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July 24, 2007 »

Clubhouse reaction on Jon Lester's emotional return

Jon Lester on his outing:

“It was really good. There were a lot of raw emotions and excitement. It’s just good to be back with these guys again.”

Lester on not dwelling on the past:

“I’m trying to put that behind me and move on. I want to focus on pitching and not worry about things, but right now I have to go back every three months and get that reality check. Hopefully we can put it behind us and win some games.”

Curt Schilling on Lester:

“We’re way beyond baseball stuff. Just to see him healthy again is awesome, but to go out and do what he did against that team is impressive. It’s been fun to watch. I’m just happy for him. I had a chance to stay in touch with him all winter, and during the season [in the minors], it’s been a long road for him. This was incredible. Proud, I guess, is the word I’d use.”

Lester on his offense giving him an early lead:

“That definitely helps. Our offense did an unbelievable job in that first inning and that eases any pitcher’s mind, getting four in the first. It makes it a little easier to go out and throw strikes.”

Lester on when tonight will sink in:

"Maybe in a day or two it’ll hit home this happened. Right now there’s just a lot of excitement and happiness.”

Manager Terry Francona:

"I'm impressed, proud, just a lot of adjectives. It was supposed to be his night and I think it was fitting he won the game."

Francona on early run support for Lester:

"It helps any pitcher. He gave up that two-run to Grady Sizemore (in the third) and then in in the next inning, it looked like he was fighting it. He looked a little uncomfortable, but as we've seen before he doesn't give in. He made pitches, and the guy who takes him deep, he gets him out. He gathered themself for another couple of good innings. He just competes and really keeps his composure."

Francona on Manny Delcarmen, who earned his first major-league save:

"It was great. We were going to go to Hideki Okajima (in the ninth) because Jonathan Papelbon had a long inning (26 pitches on Sunday at Fenway against Chicago), but anytime we can win and not go to those guys, I know a win is a win, but it's nice to be able to win games without leaning on them all the time."

Francona on Coco Crisp, who went 4-for-5:

"He looks good. He's taking some pretty healhty swings. He's not just hitting the fastball right now, he's hitting the ball all over the ballpark with whenever the ball is a strike. He's been squaring it up pretty good."

Former teammate Trot Nixon on Lester's return:

“I think it was good for a lot of people to see him back out there. Hundreds of thousands of people have gone through these disease, and there have been a lot of great stories out there, not just sports related but all throughout the world. He’s a real good kid and very respectful and so eager to learn. He’s got a great career ahead of him and to have this happen to him, and for him to battle and persevere it was good to see him out there.”

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:07 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Game Story: Moss' walkoff hit gives PawSox 3-2 win

When Brandon Moss entered the batters box in the bottom of the 10th inning for Pawtucket, he knew he had the chance to win the game.

And that’s just what he did.

With runners on first and second base and one out, Moss ripped an 0-2 Brian Shackelford pitch between the first and second base gap. The ball continued rolling into right field.

David Murphy (3-for-5, 2 runs scored) rounded third base and sprinted home. Louisville right fielder Dewayne Wise’s throw home went wide right and Murphy slid in safely to score the game-winning run. Pawtucket won 3-2.

Moss was 0-for-4 prior to his game-winning hit.

“I was just trying to have a good at-bat, especially with runners in scoring position,” said Moss, who leads the PawSox in RBI with 62. “I was just trying to barrel the ball up, especially with him being down 0-2. I knew he was going to throw a strike. I didn’t know if it was going to be a fastball or a cutter but I knew it was going to be in the strike zone so I just got geared up and got ready to hit. It worked out well thank goodness.”

Pawtucket starter David Pauley had a perfect game going through four innings but Aaron Herr broke it up in the top of the fifth frame with a leadoff double.

“He pitched outstanding,” Moss said of Pauley. “You don’t see a much better performance than that. He pitched great.”

Herr’s hit didn’t faze Pauley. He retired the next three batters to end the inning. Pauley pitched 7 2/3 innings in all, allowing only two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.

“He was outstanding,” Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson said of Pauley. “He had really good stuff. He had really good command of his stuff and we needed that today. We had a tired bullpen and it has been used a lot in the last couple of days so we needed that kind of performance.”

Travis Hughes closed out the game for Pawtucket, going 2.1 innings. He allowed just one hit with four strikeouts.

“He was outstanding,” Johnson said of Hughes.

