The Commissar-for-Life is presenting the trophy to John Henry, Tom Werner, Lucchino, Theo Epstein and Terry Francona. Mr. Henry is his usual, gracious self. He has made all of this happen. Camera Lights Larry is horning in on the owners. That guy stinks.
Mikey Lowell gets the MVP! That's outstanding! He gets cars, he gets a trophy, and he's going to get one heck of a contract somewhere. I just hope it's in Boston. What a year for Lowell.
It took the Fox jerks about 37 seconds to spoil the celebration and ask about his contract. They stink.
Tito's on tv. They have to make him one of the highest paid managers, and extend him for a long time. It is amazing how he handled that clubhouse this year. Not a word all summer. Remarkable.
Jon Lester, indeed, caps his miracle season with a win in the World Series clinching victory. Absolutely awesome for that young man, who is such a big part of the Sox' future. A year ago, we didn't even know if he had a future. Couldn't be any happier for him.
The Boston Red Sox have their seventh World Series title. The first great era was from 1903 to 1918 when they won the Series five times. The second is right now. The 2004 title and tonight's make the Sox the best team and organization in the game today. Two sweeps just make it that much sweeter.
Clint Hurdle is being interviewed, and he is quite a guy. No excuses, respect for the winners, joy in this year's accomplishment and determination to finish the job. Good man. They should be very proud to have him in charge of their team.
If Curt Schilling is done in Boston, he has ensured his place in Red Sox Nation forever. Curt's arrival before the 2004 season announced that John Henry was serious about bringing a title to Boston. Curt did for the Sox what Terry Pendleton's arrival did for the Atlanta Braves in 1991. He made them winners, by his credibility, by his reputation and accomplishment, and by his work ethic. Curt has a big mouth and likes the media attention more than anyone else in the game, but he has earned that position. Thanks, Curt, for everything. You had a tremendous hand in making all of this happen.
David Ortiz. This is Big Papi's team. He is the guy who keeps it loose, makes it fun, deals with problems, reins Manny in, and so many other things, before you ever get to the field. And what he does on the field! He is a ferocious presence in the batter's box. and no team can face the Sox without recognizing his importance to and ability in our lineup. He is rapidly building a Hall of Fame career. And the Minnesota Twins couldn't find a place for him. God bless you, Twins. Papi makes us a great team.
The future is incredibly bright. When the Series ended, there was a rookie in left field, a rookie at second base, a second year player on the pitcher's mound, a second full season player at first, the win went to a second year player, Beckett is 27, Dice K is 27, Clay Buchholz is 23, and Breslow and Hansen and all the others are on the way. Combine that with the demonstrated willingness to spend well and wisely, and this team will be in contention for the next decade. What a time to be a Sox fan! My wife's dad lived his entire 85 years in between Red Sox World Series wins; we've been blessed to see two in three year's time. There should be more to come.
Usually when the season ends my thoughts turn to Bart Giamatti's Green Fields of the Mind, but this will all be extended a bit for the celebrations to come in Boston. I'll get around to reflecting on the late Commissioner's beautiful essay after the Duck Boats are parked.
It's been a great season, with record attendance for Major League Baseball and many individual clubs. And it should just get better next year as, hopefully, some resolution is achieved on the issue of steroids and other supplements. With the labor peace that's been achieved with the last two CBA's, the enhancement issue is the only dark cloud hovering over the game at this moment.
More on that stuff later, but tonight, we celebrate! The Sox have won again!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
WS Game 4 Bottom 9
Jonathan Papelbon is out to win the World Series. He allowed us to get to this point by deciding during Spring Training to forget about starting and being the closer. It was all for this moment...
Pap will start with Yorvit Torrealba. There's a whole lot of hard chewing going on in both dugouts. Pap goes with a 95 mph heater for called strike one. Torrealba couldn't stop his swing; strike two. He grounds to Pedroia, Dustin's up and throws to Youk for the first out. Two to go.
Jamey Carroll's up. The same 95 mph fastball for a called strike to him. Foul to the right, strike two. Carroll drives Jacoby Ellsbury to the fence, but he hauls it in for the second out. Manny doesn't get that ball. Tito did it again. One more!
Seth Smith hits for Corpas. Foul for strike one. Low for ball one, 1-1. Pap bounces one up for ball two. Pulled foul along first for strike two, 2-2. Last strike time! Pap throws it by him for the Championship!
The Boston Red Sox are the first team to win two championships in the new millenium! Terry Francona has yet to lose a World Series game!
Pap will start with Yorvit Torrealba. There's a whole lot of hard chewing going on in both dugouts. Pap goes with a 95 mph heater for called strike one. Torrealba couldn't stop his swing; strike two. He grounds to Pedroia, Dustin's up and throws to Youk for the first out. Two to go.
Jamey Carroll's up. The same 95 mph fastball for a called strike to him. Foul to the right, strike two. Carroll drives Jacoby Ellsbury to the fence, but he hauls it in for the second out. Manny doesn't get that ball. Tito did it again. One more!
Seth Smith hits for Corpas. Foul for strike one. Low for ball one, 1-1. Pap bounces one up for ball two. Pulled foul along first for strike two, 2-2. Last strike time! Pap throws it by him for the Championship!
The Boston Red Sox are the first team to win two championships in the new millenium! Terry Francona has yet to lose a World Series game!
WS Game 4 Top 9
Manny Corpas continues.
Strike one, called, to Lowell. If the Yankees are serious about being done with Rodriguez upon the opt-out, the Sox could have a much harder time retaining Lowell's services. Mike skies the second pitch to Holliday toward the line in left. One down.
Drew's up. Ball one. Ball two, low. Drew's last shot to extend a nine game postseason hitting streak. He won't get it, as he grounds to Carroll at second. Two down.
Tek will give Corpas a look. Strike one, called, low and away. Tek swings for strike two. Ball one, away; 1-2. Tek hits a slow roller, by Corpas, but fielded by Carroll and on to first for the third out.
Corpas was outstanding; Pap will have to be the same with only a one run lead.
4-3 Sox, to the bottom of the ninth!
Strike one, called, to Lowell. If the Yankees are serious about being done with Rodriguez upon the opt-out, the Sox could have a much harder time retaining Lowell's services. Mike skies the second pitch to Holliday toward the line in left. One down.
Drew's up. Ball one. Ball two, low. Drew's last shot to extend a nine game postseason hitting streak. He won't get it, as he grounds to Carroll at second. Two down.
Tek will give Corpas a look. Strike one, called, low and away. Tek swings for strike two. Ball one, away; 1-2. Tek hits a slow roller, by Corpas, but fielded by Carroll and on to first for the third out.
Corpas was outstanding; Pap will have to be the same with only a one run lead.
4-3 Sox, to the bottom of the ninth!
WS Game 4 Bottom 8
Okajima comes on with other changes I'll get to momentarily.
Foul to Holliday. Ball, 1-1. Called strike two. Foul to the right side. Matt grounds to Pedroia. One down!
Now Helton. Called strike one. Called strike two. And a foul back to the left. Ball, 1-2. Helton singles past Lowell into left. One on, one out.
Called strike to Atkins. Alex Rodriguez has opted out of his contract. Scott Boras is Satan. Film at 11. Ball one. Ball two. Ball three. Oki is on fumes at this point. Pap is warming. Atkins makes it a one run game with a homer to left. 4-3 Sox. Papelbon will be appearing momentarily. Here's Tito, and the call to the pen. The Man is in. And he'll have to be perfect tonight. No room for error.
Spilborghs will face Pap first. Foul along third, 0-1. A Meriwether ball, better known to everyone else as a strike down the middle, 1-1. A strike called at 96 mph. A foul back, still 1-2. Foul again. Ball two, according to the ump; 2-2. Spilborghs grounds the 7th pitch of the at bat to Lugo, on to Youk for the second out.
Hawpe's turn. Strike one called, 95 mph. Another 95er gets a weak swing for strike 2. Low and away for ball one. A foul keeps it at 1-2. He whacks one to deep center, and Coco tracks it down for the third out. Done, finally.
To the ninth, 4-3 Sox. Three outs to go, and Pap's in to get them.
Foul to Holliday. Ball, 1-1. Called strike two. Foul to the right side. Matt grounds to Pedroia. One down!
Now Helton. Called strike one. Called strike two. And a foul back to the left. Ball, 1-2. Helton singles past Lowell into left. One on, one out.
Called strike to Atkins. Alex Rodriguez has opted out of his contract. Scott Boras is Satan. Film at 11. Ball one. Ball two. Ball three. Oki is on fumes at this point. Pap is warming. Atkins makes it a one run game with a homer to left. 4-3 Sox. Papelbon will be appearing momentarily. Here's Tito, and the call to the pen. The Man is in. And he'll have to be perfect tonight. No room for error.
Spilborghs will face Pap first. Foul along third, 0-1. A Meriwether ball, better known to everyone else as a strike down the middle, 1-1. A strike called at 96 mph. A foul back, still 1-2. Foul again. Ball two, according to the ump; 2-2. Spilborghs grounds the 7th pitch of the at bat to Lugo, on to Youk for the second out.
Hawpe's turn. Strike one called, 95 mph. Another 95er gets a weak swing for strike 2. Low and away for ball one. A foul keeps it at 1-2. He whacks one to deep center, and Coco tracks it down for the third out. Done, finally.
To the ninth, 4-3 Sox. Three outs to go, and Pap's in to get them.
WS Game 4 Top 8
Brian Fuentes relieves Affeldt.
Bobby Kielty pinch hits for Timlin. And HOMERS ON THE FIRST PITCH! We got that run right back! 4-1 Sox. We didn't have a pinch HR all season, and what a place for the first one!
Ellsbury takes ball one. And a called strike. Ball two. At 2-1 Jacoby has an infield single between Atkins and Tulo.
Dustin's up with one in and one on. Fuentes threw to first and Dustin slid his hand up the bat, indicating bunt. Another throw over, and no indication this time. Dustin bunts foul, back into the seats. Pitchout for ball one, Jacoby's not running. A full swing this time, same result; foul back into the seats; 1-2. Another foul. Ball two, way inside. Ball three, same spot. Full count. Dustin grounds into a 6-4-3 DP.
Papi takes ball one. Youk will come in for him in the bottom of the inning. Ball two. Ball three. At 3-0 the courtesy strike is called. Papi walks at 3-1. Coco comes on to run for him. Corpas will come in to pitch to Manny. Strike one, swinging. Strike two, called. Ball one. He goes down swinging to end the inning.
Good one, though, courtesy of Bobby Kielty. 4-1 Sox to the bottom of the 8th.
Bobby Kielty pinch hits for Timlin. And HOMERS ON THE FIRST PITCH! We got that run right back! 4-1 Sox. We didn't have a pinch HR all season, and what a place for the first one!
Ellsbury takes ball one. And a called strike. Ball two. At 2-1 Jacoby has an infield single between Atkins and Tulo.
Dustin's up with one in and one on. Fuentes threw to first and Dustin slid his hand up the bat, indicating bunt. Another throw over, and no indication this time. Dustin bunts foul, back into the seats. Pitchout for ball one, Jacoby's not running. A full swing this time, same result; foul back into the seats; 1-2. Another foul. Ball two, way inside. Ball three, same spot. Full count. Dustin grounds into a 6-4-3 DP.
Papi takes ball one. Youk will come in for him in the bottom of the inning. Ball two. Ball three. At 3-0 the courtesy strike is called. Papi walks at 3-1. Coco comes on to run for him. Corpas will come in to pitch to Manny. Strike one, swinging. Strike two, called. Ball one. He goes down swinging to end the inning.
Good one, though, courtesy of Bobby Kielty. 4-1 Sox to the bottom of the 8th.
WS Game 4 Bottom 7
Delcarmen remains in the game.
Hawpe takes a ball, up and in. And another, 2-0. A strike on a terrible pitch. Meriwether strikes again. Hawpe fouls one to the left side, 2-2. A ball to fill the count. It's 3-1 as Hawpe smacks one to the right field seats. If the Rockies were going to score, that's exactly the way we wanted it to happen. A solo home run isn't a rally.
Torrealba takes a ball. And another. The infield comes to the mound to either threaten Delcarmen's life or give Okajima a second to warm up. Strike one, called; 2-1. He drives one to JD Drew at the foul line. One down.
Corey Sullivan pinch hits for Affeldt. He takes a called first strike. And ball one. High for ball two. He hits a solid single between Pedroia and the bag. Man on first, one out. Tito's headed out of the dugout. He will bring Mike Timlin into the game. Good call. Oki had to throw a lot of pitches last night. Tim can handle the situation.
Matsui's up. This will be an interesting confrontation. Ball one. And a called strike. Tim makes him look bad swinging at strike two. Tim got him! A weak swing at an inside pitch. Two down.
Now Tulo. Called strike one on the outside corner. Ball one. Ball two on a better pitch than strike one was. A legit ball three. Tim comes back with a called strike two. Tulo fouls it straightback; we'll do it again. TIM GETS HIM SWINGING! That's huge-the old guy came in and struck out Matsui and Tulo. Holliday will lead off the bottom of the 8th with the Sox at least two up. Healthy!
After 7, 3-1 Sox. Six outs away.
Hawpe takes a ball, up and in. And another, 2-0. A strike on a terrible pitch. Meriwether strikes again. Hawpe fouls one to the left side, 2-2. A ball to fill the count. It's 3-1 as Hawpe smacks one to the right field seats. If the Rockies were going to score, that's exactly the way we wanted it to happen. A solo home run isn't a rally.
Torrealba takes a ball. And another. The infield comes to the mound to either threaten Delcarmen's life or give Okajima a second to warm up. Strike one, called; 2-1. He drives one to JD Drew at the foul line. One down.
Corey Sullivan pinch hits for Affeldt. He takes a called first strike. And ball one. High for ball two. He hits a solid single between Pedroia and the bag. Man on first, one out. Tito's headed out of the dugout. He will bring Mike Timlin into the game. Good call. Oki had to throw a lot of pitches last night. Tim can handle the situation.
Matsui's up. This will be an interesting confrontation. Ball one. And a called strike. Tim makes him look bad swinging at strike two. Tim got him! A weak swing at an inside pitch. Two down.
Now Tulo. Called strike one on the outside corner. Ball one. Ball two on a better pitch than strike one was. A legit ball three. Tim comes back with a called strike two. Tulo fouls it straightback; we'll do it again. TIM GETS HIM SWINGING! That's huge-the old guy came in and struck out Matsui and Tulo. Holliday will lead off the bottom of the 8th with the Sox at least two up. Healthy!
After 7, 3-1 Sox. Six outs away.
WS Game 4 Top 7
Lowell takes ball one. Mikey homers on the second pitch! 3-0 Sox! The fat lady is warming up.
Hurdle is out to remove Aaron Cook. He has nothing to apologize for. Great effort by him. The Rockies should contend for several years to come. Just not this year for a championship. They've run into the best team in the game.
JD fouls off Jeremy Affeldt's first offering. And takes the second for ball one. A swinging strike two. Foul, keeping it at 1-2. Way inside for a skip the rope, 2-2. Ball three, in again. Drew takes a Little League swing for strike 3. He just stinks. One out.
Tek takes a hook for a called strike. The Captain drives the second pitch through the left side for a single.
Lugo stands in. He fouls the first. And the second. And a grounder to Helton for an unassisted double play, forcing Lugo first and then tagging Tek.
At the stretch, Sox lead 3-0.
Hurdle is out to remove Aaron Cook. He has nothing to apologize for. Great effort by him. The Rockies should contend for several years to come. Just not this year for a championship. They've run into the best team in the game.
JD fouls off Jeremy Affeldt's first offering. And takes the second for ball one. A swinging strike two. Foul, keeping it at 1-2. Way inside for a skip the rope, 2-2. Ball three, in again. Drew takes a Little League swing for strike 3. He just stinks. One out.
Tek takes a hook for a called strike. The Captain drives the second pitch through the left side for a single.
Lugo stands in. He fouls the first. And the second. And a grounder to Helton for an unassisted double play, forcing Lugo first and then tagging Tek.
At the stretch, Sox lead 3-0.
WS Game 4 Bottom 6
Matt Holliday inexplicably pops to Papi on the first pitch. What's he thinking? He's down 3-0 and 2-0 for the World Series, and he swings at the first pitch! Amazing!
Helton's up. Ball one. Ball two, and three. The obligatory 3-0 strike is called. At 3-1, Helton slices one to left, and Manny is up to the task. Two down.
Garrett Atkins will try. Ball one. A big swing for strike one. Ball two, 2-1. Foul, 2-2. He works it full. Jon gives up his third walk of the evening, and Tito's headed to the mound. He makes the changes. Lester leaves at 92 pitches. Great effort for the kid!
Manny Delcarmen's headed in to pitch to Spilborghs. Ball one. Ball two. A fast strike down the middle, 2-1. Swinging strike two. Manny gets him swinging! Out of the inning with the lead intact.
2-0 Sox after 6! Nine outs to go.
Helton's up. Ball one. Ball two, and three. The obligatory 3-0 strike is called. At 3-1, Helton slices one to left, and Manny is up to the task. Two down.
Garrett Atkins will try. Ball one. A big swing for strike one. Ball two, 2-1. Foul, 2-2. He works it full. Jon gives up his third walk of the evening, and Tito's headed to the mound. He makes the changes. Lester leaves at 92 pitches. Great effort for the kid!
Manny Delcarmen's headed in to pitch to Spilborghs. Ball one. Ball two. A fast strike down the middle, 2-1. Swinging strike two. Manny gets him swinging! Out of the inning with the lead intact.
2-0 Sox after 6! Nine outs to go.
WS Game 4 Top 6
Pedroia leads off. A ball to Dustin. He pulls the second foul. Ball two. At 2-1 Cook makes a good play on a shot back to the box. On to Helton for the out.
Papi pulls a foul for strike one. High for ball one. Papi grounds to Tulo to the right of second base. He throws to Helton for the out. Two down.
Manny just misses a double, foul along the third base line. He dribbles a swinging bunt to Atkins, and across for the third out.
Cook couldn't have done much better for them under the circumstances.
Inning: Nine pitches, six strikes; Game: 68 pitches, 46 strikes.
Papi pulls a foul for strike one. High for ball one. Papi grounds to Tulo to the right of second base. He throws to Helton for the out. Two down.
Manny just misses a double, foul along the third base line. He dribbles a swinging bunt to Atkins, and across for the third out.
Cook couldn't have done much better for them under the circumstances.
Inning: Nine pitches, six strikes; Game: 68 pitches, 46 strikes.
WS Game 4 Bottom 5
Yorvit Torrealba takes a called strike. And a ball, 1-1. He swings and misses for 1-2. A burner, foul, along first. Another, fouled at the plate; still 1-2. Torrealba pops to Lugo in shallow left, one out.
Cook will bat for himself. He pulls the first pitch foul along third. Cook bunts for a single, past Lester and in front of Pedroia. Good move. Well done.
Matsui bluffs a bunt, and takes ball one. New strategy? We'll see. A big swing for strike one. At 1-1 Matsui also pops to Lugo. All night long, boys, all night long.
Tulo will take a crack. He rips the first pitch to Mikey, and on to Pedroia for the force on Cook. Three outs.
Sox, 2-0.
Inning: 12 pitches, ten strikes; Game: 80 pitches, 54 strikes. Lester's doing great. Probably one more inning for him.
Cook will bat for himself. He pulls the first pitch foul along third. Cook bunts for a single, past Lester and in front of Pedroia. Good move. Well done.
Matsui bluffs a bunt, and takes ball one. New strategy? We'll see. A big swing for strike one. At 1-1 Matsui also pops to Lugo. All night long, boys, all night long.
Tulo will take a crack. He rips the first pitch to Mikey, and on to Pedroia for the force on Cook. Three outs.
Sox, 2-0.
Inning: 12 pitches, ten strikes; Game: 80 pitches, 54 strikes. Lester's doing great. Probably one more inning for him.
WS Game 4 Top 5
Mikey Lowell doubles to left center to start the 5th.
JD Drew will fail to advance him any minute now. Ball one. The idiot taps back to Cook, failing to move Mike over. One down.
Tek should do better. He takes ball one in what may turn into an intentional unintentional walk. They screw up and throw Tek a strike and he pulls it through the right side, scoring Lowell. 2-0 Sox. Tek stops at first.
Lugo drives the first pitch back up the middle for another single, Tek to 2nd. Two on, one down.
Lester will most likely bunt them over for Ellsbury. He misses the first attempt. A strikeout is much better here than a double play. Brilliant insight! That's what I'm here for! Ball one. Lester wants to give them an out; they don't want to take it. Ball two. Another attempt, another miss. 2-2. Ball three to fill the count. He finally strikes out. No reason for that to take 6 pitches to Lester. Two down.
Ellsbury fouls the first pitch. A ball, 1-1. Ball two. A foul into the third base seats, 2-2. Jacoby strikes out on a bad pitch, down and in. The inning is over.
2-0 Sox halfway through.
Inning: 17 pitches, 10 strikes; Game: 59 pitches, 40 strikes. Cook's spot is due second; he could be through.
JD Drew will fail to advance him any minute now. Ball one. The idiot taps back to Cook, failing to move Mike over. One down.
Tek should do better. He takes ball one in what may turn into an intentional unintentional walk. They screw up and throw Tek a strike and he pulls it through the right side, scoring Lowell. 2-0 Sox. Tek stops at first.
Lugo drives the first pitch back up the middle for another single, Tek to 2nd. Two on, one down.
Lester will most likely bunt them over for Ellsbury. He misses the first attempt. A strikeout is much better here than a double play. Brilliant insight! That's what I'm here for! Ball one. Lester wants to give them an out; they don't want to take it. Ball two. Another attempt, another miss. 2-2. Ball three to fill the count. He finally strikes out. No reason for that to take 6 pitches to Lester. Two down.
Ellsbury fouls the first pitch. A ball, 1-1. Ball two. A foul into the third base seats, 2-2. Jacoby strikes out on a bad pitch, down and in. The inning is over.
2-0 Sox halfway through.
Inning: 17 pitches, 10 strikes; Game: 59 pitches, 40 strikes. Cook's spot is due second; he could be through.
WS Game 4 Bottom 4
Helton takes a called strike. And a ball. Ball two. Ball three. Meriwether is umpiring creatively again. Todd chases a bad pitch and grounds it to Pedroia. The Rockies are pressing now. One out.
Atkins lines softly to Lugo on another outstanding play. Julio has been the shortstop that the Sox thought that they were getting throughout the postseason.
Spilborghs takes ball one. And a called strike. A foul for 1-2. Ball two. High to fill the count. Half the time I want to call this guy "Spielberg" and the other half I think he's a Star Trek Next Generation character. Ball four and the walk.
Hawpe takes a big cut for strike one. A ball, 1-1. Fouled back for 1-2. He flies to Ellsbury in right center for the third out.
Still 1-0 Sox, after 4.
Inning: 16 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 68 pitches, 44 Strikes.
Atkins lines softly to Lugo on another outstanding play. Julio has been the shortstop that the Sox thought that they were getting throughout the postseason.
Spilborghs takes ball one. And a called strike. A foul for 1-2. Ball two. High to fill the count. Half the time I want to call this guy "Spielberg" and the other half I think he's a Star Trek Next Generation character. Ball four and the walk.
Hawpe takes a big cut for strike one. A ball, 1-1. Fouled back for 1-2. He flies to Ellsbury in right center for the third out.
Still 1-0 Sox, after 4.
Inning: 16 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 68 pitches, 44 Strikes.
WS Game 4 Top 4
Pedroia takes a ball to start. At 2-1 he grounds to Helton, Cook covering. One down.
Papi's up. He takes a strike at the knees. And another, 0-2. A foul to the left side, still 0-2. Ball one. At 1-2 Papi pops to Tulo. Two down.
Manny takes strike one. And a ball. A swinging strike two. At 1-2 Manny rips one on a line to Holliday.
Another fast inning.
Inning: 13 pitches, nine strikes; Game: 42 pitches, 30 strikes.
Papi's up. He takes a strike at the knees. And another, 0-2. A foul to the left side, still 0-2. Ball one. At 1-2 Papi pops to Tulo. Two down.
Manny takes strike one. And a ball. A swinging strike two. At 1-2 Manny rips one on a line to Holliday.
Another fast inning.
Inning: 13 pitches, nine strikes; Game: 42 pitches, 30 strikes.
WS Game 4 Bottom 3
Cook leads off. He takes strike one. And swings for strike two. He fouls one back, still 0-2. Ball one. At 1-2, Cook flies to Drew in medium right. One down.
Back to the top of the order, and Matsui. He takes strike 1. A slow breaking ball entices Kaz to swing for strike 2. He fouls one in self-defense, still 0-2. Now a double over Manny's head; Manny did everything he could have done on that one. Man on second, one out.
Tulo stands in. Foul to the right side. Another foul, back to the screen; 0-2. Ball one. Another ball, 2-2. He strikes out swinging, failing to move Matsui. Two down.
Matt Holliday gets a shot. Low for a ball. He's way behind, swinging for strike one. Ball two, down and in. He swings at one on the ground, 2-2. Foul, still 2-2. Holliday can't catch up to the 94 mph gas! The inning is over.
Inning: 20 pitches, 15 strikes; Game: 52 pitches, 36 strikes. Still running a little high. St. Leo would call this four innings pitched.
1-0 Sox. Time for the bust out inning.
Back to the top of the order, and Matsui. He takes strike 1. A slow breaking ball entices Kaz to swing for strike 2. He fouls one in self-defense, still 0-2. Now a double over Manny's head; Manny did everything he could have done on that one. Man on second, one out.
Tulo stands in. Foul to the right side. Another foul, back to the screen; 0-2. Ball one. Another ball, 2-2. He strikes out swinging, failing to move Matsui. Two down.
Matt Holliday gets a shot. Low for a ball. He's way behind, swinging for strike one. Ball two, down and in. He swings at one on the ground, 2-2. Foul, still 2-2. Holliday can't catch up to the 94 mph gas! The inning is over.
Inning: 20 pitches, 15 strikes; Game: 52 pitches, 36 strikes. Still running a little high. St. Leo would call this four innings pitched.
1-0 Sox. Time for the bust out inning.
WS Game 4 Top 3
Lugo takes strike one to start the top of the third. And a foul for 0-2. Lugo's out, grounding to Matsui.
Lester can't have batted many times as a Major Leaguer. He takes strike one. And ball one. He puts it in play, grounding to Atkins. Two down. He didn't look too bad out there.
Ball one to doubles machine Jacoby Ellsbury. Ball two. A swinging strike, 1-2. Jacoby's bat explodes as he grounds to Matsui.
Cook has been as economical with hit pitches as anyone I've ever seen.
Inning: 10 pitches, 7 strikes; Game: 29 pitches, 21 strikes. That's for three full innings. Or little more than 2 on the Mazzone-meter.
1-0 Sox.
Lester can't have batted many times as a Major Leaguer. He takes strike one. And ball one. He puts it in play, grounding to Atkins. Two down. He didn't look too bad out there.
Ball one to doubles machine Jacoby Ellsbury. Ball two. A swinging strike, 1-2. Jacoby's bat explodes as he grounds to Matsui.
Cook has been as economical with hit pitches as anyone I've ever seen.
Inning: 10 pitches, 7 strikes; Game: 29 pitches, 21 strikes. That's for three full innings. Or little more than 2 on the Mazzone-meter.
1-0 Sox.
WS Game 4 Bottom 2
Foul, strike one to Helton. Ball, 1-1. Helton is late on a 93 mph fastball, foul down the left side. Ball, 2-2. A ball to fill the count. And Helton doubles to left center.
Atkins will try to advance him, if not get him in. I might bunt Atkins, but he takes strike one instead. He fouls the second to the right field seats. On the third pitch he grounds to Lugo; Helton can't advance, and Papi made a fine short-hop grab for the out. One on, one out.
Spilborghs fouls the first pitch past first. On the second, he flies to Ellsbury. Helton tags and moves to third, but with two out.
Ball one, outside, to Hawpe. Hurdle hasn't been afraid to make moves, taking Taveras out of the lineup yesterday, and dropping Hawpe a spot in the order tonight. Strike called, 1-1. Ball two. Ball three. A close pitch is called ball four by the totally unpredictable Chuck Meriwether. Two on, two out.
Torrealba gets a chance. And watches strike one break down and in on him. Now a swinging strike two. Lester's been strike one on four of the five batters this inning. That's a nice ratio to shoot for on the night. A foul, back into the seats, still 0-2. Greetings to the insurance man in southern California. Be careful out there; you are going to be older on Tuesday. On the fourth pitch of the at bat, Torrealba grounds to Lugo, on to Papi, and the inning is over.
Still 1-0 Sox.
Inning: 20 pitches, 13 of them strikes; Game: 32 pitches, 21 strikes.
Atkins will try to advance him, if not get him in. I might bunt Atkins, but he takes strike one instead. He fouls the second to the right field seats. On the third pitch he grounds to Lugo; Helton can't advance, and Papi made a fine short-hop grab for the out. One on, one out.
Spilborghs fouls the first pitch past first. On the second, he flies to Ellsbury. Helton tags and moves to third, but with two out.
Ball one, outside, to Hawpe. Hurdle hasn't been afraid to make moves, taking Taveras out of the lineup yesterday, and dropping Hawpe a spot in the order tonight. Strike called, 1-1. Ball two. Ball three. A close pitch is called ball four by the totally unpredictable Chuck Meriwether. Two on, two out.
Torrealba gets a chance. And watches strike one break down and in on him. Now a swinging strike two. Lester's been strike one on four of the five batters this inning. That's a nice ratio to shoot for on the night. A foul, back into the seats, still 0-2. Greetings to the insurance man in southern California. Be careful out there; you are going to be older on Tuesday. On the fourth pitch of the at bat, Torrealba grounds to Lugo, on to Papi, and the inning is over.
Still 1-0 Sox.
Inning: 20 pitches, 13 of them strikes; Game: 32 pitches, 21 strikes.
WS Game 4 Top 2
Mike Lowell takes a called strike. And grounds out to Atkins on the second pitch. One down.
JD Drew takes a called strike. And pops to Matsui on the second. Two down. Hey, boys, let the guy pitch for crying out loud.
Tek takes ball one. And a called strike. Another ball, 2-1. Ball three. And a foul down the left field line. With the count full, Tek grounds to Matsui. Another very fast inning for Aaron Cook.
Inning: 10 pitches, 7 strikes; Game: 19 pitches, 14 strikes. Minimal effort, still trailing 1-0.
JD Drew takes a called strike. And pops to Matsui on the second. Two down. Hey, boys, let the guy pitch for crying out loud.
Tek takes ball one. And a called strike. Another ball, 2-1. Ball three. And a foul down the left field line. With the count full, Tek grounds to Matsui. Another very fast inning for Aaron Cook.
Inning: 10 pitches, 7 strikes; Game: 19 pitches, 14 strikes. Minimal effort, still trailing 1-0.
WS Game 4 Bottom 1
Jon Lester is high and away from Matsui for ball one; he follows with a strike down the middle. Matsui pops on the infield, taken by Lester at the mound. One down.
Tulo fouls one off for strike one. Lester won't break the radar gun, but his command is normally excellent. Ball one. Great, prove me a liar. Ball two, 2-1. Strike, swinging. Foul to the right field seats, still 2-2. Tulo swings and misses, and on the pitch in the dirt, is tagged by Varitek. Two out.
Here's Matt Holliday. He's been good in the postseason. Ball one. Strike, swinging. At 1-1, Holliday grounds to Pedroia.
Three up, three down. Good inning for Lester.
Inning: 12 pitches, 8 of them strikes.
1-0 Sox after 1.
Tulo fouls one off for strike one. Lester won't break the radar gun, but his command is normally excellent. Ball one. Great, prove me a liar. Ball two, 2-1. Strike, swinging. Foul to the right field seats, still 2-2. Tulo swings and misses, and on the pitch in the dirt, is tagged by Varitek. Two out.
Here's Matt Holliday. He's been good in the postseason. Ball one. Strike, swinging. At 1-1, Holliday grounds to Pedroia.
Three up, three down. Good inning for Lester.
Inning: 12 pitches, 8 of them strikes.
1-0 Sox after 1.
WS Game 4 Top 1
From the Fox shot, it appears that Aaron Cook is warming up somewhere in a forest. Or a pine air freshener factory.
At 7:31 cdt, Jacoby Ellsbury takes ball one, low and away. Ellsbury doubles into the left field corner on the second pitch. A rookie? Really?
Dustin Pedroia bunts foul on the first pitch. On the second, a squibber to the third baseman advances Ellsbury to third with one out.
David Ortiz will score Ellsbury. Hurdle brings the infield in! Wow, that's no confidence in your offense at all. Papi singles between Helton and Matsui, 1-0 Sox! That didn't take long, and Rockies fans are booing.
Manny Ramirez takes ball one. Manny takes a big rip to even the count. A foul goes down the right side, 1-2. Manny pulls a grounder to Atkins, to Matsui for one and on to Helton for the double play.
Sox take the early lead, 1-0.
Cook: 9 pitches, 7 strikes. So you can get in trouble with just a few pitches.
At 7:31 cdt, Jacoby Ellsbury takes ball one, low and away. Ellsbury doubles into the left field corner on the second pitch. A rookie? Really?
Dustin Pedroia bunts foul on the first pitch. On the second, a squibber to the third baseman advances Ellsbury to third with one out.
David Ortiz will score Ellsbury. Hurdle brings the infield in! Wow, that's no confidence in your offense at all. Papi singles between Helton and Matsui, 1-0 Sox! That didn't take long, and Rockies fans are booing.
Manny Ramirez takes ball one. Manny takes a big rip to even the count. A foul goes down the right side, 1-2. Manny pulls a grounder to Atkins, to Matsui for one and on to Helton for the double play.
Sox take the early lead, 1-0.
Cook: 9 pitches, 7 strikes. So you can get in trouble with just a few pitches.
World Series Game 4 Pregame
The whole pregame story is the pitchers.
Jon Lester was undergoing treatment for cancer one year ago. His rookie season had been cut short by his diagnosis, which only took place because he happened to be on a road trip to Seattle, which is his hometown. When his dad met him at the airport it was obvious that his son wasn't right. Yes, dad made son go to the doctor. And saved his life. How cool would it be for Jon Lester to clinch a World Series victory for his team?
About the same as Aaron Cook getting the win to let his team live another day. Cook hasn't pitched since August 10. He pulled that treacherous oblique muscle on that day. He's just now well. This is the longest a World Series starting pitcher has gone between starts since 1955. And that isn't even a third of the story. In 2004 Cook left a game dizzy and disoriented. He was suffering a pulmonary embolism. The first surgery, including the removal of a rib, cleared the blood clots and saved his life. The second, in December of that year, restored normal bloodflow and eventually let him resume his career. He went back to the minors and rebuilt his life and his career.
Look no further for the human interest, up close and personal stories tonight. It's all about the pitcher's mound.
Jon Lester was undergoing treatment for cancer one year ago. His rookie season had been cut short by his diagnosis, which only took place because he happened to be on a road trip to Seattle, which is his hometown. When his dad met him at the airport it was obvious that his son wasn't right. Yes, dad made son go to the doctor. And saved his life. How cool would it be for Jon Lester to clinch a World Series victory for his team?
About the same as Aaron Cook getting the win to let his team live another day. Cook hasn't pitched since August 10. He pulled that treacherous oblique muscle on that day. He's just now well. This is the longest a World Series starting pitcher has gone between starts since 1955. And that isn't even a third of the story. In 2004 Cook left a game dizzy and disoriented. He was suffering a pulmonary embolism. The first surgery, including the removal of a rib, cleared the blood clots and saved his life. The second, in December of that year, restored normal bloodflow and eventually let him resume his career. He went back to the minors and rebuilt his life and his career.
Look no further for the human interest, up close and personal stories tonight. It's all about the pitcher's mound.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
WS Game 3 Postgame
Well, here we are again. The Red Sox lead the World Series, 3 games to none. They have now beaten the Rockies in a blowout; in a tense, well-played game; and in a real mess of a game. What else is there? When you've taken a team down in both parks and in all sorts of ways, you've taken the wind out of their sails. I don't know if the Sox will sweep tomorrow night, but even if they don't, Josh Beckett is looming for Monday night. The Rockies will say all the right things, but they know in their hearts that this is over.
The kids were the story tonight. Ellsbury had four hits, three doubles among them. He scored two and knocked in one. Pedroia was on base via three hits, one of his a double. He scored one and knocked in two. Representing the old guys, Lowell added two hits, two runs and two rbi. Just the total team offense that we've seen all season. The articles may all talk about Papi and Manny, but they only had one hit and one walk between them tonight. This team is loaded from top to bottom, and they showed that tonight. But don't ever think you're hearing me disrespect the big boys. Papi knocked in the first run tonight; he's almost always lighting the path, showing the way.
Again, Matsuzaka was good enough for long enough. Okajima, Delcarmen and Lopez had their troubles tonight, but, as always, once they got to Pap it was over. Jonathan only threw 15 pitches tonight in getting his four outs, so he'll be ready to finish the game tomorrow night, if he gets the chance.
Jon Lester will start tomorrow night. How great an ending to his comeback would it be to get the World Series-clinching win? I'll be rooting for that, but the pen is in pretty good shape behind him. And, again, with Beckett ready for Monday, there really is very little pressure in tomorrow night's game.
So, tomorrow night from Coors, for perhaps the last time this year.
The kids were the story tonight. Ellsbury had four hits, three doubles among them. He scored two and knocked in one. Pedroia was on base via three hits, one of his a double. He scored one and knocked in two. Representing the old guys, Lowell added two hits, two runs and two rbi. Just the total team offense that we've seen all season. The articles may all talk about Papi and Manny, but they only had one hit and one walk between them tonight. This team is loaded from top to bottom, and they showed that tonight. But don't ever think you're hearing me disrespect the big boys. Papi knocked in the first run tonight; he's almost always lighting the path, showing the way.
Again, Matsuzaka was good enough for long enough. Okajima, Delcarmen and Lopez had their troubles tonight, but, as always, once they got to Pap it was over. Jonathan only threw 15 pitches tonight in getting his four outs, so he'll be ready to finish the game tomorrow night, if he gets the chance.
Jon Lester will start tomorrow night. How great an ending to his comeback would it be to get the World Series-clinching win? I'll be rooting for that, but the pen is in pretty good shape behind him. And, again, with Beckett ready for Monday, there really is very little pressure in tomorrow night's game.
So, tomorrow night from Coors, for perhaps the last time this year.
WS Game 3 Bottom 9
Papelbon will earn this one. He'll face Helton, Atkins and Hawpe in the bottom of the ninth.
Todd stands in. A 94 mph fastball is in for a called strike. Just outside at 88 for ball one. At 1-1 Helton flies to Jacoby Ellsbury in right center. One down.
Atkins is up. Another first pitch strike called on a 94 mph fastball. A change pulled foul along third, 0-2. Some kind of floater was just high, 1-2. He gets one in on Atkins' hands, and it is dribbled out to Lowell, on to Youk. Two down.
Hawpe is the last Howpe. Ball, high. Gas for strike one, swinging. Gas again, strike two swinging. Last strike time. A ball, just inside; 2-2. Hawpe pulls his hands in and lines one between Youk and the bag, and it evades Ellsbury in the corner. Brad pulls up at 3rd with a triple.
Torrealba gets a chance to make the last out. He takes a called strike. Another broken bat, another grounder to Lugo, and the Boston Red Sox are one win from their second championship in four years!
Daisuke Matsuzaka gets the win; Fogg takes the loss; Papelbon gets the save.
3-0 Red Sox!
Todd stands in. A 94 mph fastball is in for a called strike. Just outside at 88 for ball one. At 1-1 Helton flies to Jacoby Ellsbury in right center. One down.
Atkins is up. Another first pitch strike called on a 94 mph fastball. A change pulled foul along third, 0-2. Some kind of floater was just high, 1-2. He gets one in on Atkins' hands, and it is dribbled out to Lowell, on to Youk. Two down.
Hawpe is the last Howpe. Ball, high. Gas for strike one, swinging. Gas again, strike two swinging. Last strike time. A ball, just inside; 2-2. Hawpe pulls his hands in and lines one between Youk and the bag, and it evades Ellsbury in the corner. Brad pulls up at 3rd with a triple.
Torrealba gets a chance to make the last out. He takes a called strike. Another broken bat, another grounder to Lugo, and the Boston Red Sox are one win from their second championship in four years!
Daisuke Matsuzaka gets the win; Fogg takes the loss; Papelbon gets the save.
3-0 Red Sox!
WS Game 3 Top 9
LaTroy Hawkins is on to pitch. Lowell singles, on the first pitch, to left.
Cora sacrifices back to Hawkins on the first pitch. Matsui takes the throw. Lowell to second.
Tek takes strike one. As he takes ball one, speed merchant Lowell steals third! Another taco? Ball two. Ball three. Tek can score Lowell on just about anything here. Tek gets the Sac Fly to Spilborghs, Lowell scoring from third. 10-5 Sox. Two down.
Ball one to Lugo. And on the 1-0 he bounces one to his counterpart, Tulo. On to first for the third out. Nice insurance!
10-5 Sox to the bottom of the ninth. Three outs to a 3-0 lead!
Cora sacrifices back to Hawkins on the first pitch. Matsui takes the throw. Lowell to second.
Tek takes strike one. As he takes ball one, speed merchant Lowell steals third! Another taco? Ball two. Ball three. Tek can score Lowell on just about anything here. Tek gets the Sac Fly to Spilborghs, Lowell scoring from third. 10-5 Sox. Two down.
Ball one to Lugo. And on the 1-0 he bounces one to his counterpart, Tulo. On to first for the third out. Nice insurance!
10-5 Sox to the bottom of the ninth. Three outs to a 3-0 lead!
WS Game 3 Bottom 8
Manny Delcarmen will start the 8th. Pap is warming up. Ball one to Spilborghs. At 3-1 he fouls out to Ellsbury down the right field line. One down.
Willy Taveras will pinch hit. Let's see, he lost his starting spot because he couldn't hit; now he's pinch hitting in the bottom of the 8th. OK. Ball one. Manny goes 3-1 on him. Hey, Manny: he can't hit! Throw him a strike! He does, a foul for 3-2. He lashes the 3-2 to Pedroia on a line. Two down.
Matsui has two hits in 4 trips. Ball one. At 1-1 Matsui singles up the middle for his third hit of the game.
Ball one to Tulo. And ball two. We're about two more balls from Papelbon. Farrell comes out to talk with Delcarmen. I believe that's his first trip tonight. Everybody's nodding together. Then let's get this guy out. Strike one! Farrell's a genius! Ball three. Genius doesn't last long. He walked him. I can't believe it! Let's see if that gets Pap in. It'll apparently be another double switch. Tito is conferring with Barrett. I believe he waved Manny Ramirez in. No, it's going to be Cora in for Pedroia. And Papelbon for Delcarmen. Okajima had been put in Drew's spot when he came in, and that slot is due up 2nd in the top of the ninth. That's where Cora goes.
Pap stares in at Tek. He has the sign. Holliday pops the first pitch to Manny Ramirez in medium left. The inning is over.
9-5 Sox, after 8. Super Pap does it again!
Willy Taveras will pinch hit. Let's see, he lost his starting spot because he couldn't hit; now he's pinch hitting in the bottom of the 8th. OK. Ball one. Manny goes 3-1 on him. Hey, Manny: he can't hit! Throw him a strike! He does, a foul for 3-2. He lashes the 3-2 to Pedroia on a line. Two down.
Matsui has two hits in 4 trips. Ball one. At 1-1 Matsui singles up the middle for his third hit of the game.
Ball one to Tulo. And ball two. We're about two more balls from Papelbon. Farrell comes out to talk with Delcarmen. I believe that's his first trip tonight. Everybody's nodding together. Then let's get this guy out. Strike one! Farrell's a genius! Ball three. Genius doesn't last long. He walked him. I can't believe it! Let's see if that gets Pap in. It'll apparently be another double switch. Tito is conferring with Barrett. I believe he waved Manny Ramirez in. No, it's going to be Cora in for Pedroia. And Papelbon for Delcarmen. Okajima had been put in Drew's spot when he came in, and that slot is due up 2nd in the top of the ninth. That's where Cora goes.
Pap stares in at Tek. He has the sign. Holliday pops the first pitch to Manny Ramirez in medium left. The inning is over.
9-5 Sox, after 8. Super Pap does it again!
WS Game 3 Top 8
Brian Fuentes relieves Herges, and gets a called strike on Tek. At 1-1, a broken bat grounder to the fine Rockies' shortstop; Tulo on to Helton for out number one.
Ball to Lugo. At 3-1, Lugo walks. One on, one out.
Crisp will bat for the first time, having come in on the double switch in the bottom of the seventh. Coco takes strike one. Coco singles softly to center at 1-1. First and second, one out.
Ellsbury has had a good night, 3/4. Ball one is way outside, great stop by Torrealba. He has saved his pitchers several times throughout the Series. Ellsbury doubles down the right field line, scoring Lugo. Crisp to third. What a night for Jacoby! 7-5 Sox. What's the best way to turn momentum? Score more runs after the other team gets close. Just what the Sox are doing.
Strike one to Pedroia. Hurdle has his infield in. Nothing but help for a smart kid like Dustin. Dustin doubles to right also! Two more runs score! How 'bout these kids? 9-5 Sox!
Youk bats for the first time and takes ball one. At 2-2 Youk grounds to Atkins; Dustin stays at 2nd.
Manny is up. They will pitch to him. Sort of. Ball one, well outside. Ball two, way inside. Strike one, called; 2-1. Manny skies one, a Major League pop up, to Holliday for the third out. Great inning!
Going to the bottom of the 8th, 9-5 Sox.
Ball to Lugo. At 3-1, Lugo walks. One on, one out.
Crisp will bat for the first time, having come in on the double switch in the bottom of the seventh. Coco takes strike one. Coco singles softly to center at 1-1. First and second, one out.
Ellsbury has had a good night, 3/4. Ball one is way outside, great stop by Torrealba. He has saved his pitchers several times throughout the Series. Ellsbury doubles down the right field line, scoring Lugo. Crisp to third. What a night for Jacoby! 7-5 Sox. What's the best way to turn momentum? Score more runs after the other team gets close. Just what the Sox are doing.
Strike one to Pedroia. Hurdle has his infield in. Nothing but help for a smart kid like Dustin. Dustin doubles to right also! Two more runs score! How 'bout these kids? 9-5 Sox!
Youk bats for the first time and takes ball one. At 2-2 Youk grounds to Atkins; Dustin stays at 2nd.
Manny is up. They will pitch to him. Sort of. Ball one, well outside. Ball two, way inside. Strike one, called; 2-1. Manny skies one, a Major League pop up, to Holliday for the third out. Great inning!
Going to the bottom of the 8th, 9-5 Sox.
WS Game 3 Bottom 7
Matsui has a bunt single on Timlin's first pitch.
Tulo takes ball one. Strike one, as Matsui steals 2nd. At 1-2 Troy singles past Lugo up the middle. Matsui had gone back to the bag, thinking Tim might field the ball, so he only gets to third. First and third, nobody out.
Tito comes out to make a double switch. Timlin leaves for Okajima; Coco takes over in center, and Ellsbury moves to RIGHT. Oki is in Drew's spot; Manny's still in the game. I wonder if Hinske will come in at right after Manny bats.
Oki to Holliday. Matt Holliday makes it a one run game with a homer to center field. 6-5 Sox, still nobody out.
Helton takes strike one. Ball one. Ball two, 2-1. Foul, strike two. Another foul. Helton will fight, we all know that. Ball three, full count. Todd singles to left.
Atkins takes strike one. Ball. Foul ripped down by third, 1-2. Foul. Foul again; still 1-2. Ball, 2-2. Oki gets him, swinging, on the 7th pitch of the at bat. One down, Helton still on 1st.
Hawpe is up. Big curve for strike one, looking. Ball one. Foul to the third base seats, 1-2. Hawpe pops one foul, into the third row behind the plate. Foul tip to the backstop, still 1-2. Ball, 2-2. Ball three. Hawpe strikes out swinging on the 8th pitch of the at bat. Two down.
Oki's coming back now.
Torrealba stands in. That curve for another strike one. Ball, 1-1. Curve for strike two, called. Ball two. Foul down the right side, still 2-2. Torrealba taps back to Oki, he throws to Youk, and the inning is finally over.
6-5 Sox after 7.
Tulo takes ball one. Strike one, as Matsui steals 2nd. At 1-2 Troy singles past Lugo up the middle. Matsui had gone back to the bag, thinking Tim might field the ball, so he only gets to third. First and third, nobody out.
Tito comes out to make a double switch. Timlin leaves for Okajima; Coco takes over in center, and Ellsbury moves to RIGHT. Oki is in Drew's spot; Manny's still in the game. I wonder if Hinske will come in at right after Manny bats.
Oki to Holliday. Matt Holliday makes it a one run game with a homer to center field. 6-5 Sox, still nobody out.
Helton takes strike one. Ball one. Ball two, 2-1. Foul, strike two. Another foul. Helton will fight, we all know that. Ball three, full count. Todd singles to left.
Atkins takes strike one. Ball. Foul ripped down by third, 1-2. Foul. Foul again; still 1-2. Ball, 2-2. Oki gets him, swinging, on the 7th pitch of the at bat. One down, Helton still on 1st.
Hawpe is up. Big curve for strike one, looking. Ball one. Foul to the third base seats, 1-2. Hawpe pops one foul, into the third row behind the plate. Foul tip to the backstop, still 1-2. Ball, 2-2. Ball three. Hawpe strikes out swinging on the 8th pitch of the at bat. Two down.
Oki's coming back now.
Torrealba stands in. That curve for another strike one. Ball, 1-1. Curve for strike two, called. Ball two. Foul down the right side, still 2-2. Torrealba taps back to Oki, he throws to Youk, and the inning is finally over.
6-5 Sox after 7.
WS Game 3 Top 7
Matt Herges gets a called strike one on Manny Ramirez. Herges has been good in the postseason for the Rockies. At 2-2 Manny can't catch up to Herges' fastball. One down.
Lowell will give him a whirl. Breaking ball for strike one. Lowell strikes out on three pitches.
Drew's in. Timlin will, apparently, pitch the bottom of the seventh. Ball one to Drew. He works it full. He swings and misses. Herges strikes out the side, and continues the Rockies' momentum. This is a dangerous moment. Tim needs to be sharp here.
Herges: 14 pitches, 9 strikes.
Phillip Bailey sings showtunes. Better than the Idol child.
Lowell will give him a whirl. Breaking ball for strike one. Lowell strikes out on three pitches.
Drew's in. Timlin will, apparently, pitch the bottom of the seventh. Ball one to Drew. He works it full. He swings and misses. Herges strikes out the side, and continues the Rockies' momentum. This is a dangerous moment. Tim needs to be sharp here.
Herges: 14 pitches, 9 strikes.
Phillip Bailey sings showtunes. Better than the Idol child.
WS Game 3 Bottom 6
Strike one to Holliday. Youk has taken over at first. At 2-2 Holliday grounds sharply to Lowell.
Helton takes strike one. He works it full, and walks on the 8th pitch of the at bat. Todd has seen 24 of the 97 pitches Dice K has thrown tonight.
Ball one to Atkins. Garrett walks on four straight, and that'll do it. With first and second and one out, Tito comes to get Dice K. He wants to stay, but he's done a great job tonight.
Counts, Inning: 18 pitches, only 8 strikes; Game: 101 pitches, 66 strikes.
Javier will pitch to Hawpe; probably be Timlin for Torrealba, and then the seventh.
Hawpe is in the box. He has a first pitch single into left center and Helton comes around to score. 6-1 Sox, men on first and second with one out.
Ball one to Torrealba. Timlin should be in here. The odds would favor Tim against Sullivan more than they do Lopez versus Torrealba. Yorvit knocks in Atkins with a single to Manny. Hawpe stops at second. Still first and second and one out, now 6-2 Sox. That'll get Timlin into the game, as Spilborghs is announced as the pinch-hitter.
Leaving Lopez in for Torrealba may be the first decision that Tito Francona has made that hasn't worked in this World Series.
Timlin throws strike one on a foul tip to Spilborghs. Ball one. Jacoby goes as far as he can to dead center to haul in out number two.
Jeff Baker will hit for Affeldt. A big swing and a miss for strike one. And the same for strike two. Ball one, 1-2. Foul, off to the right side, still 1-2. Ball two. Lugo jumps as high as he can go to snag a liner ticketed for left. Three down. Whew! That saved at least one more; if it had gone to the wall, it'd be 6-4.
Still 6-2, Sox, after 6.
Helton takes strike one. He works it full, and walks on the 8th pitch of the at bat. Todd has seen 24 of the 97 pitches Dice K has thrown tonight.
Ball one to Atkins. Garrett walks on four straight, and that'll do it. With first and second and one out, Tito comes to get Dice K. He wants to stay, but he's done a great job tonight.
Counts, Inning: 18 pitches, only 8 strikes; Game: 101 pitches, 66 strikes.
Javier will pitch to Hawpe; probably be Timlin for Torrealba, and then the seventh.
Hawpe is in the box. He has a first pitch single into left center and Helton comes around to score. 6-1 Sox, men on first and second with one out.
Ball one to Torrealba. Timlin should be in here. The odds would favor Tim against Sullivan more than they do Lopez versus Torrealba. Yorvit knocks in Atkins with a single to Manny. Hawpe stops at second. Still first and second and one out, now 6-2 Sox. That'll get Timlin into the game, as Spilborghs is announced as the pinch-hitter.
Leaving Lopez in for Torrealba may be the first decision that Tito Francona has made that hasn't worked in this World Series.
Timlin throws strike one on a foul tip to Spilborghs. Ball one. Jacoby goes as far as he can to dead center to haul in out number two.
Jeff Baker will hit for Affeldt. A big swing and a miss for strike one. And the same for strike two. Ball one, 1-2. Foul, off to the right side, still 1-2. Ball two. Lugo jumps as high as he can go to snag a liner ticketed for left. Three down. Whew! That saved at least one more; if it had gone to the wall, it'd be 6-4.
Still 6-2, Sox, after 6.
WS Game 3 Top 6
Jeremy Affeldt throws ball one to Ellsbury. At 1-2 he is retired for the first time tonight, Atkins to Helton. One down.
Pedroia takes ball one. At 2-2 Dustin pops to Sullivan. Two down.
Ball one to Papi. David strikes out, swinging at 2-2.
Quick inning for Affeldt. 16 pitches, 11 strikes.
Pedroia takes ball one. At 2-2 Dustin pops to Sullivan. Two down.
Ball one to Papi. David strikes out, swinging at 2-2.
Quick inning for Affeldt. 16 pitches, 11 strikes.
WS Game 3 Bottom 5
Yorvit leads off the bottom of the 5th with a first pitch single between Pedroia and the bag.
Called first strike to Sullivan. At 1-2, he flies to Manny at the track. One down.
Seth Smith pinch hits for Morales. He takes strike one. And JD Drew gives him a single by not hustling at all on a pop to right. First and second, one out.
Matsui takes ball one. At 2-2, Lugo and Lowell make outstanding plays, turning a hit into the hole into a force out at third. Matsui to first, Smith to second, Torrealba out at 3rd. Two down.
Ball one to Tulo. At 2-0, he pops to Lugo, inning over.
Dice K, Inning: 15 pitches, 10 of them strikes; Game: 83 pitches, 58 of the strikes.
6-0 Sox after 5!
Called first strike to Sullivan. At 1-2, he flies to Manny at the track. One down.
Seth Smith pinch hits for Morales. He takes strike one. And JD Drew gives him a single by not hustling at all on a pop to right. First and second, one out.
Matsui takes ball one. At 2-2, Lugo and Lowell make outstanding plays, turning a hit into the hole into a force out at third. Matsui to first, Smith to second, Torrealba out at 3rd. Two down.
Ball one to Tulo. At 2-0, he pops to Lugo, inning over.
Dice K, Inning: 15 pitches, 10 of them strikes; Game: 83 pitches, 58 of the strikes.
6-0 Sox after 5!
WS Game 3 Top 5
Drew the Idiot takes strike one. Guess who the only Sox batter who hasn't been on base tonight is? That's right. Hey, he makes a liar out of me! A double off the left center field wall.
Tek will move him up, if not score him. A foul bunt on the first pitch. At 1-2 Tek strikes out swinging, a seven pitch at bat.
Lugo takes ball one. With the count full, Lugo flies to Hawpe. Two down.
Renowned slugger Diasuke Matsuzaka comes to the plate. Ball one. At 2-2, Dice K grounds to Matsui.
Morales pitched much better tonight than in Game 1. Maybe they should have started him.
Inning: 23 pitches, 16 of them strikes. Game: 35 pitches, 23 of them strikes.
6-0 Sox after 4 1/2.
Tek will move him up, if not score him. A foul bunt on the first pitch. At 1-2 Tek strikes out swinging, a seven pitch at bat.
Lugo takes ball one. With the count full, Lugo flies to Hawpe. Two down.
Renowned slugger Diasuke Matsuzaka comes to the plate. Ball one. At 2-2, Dice K grounds to Matsui.
Morales pitched much better tonight than in Game 1. Maybe they should have started him.
Inning: 23 pitches, 16 of them strikes. Game: 35 pitches, 23 of them strikes.
6-0 Sox after 4 1/2.
WS Game 3 Bottom 4
Holliday fouls the first pitch into the right field seats. At 1-2, Papi makes a fine play on a sharply hit ball, taking it to the bag himself. One down.
Ball one to Helton. With a full count, and on the 12th pitch of the at bat, he throws a big hook to Helton for a called strike three. Two down.
Strike one, called, to Atkins. Garrett works it full and draws a walk.
Hawpe pops out to Lugo in short left on the first pitch.
Inning: 26 pitches (again, 9 two strike fouls in this inning!), 18 of the strikes; Game: 68 pitches, 48 of the strikes.
6-0 Sox after 4.
Ball one to Helton. With a full count, and on the 12th pitch of the at bat, he throws a big hook to Helton for a called strike three. Two down.
Strike one, called, to Atkins. Garrett works it full and draws a walk.
Hawpe pops out to Lugo in short left on the first pitch.
Inning: 26 pitches (again, 9 two strike fouls in this inning!), 18 of the strikes; Game: 68 pitches, 48 of the strikes.
6-0 Sox after 4.
WS Game 3 Top 4
Morales goes strike one to Papi on a big breaking ball. At 1-1 Papi grounds out, Tulo to Morales covering. One down.
Here's Manny. It should be noted, after some of the criticism of Manny earlier, that he made a really nifty slide at the plate in the third. Foul, strike one. It should be noted that the Fox boys think Barrett made the right call on Manny in the third. Manny works Morales to 3-1, and then chases Sullivan to the wall. Two out.
Lowell is up. Strike one, called. Mike taps back to Morales for the third out. Easy inning for Franklin Morales, 10 pitches, six of them strikes.
6-0 Sox.
Here's Manny. It should be noted, after some of the criticism of Manny earlier, that he made a really nifty slide at the plate in the third. Foul, strike one. It should be noted that the Fox boys think Barrett made the right call on Manny in the third. Manny works Morales to 3-1, and then chases Sullivan to the wall. Two out.
Lowell is up. Strike one, called. Mike taps back to Morales for the third out. Easy inning for Franklin Morales, 10 pitches, six of them strikes.
6-0 Sox.
WS Game 3 Bottom 3
Now, the job for Dice K: throw strikes, and keep throwing them. That's all.
The pitcher's spot is due first, and Morales will hit. They'll need a few innings from him. Strike one. At 1-2, Morales strikes out swinging.
Matsui stands in. Strike one, called. Matsui is staging one terrific at bat. Full count, 8 pitches. And on the ninth, he swings and misses. Two down.
Strike one to Tulo. At 0-2 he grounds to Lugo, and Papi holds the bag, making a long stretch to get a throw to the plate side of first. Everything's working!
After 3, 6-0 Sox.
Inning: 18 pitches, 14 of them strikes; Game: 42 pitches, 30 of them strikes. Incredible ratio. Like Game 7 against the Indians, the pitch count is a little higher than it should be due to the incredible number of two strike fouls the Rockies have hit--5 of them just in the 3rd.
The pitcher's spot is due first, and Morales will hit. They'll need a few innings from him. Strike one. At 1-2, Morales strikes out swinging.
Matsui stands in. Strike one, called. Matsui is staging one terrific at bat. Full count, 8 pitches. And on the ninth, he swings and misses. Two down.
Strike one to Tulo. At 0-2 he grounds to Lugo, and Papi holds the bag, making a long stretch to get a throw to the plate side of first. Everything's working!
After 3, 6-0 Sox.
Inning: 18 pitches, 14 of them strikes; Game: 42 pitches, 30 of them strikes. Incredible ratio. Like Game 7 against the Indians, the pitch count is a little higher than it should be due to the incredible number of two strike fouls the Rockies have hit--5 of them just in the 3rd.
WS Game 3 Top 3
Ellsbury lines a double down the left field line on the first pitch.
Pedroia takes ball one. At 1-1, he attempts to sacrifice, but it turns into a bunt single! Ellsbury to third, no one out.
Papi lines the first pitch for a double to right. Ellsbury scores, Pedroia to third. 1-0 Boston! We are about one hit away from putting this thing out of reach.
Clint Hurdle is sober, so they are walking Manny intentionally.
Lowell can make them pay, and pay big. Ball one. Ball two. The 2-0 strike on the inside corner was Fogg's 50th of the game. Mike drives the 2-1 back through the box for a two run single. 3-0 Sox, first and second, nobody out.
Drew takes a called strike one. Ball one, 1-1. He pops the third pitch to Tulo. Idiot.
Tek will try to do some business here. Ball one. Tek lines a single to left, and Manny's coming to the plate, and Barrett blew the call. Manny slapped the plate as he was sliding by, but Barrett called him out. Two down, first and third.
Lugo walks on 4 straight. At least he flipped the lineup again.
Dice K LINES THE FIRST BALL THROUGH THE HOLE AT SHORT FOR TWO RUNS! It's his first ML hit, his first ML rbi! Can you believe it? 5-0 Sox!
Ellsbury takes ball one. At 3-1 the KID LINES A DOUBLE TO LEFT CENTER! Lugo scores, Dice K to third. Still two out, but that never matters with this lineup. They just don't care. They have knocked Fogg out of the game with a (so far) 6 run third.
Pedroia is the 11th batter of the inning, the first for Franklin Morales, who got beat up in relief in Game 1. No kidding, he enters with an ERA of 94.50. No misprint! Ball one. Dustin rips a screamer to Atkins, who fields and throws across to Helton.
The inning is over, but what an inning! 6-0 Sox, going to the bottom of the third.
It was a 28 pitch inning for Fogg before his departure, putting him at 67 pitches in 2.2 innings. Mind boggling!
Pedroia takes ball one. At 1-1, he attempts to sacrifice, but it turns into a bunt single! Ellsbury to third, no one out.
Papi lines the first pitch for a double to right. Ellsbury scores, Pedroia to third. 1-0 Boston! We are about one hit away from putting this thing out of reach.
Clint Hurdle is sober, so they are walking Manny intentionally.
Lowell can make them pay, and pay big. Ball one. Ball two. The 2-0 strike on the inside corner was Fogg's 50th of the game. Mike drives the 2-1 back through the box for a two run single. 3-0 Sox, first and second, nobody out.
Drew takes a called strike one. Ball one, 1-1. He pops the third pitch to Tulo. Idiot.
Tek will try to do some business here. Ball one. Tek lines a single to left, and Manny's coming to the plate, and Barrett blew the call. Manny slapped the plate as he was sliding by, but Barrett called him out. Two down, first and third.
Lugo walks on 4 straight. At least he flipped the lineup again.
Dice K LINES THE FIRST BALL THROUGH THE HOLE AT SHORT FOR TWO RUNS! It's his first ML hit, his first ML rbi! Can you believe it? 5-0 Sox!
Ellsbury takes ball one. At 3-1 the KID LINES A DOUBLE TO LEFT CENTER! Lugo scores, Dice K to third. Still two out, but that never matters with this lineup. They just don't care. They have knocked Fogg out of the game with a (so far) 6 run third.
Pedroia is the 11th batter of the inning, the first for Franklin Morales, who got beat up in relief in Game 1. No kidding, he enters with an ERA of 94.50. No misprint! Ball one. Dustin rips a screamer to Atkins, who fields and throws across to Helton.
The inning is over, but what an inning! 6-0 Sox, going to the bottom of the third.
It was a 28 pitch inning for Fogg before his departure, putting him at 67 pitches in 2.2 innings. Mind boggling!
