The last time Josh Beckett faced the Atlanta Braves, he threw a complete-game shutout -- the fourth time in six starts he allowed zero earned runs. With the Sox steadily winning two out of every three games against NL foes, Beckett looks to keep that pattern going against Jair Jurrgens, who was victimized by some bad defense last time out in a no decision against the Sox in an eventual loss.
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This is going to be one of those quiet nights around here, isn't it? Hmm.
Posted by: stuck working | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 07:43 PM
Yay, dead bats.
Posted by: SF | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 07:52 PM
Honestly, I am so sick of the National League. Way too many games against them. One is too many, as far as I am concerned, but this many is just stupid.
Posted by: SF | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 07:52 PM
This is it, though, right? No more after this series?
Having Green and Kotsay in the lineup is bad enough before you add the pitcher's spot. Actually, I bet Beckett has at least as good a night at the plate as either of them.
Posted by: stuck working | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 07:56 PM
This better be it for the Sox, at least until October. At that point bring the NL on.
Posted by: SF | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 07:58 PM
Francoeur just stared at a perfect fastball that tailed back over the black, his reaction was kind of "what the fuck, that was a strike?" and part "what just happened?".
Posted by: SF | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Good inning for Beckett, with a hit mixed in. Going to the third, no score.
Posted by: SF | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:01 PM
Well, that AB by Beckett there did my prediction no good.
Posted by: stuck working | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Nice job working around the leadoff double and HBP.
Posted by: stuck working | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:18 PM
After enduring weeks of barely-newsworthy "Smoltz has rehab start" stories in the papers, followed by a completely underwhelming debut, it's good to see Bex back out on the mound.
I would expect Smoltz to do a lot better in his second start, but he basically looked like an unshaven Dice-K last night.
Posted by: Hudson | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:21 PM
N.b.: Ortiz back in the 5-hole.
Posted by: Hudson | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:22 PM
Jurrjens pitching even better than Beckett -- or Sox just not hitting well?
Posted by: stuck working | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Beckett gives up 2 singles in a row, but still has Francoeur's number, anyway.
Posted by: stuck working | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:32 PM
Just noticed the Yankees destroying the Mets. I hope Boston wins this series, because the Yanks are going to sweep.
Posted by: stuck working | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:36 PM
Wow, a 3 error inning from the Amazings.
Posted by: stuck working | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:39 PM
Damn this is a quiet game (and thread).
Posted by: Hudson | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:39 PM
Papi!
By the way, the Mets are an atrocious team. The Yankees should blow them away, a sweep and a run difference of double digits over the three games, easy.
Posted by: SF | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Is Big Papi loud enough for you, Hudson?
Posted by: stuck working | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Hell yeah, stuck!
Posted by: Hudson | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Too bad Lowell's production is declining right as Ortiz's is picking up. I guess it's always something.
Posted by: stuck working | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:42 PM
Meanwhile: Has there ever been a major leaguer with three Js in his name before Jair Jurrjens?
Posted by: Hudson | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 08:46 PM
Really hoped Drew would get Pedroia home there, especially once he was balked to third.
Posted by: stuck working | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 09:04 PM
Nice to see the DP.
Beckett looks like he has a shot at going 8 at least tonight, and I don't want to see the bullpen after that episode last night with the Nats.
Posted by: dabize | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 09:14 PM
so it seems every where the sox go in the NL, they set an attendance record for that ballpark. 3 consecutive records set in DC followed by tonites record setter in Atlanta. is there really any doubt who the most popular team in baseball is?
Posted by: sf rod | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 09:39 PM
Ex-Red Sock David Ross hits a solo homer off Paps in a non-save situation.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 10:20 PM
McCann w/2-out pinch double.
Again, Paps can't pitch effectively in a non-save situation.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Blano Ks, and it's over, 4-1.
Beckett improves to 9-3, drops his ERA to 3.48 w/7 scoreless.
Petey forces two balks, scores after each. Papi homers.
Life is good.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Friday, June 26, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Paps hadn't given up a run in a non-save situation until this game.
Posted by: Devine | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 01:25 AM
"...so it seems every where the sox go in the NL, they set an attendance record for that ballpark. 3 consecutive records set in DC followed by tonites record setter in Atlanta. is there really any doubt who the most popular team in baseball is?..."
uh, well rod, that would be the cubs, who have the best per game average road attendance in mlb, while being #6 at home...a certain other team happens to lead the majors in combined home/road average attendance, and home attendance, despite the well publicized less than capacity crowds at home...the sox are #8 at home [understandable], and #5 on the road, for an overall ranking of #6...
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/attendance?sort=all_avg&year=2009&seasonType=2
Posted by: dc | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 10:29 AM
dc: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posted by: SF | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 11:27 AM
;)
Posted by: dc | Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 11:54 AM