Drew's HR beats K-Rod, Angels, 7-5
by Randy Booth on Oct 4, 2008 2:00 AM EDT
in News
46 comments
K-Rod after JD Drew's home run in the ninth inning. (via d.yimg.com)
Youk reacts after his great ninth inning catch. (via d.yimg.com)
Paps being Paps. (via d.yimg.com)
Games like this seperate the champions from everyone else.
After the Red Sox took a 4-0 lead in the first inning, the Angels clawed back and tied the game at 5-5 through eight innings. In the top of the ninth with pinch-runner Coco Crisp at second base and Francisco Rodriguez on the mound, JD Drew hit a home run to center field that put a dagger through Angels fans all across California.
7-5, Red Sox. But more importantly it's 2-0 Red Sox in the series. The Sox are heading back to Boston to try and put the final touches on the ALDS.
Good teams win games, but great teams win tight games. The Sox showed that tonight. They didn't quit. Even when the momentum was sucked out of their sails late in the game, they just came out and did what they had to do to win this game.
They could have just quit -- that would have been easy. They could have walked to the plate, looked at one of the best closers in the game today standing on the mound and already say the game was over. But they didn't. That's why this team is great. No matter what the circumstances, they know they can win any ballgame.
Compare this to the Angels after Drew's home run. They all looked dead in the dugout. With two outs, Howie Kendrick walked to the plate and didn't even look like he wanted to waste the energy swinging. Vladimir Guerrero sat on the bench wondering how much longer it'd be until he could wrap his knees in ice.
That isn't the Sox. The Sox wanted to win this game.
But back to Drew. Drew, who had only four at-bats in the entire month of September, said after the game he still feels stiff late in the games -- but he didn't show it. He took the 2-2 offering from Rodriguez and simply deposited over the right centerfield fence. He waited for his pitch and launched it.
All I can say is this: what a great hitter.
I would have loved to see Drew healthy the entire season. If he had been, I honestly believe he would have been named the AL's Most Value Player after the season. He proved tonight (3 for 5, 2 runs, 3 RBI) why the Sox invested the type of money they did into him. He is a professional hitter, a class act and one of the finest all around ball players the Boston franchise has seen.
Now take the paragraph above and substitute "Jason Bay" for Drew references. After homering in the first game, Bay hit a three-run shot in the first inning of this one to put the Sox up early. It was absolutely huge because it set the tone for the rest of the game. He's 5 for 9 in the series with two home runs. Now he's heading back to Boston -- where he's obviously more comfortable -- and we should just see more of the same.
Daisuke Matsuzaka wasn't great, but he was good enough (5 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO). It kept the Sox on top and against an offense like that, it is really important. I'm sure Matsuzaka wasn't happy with his performance, but the important thing is the end result. His five innings of work didn't help Boston's bullpen, though (Hideki Okajima worked the 6th, Justin Masterson the 7th/8th, and Jonathan Papelbon for the 8th/9th).
Papelbon pitched amazing. He gets credited for a blown save (the biggest crock in the world -- Masterson gave up a leadoff triple and Papelbon let up the sac fly) but also earned the win. He clinched the final six outs, which included a strikeout of Kendrick to end the game. Classic Paps. (The ninth also included Kevin Youkilis making a great catch in foul territory where he had to jump and reach over the photographers' well to make the play).
Now the series swings to Boston and Josh Beckett. Do you think Beckett wants to close the door on this series? He's going to pitch like his hair is on fire.
I hope the Angels are ready for it.
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Alternate title:
Drew helps Allen escape blame for Red Sox loss.
"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"
by Allen Chace on Oct 4, 2008 2:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Veeeery true. I was ready to throw you to the wolves, man.
by Randy Booth on Oct 4, 2008 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
one of the most exciting games
Ive seen in a long time.
Much respect to the Angel pitchers who basically kept the Halos in the game. More respect to the Sox who battled all night and only allowed 1 run each inning.
That game was so fun to watch.
by SoxAcumen on Oct 4, 2008 2:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And at the same time, so stressful.
by Randy Booth on Oct 4, 2008 3:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought the game was excrusciating
Once again, Dice-K was painful to watch in a big game. He simply can’t go deep enough in games. For the second night in a row, I don’t understand Tito’s handling of Masterson. Masterson isn’t a groundball pitcher. He walks too many hitters and doesn’t strike enough guys out—not the guy you want on the mound in a 1-run game. Why did Tito have Masterson start the 8th? It wasn’t like he pitched all that well the inning before. If you’re willing to go to Papelbon to get 6 outs, why wait until there is a runner on third and then bring in Paps, a fly ball pitcher?
That said, I’m happy for JD Drew. He played a great game. If the Sox had been healthy all year, they would have finished with the best record in the AL. Also, is there anyone more overrated than K-Rod?
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Oct 4, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, why Masterson at all in the 8th???
It seemed Francona was willing to risk everything just to see if Masterson MIGHT perform well. However, as soon as that triple was hit, out comes Masterson. But by then, it may well have been too late! If the game was that critical, why not make the important move first thing and not experiment with Masterson?? That did not make sense to me!
by NG on Oct 4, 2008 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agree 100%
i hoped Paps will start the 8th
Masterson looked a bit wild to me
by OilCanBoyd on Oct 4, 2008 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Both of T. Francona's
gambles did not work out, Okie against Vlady and Masterson in the 8th, but i give him credit for playing the matchups. I am sure Francona thought that he could leave Masterson in until someone got on and have Paps as security, just bad luck that Figgy really got a hold of that pitch.
by SoxAcumen on Oct 4, 2008 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure the plan
was to save Paps for Teixeira, Vlad, and Hunter. I figured he wanted to limit Paps to 3 or 4 outs.
The real issue here is: why not MDC? Or Lopez? Apparently Francona trusts Masterson much more than either of them. But given how he pitched in Anaheim, and particularly how he pitched in the 7th, I was surprised to see Masterson still in the game.
by RickD on Oct 4, 2008 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Masterson has not pitched well in this series so far. He does not get ground balls and he walks hitters. I like J-Lo, but I can see going to Masterson first. However, MDC has great stuff and is a strikeout pitcher. I can’t believe Tito hasn’t used him yet. MDC was great in the second-half too, so I don’t think it’s a case of Francona not having confidence in him. I’m at a loss.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Oct 4, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and if anyone wants a good read, just go here:
www.halosheaven.com — the comments are priceless.
by Randy Booth on Oct 4, 2008 3:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Right about when
Frankie gives up the bomb to drew there’s some hilarious comments
by HanleysHitters on Oct 4, 2008 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go f yourselves
Disclaimer: If you can’t stand seeing your precious self-idolatry criticized, skip this post. Randy, I appreciate your moderating and please feel free to ban me. No hard feelings to you. I’ve simply had enough of this “fan-base” and felt it was time for a slap back atcha.
Honestly.
The Sox played better tonight.
Really, truly. You outplayed, outclassed us. Francisco Rodriguez is an un-clutch P.O.S. whose time with our team is DONE. He’s now blown well over two huge postseason chances. The only thing good to come out of this is that that egotistical, self-involved jacka$$ is going to have about $10-15 million lopped off his next contract.
But you know what?
There are 28 teams out there with fans who know how to handle a win better than you. Really.
Chicago won in 2005 after a huge drought. Did they celebrate? Yes. The Marlins won twice not long after their franchise was founded. Did they celebrate? Yes. Did they feel entitled to celebrate. You bet.
The Rays are on their way to the first World Series in franchise history. Are their fans excited? Obviously. Is this the best thing to happen to their team, ever? Obviously.
The Sox won a great postseason in 2004. After 86 years. Was it a good postseason run? Duh. One of the most exciting, breathtaking runs in recent playoff memory? You have to be out of your mind not to think so.
But your “Nation” seemed to think that ONE ring in 86 years suddenly made you to being G-D’s gift to baseball. Somehow ENTITLED you to winning every series, every time. Somehow got every East Coast sportscaster to suck your collective ****** on national TV. The fantastic choke job accomplished by the Indians and Rockies in ‘07, and your incredible luck at facing a AAA team in the ALDS because the team you were supposed to face got taken down at the end of the regular series, makes you think you’re the best thing to happen since the wheel.
I tip my cap to the Red Sox. They’re championship caliber.
But it’s no wonder “Red Sox Nation” is quickly becoming recognized for the phony load of crap it is. So soon as the East Spint Phake Network and Tapping Boston’s Sack network announcers go back from whence they came, you’ll go back to being the asshole whiners we all knew and loved before your team did something right.
Congratulations on being the very thing—the Skankees—you swore you’d never become.
Light Up That Halo!
by Clutch on Oct 4, 2008 4:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And at the least
Congratulations, too, in that becoming the Yankees means that in five to six years we’ll OWN your asses.
Hope you’re looking forward to it.
Light Up That Halo!
by Clutch on Oct 4, 2008 4:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Listen, pal
You of all people have no right to say shit about our fan base. Halo Fan over the last week has proved to be the most classless, immature pieces of shit fans in baseball. You people have done nothing but trashed our forums with your ungodly egos for the last week. And now, now that we’re giving you HALF of the crap you gave us before the series, you can’t handle it. I have to say, if we’re the Yankees, what the fuck have you people turned into? (Yankees – Winning = Angels?)
You can say what you want, but whether you believe it or not, you guys are a hell of a lot worse. None of us believe we are divine; we just have faith and passion for our team. You guys do too, except you’re just more arrogant. If you guys had won, then your trashy fan base would be exposed, and believe me, it would make Red Sox Nation look like “angels”.
by Charger567 on Oct 4, 2008 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Recommended.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Oct 4, 2008 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree 100%, Charger567
Look at Rev Halofan’s comments when answering Randy’s questions. The, compare them to what Randy said on HH. How many d-bag Angel were trolling on this site prior to game 1? Also, compare the posts on OTM and HH. Those guys are classless.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Oct 4, 2008 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny thing is, they had more complaints about Randy’s answers than we had for Rev’s.
by Charger567 on Oct 4, 2008 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, apparently I ‘come off like a douche.’
One thing about those Q&As — Rev sent me his questions first. I probably wouldn’t have retorted like I did had Rev not answered like he did.
by Randy Booth on Oct 4, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
join the club
I take pride in being called a douche bag from Halo fan.
by SoxAcumen on Oct 4, 2008 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rev is an ass
I’m sure HH is likely the worst SBnation blog.
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Oct 4, 2008 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Halo fan still "doesnt get it"
….sigh….
Great game, the Halos showed massive heart tonight and Arredondo and Santana showed huge sack to keep the Halos in the game.
Big game Sunday, hopefully Beckett is 100%. I agree with Mike S. tonight who said if the Angels win on Sunday, pressure goes back on Boston.
Ive learned 2 things these last 20 years or so with the Yankees/Sox matchups, the WS wins and the Angel/Sox playoff matchups:
1) enjoy the wins while they come bc they could be gone very fast and might not return for a very long time….
2) screw what everyone else thinks.
P.S. Clutch next season the Angels will have a higher payroll than the Red Sox, if the Nation is the new Evil Empire what does that make the Angels? The new Mets?
by SoxAcumen on Oct 4, 2008 5:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sniffle
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Oct 4, 2008 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Somehow ENTITLED you to winning every series, every time ?
to be honest, that is how i was feeling before 04 till today for every postseason the Sox are playing .
so in the game yesterday.
what a great game that was. two skilled teams battle it out and we came up (just luckily) with he win.
i liked our defense again. Youk had some good plays at 3rd and Cora made 2 good ones not too many Sox SS in my memory would have done it.
by OilCanBoyd on Oct 4, 2008 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here is the thing.
I have watched the Sox for 50 years, and the few times before 2004 that they made the playoffs, they choked! My father in law has watched them for 80 years, and the same thing under the many years of the Yawkey regime. I am not sure if Yawkey just did not put the funds into the team or just was hiring incompetent managers, but the result was always the same, infrequent appearances in playoffs and always choking.
Under this new ownership from 2004 on, we feel differently now, but 50 or 80 years of habits die hard! Hell we thought my father in law would just die after the Sox finally pulled it off in 2004, but I guess he wants more. So many of us want more and we want to make up for the Yawkey curse some of us have been subjected to for so long!
by NG on Oct 4, 2008 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL.
The Yankees are still the Yankees, with their $200 million plus payroll and cologne(s) and blond streaks. I’m guessing we’re the only playoff team to actually CUT payroll this year, with the trade of Manny. (Though I could be wrong, but I don’t think the combined salaries of Bay, Byrd and Kotsay > Manny’s $20 million). The Angels on the other hand went out and bought the most expensive, shiny toy out there* in Texeira, fresh on the heels on overpaying for multiple centerfielders. Very Yankee-esque. As is the first round exit.
And “East Spint Phake Network”? What in the heck you talking about?
- (Non-Manny division)
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Oct 4, 2008 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
Don’t forget Torii at $18 million.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Oct 4, 2008 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clutch
is posting this crap on HH as if he if he is some kind of Pulitzer price winner.
LOL, Halo Fan is now talking about signing Manny as if this would spook or piss off the Nation. Seriously, Halo fan needs to get a rival or something, their obsession with the Nation is getting “stalker-like”.
by SoxAcumen on Oct 4, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blast from the past
A quote from Senor “Clutch” concerning to the urgency of an Angels win on Friday. From the HH thread “It’s Not Over ’Til Its Over”
We lose and we seal our stamped ticket back to being one of the most laughed-at teams in baseball.
It’s funny, because I’ve always taken the Angels seriously, as would any knowledgeable fan of the game. The Angels fans at Halos Heaven, however, (excepting a few gallant and courteous souls) will be one of the most laughed-at collection of fans in baseball. The entire postseason existence of HH reads like a gigantic advertisement for manic-depression awareness. And people call Sox fans obsessive.
By the way, what would an Angels fan know about being “clutch?” I can only assume he’s being all ironical-n-shit…
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on Oct 5, 2008 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My Therapy post.
I’m writing this for only myself because it makes me feel better. So if you disagree, the heck with you!
I do feel good about the Sox performance last night, and I am ecstatic about the play of Youk! With the team spirit sucker Manny now off his back, Youk is free to become an absolute idol to team spirit and its resultant usual momentum. There are few players as intense and gifted as this guy, but he does not get the full accolades he deserves, IMO. I only hope he does not burn out too soon.
Jason Bay, who must be under enormous pressure to substitute overall for Manny, is able to excel beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. I would not switch him back to Manny for (fill in your favorite phrase here)!
The momentum suckers Crisp and Lugo have been neutralized, thus freeing up the Sox potential for big innings, and I give Francona credit for finally seeing this (although the Lugo factor neutralization was more an act of God)! However, there is still one leftover, see below.
Now for some slight negatives. The Sox pitching has been good, and if the likes of Byrd and especially Wakefield are kept off the field, we may well be okay.
Now for the big negative in the form of major potential momentum sucker on offense! Varitek is not a pro caliber hitter anymore, and like children playing with matches, I think we tempt fate leaving him in the lineup. It is true that removing 2 of the 3 big momentum suckers has helped minimize his effect, but I still envision bad things from his poor poor poor plate performances. I really really do hope I am wrong, but this guys needs to bow out gracefully and soon!
by NG on Oct 4, 2008 10:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm glad you're happy after this game.
It’s impossible for a Sox fan not to be.
Regarding Tek, I think we need to bring our expectations down for him. Neither Cash nor Ross are better hitters, and Tek at least has the power to pop one out. He had a nice bunt on Wednesday, and he has one more hit than Dustin Pedroia, who is 0 for Playoffs (with 2 walks). Also, the Angels are throwing good pitchers at us, so if someone like Dusty is struggling, it might be good to cut Tek some slack.
by 0157H7 on Oct 4, 2008 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tek's batting ave is your answer.
All players go cold for a whle now and them. It is when you are almost always cold and virtually never deliver in the clutch that it is time to reeval. Pedroia is hitting, but is just a bit unlecky and maybe going cold. He will come back and soon. Varitek is, has been, and will be cold because he is washed up.
Major league competition at the level the Red Sox are in now is not a walk down memory lane, and when you cannot cut it anymore, you need to go!
by NG on Oct 4, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
By the way, I LOVE that picture of K-Rod.
by Randy Booth on Oct 4, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Its funny, i was having a migraine headache during most of that game, and when i heard jd drew hit that homerun i started jumping around sending me into crippling pain :P
by spinz on Oct 4, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I started to freak out, too … I think I got a headache once I was done jumping up and down.
by Randy Booth on Oct 4, 2008 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tek's batting ave
I’d enjoy the input from those who are more advanced students of the game than me. At the end of the regular season, Tek’s ave batting right handed was pretty respectable — a bit under .300 and some 90 pts. higher than batting left. It’s his abysmal ave. batting left handed that is dragging his overall ave. so low. I understand the concept of batting right handed against left handed pitchers and vice versa, but given how awful he has been batting left handed against righties, why not just try and bat right handed against right handed pitchers? He couldn’t possibly be any worse. And there are certainly a great many non-switch hitting right handed batters who face right handed pitching all the time, and they have great averages. The way I see it, he has nothing to lose.
by nhsoxfan on Oct 5, 2008 10:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tek should be a right-hander
As you can see, his split as a hitter:
LHB 201/293/323
RHB 284/378/484
Wait, what was that slugging as a right-hander again? 484!
’Tek also averages a home run every 20 ABs right-handed, while averaging a home run about every 50 ABs lefty.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?playerId=3760
Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!
by BoSox415 on Oct 5, 2008 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I mean, honestly, at this point, he should just hit exclusively from the right side. I had no idea his splits were that ridiculous.
by Randy Booth on Oct 5, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I totally agree.
Tek is getting too old to hit consistently from both sides of the plate. He is a natural righty, and hitting lefty just isn’t working out for him.
Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!
by BoSox415 on Oct 5, 2008 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunately, he could be worse.
Tek has been batting from the left against righthanders for his entire pro career, so it seems completely plausible to me that he could be even worse if he tried changing it now.
We’ve gone from Tek being Tek to Tek being Dougie. He hits for decent power (for a catcher), but rarely makes contact. He still has a decent walk rate.
Tek will be 37 next year and there is absolutely nothing magical we can do to make him better. If he comes back, it will be as a part-timer. Meanwhile, we should try to swing a trade for a young catcher who can hit.
by 0157H7 on Oct 5, 2008 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't think of nobody I'd want behind the plate rather than Tek
Not even Martin, I don’t know why. Tek’s being around for too long, I forgot what’s like to even have another catcher. I’d give him another year of contract, and if the Sox can’t get a good deal for a catcher, then just give Tek 2 yrs and let Expo develop.
I wish Tek could be an ass. So it would be easier for me to just not want him. But he’s such a great guy…
Mother---- him and John Wayne!
by MerryGoByeBye on Oct 5, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except for shacking up with Heidi Watney
whilst married. Oops! :-(
"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.
by SoxDevil on Oct 6, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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