Jul
29

Game 106: Two straight losses means a new game thread host

By Joseph Pawlikowski

Glad to be back, people, after an extended absence from the game threads. Mike’s luck has seemingly run out. Since my hatred for the Orioles extends nearly as deep as it does for the Red Sox, I figure I’ll try my hand tonight. Hopefully, this brings good things. If not, Ben will be on deck for tomorrow.

(And they say baseball players are superstitious…)

The big news today is the Mark Teixeira trade. The Braves grab Casey Kotchman, who was pulled from the field prior to the Angels game in Fenway tonight. AA pitcher Stephen Marek is the other part of the Braves’s haul. The bad news for the Yanks: The Angels come into town for four this weekend, and we play them six times after that. They’re scary good right now, easily the best team in the AL, both in terms of talent and results.

A sentence you never thought you’d hear, courtesy of Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune: “The Twins are competing with the Tigers for LaTroy Hawkins.” Any return on him is a coup.

Dan Cabrera hits the hill for the Orioles. Last time we met, on May 20, he ended the game with a 3.48 ERA. That’s nearly a run and a half higher right now. His last outing was a five-inning, seven-run meltdown against the Blue Jays. Cabrera holds a career 4.62 ERA vs. the Yankees over 85.2 innings.

D-Ras takes the mound for us. Hopefully the Moeller Magic works again tonight.

Your lineup:

1. Johnny Damon, LF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, DH
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Wilson Betemit, 3B
8. Melky Cabrera, CF
9. Chad Moeller, C

And on the mound, number 43, Darrell Rasner

Posted on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 6:29 pm in Game Threads.

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426 Comments »

UNION YES. says:

we’ve got two third basemen and two CF in the lineup tonight..

Anthony says:

A-Rod is DHing and Damon is in LF.

 
Manimal says:

3 Third basemen if you count moeller going in yesturday, and Betemit and Arod.

 
Manimal says:

oh you meant typo’s. sorry i thought you meant players that play the position.

 
 
Manimal says:

Angels will be a good test. 2/4 and Ill consider it a great weekend.

Anthony says:

Considering we got Ponson and Raz starting two of the four, I’d unfortunately agree with that.

 
mustang says:

Agree I will take that right now.

 
 
Jake says:
 
Manimal says:

Seriously Girardi? Nady finally got the first hit(and HR) so he has that behind him its all buisness from now on and you take him out? smooth.

mustang says:
 
 
Jake says:

Also Angels just traded for Tex.

Jake says:

Oh just saw you added that. Feel free to deal my comment.

Jake says:
 
 
 
E-ROC says:

“Dan Cabrera hits the hill for the Orioles,” and Derek Jeter.

 
Jamal G. says:

This Angels/Braves deal is a bit odd to me. Steven Marek is a converted reliever who has a near 4.00-B/9 and a 1.28-WHIP at the age of 24, which is old for his level, Double-A. And he’s not a LHP like I’ve read in other places.

Can someone give me a read on his stuff, having trouble finding anything.

Jamal G. says:

I guess Braves’ GM, Frank Wren, values Casey Kotchman’s three remaining years until free agency (where he should be entering his prime) over the two draft picks he would receive.

 
zs190 says:

He has 57K in 46 IP so the K/BB ratio isn’t all that bad, though, you kind of cherry picked some numbers there. Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein said that he’s apparently a big guy with good velocity and misses bats(and is projected to miss bats at big league level) so probably a Jose Veras kind of guy. It’s alright, not a great deal but not that bad either, I think.

Jamal G. says:

I don’t know, in a deal for Mark Teixeira I would like to see better than a 2.71-K/BB from a 24-year-old in Double-A.

zs190 says:

Well, the biggest part of the trade is Kotchman, above average 1B that’s cost controlled for 3 years. They are looking to contend next year with Hudson, Smoltz, Chipper, and others healthy next season so this seems like it would be better than 2 picks.

As far as I know, the only other offer out there is Chad Tracy + B prospect and Tracy has some injury risk so I think they took the safer choice.

