April 1, 2011

G1: Rangers 9, Red Sox 5

Red Sox - 202 000 010 - 5  7  1
Rangers - 110 300 04x - 9 10  1
Adrian Gonzalez drove in three of Boston's first four runs (and stole the second base of his eight-year career!), Jacoby Ellsbury reached base four times and scored twice, and David Ortiz tied the game with an opposite-field home run off Darren Oliver in the eighth.

But Daniel Bard (0.2-4-4-1-1, 32) allowed four runs in the home half of the eighth. After a fly out, he walked Mike Napoli, and gave up a single to Yorbit Torrealba and a two-run double to pinch-hitter David Murphy. After a strikeout -- the game's only K among Boston's six pitchers -- back-to-back doubles from Elvis Andrus and Josh Hamilton pushed the score to 9-5. The Red Sox went in order in the ninth against Neftali Feliz.

Ellsbury doubled, singled, walked, and stole a base; he began the game (and the season) by reaching second when his routine fly ball was dropped for a two-base error. He scored on Kevin Youkilis's double. ... The bottom third of the lineup went 0-for-11, with a walk.

Lester (5.1-6-5-1-0, 88) allowed three home runs in a game for the first time in his career. (He has allowed two dongs 16 times, including five times each in 2009 and 2010.)
Example
Jon Lester / C.J. Wilson

Opening Day!
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Cameron, RF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Marco Scutaro, SS
There was some fuss in the past week about Terry Francona balancing the honour of starting on Opening Day with sitting some of his left-handed hitters against a tough lefty like Wilson. Lefties batted .144 with a .400 OPS against Wilson in 2010. Drew is 1-for-6 and Ortiz is 1-for-10.

Those samples seem quite small. And Boston's right-handed hitters haven't exactly feasted on Wilson either: Scutaro is 2-for-16, Crawford is 2-for-15, Youkilis is 2-for-7 (with two walks). Cameron, starting in place of Drew, is 0-for-3. The current Boston roster is a combined 11-for-73 against Wilson (.151/.244/.219/.463).

Baseball Reference says there have been only two complete games pitched on Opening Day in the last seven years (2004-10). The last Red Sox OD CG was pitched in NYC by the TCM, on April 7, 1992: 8-8-4-1-5, 100 - Yankees 4, Red Sox 3.

More than one pundit has said the the Red Sox could win 100 games this year. No Boston team has reached that milestone since 1946. Theo Epstein sets an annual goal of at least 95 wins -- which will usually result in a playoff spot. It's easier said than done, though. In the 110-year history of the Red Sox, only nine teams have ended the regular season with more than 95 victories:
Year   GP    W   L   T  Finish
1912  154   105  47  2  1st in AL, Won World Series
1946  156   104  50  2  1st in AL, Lost World Series
1915  155   101  50  4  1st in AL, Won World Series
1978  163    99  64     2nd in ALE
2004  162    98  64     2nd in ALE, Won World Series
1977  161    97  64     2nd in ALE
2007  162    96  66     1st in ALE, Won World Series
1949  155    96  58  1  2nd in AL
1948  155    96  59     2nd in AL
In the Red Sox's other three championship seasons, their win totals were: 91 (1903), 91 (1916), and 75 (1918; shortened-season).

Terry Francona:
We talk all the time about trying to keep the line moving and not having easy innings. I think we have a group of guys that should make pitchers work. We have some speed, we have some power, we have some switch hitters. ... [But] If you don't pitch, it's really tough to be a good team. ...

I don't ever base my optimism on the pundits. I like our team. I like the way we worked in spring training. I like our talent. It's 162 games -- it's a long year. A lot of things happen, but we're excited. Now we have to go show it.

471 comments:

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Benjamin said...

"I must note that Benjamin coined Evil Bert."

That Benjamin fellow sounds like a clever guy.

Amy said...

That's great! When is the semester all done?

Rob said...

SoSH Twitter:

"Just did some quick math: Adrian Gonzalez is on pace for 1,458 RBI's this season."

laura k said...

s1c, they must be emphasizing the word "historic". Man U is way bigger, but apparently Liverpool is older.

nick said...

I have to go soon. Rollerskating w/ emma tonight. dinner and then ready to go in an hour.

getting awfully tired, though. hit a wall.