Pawtucket racked up 13 hits last night, but only two came in a clutch situation which resulted in the close game. Pawtucket was 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position, including 0-for-3 with the bases loaded.

Joe McEwing snapped out of his hitting slump in style when he sent a Victor Santos offering into the bullpen in left field for a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning to give Pawtucket a 1-0 lead.

Jeff Bailey drove in Murphy with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning to give Pawtucket a 2-0 cushion. Louisville manager Rick Sweet decided that he had seen enough and pulled Santos (3.1 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts) after that.
It turned out to be a wise decision. Relief pitcher Jason Kershner got George Kottaras to ground into a 4-6-3 double-play to end the inning.

Louisville caught up to Pauley in the sixth frame and cut Pawtucket’s lead to 2-1 on a Chris Dickerson RBI sacrifice fly.

The PawSox had a chance to do a lot of damage in the bottom of the sixth inning when they loaded the bases with no outs but they came away empty handed.

Louisville put runners on first and third base with no outs in the top of the eighth inning against a tiring Pauley but he got Janish to ground into a 6-4-3 double-play. Ryan Hanigan, however, scored on the play from third base even the score.

--ROB LEE

Posted by Corey Bourassa  at 10:57 PM to PawSox | Permalink

Game Story: Lester returns, pitches Sox past Indians

It was fitting that Jon Lester returned to a major-league mound last night with Led Zeppelin’s “Whole ‘Lotta Love” blasting from the sound system at Jacobs Field.

The 23-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox has received nothing but love and support from family, friends and teammates for the last 11 months as he’s battled his way back from cancer.

His return, however, is not about the past and he doesn’t want to dwell on it.

The Red Sox don’t either. Lester’s return is about what lies ahead.

“I don’t disagree with that,” said Boston manager Terry Francona. “We thought he was a pretty special young man before all this transpired and all he’s been through. The way he handled it with the grace that he did, he’s a tough nut to pull for.”

Lester worked six full innings, allowing just two runs five hits with three walks and six strikeouts to help Boston to a 6-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Lester surrendered a home run and hit a batter in the process, but overall he and the Sox were ecstatic about the emotional outing.

Lester received his on-field support early and often last night as the Red Sox scored four runs in the first inning, and pushed another across in the second for a 5-0 lead.

The Indians began to creep back on a two-run homer by Grady Sizemore in the bottom of the third inning.

Then, in the fourth, Lester ran into a bit more trouble. He allowed a lead-off double to Ryan Garko before loading the bases with one out. The Indians’ Josh Barfield lined a chopper back to mound, which Lester handled and got the force at the plate for the second out. With the bases still juiced, Lester picked up a huge strikeout when he blew 93-mph fastball by Sizemore to end the threat.

Red Sox reliever Julian Tavarez, who was sent to the bullpen yesterday because of Lester’s promotion from Pawtucket, began warming up. But, Lester didn’t need any help. Yet.

He retired the side in order in the fifth, and allowed a one-out hit in the sixth before the Sox’ defense turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. Reliever Mike Timlin entered the game in the seventh and worked 11/3 scoreless innings with one hit. Javier Lopez came on and struck out the lone batter he faced and Manny Delcarmen recorded a strikeout to end the eighth.

The Sox added a bit of insurance in the top of the ninth when Dustin Pedroia rapped his third hit of the game, an RBI-single to right-center field for a 6-2 advantage.

Prior to yesterday’s game there was a buzz around the Red Sox clubhouse for good reason.

“Of course,” said Francona when asked if he was excited about the situation. “I get jazzed up for anybody’s start. I think Jon is looking at this like ‘I need to go pitch my game and win.’ I know his mom and dad are here — I ran into them in the mall. I’m sure they have some unbelievable feelings, I don’t know what they are, but I bet it’s very emotional. Other than that, we just want to show up and win, and that’s even more of a tribute to Jon because he’s doing the same thing.”

The Red Sox will have some personnel decisions to make when Curt Schilling (shoulder) returns to the rotation — possibly on Aug. 6 at Anaheim — because lefty Kason Gabbard has been stellar since his recall from Pawtucket to replace the ailing veteran.

While concerned about the future of their pitching staff, the Red Sox just wanted to enjoy Lester’s return last night.

“It’s awesome," said Pedroia. “It’s a huge lift for us. It’s an unbelievable accomplishment just to be playing ball. I think everybody in baseball is excited for him. [One would think cancer] would suck the life out of him, but he beat everything. It’s awesome to see because he’s such a great guy and a great friend. Pitching-wise, he’s going to be great for a long time.”

