a ground out. Arroyo allowed four of his six hits in that frame. Mike Myers began the eighth by allowing two singles. Both of those runners eventually scored.
Edgar Renteria must be moved down in the order. It is unacceptable for a major league team's #2 hitter to have an on-base percentage of .296. And he's slugging .338. Slugging! He had one of the quietest ten-game hitting streaks recently (April 30 to May 14). (Right in the middle of it was the game he got hit on the hand trying to bunt; doesn't that count as a game played?) Renteria has been "better" in May (.280/.321/.300) -- though 13 of his 14 hits have been singles.
Bill Mueller (.378 OBP) isn't keen on batting high in the order and Trot Nixon (.450 OBP) was moved down because of his leg problems, but something has to be done. Mark Bellhorn isn't getting hits (.233), but his OBP is .333. How about Varitek at #2? Kevin Youkilis started at first base last night. I'd say put him at #2 -- with his small-sample size OBP of .515 -- but it's unlikely that he's taking over for Kevin Millar. Too bad.
Clement / Zito at 10:00.
The Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth inning and did not score (Bellhorn struck out, Damon struck out and Renteria flew out).
The Red Sox had the bases loaded with one out in the seventh and did not score (Varitek struck out and Youkilis grounded out).
The Red Sox had runners at first and second with one out in the eighth and did not score (Renteria struck out and Ortiz grounded to first).
The Red Sox ended the game with runners stranded at second and third.
Boston puts a lot of guys on base -- they lead all of MLB in Runs Created Per 27 Outs with 5.84 (and led everyone in 2004 by a huge margin) -- and because of that they will end up leaving a lot of guys on base, but knowing that doesn't make it any less frustrating. ... P.S. Oakland is 30th (dead last) in RC27 with 3.55.
Bronson Arroyo had one bad inning in seven. A single, double and hit batter loaded the bases and Mark Kotsay's triple to right brought all three runners in. Kotsay then scored on a ground out. Arroyo allowed four of his six hits in that frame. Mike Myers began the eighth by allowing two singles. Both of those runners eventually scored.
Edgar Renteria must be moved down in the order. It is unacceptable for a major league team's #2 hitter to have an on-base percentage of .296. And he's slugging .338. Slugging! He had one of the quietest ten-game hitting streaks recently (April 30 to May 14). (Right in the middle of it was the game he got hit on the hand trying to bunt; doesn't that count as a game played?) Renteria has been "better" in May (.280/.321/.300) -- though 13 of his 14 hits have been singles.
Bill Mueller (.378 OBP) isn't keen on batting high in the order and Trot Nixon (.450 OBP) was moved down because of his leg problems, but something has to be done. Mark Bellhorn isn't getting hits (.233), but his OBP is .333. How about Varitek at #2? Kevin Youkilis started at first base last night. I'd say put him at #2 -- with his small-sample size OBP of .515 -- but it's unlikely that he's taking over for Kevin Millar. Too bad.
Clement / Zito at 10:00.
May 16, 2005
G37: Mariners 5, Red Sox 4
What will Manny Ramirez do with the ball he hit for his 400th career home run? "I don't know, probably put it on eBay. I could see how much I could get. Probably $200."
Ramirez is the 13th player to reach 400 before his 33rd birthday. He hit it in his 5,695th at-bat. Only Mark McGwire (4,726), Babe Ruth (4,854), Killebrew (5,300) and Jim Thome (5,416) got there faster. ... But shouldn't plate appearances be the measure instead of at-bats?
Ramirez has a lifetime batting average of .314 with his 400 home runs and 1,304 RBI. The only five players with 400/1,300 and a higher average? Ted Williams (.344), Babe Ruth (.342), Lou Gehrig (.340), Stan Musial (.331) and Jimmie Foxx (.325). And Foxx is the only righthanded hitter on that short list.
I forgot to set my VCR yesterday, so I missed out of watching the game today, but it sounded several of the 11 hits Tim Wakefield allowed in seven innings were bloops and infield grounders. Five of the hits came in Seattle's four-run second inning. Following along on Gameday, it also looked like many of the Sox's fly outs were quite deep, including Ortiz in the 5th (right before Manny hit #400), Millar in the 7th and Ramirez in the 9th.
Stats about how a player has done against a certain team are usually pretty worthless -- especially a player with a long career -- but I did find it interesting that Wakefield has not beaten the Mariners since July 29, 1997. In that time, he has made five starts and had 10 relief appearances. The last time he got credit for a victory in Seattle was June 1, 1996.
Tony Massarotti on Trot Nixon: "[H]e has an undisclosed leg injury that is clearly affecting his ability to run. What is not known is the severity of the problem, though Nixon acknowledged yesterday he will need surgery after the season." Nixon says he hurt himself during the May 8 doubleheader but says that it is not related to last year's quadriceps problems.
Bronson Arroyo will drop his suspension appeal tomorrow, but because Boston has off-days on Thursday and Monday, they just skip his rotation spot. ... John Olerud went 3-for-4 as a DH on Saturday in an extended spring training game. ... David Wells is scheduled to throw on the side today and could be activated for a Wednesday start in place of Jeremi Gonzalez.
In Oakland:
Ramirez is the 13th player to reach 400 before his 33rd birthday. He hit it in his 5,695th at-bat. Only Mark McGwire (4,726), Babe Ruth (4,854), Killebrew (5,300) and Jim Thome (5,416) got there faster. ... But shouldn't plate appearances be the measure instead of at-bats?
Ramirez has a lifetime batting average of .314 with his 400 home runs and 1,304 RBI. The only five players with 400/1,300 and a higher average? Ted Williams (.344), Babe Ruth (.342), Lou Gehrig (.340), Stan Musial (.331) and Jimmie Foxx (.325). And Foxx is the only righthanded hitter on that short list.
I forgot to set my VCR yesterday, so I missed out of watching the game today, but it sounded several of the 11 hits Tim Wakefield allowed in seven innings were bloops and infield grounders. Five of the hits came in Seattle's four-run second inning. Following along on Gameday, it also looked like many of the Sox's fly outs were quite deep, including Ortiz in the 5th (right before Manny hit #400), Millar in the 7th and Ramirez in the 9th.
Stats about how a player has done against a certain team are usually pretty worthless -- especially a player with a long career -- but I did find it interesting that Wakefield has not beaten the Mariners since July 29, 1997. In that time, he has made five starts and had 10 relief appearances. The last time he got credit for a victory in Seattle was June 1, 1996.
Tony Massarotti on Trot Nixon: "[H]e has an undisclosed leg injury that is clearly affecting his ability to run. What is not known is the severity of the problem, though Nixon acknowledged yesterday he will need surgery after the season." Nixon says he hurt himself during the May 8 doubleheader but says that it is not related to last year's quadriceps problems.
Bronson Arroyo will drop his suspension appeal tomorrow, but because Boston has off-days on Thursday and Monday, they just skip his rotation spot. ... John Olerud went 3-for-4 as a DH on Saturday in an extended spring training game. ... David Wells is scheduled to throw on the side today and could be activated for a Wednesday start in place of Jeremi Gonzalez.
In Oakland:
Monday: Bronson Arroyo (2.91) / Kirk Saarloos (5.09), 10:00
Tuesday: Matt Clement (3.06) / Barry Zito (5.54), 10:00
Wednesday Jeremi Gonzalez (7.71) / Keiichi Yabu (2.55), 3:35
May 15, 2005
Refining The Batting Order
The Red Sox lead the AL in runs scored, but Terry Francona wants more balance in the batting order. Last night, he switched Ortiz to #3 and Ramirez to #4, moved Renteria up to #2 and Nixon down to #5, and dropped Millar to #6 and Varitek to #7. The lineup now goes L-R-L-R-L-R-S-S-S.
Francona: "I don't experiment. We don't make very many lineup changes. I've thought about it for a while. ... I don't know if I could give you one factor. ... If they decide to pitch around someone, somebody is going to get hurt."
Manny talks about his slump and his mother's poor health with Chris Snow. ... The Globe has a feature on Dale Sveum. ... Francona says Jeremi Gonzalez is still scheduled to pitch on Wednesday, but the team's media notes list "TBA." Wells may get the ball that day. ... John Olerud and Robert Petagine are both making progress towards finding a seat on the bench. ... More on Red Sox pitcher Wes Ferrell's two consecutive game-winning home runs in July 1935.
Pokey Reese was presented his World Series ring before Friday night's game. "I sat at home and looked at it all night long. I must have looked at it until 2 in the morning. ... I couldn't believe the way [the fans] took me in. They made it a great situation. That's such a great place to play baseball. I don't have any bad memories at all."
Pedro Martinez will open a three-game series this Friday night against the Yankees. And he's annoyed at the attention. "I thought I ran away from all the garbage you guys write about. I thought once I left the Red Sox, it was over with. A game is a game and that's it. Tom Glavine against the Yankees. [Bullpen catcher Dave] Racaniello against the Yankees. It's the same. They're not Red Sox games."
Francona: "I don't experiment. We don't make very many lineup changes. I've thought about it for a while. ... I don't know if I could give you one factor. ... If they decide to pitch around someone, somebody is going to get hurt."
Manny talks about his slump and his mother's poor health with Chris Snow. ... The Globe has a feature on Dale Sveum. ... Francona says Jeremi Gonzalez is still scheduled to pitch on Wednesday, but the team's media notes list "TBA." Wells may get the ball that day. ... John Olerud and Robert Petagine are both making progress towards finding a seat on the bench. ... More on Red Sox pitcher Wes Ferrell's two consecutive game-winning home runs in July 1935.
Pokey Reese was presented his World Series ring before Friday night's game. "I sat at home and looked at it all night long. I must have looked at it until 2 in the morning. ... I couldn't believe the way [the fans] took me in. They made it a great situation. That's such a great place to play baseball. I don't have any bad memories at all."
Pedro Martinez will open a three-game series this Friday night against the Yankees. And he's annoyed at the attention. "I thought I ran away from all the garbage you guys write about. I thought once I left the Red Sox, it was over with. A game is a game and that's it. Tom Glavine against the Yankees. [Bullpen catcher Dave] Racaniello against the Yankees. It's the same. They're not Red Sox games."
G36: Red Sox 6, Mariners 3
Wade Miller and Ryan Franklin threw a ton of pitches over the first five innings last night.
Miller came out for the sixth and had similar problems. He quickly retired Randy Winn and Adrian Beltre on ground balls, then surrendered back-to-back solo home runs to Richie Sexson and Raul Ibanez, giving Seattle a 3-2 lead. After Bret Boone singled, Miller was relieved and Mike Myers, Matt Mantei, Mike Timlin and Keith Foulke allowed only two stray singles the rest of the way.
Shigetoshi Hasegawa got out of the Boston sixth, but allowed a leadoff single to Bill Mueller in the top of seventh. Ron Villone took over and Mark Bellhorn doubled Mueller home. Johnny Damon (whose 18-game hitting streak came to an end) grounded out, but Edgar Renteria singled to right (Dale Sveum held Bellhorn at third!) and Ortiz was hit by a pitch.
With the bases loaded, JJ Putz came in to pitch. He got Manny Ramirez to chase a high fastball (97 mph) for strike three and the second out, but Nixon belted an 0-1 fastball to deep right center for a grand slam. Hargrove might have been better off leaving the lefty Villone in to face Ramirez and Nixon, although he had allowed a double, single and an HBP in the span of four batters.
Putz throws in the high 90s, but Trot likes fastballs. "[Putz] has a very live arm and I had a good hunch he was going to attack the zone with his fastball. The first pitch was a strike and I had a good feeling that he was going to come back with another fastball and he did."
Re Damon's hitting streak: He hit a hot shot that hit Beltre's glove at third in the fifth that was scored an error. I would have ruled it a hit, but the call could have gone either way. However, in the sixth, Boone was given credit for a single on a grounder to Renteria's right that was hit much slower than Damon's and was an easier chance. Renteria should have been given an error -- or Damon should have gotten a hit for his line drive. ... Just another reason why fielding percentage is meaningless.
The Yankees walloped Oakland 15-6, scoring all their runs in the first five innings. Baltimore beat the White Sox, so the Red Sox remain one game behind in the East. The third-place Blue Jays slipped to 4½ GB and the Yankees are 5½.
Wakefield / Meche at 4 pm
Seattle had only two hits off Miller and held a 1-0 lead. Mariners manager Mike Hargrove was nice enough to send Franklin out for the sixth. After David Ortiz popped up, Manny Ramirez hit his ninth home run of the season to tie the game. After Trot Nixon singled, Franklin was gone.Franklin 23 23 18 22 16 - 102
Miller 19 20 23 21 6 - 89
Miller came out for the sixth and had similar problems. He quickly retired Randy Winn and Adrian Beltre on ground balls, then surrendered back-to-back solo home runs to Richie Sexson and Raul Ibanez, giving Seattle a 3-2 lead. After Bret Boone singled, Miller was relieved and Mike Myers, Matt Mantei, Mike Timlin and Keith Foulke allowed only two stray singles the rest of the way.
Shigetoshi Hasegawa got out of the Boston sixth, but allowed a leadoff single to Bill Mueller in the top of seventh. Ron Villone took over and Mark Bellhorn doubled Mueller home. Johnny Damon (whose 18-game hitting streak came to an end) grounded out, but Edgar Renteria singled to right (Dale Sveum held Bellhorn at third!) and Ortiz was hit by a pitch.
With the bases loaded, JJ Putz came in to pitch. He got Manny Ramirez to chase a high fastball (97 mph) for strike three and the second out, but Nixon belted an 0-1 fastball to deep right center for a grand slam. Hargrove might have been better off leaving the lefty Villone in to face Ramirez and Nixon, although he had allowed a double, single and an HBP in the span of four batters.
Putz throws in the high 90s, but Trot likes fastballs. "[Putz] has a very live arm and I had a good hunch he was going to attack the zone with his fastball. The first pitch was a strike and I had a good feeling that he was going to come back with another fastball and he did."
Re Damon's hitting streak: He hit a hot shot that hit Beltre's glove at third in the fifth that was scored an error. I would have ruled it a hit, but the call could have gone either way. However, in the sixth, Boone was given credit for a single on a grounder to Renteria's right that was hit much slower than Damon's and was an easier chance. Renteria should have been given an error -- or Damon should have gotten a hit for his line drive. ... Just another reason why fielding percentage is meaningless.
The Yankees walloped Oakland 15-6, scoring all their runs in the first five innings. Baltimore beat the White Sox, so the Red Sox remain one game behind in the East. The third-place Blue Jays slipped to 4½ GB and the Yankees are 5½.
Wakefield / Meche at 4 pm
May 14, 2005
G35: Mariners 14, Red Sox 7
The Red Sox and Mariners traded runs for four innings last night and Seattle led 8-6. Then Boston stopped scoring, and the Mariners pounded John Halama and Cla Meredith. If you bothered to stay up until the end -- 1:27 am -- you got to see the Red Sox leave five runners on base in the last two innings, including ending the game with the bases loaded. Seattle won only its second game in May.
Jeremi Gonzalez finally showed us his Arrojo-ness (another former Tampa starter making his way through Boston) and Halama allowed four hits, two walks and five runs in the span of 12 batters.
Third base coach Dale Sveum reared his ugly head, causing Sox fans from coast to coast to drag out those voodoo dolls from last summer out of the closet. Back in 2004, Sveum learned Rocco Baldelli had a good throwing arm. This time, with the bases loaded and two outs in the third inning, Sveum send Jason Varitek from second on a sharp single to Ichiro Suzuki in right field. Varitek isn't Mirabelli, but he isn't Dave Roberts either. Tek was so dead, he never slid; Seattle catcher Wiki Gonzalez missed the tag and Varitek danced around trying to get to the plate before being tagged out.
Right after Sveum ran the Sox out of the inning, Gonzalez began the bottom of the third by allowing back-to-back home runs to Sexson and Ibanez. Boston retook the lead in the fourth on Trot Nixon's two-run homer, but Seattle chased Gonzalez and Beltre greeted Halama with a first-pitch, three-run bomb and the Mariners never looked back.
Johnny Damon singled twice, extending his hitting streak to 18 games. ... Wade Miller makes his second start tonight at 10pm.
Jeremi Gonzalez finally showed us his Arrojo-ness (another former Tampa starter making his way through Boston) and Halama allowed four hits, two walks and five runs in the span of 12 batters.
Third base coach Dale Sveum reared his ugly head, causing Sox fans from coast to coast to drag out those voodoo dolls from last summer out of the closet. Back in 2004, Sveum learned Rocco Baldelli had a good throwing arm. This time, with the bases loaded and two outs in the third inning, Sveum send Jason Varitek from second on a sharp single to Ichiro Suzuki in right field. Varitek isn't Mirabelli, but he isn't Dave Roberts either. Tek was so dead, he never slid; Seattle catcher Wiki Gonzalez missed the tag and Varitek danced around trying to get to the plate before being tagged out.
Right after Sveum ran the Sox out of the inning, Gonzalez began the bottom of the third by allowing back-to-back home runs to Sexson and Ibanez. Boston retook the lead in the fourth on Trot Nixon's two-run homer, but Seattle chased Gonzalez and Beltre greeted Halama with a first-pitch, three-run bomb and the Mariners never looked back.
Johnny Damon singled twice, extending his hitting streak to 18 games. ... Wade Miller makes his second start tonight at 10pm.
May 13, 2005
News and Numbers
John Tomase of the Eagle Tribune says that 2005 "could have the makings of a lost season for [Curt] Schilling." This week, Schilling told the media he has no idea when he'll be able to pitch.
David Wells expects to be back in the rotation very soon. He tossed 46 pitches on Wednesday and will throw a simulated game in Seattle this afternoon. Wells is tentatively penciled in for a May 18 start. ... Bronson Arroyo will probably serve his six-game suspension after his start in Oakland next Monday. Because Boston has off-days Thursday and the following Monday, skipping Arroyo for one start shouldn't be a problem.
In the pen, Mike Timlin (1.08) hasn't allowed a run in his last 11 relief appearances, Matt Mantei has held right-handed hitters to a .107 average (3-for-28) and has allowed two earned runs in his last 14 appearances and lefties are hitting only .083 (1-for-12) off Mike Myers.
More numbers: Boston leads the American League in runs (189) and on-base percentage (.361); they are second in slugging (.444) and third in batting average (.277). ... Damon leads the league at .383 and is hitting .468 over his 17-game hitting streak. ... Trot Nixon has walked 20 times in 29 games and his .420 OBP is only a hair behind Damon (.421). Jason Varitek is third on the team at .396. ... Mark Bellhorn has more strikeouts (38) than hits (21) and walks (15). ... The Red Sox are still perfect (8-for-8) in stolen bases: Damon 4, Edgar Renteria 2, Manny Ramirez 1 and Bellhorn 1.
Manny has eight home runs and leads the team with 29 RBI, but his low batting average is causing some writers to worry. He's batting only .241 this season (and .143 (4-for-28) in May), which you could chalk up to a small sample size, but he's also batting just .257 (94-for-366) since last year's All-Star break). He has been invisible (6-for-38, .158) against lefties this season. At BDD, Peter Gammons says Ramirez seems "as distracted as any time I can ever remember him. ... He just doesn't seem to be into the games at all."
Boston has won two games on walkoff home runs on consecutive days only one other time -- July 21 and 22, 1935 -- when pitcher/pinch hitter Wes Ferrell hit them both. This week's walkoff wins were only the sixth time a major league team has hit game-winning home runs in two straight games off the same pitcher. ... Since the A's took a 2-0 lead over Boston in the 2003 ALDS, they've gone 1-14 against the Sox. ... Orlando Cabrera got his World Series ring in Anaheim last Sunday.
Two Cubs Blogs: The Cubdom and Goat Riders of the Apocalypse.
In Seattle:
David Wells expects to be back in the rotation very soon. He tossed 46 pitches on Wednesday and will throw a simulated game in Seattle this afternoon. Wells is tentatively penciled in for a May 18 start. ... Bronson Arroyo will probably serve his six-game suspension after his start in Oakland next Monday. Because Boston has off-days Thursday and the following Monday, skipping Arroyo for one start shouldn't be a problem.
Since Schilling and Wells have been out, the Red Sox are 10-3 with a team ERA of 3.38 and an opponents' batting average of only .228. In those 13 games, the starters have averaged 6.1 innings and are 8-1, 3.07. Overall this season, the trio of Arroyo, Matt Clement and Tim Wakefield is 12-1, 3.05, with 18 quality outings in 22 starts. Five of the six losses recorded by Sox starters so far this season are by Schilling and Wells.0513 at Seattle Gonzalez Pineiro
0514 at Seattle Miller Franklin
0515 at Seattle Wakefield Meche
0516 at Oakland Arroyo Saarloos
0517 at Oakland Clement Zito?
0518 at Oakland Wells? Harden?
0519 Off
0520 Atlanta Miller
0521 Atlanta Wakefield
0522 Atlanta Clement
0523 Off
0524 at Toronto Wells
0525 at Toronto Miller
0526 at Toronto Wakefield
0527 at Yankees Arroyo
0528 at Yankees Clement
0529 at Yankees Wells
In the pen, Mike Timlin (1.08) hasn't allowed a run in his last 11 relief appearances, Matt Mantei has held right-handed hitters to a .107 average (3-for-28) and has allowed two earned runs in his last 14 appearances and lefties are hitting only .083 (1-for-12) off Mike Myers.
More numbers: Boston leads the American League in runs (189) and on-base percentage (.361); they are second in slugging (.444) and third in batting average (.277). ... Damon leads the league at .383 and is hitting .468 over his 17-game hitting streak. ... Trot Nixon has walked 20 times in 29 games and his .420 OBP is only a hair behind Damon (.421). Jason Varitek is third on the team at .396. ... Mark Bellhorn has more strikeouts (38) than hits (21) and walks (15). ... The Red Sox are still perfect (8-for-8) in stolen bases: Damon 4, Edgar Renteria 2, Manny Ramirez 1 and Bellhorn 1.
Manny has eight home runs and leads the team with 29 RBI, but his low batting average is causing some writers to worry. He's batting only .241 this season (and .143 (4-for-28) in May), which you could chalk up to a small sample size, but he's also batting just .257 (94-for-366) since last year's All-Star break). He has been invisible (6-for-38, .158) against lefties this season. At BDD, Peter Gammons says Ramirez seems "as distracted as any time I can ever remember him. ... He just doesn't seem to be into the games at all."
