Lester Decidedly Not Ace-like as Yankees Top Red Sox
by Ben Buchanan on Apr 6, 2010 11:07 PM EDT
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Looking at the pitching matchups coming into this series, you had to figure this was the game the Sox had the best chance of winning.
No such luck, as the Yankees came out on top 6-4.
Jon Lester struggled through 5 innings, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. His velocity was all there, but he struggled to put opposing batters away. He was not helped at all by home plate umpire Angel Hernandez, but there will be more on that later.
On offense, Victor Martinez was the big contributor, smashing a 2-run homer to right and then doubling off the wall to drive in Dustin Pedroia later. Jacoby Ellsbury and Adrian Beltre also contributed 2 hits, while Youkilis, Scutaro, and Pedroia each had one.
The Red Sox defense saw their first miscue of the season in the 8th inning, and it was a costly one. Marco Scutaro's throw to first on a Derek Jeter ground ball was just short, and Youkilis couldn't pick it. Nick Johnson would then draw a bases-loaded, 2-out walk to bring the go-ahead run across the plate.
Game Notes:
- It's quickly becoming apparent that the Sox are going to struggle to get outs from their bullpen. While Daniel Bard was excellent in his one inning, and Papelbon is generally reliable, but other than that it's going to be a crapshoot.
- As much as Adrian Beltre managed two hits, he looked bad on some of the swings he took tonight.
- David Ortiz took another at bat against Damaso Marte, as Tito again refused to pinch hit mike Lowell. Francona has some serious explaining to do there.
- The team was 1-12 with runners in scoring position tonight. Scutaro personally ended 3 innings, leaving 4 on base.
- Angel Hernandez was truly, truly awful. While it sounds cheap to blame any loss on an umpire, anyone making this argument tonight has a case. Check back tomorrow for more on this.
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Why Tito refuses to pinch hit for Ortiz is beyond me
Unless he is under instructions from Theo not to put Lowell in under any circumstance.
God forbid he becomes more popular and people start asking why he isnt the everyday DH
"I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day. And I dream about it at night. The only time I don't think about it is when I'm playing it."
Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski
jeezus - can you guys give it a rest
Tito is NOT going to pinch hit for Ortiz based on 2 games. Wrong or right it just isn’t going to happen.
Give it a couple weeks. THEN bitch if its still an issue.
Against lefties? Really?
Mike Lowell has better CAREER numbers against lefties, much less as-of-late!
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Apr 6, 2010 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
But will he start tomorrow?
My guess: yeah, he will.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Apr 6, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but I think
There is more to the story than anyone knows. Theo has been doing everything in his power to get rid of Lowell, and Tito refused to use his great bat (he had an amazing spring compared to Ortiz).
If it was a fair competition (which it should have been) Lowell would have been the starting DH, not Big Mami
"I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day. And I dream about it at night. The only time I don't think about it is when I'm playing it."
Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski
by BerkshireFan on Apr 6, 2010 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
How would you set up the parameters of said competition?
I hope you’re not going just off how they looked in ST
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Apr 6, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
If it was a fair competititon
Lowell would have been released. He does NOT have a great bat and looked like crap this spring. He looked like he should be playing seniors slow pitch softball.
Were you serious with this? Lowell looked AWFUL.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
I don't think I agree with that
not because he looked good, but because his ST started after everyone elses and he had few at bats- nobody looked very good at the beginning (except reddick).
His swings were looking better at the end of ST (and I actually thought he looked pretty good handling first base, didn’t see much of himi at 3rd, though that was horrifying last year)
Just to be clear, I’m not arguing that he should be the DH- I think Ortiz needs to be given every at bat possible to try to get his swing into shape- I just think that your assesment is a little harsh considering the sample size of Lowell we’re dealing with.
I did watch him
He can’t run the bases at all. He had a few doubles off bad pitchers.
The late start is just one more reason I’m right: If it was an open competition there is no way in the world Lowell would have beat out Ortiz.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
Oh yeah he can't run the bases for sure
I’m just saying, from what I saw, his swing was starting to look a lot smoother towards the end. I think they should have found a way to DL him for the beginning of the season to keep him getting at bats in a rehab assignment for a bit so he has a full ST.
Again, not disagreeing with your stance on Lowell vs. Ortiz, I just think saying he would be released is a little harsher than what I saw.
Sure...
Just saying that the idea Lowell could have won an open competition for any job on this team is insane. If it was an open competition and contracts weren’t an issue he probably doesn’t make the team at all.
I very much wish they had DLed him.
Bullpen Banter
www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor
WHy not though?
Its not about egos, its about good matchups. Especially against a guy he has been bad against his whole career.
"I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day. And I dream about it at night. The only time I don't think about it is when I'm playing it."
Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski
by BerkshireFan on Apr 6, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Ortiz got how long last year before being moved down in the order?
Obviously he won’t get that much rope, but he’ll get more than 2 games.
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Apr 6, 2010 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Francona on WEEI (via Fire Brand of the AL)
Apparently says that he left Ortiz in because with a man on 2nd and 0 outs, Papi’s propensity to pull the ball when he makes an out would have moved the runner along.
Certainly realistic if he’s counting on Ortiz to make an out, at least
Rock me, sexy Jesus...
by nuthinboutnuthin on Apr 7, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
SEASON OVER
THIS TEAM IS A JOKE! WE ARE DONE! WE NEED A BIG BAT: THEO MUST TRADE FOR ADRIAN GONZALEZ: BOWDEN AND MDC SHOULD DO BECAUSE THE PADRES HAVE NO MONEY TO SPEND!
"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur
Hix you should have seen one troll tonight...
It was like Al Pacino made into a depressed 15 year old kid with access to a computer.
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
by sox-inda-south on Apr 6, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Who was that sox?
"I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day. And I dream about it at night. The only time I don't think about it is when I'm playing it."
Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski
by BerkshireFan on Apr 6, 2010 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
That Palmer kid.
It’s one thing to swear out of frustration, it’s another thing to swear at MFYs, and then it’s a whole different level to swear at Redsox players and hoping that planes start crashing….
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
by sox-inda-south on Apr 7, 2010 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Really? Because he dropped the F bomb on you too...
I’m not crazy. I’m not crazy. I’m not crazy.
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
by sox-inda-south on Apr 7, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, right, David Palmer.
Yeah, I just missed the more outrageous comments (shot in the leg, plane crashing, etc.)
USG
Really, I need to check that :)
"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur
I'm speechless
"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur
So who's the average starter we'll trade for in a month
That will turn into a stud reliever once moved to the pen?
DFA Beckett
by South Coast Ghost on Apr 6, 2010 11:15 PM EDT reply actions
I know you're probably not going to see it this way
but Hernandez was shitty all around, not just in favor of the Yanks.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
I'm going to have a long detailed post on this tomorrow.
My preliminary investigations show you’re right, but that he was MUCH, MUCH worse against the Red Sox, and in much more crucial situations (those joke calls with the Yanks up two and Mariano to come were f’ing transparent)
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Apr 6, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
He was padding his numbers
Because he doesnt want to appear biased.. god any blind person can see it.
He should be fired, or like I said..calling Pirates games for the rest of his career.
"I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day. And I dream about it at night. The only time I don't think about it is when I'm playing it."
Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski
by BerkshireFan on Apr 6, 2010 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Hernandez
Should be calling little league games the rest of his career. Then he’ll have to deal with ticked off parents that may well kick the tar out of him.
Same goes to CB Bucknor.
I would not wish Bucknor on little league
those poor kids shouldn’t have to deal with that kind of ineptitude
I felt that way too
just with hitters batting lefty especially, it seemed like the strike zone extended about 6 inches outside.
Blame the bullpen and Lester
I can’t say Scutaro lost the game, but he didn’t help.
Then again Angel Hernandez’s lack of a strike zone didn’t help any either.
Might see Lowell in tomorrow’s game, just for the sake of getting those on the bench in somewhat of a groove.
On the bullpen -
I would include Oki as someone who is pitching effectively (along with Bard & Pap(yesterday)). He’s had a bit of hard luck – coming in with no outs and men on 2n & 3rd yesterday, and then getting squeezed as well as Scoot’s error. But I think his pitching has been fine.
We lost, whatever
In 3 days we get to play an MLB team, not a Taxpayer-created joke, and we can start enjoying some baseball.
Building Fenway from the ground up - Virtual Fenway
Hahahaha.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
by CasanovaWong on Apr 6, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Hernandez_%28umpire%29
"I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day. And I dream about it at night. The only time I don't think about it is when I'm playing it."
Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski
Recently edited
"I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day. And I dream about it at night. The only time I don't think about it is when I'm playing it."
Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski
If one thing has become apparent
It’s that Okajima will get the decision in every game the Sox play this year
Trot
You really gotta stop posting about Drew. Let it go man.
Building Fenway from the ground up - Virtual Fenway
No, just jumping on cherry picked at bats that help you.
So the .861 OPS against the Yankees and .872 OPS against the Rays last year count for jack?
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Apr 6, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
So, by your logic, Yuniesky Betancourt who has hit a 2 runs HR against Verlander is like the best hitting SS in the league?
"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur
careless
who cares about betancourt or verlander neither player or team has any importance this year
why is this troll not banned yet?
by German Red Sox Fan on Apr 6, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't know why I'm bothering
.416 OBP in Close-and-late situations last year.
Building Fenway from the ground up - Virtual Fenway
If he stuck around for the game,
he’d have also realized it was damn near impossible to walk last night because of that strike zone…
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
by sox-inda-south on Apr 7, 2010 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
So...
Looks like Lackey is the ace right? Can we get another poll?
"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.
Ace doesn't get decided
Until after we finish with the Yankees (since nobody seems to consistently pitch well from either side) and until after we get several weeks into the season. Too much noise.
Building Fenway from the ground up - Virtual Fenway
i love it
u post lester not an ace but its ok, but if i say drew never pulls through in big at bats im a troll ?????
One is a value judgment
The other can be answered in mere seconds at b-r. You’re just wrong.
Building Fenway from the ground up - Virtual Fenway
and, side note
he doesn’t type like he’s wearing boxing gloves, which always helps.
Building Fenway from the ground up - Virtual Fenway
Actually, Rogue Nine was just commenting on the earlier poll about Beckett being passed over after one bad start.
His comment isn’t nearly as knee-jerk as yours, but in fact rallying against knee-jerk reactions. It’s an ironic statement. Yours is just garbage.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Apr 7, 2010 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
+1 for getting me.
"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.
its yanks sox
its who ever rallies with the bats at the end u know its barely ever a pitching duel lately
bad starts?
they dont really matter when its sox yanks or we could sit here and say beckett lester cc and burnett suck right?
tell u what
i will be on here every time drew hits or doesnt hit in an important situation we will see which 1 happens more lol!!!!
celts, stick around for a full game and we'll see where your frustration really is.
"Hating the New York Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers and cheating on your income tax." -- Mike Royko
by sox-inda-south on Apr 7, 2010 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions
This is some serious trolling!
"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur
Trolling =
starting a dozen different threads each with one meaningless observation when you could, alternatively, just create one easily-ignored pile of idiocy all mushed together.
Building Fenway from the ground up - Virtual Fenway
Alright, the 6 or 7 straight substanceless posts sold me on it.
Banned. I’m not sure it warrants it, still, because it could always just be opinion, but God if I and most of you guys don’t seem to have had enough of his insubstantial crap.
USG
And he was smited
smitten? smoten? Whatever it is, well done. Only a few months late but I guess you’re a benevolent mod…
"smote"
I think, offhand. “I smote him without remorse”.
by Christopher B on Apr 7, 2010 3:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I like the sound of 'smited' though. :-)
Pythonesque.
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