12eight

1 - Since I am way too tired for stats, could you whip out some reasons why we shouldn't MAKE TITO APOLOGIZE for not bringing JeremI out of the 'pen in the first place? Was this some kind of science experiment to see how every borderline pitcher in our bullpen would react to pressure? Because it did not go very well.

And no, Andrew, this does nothing to quell my eternal optimism. I am hopeful that this was at least a valuable learning experience for our manager concerning whom he could (or could not) rely on if/when we are playing next Tuesday. Because I am a glass-half-full kind of gal.

Oh, and it seems, despite your complete lack of confidence in our team, you are quite valuable to them in the stands. So why were you not at the game TONIGHT? Clearly you ought to find a way to attend every game we have left.

(And my father? not so valuable. First game he's been to all year, and I AM NOT IMPRESSED.) (Comment this)

2 - I am trying to be optimistic.
I am trying to be optimistic.
I am trying to be optimistic.
I am trying to be optimistic.
I am trying to be optimistic. (Comment this)

3 - "If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?" I guess it depends on the bridge. I'm not going to nitpick on yesterday's games. We're still in a flat footed tie with N.Y. and Cleveland with the White Sox right there. We're at home. It's up to us, and we cannot blame anyone else if we're not playing in October.
I do have to say that Timmy Wakefield is in one of those zones that I haven't seen since he joined the team. (Comment this)

4 - Reb - I agree. There's zero excuse. Myers and Bradford are fine to finish off the 7th there (though again, why Tito has faith in Bradford to pitch to a lefty but not Myers for a righty I simply don't know) but Gonzalez absolutely should have been out in the 7th. I can understand - and support - not bringing Papelbon back out, but Timlin's a vet. He can handle it. Just absolutely inexcusable pen management, exacerbated by our lack of a pen. (Comment this)

5 - Oh, and also, I'm only reasonably lucky this year. I believe I'm now 7-2 at Fenway, which given their home record isn't that good. More importantly, I'm now (after recent games) 4-5 on the road. So, I basically mirror their records. (Comment this)

6 - And for some reason I keep hitting Send every time I finish a thought.

X - I'm not even trying anymore. That way I'll expect badness, and be pleasantly surprised should there develop goodness.

Peter - I agree, this isn't the end of the world. Everything is the same as it was at 4:00 yesterday. But... it's the nature of the loss, coupled with the winnable game, and the fact that we stood the chance to pick up ground on the two teams we need to pick up ground on. Anyone think Baltimore's going to take another game? How about Tampa Bay? I sure as hell don't. Yet, tomorrow we have to face off Ted Lilly, followed by Scott Downs (who shut us down a couple weeks ago) and all of a sudden a split in this series could be devastating. Going into this weekend 1 game down is a very, very bad idea. (Comment this)

7 - Andrew and Reb -- why Gonzalez? The guy has an ERA of over 6; it's been over 7 in August and September. If he had come in for an inning, and given the 1 run that the statistics suggest he should, everyone would be all over Francona for that. (Comment this)

8 - Earl, that's exactly what I was thinking. When did Gonzalez elevate his status to "wish we brought him in." (Comment this)

9 - I was optimistic about last night's game, even down 6-5. It just didn't work out. But I thought Tito managed the pitching horribly. He stuck with Schilling one pitch too long, just as he did with Clement against the A's, and it was obvious to everyone except Grady (I mean Tito). Jeremi Gonzalez should have been in that game at least instead of Hansen, and possibly earlier. Tito is somewhat handcuffed by the fact that there is precious little talent out there :(, but what the hell were *both* Chads doing in a critical game? But in the end, if the Sox weren't going to score another run, they weren't going to win.

I can continue to be optimistic about the season - we are tied for first place, after all, and have the Yankees in our ballpark. But I still think the odds are that we'll go in a game down - it's unreasonable to believe that Baltimore will pull it together again - Chacon goes tonight, and the immortal Aaron Small tomorrow night, with Balmer having Cabrera and Bedard, while we're unlikely to suddenly beat a team twice that we've had trouble with all year, particularly with Lilly on the mound. That would leave us in a position of having to essentially win 3 of 4, with the 4th in Yankee Stadium. If it comes to that, it'll likely be Chacon vs. Arroyo if the rotations hold, so who knows.

I'm rooting for the White Sox to sweep Cleveland this weekend. (Comment this)

10 - Yeah, so... I guess I don't know. I really haven't actually taken a good hard look at his numbers. I just seem to note that whenever I see him come in, he gets the job done. I will note that in appearances where he pitched 2 or fewer innings, his ERA is still not great, but only due primarily to ine outing; in 12 of the 18 appearances he's made with 2 or fewer innings, he's allowed a run in only 6 of them. Not a relief ace, to be sure, but as a short guy I have more faith in him than Bradford or Harville. Fact is, beyond Timlin and Papelbon - and not counting Myers - Gonzalez is the next best guy we have out there. That's how bad our pen is. (Comment this)