Sunday Baseball: O's-Sox Gamer

Discuss the rubbah match here.

Comments

[Atheose]

Lead-off single. Bleh.

[Atheose]

...and then strikes out Jones on three pitches.

[Atheose]

Pedroia gets to 2nd on an error and then Drew doubles him in. 1-0 Sox.

i love JD!!!

[sf rod]

the last couple of days drew has been using the monster to his advantage. that was always the plan for drew when the sox signed him. it's a scary thought that he's driving the ball to the opposite field. he could truly have a torrid second half if he's using all fields.

[Atheose]

He actually hit it down the line rod, it didn't go off the wall.

[sf rod]

dammit dice-k. throw strikes.

[sf rod]

a 20 pitch 1st followed by a 17 pitch 2nd for dice-k.

[Paul SF]

Just woke up. Nice to tune in with a lead, especially because I don't yet have that trust in Daisuke that makes me expect clean innings early in the game.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

TOR 4, Nyy 0, bot 4; Tb 2, CLE 1, bot 3

[Paul SF]

Although not as clean as the score would indicate, seems like.

[Paul SF]

For whatever reason, I'm really hoping the Sox can enter the All-Star Break in first place. It doesn't mean anything, but symbolically, it would be cool...

[I'mBillMcNeal]

CLE 2, Tb 2, bot 3

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Jacoby will have to learn to hit that inside pitch consistently and effectively.

[Atheose]

Varitek throws out Jones stealing 2nd. Nice.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Too bad Varitek sucks.

[Paul SF]

One of those games dor Daisuke. Lots of baserunners, and likely a short outing. Sox better get some more runs across before the bullpen comes in.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Dice-K having a Molly Hatchet moment. Again.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

55 pitches through three. That pace should get him through six.

[Paul SF]

Another multihit game for Pedroia. Unreal.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Just discovered that this game is on TBS, but the factually challenged Chip Caray is calling it.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

C'mon, Yooks. Let's not waste the runners.

[Paul SF]

This game is a LOB fest. Yuck.

[sf rod]

i'm sure paul is working on a "all star break assessment of the sox", but what a solid first half by youk. who would guessed 60+ rbi to this point? hopefully he'll stay hot into the second half as last year he cooled off come late summer.

[sf rod]

good to see old pal jay payton is hitting in the .240's. maybe he should start bitching about playing time. at .240 he's clearly earned it.

[Atheose]

1-2-3 inning for Dice-K but it still takes 21 pitches. 76 after 4, he'll be lucky to go 6.

[sf rod]

cleveland up 4-2 in the 5th.

[Atheose]

HAHA Casey lugs a double out, and is called safe at 2nd. He was out clearly... and the replay confirms it.

Oh well, Casey deserves it.

[sf rod]

casey is a hit machine. the last few games he's been swinging it with some pop.

[Atheose]

Varitek draws himself a great walk. Good sign from him.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Good AB for Tek after starting 0-2.

Kazmir struggling again.

[Atheose]

Cora does what every good utility infielder does and sac-bunts perfectly. Two RISP for Ellsbury.

[Atheose]

Ellsbury walks too, bases loaded for Pedroia and Drew. The bullpen band is going in full swing!

[Paul SF]

The problem with Cora is I can remember at least two instances where he failed to lay down the bunt. Glad he did here... Now loaded for Mr. Hit Machine.

[sf rod]

the book on ellsbury has obviously become "jam him inside". hopefully magadan can help him though this.

[Paul SF]

The nice thing is that hopefully Ellsbury will see enough of those pitches to be able to recognize them and just start taking...

[Atheose]

THanks to a bobble by the SS there's no DP, and a run scores.

Wow, replay shows that Ellsbury was safe at 2nd.

[Paul SF]

Woooo, Pedroia hits a DP ball but the shortstop misplays it. Another run home. Now up to Drew with two down...

[Atheose]

Drew walks, time for Manny to add some more RBIs to his career total.

[Atheose]

Orioles announcers complaining about how Fenway is a tough place to play because the umps favor the Red Sox. Sick of this bullshit.

[Atheose]

Manny grounds out. At least we got one, 2-0 Sox. Dice-K needs a quick inning here.

[Atheose]

GOD BLESS ELLSBURY! Fantastic diving catch.

[Atheose]

A walk and a HBP and suddenly Dice-K is in some trouble. DP would be fantastic now.

[Atheose]

4-pitch walk, now we're REALLY in trouble. Bases loaded with 1 out.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Game's on TBS, ath.

[Atheose]

Not for me it's not... blacked out cause I live in VA. I have to watch it on MASN.

[Atheose]

DAISUKE SHOWS SOME GLOVE! Inning over, still 2-0 Sox. 101 pitches through 5, he might go out for the 6th on a short leash.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Whew.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

So we're left to ponder which is worse, Orioles announcers or Chip Caray.

[sf rod]

wow. dodged a bullet there.

looks like the yanks may be in store for another team meeting. they packed it in early for the all star break.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

AJ Butnett solid vs. NYY today; Top 9, 1 out, 1 in, 1 on, Ryan in, 4-1.

[Atheose]

Woah, Cabrera throws two pitches inside to Lowell and then beans Youk. Casey needs to charge the mound if HE gets hit.

[Micah-SF]

I have no idea whatsoever how Dice-K keeps doing this. He has to be the least fun 9-1, 2.70 ERA pitcher to watch in the history of baseball.

If I hadn't already lost my voice this weekend, I'd have done it from shouting "THROW STRIKES" at Gameday.

[Atheose]

Cabrera almost hits Casey, it's a wild pitch for ball 4. Youk to 3rd base.

