Sunday Game Blog: 8/21, BOS @ LAAoA
Today's Game Hat:
PREGAME:
After his last start, when it became known that Jonathan Papelbon would rather be known by the full name than by the shortened 'Jon', I scoffed. For one thing, 'Jon Papelbon' really rolls off the tongue better. Second, it kinda reminded me of a little kid who tries to make his or her name sound 'older', by using the full first name, or using the middle name, or whatever. Then, I remembered people used to call me 'Andy'. So, Jonathan it is.
I'll be getting my first actual look at Pap today, as Sportsnet is running a rare (as in, never before in my recollection) baseball tripleheader. I'm currently watching the Jays put up a mini-comeback, with a 5 run 7th after going down 15-0 in the first 6 innings. After that, it'll be off to Edison Field for the Sox-Angels game, and then some other game.
Here's the situation for the Sox coming into this game. the cream is settling in the AL; the over-performing White Sox are sinking down to manageability, and currently hold a 4.5 game lead over the Red Sox for the best record in the AL. Meanwhile, today's opponents - the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of the United States of America of the World of the Galaxy of the Universe (no, I haven't let it go yet) - sit only percentage points behind the Sox in the overall AL standings.
Despite this fact, there is angst. Evan over at Firebrand has a nice post up this morning countering some of it - or at least the anti-Francona portions. Is this team perfect? Absolutely not. The bullpen, despite a fairly major overhaul, remains pretty bad. The rotation is only mediocre. The hitting, as usual, is exceptional, and that will win us ballgames, to be sure. But the fact remains that the above has been true all season, yet the Red Sox have the third best record in the major leagues. Can we win in the playoffs with this team? I don't know. The common wisdom is that you need certain things to win in the postseason, and though I'm not convinced they're all true, we don't have those things. However, we absolutely can - and I'll go as far as to say will - win the division this year. We've been winning it for a large chunk of the season, with the same problems we've got now; those problems, through troubling, will not keep us fro being the last AL East team standing.
So, today we defend the 2nd best record in the American League. Jonathan Papelbon (0-0, 3.48) vs. Paul Byrd (9-7, 3.88), 4:05 pm.
PREGAME, CONT:
Very weird bonehead play just now in the Jays-Tigers game, as The Slowest Man in the Universe, Jays backup catcher Ken Huckaby, drove a ball down the RF line that clanged off the glove of Craig Monroe Monroe just assumed the ball was foul, from where he was when he touched it, but it was called fair; unfortunately for the Tigers, Monroe didn't notice this, and tossed the ball into the stands. Huckaby, who is - I swear to god - noticeably slower than even Doug Mirabelli, had 'cruised' into second, then took off for third when he saw the ball get away from Monroe. Given that, the umps awarded him home plate on the error by Monroe; a double with a 2 base error. That's the closest Ken Huckaby will come to an inside the park homer in his life. It's probably the closest he's ever come to a triple.
PREGAME, CONT. CONT:
The Jays just completed their 17-6 loss to the Tigers, and Sportsnet is just gave me a touch of 'bonus coverage' of the Yanks-Chicago game. Whoever is doing the announcing with Kay sounded frighteningly like Cleveland from The Family Guy. I was struck.
FIRST PITCH:
A ball to Damon.
TOP 1st: 0-0
An Edgar Renteria double was the only production here; he lined a 1-2 pitch down the LF line and made it into second. A fly ball from Ortiz that looked off the bat like it might be something was hauled in by Guerrero, and Renteria chose not to mess with The Arm. Manny struck out, a bit ugly, on what looked like a change from Byrd.
BOTTOM 1st: 0-0
I like what I've (finally) seen from Papelbon. He got Figgins on a groundout with a nice splitter that Chone somehow got a bat head on; Cabrera doubled on a fastball that missed the target somewhat, but erstad was retired on a one-hopper nicely piked by Edgar. An intentional walk to Vlad brought up Molina, who grounded into a force, 6-4 getting Vlad at 2nd. Pap was mostly throwing the fastbal, as has been his MO so far, but I saw a splitter, a couple sliders, and a change (!) mixed in for good measure. 18 pitches 10 for strikes - but of course, 4 of those balls were intentional.
TOP 2nd: 0-0
As in the first, we got a little something going with a runner to second, but didn't convert: after a Varitek pop-out to third, Olerud blooped a ball down the line for a single, and Mueller added his own on a liner up the middle. Graffanino flew out to center, and Kapler chopped into a force, 5U, geting Olerud at third. 34 pitches for Byrd, only 8 of them balls - and three of those were to Damon in the first AB of the game.
BOTTOM 2nd: 0-0 (in progress)
Manny doesn't hustle, huh?
BOTTOM 2nd: 0-0 (in progress)
Pap's first curve of the game, and it went somewhat awry, forcing Juan Rivera to dive out of the way. Nice break on it, though - Pap's definitely using his secondary stuff more often today than in his previus starts, and they look pretty good, with room (and potential) for improvement. And... good lord, respect the drawl.
BOTTOM 2nd: 0-0
1-2-3 for Pap. Interesting to note that he doesn't have any K's yet;in his previous two starts, he dropped 2 guys in the first inning each time. The Angels are a more free-swinging club than most, with a lot of contact guys, so tht may have something to do with; Pap may also be pacing himself to go more than 5, which would be a good sign for him. If he gets into trouble, it'll be interesting to see how he approaches it, and whether he dials up the fastball. But hopefully we won't find out.
TOP 3rd: 0-0
Byrd looks extremely good today. Hell, he's looked good all year; without actually checking the numbers, I believe he has the best ERA of any AL free agent SP acquisition. He's locating well, using his pitches effectively, and keeping the So off balance; Renteria's the only one who's really hit the ball hard, and he has a fair amount of experience vs. Byrd from his days in the NL, as Remy pointed out.
Also, I miss watching the Red Sox. I love this. I love the radio broadcasts too, but... no comparison.
BOTTOM 3rd: 0-0
So, still no K's from Pap, but he added his second walk (the first, obviously, was intentional). Just based on observation, it's the secondary pitches that are giving him trouble, especially the slider; his fastball has been located pretty well, and the split has been used limitedly but effectively. only one curve that I've seen so far, and few changes. That inning, the walk wasto Figgins, the only baserunner: Pap did a nice job holding im on, and Tek had a solid throw up to second to nail him stealing for the final out. 43 pitches, 23 for strikes (or, more accurately, 39 pitches, 23 for striks, ignoring the IBB).
TOP 4th: 0-0
Byrd cruising here. Other than a Tek grounder into the 2B hole that Kennedy made a great play on - helped by a potentially incorrect out call at first, as Kotchman's foot appeared to come off the bag - nothing here resembled a hit. A Manny fly out to LF, then the Tek 4-3, and an Olerud grounder into a 3U out. This next half will be interesting; it's been the 4th and 5th innings were Papelbon has started to struggle in his first appearances, but I get the feeling he's holding something extra back here, so maybe he can escape that fate.
BOTTOM 4th: 0-0 (in progress)
Pap's first K is a relief, getting Guerrero on an outside, 92 mph fastball that Guerrero swung through. Tek wanted it in, but it did the job.
BOTTOM 4th: 0-0
Decent inning there from Pap. A leadoff single from Erstad was well hit,but the K to Guerrero showed some poise; he worked Vlad to 0-2 before knocking him off the plate with a fastball up and in. Vladdy took another high pitch, then went down on the 5th pitch of the AB. Erstad was gunned down on a well-timed pitch-out , on an 0-1 count to Molina, who then walked, but Kotchman was retired on a groundout to Graffanino. A couple nice breaking pitches from Pap here, both to Kotchman; a curve that barely missed the inside corner for a ball, and a slider that broke in on Kotchman's hands, which he fouled off.
TOP 5th: 0-0
Not much to say here, as Byrd continues to keep us off balance. Nothing hit particularly hard; a bloop out snagged by Kennedy from Mueller, a tough grounder fielded by Kotchman on the line - the feed and Byrd barely beat Graffanino to the bag. Then Kapler lofted an easy fly ball into center for Finley. Byrd is at 65 pitches, 49 of the strikes - a fantastic 75% rate. Pap's holding them down, but we need to start squeaking out some runs.
BOTTOM 5th: 0-0 (in progress)
You may have noticed I'm paying particular attention to Papelbon's secondary pitches today; this is because his fastball is clearly above average and well-developed, but he's been relying on it to a tremendous degree in the first few. This start has ben different in this regard, as he's been mixing in the splitter (which looks very effective), the slider (good but a bit wild), the curve (nice break, tough to get a reaon his control of it so far) and his change. He just threw a beauty of a change to Finley; most scouting reports have that as his least dveloped pitch, so the fact that he's using it effectively here is encouraging.
BOTTOM 5th: 0-0 (in progress)
I appreciate Bill Mueller for a lot of reasons, but the biggest might be how good he is at the slow-roller-and-off-balance-throw combo. He is just technically perfect on these plays, and he turned over a beaut ofone just now to retire Kennedy, despite the 2B's speed. Well done.
BOTTOM 5th: 0-0
A long but damageless inning for Pap, with an assist by Mueller. A groundout by Rivera was followed by a single by Finley; then the Kennedy play, which moved Finley up to second. The final out came on a 3-1 groundout by Figgins. 24 pitches for Papelbon that inning, which brings him to 86 total; not exactly efficient, despite the low K total (1 through 5). The 6th will likely be his last inning.
TOP 6th: 0-0
14 in a row retired by Byrd, who's been the definition of efficient today. 1 K, no walks, only 3 hits allowed on 82 pitches through 6. Papelbon, much to his credit, has matched him: Pap is at 86 pitches through 6 owing to some deeper counts, and he has walked 3 (one intentional), but he's also allowed only three hits: the first inning double to Cabrera, and singles from Finley and Erstad. He's on to start the sixth here.
BOTTOM 6th: 0-0 (in progress)
I really like Papelbon's split. An interview with him brought up the fact that Schilling taught him the pitch this spring in Fort Myers; Pap credits it with his succes this year, and says it's now his go-to secondary. Given its usage today, that certainly appears to be true. Good sharp break, and he rarely leaves any up; nice, nice little pitch.
BOTTOM 6th: 0-0 (in progress)
Right at the 100 pitch mark, and after a Bengie Molina single putting guys on 1 and 2, Francona comes out to lift Papelbon, and bring on Mike Myers to face Kotchman. This was areally encouraging outing fo the young righthander; not as efficient with his pitches as I'm sure he'd like to have been, but it's very hard to argue with the results. He's not off the hook just yet; hopefully Myers can preserve the goose egg here.
BOTTOM 6th: 0-0
And he does, getting Kotchman on a bloop out to Graffanino. As much as I hated to see Papelbon puled there, good for the Sox, keeping him right at 100 pitches. As much as a lot of organizations try to limit their young guys, when a pitcher is going as good as Pap was there the temptation fo the field manager to leave him in is understandably high. Good for Terry, and good for Myers, getting out of the jam.
TOP 7th: 0-0
The good news is, we got a baserunner on a Tek dribbler though the 3-4 hole with one out. The bad news is that Olerud lined a one hopper right to Cabrera, who was shading him perfectly, and turned ovr a 6-4-3 DP to end the inning. I have a sneaking suspicion that Myers will be left in to at least start the 7th; Rivera bats right handed, but Finley and Kennedy are both LHH.
BOTTOM 7th: 0-0 (in progress)
I'm wrong. Thenew pitcher for the Sox is Timin, which makes me wonder wha happens in the next two innings; word is that they want Schill to get some work here before getting shut down in anticipation of his Thursday start. Will they use him for two? Or will we see Gonzalez instead? Or, god help us, Remlinger?
BOTTOM 7th: 0-0
Man. Great game to this point - well pitched and well played all around. Timlin had a very effective turn there, with a K and two easy groundouts. All his pitches were dead on, including a nasty sinker. Still... who's piching the 8th and 9th? And, we will ever smell second base again, let alone the plate?
TOP 8th: 0-0 (in progress)
This is looking very promising: a leadoff single by Mueller, followed by a first pitch liner into left off Graffanino's bat. Byrd was looking a little bit shaky last inning; maybe it was indicative. I'd bet Kapler bunts here.
TOP 8th: 0-0 (in progress)
Even with the Angels telegraphing the pincer play, Kapler bunted it right into Figgins at third, and Mueller was retired at third; now Damon chops to Figgins, who thankfullycouldn't convert the P and instead just took the out at first. 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs for Edgah. We must convert here.