The upside for this deal is minor, but they probably took the best offer out there.

 
mustang says:

Jamal I’m sorry, but your getting a guy who is batting .287/12/54/.327/.448 and you control for 3 years and a minor league pitcher for a guy who you can’t afford and might walk alway in the winter.
This was a great deal for the Braves.

mustang says:

Over the two draft picks.

 
Steve says:

The best way to look at this trade as the difference between Kotchman and Texiera. Tex is a much better player, but Kotchman is a good player as well. The difference between the two is not huge. Its not like they had some scrub hitting .220 with a .250 OBP and no power. The difference between Kotchman and Tex is about .100 points of OPS which translates into one extra base produced every 10 ABs (roughly 2 games) or one about more run every 8 games. Not huge.

They’re 19th in Baseball in runs scored. One player can’t change them all that much. Especially when the guy he’s replacing was a pretty good player to begin with.

I agree that nobody has a better starting rotation, but many teams (including most of the playoff contenders) still have a better lineup even after this deal. They might have moved ahead of the Rays, but the Rays can’t hit much (20th Runs scored) either.

 
 
 
 
Jake says:

This is according to BA:

Background: The Angels inked Marek in May 2005 for an $800,000 bonus as a draft-and-follow. A reliever at San Jacinto (Texas) JC, he became a starter in pro ball and led the Midwest League with a 1.96 ERA in his first full season. He stayed in extended spring training when camp broke last year, but finished strong with four earned runs allowed in his final four starts in high Class A.

Strengths: Marek comes after hitters with a powerful three-pitch mix. His fastball ranges from 88-94 mph. His 74-77 mph curveball has 11-to-5 shape and grades as a second plus pitch thanks to his knack for locating it. He made improvements to his changeup, which has hard, late sink at times and helped him limit lefthanders to a .183 average in 2007.

Weaknesses: Marek’s mechanics are a work in progress. He doesn’t repeat his release point, and when his arm slot gets too high, he loses life on his fastball, especially when he misses up in the zone. He pitches in the middle of the zone too frequently. Angels coaches say his focus is also an area they’d like to see improve.

The Future: Provided he stays healthy, Marek profiles as a middle-of-the-rotation starter. He’ll spend 2008 in the Double-A Arkansas rotation.

 
 
parms says:

With Cabrera’s dismal numbers, how bout we give Gardner a shot here in there in center? I still think he deserves a roster spot over Christian. If anything he’s a better option as a pinch runner.

The Nady thing is definitely puzzling. It’s not like there’s a history between Cabrera and him. X has never registered an at-bat against him.

 
Ivan says:

Daniel Cabrera scares me right. He’s either REALLY, REALLY good or REALLY, REALLY bad especially against us.

zs190 says:

I live in Maryland and occasionally see some Orioles games on local station, he’s like that against anybody. He’s pretty much a right handed and bigger version of Oliver Perez basically. Great stuff, iffy control, can either be dominating when he has his stuff going or be horrendously wild.

E-ROC says:

What part of Maryland? I’m from Baltimore City.

zs190 says:

Montgomery County

 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

Riverdogs game is in a rain delay.

Jamal G. says:

Ugh. Thank God for MiLB.com, get to listen to the game at least.

 
 
billybob says:

Porcello for Latroy? Me likes the sounds of that. And for those who can’t grasp internet sarcasm, I’m not being serious.

Jamal G. says:

Fuck…Dave…Dombrowski.

 
 
Ivan says:

You the O’s have a legit good offense.

Manimal says:

They keep it simple, aim for the gaps and a single is as valuable as a homerun.

 
 
Newman says:
 
Manimal says:

Dejavu all over again

 
Jake H says:

Why can’t any of our pitchers lately get out of the first inning?

 
zs190 says:

We can’t get some upgrades fast enough…

 
Manimal says:

is his problem the stretch? with bases loaded he should go from the wind up.

Newman says:

I’m pretty sure his problem is that he’s not a major league baseball player

 
 
Jake H says:

I’m getting really tired of Jeter

 
Mike A. says:

Oh come on Derek. You’re better than this.

