May 5, 2012

G26: Orioles 8, Red Sox 2

Orioles - 017 000 000 - 8 10  1
Red Sox - 000 000 200 - 2  8  0
Instead of a recap, we have a picture of a cut below Aaron Cook's left knee, sustained in a collision at the plate in the second inning when Baltimore scored its first run (on a passed ball). After a few minutes with the trainer, Cook stayed in the game - and was sent to the showers the following inning (2.2-8-7-1-0, 48).
Example
Jason Hammel / Aaron Cook
Punto, 3B
Pedroia, 2B
Ortiz, DH
Gonzalez, 1B
Aviles, SS
Sweeney, RF
Ross, LF
Saltalamacchia, C
Byrd, CF
Will Middlebrooks has been taken out of the original lineup (see comments) because of a tight left hamstring.

Cook makes his Red Sox debut, starting in place of Josh Beckett, who has a sore lat muscle (and did not tell anyone about it before his last start, in which he threw 126 pitches). Beckett expects to make his next start on Thursday.

Hammel has a 1.97 ERA (3rd in the AL) in five starts this season.

The Red Sox have lost eight of their last nine games at Fenway Park, dating back to April 16. Bobby Valentine was asked why the Red Sox haven't had any momentum carry over from their 6-1 road trip. "I don't believe in that nonsense."

12 comments:

laura k said...

So BV and I do agree on something.

allan said...

It's a start!

***

Original Sox Lineup
Sweeney ,RF
Pedroia, 2B
Ortiz, DH
Gonzalez, 1B
Aviles, SS
Saltalamacchia, C
Ross, LF
Middlebrooks, 3B
Byrd, CF

Chavez, LF
Hardy, SS
Markakis, RF
Jones, CF
Wieters, C
Davis, 1B
Betemit, DH
Reynolds, 3B
Andino, 2B

9casey said...

Another fragile red sox....fantastic.. And these nagging injuries are all feel injuries , Beckett, Yook, Middlebrooks..

Did this kid actually go to the mangers office and say he had a tight hammy? Stretch it out , you are 23 years old. With a shot to stay in the big leagues and you have a tight hamstring.. Something is wrong with this team mentally or physically and that is either player makeup or bad staff.

allan said...

I say: take one day off, get some necessary rest, so we don't have to see Nick Friggin Worthless Punto out there every single day for at least 2 weeks.

Philip said...

Nick Punto is leading off.

Nick Punto is leading off.

Nick Punto is leading off.

I feel like this is one of those sins that there is no sufficient penance for,

laura k said...

Another fragile red sox

Who are the others?

9casey said...

Yook, Beckett, Buchholz... Laura I dont ever want to talk down my team, but even after what happened last year there is no sense of urgency on this team.. The last few days I have seen at bats where guys have no clue at the plate, pitchers cant throw strikes and a team that is flat as can be... Pete abe or one of those dolts mentioned on extra bases that besides pedroia, ortiz, gonzalez the others guys are subs or platoon players. The rays win with a lineup made up of random non superstars and pitchers you would think be comparable to our staff... There is something wrong with this team.

And I know we have injuries to all stars but how many does this team need to be competitive. Not win every game but be competitive.

laura k said...

9C, to me it just sounds like you're grasping at straws, trying to come up with some explanation for why this team isn't any good. If it makes you feel better to think the players have suddenly become fragile and wimpy, or don't care if they win or lose, then... there you go.

allan said...

I will say that after hearing all that talk about busting ass this year and having a chip on their shoulder and making sure everyone knows they were ashamed of last September and coming out with a purpose and drive - I have had absolutely no sense of that yet this season.

laura k said...

I have had absolutely no sense of that yet this season.

How would you get a sense of that? How do you think you can know what's in a player's head and heart?

I assume all players want to win. You have to be so competitive to make it to the big leagues.

If they're not winning, I assume it's because they are not actually that good, relative to other teams. Not that they don't want it as much, but that they are doing whatever they can, and falling short.

If you have evidence to the contrary, I'd like to see it. I'm not being snarky or sarcastic, I'm serious. I'd like to know what I'm missing, why people carp and moan about how the players are weak, fragile, not hungry enough, etc., rather than simply having a collectively mediocre season (so far).

allan said...

I made sure to say I had no sense of it rather than I have not seen any evidence.

Baserunning mistakes, throwing to the wrong bases from the outfield, late-game at-bats that are either straight hacking, trying to hit a 7-run HR, or what seems like mailing it in, not running to first base on groundouts, etc.

When they are down, they do not seem like a team fighting with all it has to come back. It's a feeling. I may be completely wrong.

laura k said...

I know what you mean. It's possible I would feel the same way if I were more engaged with this season. Maybe I'm not focussed enough to pick up on those things.

OTOH, it's possible you have the cause and effect reversed. You know how winning creates such great vibes, you imagine the team is invincible (inevitable). Losing does the same in reverse.