April 19, 2008

G19: Red Sox 5, Rangers 3

Rangers - 111 000 000 - 3 13  1
Red Sox - 200 000 03x - 5 7 0
News of the Bruins' win over Montreal filtered into Fenway as the Red Sox began to bat against Benoit in the bottom of the 8th.

It had been a frustrating night. Lester (6.1-10-3-2-5, 106) gave up single runs in each of the first three innings, and while his control was much better tonight, Houdini was fortunate to strand six Rangers over the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings.

Boston got two runs in the first. Ellsbury doubled and Pedroia (bunting) reached on Jennings's throwing error. Lyndon scored as Ortiz GIDP on a 3-1 pitch, but Manny walked and scored on Yook's double to right center. After that 30-pitch inning, though Jennings morphed into an ace. He retired 16 of the next 18 hitters, including his last 10.

In the 8th against Benoit, Ellsbury popped out. The crowd was roaring over the hockey score and the Sox seemed to feed off the energy. Benoit's next five pitches determined the ball game. Pedroia drove a 1-0 pitch off the Wall for a double. Ortiz smacked the first pitch to Kinsler in short right field. He knocked it down, but it trickled past him into the outfield. Pedroia sprinted around and scored, tying the game at 3-3. Manny then absolutely destroyed Benoit's 1-0 pitch, driving it high off the light tower in left. It was career dong #496!

Papelbon allowed a leadoff single to Blalock, but got the next three for the win.

Although Ellsbury was silent at the plate after his early double, he kept the Sox in the game with a fantastic running catch to end the eighth. After Texas put runners at second and third against Timlin, Lopez came in to face Hamilton (who had homered in the first and singled and scored in the third). Loogy's first pitch was scorched to right-center, but Ellsbury, in a full sprint, backhanded the ball for the out.

In Baltimore, the Orioles shutout the Yankees 6-0.

***

Win It For: Cody!

***

Jason Jennings (8.79, 49 ERA+) / Jon Lester (5.31, 85 ERA+)

Jon Lester is as annoyed by his high walk totals as we are. After his last start on Monday -- 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 BB, 4 R -- he said it was "the most frustrating time in my whole career ...
It's a continuous battle to not walk people, and it seems like that's what my game plan is every five days is to not walk people. Not necessarily to attack guys or game plan on what pitches I want to throw. It's basically to not walk people, and it just keeps snowballing into something worse. ... It has nothing to do with mechanics. It's just a matter of going out and attacking hitters and throwing strikes. ... Hopefully, I'll go forward next time instead of backwards again.
He doesn't sound overly positive. At all.

Bases on balls has been an issue during Lester's entire professional career. Here's his general progression through the minors (not all stops included):
      Age/Level     IP    BB  BB/9   ERA  WHIP
2003 19 - A 106 44 3.74 3.65 1.38
2004 20 - A+ 90 37 3.86 4.30 1.32
2005 21 - AA 148.1 57 3.70 2.61 1.15
2006 22 - AAA 47 25 3.46 2.68 1.45
Red Sox 81.1 43 4.76 4.76 1.65
2007 23 - AAA 71.2 31 3.90 3.92 1.38
Red Sox 63 31 4.43 4.57 1.46
2008 24 Red Sox 20.1 15 6.65 5.31 1.62

Career Totals
Minors: 484 IP, 203 BB, 3.77 BB/9, 1.31 WHIP
Majors: 164.2 IP, 89 BB, 4.86 BB/9, 1.57 WHIP
He's made no progress at all in cutting down on his walks since he was drafted in 2002. He'll be nothing more than a league-average back-of-the-rotation guy until he does.

Jennings allowed six earned runs in 4.2 innings on Monday, which was a tad worse than his two previous starts. He has not faced the Red Sox since 2004. His only start at Fenway came on June 11, 2002 (7 IP, 3 H, 0 R). Only Casey and Drew have faced him more than five times -- and they have lit him up.

205 comments:

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allan said...

Kyle Farnsworth will be suspended three games and fined $2,000 for throwing behind Manny Ramirez's head Thursday night.

allan said...

Bits o' news:

The Red Sox are hitting .344 in their past six games and have scored 46 runs (and have at least 10 hits in each game).

Pedroia and Kevin have seven-game hitting streaks.

"Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum! Habemus Papi."

David Murphy got his WS ring.
"It's weird. I don't feel like I was actually on the team long enough to earn it [2 PAs over 3 games], but at the same time, I'm not going to say don't give me a ring. I put it on my hand and I'd be lying if I said my hand wasnt shaking a bit."

Unknown said...

If they really want to penalize the Yankees for Farnsworth's actions, instead of suspending him, they'll mandate that he be required to pitch in the next three games.

SoSock said...

That's cute Steph :)
Good Karma needed - off the field.
Mrs. Sosock (Cathy) is in the hospital again. Her portacath (an implant used for the chemo) has become infected and she was running fevers from 101 - 104 all night. IV antibiotics are helping, but looks like she'll be in for a few days until they feel the infection is in control enough to remove the port.
On the plus side, after she was doped up and knocked out this morning, I headed out to the fields and the Rockies got their first win of the season! That's the Winston-Salem National Little League Junior Div. Rockies :) God, did we need it!
Missed last nights game but saw highlights on SC. Will miss tonight unless the laptop will work at the hospital.
Nice work, Papi! Keep it up!
Hope to chat later

allan said...

Best wishes to you and Cathy!

allan said...

We have oatmeal!!!!

Kinsler, 2B
Young, SS
Hamilton, CF
Blalock, 3B
Botts, 1B
Murphy, RF
Laird, DH
Melhuse, C
Duran, LF

Ellsbury, CF
Pedroia, 2B
Ortiz, DH
Ramirez, LF
Youkilis, 3B
Drew, RF
Varitek, C
Casey, 1B
Lugo, SS

allan said...

It's official! Oatmeal is now in the Glossary.

...

As you were....

laura k said...

If they really want to penalize the Yankees for Farnsworth's actions, instead of suspending him, they'll mandate that he be required to pitch in the next three games.

:>)

laura k said...

Good luck Tim & Cathy. We're all pulling for you.

s1c said...

sosock - Ditto what L-girl and Redsock have already said earlier.

s1c said...

Funniest line about the Bruins Canadians Serie - "Who knew those little towels they like to wave were actually white flags? In that sense, the Canadiens fans reminded me quite a bit of Yankees fans, except with a much better command of English." From Chad Finn

FWIW - Sox are 5-0 when Bruins are playing.

laura k said...

Hi all, I'm listening to the game at work, but I won't be able to gamethread.

Except for ultra exciting moments.

Which I hope are frequent.

Enjoy!

Jake of All Trades said...

Wow:

Former major leaguer John Marzano dies at 45 in Philadelphia

andy said...

My Karma raygun is aimed your way.

andy said...

Fucking lugo back in. What did lowrie not prove himself yet? are we after a couple more errors? Now that I saw that kid I can't fucking stand lugo. Lugo and timlin are done in my book. Crisp is a good fielder or else he would be done too.

andy said...

I was at the Murphy game in SD. He was just playing mop up too. How little can you do and still get a ring?

allan said...

i saw that marzano news. damn.

btw i have mlbtv! and NESN

andy said...

MLBtv 1.2 myself

andy said...

full fucking wide screen too

s1c said...

How little can you do and still get a ring

Ask Clayton, Royce!

allan said...

lester seems to be working a tad quicker than usual -- though no one is on base.

Edward Lee said...

So, when was the last time Jon Lester threw back-to-back first pitch strkes?

allan said...

WTF???????????

NESN is doing sound effects when runs score?

why are they doing that shit?

s1c said...

Crap

allan said...

he did tonight!

allan said...

Ask Clayton, Royce!

Brandon Puffer -- came up from AAA, sat in the bullpen for one game in 2004, then went back to Pawtucket.

laura k said...

NESN is doing sound effects when runs score?

also sound effects for pitches over 90 mph.

awful.

don't forget to complain.

allan said...

I mean

tonight: b2b first pitch strikes.

Jake of All Trades said...

First time I heard the run scoring sound effect I thought it was Remy getting a text message and forgetting to put his phone on silent.

s1c said...

LBJ!!!

allan said...

And that happened.

laura k said...

Guess who that is...?

s1c said...

Error on the play and FY is safe!!!

laura k said...

(it's my boy)

(and i'm supposed to be working)

s1c said...