Ivan says:

It’s A-Rod’s fault.

 
 
Mike A. says:

I can’t believe I’m looking at Carl Pavano’s name in a box score…

TheLastClown says:

What game is it in?

 
 
Jake H says:

How many times does Jeter swing at the first pitch?

 
Jamal G. says:

Jorge Cantu just recorded his 27th Double of the year, who saw this coming?

Mike A. says:

He’s probably got more doubles than walks. He’s not up there to work the count, that’s for sure.

 
 
Jake says:

Jeter has not looked very Jeterian this season. It’s disheartening to say the least.

 
Ivan says:

Man Giambi has been awful in RISP this year.

 
Manimal says:

seriously, where the hell is Nady. Sit Damon if you Put arod at DH since they will both get rest and Damon can rest his arm.

 
Jake H says:

Jeter is going to have to become more selective as his skill lessen. Giambi needs to be dropped in the lineup.

parms says:

giambi needs to bring out the thong for another game

 
 
Jamal G. says:

How about signing Juan Rivera and putting Xavier Nady at 1B next year to replace Jason Giambi (if he doesn’t want to sign a 1-year pact)?

*That environmental commercial has to be the cheapest, funniest commercial I’ve seen in some time. “Making the coupons, yeah, making the coupons!”

parms says:

what about Jorge at 1B? doesn’t have to do much throwing from there

Chris says:

His arm should be fine next year, so throwing shouldn’t be a problem.

parms says:

hes still a below average catcher defensively though, why not fill the first baseman hole with him and go after a catcher/keep molina

 
 
 
 
E-ROC says:

IPK can’t get here any sooner.

Ivan says:

Big day for the yankee minor leagues. Kennedy is pitching today.

 
mustang says:
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Clay Buchholz > Joba Chamberlain…HA!

Ivan says:
Jamal G. says:

Hatin’ ass bitches said that.

TheLastClown says:
Mike A. says:

Take away the no-no, and Buchholz has a 1.72 WHIP & 5.20 ERA as a big leaguer.

 
 
 
 
TheLastClown says:

Are you listening to the delusion patrol?

 
 
Jake H says:

I’m so tired of guys swinging at the first pitch.

Joey H says:

vintage posada. now we get to see it less with him opting for the surgery THANK GOD

 
 
Ivan says:

Man adam Jones looks smooth at CF.

 
Jake H says:

Jim Callis said it along with Will Lingo from BA

TheLastClown says:

The Bucholz/Joba comparison?

Joey H says:

there is a such comparison? lol

 
 
 
TheLastClown says:
 
Joey H says:

yea chad didnt look like a total jackass stuttering with the ball lol

 
Ivan says:

Wow the Riverdogs broadcaster, said if Montero played in any other park probably could of had 15-20 HR’s.

Jamal G. says:

Not bs’ing, that is a pitcher’s park. Not sure of the exact Park Factor.

 
Mike A. says:

I doubt that, it’s like 305 down the RF there.

 
 
Joey H says:

why not play nady today? put damon in center for crying out loud. its not such a big deal. i cant remember the last time melky had a day off. i get hes young but c’mon its like having a new toy as a kid you wanna keep playing with it.

 
Jamal G. says:

Clay Buchholz is failing.

Mike A. says:

And Lackey isn’t.

 
TheLastClown says:

Sweet….Boston getting J-lackked…

 
 
Jake H says:

Ya Jim Callis and Will Lingo ranked Buchholz as the better pitcher and prospect.

Ivan says:

Well that’s there opinion but right now it’s clearly Joba.

TheLastClown says:

But Joba never threw a no-hitter! Clearly since Clay’s thrown one he’s far superior

 
 
 
TheLastClown says:

Please let Johnny steal…I can’t watch another GIDP

 
Jamal G. says:

Guys, stop thinking negative thoughts. I know what you guys are thinking with Jeter up in this situation.

TheLastClown says:

and you’re not?

 
 
Ivan says:

Hit and run with Jeter here please.