Kathryn said...

Okay, Lester has found his groove.

Unknown said...

Greetings fron Oregon! Gonzalez looks great, and Lester is starting to relax!

RedSoxDiehard said...

I love watching EB at 1B too!

laura k said...

Amy, it's done now, except for one final exam I have on April 12. Classes are still in session but I have no reason to go. So I'm don't. :)

Kathryn said...

Have fun, Nick. But don't break any bones!

laura k said...

That Benjamin fellow sounds like a clever guy.

And so modest!

[I'm not afraid to post the most obvious comment ever!]

nick said...

funny you should mention that. Emma broke her wrist last week (just slightly-ish, but oh yeah).

It will officially be my 4th time. Last week I went around 3 times in a row without needing the wall. I felt that was a significant event.

The place we're going closes on the 13th. This the last Friday we can go together (I'm at the National Conference for Media Reform next weekend).

laura k said...

So I'm don't.

A combination of "I don't" and "I'm done"!

Amy said...

Great, Laura! So Tala must be getting ready to share the household with another dog soon then!

Kathryn said...

Wow, that looked like a little pop up. It went a lot farther than I thought it would.

A Conformer said...

Amy, it's done now, except for one final exam I have on April 12.

Is this first or second semester? Sounds awfully early for the school year to be over (or almost over)... When does it start, then?

Zenslinger said...

Don't remind me of how much grading I have to do this weekend!

Kathryn said...

Yeah, I can't imagine trying to roller skate now. But I still snow ski, so I guess it would be okay. Hmmm.

nick said...

Skiing (of the downhill kind) pretty much terrifies me, though skating has diminished that fear a bit (a smidgely bit).

I have this secret goal of doing roller derby by the time I'm 40. I figure I'd have to learn to skate first. Maybe I can accomplish that in the next 3 years or so.

Rob said...

Wasn't paying attention to who was hitting, and saw the one-knee swing and knew it was Beltre.

laura k said...

Maybe this is a way to get the Bingo game to Don.

https://www.facebook.com/donorsillo

Kathryn said...

And when you sign your first Roller Derby contract, we'll come up with your skating name!

Amy said...

Beltre still hitting those balls. I will miss yelling out BELTER.

nick said...

3rd Rangers hit of the day, but at least it, too, wasn't a dong.

nick said...

hmmm... a donor silo?

Amy said...

I gave up skiing two years ago. Now I look at the people skiing and wonder why I ever did it. Though I did love it for a long time.

laura k said...

Ofer, my two terms are Sept 6 (approx) to December 10 or so, then approx Jan 3 to April 6. Exams are often a week later. What about you?

Amy, we've had the projected date for a while - April 25, after I come back from a few days in NY/NJ, and after our work weekend. Can't wait!!!

Kathryn said...

I gave up skiing two years ago. Now I look at the people skiing and wonder why I ever did it. Though I did love it for a long time.

Yes, I find myself much more timid these days. There is an 80 year old lady at church who still goes downhill skiing. Absolutely crazy.

s1c said...

First photos from Mercury - cool

Amy said...

Those are definitely shorter than our semesters. Fall starts August 18 or so and classes end December 5 or so, with exams going until December 21. Spring starts around January 10 and classes end April 28, with exams until May 15 or so.

Amy said...

Kathryn, that's what happened to me. I found I was getting to be more scared than excited, and it stopped being fun.

Rob said...

I haven't been able to afford to try skiing. I'd love to do it at least once, though!

laura k said...

Terms are 13 weeks each, one week off in March.

Benjamin said...

Boo.

Kathryn said...

Oh my no. What is going on??????????

nick said...

It's a deal, Kathryn.

OK, we're out of here.

Emma says "hi" to all.

....

what the what?!

Amy said...

April 25. I will mark my calendar also! :)

SHIT. WTF, Lester? What's with all the long balls?

laura k said...

Ugh.

s1c said...

Mercury Photos

laura k said...

Hi Emma - Bye Nick!

nick said...

Can we just move the left field pole about 20 feet to the right?

allan said...

first game of lester's career with 3 dongs.

Amy said...

Rob, skiing is definitely expensive, but you can sometimes get a good deal on a beginner's package with equipment, a lesson, and a lift ticket. Mountains are always trying to lure new people to the sport.

Pokerwolf said...

Crapola! Come on guys!

laura k said...

Thanks s1c. I may have to wait for a page with more photos and less other crap all over it. Cool, though.

andy said...

Lester gives us a bowl of dongs on his big day. And after he survived cancer.

RedSoxDiehard said...

Who told Lester it was April?

Kathryn said...

LBJ...a hitting machine.

Amy said...

LBJ certainly starting off hot!

allan said...

Ellsbury is on fire.

andy said...

I think no matter how bad the pitching may be at a given point, the offense always comes up again.

RedSoxDiehard said...

LBJ!

laura k said...

LBJ is Mr On Base today.

A Conformer said...

Here classes start sometime in October- could be the 1st, could be the 25th... it depends on the Jewish holidays, and therefore on the lunar calendar. The first semester ends around January, we have one month of exam period, then the second semester is February-June, with another month-month and a half of exam period So the year ends around the end of July-mid-August, depending on which exams you're doing and if you're taking any second date ones.

Oh, and BTW- WTF, Lester?

laura k said...

LBJ certainly starting off hot!

. . .

Rob said...

Lester will settle down in future starts. I always expect Opening Day games to be high-ish scoring games.

s1c said...

b-fly's classes end on like the 9th of May - last I heard she might only have to take 2 exams - she bore down on the classes this semester since she was upset with last semesters grades

laura k said...

Ofer, it sounds like your semesters are around the same length as ours, but start and end later. I think.

A Conformer said...

Lester had pretty rough beginnings to the last two seasons, right? Maybe it's a pattern...

Pokerwolf said...

FY is preventing LBJ from stealing second! LOL!

Amy said...

Our semesters are 14 weeks, but I guess we have more days off and breaks each semester---Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving in the fall; MLK Day and spring break in the spring. So it takes 15 weeks to fit 14 weeks of classes in. ABA requires 14 weeks.

Amy said...

S1C, as I recall she did really well her first year. Sophomore slump?

Kathryn said...

Okay, CC. Do it here.

Kathryn said...

LBJ SB

A Conformer said...

We have 14 week semesters, as well. The first semester is really 14 weeks long, but the second one is always actually 16-17, because Passover break is about 2.5 weeks. Plus, I think our exam periods are longer.

Amy said...

SB for LBJ!

laura k said...

So are we counting defensive indiff as SB for the contest?

s1c said...

Amy - she made a B in her Math class (one of her majors) Pissed her off - lol

Oh and she is finishing her jr year - will have 92 credits at end of this semester

Amy said...

CC made me think of Sabathia...

Amy said...

LOL, S1C! I had a feeling it was something like that!! Good for her!

allan said...

Can't really have DI in the 5th inning of a 5-4 game.

Kathryn said...

By way of the K!!!!

laura k said...

So it's all about the same, give or take a week, with different holiday configurations.

RedSoxDiehard said...

DOWN BY WAY OF THE K.

Drink! (Or Bingo, whatever.)

laura k said...

Can't really have DI in the 5th inning of a 5-4 game.

But no throw. OK, I guess it all counts.

allan said...

spiraling "off the back side"

!

A Conformer said...

I think we should make Crawford CC, and start calling Sabathia FF (you can probably figure it out...).

Amy said...

Damn. Stranded half a pair.

Pokerwolf said...

Geez. Two steps forward, one step back seems to be the theme today.

Kathryn said...

RedSoxDiehard said...
Who told Lester it was April?


Now that's funny.

allan said...

albers up

laura k said...

CC / FF - perfect

Pokerwolf said...

Lester's done. That's two he's hit.

Kathryn said...

Hey, hey, hey...Matt Albers is up.

Amy said...

Lester will calm down, right? Sheesh.

s1c said...

Well there goes Jons cy young award - (channeling my inner pre 2004 red sox persona)

Pokerwolf said...

Those three dongs are in his head, I think, Amy. He's going way outside on the right side of the plate pretty consistently.

Two down, Lester! Stay with it!

RedSoxDiehard said...

EB is on pace for 162 SB.

Kathryn said...

My husband just said..."That's the one to hit (Beltre). He doesn't wear a cup. That'll put him out for the season."

A Conformer said...

