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!
So far, so good through 1, though the Sox could have done more damage there. Not a big fan of the Tek/Baldelli/Green/Bates lineup, either. Can’t really blame Francona — time for Theo to work some magic.
With one out in the second, Bruce Chen is averaging about 13 pitches an out.
He won’t last long.
Sox need to capitalize on their opportunities here.
Not helpful when Baldelli tries to come home on a dribbler in front of the plate. Bring the runners home Pedey!
Beckett is dealing. 5 of 7 outs are Ks.
How is this still just a one run game? Beckett needs to keep on dealing …
So much RISP FAIL in so little time.
Beckett, though, has just been outstanding.
Do we have another doubles machine on our hands in Aaron Bates?
I had a feeling Bates would feast on Chen.
Unlike Youk, Papi gets a run in. Time for Bay.
Royals wisely walk Bay. Now Tek’s turn.
I really don’t want to see 9 LOBs before the 5th.
RBI walk for Tek. Really nice 10-pitch at-bat.
Get 3 but leave ’em loaded.
Beckett at 48 pitches through 5!! If he keeps this up we will not see the bullpen today.
Royals playing like they can’t wait for the break. They’re never a patient team, but they’re really hacking.
Wow, Bay has been on base 4 times, but is 0 for 0 after 3 BB and 1 HBP. Funny.
Bases loaded, just one out in the 7th… Beckett needs a DP here, or some defenseless plaster water cooler is going to lose its life in the dugout at the end of this inning.
Hey, I guess I’m the reverse-jinxer today: A double play. Dugout water coolers breathe a sigh of relief.
And Beckett gets the DP. 70 pitches through seven. KC still scoreless. And the A’s have taken the lead against TB.
plaster >>> plastic, obv.
At 83 pitches through eight, Bex is in line for a complete game shutout here, barring a 9th-inning meltdown (trying that reverse jinx again).
>>> Bay has been on base 4 times, but is 0 for 0 after 3 BB and 1 HBP.
… while Papi is 0 for 4 with 3Ks but has an RBI … At-bat #5 in progress now.
Beckett = superb, so far. Through 8, 83 pitches, 3 hits, 0 walks, 6 strikeouts. Just what the doctor ordered.
KC’s Joaquim Soria has a 1.57 ERA in 23 appearances, with 14 saves in 16 opportunities, including 30 Ks vs. 7 walks. Impressive line so far this year (his third).
But he just gave up a double to Ortiz…
Holy crap, Jason Bay HBP after a long AB. If things go as expected, he will have 0 ABs on the day, and 5 times on base.
Has Jason Bay had the single most Moneyball day at the plate or what?
RBal knocks in DOrt, 6-0 Sox.
And now Green appeared to get Bay home with a sac fly, but Baldelli didn’t slide and the run doesn’t count…
Re. Bay, I wonder what the single-game record is for reaching base without a hit?
Admittedly not an important run, but dammit, Baldelli has run into some weird outs on the year.
88 pitches, 2 outs to go.
What’s more amazing: Bay getting on base 5 times without a hit — or the Sox’s collective failure to bring him around to score a single run?
The more I think about it, either way, the answer is: Varitek sucks.
91 pitches, one out to go.
Finished in style as he swings on a breaking ball. Most pitches Beckett had in an inning was 14 (he had 11 this inning, I think).
The post title proved apt.
Woa … Beckett is good right now!
Two game lead guaranteed at the break. Maybe more: Go Angels!!
11th win for Beckett: 7 Ks, 0 walks, 3 hits (2 singles 1 double), 94 pitches, just 29 batters due to the one DP, plus Devine’s inning pitch count stat above. Highly efficient outing.
Baltimore finished the Jays (who are growling less and less relevant by the day).
A’s looking to finish the Rays (1 down in the 9th with a 4 run lead and no one on).
Meanwhile, the Yankee-killing Halos are down 1-0 in the 4th.
Rays finished.
Now 1-1 out in California. That’s it for me…
Angels now up 4-1.
Red Sox were 3-17 with RISP, by the way!! I guess against the Royals you can do that …
Globe reports that Buchholz will start on Friday in Toronto. Just the one start because of Beckett’s and Wake’s participation in the All Star game.
What a kickass score to come home to. And Buchholz is pitching on Friday? Holy potatoes I’m excited.