Homonymin': Sox-Orioles Gamer XVII

In an interesting occurence, the Sox started Jon Lester last night and tonight for the Orioles it's someone named Jon Leicester on the hill.  Tonight we see Daisuke Matsuzaka for the Sox, will the Orioles throw out somone named Deyesekay Mottsoosocka tomorrow?

Though we didn't catch the contest yesterday, we know the results and read about the game: it was good to see the Sox pitching continue to shut down the opposition, and it was also good to hear JD Drew excelled in the field and at the plate: we've not disguised the fact that we are rooting for the guy and refuse to jump off the bandwagon, no matter how ugly the results.  The Sox need this guy to produce in order to go deep during the postseason, particularly if Manny isn't 100%.  We also heard that Daniel Cabrera lost it last night, revealing himself as a Yankees fan in Orioles' clothing, throwing at our beloved second baseman.  Funny thing: I was typing in Pedroia's name on my spanky new iPhone, and for some reason the spell-check function corrected "Pedroia" to "Pestroia".  No joke.  I think someone in programming at Apple may root for the Bombers.  Anyhow, it should be interesting to see if Pedroia's head attracts any pitches tonight, considering he said after the game that Cabrera is an "idiot" and "stinks" as a pitcher.

(Aside: though potentially accurate based on last night's efforts from Cabrera, Dustin's comments are certainly inadvisable and impolitic: someone get that lovable shrimp a muzzle, he's gonna get a teammate or himself killed at some point!)

Consider this your thread for tonight's action from Fenway South.  Go Sox!!

Comments

[Hudson]

Logged in just in time for Papi's 2-run dinger... Nice.

Take that, Lesterganger.

[Hudson]

Both Lowell and Youks got a ton of wood on their pitches, but the O's escaped both thanks to some nice fielding plays. Top of the 1st over, 2-0 Sox.

[Paul SF]

Matsuzaka gives one run right back on Tike Redman's first homer. 2-1 Sox through 1. More runs, please!

[Hudson]

Oof, after a flyout DiceK gives one right back, a solo shot by Redman. 2-1 Sox.

[Hudson]

Jinx, Paul.

DiceK gets out of the inning, but is not sharp so far... Let's hope that's his big "bad inning" for this game.

[SF]

JD making me proud...

[Hudson]

Drew leads off with a double.

Golemlester seems very hittable.

[Paul SF]

Drew with the leadoff double. Maybe getting hot at the right time?

Varitek continues a horrific second half, striking out swinging.

[Hudson]

Very hittable, but Tek Ks. One out.

[Hudson]

Crisp grounds out, moving Drew to 3rd, but now there are two outs.

[Paul SF]

Come on, Lugo! Add to that RBI total!

[Hudson]

Boy, Cabrera must really be a clubhouse cancer, because his manager and team seem to have completely thrown him under the bus for last night.

[SF]

Tek = bread, put in an appliance.

[SF]

Leichechesester backs Lugo off the plate, up and in.

[Hudson]

Lugo hits the dirt on a fastball.

[SF]

LU-LU-GO-GO!

Double for Julio. The free agent signings shine...

[Hudson]

LUGO! He gets JD home with a double, 3-0 Sox... Eggggsellent.

[Paul SF]

I think the only logical explanation is they read my post this morning and realized they needed to step up their game...

[Paul SF]

JACOBY! 4-1 on the ribbie single.

[Hudson]

JACOBY! Double brings Lugo in, 4-0 Sox.

Very hittable indeed.

[Hudson]

Huhh, Gameday says single but WRKO says he's standing on 2nd (no video for me tonight).

[Hudson]

In any case, DPed flies out to end the (productive) inning.

[SF]

I think the only logical explanation is they read my post this morning and realized they needed to step up their game...

I think it was that JD was surfing our blog during the pre-game smorgasbord and was inspired by my faith in him. Also, Lugo saw that I complimented him and that he had been supplanted by the now-Nat WMP as my LFRS. It's all about the mindgames, Paul, played by us bloggers.

[Hudson]

Dice-Ks Huff.

[Hudson]

Payton out 3 unassisted.

[Hudson]

Yes, SF, and also remember that Clay Buccholz only threw a no-hitter because we didn't jinx him.

[Hudson]

2nd inning over, clean inning for DMat.

[Hudson]

(In fact, I now realize that the lack of a gamer for the no-hitter was stroke of pure genius by our front-pagers to make sure that Clay made history.)

[Hudson]

Papi with the leadoff double.

That's Boston's 3rd double of the night, and 4th extra-base hit, offset by just six outs.

[Tom sf]

"Lesterganger"

Funny.

[Hudson]

Mike walks, 1st and 2nd, none out for Kevin.

[Hudson]

(Sorry, it's 4-1 Sox, obviously, though I said 4-0 above.)

Youks lines out to center.

[Hudson]

JDre swings at the first pitch and also flies out to center. Papi tags and goes to third, but with 2 outs another fly ball won't help.

[Paul SF]

I hafta say I was pretty surprised Pedroia went as far as he did in his post-game comments. I guess he was pretty fired up. I'd be pissed too if someone had thrown gas right at my head.

Of course, he's right when he says Cabrera "sucks." 10 or more losses in three straight seasons, with an ERA that has gone up each year. Since 2005, Cabrera is tied for third with the most losses (38 -- tied with Jason Marquis and Greg Maddux, heh). And since he has a 4.81 ERA in that span, it's hard to say he doesn't deserve them.

Comparing pitchers with similar numbers of games started over that span, Cabrera's ERA is in the company of Wandy Rodriguez, Vicente Padilla, Rodrigo Lopez, Josh Fogg, Jeff Weaver, Claudio Vargas and Jason Marquis (all above 4.75).

His problem seems to be control (of the baseball, as well as of his own emotions). No one in that group strikes out nearly as many batters as he does -- or walks nearly as many. His .242 BAA is fifth among all pitchers with 80 starts in that span -- behind Beckett, Chris Young, Oswalt and Santana, but his ,351 OBPA is among the worst. He also limits slugging pretty well. He somehow has managed to hold hitters to an OPS+ below league average. So maybe he dosn't suck as bad as we all think. He might just be unlucky and giving up hits at all the wrong times.

[Hudson]

Tek Ks again, stranding two more runners.

[Paul SF]

Ugh, Varitek. .234 and dropping in the second half. How do you get to 3-0, then strike out swinging on three pitches?

[Hudson]

* Molina singles.
* Roberts doubles.

2nd and 3rd, still no outs.

Jeezzusss, this guy has been getting great run support lately, and giving back almost as readily. Gotta work out of this one, DiceK.

[Paul SF]

Ohh crap. Bases loaded, none out, Markakis-Tejada-Millar due up. Honestly, can we just have a nice clean game without a meltdown inning from Daisuke?

[Hudson]

DM walks the bases full, and still hasn't retired a batter in the 3rd. Markakis batting.

[Paul SF]

I really don't feel like watching this train wreck.

[Hudson]

DiceK goes up 1-2 to Markakis... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2-2 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3-2, oh SWELL ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... BALL, he walks in a run, 4-2 Sox.

GAHH!

[Paul SF]

Twice now he's gone 1-2 to a batter then trhown three straight balls that didn't even look close on GameDay...

And why did GameDay remove their strike zone box? Afraid they were showing up the umps?

[sf rod]

dice-k = bread, put in an appliance.

[Hudson]

I was about to post, "Fer chrissakes, DiceK, at least make them hit the ball and earn their runs," but then Tejada got a single, bringing home Roberts.

*sigh*

4-3 Sox bases still loaded, no outs. WTF?

[Rob]

Walked in the house to the middle of the bases loaded walk.

Maybe we need to let Dice skip a start to get some rest.

[Rob]

Time to yank him. Tavarez needs to come in and get this inning over.

[Hudson]

Millar at bat:

- Ball
- Ball
- Called strike
- [The Orc is warming...]
- Foul
- Ball
- [Warm faster, Orc, warm!]
- Ball, close call

Millah walks, run comes in, UGHHHLY.

Tie game, 4-4.

DiceK pitch count up to 61.

[Paul SF]

Unbelievable. This might be the worst of all the metldown innings. Three walks and three hits, still no outs.

Why is he still in the game?

[Hudson]

OK, here's a question:

If the playoffs started tomorrow, what should the Sox rotation be?

[SF]

So, the way Dice is pitching, anyone trust him with a playoff start?

Jeez, what a horrific effort.

[Rob]

I thought that ball just got slammed.

[SF]

You read my mind, Hud.

Dice looks just terrible. Why is he STILL PITCHING?!

[Hudson]

Huff misses a grand salami by just a little.

[Hudson]

And then Huff Ks. FINALLY an out.

[Rob]

I'm not sure yet SF, I think the guy does need a skipped start to rest him. A lot of those high pitch count games seem to have given him a tired arm.

please stop the bleeding!!!

[Hudson]

Hell, I'd start Wakes or even Buchholz in the 3rd spot right now. And Schilling hasn't exactly been stellar since he returned.

Worrisome.

[Hudson]

Payton offers a much-needed pop-up. One to go.

No nails left on left hand, moving on to the right...

[Paul SF]

Just... wow.

[Rob]

42 pitches this inning.

The sad thing I honestly thought that Crisp was going to get that.

1st hit as an Oriole is a grand slam.

[Hudson]

Moore's at-bat:

- Ball
- Ball
- Strike, called
- [Orc, are ye warm yet?]
- Strike, swinging
- GRAND SLAM

8-4 Orioles, 7 run inning.

72 horrible pitches for Mr. Matsuzaka, who is coming out NONE TOO SOON.

[rootbeerfloat]

What in the hell is wrong with dice-K? How sad that I am relieved to see Tavarez.

[Paul SF]

Scott Moore. 0 for 13 on the season. Now 1 for 14 with a freaking grand slam.

[Rob]

At least the bases are clear for Tavarez.

[Hudson]

That was Moore's 14th at-bat of the season, by the way. Grrrrrrr.

[rootbeerfloat]

If anyone could have gotten it, it would have been Crisp....

[SF]

Well, that inning is on Dice, with a MASSIVE assist to Tito for the slow hook. What a joke. Who watching this game didn't know that Matsuzaka had jack shit? What was the point, to boost his confidence, to let him work out of a jam, or to bury the guy's psyche? Because Tito just took a hammer to Matsuzaka's emotional state.

Thanks, Terry, you stupid narcoleptic.

[Paul SF]

Matsuzaka shouldn't have even been in there at that point. Any other pitcher and he's gone after giving up the FIRST three runs with the bases loaded.

NOW I'm concerned. Very concerned. I don't want him facing the Indians or Angels if this is what he's doing against the dregs of the AL East.

[Hudson]

I'm still wondering what Tavarez was out there saying to Cabrera last night.

("Now, if you're planning on throwing a punch, take it from me, use your glove hand...")

[Hudson]

What was DiceK's ERA before the game before this one?

[FenSheaParkway]

Would the nation of Japan be terribly offended if we juggled our postseason rotation a bit?

[Hudson]

I'm with ya, SF. Someone check Tito's jersey for a line of tobacco drool down the front.

- - - -

Tavarez Ks Molina.

[Rob]

His ERA was 4.11 before the game, 4.44 now.

[Hudson]

Yankees up 4-2, Detroit and Seattle tied at 4.

[Paul SF]

Hs ERA was 3.76 after giving up 2 runs in six innings in the hard-luck loss to Tampa, Hudson. Three starts later, he's at 4.44. He's gained enarly a full run in ERA since his last start against Baltimore, Aug. 10.

[SF]

Ok, time to watch the US Open women's final, screw this catastrophe of a game - at least it only counts for one in the standings.

I honestly want to know what Tito and was thinking, or if his tiny walnut of a brain was even functioning tonight.

[Hudson]

Thanks, Rob... But what was his ERA before the previous debacle?

My point being that DiceK's been charged with, what, 13 runs in his past two outings? Or was there a start in between? It's all a horrible blur.

[sf rod]

um...well....there's a lot of baseball left to be played.....i guess.

[Hudson]

Oop, Paul's got the info, thanks.

[Hudson]

As bad as DM was tonight, the Sox could easily bring this one back, with the unLester on the mound, and the Oriole pen... I'm not giving up on it yet.

[Rob]

Sorry Paul, misread your question.

[Paul SF]

3.59 after that start, for all intents and purposes his lowest of the season. Since then, 1-3 (1-4?) with a 9.57 ERA.

[Hudson]

Crisp runs the count full, but grounds out to first.

[SF]

I have had very little to complain about with Francona this season, he's clearly done a fine job. I don't want anyone (particularly YFs) to accuse me of calling for his head or anything like that. But I honestly have no idea what the f*ck goes through his head during a stretch like that. After four straight guys I get someone up, after five I visit the mound and slow things down, and after six that should be it. What's the point with extended rosters and a game still tied in potentially wrecking a guy's head for the near term, with the playoffs approaching? Why not get him out, keep him from getting destroyed, and save his arm a little?

[Hudson]

Lugo flies out, first pitch swinging.

Come on, guys, get some back, chip away.

[Paul SF]

Hudson, I think this is where the unLester magically figures out the Sox offense and they go like sheep the rest of the night.

[Hudson]

>>>Why not get him out, keep him from getting destroyed, and save his arm a little?

Not to mention keeping your team in the game, with a smaller margin to make up...

[Paul SF]

Completely agree, SF. No reason for any starter to be facing the seventh batter of the inning with no outs, three men on and three runs already home.

I'd love to hear what possible reason there could be.

[Hudson]

3-2 to Jacoby... ... ... and he flies out to left. The Sox go quickly.

[Hudson]

>>>No reason for any starter to be facing the seventh batter of the inning with no outs, three men on and three runs already home.

Especially with all the walks and DiceK showing no ability to control his pitches. A grand slam was almost assured, as he was bound to get desperate and groove one down the middle.

[Hudson]

Francona's usual reason, whether tacit or stated overtly, is "showing faith" in his players.

[SF]

EXPANDED ROSTERS, too! Francona at his worst tonight, considering how Matsuzaka has been pitching and his career history of shorter seasons, six-days-between-starts, and his recent work. If ever a manager should be saving a player, tonight was it, and Francona threw Daisuke a fucking anvil instead of a life preserver. Abominable.

[Hudson]

Well, whatever paltry Rookie of the Year chances DiceK still had are now officially gone.

[SoxFan]

Matsuzaka gives up 7 runs in a inning. This is even worse than his last outing.

Is it time to start the "What's the problem with Dice-K" questions yet?

[Hudson]

Julian goes 3-2 to Roberts... ... and he singles.

[Paul SF]

So, Beckett-Schilling-Wake-Buchholz, with Lester and Tavarez in long relief, is the playoff rotation I have the most faith in right now.

[Hudson]

SoxFan: The answer to your question is a big Yes.

[Rob]

Lugo throws the ball away...the wheel s have completely fallen off.

[Hudson]

Tek is looking for the ball right at his feet, like a grandma looking for her glases, finds it, but not in time to get Roberts.

Now Lugo's throw goes past Youks, and Roberts scores.

9-4 O's, wheels have come off completely.

[Paul SF]

Red Sox: "See, we can all f*ck up as bad as Daisuke. Watch us!"