03 August 2010

Game 107: Mike Lowell goes Bridge!

I don't know if I'd call it an emergency call up, but our embattled, beloved, beleaguered 2007 WS MVP has returned. The news that Youkilis is going to the DL just arrived, and surprised fans who read yesterday's thumb injury didn't look too bad. So Mikey Lowell it is -- starting at first base.

It appears Carlos Santana's knee injury isn't as bad as it looked yesterday when he blocked the plate, tagged Kalish out, and his knee bent back the wrong way. In what ended up being a one-run game, the young man really took one for the team. Here's hoping his career won't be significantly affected.

Is it too much to ask for an easy win against a not-so-hot pitcher, against a poor team, at home? We're going to play 56 more games regardless, so let's begin with a win.

RED SOX (60-46)
Scutaro SS
McDonald CF
Martinez C
Ortiz DH
Beltre 3B
Lowell 1B
Lowrie 2B
Hall LF
Kalish RF

Pitching: RHP Josh Beckett (2-1, 6.33)

INDIANS (45-61)
Crowe CF
Cabrera SS
Choo RF
Duncan LF
Brown DH
LaPorta 1B
Valbuena 2B
Nix 3B
Marson C

Pitching: LHP David Huff (2-9, 6.04)

104 comments:

Zenslinger said...

And no more getting thrown out at the plate today. Not too much to ask, I don't think.

tim said...

Gulp.

So this just went from bad to worse.

Hopefully the dr. can leg out the grounders to CF. Or just keep smoking em out of the park like he did in Pawtucket.

meunier said...

Should V-Mart see time at 1B?

meunier said...

/I spent the last week in Boston after a wedding in the family.

Zenslinger said...

Should V-Mart see time at 1B?

Well, sure, if it didn't mean Cash spending any time with a bat in his hands.

Rob said...

Know what would be awesome? If the Red Sox didn't have to come back to win tonight.

Zenslinger said...

Bad to worse? Yeah. Certainly our team could do something amazing, but when you have this many injuries, it's tough. As I've said before, I refuse to go the Yankee-fan route and throw myself into the gutter just because my team might not make the playoffs. Every team is bound to miss the postseason now and again.

And I should clarify that I don't really blame Yankee fans for that behavior. It's been encouraged by the Steinbrenner approach, I suppose, but is really just a manifestation of human nature. When something good happens to a person, the brain speculates that there's no reason it shouldn't happen again and again, however much this might clash with reality. There are Sox fans starting to act a bit like this with all our success lately. I can't say I'm exempt from the tendency, but I'm trying to fight it a bit.

Maybe this is just a fancy way of saying, "Fuck those fair weather fans."

meunier said...

What is wrong with Drew THIS TIME ? And is LBJ really being a prima donna?

meunier said...

McD hit Nixed.

Zenslinger said...

Dunno about Drew. As for Ellsbury, he'd better not be, or he'll have Laura to answer to.

Kathryn said...

Nice applause for Mikey

Kathryn said...

And he delivers. Amazing!!!!!!!

Zenslinger said...

Holy crap. Did that happen?

tim said...

delayed THE DOCTOR IS IN!!!!!!!!!!!

meunier said...

That was an "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED" moment.

Kathryn said...

Where are my comments?

Kathryn said...

Never mind, it's working. Sorry.

Kathryn said...

I agree with your assessment Zens. Youk's DL is likely too much to overcome at this point. But, still, we will watch. We will root on our Sox and know that they will give their best.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out as the season progresses? How much will LBJ play? Will they decide to rest him and let him heal all the way? Will there be a rush for Pedey to come back? What prospects will get a look?

tim said...

Going back to discussion earlier, I was definitely pissed when I saw lineup 1 with V-mart at 1B and Cash catching (and unfortunately, batting)

I was happy to see lowell activated and starting, but upset at the yook thumb. I have to think his season is done, with talk that a 2nd opinion is needed and if he kept playing it could be "career ending"

Fucking lou nobody with a spiders dong. >:(

meunier said...

ugh lucky homer

SoSock said...

Well, sunovabitch.

Kathryn said...

I had to go back and watch the doctor's home run again. Francona actually looked giddy! Great reactions by everyone.

Zenslinger said...

I don't think we'll see white-flag behavior you refer to, Mrs., unless things really go south the next couple of weeks. They'll keep up pride and appearances.

But it's a good point about LBJ. They say he's not ready to play because he still feels it in his ribs. If it hurts in Pawtucket, it's going to hurt in the MLB. If he aint' ready, he aint.

Zenslinger said...

Tell me Beckett did not just injure Choo.

tim said...

I refuse to give up on this (or any) season, but it does look bleak. Seems like once they get someone back, another guy goes down.

I don't see why LBJ isn't up right now, he's killing it in Pawtucket and able to play full games. Apparently he climbed the wall to try and take away a homer the other day too, so he seems to be feeling OK physically.

I'd rather see him get a couple major league games under his belt at home vs. the AAA spiders here and get the jitters/kinks out, as opposed to being activated for this weekend and coming back for a heated series in the bronx.

After this series, sox go out for 10 games to MFY, Toronto and Texas, then have an off day. Hopefully Pedey will be back by then, and Yook if the 15 days is all he needs. By that point, the AL East/wildcard picture and our chances should be much more clearer.

Spiders announcers blatantly cheering Choo for that SB there. Mute time.

Kathryn said...

I don't think we'll see true white-flag behaviors. But, I do think they may be more conservative and less likely to push players out there if not sure about their health.

SoSock said...

GDGD shows the first pitch of that at bat right in Duncan's ear

tim said...

As bad as the injuries have been, I read a telling statistic today.

Boston is 7 back effectively, NY and TB are both 21-7 or so vs. the 4 worst teams in the league (BAL, SEA, CLE, KC) - Sox are only 14-14.

There's your 7 back. Blame injuries all you want, but subs or no subs, they should be beating the piss out of those 4 teams.

Rob said...

Mike Lowell could be the Kirk Gibson of our generation.

Kathryn said...

Tim, I don't think anyone here is giving up. Hence the mantra, "Still, We Sit."

But, you have to wonder where the fire power is going to come from.

tim said...

Papi?

Theo should make a blockbuster deal for Manny :P

Kathryn said...

There's your 7 back. Blame injuries all you want, but subs or no subs, they should be beating the piss out of those 4 teams.

Absolutely, that plus a shitty April.

SoSock said...

It's really hard to believe, after what this team has had to deal with already, that now Youk is on the DL. I've been holding on to my seat on the bus, refusing to give in to the notion that we can't win this division, never mind the wild card. But with Youk out now, if we can't get somebody back in the saddle soon, particularily LBJ, Petey, and/or Cameron, it's going to take some miracle work out of some of our utility type guys. Not that they can't do it, but the odds are diminishing with each day we don't get good news from the training room. I may have to resign myself to the wild card spot after all. :)

Rob said...

I'd rather a season be unsuccessful because of injuries than because of a mediocre team. In this division, of course, even a good team isn't going to make the playoffs. They have to be better than good.

SoSock said...

bleh - squander.

Can someone explain this please - "David Ortiz singles on a soft ground ball to pitcher"

wtf? squibbler down the line?

Rob said...

Yup. Just squibbed it up the third base line and then it hit third base and of course nobody was there.

SoSock said...

Ha! I love it when the shift backfires.
BTW Ish, has anyone ever figured out why some of us can't see your avatar?

Rob said...

I think I removed it at some point and I've been too lazy to replace it. Oops. I'll get on that... eventually.

Kathryn said...

HALL!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob said...

The man can hit a dong.

meunier said...

HALL PASS!!

SoSock said...

I was just getting ready to write Hall Pass, but someone beat me to it.

Great minds....etc, etc

Zenslinger said...

The man can hit a dong.

Isn't that what the porn director said about the new protege?

Zenslinger said...

Did I drive everyone off with that last one?

SoSock said...

Actually, zen, I had to take a time out to deal with a 7-yr old's pokeman obsession. He had to show me his newest acquisitions

Zenslinger said...

That sounds cool.

Zenslinger said...

Yanks are down 4-2, and Minnesota now tied it with TB, 3-3.

Zenslinger said...

Make that 5-2 Toronto.

SoSock said...

The kid lives and breathes that stuff. I just wish we could find a sport/physical activity that he wuld be as excited about

SoSock said...

Wasn't Minn down in that game before? Seems like I peeked a while ago and TB was up

Zenslinger said...

It had been 3-1. Now Yanks are down 6-2.

SoSock said...

Don't look now but Beckett is having a Beckett-like game.
7IP, 3H, 7K, 0BB.

Only 2 baserunners other than the one HR

Of course, it IS the Spiders. But still......

Zenslinger said...

No joke. Near perfect in 7 IP.

Kathryn said...

I'm still here. Just got off a marathon phone call with my daughter. I can watch while I'm on the phone, but threading is a bit hard.

Zenslinger said...

Same can't be said of Minnesota pitching. 6-3 Rays now. Bah.

Wouldn't kill the Yanks to fall out of first place, though.

Kathryn said...

Pokemon. It's funny how that has made a comeback. It was all the rage when my 17 year old was young. And now, my 10-year old nephew (who has autism) is all over it. It can become obsessive, though.

Kathryn said...

Ha, maybe no more obsessive than baseball and JoS!!

Zenslinger said...

TOR 8 - NYY 2.

Heh heh.

Kathryn said...

Dear MFY,

Keep on losing.

Thanks!

Zenslinger said...

Assuming TB goes ahead of them, we can root for TB to beat them when they play each other without qualms. What a relief!

Zenslinger said...

Josh is just mowing them down.

Rob said...

SHENANIGANS.

SoSock said...

CG chance for Beckett?
About 103 pitches or so, but he's sat down the last 14 batters.
I'm bringing him back out.

Kathryn said...

I have never understood this throwing at others stuff.

Beckett is hot. And maybe I like Lackey a little better now. He went out to immediately protect Beckett.

Pedey walks by saying, "Fuck."

tim said...

CLE announcers UNBELIEVABLE.

OK I didn't mute...fucking assholes!!!!!

"Josh beckett is definitely the primary instigator in all this - him and kevin youkilis...look at shelley duncan! saying 'you want a piece? come and get it!' atta boy, shelley!"

Kathryn said...

Ha, Don & Remy saying that Beltre would be the last player they'd throw at. "Yea, the human destroyer."

tim said...

Beltre apparently an "automatic" ejection.

Rob said...

That was my favorite Terry Francona moment ever. That surpasses the commercial with all the wigs.

SoSock said...

"On-Field Delay?"

tim said...

Cleveland announcers disgusted at the fact that jensen lewis is gone.

"Sure, lets bring out a new pitcher and give him 20 minutes to get loose!"

tim said...

Dammit mrs.

I'm missing NESN now :(

CLE announcers still absolutely sure that Beltre is gone.

Rob said...

Pitch went behind Beltre's back, Beltre barked out at Jensen Lewis (pitcher), started walking toward him, then both benches emptied... Mostly discussion, then Beckett got very angry and had to be restrained...

Rob said...

Then Terry Francona and Manny Acta (along with their third base coach) got into it and Francona had to be restrained by the umpires - he was RIPSHIT.

SoSock said...

I think I understand - GDGD shows the 1st pitch to Beltre BEHIND him. Guess it hit him?

Kathryn said...

Oh sorry SoSock.

Lewis hit Beltre (clearly on purpose), after throwing behind Papi and Beltre earlier. Anyway, Beltre started walking toward the mound and was restrained by the ump. Both dugouts casually walk out until Beckett enters the mix and is quite emphatic. Tempers flare a little and then calm down some. Spiders' 3rd base coach starts jawing with Farrell and Francona goes off at him. Had to be restrained.

Word is Lewi

Rob said...

Okay it was Steve Smith (3B coach) jawing at John Farrell, then Francona got into it with him and had to be restrained. Acta didn't have anything to do with that.

tim said...

Also, shelley duncan looked like a gary busey clone there.

SoSock said...

Damn, hate I missed all THAT

Rob said...

Adrian Beltre is now taking aim at the Cleveland dugout. HA!

tim said...

Beltre wants to crank one here. Clearly.

tim said...

LOL

"There's action in the boston bullpen - SO MAYBE BECKETT WAS EJECTED!"

Other announcer: "Nah, he wasn't ejected" (in a 'you idiot' tone)

Kathryn said...

Don saying that it appears that Beckett was also ejected (but he wasn't coming back out). Steve Smith was ejected.

tim said...

Apparently beckett is gone.

"I told ya" says CLE announcer.

Kathryn said...

Tim, why are the announcers on Youk? What did he do?

Don: Josh Beckett was officially ejected.

meunier said...

Beckett WAS given the heave also.

tim said...

"It hurts, especially with Jacoby coming back, hopefully, the next day or two," Epstein said. "That's nothing new with this group this year."

There's the timeline on LBJ.

Zenslinger said...

Sorry about the comment delay. Came to the Bar, laptop pooped itself for no reason I can understand.

K for Papelbon!

Kathryn said...

One. Two.

tim said...

SoSock, you gotta at least get the mlb audio feed!

It's like 14 bucks or something for the entire year. Way better than GDGD

tim said...

Apparently yook was in the middle of the 'fracas' as they called it, because the camera was on him for 1 second as he was yelling (along with the rest of both teams)

SoSock said...

Well now. GDGD psted in the middle o the bottom of the 8th that Bekett was ejected.
And that would be because......?

Maybe because he came out of the dugout?
But didn't everybody?

Kathryn said...

Three.

Dirty>>Clean

Watch out Yankees.

tim said...

CLEAN SAVE = DIRTY WATER

Thank you for that sweet sweet OTT 9th, pap!!!!!

And we pick up a game on the wild-card leading mfy!

"Last 17 cleveland batters retired" - WELL DONE FUCK TRAIN AND PAP!

Zenslinger said...

Now that's some dirty dirty water if you know what I mean.

Do you think Beltre really tried to foul that ball into their dugout? Kind of seemed like it!

Amy said...

Dirty water! And Papelbon did NOT blow a save! Hallelujah!

SoSock said...

OTT for Bot!
Water is sucia

tim said...

AMY!!!!! lol, definitely just thought of you when i was typing that pap comment.

hope you enjoyed that sucker :)

SoSock said...

Now there's a good sign. Amy tips her hat to Papelbon :)

Amy said...

Hey, Tim! Yeah, I got home in time for the bottom of the 8th, top of the 9th. Missed the whole fracas, except heard it on the radio while driving home.

Maybe this can be like the Tek-Arod fight and get everyone revved up again?

Good night, all!

SoSock said...

Tying run at the plate in FLA, but it's last chance time. 2 outs in the 9th

Zenslinger said...

Mets win. Philly must be close to the Braves now. Bah.

SoSock said...

Twinkees making it interesting. 6 - 4 now. Tying run at 1st

Zenslinger said...

Nope. Tampa up by one.

SoSock said...

Oh well, not to be.......
So we gain 1 on the Yanks, stay 6 gb the Evil Rays