WS Game 3 Bottom 2
Matsuzaka starts the inning bouncing one off Atkins' left shoulder, right at his head. The gun had it at 93, but Garrett barely reacted to it.
Strike one to Hawpe. He strikes Hawpe out on 3 pitches, the last up to 94. One down with a man on first.
Yorvit Torrealba's next. Yorvit. I like that. If I'd had a boy, I might have named him Yorvit. One more reason, Bryce, to count your blessings! Ball one. On the second pitch, Manny answers the bell for the first time, chasing the ball down on the track. Two down.
Now Sullivan. He didn't play in Boston. Ball one. At 1-1, Sullivan grounds to Lugo, and into a 6-4 force, Atkins out at second.
Another good inning for Dice K. Now let's just see if he can avoid putting the leadoff man on in the third.
Inning: 9 pitches, 6 strikes; Game: 24 pitches, 16 strikes. He hasn't thrown as many as Fogg did in the top of the first.
Strike one to Hawpe. He strikes Hawpe out on 3 pitches, the last up to 94. One down with a man on first.
Yorvit Torrealba's next. Yorvit. I like that. If I'd had a boy, I might have named him Yorvit. One more reason, Bryce, to count your blessings! Ball one. On the second pitch, Manny answers the bell for the first time, chasing the ball down on the track. Two down.
Now Sullivan. He didn't play in Boston. Ball one. At 1-1, Sullivan grounds to Lugo, and into a 6-4 force, Atkins out at second.
Another good inning for Dice K. Now let's just see if he can avoid putting the leadoff man on in the third.
Inning: 9 pitches, 6 strikes; Game: 24 pitches, 16 strikes. He hasn't thrown as many as Fogg did in the top of the first.
WS Game 3 Top 2
JD Drew follows up his outfield error by grounding the first pitch to Matsui for the first out. Idiot.
Tek stands in. He looks at strike one. At 0-2, his bat explodes, and the barrel goes right between Fogg's legs, as Tulo fields and, according to the very poor umpire, Meriwether, (and how did that guy get the WS assignment? Especially when, for one, Tim McClelland is sitting home?) gets him at first. Bad call.
Strike one to Lugo. At 2-1, Julio doubles to right center.
Dice K is up. At least Lugo flipped the order for the third. This could be ugly. Strike one. Tito may have told him not to swing. At 1-2, he actually takes a cut. My late grandmother could have looked better.
Inning: 12 pitches, 9 of them strikes; Game: 39 pitches, 24 strikes. Clearly, a much better inning for Fogg.
No score, headed to the bottom of the second.
Tek stands in. He looks at strike one. At 0-2, his bat explodes, and the barrel goes right between Fogg's legs, as Tulo fields and, according to the very poor umpire, Meriwether, (and how did that guy get the WS assignment? Especially when, for one, Tim McClelland is sitting home?) gets him at first. Bad call.
Strike one to Lugo. At 2-1, Julio doubles to right center.
Dice K is up. At least Lugo flipped the order for the third. This could be ugly. Strike one. Tito may have told him not to swing. At 1-2, he actually takes a cut. My late grandmother could have looked better.
Inning: 12 pitches, 9 of them strikes; Game: 39 pitches, 24 strikes. Clearly, a much better inning for Fogg.
No score, headed to the bottom of the second.
WS Game 3 Bottom 1
Matsuzaka takes the hill.
Matsui winds up on second with a first pitch single, and fielding error on JD Drew.
Tulo takes ball one. Troy strikes out, swinging, with the count full. One on, one out.
93 mph first pitch strike to Matt Holliday. In spite of what happened in Game 2, I'm very impressed with this guy. Holliday grounds into a 1-4-5 Fielder's Choice. Not very well executed. Dice K ran right at him, like he's supposed to, but he threw too fast, then Pedroia threw to Lowell too fast, but Mikey handled it correctly to get the tag on Matsui. One on, two out.
Foul, strike one to Helton. At 1-2, Helton grounds into a more traditional 5-4 FC.
Dice K really came back nicely after the man on 2nd, none out situation.
Inning: 15 pitches, 10 of them strikes. Very good inning for his first in the Series.
Matsui winds up on second with a first pitch single, and fielding error on JD Drew.
Tulo takes ball one. Troy strikes out, swinging, with the count full. One on, one out.
93 mph first pitch strike to Matt Holliday. In spite of what happened in Game 2, I'm very impressed with this guy. Holliday grounds into a 1-4-5 Fielder's Choice. Not very well executed. Dice K ran right at him, like he's supposed to, but he threw too fast, then Pedroia threw to Lowell too fast, but Mikey handled it correctly to get the tag on Matsui. One on, two out.
Foul, strike one to Helton. At 1-2, Helton grounds into a more traditional 5-4 FC.
Dice K really came back nicely after the man on 2nd, none out situation.
Inning: 15 pitches, 10 of them strikes. Very good inning for his first in the Series.
WS Game 3 Top 1
Jacoby Ellsbury takes ball one at 7:36 Real Time. Awesome! The kid works the count full. He has a swinging bunt single up the third base line.
Pedroia steps up. Ball one. At 2-2, Pedroia gets an infield single to the hole at short. Two on, Papi up! 11 pitches, no one out yet.
Swinging strike one on a terrible pitch to Ortiz. At 2-2 Papi strikes out swinging. That can be an enormous out for Fogg if he follows it well.
Manny's turn. He's at .500 for the Series. Ball one. At 2-2, Manny flies to Holliday in left. Two down. 21 pitches so far.
Mike's up. Ball one. Only one first pitch strike to the first five batters. With the count full, Lowell flies to Sullivan.
Castiglione will call this a squander, but it was a productive inning. Josh Fogg was under pressure the entire inning, and had to make 27 pitches, and 16 of them were made with runners at first and second. That has already shortened his time in this game. Mazzone Measure: he pitched two innings in the top of the first.
Inning: 27 pitches, 15 of them strikes.
Pedroia steps up. Ball one. At 2-2, Pedroia gets an infield single to the hole at short. Two on, Papi up! 11 pitches, no one out yet.
Swinging strike one on a terrible pitch to Ortiz. At 2-2 Papi strikes out swinging. That can be an enormous out for Fogg if he follows it well.
Manny's turn. He's at .500 for the Series. Ball one. At 2-2, Manny flies to Holliday in left. Two down. 21 pitches so far.
Mike's up. Ball one. Only one first pitch strike to the first five batters. With the count full, Lowell flies to Sullivan.
Castiglione will call this a squander, but it was a productive inning. Josh Fogg was under pressure the entire inning, and had to make 27 pitches, and 16 of them were made with runners at first and second. That has already shortened his time in this game. Mazzone Measure: he pitched two innings in the top of the first.
Inning: 27 pitches, 15 of them strikes.
World Series Game 3 Pregame
Daisuke Matsuzaka was not nearly as effective away from Fenway Park as he was at home this year. That makes perfect sense to me, for, while he had to learn Boston, he had no opportunity to acclimate to any other place i North America. I remember the old Dick Vitale analysis of college hoops freshman: "By tourney time, baby, they aren't freshmen any more!" Dice K has had the season, but no time in Denver. I have no idea what the elevations are in Japan, but I will assume that he hasn't pitched in the mile high environs. Then again, he throws hard, and that should help him. Most of the pitchers who've had terrible trouble at Coors Field have been the finesse, Denny Neagle-types of guys.
Tito has bumped Ellsbury into the leadoff spot. If he keeps it on the ground, Jacoby could be a force in this huge yard. Youk won't do any chirping about being out of the lineup. Plus, if the Sox lead, he'll be in at the end. Papi is a huge man who is not accustomed to playing in the field. As John Calipari so often says, "It is what it is." Will the Rockies suddenly decide to have everybody try to bunt up the first baseline? Oh, I hope so! But I'm not holding my breath.
I know nothing about Josh Fogg. I'm a bit surprised that Hurdle has dropped Willy Taveras in favor of Corey Sullivan.
The Sox presented John Williams and the Boston Pops and James Taylor to perform the national anthem. The Rockies have produce one of these American Idol dopes. And so it goes.
The Game is afoot!
Tito has bumped Ellsbury into the leadoff spot. If he keeps it on the ground, Jacoby could be a force in this huge yard. Youk won't do any chirping about being out of the lineup. Plus, if the Sox lead, he'll be in at the end. Papi is a huge man who is not accustomed to playing in the field. As John Calipari so often says, "It is what it is." Will the Rockies suddenly decide to have everybody try to bunt up the first baseline? Oh, I hope so! But I'm not holding my breath.
I know nothing about Josh Fogg. I'm a bit surprised that Hurdle has dropped Willy Taveras in favor of Corey Sullivan.
The Sox presented John Williams and the Boston Pops and James Taylor to perform the national anthem. The Rockies have produce one of these American Idol dopes. And so it goes.
The Game is afoot!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
WS Game 2 Postgame
If we turn to Schilling again, we don't need one bit more from him than he gave us tonight. He did the job as the grizzled veteran that he is. No, he can't reach back and burn anymore like Beckett and Papelbon do, but he knows things that they don't know. And Jimenez may have lit up the radar gun, but the old guy was around longer, and beat the kid. At this point in their respective careers, Curt has forgotten more about pitching than the younger man knows, and he used it all tonight.
Tonight revealed other differences in these clubs. The veteran Lowell takes the extra base, and scores on Tek's Sac Fly. The youngster Holliday gets picked off first with his team trailing by a run in the 8th. Mike made an error, but Schilling picked him up. Later, Mike atones by driving in the winning run. That's experience; that's what it means to have been there before. Schilling has, with the Phillies, D'backs and Sox, and Lowell's been to the top with the Marlins. Nobody on the Rockies has that kind of experience, and it's showing.
The other side of the coin is that the Sox' young guys are special. Dustin Pedroia is a rookie, but plays like a veteran. He even looks like those guys in the photos from the 1920's and 1930's. Jacoby Ellsbury is the greenest of rookies, but gives no indication of anxiety or nerves, starting in the World Series. Okajima and Matsuzaka are new to the country, but performing very well. Their Japanese Leagues experience is helping, but only so far. They obviously don't have any 3,000 mile road trips in Japan. I also have read that they don't even change time zones in their travels. What an adjustment, and that doesn't even address the language, food, culture, distance from family and all the rest of it. Papelbon is a baby, just a big goofy kid. If you're not sure about that, look on YouTube for his performances in the three clinching celebrations so far. He's a maniac. But on that mound, he is General Patton, and he's marching on your village. Don't forget, this is the first season when he has been a closer who's going to stay a closer. He is what Mariano Rivera was a decade ago for the Yankees.
Next up, it'll be Dice K against Josh Fogg in Denver on Saturday night. I don't think it will be a sweep. I think the Rockies will win at least one in their park. But it wouldn't surprise me if Sunday night saw the end of the season.
Tonight revealed other differences in these clubs. The veteran Lowell takes the extra base, and scores on Tek's Sac Fly. The youngster Holliday gets picked off first with his team trailing by a run in the 8th. Mike made an error, but Schilling picked him up. Later, Mike atones by driving in the winning run. That's experience; that's what it means to have been there before. Schilling has, with the Phillies, D'backs and Sox, and Lowell's been to the top with the Marlins. Nobody on the Rockies has that kind of experience, and it's showing.
The other side of the coin is that the Sox' young guys are special. Dustin Pedroia is a rookie, but plays like a veteran. He even looks like those guys in the photos from the 1920's and 1930's. Jacoby Ellsbury is the greenest of rookies, but gives no indication of anxiety or nerves, starting in the World Series. Okajima and Matsuzaka are new to the country, but performing very well. Their Japanese Leagues experience is helping, but only so far. They obviously don't have any 3,000 mile road trips in Japan. I also have read that they don't even change time zones in their travels. What an adjustment, and that doesn't even address the language, food, culture, distance from family and all the rest of it. Papelbon is a baby, just a big goofy kid. If you're not sure about that, look on YouTube for his performances in the three clinching celebrations so far. He's a maniac. But on that mound, he is General Patton, and he's marching on your village. Don't forget, this is the first season when he has been a closer who's going to stay a closer. He is what Mariano Rivera was a decade ago for the Yankees.
Next up, it'll be Dice K against Josh Fogg in Denver on Saturday night. I don't think it will be a sweep. I think the Rockies will win at least one in their park. But it wouldn't surprise me if Sunday night saw the end of the season.
WS Game 2 Top 9
Jonathan Papelbon is seeking to lock down a 2-0 lead in the 2007 World Series. He will face the meat of the Rockies' order to get it done.
Todd Helton's first. He was at the plate when Holliday was picked off in the 8th. Strike one, foul. Ball, 1-1. Strike two, swinging. Tito is showing some of his thinking. Manny's still in the game, as he's due up second if we need the bottom of the ninth. Ball, 2-2. Foul, still 2-2. Helton strikes out on one low and away. One down, two to go.
Ball one to Atkins. Strike, called, 1-1. Atkins lines to Ellsbury, two down, one to go.
It's down to Hawpe. Foul, strike one. A swing and a miss at 97 mph. Down to their last strike. Jonathan looks in. Mr. Henry has his fingers in his ears, it's so loud at Fenway. Ball, in the dirt, 1-2. Another 97 fastball ends the game!
Final: 2-1 Red Sox!
Sox lead the series, 2-0. Another dominating performance by the Sox bullpen, this one in a very tight game. We can win either way.
Fox names Oki the Player of the Game, richly deserved.
Curt Schilling is now 11-2 in the postseason.
Now, a day off, and we play in Denver. The Fenway celebration will go a while tonight--the Nation knows this may be the last home game this season.
Todd Helton's first. He was at the plate when Holliday was picked off in the 8th. Strike one, foul. Ball, 1-1. Strike two, swinging. Tito is showing some of his thinking. Manny's still in the game, as he's due up second if we need the bottom of the ninth. Ball, 2-2. Foul, still 2-2. Helton strikes out on one low and away. One down, two to go.
Ball one to Atkins. Strike, called, 1-1. Atkins lines to Ellsbury, two down, one to go.
It's down to Hawpe. Foul, strike one. A swing and a miss at 97 mph. Down to their last strike. Jonathan looks in. Mr. Henry has his fingers in his ears, it's so loud at Fenway. Ball, in the dirt, 1-2. Another 97 fastball ends the game!
Final: 2-1 Red Sox!
Sox lead the series, 2-0. Another dominating performance by the Sox bullpen, this one in a very tight game. We can win either way.
Fox names Oki the Player of the Game, richly deserved.
Curt Schilling is now 11-2 in the postseason.
Now, a day off, and we play in Denver. The Fenway celebration will go a while tonight--the Nation knows this may be the last home game this season.
WS Game 2 Bottom 8
You're a game down in the World Series, and trailing 2-1 in the top of the eighth. A future Hall of Famer is in the box, and you get yourself picked off? That just cannot happen!
Strike one to Jacoby; Fuentes is still in. At 1-1, Ellsbury flies to Taveras. One down.
Lugo fouls...no, Laz Diaz rules that the bunted ball hit him out of the batter's box. Two down. A mild argument, but it looks like Diaz had it right to me.
Manny Corpas, the Rockies' closer, will relieve Fuentes to pitch to Pedroia. He just needs some work. Ball one to Dustin. At 2-0 he singles to right. One on, two down.
Youk gets another chance. He's hitless tonight, but with two walks. Ball one. At 1-2, Youk grounds into a 4-6 Fielder's Choice, with Dustin out at second.
We'll go to the Ninth, Sox up 2-1.
Strike one to Jacoby; Fuentes is still in. At 1-1, Ellsbury flies to Taveras. One down.
Lugo fouls...no, Laz Diaz rules that the bunted ball hit him out of the batter's box. Two down. A mild argument, but it looks like Diaz had it right to me.
Manny Corpas, the Rockies' closer, will relieve Fuentes to pitch to Pedroia. He just needs some work. Ball one to Dustin. At 2-0 he singles to right. One on, two down.
Youk gets another chance. He's hitless tonight, but with two walks. Ball one. At 1-2, Youk grounds into a 4-6 Fielder's Choice, with Dustin out at second.
We'll go to the Ninth, Sox up 2-1.
WS Game 2 Top 8
Oki's still in, with Pap warming. Strike one, called, to Taveras. And at 0-2, a called strike 3. One down.
Strike called to Matsui. Oki is rolling. And in other understatements, it's a little cooler to today, and the sunrise might happen in the East. Will Pap come in for Holliday? With the count full, Matsui strikes out swinging. Two down.
And Tito comes to the mound. Oki was great again tonight. And Pap will finish it off.
Strike one, gas, 97 mph to Holliday. Another 97, and he didn't have a chance. Strike two. Holliday singles back through the box, knocked down by Pedroia. One on, two out.
Holliday has been the whole offense for the Rockies tonight, four for four. And PAPELBON PICKS HIM OFF!!! The inning ends with Helton in the batters box! What a move! A great one by Pap, a terrible, disastrous move by Holliday!
2-1 Sox after 7 and a half.
Strike called to Matsui. Oki is rolling. And in other understatements, it's a little cooler to today, and the sunrise might happen in the East. Will Pap come in for Holliday? With the count full, Matsui strikes out swinging. Two down.
And Tito comes to the mound. Oki was great again tonight. And Pap will finish it off.
Strike one, gas, 97 mph to Holliday. Another 97, and he didn't have a chance. Strike two. Holliday singles back through the box, knocked down by Pedroia. One on, two out.
Holliday has been the whole offense for the Rockies tonight, four for four. And PAPELBON PICKS HIM OFF!!! The inning ends with Helton in the batters box! What a move! A great one by Pap, a terrible, disastrous move by Holliday!
2-1 Sox after 7 and a half.
WS Game 2 Bottom 7
Fuentes continues, and a called strike to Manny. At 2-2 Manny grounds to Tulo.
On the first pitch, Lowell flies to Hawpe. Two down.
Drew takes strike one. At 1-1, JD rips one through the right side.
Varitek to the plate. Ball one. At 1-2 Tek strikes out swinging.
Fuentes was impressive.
2-1 Sox after 7.
On the first pitch, Lowell flies to Hawpe. Two down.
Drew takes strike one. At 1-1, JD rips one through the right side.
Varitek to the plate. Ball one. At 1-2 Tek strikes out swinging.
Fuentes was impressive.
2-1 Sox after 7.
WS Game 2 Top 7
Oki shoots a strike to Tulo, and on the second pitch he pops to Drew in shallow right. That's one.
Torrealba takes a strike. At 1-2, Yorvit grounds to Lugo, on to first for out number 2.
Spilborghs takes a ball. At 2-2, Oki nails him for a called third with the gas.
At the stretch, it's 2-1 Sox.
Oki's been great. Inning: 11 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 18 pitches, 13 strikes. Will he go another?
Torrealba takes a strike. At 1-2, Yorvit grounds to Lugo, on to first for out number 2.
Spilborghs takes a ball. At 2-2, Oki nails him for a called third with the gas.
At the stretch, it's 2-1 Sox.
Oki's been great. Inning: 11 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 18 pitches, 13 strikes. Will he go another?
WS Game 2 Bottom 6
Herges breaks one off for a called first strike to Ellsbury. And the kid singles to center on the 0-1. His first World Series hit.
Lugo gets a chance. Ball one. Julio bunts, and Herges had a great shot at Ellsbury, but turns and throws to first. Sac Bunt; one out, man on second.
Pedroia has an RBI chance. That curve again, for strike one. Just how much pressure is Clint Hurdle feeling in this game? Brian Fuentes is warming up in the sixth, with Papi lurking two spots down. Pedroia fits right in on this team; it's 2-2, with a couple of two strike foul balls already. A six pitch at bat working. Another foul. On the 8th pitch he grounds to Tulo, with Jacoby moving to third. Two down.
Youk needs to get Ellsbury in. Strike one, called. Swinging strike two. Juuuust a bit outside. Another ball, high; 2-2. And after 0-2, the Greek God of Walks works it full. Foul. Foul again. After the next, the first two men in the Sox order will have seen 40 pitches tonight, just the two of them. Another ripped foul. He's all over Ellsbury and Hale with these fouls. Helmets, helmets, helmets! Hey Bud, wake up and do something useful. Mandate the helmets. Ball four. First and third, two out, for Papi. And, indeed, Herges will leave for Fuentes. In the sixth.
Papi stands in. Ball one. On the second pitch Papi flies deep to Taveras. Fuentes did his job.
2-1 Sox after 6.
Lugo gets a chance. Ball one. Julio bunts, and Herges had a great shot at Ellsbury, but turns and throws to first. Sac Bunt; one out, man on second.
Pedroia has an RBI chance. That curve again, for strike one. Just how much pressure is Clint Hurdle feeling in this game? Brian Fuentes is warming up in the sixth, with Papi lurking two spots down. Pedroia fits right in on this team; it's 2-2, with a couple of two strike foul balls already. A six pitch at bat working. Another foul. On the 8th pitch he grounds to Tulo, with Jacoby moving to third. Two down.
Youk needs to get Ellsbury in. Strike one, called. Swinging strike two. Juuuust a bit outside. Another ball, high; 2-2. And after 0-2, the Greek God of Walks works it full. Foul. Foul again. After the next, the first two men in the Sox order will have seen 40 pitches tonight, just the two of them. Another ripped foul. He's all over Ellsbury and Hale with these fouls. Helmets, helmets, helmets! Hey Bud, wake up and do something useful. Mandate the helmets. Ball four. First and third, two out, for Papi. And, indeed, Herges will leave for Fuentes. In the sixth.
Papi stands in. Ball one. On the second pitch Papi flies deep to Taveras. Fuentes did his job.
2-1 Sox after 6.
WS Game 2 Top 6
Curt had a nice break in the bottom of the 5th. Things like that matter after one's 40th.