Boston has won two games on walkoff home runs on consecutive days only one other time -- July 21 and 22, 1935 -- when pitcher/pinch hitter Wes Ferrell hit them both. This week's walkoff wins were only the sixth time a major league team has hit game-winning home runs in two straight games off the same pitcher. ... Since the A's took a 2-0 lead over Boston in the 2003 ALDS, they've gone 1-14 against the Sox. ... Orlando Cabrera got his World Series ring in Anaheim last Sunday.
Two Cubs Blogs: The Cubdom and Goat Riders of the Apocalypse.
In Seattle:
Tonight: Jeremi Gonzalez (4.22 ERA) / Joel Pineiro (5.66), 10 pm
Saturday: Wade Miller (3.60) / Ryan Franklin (4.50), 10 pm
Sunday: Tim Wakefield (3.18) / Gil Meche (5.14), 4 pm
110-Year-Old Fan Holds Trophy
Kathryn Gemme, one of the oldest Red Sox fans on the planet, got a chance to hold the World Series trophy yesterday in a ceremony at the Nemasket Healthcare Center in Middleborough.
Gemme was born in Chicopee Falls in 1894 and was 23 years old when Boston won the 1918 World Series (Babe Ruth was 24 that season). The Globe reports that "Gemme was listening to her radio when the Red Sox captured the World Series in 1918," but that is not true.
The first radio broadcast of a baseball game was on August 5, 1921 (Pirates/Phillies on Pittsburgh's KDKA). ... Other baseball/radio firsts:
Gemme was born in Chicopee Falls in 1894 and was 23 years old when Boston won the 1918 World Series (Babe Ruth was 24 that season). The Globe reports that "Gemme was listening to her radio when the Red Sox captured the World Series in 1918," but that is not true.
The first radio broadcast of a baseball game was on August 5, 1921 (Pirates/Phillies on Pittsburgh's KDKA). ... Other baseball/radio firsts:
October 5, 1921 - First World Series game broadcast (KDKA again)
October 1922 - Entire World Series broadcast.
October 10, 1923 - First World Series game heard on a nationwide radio network (also first World Series game played in Yankee Stadium).
May 11, 2005
G34: Red Sox 6, Athletics 5
Octavio D'oh-tel! For the second consecutive game, the Oakland closer was asked to save a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning.
First, there was last night:
What made this victory (and the three-game series sweep) even sweeter was that it came after the A's had scored four times against Keith Foulke in the top of the 9th, the tying and go-ahead runs coming on a home run by the much-loathed Eric Byrnes.
It was a disheartening outing for Foulke, who looked sharp pitching to the first two batters. He struck out Durazo, walked Kielty, and got Hatteberg to hit into a force out. Then trouble began. Scutaro doubled to the gap in left-center for a double and Ginter singled to the same spot. Then Byrnes homered. Foulke walked Kotsay before getting Kendall to fly to right.
I have no idea what's going on with Foulke and barring any news in the papers tomorrow, I'm going to chalk it up to a bad outing and move on. In my mind, he struck Byrnes out -- and ended the game at 4-3 Sox -- on an inside 1-2 pitch that was called ball two.
Other offensive bright spots: Manny Ramirez hit a first-pitch home run in the third, the 398th tater of his career. NESN showed some old footage of his first major league home run, which came on September 3, 1993 at Yankee Stadium. Manny had made his debut only the night before (he went 0-for-4). There were a ton of people in the bleachers that night from Manny's Washington Heights neighborhood, yelling and waving signs and flags. I remember watching the game. Manny hit two home runs and a double in that game.
In addition to today's game-winning home run -- which was down the right field line -- Varitek also singled, doubled and walked. Ortiz singled, doubled and walked, Renteria and Mueller both singled twice and Damon doubled to extend his hitting streak to 17 games.
In what has become almost de rigeur, the Red Sox starter -- Matt Clement this time -- shone. Clement pitched seven innings and allowed five hits, one walk and one run. ... The Red Sox left the bases loaded twice today (fifth and eighth innings), which would have stung if not for the comeback.
Baltimore beat the Twins so the Red Sox stay 1½ games behind. Toronto (4 GB) and the Yankees (7 GB) also won. ... Boston's next game is Friday night at 10 pm in Seattle, which means we'll go almost 54 hours without some Red Sox baseball.
First, there was last night:
Oakland leads 2-1.And then this afternoon:
Ramirez (bsbf) struck out looking.
Ortiz (bfbbs) walked.
Millar (bfbf) homered to left.
Red Sox win 3-2.
Athletics led 5-4.Pwn3d!!!
Ortiz (bsbffb) walked.
Millar (bfbb) flied out to left.
Varitek (bf) homered to right.
Red Sox win 6-5.
What made this victory (and the three-game series sweep) even sweeter was that it came after the A's had scored four times against Keith Foulke in the top of the 9th, the tying and go-ahead runs coming on a home run by the much-loathed Eric Byrnes.
It was a disheartening outing for Foulke, who looked sharp pitching to the first two batters. He struck out Durazo, walked Kielty, and got Hatteberg to hit into a force out. Then trouble began. Scutaro doubled to the gap in left-center for a double and Ginter singled to the same spot. Then Byrnes homered. Foulke walked Kotsay before getting Kendall to fly to right.
I have no idea what's going on with Foulke and barring any news in the papers tomorrow, I'm going to chalk it up to a bad outing and move on. In my mind, he struck Byrnes out -- and ended the game at 4-3 Sox -- on an inside 1-2 pitch that was called ball two.
Other offensive bright spots: Manny Ramirez hit a first-pitch home run in the third, the 398th tater of his career. NESN showed some old footage of his first major league home run, which came on September 3, 1993 at Yankee Stadium. Manny had made his debut only the night before (he went 0-for-4). There were a ton of people in the bleachers that night from Manny's Washington Heights neighborhood, yelling and waving signs and flags. I remember watching the game. Manny hit two home runs and a double in that game.
