The Sox lost a tough one Saturday night, 2-1 in Minnesota. The Sox had plenty of chances to score (12 LOB), but just couldn't get it done. Twins ace Johan Santana pitched just well enough to win-5 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. The Twins vaunted bullpen shut out the Sox over the last 4 innings, not allowing a hit. It just wasn't the Sox' night. These kinds of losses will happen, occasionally, over a long season. (Unless you are the Phillies. In that case substitute "usually", for "occasionally.")Batshit Crazy Julian Tavarez turned in an excellent performance, but still picked up his third loss in four decisions. He threw six innings, allowing only two earned runs, on four hits, and three walks. He struck out seven. Of the eighteen batters he retired, eleven were via the ground, and the other seven were strikeouts. He did not record a single out via the air. A bit unusual.
In additional disappointing news, Tavarez did not really demonstrate any of his patented Batshit behavior. (At least not that I observed.) There was some finger-pointing, as he directed his fielders to follow the correct sequence in recording outs on a double play. There was an interesting pickoff attempt at 2B, while intentionally walking a batter. But nothing that really stood out. At one point, I thought he had the hidden ball trick going on with Dustin Pedroia, but that was a false alarm. I'd like to see Tavarez try the hidden ball trick, without utilizing any teammates. I'm sure if anyone could pull it off, he could.
In Sunday's game, the Sox and Curt Schilling took a 4-0 lead into the 7th, and the bullpen of Okajima and Papelbon held on for a 4-3 win. I missed the game in its' entirety, so I don't really have anything useful to add. I intended to ignore the game, and then watch it after the Sunday night ESPN game, but the siren call of Gameday, and Amalie's Extra Bases Blog, was too strong. For a superb account of Papelbon's performance, look here. After reading that, I almost feel like I did see the Papelbonian brilliance that ended the game. Good stuff. The Sox only scored seven runs in the series, but still took 2 of 3. THAT'S what winning teams do, my reader(s).
In the ESPN Sunday night game, the Phillies and their ace, Cole Hamels, face the Giants, and rookie wunderkind Tim Lincecum. Lincecum, who looks extremely youthful in his Gameday picture, is in for a rude welcome to MLB. Perhaps even Chase Wright-rude.
This national TV performance could very well be the night that future HOF'er Cole Hamels becomes a household name. I expect him to finish with a complete game, 2 hit, 17 K, shutout. As well as solve that tricky global warming problem between innings. Go Phils!
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