Matsui takes strike one. At 2-2 he pops to Lugo.
Holliday takes ball one. And singles sharply to left.
Helton's scary. Strike one. He works it full, only the 3rd for Schilling tonight. Ball four. The second walk for Curt.
Curt Schilling leaves the mound at Fenway Park for what may be the last time. He gets a tremendous ovation, and, as he always does, he acknowledges the fans. If that's it, it has been an historic relationship.
Hideki Okajima has been our best non-Papelbon reliever all season. He's in now, with two on and one out, and a one run lead.
Atkins takes ball one. At 2-1 he grounds to Youk, unassisted; the runners each advance a base. Second and third, but now two out.
Hawpe check swings too far for strike one. And takes a called second. AND OKI MAKES HIM LOOK BAD ON A SWINGING STRIKE THREE!!!
2-1 Sox in the middle of the 6th.
Curt, Inning: 16 pitches, 9 strikes; Game: 82 pitches, 55 strikes.
Oki, 7 pitches, 5 strikes.
Matsui takes strike one. At 2-2 he pops to Lugo.
Holliday takes ball one. And singles sharply to left.
Helton's scary. Strike one. He works it full, only the 3rd for Schilling tonight. Ball four. The second walk for Curt.
Curt Schilling leaves the mound at Fenway Park for what may be the last time. He gets a tremendous ovation, and, as he always does, he acknowledges the fans. If that's it, it has been an historic relationship.
Hideki Okajima has been our best non-Papelbon reliever all season. He's in now, with two on and one out, and a one run lead.
Atkins takes ball one. At 2-1 he grounds to Youk, unassisted; the runners each advance a base. Second and third, but now two out.
Hawpe check swings too far for strike one. And takes a called second. AND OKI MAKES HIM LOOK BAD ON A SWINGING STRIKE THREE!!!
2-1 Sox in the middle of the 6th.
Curt, Inning: 16 pitches, 9 strikes; Game: 82 pitches, 55 strikes.
Oki, 7 pitches, 5 strikes.
WS Game 2 Bottom 5
Strike one to Pedroia. At 2-2, he grounds to Atkins, and I don't know how Helton didn't pull both hammies and both groins on that stretch.
On that first pitch swinging deal, three Red Sox have put the first pitch in play in the whole game, and one of those was Varitek's Sac Fly. Five Rockies have put the first pitch in play in the last two innings, one of those being Torrealba's Sac Bunt. Keep an eye on that little issue.
Youk takes strike one. With a full count, he flies deep to Taveras. Two down.
Papi takes ball one. He works it full. Jimenez is averaging a full count per inning. Papi walks.
Manny's turn. Ball one. Fox had a graphic that showed Manny's BA as .455 for his last 22 postseason games with RISP. That's probably one hit shy of .500. 1-2 to Manny, and that makes 20 pitches for Jimenez in the inning; that's 3 straight with 20+ pitches. Manny spanks one past Atkins into left. Papi's knee will only allow for station-to-station at this point.
This has been Lowell's situation all year. 120 RBI. That's the most any Boston third baseman has ever had in a season. Ball one. Ball two. Strike one, and that's the 26th pitch of the inning, 90th of the game. In the bottom of the fifth. Mikey doubles into the left field corner scoring Papi, Manny to 3rd. Sox lead 2-1! Resign Mikey! That's Re-sign Mikey!
And Jimenez is out of the game. Too many pitches in too few innings. He was ok through two, but then things blew up. 3rd: 24 pitches; 4th: 21 pitches; 5th: 26. That's five innings' work in three innings. Can't do that and survive. Affeldt comes in to pitch to Drew.
Jimenez, Inning: 26 pitches, 14 of them strikes; Game: 90 pitches, 49 strikes.
JD takes ball one. Ball two. He can blow it open. Strike one. The high pitch count also means walks. Runners mean runs, and that's the whole point, ain't it? Ball three. Strike two. Full up. Ball four to load the bases for The Captain. But he'll face Herges, not Affeldt.
Jeremy, 6 pitches, two strikes.
Ball one from Matt Herges to Tek. Remember my Time of Game rant from the ALCS? Two hours in tonight, just past the two hour mark. The Sox are being the Sox. At 2-1 Tek just misses one, flying to Holliday.
Herges, 4 pitches, two and two.
2-1 Sox after 5.
On that first pitch swinging deal, three Red Sox have put the first pitch in play in the whole game, and one of those was Varitek's Sac Fly. Five Rockies have put the first pitch in play in the last two innings, one of those being Torrealba's Sac Bunt. Keep an eye on that little issue.
Youk takes strike one. With a full count, he flies deep to Taveras. Two down.
Papi takes ball one. He works it full. Jimenez is averaging a full count per inning. Papi walks.
Manny's turn. Ball one. Fox had a graphic that showed Manny's BA as .455 for his last 22 postseason games with RISP. That's probably one hit shy of .500. 1-2 to Manny, and that makes 20 pitches for Jimenez in the inning; that's 3 straight with 20+ pitches. Manny spanks one past Atkins into left. Papi's knee will only allow for station-to-station at this point.
This has been Lowell's situation all year. 120 RBI. That's the most any Boston third baseman has ever had in a season. Ball one. Ball two. Strike one, and that's the 26th pitch of the inning, 90th of the game. In the bottom of the fifth. Mikey doubles into the left field corner scoring Papi, Manny to 3rd. Sox lead 2-1! Resign Mikey! That's Re-sign Mikey!
And Jimenez is out of the game. Too many pitches in too few innings. He was ok through two, but then things blew up. 3rd: 24 pitches; 4th: 21 pitches; 5th: 26. That's five innings' work in three innings. Can't do that and survive. Affeldt comes in to pitch to Drew.
Jimenez, Inning: 26 pitches, 14 of them strikes; Game: 90 pitches, 49 strikes.
JD takes ball one. Ball two. He can blow it open. Strike one. The high pitch count also means walks. Runners mean runs, and that's the whole point, ain't it? Ball three. Strike two. Full up. Ball four to load the bases for The Captain. But he'll face Herges, not Affeldt.
Jeremy, 6 pitches, two strikes.
Ball one from Matt Herges to Tek. Remember my Time of Game rant from the ALCS? Two hours in tonight, just past the two hour mark. The Sox are being the Sox. At 2-1 Tek just misses one, flying to Holliday.
Herges, 4 pitches, two and two.
2-1 Sox after 5.
WS Game 2 Top 5
Tulo swings badly at the first pitch. With a full count, Troy draws Curt's first walk of the night.
Yorvit stands in. I wish my name was Yorvit. He sacrifices to Lowell on the first pitch, Tulo to 2nd, one out.
Spilborghs' turn. Strike one. At 0-2, Curt nails him for a called third. Two down. That's the way to deal with a one out RISP!
Taveras will give it a whirl...and on the first pitch, he grounds to Lugo. The contrast between these two teams couldn't be more apparent. The Rockies have made outs on first pitches about 4 times in the last two innings, blasphemy to the Red Sox' lineup. They are really helping Schilling out.
Inning: 13 pitches, nine strikes; Game: 66 pitches, 46 strikes. Excellent!
1-1 going to the bottom of the 5th.
Yorvit stands in. I wish my name was Yorvit. He sacrifices to Lowell on the first pitch, Tulo to 2nd, one out.
Spilborghs' turn. Strike one. At 0-2, Curt nails him for a called third. Two down. That's the way to deal with a one out RISP!
Taveras will give it a whirl...and on the first pitch, he grounds to Lugo. The contrast between these two teams couldn't be more apparent. The Rockies have made outs on first pitches about 4 times in the last two innings, blasphemy to the Red Sox' lineup. They are really helping Schilling out.
Inning: 13 pitches, nine strikes; Game: 66 pitches, 46 strikes. Excellent!
1-1 going to the bottom of the 5th.
WS Game 2 Bottom 4
I'm getting the idea that Fox wants us to watch House. Never seen it, never will.
Manny needs to be Manny right here. Strike one. Am I missing them, or have the Penis Pills been banished for the evening? Hallelujah! At 0-2, Manny pops to Atkins.
Lowell would be a good guy to get things started. Ball one. At 2-0 Mike bangs one off his bunion. It's Alliteration Thursday! At 3-1 Mikey walks. Maybe Drew's awake, and can do something.
JD rips a single to right, the speed merchant Lowell chugs into third, and on a dumb throw to third, Drew takes second. The Captain will score one, if not both of them, count on it.
On the first pitch, Tek flies to Taveras in deep center; Lowell scores, Drew advances to 3rd. That's why he's The Captain!
Ellsbury takes ball one. Jacoby works Jimenez to 3-1. Come on, kid. Ball 4! First and third for Lugo. Which brings Apodaca out to the mound for his first visit of the night.
Lugo didn't hit all year except when runners were in scoring position. He had 73 RBI on a .237 average. Not easy to do, unless your name is Dave Kingman. Strike one. On the second pitch, Lugo just missed a double down the third base line. 0-2. It was foul; good call, Mike Everitt. Ball one, and Ellsbury steals second. WE GOT TACOS! Visit your local Taco Bell on October 30, and demand your World Series Stolen Base Taco! Lugo dives for his life from ball two, 2-2. Ball three, full count. Argh! Roller to Helton. He's never missed one of those in his life.
Nevertheless, Schill's even. 1-1 after 4.
Jimenez, Inning: 21 pitches, only 10 of them strikes; Game: 64 pitches, 35 strikes.
He's now an inning's worth of pitches beyond Schilling. Stay the course, boys. Ugh, that sounds like the Doofus-in-Chief.
Manny needs to be Manny right here. Strike one. Am I missing them, or have the Penis Pills been banished for the evening? Hallelujah! At 0-2, Manny pops to Atkins.
Lowell would be a good guy to get things started. Ball one. At 2-0 Mike bangs one off his bunion. It's Alliteration Thursday! At 3-1 Mikey walks. Maybe Drew's awake, and can do something.
JD rips a single to right, the speed merchant Lowell chugs into third, and on a dumb throw to third, Drew takes second. The Captain will score one, if not both of them, count on it.
On the first pitch, Tek flies to Taveras in deep center; Lowell scores, Drew advances to 3rd. That's why he's The Captain!
Ellsbury takes ball one. Jacoby works Jimenez to 3-1. Come on, kid. Ball 4! First and third for Lugo. Which brings Apodaca out to the mound for his first visit of the night.
Lugo didn't hit all year except when runners were in scoring position. He had 73 RBI on a .237 average. Not easy to do, unless your name is Dave Kingman. Strike one. On the second pitch, Lugo just missed a double down the third base line. 0-2. It was foul; good call, Mike Everitt. Ball one, and Ellsbury steals second. WE GOT TACOS! Visit your local Taco Bell on October 30, and demand your World Series Stolen Base Taco! Lugo dives for his life from ball two, 2-2. Ball three, full count. Argh! Roller to Helton. He's never missed one of those in his life.
Nevertheless, Schill's even. 1-1 after 4.
Jimenez, Inning: 21 pitches, only 10 of them strikes; Game: 64 pitches, 35 strikes.
He's now an inning's worth of pitches beyond Schilling. Stay the course, boys. Ugh, that sounds like the Doofus-in-Chief.
WS Game 2 Top 4
Curt gets strike one, called, on Holliday. The presumptive NL MVP works Curt to a full count. And singles up the middle.
Helton chases Ellsbury to the wall in left center for the first out. That fellow is a pretty good hitter for a quarterback. Holliday stays put, one out.
Atkins helps Curt, too, flying to Manny on the first pitch. Two down.
And Hawpe pops out to Lugo on the first pitch. The 40 year old pitcher thanks you all!
Curt, Inning: 9 pitches, six strikes; Game: 53 pitches, 37 strikes. He's one pitch over the Mazzone Measure. I'll take that all night long.
Helton chases Ellsbury to the wall in left center for the first out. That fellow is a pretty good hitter for a quarterback. Holliday stays put, one out.
Atkins helps Curt, too, flying to Manny on the first pitch. Two down.
And Hawpe pops out to Lugo on the first pitch. The 40 year old pitcher thanks you all!
Curt, Inning: 9 pitches, six strikes; Game: 53 pitches, 37 strikes. He's one pitch over the Mazzone Measure. I'll take that all night long.
WS Game 2 Bottom 3
Jacoby Ellsbury is in the box. Ball one. At 2-2 he grounds to Matsui.
Lugo takes strike one. And at 0-2 he grounds to Matsui.
Hey Dustin, try somebody else. Ball one. Pedroia walks on four straight.
Youk has been great with people on base. Ball one. Jimenez has lost the plate, Torrealba recognizes it, and so he visits the mound. At 1-2 Youk has to hit the dirt to avoid one at his head. 2-2. With the count full, Tito starts Pedroia, but Youk fouls it off his foot. Ball four. First and second for Papi.
Ortiz takes strike one on the outside. Way outside. Off the black outside. Not a strike outside. Ball, for 1-1. Ball two, 2-1. Foul alongside Pesky's Pole, 2-2. Papi spoils a good pitch. Diaz calls Papi for a swing on a pitch at his bellybutton. That's the inning.
Jimenez, Inning: 24 pitches, 12 strikes; Game: 43 pitches, 25 strikes.
His first stressed inning.
Still, 1-0 Rockies.
Lugo takes strike one. And at 0-2 he grounds to Matsui.
Hey Dustin, try somebody else. Ball one. Pedroia walks on four straight.
Youk has been great with people on base. Ball one. Jimenez has lost the plate, Torrealba recognizes it, and so he visits the mound. At 1-2 Youk has to hit the dirt to avoid one at his head. 2-2. With the count full, Tito starts Pedroia, but Youk fouls it off his foot. Ball four. First and second for Papi.
Ortiz takes strike one on the outside. Way outside. Off the black outside. Not a strike outside. Ball, for 1-1. Ball two, 2-1. Foul alongside Pesky's Pole, 2-2. Papi spoils a good pitch. Diaz calls Papi for a swing on a pitch at his bellybutton. That's the inning.
Jimenez, Inning: 24 pitches, 12 strikes; Game: 43 pitches, 25 strikes.
His first stressed inning.
Still, 1-0 Rockies.
WS Game 2 Top 3
Schilling gets it over for strike one to Spilborghs. He kind of sums up the NL disadvantage in AL parks in the World Series. Apparently he's the best bat they can stick in the DH slot. Hurdle clearly decided to put him in the pitcher's slot to keep his lineup as intact as possible. He takes a called third at 2-2.
Strike one to Taveras. At 0-2 he grounds to Lowell. Two down.
Matsui takes a breaking ball for strike one. He also takes a called third, at 1-2.
Schill has settled in nicely, too.
Inning: 13 pitches, ten strikes; Game: 44 pitches, 31 of them strikes.
1-0 Rockies after two and a half.
Strike one to Taveras. At 0-2 he grounds to Lowell. Two down.
Matsui takes a breaking ball for strike one. He also takes a called third, at 1-2.
Schill has settled in nicely, too.
Inning: 13 pitches, ten strikes; Game: 44 pitches, 31 of them strikes.
1-0 Rockies after two and a half.
WS Game 2 Bottom 2
Manny takes strike one. And grounds to Atkins on the second pitch.
Lowell takes strike one. At 1-1 he grounds to Atkins. Try somebody else, boys.
Drew takes strike one. At 1-2 Drew gets smacked on the ankle. One on, two out.
Tek also takes strike one. Hey kid, that strike one thing's just a guideline. You don't have to do that with everybody. At 1-2 Tek looks at strike three.
The Jimenez kid is good!
Inning: 13 pitches, 9 strikes; Game: 19 pitches, 13 strikes.
1-0 Rockies.
Lowell takes strike one. At 1-1 he grounds to Atkins. Try somebody else, boys.
Drew takes strike one. At 1-2 Drew gets smacked on the ankle. One on, two out.
Tek also takes strike one. Hey kid, that strike one thing's just a guideline. You don't have to do that with everybody. At 1-2 Tek looks at strike three.
The Jimenez kid is good!
Inning: 13 pitches, 9 strikes; Game: 19 pitches, 13 strikes.
1-0 Rockies.
WS Game 2 Top 2
Schill shoots strike one by Hawpe. And Hawpe shoots the second pitch by Schilling into center.
Tulowitzki takes ball one. He strikes out at 1-2. One down.
Way up and way in to Torrealba for ball one. At 1-1 he hits a polite three hopper to Lugo right at the bag for a 6u-3 DP, Hawpe out at 2nd.
Schilling, Inning: 9 pitches, 7 of them strikes; Game: 31 pitches, 21 of them strikes.
Tulowitzki takes ball one. He strikes out at 1-2. One down.
Way up and way in to Torrealba for ball one. At 1-1 he hits a polite three hopper to Lugo right at the bag for a 6u-3 DP, Hawpe out at 2nd.
Schilling, Inning: 9 pitches, 7 of them strikes; Game: 31 pitches, 21 of them strikes.
WS Game 2 Bottom 1
Pedroia steps in. He pops to Holliday on the first pitch.
Youk takes ball one. At 1-1 he flies to Taveras a couple steps short of the track.
Papi's turn. Ball one. On the second pitch Papi rips one that's fielded by Matsui, on to first for the third out.
That's as quick an inning as the Sox have had lately.
Jimenez seems to have everything under control.
Inning: 6 pitches, 4 of them strikes. He probably didn't break a sweat on this cool New England night.
1-0 Rockies after 1.
Youk takes ball one. At 1-1 he flies to Taveras a couple steps short of the track.
Papi's turn. Ball one. On the second pitch Papi rips one that's fielded by Matsui, on to first for the third out.
That's as quick an inning as the Sox have had lately.
Jimenez seems to have everything under control.
Inning: 6 pitches, 4 of them strikes. He probably didn't break a sweat on this cool New England night.
1-0 Rockies after 1.
WS Game 2 Top 1
A brief review: I believe that pitch counts matter, not as a tool for knowing when to pull the pitcher, but as an indication of command (ball/strike ratio). I also subscribe to the Leo Mazzone Theory that a major league pitcher should be able to retire his opponents on 13 pitches per inning. I think this matter more than the Innings Pitched statistic. Ok, a guy pitches an inning. Hooray! But what kind of an inning was it? 3 popups on 4 pitches? That's one kind of inning. Four runs on five hits and a walk with deep counts to every batter? That's a whole different inning, with different implications for the bullpen in the rest of the game. Pitchers who have a 30 pitch inning are not likely to pitch more than 5 innings. Pitchers who hang around 13 pitches, with a 5 or 6 pitch inning here or there haven't been stressed and required to throw a lot of high pressure pitches.
First pitch strikes are the quickest indication of command. No pitcher wants to throw down 2-0 or 3-1. Those are the counts that turn .220 hitters in .310 hitters. You can't put yourself in the position of having to throw a fastball when they know you have to throw a fastball. Strike one is the best pitch in the world, because it lets the pitcher dictate the at bat, rather than the count.
Simple!
New statistic of the night: Ads for Male Equipment: 1 (Flomax; why didn't they just name it Peegood?)
James Taylor on the Anthem! Basic and straightforward, as it should be. Well done, sir! John Williams and the Boston Pops for Game 1, JT for Game 2. Let's see, the Rockies can call on...well, maybe they can dig up John Denver? Oh, that was tacky. True, but tacky.
If you haven't heard, Chevy is an American Revolution!
Man, Tim McCarver looks old.
Impotence ad #1...oh, sorry; that's an ad for the Republican candidate for governor in Mississippi. Same thing!
Still waiting for them to send the wheelchair to the bullpen to bring Schilling to the dugout.
Foul ball at 7:31 pm, cdt. If Taveras wants to bunt, he should do it on the first pitch, not down 0-1 like he just did. At 1-2 Taveras gets hit on the hand.
Matsui is a whole lot better as a Rockie than he ever was as a Met. Strike 1. 0-2. Everything's been a strike but the one that clipped Taveras. On the fourth 0-2 pitch, Matsui flied to Ellsbury on the track.
Ball one to Holliday. At 2-1 Holliday rips one that Lowell knocked down; when Schilling didn't cover third, Taveras took it; Lowell tried to stop his throw, which turned it into a spike; Holliday to second on the error. Second and third, one out.
Ball one to Todd Helton. Helton, the Professional Hitter, grounds to Youk who underhands to Schill covering; Taveras scores and Holliday moves to third with two out.
Atkins takes strike 1. Whatever became of Cindy Atkins? Or was it Adkins? Can anyone be more random than me? Probably not. At 2-1, Garrett grounds to Lowell for the third out.
1-0 Rockies.
Schilling: 22 pitches, 14 of them strikes. Good damage control; too many pressure pitches.
First pitch strikes are the quickest indication of command. No pitcher wants to throw down 2-0 or 3-1. Those are the counts that turn .220 hitters in .310 hitters. You can't put yourself in the position of having to throw a fastball when they know you have to throw a fastball. Strike one is the best pitch in the world, because it lets the pitcher dictate the at bat, rather than the count.
Simple!
New statistic of the night: Ads for Male Equipment: 1 (Flomax; why didn't they just name it Peegood?)
James Taylor on the Anthem! Basic and straightforward, as it should be. Well done, sir! John Williams and the Boston Pops for Game 1, JT for Game 2. Let's see, the Rockies can call on...well, maybe they can dig up John Denver? Oh, that was tacky. True, but tacky.
If you haven't heard, Chevy is an American Revolution!
Man, Tim McCarver looks old.
Impotence ad #1...oh, sorry; that's an ad for the Republican candidate for governor in Mississippi. Same thing!
Still waiting for them to send the wheelchair to the bullpen to bring Schilling to the dugout.
Foul ball at 7:31 pm, cdt. If Taveras wants to bunt, he should do it on the first pitch, not down 0-1 like he just did. At 1-2 Taveras gets hit on the hand.
Matsui is a whole lot better as a Rockie than he ever was as a Met. Strike 1. 0-2. Everything's been a strike but the one that clipped Taveras. On the fourth 0-2 pitch, Matsui flied to Ellsbury on the track.
Ball one to Holliday. At 2-1 Holliday rips one that Lowell knocked down; when Schilling didn't cover third, Taveras took it; Lowell tried to stop his throw, which turned it into a spike; Holliday to second on the error. Second and third, one out.
Ball one to Todd Helton. Helton, the Professional Hitter, grounds to Youk who underhands to Schill covering; Taveras scores and Holliday moves to third with two out.
Atkins takes strike 1. Whatever became of Cindy Atkins? Or was it Adkins? Can anyone be more random than me? Probably not. At 2-1, Garrett grounds to Lowell for the third out.
1-0 Rockies.
Schilling: 22 pitches, 14 of them strikes. Good damage control; too many pressure pitches.
World Series Game 2 Pregame
Curt Schilling was in his senior year of high school when Ubaldo Jimenez was born. Tonight they meet, the opposing pitchers in Game 2 of the World Series. The issues are obvious: can a 23 year old kid from the Dominican Republic keep his stomach, head and heart under control and, can an almost 41 year old fading master muster up one more big game performance? It is just the kind of wonderful juxtaposition that baseball shares so often. Schill is pitching for a plaque in the Hall of Fame; Jimenez hasn't yet had a full season under his belt. I'm glad to have the old guy. Line of the day: will he be the Schilling of old, or just old Schilling? About 16 people used that line on Charlie Steiner's Baseball Beat today on XM Radio. You really should subscribe. Charlie's show is worth the $13 all by itself.
The Rockies' lineup should have their timing down a little better tonight after the 8 day layoff. The Red Sox are being the Red Sox. They looked at 197 pitches last night. They are patient because they know they are good. They are not in a hurry. They are comfortable with 2 strikes in the at bat, and 2 outs in the inning. There is not one batter in the Sox lineup who will panic for any reason.
This is why baseball is great, and, on days like this, I really do live for this!
First pitch in about 20 minutes!
The Rockies' lineup should have their timing down a little better tonight after the 8 day layoff. The Red Sox are being the Red Sox. They looked at 197 pitches last night. They are patient because they know they are good. They are not in a hurry. They are comfortable with 2 strikes in the at bat, and 2 outs in the inning. There is not one batter in the Sox lineup who will panic for any reason.
This is why baseball is great, and, on days like this, I really do live for this!
First pitch in about 20 minutes!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
World Series Game One
It is so annoying to have to deal with the trivialities of life...like making a living. Oh well, I believe that the Beloved Boston Red Sox will eke one out without my assistance on the blog tonight. Tune in tomorrow night for a Wednesday Night Church Stuff-free evening of baseball brilliance. And, by the way, nice job, Beckett! One down three to go!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The Pennant Winning Postgame
Jackie Autry is presenting the Harridge Trophy to Tom Werner, John Henry and Lucchino. Tito should get a lifetime contract tonight. So should Theo. What a partnership they make up.
Wake's on the radio. What a great thing for him, heading back to the Series.
Josh Beckett is being presented with the MVP Award for the ALCS. He's obviously the guy, but Youk could have gotten it, or Pedroia, or Papi, among others. Manny, certainly.
Timlin and Schilling are the gray heads, but they sound like a couple of little boys tonight. Great stuff!
Eric Wedge is on TV with Chris Myers at the moment. I think baseball fans will see him, and see him be successful, for a very long time. This Indians team will be back. I know that a lot of us thought that about the 2005 White Sox, and the 2006 Tigers, but this Indians team is too young and too good to fall out of contention.
It's pretty doggoned cool to get to celebrate this comeback at Fenway after the 2004 miracle was completed at Yankee Stadium.
Papi has taken the mound, and he is waving the trophy to the crowd, still hanging out and celebrating. The Sox again have included the wives and children in the celebration, and that's awesome. Papelbon is a lunatic. What a great big goofy kid. With an awesome heater!
John Farrell is paying tribute to Jason Varitek. It all starts with The Captain with this team. We died last year when Tek got hurt in August, and we're going to the World Series because he led the pitching staff all year this year.
The hitting coach, Dave Magadan, is obviously a genius.
Pap is just a total whack job.
Papi is on the PA yelling to the crowd. The Big Man is holding court, giving credit to the Fenway Faithful. He promises a World Series win. I believe him.
Papelbon is doing his dance that looks remarkably like John Cleese's Gumby Dance while the Dropkick Murphys blare over the PA.
Mike Lowell is on with Joe C. He's another one that's earned a contract and should be brought back.
Turning to the World Series, I don't think that there will be any roster changes. It will be the guys that beat the Indians who will take on the Rockies. The rotation will be set up for Beckett to start Game 1, Schilling 2, Matsuzaka 3 and Wakefield 4. After tonight, I don't think that anyone will be anxious about Dice K starting a possible Game 7. Especially when Josh and everybody else will again be in the bullpen behind Matsuzaka if it goes to 7.
Now on to Wednesday and the Colorado Rockies for the 2007 American League Champions, the Boston Red Sox!
Wake's on the radio. What a great thing for him, heading back to the Series.
Josh Beckett is being presented with the MVP Award for the ALCS. He's obviously the guy, but Youk could have gotten it, or Pedroia, or Papi, among others. Manny, certainly.
Timlin and Schilling are the gray heads, but they sound like a couple of little boys tonight. Great stuff!
Eric Wedge is on TV with Chris Myers at the moment. I think baseball fans will see him, and see him be successful, for a very long time. This Indians team will be back. I know that a lot of us thought that about the 2005 White Sox, and the 2006 Tigers, but this Indians team is too young and too good to fall out of contention.
It's pretty doggoned cool to get to celebrate this comeback at Fenway after the 2004 miracle was completed at Yankee Stadium.
Papi has taken the mound, and he is waving the trophy to the crowd, still hanging out and celebrating. The Sox again have included the wives and children in the celebration, and that's awesome. Papelbon is a lunatic. What a great big goofy kid. With an awesome heater!
John Farrell is paying tribute to Jason Varitek. It all starts with The Captain with this team. We died last year when Tek got hurt in August, and we're going to the World Series because he led the pitching staff all year this year.
The hitting coach, Dave Magadan, is obviously a genius.
Pap is just a total whack job.
Papi is on the PA yelling to the crowd. The Big Man is holding court, giving credit to the Fenway Faithful. He promises a World Series win. I believe him.
Papelbon is doing his dance that looks remarkably like John Cleese's Gumby Dance while the Dropkick Murphys blare over the PA.
Mike Lowell is on with Joe C. He's another one that's earned a contract and should be brought back.
Turning to the World Series, I don't think that there will be any roster changes. It will be the guys that beat the Indians who will take on the Rockies. The rotation will be set up for Beckett to start Game 1, Schilling 2, Matsuzaka 3 and Wakefield 4. After tonight, I don't think that anyone will be anxious about Dice K starting a possible Game 7. Especially when Josh and everybody else will again be in the bullpen behind Matsuzaka if it goes to 7.
Now on to Wednesday and the Colorado Rockies for the 2007 American League Champions, the Boston Red Sox!
Top 9
Changes: Crisp to center, batting in Manny's spot, Ellsbury to Left.
Strike one to Peralta. Foul down the left side. Foul back to the screen. Jhonny singles to left.
Lofton lines one to left, and Jacoby makes a great catch! One out.
Gutierrez stands in. Pap looks to Tek for the sign. He delivers and it's a fly to Crisp in right center. Two down.
Blake wastes no time, he flies deep in the triangle to Crisp, and the Boston Red Sox have won the American League pennant! And the celebration is on! Can you believe it?
The Final from Fenway Park, 11-2 Red Sox!
The World Series starts Wednesday night in America's Most Beloved Park!
Strike one to Peralta. Foul down the left side. Foul back to the screen. Jhonny singles to left.
Lofton lines one to left, and Jacoby makes a great catch! One out.
Gutierrez stands in. Pap looks to Tek for the sign. He delivers and it's a fly to Crisp in right center. Two down.
Blake wastes no time, he flies deep in the triangle to Crisp, and the Boston Red Sox have won the American League pennant! And the celebration is on! Can you believe it?
The Final from Fenway Park, 11-2 Red Sox!
The World Series starts Wednesday night in America's Most Beloved Park!
Bottom 8
Gee, I guess by the Steinbrenner Rules, Eric Wedge will be due a salary cut. Brother, do those guys suck! Hal, already not my favorite name, attacked Joe Torre in the media today, saying that a 29% salary cut with performance incentives for a 12 year manager with 6 pennants and 4 World Series championships wasn't an insult. That, my friends, is the definition of a jackass.
No matter how much I love the Sox, I just don't get the Neil Diamond thing. Great, now I'm Larry King.
Manny pops to Cabrera on the first pitch from Betancourt.
Lowell takes strike one, inside corner. It just may not be a good idea to get ahead of the Boston Red Sox in a postseason series. At 1-2 Lowell hits a gapper to left center for a double.
Ball one to Drew. He works Betancourt to 2-2. A foul to the left side seats. Drew singles to center, scoring Lowell. 6-2 Sox. A guy in the crowd has a sign that says, "Drew Fan Club, New Members Welcome." Very good!
Tek stands in. He tries to catch them napping with a bunt attempt, foul, up the third base line. At 2-2 Tek winds up with a book-rule double, misplayed by Blake and Peralta.
The Indians intentionally walk Ellsbury to face Lugo. Have they paid attention this year? Lugo never hits except with RISP.
The Indians hold the Potsdam Conference to decide what to do with a batter when the bases are loaded. What the hell are they discussing? Wedge: "Get them out." Betancourt: "Ok." Get on with it!
Lugo fouls the first pitch outside first. Ball one. At 1-2, Lugo strikes out swinging. Two down.
Now, Pedroia. Boy, the kid came up big tonight! And he hits a gapper to left center, scoring three. A double for Pedroia. Dustin for Mayor! 9-2 Sox!!! Pedroia's three for five, 5 RBI, and only lacking the triple for the cycle. Yeah, he's figured out the postseason.
That's it for Betancourt. Jensen Lewis is on to pitch.
Ball one to Youk. On 1-1 YOUK HOMERS OFF THE COKE BOTTLE! PEDROIA SCORES, 11-2 SOX!!!
Kevin Youkilis just tied the record for hits in an LCS with 14.
Papi stands in, taking strike 1. Youk also lacks only the triple for a cycle. Papi strikes out, swinging, at 2-2. That's the inning, and what an inning.
11-2 Sox after 8.
No matter how much I love the Sox, I just don't get the Neil Diamond thing. Great, now I'm Larry King.
Manny pops to Cabrera on the first pitch from Betancourt.
Lowell takes strike one, inside corner. It just may not be a good idea to get ahead of the Boston Red Sox in a postseason series. At 1-2 Lowell hits a gapper to left center for a double.
Ball one to Drew. He works Betancourt to 2-2. A foul to the left side seats. Drew singles to center, scoring Lowell. 6-2 Sox. A guy in the crowd has a sign that says, "Drew Fan Club, New Members Welcome." Very good!
Tek stands in. He tries to catch them napping with a bunt attempt, foul, up the third base line. At 2-2 Tek winds up with a book-rule double, misplayed by Blake and Peralta.
The Indians intentionally walk Ellsbury to face Lugo. Have they paid attention this year? Lugo never hits except with RISP.
The Indians hold the Potsdam Conference to decide what to do with a batter when the bases are loaded. What the hell are they discussing? Wedge: "Get them out." Betancourt: "Ok." Get on with it!
Lugo fouls the first pitch outside first. Ball one. At 1-2, Lugo strikes out swinging. Two down.
Now, Pedroia. Boy, the kid came up big tonight! And he hits a gapper to left center, scoring three. A double for Pedroia. Dustin for Mayor! 9-2 Sox!!! Pedroia's three for five, 5 RBI, and only lacking the triple for the cycle. Yeah, he's figured out the postseason.
That's it for Betancourt. Jensen Lewis is on to pitch.
Ball one to Youk. On 1-1 YOUK HOMERS OFF THE COKE BOTTLE! PEDROIA SCORES, 11-2 SOX!!!
Kevin Youkilis just tied the record for hits in an LCS with 14.
Papi stands in, taking strike 1. Youk also lacks only the triple for a cycle. Papi strikes out, swinging, at 2-2. That's the inning, and what an inning.
11-2 Sox after 8.
Top 8
Oki's still in. That's a surprise.
On the first pitch, Sizemore singles on a bunt up the first base line.
Cabrera takes strike 1. On the second pitch Cabrera singles up the middle, and that'll get Pap in the game right now.
Jonathan hasn't had to get six outs in any game this year.
Hafner's the first to face Pap. The cold stare, and a 92 mph fastball right by him, 0-1. Foul to the left field seats, 0-2. 98 mph gas for a swinging strike three! Threw it right by one of the best fastball hitters in baseball. One out.
Martinez' turn. On the first pitch, a grounder to Pedroia, to Lugo for the force on Cabrera. Neither Dustin nor Julio handled the ball cleanly, which wrecked the double play. First and third, two out for Garko.
Strike one to Garko, called. Ball, 1-1. Strike two, swinging. At 1-2 Garko flies to deep right-center. Ellsbury makes the play.
Middle of the 8th, 5-2 Sox.
Pap: 8 pitches, 7 of them strikes.
He IS The Man!
On the first pitch, Sizemore singles on a bunt up the first base line.
Cabrera takes strike 1. On the second pitch Cabrera singles up the middle, and that'll get Pap in the game right now.
Jonathan hasn't had to get six outs in any game this year.
Hafner's the first to face Pap. The cold stare, and a 92 mph fastball right by him, 0-1. Foul to the left field seats, 0-2. 98 mph gas for a swinging strike three! Threw it right by one of the best fastball hitters in baseball. One out.
Martinez' turn. On the first pitch, a grounder to Pedroia, to Lugo for the force on Cabrera. Neither Dustin nor Julio handled the ball cleanly, which wrecked the double play. First and third, two out for Garko.
Strike one to Garko, called. Ball, 1-1. Strike two, swinging. At 1-2 Garko flies to deep right-center. Ellsbury makes the play.
Middle of the 8th, 5-2 Sox.
Pap: 8 pitches, 7 of them strikes.
He IS The Man!
Bottom 7
Betancourt comes in. We haven't done anything with him.
Ellsbury gets his first look at Betancourt. Strike one, called. What was Joel Skinner thinking? God love him! Apparently the fearsome arm of Manny Ramirez intimidated the Indians' third base coach. At 1-2 Blake misplays a grounder into a two base error. It was the ever-popular side-saddled Ole play.
Lugo is in the box. He squares and bunts beautifully to Garko, on to Cabrera covering 1st. Jacoby to 3rd with one out. Nice work!
Dustin needs to do anything that scores Ellsbury. Suicide? I've never seen Tito do that, and he won't do it now. Foul back to the screen. Dustin was the second toughest to strike out in the AL this year. AND HE HOMERS TO THE MONSTER SEATS!!! 5-2 Sox! The kid comes up BIG!
Ding, Dong Betancourt's dead!
Strike one to Youk. On the second pitch Youk breaks his bat grounding to Peralta. Two down.
I told you Pedroia would come up big. He started the season slowly, figured it out, and had a great year. He's done the same in the postseason.
Papi swings for strike one. At 1-2 Papi flies to Lofton in left.
You, Indians, must now get 3 off of Jonathan Papelbon. Good luck!
5-2 Sox after 7.
The Mighty Betancourt: 14 pitches, 12 of them strikes. 1 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 H
Ellsbury gets his first look at Betancourt. Strike one, called. What was Joel Skinner thinking? God love him! Apparently the fearsome arm of Manny Ramirez intimidated the Indians' third base coach. At 1-2 Blake misplays a grounder into a two base error. It was the ever-popular side-saddled Ole play.
Lugo is in the box. He squares and bunts beautifully to Garko, on to Cabrera covering 1st. Jacoby to 3rd with one out. Nice work!
Dustin needs to do anything that scores Ellsbury. Suicide? I've never seen Tito do that, and he won't do it now. Foul back to the screen. Dustin was the second toughest to strike out in the AL this year. AND HE HOMERS TO THE MONSTER SEATS!!! 5-2 Sox! The kid comes up BIG!
Ding, Dong Betancourt's dead!
Strike one to Youk. On the second pitch Youk breaks his bat grounding to Peralta. Two down.
I told you Pedroia would come up big. He started the season slowly, figured it out, and had a great year. He's done the same in the postseason.
Papi swings for strike one. At 1-2 Papi flies to Lofton in left.
You, Indians, must now get 3 off of Jonathan Papelbon. Good luck!
5-2 Sox after 7.
The Mighty Betancourt: 14 pitches, 12 of them strikes. 1 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 H
Top 7
Oki's still in.
A swinging strike one to Peralta. Hey, the only pitcher up in the Sox pen is Papelbon. Two innings tonight? I don't believe he's done that this year. No, I know he hasn't done that this year. At 2-1, Peralta flies out to Drew. That's one.
Lofton pops the first pitch into shallow left, and Lugo misses it. Scoring? Scoring? Scoring? E6. He should have caught it. Kenny's at 2nd. Manny should have gotten there.
Gutierrez takes strike one. Replay shows Lugo calling Manny off. Not his fault. Ball one, 1-1. Gutierrez hits a long foul down the left side, 1-2. Another foul along 3rd, still 1-2. Betancourt in the Cleveland pen. Gutierrez singles to left, but SKINNER STOPS LOFTON. Go figure! First and third, one out. This mess is not of Oki's making, but he's got to deal with it.
Blake hits a grounder to Lowell on the first pitch, to Pedroia, Dustin makes the turn to Youk and the INNING IS OVER! Great job Oki! Great job Mike! Great job Dustin! WHEW!!!!
At the stretch, 3-2 Sox.
Oki, Inning: 11 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 22 pitches, 15 strikes. Nice work!
A swinging strike one to Peralta. Hey, the only pitcher up in the Sox pen is Papelbon. Two innings tonight? I don't believe he's done that this year. No, I know he hasn't done that this year. At 2-1, Peralta flies out to Drew. That's one.
Lofton pops the first pitch into shallow left, and Lugo misses it. Scoring? Scoring? Scoring? E6. He should have caught it. Kenny's at 2nd. Manny should have gotten there.
Gutierrez takes strike one. Replay shows Lugo calling Manny off. Not his fault. Ball one, 1-1. Gutierrez hits a long foul down the left side, 1-2. Another foul along 3rd, still 1-2. Betancourt in the Cleveland pen. Gutierrez singles to left, but SKINNER STOPS LOFTON. Go figure! First and third, one out. This mess is not of Oki's making, but he's got to deal with it.
Blake hits a grounder to Lowell on the first pitch, to Pedroia, Dustin makes the turn to Youk and the INNING IS OVER! Great job Oki! Great job Mike! Great job Dustin! WHEW!!!!
At the stretch, 3-2 Sox.
Oki, Inning: 11 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 22 pitches, 15 strikes. Nice work!
Bottom 6
Then again, maybe Beckett's just throwing for show. I think tomorrow would be his regular throw day, however.
Strike one called to Lowell, from Westbrook. No change yet. At 1-2 Mike takes a called third. One out.
Drew takes a called strike. At 2-2 JD grounds to Cabrera. Two down.
Tek stands in and swings at one down and in. Tek strikes out swinging, and looking bad doing it, at 2-2.
Westbrook's best innings have been the last two.
Inning: 14 pitches, nine strikes; Game: 93 pitches, 56 strikes.
He has five k's on the night, 4 of them in the last two innings.
3-2 Sox after 6.
Strike one called to Lowell, from Westbrook. No change yet. At 1-2 Mike takes a called third. One out.
Drew takes a called strike. At 2-2 JD grounds to Cabrera. Two down.
Tek stands in and swings at one down and in. Tek strikes out swinging, and looking bad doing it, at 2-2.
Westbrook's best innings have been the last two.
Inning: 14 pitches, nine strikes; Game: 93 pitches, 56 strikes.
He has five k's on the night, 4 of them in the last two innings.
3-2 Sox after 6.
Top 6
Okajima is in. I'd guess Oki for two, Timlin for one, Pap for the 9th.
Hafner takes strike one. Timlin and Beckett are warming. At 0-1 Hafner flies to Manny on the track. One down.
Martinez is due. Ball, outside. The Sox are, obviously, only one swing ahead now. Ball two to Victor. Over the inside corner, 2-1. Ball three. Strike two, called. Full count. Fouled at the plate. On the seventh pitch of the AB, Martinez flies to Drew. Two out.
Garko is in the box. Ball one. A dribbler on the second pitch, fielded by Lugo, on to Youk to end the inning.
3-2 Sox in the middle of the 6th.
Oki: 11 pitches, 7 of them strikes
I'd use him another inning, then Tim, then Pap. But I don't think Tito would warm Beckett unless he means to use him.
Hafner takes strike one. Timlin and Beckett are warming. At 0-1 Hafner flies to Manny on the track. One down.
Martinez is due. Ball, outside. The Sox are, obviously, only one swing ahead now. Ball two to Victor. Over the inside corner, 2-1. Ball three. Strike two, called. Full count. Fouled at the plate. On the seventh pitch of the AB, Martinez flies to Drew. Two out.
Garko is in the box. Ball one. A dribbler on the second pitch, fielded by Lugo, on to Youk to end the inning.
3-2 Sox in the middle of the 6th.
Oki: 11 pitches, 7 of them strikes
I'd use him another inning, then Tim, then Pap. But I don't think Tito would warm Beckett unless he means to use him.
Bottom 5
Westbrook is still in!
