Lesterific - Dominates in Fenway South

(Mike Ricigliano / Special to The Baltimore Sun / June 29, 2009)

ESPN 540's Steve THE HOMER True suggested at the end of his program yesterday that Jeff Suppan is such a finesse pitcher that the Brewers should adjust his starts to coincide with Umpires who have a more liberal interpretation of the Strike Zone.

In a related move the Red Sox are trying to figure out how to adjust their schedule so Jon Lester can get 20 starts against the O's. The one recent constant in baseball has been if Jon Lester is taking the hill against the Baltimore Orioles, the Red Sox are going to win.

Lester scattered five hits through seven shutout innings, featured his 96-mph fastball and an un-hittable curve. Did I mention he didn't walk anyone, while striking out 8. The win took him to 8-0 lifetime with a 2.18 ERA in 10 starts against the O's.

That just about raps it up for today. However there is this site called Camden Chat with a with Mourning O's fan's which is fairly funny to read.

Smoltz - Lowell - & The Birds

In tribute to Meatloaf (the artist not the food) the Red Sox after taking another 2 out of 3 (Ain't Bad) from a National League Opponent, blow back into the DC / Baltimore area for the 2nd time in a week, for a 3 game match up against the Birds and a boost to the local economy. Simple fact is for many Red Sox fans the only realistic way to not spend a small fortune and to get a good up close look at the team is to see them play on the road.

John Smoltz took a loss in his first game back last week against the Nationals.

Numbers wise - Not so Great

Reality - Pretty dam good.

How can both of these be true - well he allowed 4 runs in the first inning - not good - but during that same inning he also featured almost a 85%-90% offering of breaking balls - quite strange for a fastball pitcher. Whether this was the age old strategy of not showing everything in the first pass - I don't know - but that was the game plan it seems, and they stuck to it. Of course the one good thing with having all 9 men go to the plate in the first would be that you got the first pass over pretty quickly if not painlessly. Then he seemed to settle down - a lot. Although Smoltz allowed five runs in five innings, he retired his last eight batters and struck out the side in the fifth, and hit 94 MPH a couple of time in the process.

Were he playing on the Milwaukee Brewers or any other team in the AAAA Baseball division known as the National League Central - fans would be ecstatic.

Alas this is not he NL Central but the AL East - basically the difference between T ball and NCAA Div 1 baseball. So no one is penciling him in for postseason starts as of yet.

Back to my original Point - His numbers were terrible - but you take out the first inning and his numbers were great. He got stronger as the game went on - which given all else he had been through and his pedigree are all real pluses going forward. In any event one outing does not make a comeback - but so far so good - and remember - he is taking Daisuke's place in the rotation so its not like we actually lost anything.

.

Mike Lowell - we are told is having a "Miracle" Shot today which will coat the joint of his surgically repaired hip. Apparently the procedure either is an absolute success or does nothing, it all depends on the individual and how they react to it. Apart from the procedure we are being told that the pain Mikey L is experiencing is a "Normal Part" of the recovery process and not a setback.

I would really like to believe that, but I don't.

Mostly because of the body language of Lowell and Francona as theyexplained the procedure, and the "Normal Part" of the "This is Not A Set Back".

There words said one thing their face said another.

You know kind of like when the company you work for is bought out by another - and they give you the - "Oh, hey its business as usual don't worry nothing is going to change speech"

When they really mean to say - "Nothing is going to change until we figure out exactly what each one of you guys do, how you do it, and how when we shit can all of you, we can cover our bases!"

However we were assured that although he has pain - he is not doing damage to his body by playing. Maybe we can get a consult with Micheal Jackson's doctors on the pain issue? (Too Soon?, Too Bad - get it Bad - MJ-heh)

Which takes us to the Birds or in this case specifically the Orioles - well lets see they are 6-4 over there last 10 - and basically they SUCK. But they are a little weird in a "Don't take them for Granted" sort of way .. .... They go in the other weekend and Sweep the Phillies - who are a very good team although a bit banged up - then they get swept by the Fish in Miami- then take 2 out of 3 from the Nationals over the weekend. So who the heck knows - it should be a 3 game sweep for the Sox but once you start to actually think that way is when you start to loose. As Ted H once said - "When you are Green You Grow, and When you are Ripe you Rot!"