[Micah-SF]

Ath: I think our trade just isn't going to happen (though it'd have to be reworked anyway, what with Wells just injuring himself). Fox just hates us, I guess.

[Atheose]

Yeah, I figured as much. I don't know why it hates us so, but oh well. We'll both just have to settle for what we've got.

You still interested in dealing Lidge? I've got Mike Cameron if you want outfield help. I'm also interested in Pujols if you see anything of mine you like. Maybe Tim Lincecum for both?

[Micah-SF]

Dammit. Stupid lineouts.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Three more LOBs. That's beyond frustrating. It's irritating.

[Micah-SF]

Ath: I'll take a look - I'm definitely still interested in dealing Lidge.

And Lincecum is not worth both of them, sorry. :P

Nice try though.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

11 LOBs through 5.

[Micah-SF]

I'mBillMcNeal: To be fair, they've stranded 8 - we've only stranded three more than them. This is the least impressively pitched 2-0 game ever.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Lowrie replaces Yooks at third. Any reason for that?

[sf rod]

micah- if you don't bite on the lincecum deal...i'll give you ricky weeks for pujols and lidge.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Good point, Micah. I get very wrapped up in our LOBs.
...
NYY loses; TB trails 5-2 batting in the ninth.

[Atheose]

Well you're not using either of them, and Lincecum is my #1 pitcher. Plus you said you needed pitching help... you are only starting 4 pitchers ;-)

I'll throw in Todd Helton or Casey Kotchman if you want another 1B.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Chip Caray on that last K: "Nothing-and-three the count."
What a turd.

[Atheose]

Think of it this way: Lincecum is worth 7.72 points per game, whereas Pujols is worth 3.01 and Lidge is worth 4.23. Throw in the fact that you're not using Lidge...

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Dice-K somehow manages to get through six without giving up a run.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Cle 5, TB 2, F.
A win and Bos is back in first.

[sf rod]

as of this very second...the sox are back in first place.

the rays get swept by a horrible cleveland club.

[Micah-SF]

I'm guessing just a precaution after the HBP, I'mBillMcNeal.

Ath: I've already got Conor Jackson backing him up, which is why I was willing to make the A-Rod trade... but I'm very much using Pujols right now. :P

I think if the system isn't going to let us do the A-Rod thing, Pujols is off the table. He's my most valuable hitter right now, especially with Papi still out (god, I need him back).

Yes, I do need pitching help, but I'm the one who did the in-depth analysis of why our pitching rules are a crock of shit, so I'm not inclined to overpay too much for pitching. Any of your other starters you'd be willing to part with for Lidge? I may not be using him, but he IS a huge upgrade for you - I'm perfectly willing to let him rot on my bench if I can't get reasonable value. ;)

Dice-K manages six! Without a huge mess! Hooray!

[Micah-SF]

Ath: He's worth 7.72 points a START. Which he does once or twice a week. If he was worth 7.72 points a GAME, his average points per start would be in the 30s. Nice try though. ;)

[Atheose]

Can't fault me for trying Micah ;-)

How about Chris Young? He's coming off the DL soon, and he was only on there for a broken nose. It wasn't anything with his pitching muscles.

[Micah-SF]

Nah - you never know how someone's going to come back from taking a line drive to the face (see Clement, Matthew). Plus he plays for San Diego... who I've been following because my girlfriend is a Padres fan. The wins aren't going to come. They're awful.

Scott Baker?

[Atheose]

Okajima doing a great Daisuke impression, issuing back-to-back walks.

[Paul SF]

Honestly, why is Okajima in here? He's sucked majorly against the Orioles all season long...

[Micah-SF]

One more out and he can complete the Dice-K impersonation and waltz right back out of trouble!

[Atheose]

Sorry, Baker has been on fire lately and isn't worth Lidge alone.

How about Micah Owings for Lidge and Conor Jackson?

[Atheose]

Delcarmen is the hero. Still 2-0 Sox.

[Micah-SF]

MDC completes the Houdini routine! Higher, LOB-count! Higher!

[Atheose]

Wow this girl's mouth is the size of a shotgun hole.

[Micah-SF]

No - I might toss in Jackson for Baker, but not Owings, who's been in a slump and isn't actually all that good a pitcher anyway.

[Atheose]

Throw in Cueto and you've got yourself a deal, Micah. I need a substandard pitcher to replace Baker.

[Micah-SF]

Lidge/Cueto for Baker? Or Lidge/Jackson/Cueto? If the latter, I need someone else back.

[Atheose]

Wow, Casey thrown out stretching a single into a double. That's the third time in the last 20 hours!

[Paul SF]

11 LOB, a double play and now Casey thrown out trying to stretch a single. Ug-lee.

[Atheose]

Lidge/Cueto will do Micah.

[Micah-SF]

By the way:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/goingson/fragments-from-arod-the-m.html

A-Rod, the Musical. I am highly amused.

[Micah-SF]

Proposed, Ath. Let's see if Fox eats this one too (if it does, we should just stop trying to trade).

[Paul SF]

MDC with the fantastic outing today... Clutch 1.1 innings.

[sf rod]

excellent outing by mdc. the rest of the bullpen should take note.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Nice inning by MDC.
...
Yooks had a contusion after he was hit. MRI negative.

[SF]

let's go Paps!

[Atheose]

It's Papelbon-O'clock boys and girls.

[Devine]

Nice one, Cora!

[Atheose]

Paps hits 98 and 99 on the radar. Nice.

He hangs a splitter though, and Cora barely makes the play.

[Atheose]

Sabathia homered today against the Reds. Nice.

[Atheose]

I hate Brian Roberts.

[Devine]

Finds a hole! Damn it!

[Devine]

Base hit up the middle. Now it's Markakis.