Ball one to Youk. He is two for two with a single and a double tonight. At 2-2, Youk strikes out swinging.
Papi steps back from ball one. In twenty batters faced, Jake has only ten first pitch strikes. He isn't enough of a power guy to get away with that. The game reaches the two hour mark with one out in the bottom of the 5th. That's Red Sox baseball! Papi grounds to Cabrera, two out.
Manny gives a hard stare to the third base seats every time he comes up. I have no idea who or what he's looking at/for. Foul to the left for strike one. Manny has a single and a walk tonight. Oki will apparently pitch the 6th. Good move, right time. Manny strikes out, looking.
3-2 Sox after 5.
Westbrook, Inning: 14 pitches, 10 strikes; Game: 79 pitches, 47 strikes. He settled down well the last couple of innings.
Ball one to Youk. He is two for two with a single and a double tonight. At 2-2, Youk strikes out swinging.
Papi steps back from ball one. In twenty batters faced, Jake has only ten first pitch strikes. He isn't enough of a power guy to get away with that. The game reaches the two hour mark with one out in the bottom of the 5th. That's Red Sox baseball! Papi grounds to Cabrera, two out.
Manny gives a hard stare to the third base seats every time he comes up. I have no idea who or what he's looking at/for. Foul to the left for strike one. Manny has a single and a walk tonight. Oki will apparently pitch the 6th. Good move, right time. Manny strikes out, looking.
3-2 Sox after 5.
Westbrook, Inning: 14 pitches, 10 strikes; Game: 79 pitches, 47 strikes. He settled down well the last couple of innings.
Top 5
The pitcher is...Matsuzaka.
Lofton's up. Ball one, high and outside. Lofton hits the second pitch off the wall, and MANNY THROWS HIM OUT AT SECOND! How 'bout that defense? One down.
Strike one called to Gutierrez. And a single up the middle. Beckett has been loosening. Okajima gets up now.
Blake's in. Ball one. Strike one, called. Strike two pulled foul. Blake dinks one into right, Gutierrez to third. That'll bring Farrell out to the mound. Dice K's on a short leash here.
Sizemore's dangerous, and he's up. Strike one, called. With Cabrera and Hafner following Sizemore, it seems very likely Oki will get in shortly. But then again, Sizemore's a lefty, too. Oki doesn't take long to get ready. Strike two swinging, down and in. High for ball one, 1-2. Foul into the third base seats, Lowell giving it a look, but out of play. Grady steps out, and Dice K asks for a new ball. Everybody's set. Grady flies out to Ellsbury, Gutierrez scoring on the sac fly. 3-2 Sox.
Cabrera's up and Tito isn't moving. I can only assume at this point that Terry wants the win for Dice K. Strike one, called. A great breaking ball for strike two. Ball one. Foul down the left field line into the seats. Still 1-2. Now a long foul into the right field seats. Another foul back to the screen. The next is the 20th pitch of the inning, 86th of the game. Marsh just missed strike three. 2-2. Another foul down the left side. There have been a ton of two strike fouls by the Indians tonight. He swings and misses for strike three!
Dice K pitched well tonight. He's surely through, and he did the job.
Inning: 22 pitches, 17 strikes; Game: 88 pitches, 62 strikes. The ratio is testimony to the two strike fouls. This is a much better reason for a high pitch count than all those off-the-plate pitches that have plagued him recently.
Lofton's up. Ball one, high and outside. Lofton hits the second pitch off the wall, and MANNY THROWS HIM OUT AT SECOND! How 'bout that defense? One down.
Strike one called to Gutierrez. And a single up the middle. Beckett has been loosening. Okajima gets up now.
Blake's in. Ball one. Strike one, called. Strike two pulled foul. Blake dinks one into right, Gutierrez to third. That'll bring Farrell out to the mound. Dice K's on a short leash here.
Sizemore's dangerous, and he's up. Strike one, called. With Cabrera and Hafner following Sizemore, it seems very likely Oki will get in shortly. But then again, Sizemore's a lefty, too. Oki doesn't take long to get ready. Strike two swinging, down and in. High for ball one, 1-2. Foul into the third base seats, Lowell giving it a look, but out of play. Grady steps out, and Dice K asks for a new ball. Everybody's set. Grady flies out to Ellsbury, Gutierrez scoring on the sac fly. 3-2 Sox.
Cabrera's up and Tito isn't moving. I can only assume at this point that Terry wants the win for Dice K. Strike one, called. A great breaking ball for strike two. Ball one. Foul down the left field line into the seats. Still 1-2. Now a long foul into the right field seats. Another foul back to the screen. The next is the 20th pitch of the inning, 86th of the game. Marsh just missed strike three. 2-2. Another foul down the left side. There have been a ton of two strike fouls by the Indians tonight. He swings and misses for strike three!
Dice K pitched well tonight. He's surely through, and he did the job.
Inning: 22 pitches, 17 strikes; Game: 88 pitches, 62 strikes. The ratio is testimony to the two strike fouls. This is a much better reason for a high pitch count than all those off-the-plate pitches that have plagued him recently.
Bottom 4
Tek starts the inning taking ball one from Westbrook. Tek was 3-0, Jake's gotten it back full. Tek singles through the hole at short. It's the 8th hit of the night for the Sox, still, only 3 runs so far.
Ellsbury has a chance to do something. I'm looking forward to seeing him as a starter next season. But I'll gladly wait a little while for that. Martinez and Blake visit the mound as Lewis starts to warm up again. Ball one to Jacoby. He hits the second ball to Garko; he misses the catch, but picks it up and throws to first to get Tek. Ellsbury at first. Not a bad trade.
Lugo's turn. Ellsbury's bothering Westbrook again. Jacoby bluffs and Lugo takes strike one. DeMarlo Hale runs through a thousand signs that probably don't mean anything. Westbrook steps off to force Jacoby back to the bag. Everyone's set again. He's going, and Lugo hits it through the vacated 2nd base position, Ellsbury on to third. Tito called a good one there! First and third, one out. Whooo, Ellsbury can run!
Pedroia takes strike one. Ball one, low and inside. I'm surprised Wedge hasn't changed pitchers; they can't afford to get any farther behind, and Lewis is ready. Foul, strike two. Ball two, outside. Lugo's going and the hit and run bites us in the butt this time. Cabrera fields, tags Lugo and throws to first for the DP. Cabrera was covering, and that move took him right where the ball went.
Westbrook's Inning: 14 pitches, 9 strikes; Game: 65 pitches, 37 strikes.
He's pitched 5 innings, and, again, with no tommorow, he's done if I'm his manager. Which I'm not.
3-1 Sox after 4.
Ellsbury has a chance to do something. I'm looking forward to seeing him as a starter next season. But I'll gladly wait a little while for that. Martinez and Blake visit the mound as Lewis starts to warm up again. Ball one to Jacoby. He hits the second ball to Garko; he misses the catch, but picks it up and throws to first to get Tek. Ellsbury at first. Not a bad trade.
Lugo's turn. Ellsbury's bothering Westbrook again. Jacoby bluffs and Lugo takes strike one. DeMarlo Hale runs through a thousand signs that probably don't mean anything. Westbrook steps off to force Jacoby back to the bag. Everyone's set again. He's going, and Lugo hits it through the vacated 2nd base position, Ellsbury on to third. Tito called a good one there! First and third, one out. Whooo, Ellsbury can run!
Pedroia takes strike one. Ball one, low and inside. I'm surprised Wedge hasn't changed pitchers; they can't afford to get any farther behind, and Lewis is ready. Foul, strike two. Ball two, outside. Lugo's going and the hit and run bites us in the butt this time. Cabrera fields, tags Lugo and throws to first for the DP. Cabrera was covering, and that move took him right where the ball went.
Westbrook's Inning: 14 pitches, 9 strikes; Game: 65 pitches, 37 strikes.
He's pitched 5 innings, and, again, with no tommorow, he's done if I'm his manager. Which I'm not.
3-1 Sox after 4.
Top 4
Cabrera shows his youth, popping the first pitch to Lugo. You've got to take a strike behind 3-0 in the fourth in Game 7. But any others wishing to follow Cabrera's lead are welcomed.
Strike one to Hafner. Hafner's 0 for his last 16 with 10 strikeouts. So, at 1-2 he doubles off The
Wall. I should have kept my big mouth shut.
Martinez looks at ball one. He hits the second pitch back up the middle, knocked down by Dice K, he recovers and throws to Youk. May have been his best fastball of the night.
Garko's up. Strike one, called. Hey, Ryan, is it a little harder to taste that champagne at this point? He's hanging tough at 1-2, 7 pitches in the AB. On the ninth pitch, Garko doubles off the center field wall, scoring Hafner. 3-1 Sox.
Peralta takes strike one. Long inning now. Okajima is stretching. Ball one. Strike two, swinging. Peralta has a lot riding on this AB. Peralta pops it out of play to the right. Beckett is stretching also. Ball two. He grounds to Lugo, on to Youk and the inning is over.
Long inning for Dice K. May get him out of the game as of the 5th.
Inning: 22 pitches, 15 strikes; Game: 66 pitches, 45 strikes.
The Mazzone Meter says he's pitched 5 innings; that's enough for me. We'll see what Tito thinks.
3-1 Sox through 3 and a half.
Strike one to Hafner. Hafner's 0 for his last 16 with 10 strikeouts. So, at 1-2 he doubles off The
Wall. I should have kept my big mouth shut.
Martinez looks at ball one. He hits the second pitch back up the middle, knocked down by Dice K, he recovers and throws to Youk. May have been his best fastball of the night.
Garko's up. Strike one, called. Hey, Ryan, is it a little harder to taste that champagne at this point? He's hanging tough at 1-2, 7 pitches in the AB. On the ninth pitch, Garko doubles off the center field wall, scoring Hafner. 3-1 Sox.
Peralta takes strike one. Long inning now. Okajima is stretching. Ball one. Strike two, swinging. Peralta has a lot riding on this AB. Peralta pops it out of play to the right. Beckett is stretching also. Ball two. He grounds to Lugo, on to Youk and the inning is over.
Long inning for Dice K. May get him out of the game as of the 5th.
Inning: 22 pitches, 15 strikes; Game: 66 pitches, 45 strikes.
The Mazzone Meter says he's pitched 5 innings; that's enough for me. We'll see what Tito thinks.
3-1 Sox through 3 and a half.
Bottom 3
Westbrook throws ball one to Youk. On the second pitch, a screamer past Blake up the third base line for a double. I believe Mr. Youkilis likes the postseason.
Papi stands in. Ball one. Ball two. Dangerous territory for Westbrook. Strike one, called. A foul pulled outside first, 2-2. Papi grounds to Garko, moving Youk to third. One out.
Manny will score Youk. No, he won't. An intentional walk to Ramirez. Lowell's had a great year, but I'd do the same thing. You don't let Manny beat you.
Mike gets in the box with runners on first and third. Ball one. Jensen Lewis in the Tribe bullpen. Ball two. And a Sac Fly to right scores Youk. 3-0 Sox.
Drew is next. Ball one to JD. At 3-1 he flies to Lofton with his back against the Monster.
Westbrook may be done.
Inning: 19 pitches, only 7 of them strikes; Game: 51 pitches, 28 strikes.
3-0 Sox. And it should have been worse at this point.
Papi stands in. Ball one. Ball two. Dangerous territory for Westbrook. Strike one, called. A foul pulled outside first, 2-2. Papi grounds to Garko, moving Youk to third. One out.
Manny will score Youk. No, he won't. An intentional walk to Ramirez. Lowell's had a great year, but I'd do the same thing. You don't let Manny beat you.
Mike gets in the box with runners on first and third. Ball one. Jensen Lewis in the Tribe bullpen. Ball two. And a Sac Fly to right scores Youk. 3-0 Sox.
Drew is next. Ball one to JD. At 3-1 he flies to Lofton with his back against the Monster.
Westbrook may be done.
Inning: 19 pitches, only 7 of them strikes; Game: 51 pitches, 28 strikes.
3-0 Sox. And it should have been worse at this point.
Top 3
Dice K, on the other hand, has only thrown about 1.5 innings according to St. Leo. Wonder if Bobby Cox tries to bring him back with the Oriole having fired him?
Lofton takes ball one. With the count full, Lofton flies to Drew. Even at 40, you want Kenny hitting it in the air, not on the ground.
Franklin Gutierrez is back in the lineup tonight, with Nixon out. Strike one. Another full count, and Gutierrez pops to Pedroia. Two down. Don't need to get into the full count routine.
Here's Blake. He shows bunt and takes strike one. At 1-2 Blake singles between Lugo and the second base bag for the Indians' first hit.
Sizemore's up. Called strike to Grady. On the second pitch, Dice K wild pitches Blake to second. That's as mild a WP as you'll ever see. Tek usually smothers those. Not this time. At 2-2, a swinging strike 3.
Matsuzaka is getting it done!
Inning: 23 pitches, 14 strikes; Game: 44 pitches, 30 strikes. Longer inning than needed; still in line for the game. Still, just one baserunner through three.
Lofton takes ball one. With the count full, Lofton flies to Drew. Even at 40, you want Kenny hitting it in the air, not on the ground.
Franklin Gutierrez is back in the lineup tonight, with Nixon out. Strike one. Another full count, and Gutierrez pops to Pedroia. Two down. Don't need to get into the full count routine.
Here's Blake. He shows bunt and takes strike one. At 1-2 Blake singles between Lugo and the second base bag for the Indians' first hit.
Sizemore's up. Called strike to Grady. On the second pitch, Dice K wild pitches Blake to second. That's as mild a WP as you'll ever see. Tek usually smothers those. Not this time. At 2-2, a swinging strike 3.
Matsuzaka is getting it done!
Inning: 23 pitches, 14 strikes; Game: 44 pitches, 30 strikes. Longer inning than needed; still in line for the game. Still, just one baserunner through three.
Bottom 2
Tek starts the inning big, doubling off the Monster on the first pitch.
Ellsbury gets his second start tonight, and again, it's the right move. Strike one, called. At 1-2, Jacoby singles to left, Tek to third.
Lugo likes the RBI opportunities. Time for something good here. Foul down the first base side for strike one. Run Ellsbury? Why not? Westbrook thinks so, throwing to first. At 0-1, Lugo grounds into a 6-4-3 DP, Tek scoring. 2-0 Sox, bases empty, two out.
Ball one to Pedroia. He pops to Lofton on the second pitch for the third out.
2-0 Sox, but a lot of runners for a few runs.
Westbrook, Inning: 9 pitches, 7 strikes; Game; 32 pitches, 21 strikes. On the Mazzone Meter, Jake's pitched two and a half innings (13 pitches per as the standard).
Ellsbury gets his second start tonight, and again, it's the right move. Strike one, called. At 1-2, Jacoby singles to left, Tek to third.
Lugo likes the RBI opportunities. Time for something good here. Foul down the first base side for strike one. Run Ellsbury? Why not? Westbrook thinks so, throwing to first. At 0-1, Lugo grounds into a 6-4-3 DP, Tek scoring. 2-0 Sox, bases empty, two out.
Ball one to Pedroia. He pops to Lofton on the second pitch for the third out.
2-0 Sox, but a lot of runners for a few runs.
Westbrook, Inning: 9 pitches, 7 strikes; Game; 32 pitches, 21 strikes. On the Mazzone Meter, Jake's pitched two and a half innings (13 pitches per as the standard).
Top 2
Victor Martinez stands in. He's a real hitter. Ball one. At 1-2, a liner snagged by Lowell. Hot corner, don't you know.
Garko is another player I hadn't seen before this postseason. I think he's impressive, too. Strike one. Mark Shapiro has a lot to be proud of in his assembling of this Cleveland team. At 0-2, Garko grounds to Lowell. Two down.
Peralto sends the first pitch, slowly, to Lowell, again. Try somebody else, boys; Mike won't make any mistakes tonight.
Great inning for Matsuzaka.
Inning: 8 pitches, 7 strikes; Game: 21 pitches, 16 strikes.
Just what we needed so far.
Garko is another player I hadn't seen before this postseason. I think he's impressive, too. Strike one. Mark Shapiro has a lot to be proud of in his assembling of this Cleveland team. At 0-2, Garko grounds to Lowell. Two down.
Peralto sends the first pitch, slowly, to Lowell, again. Try somebody else, boys; Mike won't make any mistakes tonight.
Great inning for Matsuzaka.
Inning: 8 pitches, 7 strikes; Game: 21 pitches, 16 strikes.
Just what we needed so far.
Bottom 1
Ahhh, the wife made brownies. Thanks, honey.
Jake throws strike one to Pedroia. At 0-2 Dustin singles sharply to left. He has really picked it up in the second half of the series.
Youk is at .478 for the ALCS. Ball one. Youk has had bad dropoffs in performance in each of the last two seasons. I guess it's started to feel like April again, so he's hot. Works for me. At 3-1 Youk singles to left. Two on, none out for Papi.
Ortiz is hitting .462 in the postseason. Long foul to left for strike one. At 2-2 Papi strikes out swinging.
Manny's next. He stands in at .421. Wow, these averages. A hard foul down the right field line for strike one. Martinez just called for a pitch outside, and it tailed back over the center of the plate. Manny fouled it off, but Jake doesn't want to do that many more times. Those are the kinds of pitches that let Manny visit the Mass Turnpike behind the Monster. Manny crushes a ball that eats up Peralta, Pedroia scores. An rbi single for Manny. First and second, one out, 1-0 Sox.
Lowell's up and takes ball one. Mike works it to 3-1. Bases loaded for Drew? I like the sound of that. At 3-1, Mike singles to left. Loaded, indeed. Pitching Coach Willis makes the first trip of the night. Won't be the last.
Drew can become a Red Sox Saint For Life here. But he doesn't. He hits into a 6-4-3 DP on the first pitch.
Still, the lead in the first, 1-0.
Westbrook's inning: 23 pitches, 14 of them strikes. 4 first pitch strikes in six batters. Could have been a whole lot worse for the Indians.
Jake throws strike one to Pedroia. At 0-2 Dustin singles sharply to left. He has really picked it up in the second half of the series.
Youk is at .478 for the ALCS. Ball one. Youk has had bad dropoffs in performance in each of the last two seasons. I guess it's started to feel like April again, so he's hot. Works for me. At 3-1 Youk singles to left. Two on, none out for Papi.
Ortiz is hitting .462 in the postseason. Long foul to left for strike one. At 2-2 Papi strikes out swinging.
Manny's next. He stands in at .421. Wow, these averages. A hard foul down the right field line for strike one. Martinez just called for a pitch outside, and it tailed back over the center of the plate. Manny fouled it off, but Jake doesn't want to do that many more times. Those are the kinds of pitches that let Manny visit the Mass Turnpike behind the Monster. Manny crushes a ball that eats up Peralta, Pedroia scores. An rbi single for Manny. First and second, one out, 1-0 Sox.
Lowell's up and takes ball one. Mike works it to 3-1. Bases loaded for Drew? I like the sound of that. At 3-1, Mike singles to left. Loaded, indeed. Pitching Coach Willis makes the first trip of the night. Won't be the last.
Drew can become a Red Sox Saint For Life here. But he doesn't. He hits into a 6-4-3 DP on the first pitch.
Still, the lead in the first, 1-0.
Westbrook's inning: 23 pitches, 14 of them strikes. 4 first pitch strikes in six batters. Could have been a whole lot worse for the Indians.
Top 1
Dice K gets a tremendous ovation from the Fenway crowd as he moves from the bullpen to the dugout. I hope to hear that again, as he leaves after the 8th with a lead.
If the Sox are being the Sox-taking pitches, making Westbrook, etal work-then the game time will be in excess of 4 hours. Keep an eye on the clock for an external evaluation on how things are going.
Millar throws out the first pitch! The Cowboy Up kid comes home. That's great.
Ball one to Sizemore at 7:25. DK saws Grady off on the second pitch, a pop to Pedroia.
Strike one, a foul to the right side to Cabrera. At 0-2, Cabrera grounds to Pedroia. Two down.
Ball one to Hafner. Let's be very quiet and let him sleep. Hafner works it full. Dice K gets him swinging!
Excellent inning, just what the kid needed.
Inning: 13 pitches, 9 of them strikes. Ideal!
If the Sox are being the Sox-taking pitches, making Westbrook, etal work-then the game time will be in excess of 4 hours. Keep an eye on the clock for an external evaluation on how things are going.
Millar throws out the first pitch! The Cowboy Up kid comes home. That's great.
Ball one to Sizemore at 7:25. DK saws Grady off on the second pitch, a pop to Pedroia.
Strike one, a foul to the right side to Cabrera. At 0-2, Cabrera grounds to Pedroia. Two down.
Ball one to Hafner. Let's be very quiet and let him sleep. Hafner works it full. Dice K gets him swinging!
Excellent inning, just what the kid needed.
Inning: 13 pitches, 9 of them strikes. Ideal!
Game 7 Pregame
It's just really, really simple tonight: who gets their team in trouble first? Westbrook or Matsuzaka? Johnny Wholestaff will be in each bullpen, so which starter makes a mess that can't be overcome? That's the game.
I look for Dice K to come up big.
I look for Dice K to come up big.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Game 6 Postgame
Newsflash: Schilling Ain't Done Yet!
Newsflash: JD Drew Helped!
Newsflash: Gagne Pitched, But Didn't Give the Game Away
I cannot fathom that Matsuzaka can be as bad tomorrow as he's been in his previous playoff starts. The Japanese player will be fully committed to saving face before heading home for the winter. The Red Sox will beat Jake Westbrook tomorrow night. And then the Rockies in the World Series. You heard it here first.
Let's hope that Fausto Carmona can shake off these bad starts by next year. His stuff is just too good to be spoiled by letting these tough games get into his head. He's only 23, and I see him pitching for the Indians in many postseasons to come.
