The Red Sox coughed-up a four-run lead in the 9th inning today and lost to the Blue Jays.
Over at the Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo writes:
Another Jonathan Papelbon meltdown in the bottom of the 9th and another reason to question why on Earth was John Lackey taken out of the game? In the end, Fred Lewis’ bases-loaded sacrifice fly off Daniel Bard won it for the Jays. Tough, tough loss for the Red Sox. To backtrack: Lackey had thrown only 98 pitches and was on his way to a complete game after two subpar performances in a row, but after allowing a solo homer to Jose Bautista to open the 9th, Terry Francona brought in closer Jonathan Papelbon. Lackey didn’t seem fatigued, but on came Papelbon and on came near misery with it. Vernon Wells doubled and scored on Adam Lind’s RBI since to center. After a stolen base, Aaron Hill reached on a linedrive hit off Papelbon putting runners at first and third. He struck out Travis Snider. But Edwin Encarnacion doubled down the third base line. Tie game. Runners at second and third, pinch-hitter Lyle Overbay was walked intentionally to load the bases. Interesting move here, Papelbon yanked for Daniel Bard. Infield in with one out and the bases loaded. Lewis strikes with a sac fly to medium center and with Ellsbury’s below average throwing arm no chance to make a legitimate throw to the plate.
love it. i LOVE it!!!
oh, and speaking of something else i love... in case it got lost in an earlier thread - i really dig the "upcoming schedule" box in the upper left of the sidebar, with starting pitchers, times, tv network. i think this was one of cliff's job to keep up with. is it possible that someone else can take over those duties? would be truly wonderful if so! thanking you : )
speaking of cliff - his first pinstriped bible post (on the cliff lee game) is up at the new site. check it out!
Dang, I wish they'd wait for me to finish work before they do stuff like that. I'll watch some replay action, but it just isn't the same.
Remember when Papelbon was Boston's answer to Mo?
Remember when Nomar was their answer to Jeter?
Remember when Ellsbury was... good?
[2] does anyone remember laughter?!
Awesome!
Although I don't know if I like the symbolism. Is it the Steinbrenners, or Cashman, who's buying the stairway?
Mo can be the piper.
Ah, screw it. RIP John Bonham, long live Jimmy Paige.
Allow me to be the first:
http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2010-08-12&team=Blue%20Jays&dh=0&season=2010
Thank you.
yay - cliff's "latest tweet" is still alive 'n kickin' here at the banter! his Royales series preview is up at pinstriped bible. i read his other post there and will read the preview late nite when i get home from me gig...
GO YANKS!!!
Wow, that's a fangraph you don't see every day. Amazing.
Papelbon has had a more than a few high profile blowups, but his numbers still look pretty good. Having said that, I do think it is somewhat amusing that while Papelbon is rumored to be on his way out of Boston, Mariano is still going strong in New York. I know Papelbon probably thought of himself as the heir apparent, but the truth of the matter is no one will inherit Mo's mantle.
Sox lose?
Papsmear blows it badly?
Oh gee... I feel terrible.
Great way to start the day, Sphincter-mouth blows the save.
Tough news for Thelarmis:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5458167
Chipper Jones may have played his last game in the major leagues after tearing up his left knee while fielding a ground ball.
[11] yeah man, i saw that. really sucks. i'm still holding out hope that both chipper and bobby cox come back next year.
chipper still has 2 years on his contract and prolly doesn't wanna go out this way. bobby has hinted at possibly coming back many a-time now. we'll see...
hopefully there will still be october baseball here in hotlanta!
no po, no gritner, no puma. tims & kearns in vs. the lefty. grandyman, too. tex is back (thankfully!)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Marcus Thames DH
Austin Kearns LF
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C
not expecting immediate results but hopefully Granderson's shiny new swing shows signs of improvement over his rusty old one.
14) ya' beat me to it. Somehow i have images of latter day Mattinfly, who seemed always to be tinkering with his swing and stance. Or maybe he'll come out in a crouch a la Rickey.
[15] heh.. or a 3-act Nomar show.
Whatever it is, here's hoping it works. Some extra-base hits out of him would be very helpful.
[8] Yeah, the most salient statistic might be his blown saves: 6 this year. Not horrible (he's had 35 opportunities), but not what you expect from a wanabe Elite Closer in a big contract year. I figure he's cost himself about $20 Million with his performance in 2010.
Geez, we have four games against the Royals and no Greinke, again. It's too good. I'm worried.
[13] Gritner is always the better choice (over Grandy) against LHP, but this is Joe doing his I-got-confidence-in-you-I-support-you-I'm-a-people-manager thing
TB has a pretty easy next 13 games. 3 against Texas, but also 3 of the Birds, 4 at oakland, 3 at LA...... followed by 3 against the Sox.
Our last 22 games are tough:
3 at baltimore...
3 at Texas
3 at Toronto
6 against the Sox
7 against TB
I say REST EVERYONE until the last 3 weeks!