OK, damage control done. Now to score some runs.

laura k said...

Yes. Runs pls.

Pokerwolf said...

LOL @ RedSoxDieHard!

Moar runs, plz!

A Conformer said...

Well, the only way for EB to get an RBI now is a dong.

Rob said...

So happy to have game threads again (he says, leaving to go to the grocery store...).

Pokerwolf said...

Wow! Arthur Rhodes!

laura k said...

Rob channeling Tim

laura k said...

I know, Arthur Rhodes, ancient history!

s1c said...

Well - time for me to leave the thread - check in later tonight at work.

Just remember it is only game 1 of 162!!!

RedSoxDiehard said...

OK, Wilson's out. We can get started now.

laura k said...

I will always have a soft spot for Arthur Rhodes from the Vizquel/earrings incident - and the follow up. So hilarious.

Kathryn said...

Okay, let's see what we can do to their bullpen.

Kathryn said...

I'll have to look that one up, L.

allan said...

Time to Salt(y) this game away.

laura k said...

Bye s1c, and good advice to the early worriers. :)

laura k said...

Mrs G, I can tell it quickly.

allan said...

Those three dongs are in his head

Hmmmm .....

Pokerwolf said...

I love how you can see Salty's name on his jersey when he's at bat.

laura k said...

Vizquel came to bat and said Rhodes' earring was glinting in the sun and causing a glare, asked the ump to have Rhodes remove the earring.

Rhodes called Vizwuel a midget - or was it a .... something midget?

Bench clearing brawl.

THEN the next time Rhodes faced Vizquel, he wore huge clip-on cosmetic earrings, on both ears!! He was asked to remove them and quickly did so. But how funny is that.

Kathryn said...

Thanks L. That's the way it should be, never take things too seriously and always have fun.

allan said...

"lester has been sitting for 15 minutes"

laura k said...

Apparently it was an international incident! BBC Sport: Earring dispute stuns baseball

I think little Omar took it very seriously!

A Conformer said...

OK, I have a feeling the 7th will be our inning.

laura k said...

Ofer knows best

laura k said...

Nice play PD

Lord Lynch said...

Pity FY's hair doesn't grow as well on top!

laura k said...

I can't take these bozos any more. MLB Audio to the rescue.

Lord Lynch said...

I'm inclined to agree, L. This is awful. Is Valentine some sort of genius or something? He certainly goes on enough about how smart he is.

allan said...

No strikeouts for Lester.

A Conformer said...

DP, please.

johngoldfine said...

Hey everyone, I've been listening all along, but we just got power back after 7 hours or so--big snowstorm.

Isn't this great!!!

Kathryn said...

I'm still waiting for Ofer's seventh inning.

laura k said...

Wow, it's not spring in Maine, is it?

Kathryn said...

Big snowstorm? That's too cool.

laura k said...

LL, he's a legend in his own mind, as they say. And they all talk at once! Very professional.

allan said...

Wha-buh are-buh you-buh doing, Albers-buh?

johngoldfine said...

We've got a foot or so of heavy wet snow and still coming. Day off from work, but, slow, very slow here, very dull, sad dogs.

4pm a godsend!

Kathryn said...

We-buh lo-buhved tal-buh-king like-buh that.

or whatever

Benjamin said...

Bullshit call, but no harm done.

Lord Lynch said...

Just looked at his coaching career. He is very clever for a manager who has never won his division.

They all just witter on and on.

Time to strike, Sox.

allan said...

time to hit the rhodes.

allan said...

get us started (with 1 out), mr. leadoff.

Pokerwolf said...

Three more just like that one, Rhodes!

laura k said...

LBJ = Mr on base!

allan said...

BB - nice!

laura k said...

He is very clever for a manager who has never won his division.

But he did help them lose a few!

allan said...

PASSEDBALLA!!!!!!!!!

laura k said...

Arthur Rhodes and Darren Oliver in the same bullpen. That's a lotta pitches right there.

Pokerwolf said...

Dang, I thought "# of times on base today" was a bingo square!

allan said...

jenks up

allan said...

when did the mfy trade dumbo to texas?

allan said...

let's go, craw.

Pokerwolf said...

Maybe the extra stuff that Rhodes puts on the ball is wearing sticking to Torreaba's glove. ;)

allan said...

shit.

Pokerwolf said...

Can't use your speed if you keep striking out, Crawford.

A Conformer said...

Shit. CC=KK...

allan said...

would you believe ... the 8th inning?

allan said...

and don uses "by way of the K" but it's a repeat from earlier.

that's the only phrase i heard today, but i am also working.

Pokerwolf said...

Dennis Reyes = El Guapo 2.0!

Kathryn said...

CC=KKK

RedSoxDiehard said...

I want to yell GUAPO when I see Reyes coming in!

Lord Lynch said...

Just saying - 2004 and 2007 we lost our first game of the season on the road. Didn't turn out bad!

Not saying we can't turn this around of course!

Pokerwolf said...

RSD and I are thinking alike tonight!


Get 'em, Reyes!

Lord Lynch said...

He's a big lad.

Amy said...

Hmm, back after a quick dinner and the score is the same.

allan said...

El Walko.

johngoldfine said...

We decided to listen straight through supper, amy, being the classy types we are.

Amy said...

Well, if I lived with a Sox fan, that might have happened here. But...no.

Pokerwolf said...

Wow, one walk and Reyes was pulled? That's a fast hook, Tito.

Amy said...

So you got the real thing, huh, John? We got about two inches that melted before I even left work today.

Pokerwolf said...

I did the same thing, John!

A Conformer said...

El Loogo

A Conformer said...

Not to be confused with "old friend" Lugo...

Pokerwolf said...

You know, Salty should rub the top of Beltre's helmet. Just because.

Amy said...

I know some will get pissy with me for asking this....


But who is this guy pitching?

laura k said...

I ate while watching the game. I hope that doesn't reflect badly on me. :)

Benjamin said...

Dan Wheeler, Providence native, and veteran of multiple stints with the FKR.

laura k said...

I should hope no one gets pissy on Day 1!

Pokerwolf said...

FY with the glove!

RedSoxDiehard said...

FY!

Amy said...

Thanks, Benjamin. And thanks for your tolerance, Laura. :)

We have to score NOW.

allan said...

FY!!!!!!

let's get a run or 8.

RedSoxDiehard said...

You know, Salty should rub the top of Beltre's helmet. Just because.

LOL

Pokerwolf said...

Runs indeed! Now, please!

allan said...

meh - we could wait 'til the 9th. whatever.

allan said...

yook
bert
flo
cameron
salty

Benjamin said...

Rubbing his helmet would be catcher interference.

Pokerwolf said...

I think CC should be called KK until he gets a hit.

allan said...

jenks and bard up

laura k said...

I think CC should be called KK until he gets a hit.

Too harsh for one of our guys!

allan said...

YES


FLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Pokerwolf said...

TIZ DOOOOOOONNNNGGGGGG!!!!!!

Amy said...

I felt that one coming!

laura k said...

PAPI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

laura k said...

Big fatherly dong!!!!!

Zenslinger said...

Oh what a paternal dong!

RedSoxDiehard said...

Papi's off to a slow start. He waited till the 8th inning for his dong. Release him!

Pokerwolf said...

"All the Red Sox runs today have come with two outs."

Shades of 2004.

laura k said...

:>) @ RSD

Amy said...

Good for Ortiz! I love seeing him get the big hit.

A Conformer said...

Dominican dong! Large Dominican dong!

tim said...

(delayed) FLO!!!!!!

Benjamin said...

Neither K nor L for Lester.

Pokerwolf said...

RSD is on fire with the comments today!

I also like "paternal dong", Zen. Nice!

A Conformer said...

Maybe Papi will spare us the "is he cooked?" discussion this year, eh?

Pokerwolf said...

8.44 ERA for Lester. Ouch.

Pokerwolf said...

Interesting that Bard gets the nod. Has he already replaced Bot?

Dr. Jeff said...

Hello everyone, welcome to 2011! Tuned in just in time to see the Ortiz homer. It is totally ON.

Pokerwolf said...

Woop. Nevermind. Got my innings confused. Apparently, I need another beer.

Benjamin said...

Bard gets the high-leverage non-save spots.

Amy said...

It's not the 9th yet, PKW. Still time for Papelbon....

And I will leave it at that. New season, clean slate.

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