Not so Harden to keep the Sox down.

by Allen Chace on Mar 26, 2008 2:34 PM EDT in Game Stories

ed: that was awful.

AP/David Guttenfelder

So, what did we learn today? Nothing we didn't already know. Rich Harden can really bring it when he's healthy, and today was no exception. 9 strikeouts in 6 innings with 1 run allowed, on a "Being" solo home run. I think we have to chalk this one up to running into a buzzsaw, because Harden was nigh untouchable.

On the not plus side, Jon Lester was not very good. 3 walks and 5 hits in 4 innings, and had only 47 of his 83 pitches noted as strikes. Along with the HR, "Being" joined Jason Varitek and Brandon Moss in wearing the golden sombrero today, with the Sox only mustering 8 baserunners on the day.

Positives? Well, David Aardsma was terrific, tossing 1 2/3 scoreless, striking out 3, walking none, and allowing 1 hit on 20 pitches. Pretty impressive and efficient. Lugo and Lowell both reached base twice, with Lugo adding his first SB on the season. MDC pitched pretty well, giving up a hit but stranding that runner, getting 2 GBs among 3 outs in the 7th.

In the credit where credit is due portion of your program, please note that the A's relievers followed Harden's performance up with some great work of their own, with Casilla, Foulke, and Embree combining for 3 innings of 2-hit ball, along with 4 total strikeouts.

That's it for Japan. On to Los Angeles, where if the Sox are lucky, we'll be able to remain at .500.

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Comments

Harden is going to have a great year. He will not be an A for very much longer. The Yankees, Braves, Red Sox, Phillies or Tigers- maybe even the Cubs( I think the Cubs need a "real" #1, not some crazy guy) will trade for him by mid season. Makes no sense to keep him, especially with a great year going, if you are not going to win anything. Teams desperate for pitching will give the A's prospects.

by SoxAcumen on Mar 26, 2008 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

Zam

Zambrano IS a No. 1. He just needs to have a sane catcher as his battery mate and he'll do fine...

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Mar 26, 2008 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

No offense R.B. but Zambrano is a #2 if he takes his meds and if everyone on the Cubs remembers to not say anything to him at least 48 hours before he pitches. The man is crazy.

by SoxAcumen on Mar 26, 2008 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm with Randy on this one

Zambrano is a #1 starter. He had his worst year in '07: 18-13 3.95 ERA.

However, he has a career ERA+ of 130. That's better than Roy Halladay, John Smoltz, Jake Peavy, Josh Beckett, John Lackey, and CC Sabathia. It's also better than a few Hall of Famers (slightly worse than Sandy Koufax: ERA+ 131).

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Mar 26, 2008 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions