Game 86: Royals oust Sox

by Randy Booth on Jul 10, 2009 1:50 AM EDT in Game Stories

Final - 7.9.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Kansas City Royals	0	0	0	3	0	4	0	1	0	8	13	1
Boston Red Sox	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	6	10	1
WP: Luke Hochevar (5 - 3) SV: Joakim Soria (14) LP: Justin Masterson (3 - 3)

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All Red Sox Nation wanted was a sweep of the Royals, and we can't even get that?

Sox lose game one thanks to a shoddy bullpen. Brad Penny did just fine (5 IP, 3 ER), but the bullpen is where it all went wrong -- for once. Manny Delcarmen (.2 IP) gave up two runs, Justin Masterson (.1 IP) gave up too as well. Ramon Ramirez worked 1.2 innings, but still gave up three hits, a walk and a run. The only good relief pitcher Thursday was Daniel Bard, who went 1.1 innings and struck out three.

Offensively, Dustin Pedroia continues to break out of his slump. He had three hits tonight including a home run. His batting average is back up at an even .300. David Ortiz as well continues to hit. He hit his 11th home run of the season tonight. Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and Mark Kotsay all had RBIs as well.

Sox continue the series Friday with Jon Lester on the hill. Brian Bannister will oppose.

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Comments

f*ck

6 runs should be enough against these hacks. Sure Penny went 5 and did o.k, now is the time to dump him. He’ll suck in the 2nd half as his age catches up to him. The pen is getting worked over and unless we get some 7-8 inning starts they’ll be gassed by August. The Smoltz experiment hasn’t worked out yet, I’m willing to give it another 2 starts. Its time for Buccholz to come up, plain and simple.

When Johan was available I got panned on this site for being willing to part with anything to have him…..let me say this again…you can never, ever, ever have too much quality pitching….like never.

by sydneysox on Jul 10, 2009 2:46 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Johan

That “anything” might have been Jon Lester.

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 10, 2009 7:23 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah

really Sydneysox-we have been through this on the Halladay thread(s); Lester is already likely a better pitcher than Santana. That deal would have been a disaster, and Santana is already physically breaking down.

by Buzzy on Jul 10, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Penny is only 31 years old. his “age” is not going to catch up with him. If anything, I could see him improving in the second half as he continues to recover from the surgery.

"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw

by BTLove on Jul 10, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

interestingly

Penny has a history of total suckage in the second half. Don’t know if that is conditioning or a fluke.

by Buzzy on Jul 10, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Fat joke?

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 10, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

What makes you think Buchholz will be able to go 7-8 innings routinely?

Even if he comes up to The Show and does very well, he’s unlikely to be very efficient. Most rookies only go 5-6 innings.

"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 Jul 10, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

well

if he does well, he will be able to go 6 a game. That is fine-Wake, Beckett and lester go more than 6, Penny less, and Buch 6 would be just fine. Recall that total pen usage on average is 3 innings a game across the league.

by Buzzy on Jul 10, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I have to spit twice after I say ‘we lost one to the Royals’. No need to panic though. Would like to see a pitching shuffle soon – bringing up Bucc for a start or two.

by BOSPORTS on Jul 10, 2009 6:49 AM EDT reply actions

Isn't it Great in these tough economic times

That the Sox can continue to be such a charitable organization to the less fortunate in the AL isn’t it?

Also the unfortunate math that is 8-0 = tied for 1st is really tough to take.

Sox are 5-6 since Lowell went on the DL, offense isn’t lighting up the park here either.

Good news is the Sox can’t play this poorly much longer, either the offense or bullpen will jump out of their funk, similarly the Yankees can’t stay this hot forever either

by JonnyNYC on Jul 10, 2009 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

no Halladay talk. They need a bat and a SS.

by c1980 on Jul 10, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

They have a SS

Lowrie, who should be back in a week or two. As for the Bat, a lot depends on Lowell’s health. Boston’s offense is currently 3rd in the AL in runs scored per game. Pedroia was cold for a while, but seems to be heating up. Bay and Youk have been AWOL for over a month. If both start hititng better—and they will—that’s two bats right there. If Lowell returns, and all indications are he will, that’s three bats. The Large Father is hitting, and Drew and Ells have been good.