In addition to today's game-winning home run -- which was down the right field line -- Varitek also singled, doubled and walked. Ortiz singled, doubled and walked, Renteria and Mueller both singled twice and Damon doubled to extend his hitting streak to 17 games.
In what has become almost de rigeur, the Red Sox starter -- Matt Clement this time -- shone. Clement pitched seven innings and allowed five hits, one walk and one run. ... The Red Sox left the bases loaded twice today (fifth and eighth innings), which would have stung if not for the comeback.
Baltimore beat the Twins so the Red Sox stay 1½ games behind. Toronto (4 GB) and the Yankees (7 GB) also won. ... Boston's next game is Friday night at 10 pm in Seattle, which means we'll go almost 54 hours without some Red Sox baseball.
G33: Red Sox 3, Athletics 2
Right after the game, Kevin Millar said all he has to keep doing is driving in more runs than he's letting in with his glove and he'll be alright. That's a dubious measure of success, but Millar did get the last laugh with a two-run, game-winning, home run last night off Octavio Dotel.
Millar's two errors probably didn't lead to any more Oakland runs that would have scored anyway, but he looked pretty bad anyway, making an ill-advised, off-balanced throw home that skipped away from Jason Varitek in the first inning, not bothering to have his foot on the bag on a fielder's choice in the seventh, and missing a tag on a runner, also in the seventh. The umpire, however, gave the Sox a a gift on that last play, and called the runner out.
Arroyo was the shit once again -- 6.2 innings, three hits, one earned run. ... Johnny Damon singled twice and tripled, extending his hitting streak to 16 games.
In the ninth, Boston trailed 2-1. Manny Ramirez struck out looking, but David Ortiz walked. Millar was seeing only fastballs from Dotel (not so smart!) and he hammered the fifth one on a line over the Wall.
Millar's two errors probably didn't lead to any more Oakland runs that would have scored anyway, but he looked pretty bad anyway, making an ill-advised, off-balanced throw home that skipped away from Jason Varitek in the first inning, not bothering to have his foot on the bag on a fielder's choice in the seventh, and missing a tag on a runner, also in the seventh. The umpire, however, gave the Sox a a gift on that last play, and called the runner out.
Arroyo was the shit once again -- 6.2 innings, three hits, one earned run. ... Johnny Damon singled twice and tripled, extending his hitting streak to 16 games.
In the ninth, Boston trailed 2-1. Manny Ramirez struck out looking, but David Ortiz walked. Millar was seeing only fastballs from Dotel (not so smart!) and he hammered the fifth one on a line over the Wall.
May 10, 2005
G32: Red Sox 13, Athletics 5
Boston scored its first four runs last night without getting an RBI. It got me wondering what the most runs a team scored without a player getting an RBI. Anyone?
The Red Sox scored five times in the fourth and seven more in the seventh (Millar hit a home run!). ... Manny Ramirez was hit in the back of the helmet in the first inning, but he's in tonight's lineup.
The Red Sox scored five times in the fourth and seven more in the seventh (Millar hit a home run!). ... Manny Ramirez was hit in the back of the helmet in the first inning, but he's in tonight's lineup.
May 9, 2005
Manny Ramirez, August 1991
From the New York Times of August 18, 1991, when Manny was playing for Cleveland's minor league team in Burlington, North Carolina.
May 8, 2005
G31: Mariners 6, Red Sox 4
Good news: In his first major league game since last June 25, Wade Miller (five innings, three hits, one walk, two runs, 92 pitches) pitched very well.
At SoSH, Rough Carrigan: "Miller just K'd Adrian Beltre [to end the first inning] with a 92 mph fastball on the black after freezing him with the nice big and still hard breaking 77 mph curve. ... Wow. Miller strikes out Ibanez [second out in the second inning] with a 77 mph hook for strike 2 and then a 2 seam 88 mph fastball running away from the lefty for strike 3."
The game wasn't on EI, but all the NESN-watchers were flipping out at Miller's curve. OilCanShotTupac: "The descriptions of these Miller curveballs are almost pornographic. Wish I could see them." ... We should get the chance to see Miller open the series in Seattle on Friday night.
David Ortiz hit two doubles and one home run, and collected three RBI; his one out was a very deep fly ball to right. Mark Bellhorn and Johnny Damon each had two hits.
Bad News: Terry Francona's brain short-circuited in the seventh inning. With the game tied 2-2, John Halama had a runner at second base, two outs and Randy Winn coming up. Francona decided to pull Halama -- who had last pitched in his start on Tuesday and presumably could have been thrown more than 25 pitches -- and bring in Cla Meredith for his major league debut (first name pronounced "Clay").
Meredith walked Winn. He also walked Adrian Beltre, loading the bases. I fully expected Francona to pull Meredith at this point. He did not. Richie Sexson belted a grand slam (though it was wind-blown down the right field line by the pole). Seattle led 6-2. Francona then left Meredith out on the hill to give up a double to Raul Ibanez before retiring Bret Boone on a fly to center. Boston rallied in the bottom half of the inning, scoring twice, but it wasn't good enough.
I suppose a person could rationalize bringing Meredith in to face Winn. There were two outs -- all he needed to do was get one more. I don't agree with the move and would argue there were at least four or five better choices in the bullpen, but it's somewhat defensible. After the two walks (eight balls in 11 pitches), however, there was no excuse for leaving him in. It isn't March anymore. These games count.
So did Francona not want Winn to face the lefty Halama (or Embree, who was also warming up)? I guess not, though Winn's stats so far this year would indicate keeping a lefty in was the better move. And Embree ended up facing Winn anyway, an inning later, in the exact same situation -- man on second, two outs (though the score was no longer tied). Embree got Winn to fly to shallow right, then set down Beltre, Sexson and Ibanez in the ninth, putting an exclamation point on Francona's error.
In Review: Tito used Myers, Mantei, Timlin and Foulke to preserve a three-run lead in Game 1, but in a tie game with the go-ahead runner at second in Game 2, he decided to use a 21-year-old rookie, on the roster in Blaine Neal's spot (he was DFA'd), in his first big league appearance. ... SoSHer 5belongstogeorge says 7:14 pm was "the instant Tito's World Championship Exemption For Stupid @#%$ ran out."
Seattle heads to New York and the A's, who just played a series with the Yankees, come to Fenway.
At SoSH, Rough Carrigan: "Miller just K'd Adrian Beltre [to end the first inning] with a 92 mph fastball on the black after freezing him with the nice big and still hard breaking 77 mph curve. ... Wow. Miller strikes out Ibanez [second out in the second inning] with a 77 mph hook for strike 2 and then a 2 seam 88 mph fastball running away from the lefty for strike 3."
The game wasn't on EI, but all the NESN-watchers were flipping out at Miller's curve. OilCanShotTupac: "The descriptions of these Miller curveballs are almost pornographic. Wish I could see them." ... We should get the chance to see Miller open the series in Seattle on Friday night.
David Ortiz hit two doubles and one home run, and collected three RBI; his one out was a very deep fly ball to right. Mark Bellhorn and Johnny Damon each had two hits.
Bad News: Terry Francona's brain short-circuited in the seventh inning. With the game tied 2-2, John Halama had a runner at second base, two outs and Randy Winn coming up. Francona decided to pull Halama -- who had last pitched in his start on Tuesday and presumably could have been thrown more than 25 pitches -- and bring in Cla Meredith for his major league debut (first name pronounced "Clay").
Meredith walked Winn. He also walked Adrian Beltre, loading the bases. I fully expected Francona to pull Meredith at this point. He did not. Richie Sexson belted a grand slam (though it was wind-blown down the right field line by the pole). Seattle led 6-2. Francona then left Meredith out on the hill to give up a double to Raul Ibanez before retiring Bret Boone on a fly to center. Boston rallied in the bottom half of the inning, scoring twice, but it wasn't good enough.
I suppose a person could rationalize bringing Meredith in to face Winn. There were two outs -- all he needed to do was get one more. I don't agree with the move and would argue there were at least four or five better choices in the bullpen, but it's somewhat defensible. After the two walks (eight balls in 11 pitches), however, there was no excuse for leaving him in. It isn't March anymore. These games count.
So did Francona not want Winn to face the lefty Halama (or Embree, who was also warming up)? I guess not, though Winn's stats so far this year would indicate keeping a lefty in was the better move. And Embree ended up facing Winn anyway, an inning later, in the exact same situation -- man on second, two outs (though the score was no longer tied). Embree got Winn to fly to shallow right, then set down Beltre, Sexson and Ibanez in the ninth, putting an exclamation point on Francona's error.
In Review: Tito used Myers, Mantei, Timlin and Foulke to preserve a three-run lead in Game 1, but in a tie game with the go-ahead runner at second in Game 2, he decided to use a 21-year-old rookie, on the roster in Blaine Neal's spot (he was DFA'd), in his first big league appearance. ... SoSHer 5belongstogeorge says 7:14 pm was "the instant Tito's World Championship Exemption For Stupid @#%$ ran out."
Seattle heads to New York and the A's, who just played a series with the Yankees, come to Fenway.
G30: Red Sox 6, Mariners 3
Ho-hum -- another win. Kevin Millar's three-run double off the Wall in the first inning gave Jeremi Gonzalez some early support this afternoon. He pitched into the sixth inning and got credit for his first Red Sox victory. It was Boston's fifth straight win and seventh in eight games.
Terry Francona used five pitchers, which might seem odd considering that the outcome was never in doubt and Wade Miller is pitching the second game tonight. However, Friday's night contest was rained out none of the four relievers threw that many pitches (Foulke 14, Timlin 12 and Myers and Mantei 7 each).
There was a strong wind blowing in from left field, which likely kept Millar's double out of the Monster seats. It also knocked down two rockets from Doug Mirabelli.
Saturday in New York, Mike Mussina threw a complete game shutout against Oakland and Yankee radio guy John Sterling and Daily News writer Sam Borden agreed this afternoon that Mussina was now "back on track." It was hilarious. A few key hits, two nice starts, a diving catch or two, and suddenly weeks, months and years of decline are wiped away.
Regarding Mussina, I'm skeptical. First, Torre let Mussina throw 131 pitches. New York had a 5-0 lead after eight innings. Mussina was at 109 pitches at the time (and threw 115 in his last start). Oakland has the third worst AL team batting average, the worst slugging percentage and the worst OPS. Did Torre really have no confidence in anyone in his pen to hold a five-run lead against the noodle-bat A's for one inning?
You could say Torre wanted to give Mussina the shot to finish it out, but knowing how hard Torre works the few pitchers he trusts, that might not be the smartest thing to do on May 7 to a 36-year-old guy with diminishing velocity. ... The Yankees won again this afternoon, 6-0. Torre didn't let Kevin Brown get the CG.
Wade Miller / Ryan Franklin in Game 2 at 5:00. Manny Ramirez, who was hit in the left thigh with a pitch in the first inning of Game 1 and was replaced by Jay Payton in the fourth, was not in the initial lineup.
Terry Francona used five pitchers, which might seem odd considering that the outcome was never in doubt and Wade Miller is pitching the second game tonight. However, Friday's night contest was rained out none of the four relievers threw that many pitches (Foulke 14, Timlin 12 and Myers and Mantei 7 each).