 
Mike A. says:

I know that vendor, see him all the time up in TR.

 
Ivan says:

Nothing you can do Abreu.

 
Jamal G. says:

I think we are entering a new age of broadcasting. A Florida Marlins’ fan sent an e-mail to the broadcasters in Florida’s booth saying that using the Fielding% stat to rate Dan Uggla’s defense was stupid, and to “check their facts”. So not only did the broadcasters show the e-mail on air, they also put up a graphic of the top N.L. Second Basemen in the Range Factor stat. The broadcasters then admitted how that is “pretty good” (Uggla ranks third) and also said “I know the Fielding% is not a tell-all stat, look at Steve Garvey, he never made an Error but had no range.”

I think this is what the guys at FireJoeMorgan would call “white-hot porn”.

 
Mike A. says:

Take Giambi. Take take take take take. No way Cabrera throws 3 strikes before he throws 4 balls.

 
E-ROC says:
 
Mike A. says:

Look at that, 4 K’s thru 2 for Pavano.

Joey H says:

where can i listen to or watch or look at a box score of this game?

Mike A. says:
Joey H says:

sure no problem i just want to see whats going on. thanks mike.

 
 
 
 
Ivan says:
 
Jamal G. says:

Yeah, John Lackey is really, really not failing.

 
Jake H says:

I can’t wait for Giambi to be gone.

 
Joey H says:

dont you think its fucking ridiculous that a second baseman can play in short rightcenter?

 
E-ROC says:
 
Ivan says:
 
Ivan says:

Hughes a scoreless inning.

 
b/c says:

Hughes hitting 93 down in Charleston.

FB is popping.

He gets a GB then a single then a GB than a pop single.

Ivan says:
 
 
 
Jake H says:
parms says:

he as 6 of his 16 home runs against the yankees… can we just walk him next time?

 
Ivan says:

dude is not even that nice but kills us.

 
 
b/c says:

Almonte triple one hopped off the fence in RC to break a 1 for 34 slump.

 
E-ROC says:
 
zzzzz says:

so….we need to send a messege to this millar guy. think joba will peg him? haha.

 
Jamal G. says:

Wow, Carl Pavano, Phil Hughes, and Wilkins De La Rosa? That’s just not fair.

Ivan says:

I betcha when when the minor league hitters saw Hughes, they were like Not Him Again.

 
 
TheLastClown says:

Pavano 2IP 1H 0R 1/4 BB/K

 
b/c says:

Krum double to give the Dogs the lead.

 
TheLastClown says:

Horses for courses? Anyone?

 
Jamal G. says:

When Jason Varitek (LoL), Alex Cora, and Jacoby Ellsbury are hitting in a lineup consecutively, that makes the “something special” so unfair.

 
parms says:

i’ll take 2 runs every 4 innings our of rasner every start, keeps us in the game. now lets get some runs

 
Ivan says:

Come on Toronto, score some fucking runs man.

 
Mike A. says:

John Lackey has a pretty low WHIP tonight.

Jamal G. says:

Too bad that Nancy Drew character got plunked.

Mike A. says:

Did he break his hymen?

Jamal G. says:

It grazed is foot, just as bad for Ms. Drew.

 
 
 
 
Jake H says:

This team is so frustrating

 
Jamal G. says:

Guys, you can listen for free to any Minor League game at MiLB.com. Just register for free and all the games come with free audio. Click the audio thing under the line-score and just follow the steps.

 
BigBlueAL says:

Should we really be excited that the Angels so far are dominating the Red Sox considering they come to NY for 4 games this week, with Texiera, and not having to face Joba but they do have to face whoever will be the Yankees 4th and 5th starters this weekend. Oh and if the Yankees lose this game it would be pretty pathetic….

TheLastClown says:

Considering they’re not division rivals, and a loss for Boston is a plus for us…yes

 
A.D. says:

If they can get the wins out of their system, wear themselves out with the So, fall to us

 
 
parms says:

i am soooo sick of melky

 
Ivan says:

Boy those RD anouncer sure love Hughes.

 
TheLastClown says:

Will we see IPK Friday?

A.D. says:

Angels might not be a bad team for him to start with

Mike A. says:

Seriously, the only guy on that team willing to work the count is the guy they just traded for.

 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Hughes getting the opponent to GIDP, nice.

Jamal G. says:

Hughes had a very quick second inning, any chance he makes an appearance in the third inning?

A.D. says:

isnt he suppost to pitch 2 innings and is pitching the 3rd & 4th?

Jamal G. says:

Whoops. Meant he had a very quick second inning of work, any chance he pitches a third inning.

Thinking about it now, most likely it’s a hell no.

 
 
Mike A. says:

Hells no. The Yankees shut the kid down for the rest of the season in 2004 because he stubbed his toe, you think they’ll send him out there beyond what was prescribed in his first start back from injury?

Chris says:

What was his line tonight?

Mike A. says:

Eh, so I was wrong.

 
 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

Hughes pitches two scoreless innings. Shit One more inning.

 
BigBlueAL says:

SHIT!!!! I have Lackey benched this week!!!! Before you ask, historically he is horrible vs the Red Sox, especially at Fenway. Of course the fact he faces the Yankees this Sunday shouldve made me start him since that should be an easy win for him….

Jamal G. says:

I would’ve benched his ass too.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Phil Hughes, Austin Romine, and Jesus Montero (DH) were all playing in the same game today, nice. Abe Almonte as well.

 
A.D. says:

Just looking at the charelston game did anyone notice Everth Cabrera already has 61 steals, in 99 games???

Mike A. says:
 
 
TheLastClown says:

Nice pickoff of the outside corner Rasberry

 
Jamal G. says:

If Boston does not break this “special” thing up for John Lackey, Kevin Youkilis will be breaking some mirrors tonight…by actually touching them this time.

Mike A. says:

I see what you did there. Took me a minute, but I’m picking up what you’re putting down now. Nice.

 
 
A.D. says:
 
Jake H says:

Why can’t we hit the O’s?

A.D. says:

What I find odd is when the O’s were good in 96 & 97 we seemed to have less trouble against them

Wow, that was 10 years ago, yikes

TheLastClown says:

They used to beat the hell out of us.

 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

I think it is really time to flip-flop Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano in this lineup.

A.D. says:
 
 
Ivan says:

Hughes is coming back.

 
Jamal G. says:

Phil Hughes is starting his third inning. Wow. Absolutely just one batter (he’s at 14-pitches, should stop at 20).

Jamal G. says:

Ok, Hughes is not pitching to just one batter. Also, he is throwing his Slider!

 
 
Mike A. says:

It’s either doubles or double plays for the Cap’n.

 
 
Ivan says:
 
TheLastClown says:

Fairchild’s really giving that high-inside strike on the lefties. Looks way out of the zone to me….@ least he’s being doing it consistently

TheLastClown says:
 
 
BigBlueAL says:

Here is a scary thought, that 8 game winning streak was sort of a fluke and the real Yankees, the one we have seen the entire season, is back.

Ivan says:
BigBlueAL says:

lol. Actually the people who are usually pessimistic I havent seen them posting tonight so I figured let me try. I can go both ways. Wait a minute that didnt sound right……..

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

I despise Kevin Millar.

TheLastClown says:

as do I, always have….good thing he was erased on the DP

 
 
Jamal G. says:

What gives you more of a heart attack, Wilson Betemit attempting to field a ball or Jason Giambi getting ready to throw a ball?

 
Ivan says:

Hughes Fastball seems good.

 
Jamal G. says:

Hughes completes three scoreless innings.

TheLastClown says:
 
 
A.D. says:
 
Mike A. says:

Another unclutch homer by A-Rod. It would have counted more if it came in the 9th.

 
Jamal G. says:

Not clutch enough, A-Rod didn’t give the Yankees a lead. Also, the sixth inning? Pray tell.

 
TheLastClown says:
 
Ivan says:

A-Rod=Modern Day Mickey Mantle.

 
Jamal G. says:

Abe Almonte has his second 3B, hopefully his slump his long gone.

 
Jake H says:

Rasner gives the Yanks a quality start.

 
Ryan says:

was Giambi just giving the middle finger?

 
beezr says:

Finger malfunction.

 
Ivan says:

Cano Pulled a Derek Jeter.

 
Jamal G. says:

Is Tito Francona a Yankee spy? Runners on first and third, one out, down 4-0, and he brings in Craig Hansen? Thank you, kind sir.

Jamal G. says:

Obviously, two runs score. Chone Figgins was tagged out trying to pull something out of MLB 08: The Show by scoring from second on a throw to first base that the runner beat out.

 
 
TheLastClown says:

The J-Lack *special* has another run…5-0

TheLastClown says:
 
 
Mike A. says:

Craig Hansen sucks.

Ivan says:

Far cry when he was billed as the next great reliever.

 
 
RustyJohn says:

Why are they sending Rasner out for the 7th?

 
Ivan says:

Well, you goota like this boston game, Lackey is throwing a no-no, Buchholz gets rough up and craig “the gasoline” Hansen is getting smacked around. Good.

 
BigBlueAL says:

Wow Vlad Guerrerro looks like a 50 yo playin RF. I say the Angels should rest him all 4 games this weekend in NY….

parms says:

i agree, they shouldnt DH him either, just give him the days off

 
 
H-Man says:

Have any of you taken notice of Corban Joseph in the GCL? Check out his last 10 games. Pretty impressive for a High School kid.

Mike A. says:

More than half his hits have gone for extra bases.

 
 
TheLastClown says:

Good play from Figgins….loooong trow with his back foot in foul territory across the diamond to get Manny

TheLastClown says:

81 pitches 56 strikes through 7 for Lackey

 
 
RustyJohn says:

FYI- Ohlendorf in his Indianapolis debut so far- 6 IP, 4 ER.

 
Jamal G. says:

Who’s more valuable to the New York Yankees, Jason Varitek or either one of Mariano Rivera and Alex Rodriguez? I’m serious, is Varitek’s suckitude more valuable to the Yanks than the awesomeness of Mariano and A-Rod?

LoL, Kellerman posed this question around the All-Star break and it has me laughing ’till this day.

A.D. says:

When they play boston its may be Teks sukitude

 
BigBlueAL says:

I detect a bit of a man-crush on Max Kellerman by Jamal….BTW, Around the Horn hasnt been the same w/o him!!! (although Tony Reali is pretty good as host)

Joey H says:

yeah really… just a tad bit

 
 
 
 
BigBlueAL says:

Great call leaving Rasner out there to start the 7th.

 
Manimal says:

Rasner did what he could. Offense is to blame so far.

 
Jake H says:

Bad decision by Girardi

 
Jamal G. says:

Nick Markakis, booo!

 
Mike A. says:

Geez, remind me again why we HAD to have Marte???

;)

 
Jamal G. says:

If Michael Kay doesn’t shut the fuck up…

 
Ivan says:

Kennedy 5.0 3 1 1 3 4 0.

 
TheLastClown says:

Heart just stopped…..

 
 
A.D. says:

Such for Marte cleaning up

 
RustyJohn says:

Why they sent Rasner out there for the 7th at 100 pitches is beyond me. Only used Giese on Sunday, yes I know they used 4 or 5 guys yesterday, but come on…

 
Jamal G. says:

Edwar Ramirez would have struck him out and that K would have scored the Yankees two runs.

 
Manimal says:

Put it molina, Moeller has no idea wtf hes doing with Marte

RustyJohn says:
 
 
E-ROC says:

Gotta be optimistic, gotta be optimistic, gotta be optimistic…ah..nevermind.

 
Ivan says:

I give Great. Just Great.

 
Ivan says:

Great. Just Great.

 
Ivan says:

Great. Just Great.

 
Joey H says:

did you see the look on girardi’s face and did you hear the fans? marte better get his head out of his ass or else he wont last long here

 
A.D. says:

8 game winning streaks are less sweet when you loose 3 in a row

TheLastClown says:

They’ve got 9 outs to score 5. Don’t count it over yet

A.D. says:

it win win, if they come back i’m happy, if they don’t i’m correct

hopefully they prove my comment wrong

 
 
 
Joe says:

Mevlin Mora likes to hit with Runners in scoring position? We could use a guy like that

 
Jamal G. says:

Those Beantowners have resulted to breaking bats in the direction of John Lackey, how gritty.

Mike A. says:

ESPN will probably show the 9th. Figures, yet another Sox game on ESPN.

 
 
Manimal says:
 
Jamal G. says:
TheLastClown says:

what do you mean?

Jamal G. says:

All the cheering, thought maybe someone was getting chased by the cops.

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

What the hell was everyone cheering about?

Manimal says:

seriously, and even Moeller and the umpire was looking

 
 
A.D. says:

IPK, moving closer to the bigs?

 
ansky says:

Sorry in advance for beaming but i just got to interview Hughes after his start and he couldnt be a nicer guy in person.

Following the “if you have nothing nice to say, dont say anything” motto…i wont speak of Carl

Manimal says:

Did hughes say anythng intriguing?

ansky says:

He said he felt fine with his command. Havent seen the velocity numbers yet.

They both could be sticking around for another start. Phil was very excited to be back in Charleston and was hopeful to make another start here, Pavano didnt seem to be offering anything in the way of insight.

Reg-gie was here for support. Signed pretty much everything anyone threw at him.

 
 
 
BigBlueAL says:

8 game winnin streak followed by a 3 game gettin your ass-whooped back to reality streak. Somebody had to say it, so I figured Id be the first to jump on the over-reaction train….

TheLastClown says:

No offense meant to you, but I hope they shut you up in the next three innings :)

BigBlueAL says:

Nothing would make me happier :-)

 
 
Joe says:
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkilis are the last three chances for the Bostonians.

A.D. says:

the 2008 all grit team

Mike A. says:

No, not Ellsbury. He waxes his eyebrows. That’s the ultimate anti-grit.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

Maybe, just maybe, this is a good omen that they will play well against the Angels right?

 
Steve says:

So if Lackey gets it in Boston, would all of the credit go to his catcher? I mean, all of the credit always goes to Varitek for no-no’s, and since it’s in Boston, you never know. Go Mathis!!

A.D. says:

No it would be for Tek, he’d be the only catcher to be a part of 5 no hitters caught 4, played in another

Manimal says:

0′fer in the other.

 
Steve says:

There’s already a rumor going around that Varitek is actually calling the pitches for Lackey, so he may in fact get credit for the 5th. That’s why he’s got the C on his chest.

 
 
TheLastClown says:

K for Ellsbury…..

 
 
Mike A. says:

Boston’s pen is so bad that Papelbon is pitching in a game the Sox are losing by 6 runs.

Jamal G. says:

Hasn’t pitched since July 23rd, understandable. But your point is well taken, their bullpen blows.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Aaron Heilman in a one run game…comical.

 
Manimal says:

Yankees can EASILY come back.

 
A.D. says:

Nice start by Hacker tonight

 
Mike A. says:

ESPN’s got the end of the Sox game.

 
Manimal says:

Giambi is supposed to bat vs a lefty, do you keep him in, put in Sexson or Nady.

A.D. says:

Nady, especially over Sexson. Nady has been redic in the few at bats hes been a pinch hitter

 
 
Manimal says:
 
UNION YES. says:

damn it. please throw at youkilis

 
TheLastClown says:

Bitchface Pedroia breaks it up……sad day in Lackey-town

 
BigBlueAL says:

RAB favorite Dustin Pedroia breaks up No-No with 1 out in the 9th. All grit right there….

 
Jamal G. says:

Fuck Dustin Pedroia.

 
Mike A. says:

Fuck you Pedroia. No one likes you.

 
Joe says:
 
Manimal says:
 
Ivan says:

So much for the no-no.