--JOE McDONALD

Posted by Corey Bourassa  at 10:47 PM to McDonald | Permalink

FINAL: Boston 6, Cleveland 2

CLEVELAND _ It was fitting that Jon Lester returned to a major-league mound last night with Led Zeppelin’s ‘Whole ‘Lotta Love’ blasting from the sound system at Jacobs Field.

The 23-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox has received nothing but love and support from family, friends and teammates for the past 11 months as he’s successfully battled his way back from cancer.

His return, however, is not about the past. He doesn’t want to dwell on it. The Red Sox don’t, either. Lester’s return is about what lies ahead.

“I don’t disagree with that,” said Boston manager Terry Francona. “We thought he was a pretty special young man before all this transpired and all he’s been through. The way he handled it with the grace that he did, he’s a tough not to pull for.”

Lester worked six full innings, allowing just two runs five hits with three walks and six strikeouts to help Boston to a 6-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Lester surrendered a home run and hit a batter in the process, but overall he and the Sox were ecstatic about the emotional outing.

Lester received his on-field support early and often last night as the Red Sox scored four runs in the first inning, and pushed another across in the second for a 5-0 lead.

As the Indians began to creep back with a pair of runs via a two-run homer by Grady Sizemore in the bottom of the third inning, Lester proved he can still handle the pressure at this level when he ran into a bit of trouble in the bottom of the fourth.

He allowed a lead-off double to Ryan Garko before loading the bases with one out. The Indians’ Josh Barfield lined a chopper back to mound, which Lester handled and got the force at the plate for the second out. With the bases still juiced Lester picked up a huge strikeout when he blew 93 mph fastball by Sizemore to end the threat.

Red Sox reliever Julian Tavarez, who was sent to the bullpen yesterday due to Lester’s promotion from Pawtucket, began warming up. But, Lester didn’t need any help, yet.

He retired the side in order in the fifth, and allowed a one-out hit in the sixth before the Sox’ defense turned a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning and his outing. Reliever Mike Timlin entered the game in the seventh and worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit before Javier Lopez struck out the lone batter he faced as Manny Delcarmen recorded a strikeout to end the eighth.

The Sox added a bit of insurance in the top of the ninth as Dustin Pedroia posted his third hit of the game, an RBI-single to right-center field for a 6-2 advantage.

Prior to yesterday’s game there was a buzz around the Red Sox clubhouse for good reason.

“Of course,” said Francona when asked if he was excited about the situation. “I get jazzed up for anybody’s start. I think Jon is looking at this like ‘I need to go pitch my game and win.’ I know his mom and dad are here, I ran into them in the mall. I’m sure they have some unbelievable feelings, I don’t know what they are, but I bet it’s very emotional. Other than that, we just want to show up and win, and that’s even more of a tribute to Jon because he’s doing the same thing.”

The Red Sox will have some decisions to make when Curt Schilling (shoulder) returns to the rotation – possible on Aug. 6 at Anaheim – because lefty Kason Gabbard has been stellar since his recall from Pawtucket to replace the ailing veteran.

While concerned about the future of their pitching staff, the Red Sox just wanted to enjoy Lester’s return just like the rest of the baseball world and beyond.

“It's awesome," said Pedroia. "It's a huge lift for us. It's an unbelievable accomplishment just to be playing ball. I think everybody in baseball is excited for him. [One would think cancer] would suck the life out of him, but he beat everything. It’s awesome to see because he’s such a great guy and a great friend. Pitching-wise, he’s going to be great for a long time.”

He’s already there.

JOE McDONALD

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 10:01 PM | Permalink

Clubhouse Confidential

Obviously, the big news from Jacobs Field tonight is the return of Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester to the majors. All eyes around baseball world will be watching when the left-hander toes a major-league rubber for the first time since he was diagnosed with cancer last August.

"It's awesome," said Red Sox. "It's a huge lift for us. It's an unbelievable accomplishment just to be playing ball. To get back here and help us, hopefully he can go out there and pitch like he can."

*Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is out of the lineup again tonight, but there's a possibility he could be back Wednesday. Ortiz said he took swings in the cage today and he felt a "little pinch" in his ailing shoulder, which he injured sliding head first into second base on Friday at Fenway. He said he wasn't able to swing the bat normally this afternoon, but once he warmed up it felt better.

He said he'll take live BP on the field tomorrow and he's hoping to be back on Wednesday.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 5:06 PM | Permalink

Tonight's lineups from Cleveland

BOSTON
Coco Crisp, 8
Dustin Pedroia, 4
Kevin Youkilis, 3
Manny Ramirez, DH
J.D. Drew, 9
Mike Lowell, 5
Jason Varitek, 2
Eric Hinske, 7
Julio Lugo, 6
Jon Lester, SP

CLEVELAND
Grady Sizemore, 8
Jason Michaels, 7
Casey Blake, 5
Travis Hafner, DH
Ryan Garko, 3
Jhonny Peralta, 6
Victor Gutierrez, 9
Kelly Shoppach, 2
Josh Barfield, 4
Jake Westbrook, SP

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 5:02 PM | Permalink

Sox Streakers for July 23

Welcome back to Sox Streakers. We'll try not to miss any more time.

Hot Streaks
-Julio Lugo has a 12-game hitting streak, during which he is 21 for 46 (.457), the highest average in the majors over that span. His hitting streak is second in the American League only to the 15-game streak of Cleveland's Ryan Garko. It is Lugo's longest streak since a 14-game run in September 2000.
-Coco Crisp has a six-game hitting streak, during which he is 10 for 24 (.417). He is also six for his last eight.
-Crisp has played in 139 straight error-free games in centerfield, and has not committed an error in 396 chances, a team record.
-Dustin Pedroia has a six-game hitting streak, during which he is 12 for 28 (.429).
-The Boston bullpen has allowed three runs over its last 16 innings of work, and now has the lowest E.R.A. (2.77) of any 'pen in the majors.
-Mike Timlin has pitched 14.2 consecutive scoreless innings.
-For Cleveland: Casey Blake has a 15-game hitting streak against the Red Sox, during which he is 23 for 56 (.411).

Cold Streaks
-Boston has lost six straight road games. Still, the team has the second-best road record in the American League (25-20), and the best road E.R.A. (3.37) in the majors.
-Wily Mo Pena is 4 for his last 33 (.121)
-Jason Varitek is 5 for his last 28 (.179)
-For Cleveland: Jake Westbrook is 0-3 since returning from the disabled list on June 24. In his last three starts, he is 0-2 with a 6.00 E.R.A.

Red Sox vs. Jake Westbrook
-Coco Crisp, 3 for 4 (.750)
-Kevin Youkilis, 4 for 6 (.667)
-Jason Varitek, 3 for 5 (.600)
-Eric Hinske, 5 for 10 (.500)
-Manny Ramirez, 6 for 13 (.462)
-Mike Lowell, 2 for 8 (.250)
-Julio Lugo, 5 for 21 (.238)
-Wily Mo Pena, 2 for 10 (.200)
-J.D. Drew, 0 for 2
-David Ortiz, 0 for 7
-Westbrook is 3-1 with a 4.23 E.R.A. in five career starts against Boston.

Indians vs. Jon Lester
-Kelly Shoppach, 2 for 2
-Victor Martinez, 2 for 3 (.667), 1 HR
-Travis Hafner, 1 for 2 (.500)
-Casey Blake, 1 for 3 (.333)
-Jhonny Peralta, 1 for 3 (.333)
-Grady Sizemore, 1 for 3 (.333)
-Jason Michaels, 0 for 2
-This is Lester's second career start against Cleveland. He gave up three runs in six innings of work last year, earning a no-decision.

More Stuff
-All-time series: Cleveland 1,007, Boston 935. In Cleveland, the Indians are 539-427 against the Red Sox.
-The Red Sox play 16 of their next 19 games away from Fenway Park.
-Coco Crisp, who has twice driven in five runs in a game this season, is the first Red Sox center fielder to do so since Carl Everett in 2001.
-Manny Ramirez needs one RBI to tie Jake Beckley for 35th on the all-time list. Ramirez now has 1,574 career runs batted in.
-Cleveland is the best home team in the majors, with a 31-14 record at Jacobs Field.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:39 PM to Projo Sox Streakers | Permalink | Comments 1

Today's Manny file: The big breakout?

Sorry not to have updated the mannybeingmanny blog for so long: I'll blame vacation.

In any case, since I've last written here, Manny has taken lots of criticism for playing too shallow in left field; he's moved temporarily into the DH role in David Ortiz's absense, thus obviating the need for him to play deeper; and, more importantly, he's gone on a bit of a tear. Sean McAdam says today in projo SoxTalk that Manny shows signs of going on one of his vintage streaks; we'll see as he goes to a familiar place -- Cleveland -- for four straight games. Here's what he's done in the last 10 contests: 13 for 35 (.371 batting average, .476 OBP), four home runs, 10 RBI. The four-homers-in-10-days streak follows a 16-game homerless stretch.

Gordon Edes wrote in the Globe today that Manny returned to the fourth spot in the lineup, behind Kevin Youkilis, yesterday after hitting third "pretty much because Manny felt like it." Funny.

Brian Ettkin of the Times Union in Albany, N.Y., uses Ramirez in the lead of his adoring story about soon-to-be-Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.: "Every season, like clockwork, Manny Ramirez will take games off, often at inopportune times, when his team needs him. It's explained away as 'just Manny being Manny.' And because of Ramirez's extraordinary talent, the Red Sox tolerate this. Then there was baseball's Iron Man, Cal Ripken." One wonders if people will still be recycling all the cliches about Manny even after he's retired. Memo to Ettkin and the rest: Give Manny a break. He still leads the Red Sox this season in games played, with 95, which puts him tied in that category for 36th in all of Major League Baseball, right up there with Albert Pujols, Ichiro Suzuki and Carlos Beltran. Of course, if Manny decides to take August off, that's another story.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:19 PM to Projo Mannybeingmanny | Permalink

Giambi resumes batting practice

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jason Giambi took 38 swings Monday during his first on-field batting practice session since hurting his left foot two months ago.

The New York Yankees designated hitter also started running the bases and kept up a throwing program. He hopes to rejoin the Yankees by August.

“Everything is great so far,” Giambi said. “Better than expected.”

Giambi has been sidelined since May 30 after tearing tissue in the foot. He is hitting .262 with seven homers and 23 RBIs.

New York first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz is fielding grounders while wearing protective gear for his broken right wrist, but hasn't been cleared to resume hitting. He was injured in a collision with Boston's Mike Lowell at first base on June 2.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:12 PM | Permalink

Projo SoxTalk with McAdam: Lester's return

Sean McAdam joins us once again today for another edition of projo SoxTalk (Mike McDermott is filling in for Art Martone for the next two weeks while Art is on vacation). Click here to listen to the full audio file. Sean discusses a good weekend for the Red Sox offense, David Ortiz's shoulder injury, tonight's season debut of Jon Lester, and the trade rumors involving Wily Mo Pena and Salomon Torres.

Here are some excerpts from Sean's comments:

Good news for the Sox' offense: "It certainly seems as if, if the first 10 games into the second half is any inidcation, that Manny Ramirez is ready to get on one of his hot streaks, and that couldn't come at a better time, first because he's always important in that lineup, and second because they're going to have to do without David Ortiz for the next couple of days."

On Ortiz's strained shoulder: "There's a fear that this is something that could linger if they don't give it enough time, which is why I don't think you'll see him until at least Wednesday or Thursday, and it wouldn't surprise me if they kept him out of the entire Cleveland series to have him ready to go for the weekend in Tampa Bay. ... The last thing they want is for this to further inhibit his swing for the final two-plus months of the season."

On the news of Lester's call-up: "I was a little surprised ... I think it was kind of a confluence of events. You've got Julian Tavarez struggling to not win a game over his last five starts, with an E.R.A. of about 6, and they saw this as the opportunity to give Lester a couple of starts. I don't think it necessarily is anything permanent, because when Curt Schilling returns to the rotation in early August, probably the sixth in Anaheim ... they're going to have to choose between Gabbard and Lester."

On the Pena-for-Torres rumors: "In a lot of ways that makes sense. I'm not sure that Pena is enough, because I've heard the Pirates have a perhaps unrealistic expectation level as to what they can get for Torres, but I do know that the Red Sox are interested."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:30 AM to McAdam | Permalink | Comments 1

Baseball Today: Monday, July 23

Journal photo / Glenn Osmundson

In losing three straight games last week to the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox, the Boston Red Sox scored a total of 10 runs on 33 hits. In winning their last three games this weekend over the White Sox, Boston scored a total of 29 runs on 31 hits. The difference? Well, the Chicago bullpen, for one: Chicago relievers walked nine Boston batters in 8.2 innings of work during the four-game series; while Kansas City's walked just three batters in 13.2 innings during the three-game Boston-Kansas City series. But the Red Sox suddenly began coming through with runners in scoring position, something they've been woefully inadequate at doing lately, and that has led to hopes that the Boston offense is coming around (projo).

The talk of the day, of course, now turns to Jon Lester's return to the mound (projo) as the Red Sox travel to Cleveland to face the Indians. Lester's last big league start was exactly 11 months ago, in Anaheim, when he picked up a win over the Angels. Eight days later, the club announced that Lester would begin treatments for non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of cancer. The 23-year-old left-hander returns to the team despite a less-than-dominant recent track record in Pawtucket, but manager Terry Francona says the decision is based neither on emotion nor on the struggles of displaced fifth starter Julian Tavarez (Boston Globe). Steve Buckley of the Herald says that the reason for Lester's call-up doesn't matter, that we should all just enjoy the latest development in this remarkable story. Lester's return is the subject of today's projo Red Sox survey.

To make room for Lester, the Sox will designate Joel Pineiro for assignment today (projo); they hope that they can get some small compensation from another team looking to add an arm. Thus ends a failed $4-million experiment to move Pineiro from underachieving starting pitcher to effective reliever.

IGNORE THE SCORE: Yesterday's final tally (11-1 Louisville) might not indicate it, but Clay Buchholz put on an impressive show as a starter for the PawSox (projo).

ANOTHER UP-AND-COMER: Curt Schilling wrote Saturday night (38 Pitches) about his rehab start in Pawtucket. He said "we accomplished everything we wanted to and more."

BULLPEN HELP? The Pittsburgh Post Gazette says today that the Red Sox are the team considered most interested in Pirates reliever Salomon Torres, and says the Sox are actively shopping Wily Mo Pena.

BRONX BATS ARE BURNING: While the Red Sox were scoring 29 runs in their last three games, that Yankees were piling up 45 runs in three games against the hapless Devil Rays. The big story of the weekend in the Bronx was 27-year-old rookie Shelley Duncan, who had the fans chanting his name as he slugged three home runs over the weekend (NY Daily News). The second big story was Alex Rodriguez's continued pursuit of 500 career home runs -- he's now just two short after hitting one yesterday in the Yanks' 21-4 laugher -- but A-Rod says he doesn't want to talk about it (Newsday). Another story was the arrival of new backup catcher Jose Molina (New York Post), who figures to be an offensive improvement over the departed Wil Nieves -- and remember that Molina is only hitting .224 this season. The Yankees have also signed former Red Sox reliever Scott Williamson (projostats) to a minor league deal.

HERE'S THE OTHER VIEW: Joel Sherman writes in the Post that Yankee fans should remember one sobering piece of news: The Red Sox still have 15 games left against the Devil Rays, whom he says "are so atrocious that Tim Donaghy could have big money on their games and be umping, and that wouldn't help."

QUITE A STAT: The Yanks had 25 hits yesterday and 20 on Saturday night. The last time the franchise has had consecutive 20-hit showings was in 1902, when it was known as the Baltimore Orioles (the team became the New York Highlanders the following season).

NOT TOO SURPRISING: The Yankee page on Wikipedia has been temporarily closed to editing by new or unregistered users due to "vandalism." The Red Sox page remains open for business.

ANOTHER TEST: The Yankees now go to Kansas City for four games against the Royals, who are coming off consecutive series victories on the road against the Red Sox and the Tigers, the teams with the two best records in baseball. Royals fans may finally have some reason for optimism following so many dismal seasons (Kansas City Star).

PRIDE OF A CITY: The Tigers have sold enough tickets to break the club's attendance record, set during the 1984 World Series championship season. Joe LaPointe writes in The New York Times that the Tigers have given Detroit a reason to cheer, which is something the city needs.

THE NAME FITS: While Barry Bonds sat the game out, the Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun hit his 15th home run of the season in yesterday's win over the Giants. The homer, in Braun's 50th major league game, made him the fastest player to reach 15 since Albert Pujols in 2001 (projo stats).

THINK WE HAD IT BAD? The Colorado Rockies went 0-for-28 with runners in scoring position during a four-game series over the weekend with the Washington Nationals (projo stats). No team had gone that many at bats in a single series without a hit with runners in scoring position since the 1991 Montreal Expos.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:06 AM to Projo Sox Crawl | Permalink