Back to Fenway tomorrow night.
Newsflash: JD Drew Helped!
Newsflash: Gagne Pitched, But Didn't Give the Game Away
I cannot fathom that Matsuzaka can be as bad tomorrow as he's been in his previous playoff starts. The Japanese player will be fully committed to saving face before heading home for the winter. The Red Sox will beat Jake Westbrook tomorrow night. And then the Rockies in the World Series. You heard it here first.
Let's hope that Fausto Carmona can shake off these bad starts by next year. His stuff is just too good to be spoiled by letting these tough games get into his head. He's only 23, and I see him pitching for the Indians in many postseasons to come.
Back to Fenway tomorrow night.
Top 9
Eric Gagne is in. Not comfortable words.
Hafner fouls the first pitch. And the second. And flies to Crisp, who's taken over in center.
Ellsbury has moved to left. Hinske remains in at DH. Cora's in for Lugo at short.
Strike one to Martinez. Ball one. Foul for strike two, 1-2. Victor taps back to Gagne, on to first, two out.
And it's all up to Garko. Ball one, outside. A chopper to Lowell, he grabs it with his bare hand, and on to first to end the game.
Which tells us that Gagne can handle ten-run game mopups, and little else.
Hafner fouls the first pitch. And the second. And flies to Crisp, who's taken over in center.
Ellsbury has moved to left. Hinske remains in at DH. Cora's in for Lugo at short.
Strike one to Martinez. Ball one. Foul for strike two, 1-2. Victor taps back to Gagne, on to first, two out.
And it's all up to Garko. Ball one, outside. A chopper to Lowell, he grabs it with his bare hand, and on to first to end the game.
Which tells us that Gagne can handle ten-run game mopups, and little else.
Bottom 8
Pedroia wastes no time in flying out to Sizemore on the first pitch.
Borowski is pitching.
Youk takes strike one. And ball one. Ball two. Ball three. And rips a foul into the third base seats. Now, helmets for all the fans! The Greek God of Walks does his thing. One on, one out.
Strike to Papi, swinging. And another, 0-2. And Papi doubles off the Monster. Youk to third, and Hinske to run for Papi.
Martinez is out to talk to Borowski. He should make them pay mileage tonight.
Manny flies to center on the first pitch, Youk scoring from 3rd. 11-2 Sox.
Lowell sees balls one and two to start. Strike one on the inside corner. It appears Manny's LCS hitting streak will end tonight. Strike two to Lowell, called. Mike grounds one up the middle for a single; Hinske scores. 12-2, Sox.
Drew bangs the first pitch into right, Lowell to second.
Save some for tomorrow night, boys.
Ball one to Tek. Ball two. Mastny is warming behind Borowski. They probably didn't want this much work for their closer. I hear there is a game tomorrow night. Ball three. He walks Tek on 4. I'd get my closer out of there right now. Bases loaded, two out.
Ellsbury gets another look. Jacoby lines to Peralta on the first pitch.
Joe B. got kicked around. I know he hasn't pitched since Monday, but did this help?
Oh, boy. Gagne is coming in for the top of the ninth.
Borowski is pitching.
Youk takes strike one. And ball one. Ball two. Ball three. And rips a foul into the third base seats. Now, helmets for all the fans! The Greek God of Walks does his thing. One on, one out.
Strike to Papi, swinging. And another, 0-2. And Papi doubles off the Monster. Youk to third, and Hinske to run for Papi.
Martinez is out to talk to Borowski. He should make them pay mileage tonight.
Manny flies to center on the first pitch, Youk scoring from 3rd. 11-2 Sox.
Lowell sees balls one and two to start. Strike one on the inside corner. It appears Manny's LCS hitting streak will end tonight. Strike two to Lowell, called. Mike grounds one up the middle for a single; Hinske scores. 12-2, Sox.
Drew bangs the first pitch into right, Lowell to second.
Save some for tomorrow night, boys.
Ball one to Tek. Ball two. Mastny is warming behind Borowski. They probably didn't want this much work for their closer. I hear there is a game tomorrow night. Ball three. He walks Tek on 4. I'd get my closer out of there right now. Bases loaded, two out.
Ellsbury gets another look. Jacoby lines to Peralta on the first pitch.
Joe B. got kicked around. I know he hasn't pitched since Monday, but did this help?
Oh, boy. Gagne is coming in for the top of the ninth.
Top 8
If my eastern friend is still so deprived of entertainment as to be reading this, sorry about the football game. I was hoping it would go a lot better. Dilemma: does a real Tennessean root for Florida over Spurrier, or Spurrier over Florida? Ugh!
Javy Lopez comes in for the 8th. He got beat up pretty badly in his last appearance. A good inning would be good medicine for him. And he gets Blake with one pitch on a fly to Drew.
Strike one to Sizemore. Strike two, called also. Ball, in the dirt. Nice scoop by Tek. Ball two, inside. Ball three on a checked swing. Sizemore grounds to Pedroia, two out.
Cabrera gets another up. And he taps a check swing grounder to Dustin, on to Youk for the third out.
Nice work by Lopez.
10-2 Sox.
Javy Lopez comes in for the 8th. He got beat up pretty badly in his last appearance. A good inning would be good medicine for him. And he gets Blake with one pitch on a fly to Drew.
Strike one to Sizemore. Strike two, called also. Ball, in the dirt. Nice scoop by Tek. Ball two, inside. Ball three on a checked swing. Sizemore grounds to Pedroia, two out.
Cabrera gets another up. And he taps a check swing grounder to Dustin, on to Youk for the third out.
Nice work by Lopez.
10-2 Sox.
Bottom 7
Laffey throws strike one to Tek. Ball one. Tek flies to Sizemore, one out.
Ellsbury takes strike one. Swings for strike two. And strikes out swinging. Two down, with Javier Lopez and Papelbon warming.
Lugo's up, and takes ball one. And bounces to Blake for the third out.
I want the Sox to win, obviously, but Wedge should move this Laffey kid up in his bullpen plans.
Ellsbury takes strike one. Swings for strike two. And strikes out swinging. Two down, with Javier Lopez and Papelbon warming.
Lugo's up, and takes ball one. And bounces to Blake for the third out.
I want the Sox to win, obviously, but Wedge should move this Laffey kid up in his bullpen plans.
Top 7
Tito's obviously reading me, as Curt's still in the game.
Ball one to Garko. Ball two. Oki is warming. Garko hits one deep to center, misplayed by Ellsbury. Garko's on third with a triple. I called for Ellsbury in center, but Coco would have caught that ball. Jacoby thought he was closer to the wall than he was. Another step back and he catches it.
Ball one to Peralta. Foul for strike one. Strike two, swinging. Peralta flies to Drew short of the track, and Garko scores. 10-2 Sox.
Bases empty, one out.
Lofton looks at strike one. Kenny grounds to Pedroia, on to Youk. Two down.
The Fenway crowd certainly remembers Kenny barking at Beckett on Thursday night.
Nixon's up. Ball, high. Swinging strike, 1-1. A ball, outside; 2-1. Trot flies to Drew to end the inning.
Schilling has been brilliant tonight. He's surely done. And well done, sir!
Inning: 12 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 88 pitches, 62 strikes. Professional pitcher!
10-2, Sox.
Ball one to Garko. Ball two. Oki is warming. Garko hits one deep to center, misplayed by Ellsbury. Garko's on third with a triple. I called for Ellsbury in center, but Coco would have caught that ball. Jacoby thought he was closer to the wall than he was. Another step back and he catches it.
Ball one to Peralta. Foul for strike one. Strike two, swinging. Peralta flies to Drew short of the track, and Garko scores. 10-2 Sox.
Bases empty, one out.
Lofton looks at strike one. Kenny grounds to Pedroia, on to Youk. Two down.
The Fenway crowd certainly remembers Kenny barking at Beckett on Thursday night.
Nixon's up. Ball, high. Swinging strike, 1-1. A ball, outside; 2-1. Trot flies to Drew to end the inning.
Schilling has been brilliant tonight. He's surely done. And well done, sir!
Inning: 12 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 88 pitches, 62 strikes. Professional pitcher!
10-2, Sox.
Bottom 6
Laffey's still in. He's done well.
Papi takes strike 1. And swings at strike two, off the plate inside. And Laffey drops down sidearm and slings one for a called third strike. One out.
Ball one to Manny. Manny tries to emasculate DeMarlo Hale with a foul, 1-1. Vin Scully's right--all base coaches should be in helmets, although that wouldn't have done anything for DeMarlo there. Ball two. And three. Manny grounds to Blake for the second out.
Really, most of the men coaching the bases are in their late 40's, 50's and 60's. Not at the peak of their reflexes, and they are looking in other directions. Put helmets on them!
Ball to Lowell. And Mike rips one off the wall for a long single.
Drew fouls off the first pitch. And takes the second for a ball. Another of those sidearm deliveries for a called strike two. JD swings and strikes out.
Wedge might should have busted Laffey out of his bullpen earlier.
10-1 Sox after 6.
Papi takes strike 1. And swings at strike two, off the plate inside. And Laffey drops down sidearm and slings one for a called third strike. One out.
Ball one to Manny. Manny tries to emasculate DeMarlo Hale with a foul, 1-1. Vin Scully's right--all base coaches should be in helmets, although that wouldn't have done anything for DeMarlo there. Ball two. And three. Manny grounds to Blake for the second out.
Really, most of the men coaching the bases are in their late 40's, 50's and 60's. Not at the peak of their reflexes, and they are looking in other directions. Put helmets on them!
Ball to Lowell. And Mike rips one off the wall for a long single.
Drew fouls off the first pitch. And takes the second for a ball. Another of those sidearm deliveries for a called strike two. JD swings and strikes out.
Wedge might should have busted Laffey out of his bullpen earlier.
10-1 Sox after 6.
Top 6
Strike one to Cabrera. Ball one. Let's see, another inning out of Schill, then Timlin for one, Okajima for one, and Pap shuts it down. Cabrera pops to Pedroia, one out.
Strike one, swinging, to Hafner. Foul for strike two. What's wrong with this guy? Strike three swinging! Two down.
Victor Martinez has had the good night against Curt. Two for two with the homer. He's been the whole offense for Cleveland. Ball one, outside. I might just stay out there. Strike called, down the middle. Ball two. Foul, down the right side, 2-2. Swing and a miss for strike three.
Curt's being Curt tonight.
Inning: 11 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 76 pitches, 54 strikes. How do you like that ratio?
10-1 Sox after 5 and a half.
Maybe we throw Schill another inning and push those other guys back one, saving Pap for tomorrow night?
Strike one, swinging, to Hafner. Foul for strike two. What's wrong with this guy? Strike three swinging! Two down.
Victor Martinez has had the good night against Curt. Two for two with the homer. He's been the whole offense for Cleveland. Ball one, outside. I might just stay out there. Strike called, down the middle. Ball two. Foul, down the right side, 2-2. Swing and a miss for strike three.
Curt's being Curt tonight.
Inning: 11 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 76 pitches, 54 strikes. How do you like that ratio?
10-1 Sox after 5 and a half.
Maybe we throw Schill another inning and push those other guys back one, saving Pap for tomorrow night?
Bottom 5
Lugo grounds the first pitch to Peralta for the first out.
Pedroia's turn. Strike one, called. Ball, 1-1. Called strike inside. Foul along first, 1-2. A shot to Cabrera, on to first for the second out.
Ball one to Youk. And a barehand pickup by Blake gets Youk at first. Three down, and the best inning by a Cleveland pitcher tonight.
10-1 Sox after 5.
Pedroia's turn. Strike one, called. Ball, 1-1. Called strike inside. Foul along first, 1-2. A shot to Cabrera, on to first for the second out.
Ball one to Youk. And a barehand pickup by Blake gets Youk at first. Three down, and the best inning by a Cleveland pitcher tonight.
10-1 Sox after 5.
Top 5
Curt throws ball one to Trot. He jerks the next way foul down the first base line. A year away didn't change that patented stance. Ball two. Strikes, Curt; strikes. Foul fielded wide of the bag by Youk. 2-2. Trot rips one to right. With this score, I can't get too upset about a good night for Trot Nixon.
Ball one to Blake. I have no such feelings for him. Foul over the Sox' dugout. Ball low and outside, nice play by Tek to keep Nixon at first. Blake pops one off his thumbs to Manny. One out.
Top of the order, and Grady Sizemore. I hope Cleveland has him locked up for a long time. Cities other than Boston and New York need to have kids like this to build their teams around. Strike one, called. Ball one. Ball two. Check swing foul, 2-2. Shot up the middle, fielded by Pedroia, to Lugo and on to Youk for the DP! About time we turned the tables on these guys!
Schilling, Inning: 14 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 65 pitches, 42 strikes. Leo Mazzone says 13 pitches per inning; Curt's right on it.
10-1 Sox after 4 1/2.
Ball one to Blake. I have no such feelings for him. Foul over the Sox' dugout. Ball low and outside, nice play by Tek to keep Nixon at first. Blake pops one off his thumbs to Manny. One out.
Top of the order, and Grady Sizemore. I hope Cleveland has him locked up for a long time. Cities other than Boston and New York need to have kids like this to build their teams around. Strike one, called. Ball one. Ball two. Check swing foul, 2-2. Shot up the middle, fielded by Pedroia, to Lugo and on to Youk for the DP! About time we turned the tables on these guys!
Schilling, Inning: 14 pitches, 8 strikes; Game: 65 pitches, 42 strikes. Leo Mazzone says 13 pitches per inning; Curt's right on it.
10-1 Sox after 4 1/2.
Bottom 4
Drew takes ball one. And strike one. And ball two. And flies to Lofton on the track. One down.
Tek takes one outside. He fouls the next off first. And the next, 1-2. Ball two. Tek flies to Nixon in shallow right. Two down. It would suit me just fine for the game to move this quickly along for the remainder.
Ellsbury slashes a foul into the third base seats. He takes ball one. And crushes one to center, and Grady Sizemore makes a sensational diving catch in deep center. He doesn't care what the score is. He's a good one!
10-1 Sox after 4.
Tek takes one outside. He fouls the next off first. And the next, 1-2. Ball two. Tek flies to Nixon in shallow right. Two down. It would suit me just fine for the game to move this quickly along for the remainder.
Ellsbury slashes a foul into the third base seats. He takes ball one. And crushes one to center, and Grady Sizemore makes a sensational diving catch in deep center. He doesn't care what the score is. He's a good one!
10-1 Sox after 4.
Top 4
Schilling had darned near a rain delay to sit through--it was a half hour.
Martinez singles to left on the first pitch.
Strike one called to Garko. Just throw strikes, big boy. Strike two, swinging at a pitch in the dirt. Ball one. Ball two. Garko pops to Manny. One on, one out.
Strike one to Jhonny. Yes, that's how they spell it. Don't blame me. Or ask me to explain. Foul to the roof down the first base line. Swinging strike three on a splitter. Two out.
Lofton's up. Ball high and outside. Foul into the third base seats. Grounder to Youk, and he does it himself.
Twelve pitches, nine of them strikes for Curt. 51 on the game, 34 strikes. A professional pitcher knows what to do in this situation. Sit back and enjoy!
Martinez singles to left on the first pitch.
Strike one called to Garko. Just throw strikes, big boy. Strike two, swinging at a pitch in the dirt. Ball one. Ball two. Garko pops to Manny. One on, one out.
Strike one to Jhonny. Yes, that's how they spell it. Don't blame me. Or ask me to explain. Foul to the roof down the first base line. Swinging strike three on a splitter. Two out.
Lofton's up. Ball high and outside. Foul into the third base seats. Grounder to Youk, and he does it himself.
Twelve pitches, nine of them strikes for Curt. 51 on the game, 34 strikes. A professional pitcher knows what to do in this situation. Sit back and enjoy!
Bottom 3
Fox runs a promo that suggests there is some team from Colorado waiting to play some more games. Must be a Japanese league.
Manny takes the first two for balls. Ball three. Strike one, an inch and a half off the ground. Oh, Dana! (Big Star reference) Ball four to Manny. He didn't hold his hands over his head.
Ball one to Lowell. Has anyone explained the theory of pitching to this kid? All the tools in the world, but, wow. Ball two. What was the Bull Durham line? Million dollar arm, 5 cent head. Ball three. Walked him on 4. Martinez was at the mound after ball two, Willis is headed there now, and there's action in the bullpen in the bottom of the 3rd.
Drew's up, and there's a bit of a different reaction to him this time. Salamis do that for you. Carmona has given up 5 hits and 4 walks in two plus innings. Ball one to Drew. A shot up the middle scores Manny. First and second nobody out, and 5 RBI for Drew. That's it for Carmona. Perez, he of the 40.50, that's 40.50, era, is in.
Carmona threw 11 pitches in the third, only two of them strikes; for the game: 63 pitches, 30 strikes. You just have to hope that this isn't the kind of thing that wrecks a young guy's career.
Perez warms.
Tek stands in and takes strike one. Strike two, swinging. Ball one in the dirt. The Sox really should score at least one of these guys on now. Add on runs, oh the joy of add on runs. Tek flies to Sizemore, Lowell to third. Hey, he got him over. First and third, one out.
Ellsbury takes high and inside. Jacoby cranks one to left for his first playoff hit, and rbi, with Lowell scoring. First and second, still only one out.
Lugo has been good in these situations, and pretty much only these situations, this year. Strike one, swinging. On 0-1 Lugo doubles down the third base line, Drew and Ellsbury score. 8-1 Sox. Man, Ellsbury can fly. It'll be fun watching him play a full season next year.
Ball one to Pedroia, more activity in the Tribe pen. Strike one. Oddly, Mark Shapiro doesn't look as happy tonight. Ball two in the dirt, no advance for Lugo. Ball three, and a nice stop by Martinez prevents Lugo advancing. Dustin walks.
Willis is going to have to pay rent at the mound in this game.
Ball one to Youk. Now Martinez back to the mound. Foul at the plate, 1-1. Youk hits the wall, Lugo scores, the throw goes into second and Youk's hung up, but Cabrera's throw hits Youk in the helmet, the ball rolls away and Pedroia scores, Youk safe at first. And Perez is out of the game, 10-1 Sox, still only one out.
Aaron Laffey is next for the Indians. Papi grounds the first ball to first; Garko steps on the bag and throws wildly to second. Youk is safe, with two out. Apparently no error on the no assuming a double play rule. They will review that.
Manny sees ball one, ball two and ball three. And he walks on four.
And they post the throwing error on Garko.
A called strike one to Lowell, the 11th batter of the inning. Strike two, called. Ball one. Lowell rips a foul into the seats down the third base line. Mike flies to Trot down in his old corner.
Great inning!
Indians pitchers threw 36 pitches, only 15 of them strikes.
6 runs, 4 hits, 2 errors, 4 walks. 10-1 Sox!
Manny takes the first two for balls. Ball three. Strike one, an inch and a half off the ground. Oh, Dana! (Big Star reference) Ball four to Manny. He didn't hold his hands over his head.
Ball one to Lowell. Has anyone explained the theory of pitching to this kid? All the tools in the world, but, wow. Ball two. What was the Bull Durham line? Million dollar arm, 5 cent head. Ball three. Walked him on 4. Martinez was at the mound after ball two, Willis is headed there now, and there's action in the bullpen in the bottom of the 3rd.
Drew's up, and there's a bit of a different reaction to him this time. Salamis do that for you. Carmona has given up 5 hits and 4 walks in two plus innings. Ball one to Drew. A shot up the middle scores Manny. First and second nobody out, and 5 RBI for Drew. That's it for Carmona. Perez, he of the 40.50, that's 40.50, era, is in.
Carmona threw 11 pitches in the third, only two of them strikes; for the game: 63 pitches, 30 strikes. You just have to hope that this isn't the kind of thing that wrecks a young guy's career.
Perez warms.
Tek stands in and takes strike one. Strike two, swinging. Ball one in the dirt. The Sox really should score at least one of these guys on now. Add on runs, oh the joy of add on runs. Tek flies to Sizemore, Lowell to third. Hey, he got him over. First and third, one out.
Ellsbury takes high and inside. Jacoby cranks one to left for his first playoff hit, and rbi, with Lowell scoring. First and second, still only one out.
Lugo has been good in these situations, and pretty much only these situations, this year. Strike one, swinging. On 0-1 Lugo doubles down the third base line, Drew and Ellsbury score. 8-1 Sox. Man, Ellsbury can fly. It'll be fun watching him play a full season next year.
Ball one to Pedroia, more activity in the Tribe pen. Strike one. Oddly, Mark Shapiro doesn't look as happy tonight. Ball two in the dirt, no advance for Lugo. Ball three, and a nice stop by Martinez prevents Lugo advancing. Dustin walks.
Willis is going to have to pay rent at the mound in this game.
Ball one to Youk. Now Martinez back to the mound. Foul at the plate, 1-1. Youk hits the wall, Lugo scores, the throw goes into second and Youk's hung up, but Cabrera's throw hits Youk in the helmet, the ball rolls away and Pedroia scores, Youk safe at first. And Perez is out of the game, 10-1 Sox, still only one out.
Aaron Laffey is next for the Indians. Papi grounds the first ball to first; Garko steps on the bag and throws wildly to second. Youk is safe, with two out. Apparently no error on the no assuming a double play rule. They will review that.
Manny sees ball one, ball two and ball three. And he walks on four.
And they post the throwing error on Garko.
A called strike one to Lowell, the 11th batter of the inning. Strike two, called. Ball one. Lowell rips a foul into the seats down the third base line. Mike flies to Trot down in his old corner.
Great inning!
Indians pitchers threw 36 pitches, only 15 of them strikes.
6 runs, 4 hits, 2 errors, 4 walks. 10-1 Sox!
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