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 10, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

OK Drugs

You dont think they need an improvement anywhere? Or you want them to get rid of 4 highly toted prospects for Halladay? Lowrie can be moved to another area. He is not the answer. He won out the position of SS because Lugo was injured. (not a Lugo fan) He had a good spring training. He is not the second coming. I hope I am wrong and you can call me an idiot but I really think thats the direction they should be looking. Just an opinion of course….I hold no weight with Theo, he wont return my calls sigh

by c1980 on Jul 10, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

The team

is tied for the second best record in baseball. So, by definition they need less “improvement” than nearly every other team. There are fewer realistic fixes for the weak spots than you think.

a)Fielding-actually here Lowrie is a big part of the answer. Also when Lowell comes back, Youk can move to his more natural 1b. Otherwise there is not much than can be done.
b)Hitting-well, again what should we do? Papi is coming around, Lowell will return. Lowrie is likely a somewhat better hitter than Green at this stage. There are no SS out there that the Sox can deal for that, when hitting and fielding are factored, will be a needed upgrade over Lowrie (if they are they will be players that are too expensive in cost of players/salary). We could make a move for a good hitting 1b so that Youk could play 3rd when Lowell is banged up, but there is not much out there.
c)Pitching-well we have had the best starting pitching in the AL over the last 2 months, even when Dice-K/Smoltz are factored in. Sure, Smoltz is still a question mark, but if he fails Buchholz will get that slot. Halladay would improve this already strong area, but we have been through this already. The Sox FO is too smart to deal the world for Halladay. The pen looks bad right now-perhaps an extra arm could be obtained. All pens show inconsistency over 162 games (remember 07?). The fix more likely lies within-giving Bard higher leverage innings, Smoltz to the pen or Bowden.

So, actually there is not much that would be a good idea. That is not rosy-eyed optimism, that is just the facts. That is the way this team is constructed. That is the philosophy going forward to not lose sight of the future while competing now. Every year when the team slumps (especially when the Yankees are hot at the same time) there is the usual “Get this guy!” talk here and elsewhere. But remember this team has won 2 WS, been 1 game away 2 times, and only missed the post season once since 03. Theo’s approach works. Trust in it.

by Buzzy on Jul 10, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

No one said Lowrie was the second coming

But he is a vast improvement over Green or Lugo. What makes you think Lowrie can’t cut it? Lowrie’s career hitting numbers in the minors are good and, despite being injured last year, he put up credible hitting numbers as a rookie. Defensively, he had a 5.9 UZR (24.6 UZR 150) last year. He is clearly better than any available SS on the market. And he doesn’t cost the Sox any players.

Sure the team can improve. There’s always room for improvement, and I expect Theo will explore ways to make the team better. However, few of these moves will involve trading young players who are in the team’s future plans for older, expensive players. Whatever move the Sox make, the chances are it will be a small move rather than a blockbuster.

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 10, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve been on-board with the whole “just wait for Lowrie” solution that we’ve all been dishing out around here, but I’m starting to get a little impatient. The guy has been out now for a few months, and still looks to be a few weeks away. Nick Green has played exceedingly well so maybe we’ve all been overly patient. Yes, Lowrie is playing again, but he now has a bad wrist and a bad knee. And his major league experience is still pretty limited. At some point we might have to make a move in case Lowrie either does not come back healthy or is not the player we think he is. I like the guy, but I’d love to see him stay healthy and productive for more than a month before the trade-deadline.

"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw

by BTLove on Jul 10, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Lowrie is healthy and playing

He should be with the Sox by July 18th, a week from Saturday. Lowell should be back after the ASB too. That gives the Sox two weeks to evaluate their needs before the Deadline, assuming they want to make a move.

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

by Drugs Delaney on Jul 10, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't get me wrong, I think Lowrie is our best option.

But we just don’t know that much about the guy. If he comes back and sucks, or get hurt again, we’re stuck with the Nick Green/ Lugo platoon for the rest of the year. Its a tough position to be in and there probably aren’t any other options out there, but we kinda have all our eggs in one basket right now and I don’t really like it.

"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw

by BTLove on Jul 10, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

but

our options at ss, when all things are factored in are not good options. What I mean is that if Lowrie is just as good as last year (and reports say he is healthy right now) we will not do better even if we do give up something. Who is out there?

by Buzzy on Jul 10, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

There just aren’t many (any?) options. I hope Lowrie can repeat (or improve on) last year’s performance, but its no sure thing. It just worries me that we are relying on a guy from whom we have seen very little.

"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw

by BTLove on Jul 10, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Why worry about it if there is no solution?

Lowrie’s likely the best possible option.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 10, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess the problem is not

that there is no solution, its that we don’t know if we need to find a solution because Lowrie is still such a question mark halfway through the year. At the start of the season, I assumed that we’d have some kind of read on the guy at this point, but we do not, having never really seen him healthy for any length of time.

"Ninety percent [of my salary] I'll spend on good times, women, and Irish whiskey. The other ten percent I'll probably waste."
-Tug McGraw

by BTLove on Jul 10, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

True.

Not really anything we can do though. It’s better to focus our efforts on problems that ARE fixable.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 10, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

The Royals? Really?

But I do get excited due to the fact Big Papi is now routinely hitting bombs again…

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by mystman995 on Jul 10, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

Yep.

We’re slumping. The MFY are hot. And there’s a 3 day break pretty soon. Hopefully we can win this series, the MFY lose their series w/ the LAAAAAAA, and we rest up/get healthy over the break.

OverTheMonster - ALLERGEN WARNING: May contain peanut butter.

by bdalebs on Jul 10, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions