It’s over, thanks to Dr. Double Mike Lowell’s home run checkup. And Bobby Kielty’s off-the-bench pick me up. And Jason Varitek’s game-calling.
It’s over, thanks to an overwhelming performance from rookie lefty Jon Lester, the man who was on chemotherapy a year ago, yet now got through nearly six innings of shutout ball to thwart the Rockies.
It’s over thanks to unbelievable fan support, even in the Rocky Mountains.
It’s over, despite multiple attempts by the Yankees to steal thunder with a managerial and A-Rod announcement.
It’s over after a complete whitewash in Colorado, which suddenly went from unstoppable force to National League also-rans.
It’s over, thanks to Terry Francona, who is the first manager in history to win his first eight World Series games.
It’s over, thank God, with all the drama, or lack thereof in half of the World Series.
It’s over, and God bless Boston … and the Red Sox.
It’s an easy equation really. Win two games, and the Red Sox get the Angels in the first round. Lose out, or drop three of four to Minninniesota, watch the Yankees take three of four, and play Cleveland.
The ability to use Dice-K more than once in a five-game series would be a big advantage for the Sox, no?
As much as it might seem like the second scenario bodes equally well for postseason success, the Red Sox do NOT want to go into the playoffs limping as the Wild Card. Here’s why.
1) If the Sox can finish with the best record in the AL - and the best in the majors by defunct - they get to pick when they start the playoffs. No biggie, right? Wrong. Should the Sox elect to open the playoffs next Wednesday, they would get a five game series in which they could pitch only their top three pitchers. That’s Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling and Daisuke Matsuzaka, with Beckett and either Schilling or Matsuzaka going twice, if necessary. That’s a big advantage, regardless of opponent.
2) Despite the fact that the Red Sox won the season series with Cleveland, the Indians are not the team to be tangling horns with right now. The Tribe has cruised through September, sweeping reigning AL champ Detroit out of the playoffs during a remarkable hot streak. The biggest two factors in that push have been C.C. Sabathia, i.e. Monsieur Beckett’s primary competition for the AL Cy Young, and second-year star Fausto Carmona. Wait, that Fausto Carmona? The one who gave up back-to-back walk-off hits to the Sox a year ago? The same. And if you watched him pitch against Boston earlier this summer, you know the difference between his two incarnations. No one wants any part of the Sabathia-Carmona double, particularly if you have you beat Carmona twice to advance. Yikes.
3) As much as final records serve as relatively bland trivia facts in the big scheme of things, they do have a significant impact on momentum headed into the playoffs. And let’s be completely frank, no one wants to cruise into the postseason on the brink of a meltdown. That’s the exact precipice the Sox appeared to be on a week ago, but they’ve since turned a corner behind a strong Schilling start and a patchwork outing from Jon Lester, Kyle Snyder and co. A good finish against Minnesota, a team which is finally grounded but suddenly playing like the ocntender they traditionally are, would be a great test heading into the playoffs. And the sooner the Sox can clinch the division, giving regulars a chance to rest as a result, the better.
Is any of this make or break to reach the World Series? Definitely not. After all, while Cleveland may look like the nightmare matchup at the moment, Anaheim is the team that keeps Yankee fans awake at night. Nonetheless, so much of the playoffs is about a team finding the easiest road possible. Remember 2004, when the Sox swept the Angels to set up a fully rested ALCS against the more entrenched Yankees? We all know how that turned out, and anyone who says the Yanks weren’t breathing fumes a bit in Game 7 doesn’t know what they’re talking about.
C.C. Sabathia may be a crooked-hat chunker, but he’s having an almost transcendent year for the Indians. That’s as good a reason as any to not want to play them.
So here’s hoping for a nice tidy conclusion, rather than another epic, drawn out, down to the wire race for a division title. Otherwise so much of the aforementioned three advantages will wash away like a flotilla of leaves in a September shower.
The Detroit Tigers lost this afternoon. They got blown away by the Cleveland Indians, the third time in as many days that happened. As a result, they’re officially cooked in the playoff races. Hope you like game meat, there’s plenty of tiger to go around.
Oh Jim Leyland. We can’t figure out whether to send you a Thank You card or forward the Fuck You sentiment we had going right before the All-Star break.
A week ago, that would have been a sorrowful sentiment. The Tigers were clearly the Yankees’ main competition for the Wild Card. In fact, they still are, it’s just that the Wild Card race is now officially all but over.
Or is it.
As the Red Sox continue to plummet down the standings - in case you missed it, with the win this afternoon the Tribe pulled within a game of the best record in the AL - the Yankees keep getting closer and closer. In fact, now they’re 2 1/2 away. Not that you needed to be reminded of that.
The Detroit collapse shores up any concern that Boston could miss the playoffs. After all, it does still hold the best record in the bigs. But that doesn’t help keep the Yankees out of the playoffs.
And isn’t that the biggest litmus test in just how much, and how quickly, things have changed for the Sox? Two weeks ago Boston fans were focused on hoping the Mariners or Tigers would put together a run to keep New York out of the postseason altogether. Now, with Boston completely preoccupied with the surging Yanks, the question becomes one of confidence: Is it better to feel a sense of security that at least the Sox will be in the playoffs in some capacity? Or was it better to hold on to hope that the Yankees might be booted altogether?
If you’re picking door No. 1, you’re probably an average Red Sox fan, at least subconsciously doomed to the perpetual fear that the Evil Empire always has one last charge in it. If you’re picking door No. 2, you might want to go join the army. I hear they can use constant optimists like yourself.
Either way, it’s becoming fairly clear that Boston will be back in the chase for the first time in two years. Now Sox fans just need to decide whether to send Jim Leyland a card of thanks or sympathy.
This week’s sign that the apocalypse is upon us? Jose Offerman is still playing baseball.
Well, that was the sign before Wednesday. That’s when Offerman went AWOL, attacked a pitcher and catcher and was trekked off in a Bridgeport, Conn. police car. Freaky stuff.
Here’s the lowdown, from Connecticut Post Bluefish beat writer Rich Elliot:
The game was delayed for 17 minutes in the top of the second inning following the attack by Offerman. Offerman homered on the first pitch of the game by Beech. An inning later, he was hit on the left calf by an 0-and-1 cut fastball from Beech.
Offerman immediately charged the mound with his bat in his right hand. He struck Beech on the fingertips of both hands and hit catcher John Nathans on the back of the head on his backswing. Both benches immediately emptied.
Offerman, Beech and Bluefish manager Tommy John were ejected. Beech and Nathans were taken to Bridgeport Hospital to be examined. Bridgeport police took Offerman into custody.
Crazy, right? Here’s the closest thing anyone can get to video from the incident … an interview with Bluefish manager Tommy John. Yes, that Tommy John, of elbow surgery fame.
Tommy John and Jose Offerman in the same clip? That’s just eerie.
Of course, this isn’t the first blog to take note of the incident and roll our eyes in pure gall (make that roll our eyes twice, once at Offerman playing, a second time that he went Robin Ventura with a bat!). We grabbed notice of the incident from Boston.com’s Extra Bases blog and MassLive’s Red Sox Monster. Dan Lamothe, the inimitably obsessive man behind Red Sox Monster, points out that Deadspin, With Leather, The Big Lead, and Pop Jocks all led with the mayhem.
But Lamothe himself may have the line of the night, when he goes through the Ducks lineup and notes - to all our horror - that one of Offerman’s teammates was none other than Carl Everett. Yes, the Dinosaur man himself. No longer tethered to Seattle, we see. So, let’s do the Long Island roster track record for a moment, shall we? Jose Offerman, Carl Everett, John Rocker? Nice to see that they’re investing in compassionate professionals out on the Island, isn’t it?
Gordon Edes’ morning headline is probably the best, and sits on the easy line between panic and more minor distress. At five games, I’d say that line is getting an awful lot closer to general panic, wouldn’t you? Regardless, here’s the best of this morning’s headlines:
The Sox will need a good outing from Jon Lester if Eric Gagne’s going to get any work in Anaheim.
BOSTON GLOBE
Red Sox botch it, lead is cut to five - Edes nails it on the head, and his recounting of the night’s general sloppiness only makes the haphazard loss hurt that much more.
Way is cleared for Pena trade - An insightful notebook by Edes and Dan Shaughnessy, leading with the odds that Wily Coyote will still be wearing a Sox uni come October, and also touching on … wait for it … the Mariners’ mascot.
PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
Rookie Moss is put to the test - Sean McAdam looks back on the intriguing first day of outfielder Brandon Moss’ brief Red Sox tenure.
Angels cut Sox lead further - McAdam’s gamer reads even more like the intro to a story of a cancer sufferer than Edes’ game story. Both, of course, are suitably depressing.
BOSTON HERALD
According to Tony Massaroti, the Sox weren’t really paying any attention to this guy.
Historic moment is lost on Sox - Another terrific piece by Tony Massaroti, writing on the lack of Barry Bonds attention among the Sox, who - of course - were playing as the San Fran slugger connected on No. 756.
That has to be the feeling among Sox brass this afternoon, who surreptitiously swept down and snatched up Eric Gagne from the Rangers before the deadline, stealing him away from the Yankees and Mets, both of which were in hot pursuit, among others.
Someone start getting a hat dirty, Eric Gagne is coming to Beantown.
The deal was first confirmed by NESN, just after Gagne agreed to waive his no-trade clause and become a second set-up man for the Sox (along with Hideki Okajima, obviously). The bearded-Canadian once known as “Game Over” for his Cy Young brilliance as a closer has a 2.16 ERA with a 2-0 record and a whopping 16 saves as the Rangers closer, impressive numbers considering how few chances for saves he’s had with the awful Rangers, and the fact that he shuttled with the now-injured Akinori Otsuka as the team’s closer.
Now, the bad news. On the way out are Kason Gabbard, David Murphy (meh, not such a big deal) and a 16 year-old prospect named Engel Beltre (who?). The loss of Murphy is no big deal, as the outfield prospect clearly had no long-term future with the team and it’s ever-present outfield logjam. And we have absolutely no idea who the hell Engel Beltre is. Look, the kid is 16. He should be a high school sophomore. Who knows if he’ll ever be anything. If he eventually is, props to the Rangers.
As for Gabbard, Stiffler will clearly be missed. But can you blame the Sox for shipping him? After the last round of starts, combined with upside and his emotional comeback story, it seemed clear that Jon Lester was going to stick as the fifth starter. That meant that a Curt Schilling return would key a Gabbard demotion to the pen or - perhaps - Pawtucket.
Then, consider the future. Could Gabbard have earned a spot in the rotation circa 2008? Sure. But he would have had to beat out either Lester, the surging Clay Buchholz and even Justin Masterson, the latest hot name on the team’s minor-league circuit. And that, of course, is assuming Schilling doesn’t re-sign, and that the Sox don’t add another starter, both of which are always distinct possibilities with Theo Epstein and co.
NOW, for the deal that didn’t happen, and perhaps may be just as important: Jermaine Dye.
Sox: No dice on Dye.
The White Sox outfielder has a no-trade clause to block a move to Boston, and he made it clear that he wanted to be an everyday player if he went anywhere. Both of those considerations may have been factors in Dye retaining his current zip code, but another was Boston’s reluctance to part with Manny Delcarmen. It’s an interesting juxtaposition: the Sox were willing to ship a young lefthanded starter, but weren’t willing to move a young power reliever. That, of course, speaks to just how important power arms are in the bullpen; you just can’t get enough of them. With Mike Timlin’s shoulder ailing, the acquisition of Gagne means the team has two strong right-handed options before going to Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon. That’s a nice luxury.
Now, whether a team which has to rely on Eric Hinske and Wily Mo Coyote as the top bats off the bench can score any runs for those set-up men to matter is another question, and it’ll be a very good one down the stretch. Unless we learn two hours from now that Dye actually did agree to the trade and it just beat the wire.
Here’s hoping …
For what it’s worth, here’s the AP’s Gagne story:
CLEVELAND — With Eric Gagne finally pitching like his old self following two elbow operations and back surgery, the Boston Red Sox agreed Tuesday to acquire the reliever from the Texas Rangers, who also unloaded first baseman Mark Teixeira to Atlanta in a seven-player swap.
Gagne, who has a limited no-trade clause, was asked to give his consent to the trade Tuesday afternoon, a person familiar with the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity because an announcement had not yet been made.
Unidentified major league sources told NESN that Gagne agreed to waive his no-trade clause and agreed to serve as the team’s set-up man.
Once one of baseball’s premier closers, Gagne was to join a Boston bullpen that already has two All-Star relievers: closer Jonathan Papelbon and setup man Hideki Okajima.
But the Red Sox, who entered Tuesday leading the AL East by eight games over the New York Yankees, didn’t want to take any chances of blowing their big lead and acquired Gagne to bolster the back end of their bullpen after consecutive implosions last weekend by Papelbon and Manny Delcarmen.
Boston was to send left-hander Kason Gabbard as part of a package to the Rangers. Also reportedly included in the deal were outfield prospects David Murphy and Engel Beltre.
Milwaukee, clinging to its NL Central lead, also had been interested in obtaining Gagne.
Elijah Dukes an outfielder for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays has been fired, if the immediate reaction of the D-Rays owner had been put into motion that is.
Stuart Sternberg, the owner of the abovementioned D-Rays has not been hush-hush with his comments and stand on issues arisen lately with Dukes and his spouse. Elijah was served with a restraining order by his wife stating that he had threatened to kill her and their children, perpetuated by the fact that the couple have been going through a divorce. Sternberg wanted Dukes out of a Tampa uniform when news first broke, but now Stuart feels he should do what’s most thoughtful in his words as they will move forward with Dukes and support his family through this tough time.
John Smoltz has made his opinions known about the fact that younger hurler Brett Myers has now been placed on the disabled list due to an injury incurred while Myers was a “bullpen pitcherâ€. Smoltz contests that you must give a pitcher an off-season to condition themselves for the rigors of everyday bullpen duties. That is why John feels he has been injured even though Myers has excelled in a needed role for the Phillies. Manager Charlie Manual surely does not need anymore press about his managerial decisions, as he has had his critics for moves he has made throughout last season. Manual has been backed up somewhat by comments made by assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. who has indicated to those around the organization and Major League Baseball; he supports and understands the move to put Myers in the pen.
Former Red Sock, Bronson Arroyo has put forth an initiative to provide housing for American veterans returning home with serious disabilities and injuries. This was stated by Arroyo at a press conference when he said he will donate $100 for each strikeout he records to “Homes for our troops†a charity organization that he dubs “Athletes for the Brave.â€
A truly great way to give back and see the people you are affecting and bringing awareness to a great cause that may affect a good number of lives.
Manager of the Atlanta Braves to break a record most do not want. Bobby Cox when approached about breaking the all-time ejections record, by Hall of Fame manager John McGraw. Stated that he was somewhat embarrassed by having this dubious honor. He made it clear that he holds all that have thrown him out in the highest regard and would not offer any remarks lighthearted or otherwise to reporters.
In the category of Early Exits meaning Most career managerial ejections, McGraw is tops at the moment with 131 total, Bobby Cox has 130, Leo Durocher has 124 and it falls off from there with Earl Weaver at 97.
Red Sox win 6-5 over the Texas Rangers to sweep the series for the only time since 1973. Joel Pineiro gets his first win this year in relief of Julian Tavarez while Akinori Otsuka gets his first loss for Texas and Hideki Okajima shows that he is a solid second option for Boston with his third save on the year. This game had some big innings for both sides and both teams tried to pull it out in the end but the BoSox having more juice for the 8th and ninth innings. For Texas the star today would have to be Mark Teixeira with two hits four RBI’s and one run scored. Kenny Lofton went 2-3 with a walk, continually getting it done in his advancing age bracket. A solid start by Loe and followed up by Benoit and in the ninth Eric Gagne even made an appearance giving up one big run striking out one in 1 inning pitched to bring his era to a sparkling 0.87.
Boston on the other hand got hits from most and seemed to spread things around for the most part, having five players with multiple hit games. Coco Crisp still fighting to get that average up and over .250. Kevin Youkilis on the other hand is flying high keeping his BA above .350. Jason Varitek took one deep and brought his up to an even .275, while Dustin Pedroia looked geared up for the Gagne offering in the ninth taking it out to left and has begun to put his mark on the sox lineup with his.279 avg. Tavarez went five and two-thirds allowing four and striking out six. Romero had a little trouble but went unmarked, giving Tavarez a no-decision after six hits given up. The Red Sox are quickly showing that they can get offense from the whole lineup at times and show the affects of truly feeling and playing like a number one team.
Boston takes on Cleveland tomorrow with a 705 pm ET first pitch time, pitting Curt Schilling and Cliff Lee against one another.
Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett has made his presence known as he has posted seven consecutive wins in his seven opening starts for the 2007 season.
Today he looks to continue the winning ways for his club as they take on the Baltimore Orioles with a 2:05 first pitch time. Beckett is not alone on this pitching staff, in having a good start as they still sit atop the AL East with an increasing lead on their followers.
One other pitcher across the league with the Los Angeles Dodgers has posted equally impressive numbers while going undefeated over the growing stretch of this young season. That being big Dodger hurler Brad Penny who impresses around the league enough to make a repeated all-star game appearance. He has posted an unbeaten 5-0 record in eight starts but what is even more impressive is that his ERA is more than one run lower than Beckett who has a 2.50 era if I remember correctly.
Surprising Brewers take first place in MLB, shocked?
Milwaukee is only one win ahead of the BoSox, but do they have staying power above the NL Central. As of now Boston and Milwaukee have similar standings in their respective divisions. They have big leads on second to last places as their followers do not even have a .500 record at the moment as they are running away with the division after 35+ games in ’07. The Brewers are 8-2 in their last ten games played so it doesn’t look like they are slowing down for anyone to make up any games early on. The same goes for the BoSox, as their bats are starting to catch up to their pitching in recent stints.
Frank Thomas edging closer to the 500 homerun club as he looks to propel the Blue Jays through their most recent slump, but even Thomas has seen his struggles as the Designated Hitter hitting under .250 with 5 HR and only one recently on may 12th in his last ten games, which hasn’t helped the Jays as he will not be legging out an infield single anytime soon.
The Baltimore Orioles hold second place with an 18-19 record going 6-4 in their last ten games. The Yankees have had numerous pitching injuries that seem to be developing the younger side of their pitching staff and adding the most highly paid player if he would have started the season back at spring training. Roger Clemens should post at least .500 numbers until the post-season and then turn it on for his hefty paycheck. NYY at 17-18 are seeing their pitching depth increase as they have no choice in throwing out the rookies until the veterans come off the DL. Toronto has had a big slide since an over .500 start sliding to 6 games under now as they escape the bottom by one game. The D-Rays were hopeful for the upcoming year, but have quickly shown signs of still not having the pitching to help the team succeed and need to start beating divisional teams to have a chance to get the team ahead of fifth place.
The games between Toronto and Boston seem to be getting a little more serious these days as Toronto is notorious for stealing signs and using them to their advantage. Now the Overbay slide has not helped things though he was somewhat close to the bag taking out Alex Cora which was quoted as saying “it was a tackleâ€. Though Overbay was not blasted for his debatable slide, next time may be different as his good guy image may take a hit if the two tangle once again.
The Red Sox are taking advantage of the situation lately as Toronto is without their closer (BJ Ryan) who is their hammer and go-to-guy. They have had to scramble for different combinations as Jason Frasor has slightly taken the reigns, but has not showed well in this spot. While Brandon League is not ready to come back as the setup man, the Blue Jays, when it comes to finishing a game are worse now than when Papelbon decided to start after last season.
NESN ->Has added two more to add depth to reporting base, Ken Macha is expected to bring his extensive baseball knowledge and from a Japanese perspective Naoko Funayama will bring the aspects of Japanese baseball to the American viewers and such. Some new perspectives, I am always in favor of bringing on new fresh talent but providing they have something original to say.
Macha played in Japan from 1982-86; Funayama has the main job of working with Daisuke, but has yet to speak with him, but has interviewed Ichiro Suzuki thus far.
Dice-K mania readies for Yankees
Set to take on Chase Wright for Sunday before taking on the Blue Jays once again. I don’t believe Matsuzaka will be out pitched, just the Yankees lineup may produce better than the Sox, indicated by Daisuke’s 1-2 record after having great starts each and every time so far, having a 2.70 ERA which should get you a win most nights.
RF roof seating at Fenway
The seats that may be added would be along the right field wall. This section is in need of renovation, but has been fit with bleachers in the previous off-season. Look for it to come at seasons end as they continue to renovate 95 year old Fenway.
Forbes public findings
Puts out franchise values for MLB clubs, though highly contested as to their results many find that it is somewhat amusing if taken with a grain of salt.
Yankees get top billing valued at a value of $1.2 Billion. Which seems right but when you factor in their payroll and the fact they seem to be losing money with the revenue-sharing deal for Major League Baseball. The name brand of NYY is a great moneymaker just not for the originating source in the Yankees brass. Boston Red Sox come in at $724 Million ranked third also behind the New York Mets.
April 18th-> Pitcher Mark Buehrle throws a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers to win 6-0 while posting eight strikeouts and walking only one to give himself the no-hitter while almost obtaining a perfect game. A lot of the no-hit performance is credited to the defense as they were tremendous en route to the win. Buehrle’s quoted saying “I can’t believe I did it. Perfect game would have been nice, too.” This was the first time in MLB history, one player threw a no-hitter, another in Jermaine Dye hit a grand-slam home run, and a third, Jim Thome had a multiple-homer game. This was the 16th no-hitter in ChiSox history.
SOX @ JAYS
With Tim Wakefield on the mound the Jays and John Gibbons seem to want to take advantage of their experience, starting such key veterans as Matt Stairs, John McDonald and Jason Phillips against the knuckleball hurler.
Tomo Ohka is a consummate pro that is a solid backend of the rotation starter.
Wakefield’s knuckler is dancing everywhere but over the plate, especially in the fourth inning. It was quite comical as the fans were getting on specialty catcher Doug Mirabelli, as the ball was bouncing all over, just not for strikes. At one point the ever diminished speed of DH Frank Thomas was “Big Hurting†the spirits of fans that wanted him to take a base as Mirabelli had a good number of passed balls. FYI, he did finally make it to second as the crowd gave a sarcastic cheer when the base was stolen. Wakefield walked the bases loaded, but struck out C Jason Phillips to get out of the jam.
Mike Lowell hits a solo HR on an 85 mph fastball, left up. Red Sox 1-0 in the fifth.
Two hits, both homeruns, that’s the difference so far. Doug Mirabelli takes Ohka deep to put the BoSox up 2-0 through six. With that knock the Toronto fans have subsided in their laughter of Mirabelli.
Another solo shot to left by David Ortiz, gone to make this a three-run game. After a single quickly after Big Papi’s homer, Victor Zambrano is summoned from the Jays pen to relieve Ohka in the 7th.
Mirabelli drives in a run as Boston leads 4-0 and looks for more. But Zambrano strikes out Dustin Pedroia swinging.
The Blue Jays have finally got rid of the goose egg as SS Royce Clayton doubles to left. Followed by 2B Aaron Hill’s single to Manny which scored a run, 4-1 after seven.
Third baseman, utility infielder, John McDonald impresses as he throw’s out Lugo and Youkilis in the eighth with two very nice plays.
Scott Downs brought in o face Ortiz as he is a LHP and is being used this year as a spot pitcher, for these type situations.
Papi plays against the extreme shift and grounds passed McDonald, the #B playing SS for the defensive switch.
Donnelly #53 brought in for the bottom of the eighth to face Stairs, Wells and Thomas. I notice Mirabelli using a thicker glove to decrease the impact of Donnelly’s stuff in the low 90s, I am sure. As opposed to Wakefield’s 60-70ish mph pitches.
1, 2, 3 the Jays go down in order and we are in the ninth.
Tomorrow’s game at unexpectedly 12:37 pm ET. Puts #1 VS 5 as Roy Halladay faces Julian Tavarez. I think it will still be another close contest.
RHP Jeremy Accardo comes in for the ninth. He gets the BoSox out with no harm done. Papelbon comes out for the save. His numbers are 6 k’s in 3.1 IP so far, which is significantly lower than the amount of innings he would have already received as a starter.
Overbay is up to the plate, doesn’t want anything to do with 58’s fastball as he is stuck looking at a 96mph punch-out for out number one. Light hitting with a big average, Aaron Hill steps up and lines a shot that just misses Johnny Pap’s ankle, up the middle for a single.
Gibbons pinch-hits for Phillips with Gregg Zaun, who has been rested for tomorrow’s tilt, with another sub in the on deck circle in Jason Smith for Clayton.
Papelbon comes back on Zaun but ultimately walks him. First and second now, one out, Adam Lind stepping up now as a third straight pinch hitter, he is in for McDonald,
Smith swings and misses on three straight fastball strikes from the Boston closer. Lind continues to hack at Papelbon’s heat and finally whiff’s at a bit of a split finger fastball to end the game there. Wakefield gets the win with some support, finally.
Ohka the loss and Papelbon the save as the two east rivals clash as their pitchers have been on full display in their games thus far.