Thought I would put on the mlb audio since B-fly is out on a date. 2 pitches behind.

Crap, Papi doesn't even get the RBI there.

s1c said...

Youk!!!

allan said...

i like this jennings chap.

andy said...

It's like they can do what they want to the rangas

s1c said...

Ugh, check swing oh crap!

ok, sid lets hold them, throw strikes!!!

allan said...

what benefit is that noise?

if you are watching the game, you know a run scored. if you are away from the TV, you stil have to have the sound on -- and you'll hear don give the score.

good going nesn -- annoy your core customers with silly bullshit.

s1c said...

Joe C. - Lester's start is kinda spotty!

Do you think! Of course he has stayed away from ball 4 so, that is something.

s1c said...

Lets get those runs back guys.

allan said...

lester threw a first pitch strike to 5 of 6 batters that inning -- the last 5.

allan said...

yellow, full moon tonight

remy: why is the moon white some times and yellow other times?

don: i don't know ... not even going to offer a theory. i learned my lesson.

s1c said...

Slugo!!!

Now steal second buddy so that LBJ can drive you in!!!

andy said...

I still hate julio

allan said...

did nesn miss young's AB?

i missed it on mlbtv

allan said...

not good, jon, not good.

allan said...

jesus -- tavarez up.

s1c said...

Sexy up in the Pen

s1c said...

NESN did not miss youngs ab.

Rob said...

B-fly is out on a date.

Oh boy. Do you get nervous and stay up, etc?


By the way, those sounds on NESN when a run scores - another thing you can blame the Bruins for. That sound first came about this year with the Bruins, whenever a goal is scored. It sounds good, and appropriate, for when a goal is scored, but not for runs in a baseball game.

s1c said...

Good, he sorta pulled the houdini.

laura k said...

don: i don't know ... not even going to offer a theory. i learned my lesson.

!!!!!!

s1c said...

Oh boy. Do you get nervous and stay up, etc?

Nope, chaperoned date, its a dance.

s1c said...

Goal!!!!!! Kessel?

Rob said...

Goal!!!!!! Kessel?

Yep!

allan said...

balt 2-0 over nyy in the 3rd

allan said...

cabin with a dong off kennedy for that second O's run!

allan said...

3 IP pc:

lester: 19-25-15 - 59
jennings: 30-11-18 - 59

allan said...

Whic HoF pitcher played for both Rangers and Sox?

Hint: Canadian!

Rob said...

A little quiet tonight, eh?

allan said...

Indeed. All the JoS-ers are out clubbing, I guess. (Or maybe 8:30 is too early for that...)

s1c said...

Not like the game is really giving us a lot to talk about either.

allan said...

Why the F is Jennings now shutting us down?

allan said...

Not like the game is really giving us a lot to talk about either.

When there's a small crowd, that usually doesn't matter.

Lester at 72 thru 4.

allan said...

Small meaning like last night, not us 3 (or however many)

allan said...

Trivia: Fergie Jenkins.

allan said...

nice quick return on a grounder to the base of the standings that is only a single -- manny now joking with some fans.

allan said...

yankees now down 4-0 in the 4th

kennedy threw 85 pitches in 2.2 innings!!

allan said...

Remy's GOT to be stoned.

Jake of All Trades said...

There goes my theory on the run scored sound effect being his phone.

s1c said...

Remy is always stoned (imho)

1-2-3 again, wtf!

laura k said...

Some of us are earning our pay.

Rob said...

Well, the Bruins are down by 1 goal going into the 3rd period, do-or-die...

This game here looks rather boring, so far. But I'm sure Texas' bullpen isn't anything to fear. Once Jennings is out of there, the Red Sox can do some more damage.

Rob said...

Lester lobbed the ball over to first on that bunt play.

Had a chuckle when Dave O'Brien said "Lester fires it over to first for the out."

allan said...

lopez up now.

allan said...

get that 3rd out - a 4th run seems like a killer to me right now.

s1c said...

Sid posts another 0 on the board. It is now a quality start.

Lets get some runs!!!!

allan said...

Wake up the bats!

s1c said...

96 pitches for Jennings?

Time to take the walk MBM!

Rob said...

let's see.

Ball 4, strike 2, or a bomb?

Rob said...

Strike 2.

allan said...

stirrings in tex pen

Rob said...

Welp, time for Period #3.

In about a half hour I'll be back, either disappointed or absolutely floored.

We'll see.

I keep close tabs on the Sox game, as well. Usually have the Sox game on radio, B's game muted on TV.

s1c said...

Unbelievable, did everybody take a quiet pill on the Sox? Another 1-2-3 inning.

allan said...

jennings has retired 16 of last 18 since yook's first inning double.

FUCK!

allan said...

jennings and lester both at 100 thru 6.

Rob said...

GOAL!!! B's tied it up.

Rob said...

MDC in.

allan said...

mdc in with 1 out, man on first.

s1c said...

MDC needs to hold the fort here, and the Sox bats need to wake up!!!

Patrick said...

I really like how the Orioles beat up the Yankees.

s1c said...

Whew, escape!

Patrick said...

thats my boy!

allan said...

jamey wright in for rangers

drew
tek
casey
lugo

Patrick said...

Here we go. Time to bring someone home.

s1c said...

3-10-1
2-3-0

Three fragging hits, wake up the bats!!!

Patrick said...

All things considered, I think it was a good outing from Lester. I expect 6 innings and 2-3 runs from him regularly, and I'll take that.

allan said...

timlin/jeemer up

s1c said...

Drew - 10 for 27 vs Wright.

s1c said...

Goal!!!! 3-3

Patrick said...

pffff.... Thats the Tek I remember.

allan said...

was actually thinking of typing: should tek bunt?

s1c said...

Tek probably should have bunted.

Patrick said...

Please don't tease me Red Sox. you get two on but then you put Lugo in the box.

allan said...

fucking lugo shit.

Patrick said...

Was I wrong to doubt you Lugo?

s1c said...

Francona comparing Lowrie to Bill Mueller?

Slugo you are killing me!

Patrick said...

At least the 8th will host the top of the order.

allan said...

damn, rather have casey running and lowrie PH for lugo

allan said...

Anyone else smell toast?

s1c said...

No toast tonight! Be positive!!

Goal 4-3 B's

Patrick said...

Whats the most positions a player has played in one game?

allan said...

quicker on the hockey score than nesn!

allan said...

Whats the most positions a player has played in one game?

9.

heng brothers said...

Fire Lugo. That is all.

Patrick said...

4-4, crazy

allan said...

damn, are they using goalies over there?

Patrick said...

Toast

s1c said...

Where was MBM throwing that ball?

s1c said...

goal 5-4 B's

allan said...

POPUP! yes.

Patrick said...

we might make it through this~!

allan said...

loogy lopez in for hamilton.

Patrick said...

5-4!?!?! Crazy!

s1c said...

Next time I use the words "think positive" in the same sentence as Timlin, fragging scold me.

Aaaargh!!!

Patrick said...

I really hope Hamilton makes an out here. I was foolish enough to bench him today because he was facing a lefty. Lester made me pay for that mistake.

allan said...

LYNDON BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

laura k said...

Yay LBJ, saves our ass.

s1c said...

LBJ!!!!

Patrick said...

THANK YOU LBJ!!! Now just get on base and save us all you beautiful man.

s1c said...

B's Win, B's Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Patrick said...

Why are we calling him LBJ? Does he look like LBJ?

laura k said...

Next time I use the words "think positive" in the same sentence as Timlin, fragging scold me.

Now you're talking.

I'm going home now. When I get there, I expect the Sox to have won this game. Do you hear me?? I expect them to win by the time I get home!!!

Rob said...

WHAT AN AMAZING HOCKEY GAME.

GAME SEVEN COMING UP!

laura k said...

Patrick, check your glossary. It's because I... like him.

That was me being tactful.

laura k said...

Bruins win???? Unbelievable!!!

allan said...

whew - guy came by with handfuls of papers -- but he was just using the little window as a spot to get settled before he left -- no work!!!

allan said...

can we get some late scoring too?

laura k said...

Man, if the Habs lose this series, Montreal is going to be very embarrassed.

Rob said...

can we get some late scoring too?

Please!

laura k said...

Don't brag, I've been working my fingers off all night. Outta here.

Well, after the Red Sox finish batting.

Rob said...

s1c, I've got one, and only one, hockey question for you...

Does this series at all remind you of the '67 World Series?

s1c said...

FY!!!!

laura k said...

FUCK YEAH!!

allan said...

on my little puter, thought it might be a fy dong.

let's go tiz -- do what you do.

s1c said...

Ish, only if they win this series.

allan said...

FLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Patrick said...

BAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

laura k said...

YEAH PAPI!!!

Geez, I can't leave now...

Rob said...

can we get some late scoring too?

Ask and you shall receive!

s1c said...

MBM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob said...

DEEP INTO THE NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

s1c said...

Dong!!!!!!

s1c said...

Yeah Baby!!!!!!!

laura k said...

MANNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

allan said...

I WANT TO KISS YOU,, MANNY!!!!!!!!

allan said...

496 BITCHES!

Patrick said...

O M G! I am getting teary eyed. THis is amazing.

laura k said...

Thanks, Manny! Now I can go home happy. :)

s1c said...

Bot is up!!!

Number 496 for MBM!!!

Patrick said...

Bot

water

allan said...

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is very good at hitting a baseball.

heng brothers said...

A win going through White Flag? Imposssible!

allan said...

MBM putting the moves on FY!

Patrick said...

"It's Lopez's game to win" But really, it's Jacoby's game to win.

allan said...

once again, late inning magic!

allan said...

Baltimore 6-0 (8th)

Patrick said...

I could get used to this

allan said...

Saturday Night's Alright for Donging!

Rob said...

6-0 Baltimore in the 8th. Yeah baby!

allan said...

Loogy Lopez -- with his 1 pitch thrown -- in line for the W.

Rob said...

Time for the Good Snuff!

allan said...

no effing around bot.

get pissed and start snuffin'.

Patrick said...

It wasn't interesting enough for Pap.

allan said...

why in the world does tex have a guy warming?

must be getting work in....

Rob said...

If your DP doesn't work...
Do try again.

allan said...

very odd to hear don saying "botts" so many times!!!

Patrick said...

Maybe they don't realize Pappelbon is Johnathon fucking Pappelbon

allan said...

fans standing.

one to go.

s1c said...

one more bot, snuff these guys!!!

Gameboard pinch hitting

Rob said...

This is annoying. The FM radio station I'm listening to, which is about 15-20 miles away from here, 96.7, is being encroached upon by 96.9, out of Boston... 60 miles away.

WTF?

allan said...

will papelbon toy with milton bradley?

:>)

s1c said...

Water!!!!!

Patrick said...

Beautiful

Rob said...

WE WIN!!!

WHAT...A...NIGHT. MY MIND HAS BEEN BLOWN.

Bruins win, force a Game 7, Dirty Water played at the Garden. Sox come from behind and win here... and the Yankees are getting beaten.

What more can you ask for?

allan said...

Sox 12-7 -- 102 win pace.

Patrick said...

I switch between 96.7 and 104.9 depending on which has better reception on that night.

allan said...

What more can you ask for?

A beer?

Rob said...

Manny's on WEEI!

s1c said...

Ish - will do a bruins recap post later at plls.

Will give you deeper thoughts on the 67 comparison over there, after I do the shower and arrive for work bit.

Sox stay in first place with another dramatic win, Flo ties it, MBM dongs it!!!

Rob said...

Manny: I feel good. I wanna stay and play four more years. I'm working my ass off.

Patrick said...

You just pay the taxi

Rob said...

I guess Manny said he'd come on the radio - Joe and Dave rode with Manny in a taxi up in Cleveland.

At the end of the interview, Manny said, "And one more thing. You pay for the taxi next time, ok?"

Rob said...

That was a funny interview with Manny.

allan said...

Chokers lose 6-0!

Now in 4th, 3 GB.

laura k said...

Cody says thank you :)

laura k said...

Toy with Milton Bradley :>)

Come on folks, let's get to that second page of comments...

Rob said...

The upcoming sports schedule is very favorable. No overlaps in the next couple of days! Sox tomorrow at 1:35, then the Celtics start their playoffs tomorrow night at 8:30. Then the Sox on Monday at 11 AM, and then Game 7 in Montreal tomorrow night at 7.

This is the last of the NESN Plus nonsense, much to everyone's delight.

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