There was a strong wind blowing in from left field, which likely kept Millar's double out of the Monster seats. It also knocked down two rockets from Doug Mirabelli.
Saturday in New York, Mike Mussina threw a complete game shutout against Oakland and Yankee radio guy John Sterling and Daily News writer Sam Borden agreed this afternoon that Mussina was now "back on track." It was hilarious. A few key hits, two nice starts, a diving catch or two, and suddenly weeks, months and years of decline are wiped away.
Regarding Mussina, I'm skeptical. First, Torre let Mussina throw 131 pitches. New York had a 5-0 lead after eight innings. Mussina was at 109 pitches at the time (and threw 115 in his last start). Oakland has the third worst AL team batting average, the worst slugging percentage and the worst OPS. Did Torre really have no confidence in anyone in his pen to hold a five-run lead against the noodle-bat A's for one inning?
You could say Torre wanted to give Mussina the shot to finish it out, but knowing how hard Torre works the few pitchers he trusts, that might not be the smartest thing to do on May 7 to a 36-year-old guy with diminishing velocity. ... The Yankees won again this afternoon, 6-0. Torre didn't let Kevin Brown get the CG.
Wade Miller / Ryan Franklin in Game 2 at 5:00. Manny Ramirez, who was hit in the left thigh with a pitch in the first inning of Game 1 and was replaced by Jay Payton in the fourth, was not in the initial lineup.
May 7, 2005
G29: Red Sox 7, Mariners 2
David Ortiz is glad to be home: "Fenway, I miss you." Tiz doubled off the Wall in his first at-bat and homered down the right field line in his second at-bat. Boston battered Jamie Moyer early and often, scoring three times in the second and third innings, and beat Seattle 7-2.
Matt Clement pitched seven magnificent innings, allowing only five hits and no earned runs. Unlike his last start in Texas, Clement's control was sharp last night. He went to a three-ball count only three times (Raul Ibanez in the first and third and Miguel Olivo in the 7th). His only walk was to Olivo, the 26th batter he faced.
Clement: "During that Texas start, I finally just said, 'The heck with this,' and threw the ball like I'm used to throwing. I think I was more worried about mechanics and what I was doing, it was causing me to get behind in counts. In the middle of that Texas start, I kind of found a couple of keys to go with and I felt like I threw the ball a lot more free and easy at the end of that start and again today."
Both Johnny Damon and Edgar Renteria got the night off -- and Manny Ramirez went 0-for-4 with a walk -- but the offense rolled on without them. Moyer retired the Red Sox on only seven pitches in the first inning, but Boston made him work after that. He threw 36 pitches in the second (as the Sox batted around) and 29 more before being relieved with two outs in the third.
Bill Mueller drove in four runs -- indeed, Jay Payton, Mueller and Ramon Vazquez (the 7-8-9 hitters) drove in six of Boston's seven runs. Ortiz got the other RBI on his solo home run.
Last night in the Bronx, the Yankees lost to Oakland 6-3. In the 10th, the A's batted around against Mariano Rivera, scoring three runs without hitting the ball out of the infield. Three Yankee errors (including two on one play by Tino Martinez) in that inning helped send New York to its fourth straight loss. The Yankees (11-19) are off to their worst start since 1966. ... And George Steinbrenner is pissed at Mel Stottlemyre: "Our pitchers are not improving. That's what a pitching coach is supposed to do - make your pitchers improve ... We're just not getting the pitching. I don't know whether we have to think of some changes there or what." ... Once today's Kentucky Derby is over, Steinbrenner can turn his full attention to his baseball team.
Jeremi Gonzalez / Joel Pineiro at 7:00. The threat of rain tonight is so strong that the Red Sox have a tenative plan for a doubleheader tomorrow if tonight's game is washed out. The games would be at noon and 5:00.
Matt Clement pitched seven magnificent innings, allowing only five hits and no earned runs. Unlike his last start in Texas, Clement's control was sharp last night. He went to a three-ball count only three times (Raul Ibanez in the first and third and Miguel Olivo in the 7th). His only walk was to Olivo, the 26th batter he faced.
Clement: "During that Texas start, I finally just said, 'The heck with this,' and threw the ball like I'm used to throwing. I think I was more worried about mechanics and what I was doing, it was causing me to get behind in counts. In the middle of that Texas start, I kind of found a couple of keys to go with and I felt like I threw the ball a lot more free and easy at the end of that start and again today."
Both Johnny Damon and Edgar Renteria got the night off -- and Manny Ramirez went 0-for-4 with a walk -- but the offense rolled on without them. Moyer retired the Red Sox on only seven pitches in the first inning, but Boston made him work after that. He threw 36 pitches in the second (as the Sox batted around) and 29 more before being relieved with two outs in the third.
Bill Mueller drove in four runs -- indeed, Jay Payton, Mueller and Ramon Vazquez (the 7-8-9 hitters) drove in six of Boston's seven runs. Ortiz got the other RBI on his solo home run.
Last night in the Bronx, the Yankees lost to Oakland 6-3. In the 10th, the A's batted around against Mariano Rivera, scoring three runs without hitting the ball out of the infield. Three Yankee errors (including two on one play by Tino Martinez) in that inning helped send New York to its fourth straight loss. The Yankees (11-19) are off to their worst start since 1966. ... And George Steinbrenner is pissed at Mel Stottlemyre: "Our pitchers are not improving. That's what a pitching coach is supposed to do - make your pitchers improve ... We're just not getting the pitching. I don't know whether we have to think of some changes there or what." ... Once today's Kentucky Derby is over, Steinbrenner can turn his full attention to his baseball team.
Jeremi Gonzalez / Joel Pineiro at 7:00. The threat of rain tonight is so strong that the Red Sox have a tenative plan for a doubleheader tomorrow if tonight's game is washed out. The games would be at noon and 5:00.
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