 
Joe says:

Damn your Kevin Youkilis

 
Jamal G. says:
BigBlueAL says:

WTF happened to that kid!!!! LMFAO

 
 
Joe says:

so the no-no is done. two run shot by yuck after a dustin p hit… rough 9th for lackey

 
A.D. says:

Thats pure grit, imagine if Casey Blake got an at-bat, probably would have hit a grand slam with no one on

 
 
Manimal says:

Have you noticed how bad Pedroia is balding. its kinda pathetic

A.D. says:

Brett Gardner is rocking the same “hair”

 
Mike A. says:

He’s short. He’s white. He’s got a beard. He’s balding. He’s got a minimal amount of talent.

That’s the 5 tools of grit right there.

Jamal G. says:

The hahht Mike! The HAHHT!

Mike A. says:

Oooooo good one. I was having trouble thinking of the 5th tool.

 
 
Steve says:

Is there more tools? Because Eckstein doesn’t have the beard, and is the grittiest player of all time. Maybe he’s higher, because as much as I hate to say it, he has less talent than Pedroia

 
Ivan says:
 
 
 
Manimal says:

I want to see what lacky will say about his start on his blog. anyone else whos interested its yardbarker.com

 
A.D. says:

At least we don’t loose ground, and hopefully the Angles are wearing themselves out

 
Manimal says:

Whats the odds Markakis will be in pinstripes, when is he a free agent?

 
A.D. says:

There is NO reason Cabrera should be thrown out there

 
Jamal G. says:

Lmao, did Dave Trembley just say “What the shit?!”

 
BigBlueAL says:

I know everyone here is excited by the weekend preview the Angels are putting on the Red Sox, but Tampa just won and will now be 4 up on the Yanks. I dont give a shit about Boston, lets actually you know try to win the division like the Yanks did from 1998-2006. I dont wanna become a team who just settles for the WC (which will lead to a 1st round meeting in Anaheim).

BigBlueAL says:

Someone rip me and call me an idiot!! I mightve spoke to soon about bein 4 back of Tampa…..

 
 
Manimal says:

MLB has to protect the better players. Its all Bud Selig’s fault.

 
Jamal G. says:

With nobody out, one runner on, and the Mets up 2-1 in the eighth inning, Carlos De;gado attempts a SAC bunt. Later in the same AB, Delgado jacks a two-run dinger. Bunts are stupid and whoever called for that bunt there with Delgado (who has a total of ZERO SAC bunts in his career) is a moron.

 
Mike A. says:

Gregg Zaun would welcome a trade. GM J.P. Ricciardi responded by saying “someone has to want you.”

Za-Zing!

Jamal G. says:

Who the fuck does that prick think he is?

 
Ivan says:

Wow that’s a diss.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

Awesomeness, let’s go Yanks.

 
 
A.D. says:
 
Jamal G. says:

Alex Rodriguez, best fucking player ever!

Manimal says:

Seriously. I understand hes has amazing talent but hes a smart baseball player too.

Mike A. says:

And he works his ass off.

 
 
 
Manimal says:
 
BigBlueAL says:

Wow the players have finally realized lets not bother listening to Meacham anymore.

 
A.D. says:

much rather see nady here

 
BigBlueAL says:

Who pinch-hits for Moeller??

 
Jamal G. says:

Pinch-hit Nady for Melky or do you save him for Moeller?

Mike A. says:
Mike A. says:

Don’t save him for the opportunity that may never come.

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

Melky’s going to fuck this up. You know it, I know it, and Melky knows it.

Manimal says:

When cano hits, melky hits. Its weird.

 
Joe says:

one fucking pitch?

 
 
Manimal says:

Xman to the rescue.

 
E-ROC says:

WTF Melky?! Work the count at least…

Jamal G. says:

Hard-hit liner, no complaints.

 
 
Mike A. says:

I’m sitting on my couch, and that pitch buckled my knees.

 
A.D. says:

ugh, going to come up short

 
Manimal says:

Anyone wish Hank-stein would hire Cano’s dad permanently

 
Ivan says:
 
Manimal says:

When has betemit participated in a *possitive way* to a rally. Exactly.

Jamal G. says: