White Sox Add Insult To Injury With Walk Off Win Over Red Sox
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 29, 2010 1:00 AM EDT
in Game Stories
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PrintBy the time the ninth inning rolled around, Tuesday's game had already ceased to matter. With the Yankees defeating the Blue Jays in Toronto, the Red Sox had been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, making this just another game between non-contenders.
Still, there were things to be seen. There was John Lackey continuing to improve his season with six innings of two-run ball. There was Jed Lowrie putting in another good game with a single and a double, there was J.D. Drew hitting his 21st home run of the season, and there was David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre combining to go 5-for-7, including Papi's 32nd bomb of the year.
And then there was Terry Francona sending Daniel Bard out to pitch yet another inning.
Why, in a meaningless game, in a now officially meaningless season, is Daniel Bard advancing further into the seventies in innings pitched? Why is he the lone name that doesn't need any more proving pitching against the White Sox amongst Hill, Bowden, Richardson, and Fox?
Only Tito knows.
Still, Bard went out there and pitched yet another inning, and this one "cost" the Sox. With a 4-3 lead, Bard walked Manny Ramirez to lead off the eighth, and allowed a big double to Paul Konerko to tie it all up. It was the second straight appearance where Bard has allowed a run and at least one walk as the young flamethrower seemed to have difficulty locating his fastball. It's long overdue now, but please, with all hopes now mathematically dashed, no more Bard. Please.
All this lead into a ninth inning which saw a combination of Michael Bowden, Dustin Richardson, and Matt Fox, with only Bowden recording any outs. Recording two outs and allowing just a single, Michael Bowden left the game with the Sox poised to move into extra innings.
But then Dustin Richardson came in, and as he has done in now three of his last five outings, walked the only batter he faced (in another, he still didn't record any outs, but actually gave up two walks and a hit before being yanked). With the winning run just 90 feet away, Dayan Viciedo pinch hit against Matt Fox, and hit a screaming liner that bounced off a diving Daniel Nava's glove to knock off the Red Sox, 5-4.
The Sox will start their last go through the rotation tomorrow for those still faithfully following as Josh Beckett faces off against Freddy Garcia.
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I kinda wonder with Bard
I notice his innings total is 15 above what it was last year- which was 16 above what it was the year before. I kinda wonder if they’re just seeing how far they can stretch him (obviously they’ve pretty much reached that limit this year). I’d assume in this case, with no playoffs or anything on the line that they’re making sure he’s very sure to tell them about any discomfort or pain.
Just too much risk
for too little reward. Even in your scenario (which is certainly possible), why even push him to the point of discomfort? It’s silly to push him to the brink, just to know where the limit is, especially if he’s this team’s future closer.
What risk?
Bard has said repeatedly that he feels fine. Seven AL relievers have thrown more pitches than Bard, who has thrown as much as Joba Chamberlain, Jonathan Papelbon, David Robinson, and Tony Sipp (Chad Guadin has throw 8 fewer pitches).
The Sox have always erred on the side of caution with young pitchers. In no way has Bard been abused this season. There is nothing wrong with using Bard to protect a one-run lead, “especially if he’s this team’s future closer.” Bard failed to hold the lead, something he has done almost as much as Papelbon this year.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Sep 29, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I think I was referring to "seeing how far they can stretch him" from wolf's comment.
It sounded like wolf was speculating as to why Bard is being used, and I was saying that using him for that reason seems wrong. (I think wolf was saying the same thing as well, but I don’t want to put words in his mouth).
Anyway, not objecting to his usage in and of itself, more so questioning the reasoning behind his usage. Just seems like an ill-advised strategy at this point in the season, when Bard has already thrown more than he ever has before. In my opinion, he’s proven his durability plenty this year.
Bard hasn't thrown more than ever before
They’re not stretching him out. Bard’s innings totals (majors and minors):
2010 – 73.1 IP
2009 – 65.1 IP
2008 – 77.2 IP
2007 – 75 IP
Bard’s innings this year are inline with what he has done in the past. As I said before, the Sox as an organization (including both Theo and Tito) are very careful with their young pitchers.
One other thing to note regarding injuries, a player can get hurt getting out of bed. Fluke things happen. Healthy, young pitchers—especially pitchers who are 6’4", 200 lbs—should be able to throw 75 innings or so a season. But, if you’re worried about injuries, maybe the Sox should rest every player under contract for next year so they don’t get hurt. If they do that, maybe they should refund all the tickets bought for this weekend’s series at Fenway.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Sep 29, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I stand corrected
I should’ve looked farther back through his minor league stats, so thanks for doing that work for me.
And no need to get snarky with me. I know injuries can happen, and nowhere did I say we should sit all of our players. That would be ridiculous, as is you implying that I suggested that. If you look at my last comment, I didn’t say I had a problem with him pitching now. I said that ifthey are trying to stretch him out, that is stupid. And as I just acknowledged, you’ve proven that “if” to be incorrect, thus rendering the rest of what I said incorrect.
I wasn't trying to be snarky
If I came off that way, I apologize.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Sep 29, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
uh yeah, my math was way off.
I forgot to add up the level changes except for 2009, and even that I added incorrectly.
A little sarcasm there?
Bard has been not as good lately. I think he is tring, no matter what he has said. I think we all know what a tired pitcher looks like.
Shut him down.
Bring in Bard.
"That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Sep 29, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
How do you know Bard is tired?
Has he said he’s tired? Bard allowed 5 ER in April and 4 ER this month.
There is no evidence that the Sox routinely blow out young pitchers’ arms. Francona and Farrell aren’t noted for over-using pitchers, and Theo is very cognizant of protecting young players and prospects (e.g. the Sox shut Buchholz down in 2007, even though they could have used relief help in the post-season).
The Sox usually err on the side of caution, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Then again, maybe you know better than Tito, Farrell, and Theo, etc., what a “tired pitcher looks like.”
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Sep 29, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
He is overthrowing and missing his spots a lot on fastballs.
It’s not crazy to think a young guy trying to earn the top spot in the bullpen might put on a strong face.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 29, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Or
It may be random, just a bad stretch. Sure, Bard hasn’t looked good lately. But aside from one real stinker (9/11 v. Oakland), Bard’s pitches per appearance and strike percentage have been pretty consistent this month.
Str% by month:
April – 65.4%
May – 58.1%
June – 66.1%
July – 57.9%
August – 63.0%
September – 61.5%
(This is admittedly superficial, but I’m not going to go through all the pitchf/x data game-by-game).
The problem is relief pitchers throw very few innings. Monthly splits for relievers are even more problematic. A bad game here or there skews things like GB/FB/LD percentages, etc.
While it may not be crazy to think that a young pitcher is tired and trying to cover it up, it’s also not crazy to think that the pitcher in question is fine and the fans are overreacting; especially in light of the quality of the people (manager, pitching coach, and GM/scouts) evaluating that pitcher’s performance based on mechanics, etc.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Sep 29, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Fans overreacting.
Oh. That’s rich.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
I just think what do you got to lose by shutting him down?
Bring in Bard.
"That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Sep 29, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
That's a valid point of view
But it’s also valid to say that he’ll likely only pitch 2 or 3 more times before the end of the season: what do you lose by letting him pitch?
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Sep 29, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
chances to see future red sox hall-of-famer Rich Hill pitch
In seriousness, I probably agree with you. The season’s so close to over, I doubt it’s gonna make a difference either way.
You let him have that extra week to recover over the offseason so he can start training that week sooner.
If I was your math homework I'd be really hard and you'd be doing me on your desk.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
by TheLoneDavid on Sep 29, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
But an extra week can't hurt.
If I was your math homework I'd be really hard and you'd be doing me on your desk.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
by TheLoneDavid on Sep 29, 2010 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions
It just seems like the right time
He’s had a great year, pitched in a ton of high pressure situations (and for the most part, proven that he’s ready). So for him, mission accomplished. We’re out of it now, so who cares if he doesn’t pitch in any of the next few games?
Minor League innings are not the same as major league innings
Especially in that Bard was used often as a 2-3 inning guy working his way down from starting those years. Fewer warm ups, less irregularity, less pressure, etc. They were often much easier too, since guys tended to take fewer pitches.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Sep 29, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
David Robinson
the basketball player?
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
by CasanovaWong on Sep 29, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Robinson/Robertson ... who cares?
They both walk lots of hitters.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Sep 29, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Holy crap! It's Drugs Delaney!
(yay)
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
Yep
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Sep 29, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Sep 29, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Sep 29, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Whatever
It is well-document that Theo has been dabbling in the occult and ended up putting a curse on the team which caused it to injury itself. It was a mystic banana peel and it was all Theo’s fault!!
Now fire his ass before he saves up enough money for that magic wand!
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
lol
Bring in Bard.
"That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog
by bestbostonsports on Sep 29, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I say fire Wally
With proper mascotting perhaps this team would have been motivated to give a damn and not get injured.
Blame Canada.
If I was your math homework I'd be really hard and you'd be doing me on your desk.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
by TheLoneDavid on Sep 29, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
You mean Sean O?
"Every night I go to bed thinking about when I’m going to play again. I dream about playing at Fenway."-Ryan Westmoreland
Twitter: @BoldandBrash
by BoldandBrash on Sep 29, 2010 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Combo breaker.
If I was your math homework I'd be really hard and you'd be doing me on your desk.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
by TheLoneDavid on Sep 29, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
That's a little excessive.
He is highly negative, and I disagree strongly with him at times, but he’s none of what you just said.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
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