June 5, 2009

G55: Rangers 5, Red Sox 1

Rangers - 000 041 000 - 5  8  1
Red Sox - 000 000 010 - 1 7 0
Julio Lugo's inability to field his position and record the third out extended Texas's fifth inning and Ian Kinsler crushed a three-run home run to left.

With two outs, Elvis Andrus's grounder to Lugo's right should have been scooped up for the final out. But the ball trickled under his glove -- he may have been screened by Marlon Byrd breaking for third, but the play was not that difficult -- and into left field. That scored the Rangers' first run. Then Kinsler stepped to the plate.

The Red Sox tried to rally in the eighth. Millwood was sent out after seven innings and 105 pitches. His fatigue was obvious. He fell behind Jason Bay 3-1 before Bay reached on an infield error. He walked Mike Lowell on four pitches. David Ortiz lined a single to right, scoring Bay and ending Millwood's night.

Eddie Guardado came in with the potential tying run on deck -- and slammed shut the door. He struck out Jason Varitek, got Jacoby Ellsbury to fly to left and retired pinch-hitter Rocco Baldelli on a fielder's choice.

***

Kevin Millwood (3.23, 142 ERA+) / Brad Penny (5.63, 86 ERA+)

Back at Fenway Park for two three-game series, against the Rangers and Yankees. After that -- 15 interleague games. One big question: How much time will David Ortiz get at first base?

The Red Sox finished their 6-4 road trip on a strong note. In the last run through the rotation (five games), the starters had a 2.01 ERA.

After an 8.66 ERA in April, Penny has pitched extremely well, for a fifth starter. He had an ERA of 4.17 in six May starts, tossing 36.2 innings and allowing 46 hits but only six walks, while striking out 27. Those hits gave opponents a .305 average against him, but he limited them to a .333 OBP.

Millwood had a good April, but slumped in May: 4.28 in six starts and an opponents line of .280/.354/.490.

Also at 7: Tampa Bay at New York (Price/Sabathia) and Royals at Blue Jays (Greinke/Romero).

327 comments:

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laura k said...

Definitely a thread you missed, Amy.

laura k said...

201 = me

Amy said...

10 am to 6 pm isn't too bad, but does that mean there is an Alaskan zone where the sun rises at 1 pm and sets at 9 pm, or rises at 7 am and sets and 3?

Geography---not my strong suit.

allan said...

My lame musical reference will be understood (maybe) only by the old farts.

laura k said...

Alaska has to be easier tho, because it's so sparsely populated. Plus you have the very short or very long days much of the year. None of that would apply to China, I think.

Amy said...

What musical reference, Allan? This old fart missed it.

laura k said...

OUT!!!!

Amy said...

Hahaha. That'll teach ya.

NOW SCORE RUNS. It's getting late early out there.

laura k said...

Amy, I don't that really applies. May-August in Alaska the sun never really sets. And all winter it never really rises.

Rob said...

Amy, the far eastern part of the state is where it should be. Especially in relation to here in the eastern part of the eastern timezone. You'd think if you wanted the whole state in one zone you'd put the 0, balanced area where noon is noon, in the center of the state. Or at least over Anchorage. But Anchorage is about an hour west. Add another hour for daylight savings!

laura k said...

We were there in July, reading outside by sunlight at midnight. It's amazing how your body rhythms change. It would be 10 p.m. and we'd realize we hadn't eaten dinner. And I'm usually hungry by 5!

Amy said...

I had this suspicion that what I said wasn't right. I know that I would not do well any place with no or little daylight.

I am SO happy that the sun is now out til 8 pm and comes back by 6 am.

Rob said...

Anchorage today, south-central part of the state... Sunrise 4:23 AM, Sunset 11:33 PM

laura k said...

Wow Ish, I don't understand that at all.

RUNS PLEASE!!!!!!

Amy said...

Laura, glad you too were confused by Ish's comment.

A runner on base. Crowd cheering for Papi.

laura k said...

But even though it says "sunset 11:32", it won't get dark this time of year. It will only look like twilight in the middle of the night.

OK Papi, how about it? Please?

allan said...

it's dong time.

Rob said...

Put it this way, though. When DST begins in western AK, they get 12 hours of daylight just like here. But the sun rises at 9 AM and sets at 9 PM. Go figure that one.


But it does work better when it's sparsely populated than say, China.

Imagine if all of the US was on Washington time.

allan said...

fucking pop up shit

Amy said...

So Ish, when did the sun set/rise in Juneau?

Amy said...

OK, Tek, that's better.

laura k said...

Tekouble! Too bad Lowell can't run, we'd have a run in.

laura k said...

"pitch count, rising"

/shatner

allan said...

pitch count .... rising ....

Rob said...

Amy, basically western AK, the sun is at its highest each day around 3 PM. Not 12:30 or so like here.

And yes, it never really gets totally dark in the summer but in the winter it's still pitch black at 9 AM but still twilight around 5.

Amy said...

