Game 123: Beckett knocked around, Yanks win series

by Randy Booth on Aug 23, 2009 11:33 PM EDT in Game Stories

So much for those "aces."

Josh Beckett gave up 8 earned runs and the Yankees beat the Red Sox, 8-4, in the series finale at Fenway Park on Sunday.

In one of the weirdest lines of the year, Beckett worked eight innings and gave up eight runs. Don't ask me how that works. He threw 120 pitches as well. So it was obviously one of those "pitch 'em till his arm falls off" deals. Beckett gave up five home runs in the outing.

There wasn't much offense to speak of for the Sox. Rocco Baldelli had two RBIs and Victor Martinez and MIke Lowell each had two hits.

One thing to note: the home plate umpire loves outside strike pitches. It went both ways, but it was definitely annoying tonight.

Sox are now 7.5 back from the Yankees in the East. There will be another Sox-Sox matchup when Boston hosts Chicago on Monday for a four-game series.

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Is the BP shot?

Only reason I can think of that explains why Tito kept Becks in for that long. Has he already given up the division?

by BillMac on Aug 24, 2009 8:51 AM EDT reply actions

The Sox have conceded the Division.

That was obvious even before the weekend. If they truly believed they had a shot, they would have juggled the rotation. If you’re going for the Division, that makes sense, since every game against NY is worth 2 games. But if you’re just trying to clinch the Wild Card, a game against the Yankees is just another game. Best to just focus on getting into the postseason. One extra game at home is not such a big deal.

by django48 on Aug 24, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

When they interviewed Lowell during the Texas series, it definitely sounded like the team is focused on the wild card now.

More casual than the average fan.

by baseball conspiracy theories on Aug 24, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Why

This team is so dissapointing can they please win a crucial game they have choked so many times in the big games.

by Bigpapi34 on Aug 24, 2009 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

... And Saturday was Spring Training?

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Aug 24, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Beckett

I really hope we’re not seeing signs of fatigue from Becks right now. IIRC, the NESN guys said that the Toronto start last week was the first time since May/June-ish that Beckett hadn’t pitched into the 7th inning. This is two starts in a row where he’s really gotten hammered around.

More casual than the average fan.

by baseball conspiracy theories on Aug 24, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

8 innings, 120 pitches last night...

Very little velo drop:

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bdalebs on Aug 24, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

fair enough

My only counter would be that fatigue doesn’t necessarily show itself in lost velocity, but the harder you’re trying to crank the fastball up there, the more movement you sacrifice on the pitch and the tougher it gets to hit your spots. (See, well, every Brad Penny outing since the All-Star Break for more examples.)

Hopefully this is just me getting anxious. If Becks comes back and blows everyone away for the next two months, I’ll be glad to say I was wrong about it.

More casual than the average fan.

by baseball conspiracy theories on Aug 24, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I think...

he was just off last night. He pitched 8 innings and his fastball seemed to be at a constant 95. He hung his curve though a few times and that is where the Yankees rocked him. Given it was the wrong time to have an off night but I think that is what happened. Better that than him getting fatigued. I think he’ll be fine down the stretch, we need him to be there is no way around it. Him and Lester really do now have to win every start they have and get some help from Clay and Tazawa along the way. Maybe Wake’s return can help too. If nothing else it’s better him than Brad Penny.

Sodomize Intolerance

by sonicdeathmonkey on Aug 24, 2009 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

Different take

I actually have a different take on last nights game:
a)While his curve was not sharp, and his FB velocity high, 4 of the 5 home runs the Yankees hit were an 4 seam fastballs. Each was 95 MPH, and only the first Matsui HR did not look like a bad location. ARod hit a curveball out, but otherwise they were all fastballs. Teams have clearly noticed that he likes to pump the 4 seamer over for the first pitch, and the Yankees made him pay. That is bad game plan/good scouting, and his locations were also bad.
b)He seemed to either not throw the 2 seamer or at least not early in the game. It is the 2 seamer with movement that makes him effective in keeping hitters off balance.
c)Well, his curve was not sharp.
d)It is true in that in the Toronto game it is said (I did not see it) that his velocity was down.

Aside from (a), the other 3 things could signify fatigue or minor injury. It is a bit concerning. He has allowed 1/2 of he season’s total in HRs in the last 3 games. Some of those HRs to very weak hitters (Guillen and Snyder especially). Don’t know what to think, but it is depressing to wonder if the one of the two “sure things” you though you had in your rotation is not so sure.

by Buzzy on Aug 24, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions