Game 72: Smoltz loses Sox debut

by Randy Booth on Jun 26, 2009 12:00 AM EDT in Game Stories Comment 18 comments

Boston Red Sox starter John Smoltz, center, pitching coach John Farrell, left, and catcher Jason Varitek, right, confer during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, June 25, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

4 months ago: Boston Red Sox starter John Smoltz, center, pitching coach John Farrell, left, and catcher Jason Varitek, right, confer during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, June 25, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Browse more photos »

Well that didn't go quite like anyone hoped it would.

John Smoltz's debut with the Boston Red Sox can pretty much be called a failure. Smoltz managed to go five innings, but he allowed five runs, seven hits, one walk and struck out five - all against the worst team in baseball (granted, it's not the bigs' worst offense in baseball).

Smoltz, most likely, was a bit rusty. That's understandable. While no one can say Smoltz won't contribute this season, the fact of the matter is game No. 1 just didn't go very well for the future Hall of Famer. The K/BB weren't too bad, but he got lit up for four runs in the first. He did settle down, though, which is a positive sign.

Oh, and the Red Sox lost, 9-3.

The Sox's offense was absent. David Ortiz hit a sac fly to score J.D. Drew and Rocco Baldelli hit a two-run home run (Julio Lugo on base), but that was pretty much it. Drew was the team's only hitter with two hits.

The bullpen struggled, too. Daniel Bard and Takashi Saito both allowed two runs in one inning of work. Ramon Ramirez worked the eighth, though, and struck out one in a scoreless inning.

No sweep of the Nats. That kind of stinks, but as that saying goes: you can't win ‘em all. It's not like the Red Sox really expected a ‘W' out of this one, either. Sure, Smoltz was pitching but no one knew what to expect from him. He could have shut down the Nats for eight innings or do just what he did. It's a loss, nonetheless.

The Sox travel to Atlanta to start a three-game series with the Braves on Friday. It'll be Josh Beckett v. Jair Jurrjens at 7:35 p.m.

0 recs | Comment 18 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

It will help us to recalibrate our expectations

If he had come out of the gate rocking the first few outings, a sustained downturn later on would have been even worse. There are signs he’ll be good, once he gets the rust out.

But definitely a situation worth watching over the next few weeks.

by lone1c on Jun 26, 2009 12:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Failure?

they hit .200 from the 2nd-5th inning and he struck out the side in the 5th. Seriously, he was excellent after the first inning.

The man has been gone for 387 days, he gave up 4 in the 1st and then was vintage Smoltz from then on out.

I would say not only was this a huge success, but teams in the AL East should be very, very worried. I will also say from what I saw on Thurs., Smoltz will win 10 games and probably be our #3 in the playoffs.

Sometimes you guys can be so critical of the Sox players…patience people, patience.

by SoxAcumen on Jun 26, 2009 12:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can't go cherrypicking.

The outing was an absolute failure. It’s not a commentary on how he’ll be the rest of the way, but he gave up 5 runs in 5 innings. That’s a failure.

by USG on Jun 26, 2009 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

and totally agree with SoxAcumen. First, while the Nats are by far the worst team in baseball, they are far from the worst offensive team. They are an average offensive team that can’t pitch or defend. Smoltz had a rough first inning. That is to be expected-he has not faced a major league lineup in 1.5 years. However he settled in nicely, and he left the game after King the side. His splitter looked good. And we should not expect high velocity on the fastball. Sitting 90-91 is fine. In fact I think a very good comparison stuff-wise can eb made with 2006-2007 Schilling, who did just fine in the AL East.

That said, sure it was far from a successful line. But what are we expecting in the first game back from a 42 year old pitcher who missed more than a full season of ball? Let’s see how it goes, but I think this was actually a mild positive.

by Buzzy on Jun 26, 2009 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with Buzzy and SoxAcumen

Overall, the line looked bad. But most of the damage was done in the first inning.

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jun 26, 2009 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We should also have realistic expectations

we don’t expect Smoltz circa 1995. We expect and need a guy who gives us a good chance to win each time he goes out and pitches.

by Buzzy on Jun 26, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Too many fans are manic in their expectations for Smoltz: Prior to last night, they were expecting an ace starter. Now, some feel like Smoltz is Dice-K lite. I didn’t know what to expect, but am cautiously optimistic after last night. I saw a pitcher that was rusty and probably a bit amped up for his first start. He got roughed up and then settled in.

I think the Schilling comparison is apt. If Smoltz can give the Sox something close to ‘06/’07 Schilling, then the Sox are in good shape. If Smoltz isn’t successful, he goes in the pen and Buchholz gets his shot.

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jun 26, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was hitting 94 with his fastball a couple times. And was at 92-93 a lot. I was at the game, and he really looked comfortable after that first inning. The best part about Smoltz is his attitude. He gives up those 4 runs, and isnt phased for the rest of the game. He will come back strong next start, no question

by amkcaps on Jun 26, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Results are not the most important thing here.

The process is.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jun 29, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DING! DING! DING!

Wwe have a winner. So after over a year off from the Bigs this was GREAT, yeah the fiorst inning SUCKED but hey, the rest of the way he figured out what to do…….I am excited!

by AJCOTE on Jun 26, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're a bit too negative about Smoltz

Minus the first inning, he had a fine outing. Considering he was coming off the DL, I think it’s fair to grant an inning of patience.

And give credit to Zimmerman’s pitching. He had a very good start and had a lot of Sox batters swinging and cursing.

by RickD on Jun 26, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Some Perspective from a Braves Fan

Smoltz’s first start after several years of closing was a bad one. He gave up 7 R (6 ER) on 6 H in 1.2 IP on Opening Day in 2005 against Josh Beckett and the Marlins.

I remember watching that one and thinking, “God, this guy really made a big mistake.”

He struck out 15 in his next start. By the end of April, he had knocked his 32.40 ERA down to 3.64. For the season, he went 14-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 229.2 IP.

If John’s shoulder is sound, and he doesn’t start pitching like his age, he will be a major asset for Boston. I wish him all the luck in the world with the Sox.

by Thrashy Thrashy on Jun 26, 2009 2:23 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

From a on-game perspective, right, Smotlz’s start wasn’t very good. Was actually a poor start similar to the man he’s replacing in the lineup. But I don’t think people expected him to come in and pitch a no-no. It’s his first time pitching in the bigs after having surgery and coming off the DL. He seemed to be fixing his mistakes on the fly and during later innings. To me that’s encouraging. Given a few more starts and ability to get in the flow of things I believe Smotlz will soon be impressive.

by BOSPORTS on Jun 26, 2009 7:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

At the game, u-u-u-ugly play

I was sitting just under the right field foul pole (section 137), sweet seats, but that was nothing like a sweet game. Smoltz was fine (after the first), and he did adjust well after his first inning, but the offense: non-existent. And the fielding: yipes. There was a slight sci-fi feeling, like the teams had swapped bodies after game 2.

I did get to see a girl get her face blown apart by a foul pop in the 7th. So there is that.

by DixonTrimline on Jun 26, 2009 8:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by CasanovaWong on Jun 26, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Francona received numerous calls asking if he was yelling at reliever Ramon Ramirez, who pinch hit and struck out swinging to end Thursday night’s game. Francona was seen talking to Ramirez from the top step of the dugout. "Told him that he was a good pitcher and he [stunk] as a hitter,’’ Francona clarified. "I mean, we got killed. You could tell when he was hitting, he was almost embarrassed. He didn’t know whether to swing or not. He didn’t want to swing at something he wasn’t supposed to, so he took, and then the ball over his head and he swung. Rather than just walk out of the dugout I wanted to wait for him. Now everyone’s calling wondering why I’m top-stepping him.’’ . . .

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jun 27, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs