YFSF

The Oddity

Jason Bay's line from today's game: 0-for-0, three walks, two HBP.

When's the last time a hitter has reached base all five times he's come to the plate -- yet still managed a 1.000 OBP for the game?

That would be last July 30, when Alex Gordon walked five times, twice intentionally, against the Oakland A's. Earlier this year, on April 25, you might remember Mark Teixeira reached base against the Red Sox on five walks. But he also struck out once, leading to the unusual line for the game of .000/.883/.000 (he's actually done this twice in his career).

Overall, since 1954, hitters have gone 0-for-0 with at least five Times On Base just 28 times -- none of those by a member of the Red Sox. Mo Vaughn did it once, but that was in 2000, when he was a member of the Angels. The last time (until today) that someone did it while twice being hit by a pitch was in 2000, when Craig Biggio turned the trick. 

Not surprisingly, the record holder for this rare feat is Barry Bonds, who has done it three times.

Finish Strong: Royals-Sox Gamer IV

The Red Sox haven't had the homestand we would have liked, now just 5-4 against the Mariners, Athletics and Royals. But they've pushed their division lead to two games and, regardless of what happens today, will be all alone at the top at the All-Star break. It doesn't mean anything, but it's nice, nonetheless.

Let's not rest on our laurels though. Winning three of four entering the break (and extending that lead to three games, perhaps) would be a nice piece of momentum, and they've got the right man on the mound to make that happen, with Josh Beckett set to pitch.

Comment away!

Plus H: Royals-Sox Gamer

What a gem by Lester. Another day, another John, but this time it is one of the finest pitchers of our generation who spells his name more traditionally, though young Mr. Lester has kept up with his greens fees, demanding a bit of propers for his long game despite his shortened name. Bravo, and comment away.

Seriously, Guys: Royals-Sox Gamer II

Dear Red Sox,

Just a reminder: You're playing the Royals.

Comment away!

A Shiny Penny Earned For Your Thoughts: Royals-Sox Gamer I

Quick, name the pitcher: 3.68 ERA, 71 innings, 55 strikeouts, 17 walks since May 1 -- and perhaps most importantly a fastball averaging 95 mph over the past month. Not bad for the Sox' fifth starter.

Tonight, Brad Penny looks to deliver against the Royals, whom the Sox somehow haven't faced yet this season. Luke Hochevar is on the bump for KC. Comment away!

Doc Who? A's-Sox Gamer VI

While rumors continue to swirl around the Jays' recent decision to put 10-game winner Roy Halladay up for bid, the Sox will bring a 10-game winner to the mound for the second day in a row. Suck it, Toronto!

Tim Wakefield looks to deliver a series win against Trevor Cahill, who is coming off back-to-back starts in which he lasted a combined 7.1 innings and gave up 12 earned runs. 

Comment away!

The Stopper, Contd: A's-Sox Gamer V

Josh Beckett looks to get the Sox back on track and pull them to 50 wins tonight against Dana Eveland and the Athletics. Eveland has a 7.40 ERA, meaning he will one-hit the Sox through 14 innings of a 0-0 tie, upon which the Sox will lose on an inside-the-park four-base error by Julio Lugo.

Comment away!

Storylines: A's-Sox Gamer IV

The true second half of the season begins tonight, and the Red Sox, thanks to some struggles against the Mariners, are just off the 100-win pace. But they're in first place 81 games in, have an All-Star knuckleballer on pace for 20 wins, an MVP-candidate left fielder on pace for nearly 40 home runs and 140 RBI, and a future Hall of Famer going for his first win of the season tonight.

And that isn't even one of the top two stories of the evening.

No, with Jeff Bailey and Mike Lowell injured and Mark Kotsay wounded, the Sox have called up Aaron Bates for his Major League debut. The call for Nick Johnson grows stronger.

And headlining this night is the return of Nomar Garciaparra, playing in Boston for the first time since his departure became the heralded Big Move that pushed the Red Sox to their 2004 World Series victory. It was a rocky, tumultuous relationship between Nomar and Boston fans during his time here, particularly in the final year. We expect, however, that his reception will be one befitting the player who thrilled us night after night from 1997-2003: a long, loud standing ovation. And he will deserve it.

His career didn't turn out the way he -- or we -- would have liked, but for six years, he was the charismatic, flashy, hard-hitting shortstop we were proud to call our own. His on-field rivalry with Derek Jeter helped rejuvenate a stagnant rivalry (and, incidentally, led to the birth of this very blog). So say it with me for old time's sake -- because it was assuredly true while he wore the red and white:

"Nomah's Bettah."

Late Thread: Mariners-Sox Gamer VI

Comment here, if anyone is even around on this glorious Sunday.

No Nails Left To Bite: M's-Sox Gamer

I listened to the last four innings of the M's-Sox game on the radio last night, sitting in a parking lot in front of the market to hear the end of it. Devastating Drama. On to today. Garrett Olson has given up 10 home runs to the Red Sox and remains winless against Boston in seven career starts. Brad Penny took the loss against Atlanta though he gave up only two earned runs, and has given up only five earned in his last 22.7 innings spanning four starts. Drew leads off again, for the fifth time this year.

Lineups follow, comment away.