Storied Franchise teams up with Storied Pitcher

(Detroit MI 1985)
When I was 17 years old, my father told me about how the son of one of his High School friends had been drafted by our local team - The Detroit Tigers. Pretty sure I said something like - that's great and shortly forgot about it. That kid it turned out was John Smoltz, and my father and his were members of the high school band together.

(Washington DC 2009) In without a doubt what has turned into the most anticipated debut of a pitcher this season, John Smoltz will take the mound tonight for the Boston Red Sox as they go for the sweep against the Nationals. Storied Franchise teams up with Storied Pitcher. When the Sox signed the then 41 year old over the off-season it was with the expectation that he would contribute later in the season - but at the same time they felt that if he had to, he could have been ready in April, although that was not ideal.

One only needs to look at our Prized $100 Million signing in 2007 - Daisuke - to realize the problem one can endure if they -
- do too much too soon
- always try to paint the corner
- don't listen to their pitching coach
- don't adjust to the American game.... ahem - I digress sorry.

Already a lock for the Hall of Fame - when he takes the mound tonight Smoltz will be only the eighth player to spend 20 consecutive seasons with one team, then switch to another, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The others are Hank Aaron, Phil Cavarretta, Ty Cobb, Harmon Killebrew, Willie Mays, Phil Niekro and Warren Spahn. All but Cavarretta are Hall of Famers, and he probably should be - ahem -veterans committee?

As any wise investor knows - past performance is no guarantee of future returns, but there is more than a modesty of hope that he will not only perform - but he will be much much better than average, with the chance of being outstanding. In any case it is historic - all the reason for you to watch. I know I will be paying a lot more attention tonight than I was in 1985.

Red Sox 11- Nationals 3 - Ya*kees Jeter Improving.

In their first regular season visit since 1971 the Boston Red Sox's welcomed themselves back to DC with an 11-3 victory against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night. Jason Bay reminded us why Theo is a Genius by collecting 4 hits, including his 19th homer and a two-run single that helped break open the game in the eighth inning.

A close game most of the way - until former Red Sox Journeyman pitcher - and resident Psychopath Julian Tavarez gave up the lead on a fly ball by Jason Varatek in the seventh inning. Manny Delcarmen (2-1) got the win in relief for the Red Sox, who have won 14 of 19 in June.

Apparently the Red Sox Travel well - according to A.P.-------The game was Red Sox Nation meets NatsTown, and the two nicknames proved to be accurate descriptions of the relative sizes of the fan bases. Chants of "Let's go, Red Sox!" echoed throughout the evening from the crowd of 41,517, the largest yet for a 14-month-old Nationals Park that usually has more seats empty than filled. Boston's three-game visit is expected to be the only series that sells out this year, and the throng that arrived early to watch batting practice was larger than some that have stuck around for the ends of rain-delayed games this season.

In other news of Note DJ - you know him Short Stop for the Ya*kees. He didn't hit into a game ending double play in the 9th. This time he just hit a line Drive out - Guy on first at the time almost was doubled up - but he wasn't and that my friends is Improvement.

F.D.A Warning Issued on Egg Roll # 1.

The FDA (Frigging Daisuke Association) has removed Egg Roll#1 for the menu indefinitely. In the meantime you can find him on the Disabled List.

(AND THERE WAS MUCH REJOICING!)

Can a Gueilo get an Amen? or a Bonsai! for that matter?

Expect complaints from truly disabled people and disabled advocacy groups as they will find it an insult to them being compared to this guy.

When talking about the issues and challenges facing Daisuke going forward Manager Terry F. Francona said, "This is not going to be a two-week DL. We have to figure this out. We have a lot of work ahead of us to get him back to being Daisuke." As Daisuke does not speak any English, it is believed the conversation went a bit like this clip from Deadwood. Something about a tournament head by "white guys" which killed his arm, I am not sure..................

So in short - to Translate - The Frigging Guy threw this Arm out in the WBC and we have absolutely Dick of an ideal of when he will be better again, if ever, so we are going to get all the Kings Horses and All the Kings Men to see if they can't take what they learned on the Egg - Aka Humpty Dumpty and apply it - with better results to the Egg Roll. I would start with a steady diet of Mono Sodium Glutamate or MSG.

Yeah - we will all be holding our breath on that one. It's not that I wish the guy ill, but he doesn't listen and his lack of listening and his utterly mind numbing, arm damaging, pitching style works only if he can pull it off, which he no longer can.

In the mean time - we managed to win 2 of 3 from the Braves while the Ya*kees lost 2 of 3 to the Fish.

Look for a Doodlecast Soon.

Singing in the Rain............

Unfortunately for the Sox last night it was a blues song as Ricky Nolasco only gave up one hit over 5 complete before the Rains Came.

.

With the way that Ricky Nolasco was pitching - it would have been great to see the game not get interrupted just to see if he could go all the way - if it ever got to the Bullpen - the Fish were done for. The truly sad thing is that at the time they actually called it - IT HAD STOPPED RAINING. But the little fishies had a plwane whyide they had to catch. If they had started it the Sox would have won - because it would have gone to the Bullpen. Most likely they would have won that is. If we miss a division title or a WC birth by one game - Then I will be all sorts of pissed. Until then fair play - I suppose.

.

In other news - Twenty Major Shares his personal tragedy as they relate to recent events in Dublin . It's something you all should read - here.

Grouper Sandwich Time / 500 Games Sold Out In a ROW!!

From The Press Notes

HOME AGAIN: The Red Sox tonight continue a 3-game series vs. Florida at Fenway Park…They will host Atlanta for 3 games later this week.This 6-game homestand marks the end of a 17-day stretch (June 5-21) in which the Sox will play 12 of 15 games in Boston…The club is 7-3 thus far in that time. At 22-8 (.733), the Red Sox own the best home record in the Majors and rank 2nd overall at 39-25 (.609) behind only the Dodgers (43-22, .662)…The club has won 5 of their last 6 games at Fenway Park, including each of their last 4…Since 1954, only 2 other Sox teams have posted better home records through 30 games: 1978 (26-4,.867) and 2008 (24-6, .800).

Boston is 21-6 (.778) at Fenway Park sinceApril 17, outscoring opponents 172-106 in that time…Overall at home, the club leads the Majors in on-base percentage (.374) and slugging (.504)…The Sox rank among home A.L. leaders in doubles (1st, 81), average (2nd,.292), extra-base hits (2nd, 128), RBI (6th,174) and runs (6th, 182).

500 in a ROW BABY

PACKING ‘EM IN: The Sox enter tonight having sold out 499 consecutive games at Fenway Park beginning May 15, 2003…They would become the 4th pro sports team in the U.S. ever to record 500 straight sellouts.

No. TEAM .

744 Portland Trailblazers

567 Boston Celtics

515 Chicago Bulls

499 Boston Red Sox

Suffice it to say - not much else going on in Portland

TIME TO SQUISH THE FISH

Stolen From MLB.COM

OK so its Chris - I have never heard of him - Volstead vs. Timmy Box of Chocolates Wakefield.

Volstead has taken losses in his last 3 starts so as we are big fans of even numbers - lets make it 4 in a row.

Lil Dusty Looks to be back in the Line up Tonight and although I hear he is in a slump I haven't really noticed - I guess going 6-1 will do that for ya.

In the Rumor Mill - Great Chance for us to sit down with Florida and talk about what it will take for the Sox to reacquire Handley R>.

See you at Fenway!.

The Curse of Mark Tiexeira

EST. 2009

Tailgatin n Lookin at Tail in Milwaukee

So the seats were really really good as seen here. However just wish it wasn't AAAA Baseball. Ha

Sox win in Philly and Ya*kees get gift from the gods at Mets expense.

The Doctor
www.soxtherapy.net

Hours By Appointment Only

Ya*kees Grab Defeat From the Jaws of .......well, you know.

Photo by Matt Stone

It's like I said CC just can't cut it in the big markets..... Just kidding.

What a great comeback by the Sox tonight in bean town. It was a pleasure to watch the 8th and the 15+ trips Joe G took to the mound, Rumor has it Sprint is looking to get the Ya*kees on board for their Nextel Direct Connect Service. I am pretty sure there isn't a rule against them having a phone on the mound. Love to see that commercial.........what if Delivery People Managed the New York Ya*kees....... I should be a writer for SNL because that would be a funny skit. Anyway that is 8 in a Row, 9 if you count last year - and we are.

***Yeah I am going to need a 20 on the Bullpen?

Anyway enjoy it - because it doesn't happen that often.

The best is watching their fans loose it.
The Doodle

NYYa*kee Pitching " It does have a little Wang in it"

- Thank You Hollywood Knights.

- Apparently the Ya*kees are having issues with their Sahshimi as well. However while ours aka Dice (stray from the strike zone) K is comical, in a tragic we could still trade him sort of way, theirs aka Wang is just screwed. He gave up 4 runs in 2 2/3's of an inning and actually lowered his ERA from 14.6 something to 14.4 something. He has the highest Starter ERA in the history of MLB after 5 starts.

- Lettuce er, Let us not loose sight of the big picture. The Failure(s) of the Ya*kees is not a measure of the Red Sox successes. We still have issues. Pap's is not Paps. Papi - may be coming around? Upgraded to "Work in Progress" from "Completely Done" - although there is something going on with him and if it is just a confidence thing then WOW. He has looked different the past 3 games. More Papi like - he got on base 3 times last night and absolutely crushed a 95MPH fastball to the deepest part of the Park - so how does one go from being behind - way behind on a 88MPH Ball less than a month ago to what he did last night? Must be the spinach. Perhaps it's Popeye instead of Papi? I am taking a wait and see approach.

Here is an Idea - Trade Dice K, Lugo,Lars Anderson and Brad Penny, to Florida for Handley R? and their Top Pitching Prospect - Call up Clay B and John S to pitch, with Masterson as the back up plan.

This solves the problem at Short - Solves the problem with the MVP of the WBC who simply will not adjust to life in the MLB and keeps me from pulling out my hair every time Dice Stray Pitches. May be too much to give up - may be too soon - but with Smoltz coming around - and Clay doing his thing it may just be what we need to fix our problems. You can not Trade Clay though.

Anyway how - tonight the Ya*kees have their best shot at getting a win - however I still believe that CC chokes on the big stage. Should be interesting.

And now a little ode to Ching Ming Wang - wait for it.

Beckett Utterly Awesome: NYYa*kees Blogger - Looses his Freaking Mind

Ok first things first - a little housekeeping, Ahem.

From the day forward the American League team based in that total hole known as the Bronx New York will be refereed to as the Ya*kees - reason quite simple - when referring to a word so vile and disgusting common decency prevents me from actually putting the word into print. That and their fan base is an utter bunch of See HERE.

Say Hello To My Little Friend!

Ok with that out of the way - How awesome was JB and the Twins last night? Second outing in a row where it looked like he was going to No-Hit a team. As far as I am concerned the one hit he did give up was 110% weather related - Pedroia made the tough part of the play he needed to but the ball was wet and it slipped - it wasn't even a rushed thing it just slipped. The defensive play that Pedroia made was so awesome they had to give it as a hit - but the fact is the part of the play that actually prevented the out from being made was probably an error if not made immediately after such heroics.

So I was running through some news this morning and I came across this guy here who calls himself the New York Sports Jerk. Now while the words New York and Jerk are really synonymous they do fit quite well. Anyway-how, he basically rips his whole team and calls them all frauds because they lost the game last night. Not that they ran into the buzz saw that was JB. He may have a point in the later innings as we saw last week Beckett Leave in the 7th with a 10-0 win and then the bullpen walking a couple and then 3 straight errors to have the final score be 10-6 or something like that - I just found it really funny.

Tonight for the Ya*kees they go with the Taiwanese Porn Star Wang "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" Chung vs. Timmy Box of Chocolates Wakefield. Could be a long night -so lets hope as the song says......................................

Lesterific - 2 Hits Texas - Homer ESPN 540 Unimpressed with the Call

Jon Lester - Stud Extraordinaire - takes down the first 19 batters on Saturday Night before allowing a double with one out to Michael Young in the Seventh inning. Eventually Lester would pitch a complete game 2 hitter and allow one run - with the Sox winning 8-1 over the Texas Rangers.

Once again an immaculate job done by Don Orsillo of the NESN Broadcast team to keep the tradition of doing what he does during a no hitter going.

While people like Homer of ESPN540 in Milwaukee do not appreciate the tradition - there are those of us who do - so good job Don keep up the good work.

One other note - The player formerly known as Big Papi - David Ortiz hit his second home run of the season, a line drive down the right field line and just inside the Pesky Pole, which was part of a 4 run sixth inning. Now who doesn't want to see this guy back?

Also for the record. Homer- that is the world series trophy Lester is holding (to his left) Perhaps we will see one... One that is in Milwaukee - I am just holding my breath on that.

In the mean time - while you have your little show to do in Milwaukee - . I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom and that is to keep the tradition going. You weep for Brian Anderson and his messed up no hitter broadcasts, and you curse the Don Orsillo's of the world who do it right. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That the criticism of Anderson, while tragic in your mind anyway, perseveres tradition . And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, preserves tradition. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want Orsillo to persevere tradition, , you need Orsillo to persevere it, if for nothing more than for you to have something to talk about on your 26th or whatever it is market.

Red Sox nation use's words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something: Tradition -which the last time I checked after it left for Atlanta didn't show back up in Milwaukee until it got stolen from Seattle in 1972. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very tradition that the Nation provides, and then questions the manner in which it provides it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a History Book , and read the chapter on where shit is at vs where it should be!

Either way, I don't give a damn what you think about the Nation.

Nevertheless you do a great show - which by the way is helped tremendously by Mitch - although he himself is a bit green as to the realities of the world. But hey when you are Green You Grow and when you are Ripe you rot - fortunately you have a number of years before you turn brown and bruise like a banana .

But quite simply - TO use the word no hitter - during one - is very short bus.

Sox 6 Tigers 3 - Tigers Fans Sans Clue.

Ok First things First -Sox 6 Tigers 3. I would almost be willing to bet I will never see, baring Injury to them - not to me, a pitcher be taken out in the Third Inning while throwing a no hitter. Of course I am fairly certain that I will not see a hit batsman followed by 4 straight walks either. The best was seeing Leland get ejected and then have to apologize for it after the game.

Now while the good guys won - again. Both of these last two game are not exactly installing confidence. I mean yes - it is a game, yes - shit happens, but last night we are up something like 10-0 with a no hitter into the seventh inning and then have to "Hold On" for a 10-5 Win. Courtesy of 3 straight errors. Then again today - the only time we can score is when Willis has a major and I mean MAJOR MELTDOWN, despite the fact we had the bases loaded and no one,out in the ninth. Followed by another "Outing" by Paps. Yet we have a share of the best record in the AL. Still we are kidding ourselves as fans if we at all feel comfortable.

The reality of any baseball season for me no matter how good things are going is simple - Talk to me in August. If you are still in it in August then - ok - but even then anything can happen especially with regard to Injury - or if you happen to have a guy like Manny Ramirez - a superstar to just decides to quit. So to have these concerns in June - is well,,,,,,,,,,,,, a concern. But it is a long season - we know what we need to do better however other than the need for a shortstop than can hit and field along with the Papi situation - their isn't a clear cut other consistent problem.

Now on to the Tiger Fans..

First - while driving out of Detroit we paid our final respects to Old Tiger Stadium - it will be finished being torn down this year - still the best place ever to see a game - better than Wrigley and I hate to say it better than Fenway.

Not to be one to pick on a town when it is down - but without a doubt the Tigers Fans

are what you could call Sans Clue.

Its nothing like when I left in 1989. It is like they don't even know a game is going on.

The worst is the standing up - for no reason in the middle of the play. Just hey now

seems like a good time to stretch. Or Now seems like a good time to get up - screw

the people behind me. I am going.

I mean what ever happened to the rule or common courtesy of not even walking to

your seat down the asile except between 1/2 innings. Detroit -nice new stadium but hey

Mike Illitch get a clue and have the ushers close down the aisles. It was a disaster and

embarassing

On to the 7th

Sox Up 6-3

Leland tossed and Youk out of Game

Wife looks like Drew Berrymore w the Laptop

Just waiting for the foul ball
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wake Warming Up

Well its Timmy Box of Chocolates People

You never know what your going to get.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wife Goes to Bathroom Breaks Up no hitter in 7th

PFFffffffffFfffffffff

Ok - Just like there are some rules for Broadcasters - Which apparently do not apply to the guys at ESPN. There are some rules also for people attending a No Hitter. I was fortunate to attend a no hitter through 7+ Innings this evening in Detroit as Josh Beckett was lights out for the whole game.

Rule No 1. Don't Say / Type / Text / Blog / or Hand Sign the Phrase No Hitter. NO MATTER WHAT

Rule No 2. If someone else does - do not even acknowledge it -especially in a park away from Home.

Rule No 3. Don't leave your seat. - Its ok to stand to cheer or go for a foul ball but other than that stay put.

Rule No 4. New Rule - Make sure they write into your Wedding Vow's -Do you promise to love - yada-yada-yada-obey------ and follow the No hitter Rules in the case of a Red Sox No hitter as long as you both shall live. I DO. or She better. Missed that one.

Actually - obviously she wasn't the cause -but I just got an excuse for anything that goes wrong for the rest of the year. .....

Car gets Flat Tire - Well you did leave your seat in the middle of a no hitter.

Bad Weather - Well it was Sunny until you left your seat in Detroit.

Big Electric Bill - it all goes back to the 6th inning in Detroit Honey -when you left your seat and foresaked my, my team, and the rest of Red Sox Nation...... and we still love ya - but we will be keeping score.

Leland Has No Class

As evidenced by the bunt attempt which rhymes with. ........ what he is.

Last inning

Almost stared a Riot by screaming - very loudly right next to the Tigers Dugout - as the crowd was quiet - "Hey Leland - Why don't you learn to show some Class" - To which several shocked Tigers fans turned around and, actually said to me - "Oh, you must be rooting for the Red Sox" To which I told them - yeah but if it were the other way around I would have said it about any team in that situation.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Dugout of Champions

Ellsbury W the often duplicated rarely imitated base hit off the pitchers back
The Doodle

Beckett W the Smoke

Through 2 and only Given up a walk.

Now how hard was that?

Papi still looking Sloppy.

On to the Third
The Doodle

2-0 Sox

So we got that going for us JD Drew 2 Run Shot. Tigers pitching not Fooling any Juan

The Doodle

So I have had Worse Seats

Know What I Mean?
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The Doctor is in the Hizzie

Live From Motown - or O-Town as I suppose we can call it now.

Tonight from Comerika Park
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

When Johnny Come Marching Home Again........

After 2 Games of being force fed Hamburger Helper, the Boston Red Sox finally came through with some Manwich cuisine in Toronto. John Lester who decided to Rock Out with his Sox out strikes out 12 over 6 innings while only giving up one run, en-route to a 8-2 victory for the good guys.

Thank you Johnny L.

Rumor has it the sox have quietly begun to plan for LAP. Life after Papi. More on that tomorrow.