TOP 8th: 3-0 BOS (in progress)
REDGAH!
OH MAH GAWD, IT'S 3-0
Talk about converting! Edgar, who'd hit a couple balls hard off Byrd earlier, blasted one out to left, and the Sox are up 3-0. And then, as if you weren't surprised enough, David Ortiz bunts into the shift for a single. Amazing. 2 outs, Papi on first for Manny. More.
TOP 8th: 5-0 BOS
MANNY
DOUBLE POINT
Manny goes yard, on a ball I could not believe left the yard; even for Manny the swing looked effortless. 5-0, all of a sudden, on two 2 out homers and the unlikeliest of bunt singles. Gorgeous.
BOTTOM 8th: 5-0 BOS (in progress)
Timlin back out to start the eighth, with Schilling warming. Timlin for two outs, Schilling for the third? Also, NESN confirms it: that was David Ortiz's first bunt hit ever. And you know what? It was a nice bunt. Somewhere, Ozzie Guillen is smiling. Possibly while chasing kittens.
BOTTOM 8th: 5-0 BOS
And Mike Timlin delivers, with another excellent inning of work, ending on a swinging (what else?) K of Vlad Guerrero. With the 5-0 lead, I'm even comfortable with Schilling coming out for the ninth! (kidding, kidding.)
TOP 9th: 5-0 BOS
Sox go down quietly to Esteban Yan here, but I don't care. End it, Schill. Let's put a stake in this one.
BOTTOM 9th: 5-0 BOS (in progress)
This wasn't what I had in mind. Two base hits to open the ninth vs. Schill; his fastball was at 92-93 to Molina to open the inning, but it's wavered since then. I think his standard FB velocity, we'll find once he's starting, wll be in the 89-90 range. In any case, I'd love to see a split-induced DP here.
BOTTOM 9th: 5-1 BOS (in progress)
Dammit.
BOTTOM 9th: 5-1 BOS (in progress)
Wait, did that happen? Graffanino ranged back on a tough in-between pop, and I culd see it happening all the way. Sure enough, the ball clanged off the heel of his glove in fll sprint... but somehow, in full sprint, he spun around and caught it before it reached land. Awesome. 1 more.
FINAL: 5-1 BOS
Not a massively reassuring appearance from Schilling there. Hopefully the rest and the return to the rotation will do him some good.
Everything else in this game was spectacular. Some fine defensive plays after a rough few days, highlighted by Manny's body-sacrificing catch - I'm looking at you, haters - and Bill Mueller's play on the slow roller. Te pitching was fantastic, headlined by Jonathan Papelbon, who went 5 2/3 scoreless, alowing 4 hits, walking 3, and striking out two. Pap dropped his ERA to 2.25 on the afternoon, though his sabermetric pitching stats are somewhat less impressive. Still, if his reults are like this without great rates, I can't wait to see him improve. The Mikes added 2 1/3 hitless innings, while the Sox bats caught up to a clearl tiring Paul Byrd - spectacular to that point - and used the long ball and some creative bunting to go up 5-0 in the 8th. Key contribuions from Edgar Reteria (2-4, 3-run homer), David Ortiz (1-4 setting up Manny with his bunt single against the shift), and Manny Ramirez (1-4, 2 run homer). The Sox go to 71-51 on the season, tie a season high at 20 games over .500, and shore up their second best AL record, along with their lead in the AL East, which extended to 4 games.
As previously mentioned, there will be no Sunday Game Blog next week,as I'll probably be somewhere between Syracuse and Albany in a U-Haul. Tht's right, kiddies: in xactly one week, I will no longer be living in Toronto. That means seveal things; people who don't kow me won't be able to belittle my comments here based on the 'fact' that I'm Canadian, and 'therefore clueless about baseball', I'll have to change the banner up top, and I'll be going to a whole boatload of Fenway games in September. I still have some work to dobefore I leave, including an apartment's worth of packing, but I'm excited about it. In any case, Sunday Game Blogs may get scarce from here on out, as several of the remaining Sundays will be home games, and between my family's season tickets and my friend Nick's insane connections, I might be at them all. I'll try to fill in uring other games, so exect some Monday, Saturday, or Tuesday Game Blogs mixed in there.
Also, expect a whole bunch of moving-related posts this week, including a fun idea I've been toying with lately.
