Back to Baseball: Sox-SatanFish Gamer V

Jon Lester finally gets his wish tonight; the focus will be solely on his performance as it relates to baseball, and not as it relates to what doctors told him about his body 11 months ago. (Of course, if we keep saying how cancer finally won't be the focus for this start, isn't cancer in fact still the focus?)

While we were impressed, and we thought Lester did a fine job, especially given the circumstances, you'll have to forgive us if in the calm light of day, we feel a little like Chad Finn -- three walks and a hit-batsman is a bit too much like last season's Lester for our tastes. If he can't gain command of his pitches, Lester will never fulfill the elite-prospect status he had before his callup, and he may start putting up more starts like he had immediately before his diagnosis -- starts we were willing to give him a pass on, considering we just don' know when the cancer started affecting his ability to pitch.

On the other side, the Devil Rays send up James Shields -- who put up an impressive negative-three game score against the Yankees last time out. That's the fourth-worst game score put up by any starter this season, but lest we get too cocky, two of the other three are Ryan Feierabend (5 IP, 0 ER vs. the Sox) and Jon Garland (4.11 ERA this season).

Random news: Ken Rosenthal says the Sox had a three-way trade in place for Jermaine Dye, but it fell through. Are we really going to bench J.D. Drew five months into a four-year, likely untradeable contract? The idea is that Dye would collect enough at-bats between spelling Drew vs. lefties and giving Manny and Ortiz breathers. I think Wily Mo Pena might have something to say about that idea.

Dustin Pedroia is out with a pain in his side, says he'll be back tomorrow.

Comment away!

Stats since the All-Star break

Boston:

1. SS Julio Lugo -- .344/.375/.475
2. 1B Kevin Youkilis -- .189/.313/.283
3. DH David Ortiz -- .354/.426/.542
4. LF Manny Ramirez -- .421/.500/.807
5. RF J.D. Drew -- .186/.280/.279
6. 3B Mike Lowell -- .333/.387/.439
7. C Jason Varitek -- .194/.286/.306
8. CF Coco Crisp -- .359/.397/.516
9. 2B Alex Cora -- .133/.188/.200

SP Jon Lester -- 1-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 6 K, 6 IP

Tampa Bay:

1. 3B Akinori Iwamura -- .259/.328/.621
2. SS Brendan Harris -- .235/.328/.314
3. CF B.J. Upton -- .431/.524/.667
4. 1B Carlos Pena -- .246/.368/.526
5. RF Delmon Young -- .362/.413/.466
6. DH Ty Wigginton -- .319/.400/.574
7. LF Jonny Gomes -- .189/.205/.216
8. 2B Josh Wilson -- .344/.371/.531
9. C Josh Paul -- no PA (.245/.302/.245 in 1st half)

SP James Shields -- 1-2, 9.37 ERA, 1.96 WHIP, 5 K, 16.1 IP

Comments

[Paul SF]

Just in: Ty Wigginton is out of the lineup because he's been traded to the Astros for Dan Wheeler. I was hoping the Sox could land Wigginton, and I'm not sure why the Rays think getting a guy with a 5+ERA in the NL will shore up their wretched bullpen.

[Paul SF]

Not a good start. Shields Ks the side.

[Hudson]

Like Paul, I've been accidentally posting in the YFs thread. (We were pretty much the only ones there.)

-----

I just wanted to say, after reading about some trade rumors for Texeira: While Tex. is a fearsome hitter, I am very leery of any trade that might mean that Mike Lowell does not finish the year in Boston.

Lowell has been an essential anchor of this lineup, especially during the Manny "slump." I'm not a stathead and can't tell you his "win share," but anecdotal observation says to me that the Sox would not have an 8-game lead in the A.L. East without Mike Lowell's .305 average and 73 RBI.

He's no slouch with the leather, either.

[rootbeerfloat]

Hudson - Couldn't agree more about Lowell. I don't know what his stats are but there is something that makes me say, "Thank You!" when he comes to the plate.

[Hudson]

Lester is through 2 innings with no runs and just 21 pitches. Nice.

[Hudson]

Meanwhile, Baltimore goes up 2-0 on the Yankees, and still batting with 2 runners on in the 2nd inning.

[rootbeerfloat]

Clemens is looking a little shaky over there.

[rootbeerfloat]

Nice hustle by Ortiz - maybe it will rub off on Manny.

[Hudson]

The only way I could fault Lowell is that he could walk a bit more...

I know some will say we have to start planning for the future, and Texeira could be a big part of that. But having come this far toward a serious shot at another Series ring, I think you have to try to win it now.

Some might cite the Nomar trade as the kind of painful deal one has to make at times, but I'd counter that Nomar was dealt to *preserve* the Sox's 2004 chances, not as a move for the future.

[Hudson]

Manny grounds out unproductively to third, keeping Papi at second.

[Hudson]

Drew gets it done! Single makes it 3-0 Sox.

[Hudson]

Lowell keeps it rolling with a single.

Can we play the Rays every game for the rest of the year, please?

[Ayuh - SF]

Check the schedule, Hudson- it almost looks like we DO play the Rays every game!

[SF]

Jermaine Dye? Pass. Big time.

[Ayuh - SF]

Nice play by Manny! But Lester is giving up a TON of flyballs.

[Regular_Brad]

I disagree, SF. Jermaine Dye is a nice player.

[Regular_Brad]

I love the D-Ray pitching staff.

[Hudson]

Papi single gives a little breathing room, 4-2 Sox. More, please.

[Hudson]

Manny sac fly makes it 5-2. I'm breathing easier.

[sf rod]

hey tito, time to wake up.

[Hudson]

Solo shot by Gomes, glad Boston got those two in the top of the seventh... Lester's at 94 pitches with 2 outs, this ought to be it. Another decent outing, assuming he gets #3.

[Hudson]

Ugh, jinxed it. Another solo shot makes it 5-4. I guess you can't have 16 of your 17 outs come from fly balls and not expect that.

[Hudson]

Here comes Tavarez. Aiiiiee, memories of last summer are flooding back... Will it be Good Julian, or The Orc?

[Hudson]

At least Baltimore is still maintaining a two-run lead (3-1) on New York. Bottom of the seventh.

[Anybody else here?]

[sf rod]

um...i put in the wake up call to tito hudson.

[Hudson]

Lester's ERA went from under 3 to over 4 in one inning.

[Hudson]

Good Julian finally gets Iwamura to ground out on the 9th pitch. Phew.

[Regular_Brad]

Yeah, we're all here, Hudson. We're just on the edge of the seat is all.

[rootbeerfloat]

Just got back from my birthday dinner - yikes!! I thought we had it sewn up!

[sf rod]

happy b-day rbf. hopefully the sox will oblige.

[rootbeerfloat]

Well, they made my Mother's Day so I'm hopeful!

[rootbeerfloat]

Johnny Damon is sure doing his part to help my birthday festivities out :).

[Regular_Brad]

holy cow. paps in and I decided to grab a drink with the neighbor, and look what happens. I take full responsibility.

[rootbeerfloat]

Regular_Brad - if you have ruined my birthday, I'm going to be pretty pissed.....

[sf rod]

could be high drama for a-rod in the ninth....on deck with two outs.

[rootbeerfloat]

Has everyone else also stopped breathing?

[rootbeerfloat]

OK, Yanks lost so we at least we can't lose a game in the standings

[sf rod]

i need a drink...........or twelve.

huge strike out for snyder.

[rootbeerfloat]

and a fly out.... still not breathing.... but drinking....

[sf rod]

yes is ripping into damon in thier post game show. showed everyone of his AB's (none of which were good).

[rootbeerfloat]

sf rod - ok, that makes me smile

[rootbeerfloat]

julio!!

[pale blue eyes]

Wow, Papi and Manny unclutch ... It'll end in tears.

[sf rod]

i's can takes nomore.

[rootbeerfloat]

that really sucked

[rootbeerfloat]

how many innings is snyder good for? anyone warming?

Manny hit the ball hard, but got robbed twice, so I wouldn't say he wasn't clutch.

Papi worries me- I can't remember the last big hit he's had.

[sf rod]

when the sox go back to nine up in the divison tonite, will you yf's disappear again? cause at 6 games back, i saw ya'll puttin the pinstripe pride bumper stickers back on the irock z. it's a week later and there's not much talkin at 8 back.

[rootbeerfloat]

I love Mikey!

[Devine]

Cora bats with 'em loaded in the top of the 12th and 1 out.

Just a deep flyball, pleeeeease...

[pale blue eyes]

sf rod, if you last post was directed at me: I am a Sox fan, my remark just came out of frustration at Papi and Manny getting the runner home. I agree, it was a tough out for Manny. And though it might end in tears tonight, I believe will be all right at the end of the regular season and hopefully late in October.
Bases loaded one out ... here's hope!

[Devine]

Force out at home on the grounder...now it's Lugo.

[Devine]

3-1 count...

...ball 4! Go-ahead run on a walk!

[rootbeerfloat]

no on ewarming so we're leaving it up to Snyder no matter what

[pale blue eyes]

And Julio walks. Sox take the lead. Who'll pitch the bottom of the inning?

[Devine]

Pitching change...could really use another walk or hit to help close the door. Chance to build on the lead against the Yankees.

[Devine]

Lopez warming...wonder how Timlin is doing...

[pale blue eyes]

The Devil Rays seem to have an unlimited supply of relief pitchers with atrocious ERAs.

[Devine]

10-6 Boston. HUUUUUGE double by Youkilis!!!

[rootbeerfloat]

ok, breathing

[pale blue eyes]

Youk clears the bases!!! No tears tonight after all, hopefully now ...

[Devine]

Really wanted this one very badly. I only tuned in starting in the bottom of the 10th, but really nice to see Snyder pull it together. Some unlucky breaks earlier (like the Manny line drive to 3rd), but it really looks like they have got it in hand now (*crosses fingers for no big innings in the bottom of the 12th*).

[rootbeerfloat]

Ok, I am going to consider this a personal birthday present....

[Devine]

HA! Manny doubles up the middle! 12-6...strangely the ball hooked very much toward left field in the middle of its flight and got by the center fielder, allowing Papi to score 12th run all the way from 1st.

Drew grounds out on a nice play by the second baseman.

Manny's ball looked like one of my duck-hook drives.

[Devine]

Hey Lopez...just throw strikes.

[Devine]

Drew! Nice running grab.

[Devine]

2nd out on the grounder to 2nd.

[Devine]

Give Snyder player of the game. Red Sox win!

[pale blue eyes]

Up by 9 again!!

Daisuke can go for the sweep tomorrow!

[rootbeerfloat]

yahoooooooo

[Paul SF]

So I'm watching Gone With the Wind with my wife (hey, you gotta watch it sometime, right?), and it's on two discs cuz it's soooooooooo long, so in the middle, I check the Sox score. "Oh, 6-4 in the 8th. Great. Papelbon will come in and it'll be another win for the Sox."

Come back to see the final score is 12-6 ... in 12! Wish I woulda been there to see it. Crazy game, this baseball.

Like Rod, I wonder if the Yankee fans will grace us with their ruminations about which slumping Red Sox have been on steroids now that the Yanks have lost three in a row and three straight games in the standings...

[Regular_Brad]

So I'm watching Gone With the Wind with my wife....

I'm sorry, Paul. I've been there through both discs, and believe me, I'm sorry brother.

[Hudson]

Just checking back in.... How this game got (temporarily) away from the Sox is beyond me; never shoulda happened. But the outcome is happy, and the 9-game lead is a welcome respite from the Yankees edging in closer last week... Make it more than 10 and the A.L. East is nearly mathematically assured. [NO JINX!]

[Hudson]

BTW, Boston's magic number is now 50 (and New York's is 68), with 58 games to go.