I would take a 9 am sunrise to get a 9 pm sunset.

allan said...

pesky pole dong = 5-3.

make it so

Rob said...

Amy, Juneau gets about a half hour to an hour less sunlight than Anchorage this time of year. It's like how there's less daylight in Florida than there is here in the summer.

Anyways. Anchorage 4:23/11:23... Juneau 3:52/10:01

laura k said...

And winter is very, very long. The window of spring/summer is tiny.

I loved Alaska. One of our great trips.

Rob said...

Toronto gets a 9 PM sunset...

Rob said...

Amy, you go into New Brunswick, just over the border from Maine and you get 9:30pm sunset. It's very strange. Look around and it's sunny out but 9 PM.

Amy said...

Thanks, Ish, that is interesting. If the US were all on Eastern time, Andy would be waking up in the dark at 8 am (assuming 6 am sunrise on the East Coast) and it would still be light at 11 pm (assuming an 8 pm sunset on the west coast).

So West Coast games that started at 7 pm would be played almost all in daylight. Sounds good. Let's do it.

Amy said...

That should have said an 8 pm sunset on the EAST coast.

Oy, I am starting to get that deer in the headlights feeling.

Rob said...

Amy, I'm sure they'd adjust their times though. I wonder in places that have wonky sunrise and sunset times, how they schedule things.

I wonder if they'd just start the ballgames at 10 anyways. Maybe 8 or 9.

Seattle's sunrise would be almost 11 AM in the winter!



...Back to Alaska... Each year on the summer solstice there is a baseball game that gets played - independent league - it starts at 10pm or 10:30 and is played with no artificial lighting.

Amy said...

Well, you've got the east-west time stuff and also the north-south time stuff. Just enough to make me dizzy.

Rob said...

Fairbanks, this baseball game happens.

laura k said...

Midnight baseball on solstice, June 21. The whole state has games everywhere that begin at midnight. Great tradition!

Rob said...

This website has a sunrise-sunset link on the side which tells you the sunrise/sunset info for today (and each day)... You drag the little center marker on the map over a city and it'll tell you what the sun info is. It's interesting to go up and down and left and right and see how it changes.

Rob said...

Check this out! Bill Lee either playing or coaching in the solstice game!

allan said...

i think i am back now.

commence rally.

laura k said...

A run or two would be a novel event.

Amy said...

Very cool website, Ish!

laura k said...

Chart a course for a win, Mr Chekov.

laura k said...

Sit down Lugo you are worthless

laura k said...

It's just getting dark here right now.

Amy said...

I am envious, Laura. It got dark here an hour ago.

DREW! Too bad we have two outs.

Amy said...

Our sunrise and sunset are each about half hour earlier than Mississauga.

laura k said...

You could move to Detroit, they have about an hour more daylight thatn we do.

allan said...

it would behoove don in the off-season to read up on the research done on pitchers' injuries and pitch counts. he is already several years behind the curve.

i was hoping eck might mention young pitchers whose careers were destroyed by that macho mentality, but he did not.

using ryan as an example is sheer insanity. it's like saying every player should get only 20 minutes of sleep a night and just flat-out booze, eat and whore all night because it worked for babe ruth.

Amy said...

Detroit is hardly where people will be flocking to these days, sun or no sun.

allan said...

how do you lead the league in "bullpen"?

laura k said...

Earlier tonight Eck said Ryan was unique, "almost a freak". I was thinking of your rant on that when he said it.

He has mentioned ruined arms, too.

One thing not to look for from Eck is consistency. He seems to say whatever comes to mind. Best to not listen too closely, I think.

laura k said...

"Detroit is hardly where people will be flocking to these days, sun or no sun."

Indeed.

allan said...

keep your heart open
'cause love will find a way

laura k said...

MDC OTT

Amy said...

All the Nolan Ryan talk makes me nostalgic for my Mets fan days. He was just unbelievable as a young pitcher. Too often wild, but boy, when he threw on target, it was unhittable.

laura k said...

only time will tell
if we stand the test of time

laura k said...

bad lyrics night here at jos

Amy said...

Better than bad haikus.

laura k said...

R
U
N
S

P
L
E
A
S
E

Amy said...

Five runs in this inning, please.

laura k said...

I was glad I missed haiku night. :)

laura k said...

rally has begun

Amy said...

There's the break that turns the tide.

allan said...

What I Want

runs runs runs runs runs
runs runs runs runs runs runs runs
runs runs runs runs runs

Amy said...

Speaking of bad haikus...

laura k said...

Sure, keep Millwood in all night.

allan said...

gotta nail him here tiz

Amy said...

OK, two on, none out. PAPI, DO IT.

Amy said...

A walk is as good as a hit, Papi. Don't swing at shit.

laura k said...

Oh Papi...

Amy said...

PAPI!!!

laura k said...

YES!!!!!

Amy said...

OK, so a hit IS better than a walk.

Amy said...

Only four more runs to go. And the tying run is on deck.

Amy said...

Tek, make my night.

laura k said...

I have a good feeling about this.

allan said...

baldy PH for lugo?

Amy said...

Patience, Captain.

laura k said...

PLEASE ph for lugo!

Amy said...

Shit.

laura k said...

variteKK

Amy said...

Uh oh, Eck lipreading again.

DO teasing him about it.

Amy said...

Looks like no Lugo. Phew.

allan said...

rico --- good call, tito!

laura k said...

boo 2 outs

Amy said...

Rock it, Rocco.

Zenslinger said...

I come back from yoga, optimistic. Then I see this shitty score...then, hope stirs.

And we do get a PH.

Amy said...

Oh, man, that sucks.

laura k said...

pfft

Zenslinger said...

Fuck.

allan said...

shoulda ph for lugo in the 2nd inning.

Amy said...

Should have never put Lugo in. Ever.

Amy said...

Four runs, starting at the top of the batting order? We can do that, no?

allan said...

not out of the realm of possibility!

laura k said...

OK, back to feeling good again. I wasn't, but if you two are being optimistic, I'm game.

Amy said...

Why not? May as well be hopeful.

Leadoff man on!

laura k said...

that's a start!

Amy said...

Defensive indifference. Dumb.

laura k said...

Oh yeah, I'm always hopeful. Just sometimes I believe it more than others.

Amy said...

Good at bat.

Amy said...

B2B BB

laura k said...

b2b bb!

allan said...

the keen eye of fire

laura k said...

how funny, amy and I posted that the same way

laura k said...

yook not enamoured of the call

Amy said...

Either great minds think alike, or too much time on game threads...?

One out. :(

laura k said...

might as well go with the great minds if it's an option

laura k said...

come on, nothing like a two-out rally.

Amy said...

Well, one more shot here. Hopefulness fading fast, but at least we didn't lie down and die in the ninth.

laura k said...

pitcher looked very silly!

allan said...

drew padding his SB stats

laura k said...

bah

sparkling clean water

see you all tomorrow, work permitting

Amy said...

Oh, well, clean water. Another chance to beat them tomorrow.

Good night to whoever else is left here. It seemed to get quiet after the 5-0 deficit.

But I am glad I got to see the whole game for a change.

allan said...

Night all.

Rob said...

I had a late night haircut. I hate getting my hair cut.

Anyways, I won't be around tomorrow. Heading out to western MA (West Springfield) then Brattleboro, Vermont and perhaps other places. Can't wait! Might be home for the latter part of the game.

SoSock said...

Bad night.
Judging by the thread Lugo STILL sux.
Curious about the umpire comment, 'cause I definitely fit the old fart motif, just didn't find the 1st part of it, or the umpire's name, or whatever prompted it.
Anyway - dodged a bullet here today. The creek next to our field got out of it's banks and the water was running flush with the parking lot and started pouring into the rt-field corner of 1 of the fields. Fortunately it crested just before getting up to the infield level and subsided, leaving a huge mess, but not the kind of damage we get when it invades the whole complex. When it does we are toast for about a week and a half and have to bust our asses just to get back in business at all.

Unknown said...

Who was doing the color commentary on tonight's NESN broadcast of Texas vs the Sox? Was expecting hear Remy but for some reason there was a guest doing the color duties? What gives?

allan said...

That was Dennis Eckersley.

Remy has not done a game since late April. Back on May 6, Remy announced that he has been recovering from cancer surgery and will be out an indefinite amount of time.

So Eck has filled in. As has Dave Roberts, Buck Martinez, Ron Coomer, various Boston sports scribes and maybe someone else I have forgotten.

laura k said...

"Who was doing the color commentary on tonight's NESN broadcast of Texas vs the Sox? Was expecting hear Remy but for some reason there was a guest doing the color duties? What gives?"

I would ask if you've been out of the country for two months, but with the internet, even that's no excuse.

Maybe you usually listen to games on the radio? And when Castiglione and O'B talk about Remy, you are off getting a beer?

Unknown said...

Thanks redsock. Eck sounded pretty good to me like he might be doing an admirable job filling in for Remy. Sorry to hear about Jerry's illness but glad to hear he's recovering. Hope he's feeling better soon.

Unknown said...

another question for y'all in Red Sox Nation, especially L-girl since she made refernce to them but who are Castiglone and Castiglione and O'B?

allan said...

In case this

Maybe you usually listen to games on the radio? And when Castiglione and O'B talk about Remy ...?

wasn't clear enough:

click.

laura k said...

"another question for y'all in Red Sox Nation, especially L-girl since she made refernce to them but who are Castiglone and Castiglione and O'B?"

John, do you follow a different baseball team?

I'm curious what brought you to this blog.

allan said...

Castig has been the radio voice of the Red Sox for 26 years. But it's not like anyone who has an interest in listening to the Red Sox would have heard of him. ...

[cough]mags[/cough]

laura k said...

Are magnolias in bloom this time of year? Anybody know?

laura k said...

Damn, Allan beat me to it. :)

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