8/25/10 game 2 today game thread

[Mikiemo83]

Lester returns from an ugly outing.....will he be man enough to out duel Felix the Kid?

[Boomer]

Lester needs to go deep. It's likely that Bard and Paps won't be available having thrown a combined 38 pitches in game 1.

[Mikiemo83]

Lester needs to go deep. It's likely that Bard and Paps won't be available having thrown a combined 38 pitches in game 1.but both have tomorrow off....not that it matters with tito

[Joolz]

Wake pitching tonight.

Daisuke Matsuzaka has a sore lower back and will not pitch against the Rays on Friday as scheduled.

Jon Lester will make that start and Tim Wakefield starts tonight.

So the pitching matchups for the Rays series are:

Friday: Lester vs. Price

Saturday: Buchholz vs. Garza

Sunday: Lackey vs. Shields


http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/08/dice-k_injury_l.html

[nomars_girl]

Wake pitching tonight.



http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/08/dice-k_injury_l.html
Score
Ok then. Wakefield needs to go deep tonight. Or we need to score a bunch against King Felix.

[SamBam39]

Oh geez...WTF??? Dice again?

[SamBam39]

Anybody still wonder why Wake is in the bullpen?

[sprocketboy]

Wake pitching tonight.

Friday: Lester vs. Price

Saturday: Buchholz vs. Garza

Sunday: Lackey vs. Shields

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/08/dice-k_injury_l.html

Argument #1: the games against the GDRs effectively count double, so it's actually a good thing that Lester and Buchholz face them. Maybe our beloved Mule-Mouth gets his big-game mojo on and gives us a legitimate shot at a sweep.

Argument #2: Damn. They need to sweep teams like Seattle, because you get in the playoffs by beating up on the lesser teams and playing the better teams even.

This is a pick 'em. Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you ...

:purgatory:

[SamBam39]

Argument #2: Damn. They need to sweep teams like Seattle, because you get in the playoffs by beating up on the lesser teams and playing the better teams even.

This is a pick 'em. Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you ...

:purgatory:Couldn't agree more. Need to win these games.

[Boomer]

Beltre is an ass.

[sprocketboy]

Beltre is an ass.

In spots, I agree with you.

But taking his season as a whole, he's earned his keep. Again, I point to the first game today, where he took second on a sac fly because nobody was covering the bag, and ended up scoring the game-winning run because of it.

[sprocketboy]

I guess Nava didn't really risk much trying for that one. I gotta figure the runner would have scored from second on a two-out single just as easily as he would on a double.

Gotta keep Tuiasasopo from scoring, though.

[sprocketboy]

Why can't Drew hit homers when he has teammates on base?

4-2 bad guys.

[Mikiemo83]

mdc needs a new home


our felix in

[Mikiemo83]

lets go redsox


bill hall is awesome

[Mikiemo83]

king felix out

[sprocketboy]

King Felix BB's Drew and is deposed.

VMart time.

[sprocketboy]

Was it really foul?

[sprocketboy]

VMart with effectively a swinging bunt. I doubt Papi gets anything close to the plate.

[sprocketboy]

VMart with effectively a swinging bunt. I doubt Papi gets anything close to the plate.

So much for that prediction. Ortiz hits it hard right at someone. Rats.

[Mikiemo83]

did felix just tweak a knee or ankle

[SamBam39]

They need to win this game.

[Mikiemo83]

Doubront looks good

[Mikiemo83]

dammit

[SamBam39]

Nice Nava, a freaking double play! You suck

[SamBam39]

Doubront looks goodAgreed!

[SamBam39]

Tonight is exactly the reason this team will be playing golf in October.

[Mikiemo83]

Nice Nava, a freaking double play! You suckand that is the reason I wanted Damon...he is clutch in that situation


but as long as he is still a 10 back tiger all is good

[sprocketboy]

dammit

Gotta count this game as a squander, especially given that the GDRs lost and the MFYs are losing.

[SamBam39]

Yup...these games need to be won to make up ground. Really a bad job all around.

[Mikiemo83]

the next three games will be very telling

[SamBam39]

I think they have to sweep now. 2 of 3 would only pick up a game. That is why losing last night was so big. They would have been 4.5 out. 2 of 3 in Tampa and they are 3.5 out. Missed opportunity. It's really a shame.

[Mikiemo83]

I think they have to sweep now. 2 of 3 would only pick up a game. That is why losing last night was so big. They would have been 4.5 out. 2 of 3 in Tampa and they are 3.5 out. Missed opportunity. It's really a shame.two out of three keeps them alive

sweep puts them in contention

what a difference a game makes

[Joolz]

Beltre is an ass.

Nah, not really. :)

So it turns out Adrian Beltre was ejected because he told umpire Dan Bellino that he wasn't talking to him.

After he struck out in the second inning, Beltre was talking to Felix Hernandez in the Seattle dugout, playfully telling him in Spanish that would hit a home run his next time up. As the two went back and forth, Bellino somehow thought Beltre was speaking to him.

When Beltre told him twice that he wasn't, he was tossed out.

"I couldn't believe it," Beltre said. "I never said anything to him. Nothing."

Sox catcher Kevin Cash and Hernandez confirmed Beltre's side of the story.

So because of a misunderstanding by a minor-league umpire who fills in for regular umpires who are on vacation, the Sox lost their No. 5 hitter and MVP candidate.

Crew chief Joe West said any comment would have to come from Major League Baseball.

UPDATE, 10:55 p.m.: Here is what Beltre said:

“I was talking BS to Felix. We had a little bet. He told me he was going to strike me out three times and I told him I was going to take him deep. He struck me out and I went to my position and he was talking smack to me.

"I was facing him and I Spanish I told him that in my next at-bat I was going to take him deep over the Monster. I heard the umpire talking to me and I turned around and said I was talking to [Hernandez] and he threw me out.

"I have no idea why he threw me out. I wasn't even talking to him.

"It’s frustrating to have a rookie umpire doing something like that, especially with how important this game is for us. I'm not even facing him. I wasn't talking to him. I was talking Spanish and he's behind my back. So how can he take the initiative to take me out of the game in the second inning?

"I never got close to him. I was trying to find how why he would throw me out. He had no reason to throw me out. I don’t know why a rookie umpire would do that?"

Said Kevin Cash: "AB was talking to Felix in their dugout. Next thing I knew, the umpire threw him out. He was not talking to the umpire. I was shocked."http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/08/beltre_ejection.html

[Mikiemo83]

Nah, not really. :)
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2010/08/beltre_ejection.htmlthanks as paul harvey said...and here's the rest of the story

[Boomer]

I made my comment before this all came to light.

However, why did the umpire think Beltre was talking to him?

Because Beltre made a stink over a called third strike in his prior AB. The rules clearly state that you can't do that. Everyone does! But Beltre is still an ass. He took a clear strike for strike three and bitched. Dumb move. The Sox needed all the offense they could put on the field last night against one of the best pitchers in baseball. He put himself in a position to be booted. Stupid move.

[jaychamp]

Big Papi can hardly go through an at bat without disagreeing with a strike call. Beltre is a saint compared to him.

[Mikiemo83]

I made my comment before this all came to light.

However, why did the umpire think Beltre was talking to him?

Because Beltre made a stink over a called third strike in his prior AB. The rules clearly state that you can't do that. Everyone does! But Beltre is still an ass. He took a clear strike for strike three and bitched. Dumb move. The Sox needed all the offense they could put on the field last night against one of the best pitchers in baseball. He put himself in a position to be booted. Stupid move.that is all well and good but the Ump was a kid trying to prove he belonged, did you see his face, he wanted to bury his face im his momma's apron and hide

[Boomer]

Big Papi can hardly go through an at bat without disagreeing with a strike call. Beltre is a saint compared to him.

I'm sick of his complaining, too.

And to some extent, Youk.

[Joolz]

I made my comment before this all came to light

Oh gosh, I know. That's why there was one of these :).

[Boomer]

that is all well and good but the Ump was a kid trying to prove he belonged, did you see his face, he wanted to bury his face im his momma's apron and hide

Whatever. It was an unfortunate development. The fact remains that Beltre should not have put himself in a position where the ump was sensitized to the call. Just dumb.

[Mikiemo83]

Whatever. It was an unfortunate development. The fact remains that Beltre should not have put himself in a position where the ump was sensitized to the call. Just dumb.I am not debating that, we agree it was a strike, a great pitch but if a called strike is enough to piss this ump off...god bless him if it was ever a close play at the plate...or he is behind teh plate with the Angels manager complaining every call


what I am getting at is that this guy tossed someone in Spring training, he over-racted to Beltre who had let it go and was talking to the dugout. His is a fill in and instead of fitting in he is making a name for himself...he is making himself part of teh outsome not just doing his job.


and I must also ask is why was Tito not allowed to ask the Ump for clarification to why he tossed him. The whole deal was screwed up and while Beltre was wrong, he left it at the plate. When he took the field a player from teh opposing dugout shouted to Beltre and Beltre responded.....why was Felix not tossed out too?

[jaychamp]

Whatever. It was an unfortunate development. The fact remains that Beltre should not have put himself in a position where the ump was sensitized to the call. Just dumb.
I couldn't disagree more. Like you said, players argue balls and strikes all time without consequence. So Beltre is all of a sudden supposed to walk on egg shells for a fill in umpire?

[Boomer]

You have a valid point.

I'm just sick of batters protesting calls.

[sprocketboy]

You have a valid point.

I'm just sick of batters protesting calls.

Well, if this new umpire is on a personal crusade to turn that around, he's going to need credibility to accomplish his goal. And if the story is as Hernandez, Beltre, and Cash are telling it, that umpire has just taken a huge step backward.

[SamBam39]

Sorry...Joolz already covered this.

[3 Point Stan]

This same ump ejected someone from a spring training exhibition game.

I'm a little tired of the buddy-buddy stuff that goes on between opposing players too but at least what happened last night was competitive jabbing by nature.

I side completely against the ump in this particular case. In the words of Mike Greenwell, "He over-stepped his rookie bounds."

But then, there's also this:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/shepherd625/Sox/mikeg.jpg

So take my sentiments with a grain of salt :)

[dunaja]

I'm a little tired of the buddy-buddy stuff that goes on between opposing players too but at least what happened last night was competitive jabbing by nature.

It's actually against Rule 3.09 of Major League Baseball to fraternize with the opposing team while wearing the uniform. Talk about a loosely-enforced rule, but it would be within the umpire's right to toss Beltre for his playful banter with the Mariner dugout.

This is, in part, how the tradition of baseball players high-fiving their teammates after a win instead of complimenting their opponent for a good game got started, the opposite of what football and basketball players do (or hockey after a playoff series). Thank God this rule does not apply in little league. Lining up and high-fiving the other team is mandatory with my group.

[SamBam39]

I completely agree with the congratulating your opponent after a game. I've never really understood how baseball players during the game can talk and laugh with opposing players.

Maybe it's because I grew up playing football and ice hockey where the goal is to crush, kill and destroy! ;) Baseball I guess is a little different.

But, still I find it strange. After all they are trying to beat the opponent.

[3 Point Stan]

It's actually against Rule 3.09 of Major League Baseball to fraternize with the opposing team while wearing the uniform. Talk about a loosely-enforced rule, but it would be within the umpire's right to toss Beltre for his playful banter with the Mariner dugout.

I am not disputing your post at all. But I imagine I've watched somewhere in the vicinity of 40,000 innings of major league ball and I have never seen a player ejected for excessive fraternization with an opponent.

It's a rule. Cool. But it's not enforced - which makes it look even more foolish, IMO.

[dunaja]

I am not disputing your post at all. But I imagine I've watched somewhere in the vicinity of 40,000 innings of major league ball and I have never seen a player ejected for excessive fraternization with an opponent.

It's a rule. Cool. But it's not enforced - which makes it look even more foolish, IMO.

My point was that it is not enforced. Just saying it's on the books.

In other news, I went to the local Double-A game tonight with my father and brothers, fun times. Totally botched the snag on a foul ball rolling along the wall -- it bounced off the wall just out of my reach and i misplayed the carom -- but Nelson Cruz of the Rangers (rehab assignment) tossed it to me. Then the mascot did an impressive front flip that ended with a t-shirt toss right into my glove. I felt like a little kid again. Minor league baseball is AWESOME. The starting center fielder was Engel Beltre, who you may remember the Red Sox traded to the Rangers (at age 17) in the package for Eric Gagne. The game program had a feature on him about how he's going to be a star in the bigs...

My brother asked me what I want more, a league championship for the team or the Red Sox to beat the Rays tomorrow, and I said the Red Sox. So you're welcome guys, I just doomed my town's double-A team in exchange for ONE win.

[Mikiemo83]

I completely agree with the congratulating your opponent after a game. I've never really understood how baseball players during the game can talk and laugh with opposing players.

Maybe it's because I grew up playing football and ice hockey where the goal is to crush, kill and destroy! ;) Baseball I guess is a little different.

But, still I find it strange. After all they are trying to beat the opponent.funny but true is I would call people such horrific names during the game that when it was over they would be hesitant to talk to me... one guy asked if I had tourettes.

[SamBam39]

funny but true is I would call people such horrific names during the game that when it was over they would be hesitant to talk to me... one guy asked if I had tourettes.
Yeah, I always hated my opponents during the game. Even when I was playing old man softball as an adult. I didn't talk to the opponent until after the game, when we would line up to congratulate each other.

[Mikiemo83]

Yeah, I always hated my opponents during the game. Even when I was playing old man softball as an adult. I didn't talk to the opponent until after the game, when we would line up to congratulate each other.

I took pride in my hate....outside of the boundaries I was nice and polite but within them it was try to hurt, beat into submission. Nothing better than when you knew they quit in football, you could tell in the way they made contact or the how moves became a little slower, tenative...it was then that I would try to hit them even harder to remind them we may meet again


these days it is like Club MLB out there and all you need is Julie and Isaac making plans and drinks