August 28, 2008 at 1:48 PM
8/28: Finish them
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Boston Red Sox (77-55) @ New York Yankees (70-62)
Jon Lester (12-5, 3.49) @ Mike Mussina (16-7, 3.45) 1:30 PM EDT | Yankee Stadium (Bronx, NY) TV: NESN RADIO: WRKO 680, SBN 1150 |
GAME NOTES: 
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Discussion
132 Comments on "8/28: Finish them"
#3
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 1:58 PM
No biggie.
Hmmm...it seems the Sox are either baffled my the Moose or have gotten too trigger happy and/or lazy. I mean Ellsbury has no excuse for letting all three strikes pass by. Dusty, you hit a GS which I love you for, but 1st-pitch hacking is not the way to go.
Lester, still doing a good job and props for nailing Ransom.
#4
Posted by Jc, August 28, 2008 1:58 PM
when is Tito going to learn that Jacoby and his 682 ops don't belong in the leadoff spot.
#13
Posted by Sam, August 28, 2008 2:29 PM
Wow ... what is it about Mike Mussina that makes batters lose all semblance of patience and strategy at the plate? It's like we are just hacking away up there hoping he'll throw one of his sad fastballs belt-high ... Its stupid
#17
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 2:30 PM
Holy hell! From the last person I suspected...
Actually Cora was the last person I expected but still...
#18
Posted by Sam, August 28, 2008 2:30 PM
Varitek? Really? How hilarious is that ... the man who can't catch up to even the Moose's fastball ... gets a curve ... Way to get us on the board Tek!
#19
Posted by Mostly Running., August 28, 2008 2:31 PM
As someone who has spent a fair amount of time around folks who grew up in small Oregon towns, I have to insist that the folks at Fenway play AC/DC's "Hell's Bells" everytime Jacoby bats.
#20
Posted by Evan Brunell, August 28, 2008 2:32 PM
And that's why he's our leadoff man. Yeah, he's scuffling as of late, but this is his first full year. I'd have to chalk this year up as a success if the season ended today.
#24
Posted by Sam, August 28, 2008 2:35 PM
Well at least we broke through with a couple cheap runs ... Now lets get Lester back to work ... 5 Ks 0 BBs ... Im still in awe
#25
Posted by Jc, August 28, 2008 2:37 PM
just because he has speed he should be the leadoff hitter, and obp of .326 just won't cut it, i still think Ellsbury will be a nice 4th outfielder, that's not the worst thing in the world, not everyone that comes from pawthucket is going to succeed.
#27
Posted by Evan Brunell, August 28, 2008 2:40 PM
I would argue Ellsbury's OBP takes a nice jump once you factor in FC's of double plays that couldn't be turned.
#29
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 2:41 PM
No worries mates. Dusty will still be up in the 6th and he might have some pint-sized power ready to rock the house if all goes according to plan.
Lester is fucking shit up now. No mercy...
#30
Posted by Sam, August 28, 2008 2:41 PM
This is the stretch run guys ... Lets not bitch about this team until this year is over alright? We arent perfect but this is who we are
#31
Posted by Sam, August 28, 2008 2:42 PM
I was replying to Jc actually ... everyone else seems fairly positive lol
#32
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 2:49 PM
Takin' one for the team Youk! Looks like the Moose has Joba's Syndrome.
#33
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 2:51 PM
Bay...c'mon we've been over this and the first-pitch hacking. I mean yeah it's nice to get our guys to 2nd and 3rd but not in those situations.
#34
Posted by Evan Brunell, August 28, 2008 2:52 PM
Well, we got a break there because IMO, Pedroia should havebeen out.
#36
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 2:54 PM
I know that Ellsbury has been inconsistent to say the least, but a lot of things just haven't gone his way. He probably has more nagging injuries than anyone on the team because of the way he plays the field, and it probably effects his hitting, but he just shows up every day. Remember on the last road trip he was starting to hit again, including a long homer in KC, but then he got nailed in the tailbone with a pitch in Chicago and it's affected his performance. I'm sure slamming into that wall in Toronto hasn't helped his hitting either. Not making excuses for him, just stating facts, he's had some terrible luck. He's a smart player and a hard worker, I expect him to improve next year, and I don't think that he's a 4th outfielder type.
#37
Posted by Mostly Running., August 28, 2008 2:54 PM
If the Yanks want Peddy to knock A-Rod on his ass I'll take a do over. Still, it was a bad call.
#39
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 2:56 PM
Mussina has always given the Red Sox trouble and he's pitching well this season, expected a pitcher's duel going in
#40
Posted by Joshua Hynes, August 28, 2008 2:57 PM
Is it me, or does Kotsay up there look like Drew, Jr.?
#41
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 2:59 PM
And honestly against a guy like Mussina 1st pitch swinging is a bit more tolerable, walks can be hard to come by. I'm ok with Bay swinging at that pitch because it was a fastball down the pipe, he just missed it.
#43
Posted by Mostly Running., August 28, 2008 3:00 PM
Yeah Johnny, you're tough and all and I love it when you flex your bicep after you take hbp. I'd love to see Lester make a pick off move that accidentally hits him in the nuts.
#45
Posted by Mostly Running., August 28, 2008 3:03 PM
Jason Kidd is in the crowd according to the Globe. Think he's looking to bro down with Lugo on wifebeating techniques.
JK: Dude, I totally got away with it.
JL: No, seriously dude, I got away with it morer than you.
#47
Posted by Steven Roth, August 28, 2008 3:07 PM
The volume on my tv is screwed up, did the Yankee fans just boo the hell out of A-Rod?? They deserve to be watching a crappy team this season...
#48
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:08 PM
I love basketball and hate Jason Kidd. His wife was also an attention whore, I remember when his Nets played the Walker-Pierce celtics and she sat there with the kid just asking to get heckled. Of course I would never condone domestic violence, but the Kidd's basically sucked in every way.
#50
Posted by Mostly Running., August 28, 2008 3:09 PM
Clutch. A true professional knows when to beat on the tools of his trade rather than acknowledge he is deficient in his craft. Let's see how that bat does for you next time up.
For those of you not watching the YES! feed, Alex pounded the shit out of his bat when he returned to the dugout.
#51
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 3:13 PM
Last inning for the Moose now. Let's get a few insurance runs please?
Nuts...Lowrie out.
#52
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:15 PM
Wow, rare for April-Rod to show that kind of emotion, bet he's real happy he came back to NY after he had a chance to get out and keep his sanity
#55
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:19 PM
Alex Cora is a solid baseball player, as much as I was pissing and moaning for Casey or Bailey a week ago, Cora has won me over by being real steady in a time of need.
#56
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:20 PM
Tek already got his hit for the day, can't expect much more I guess
#59
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:23 PM
at least he hit a liner, tough when you think you got one and it's right at someone
#61
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:29 PM
2 lefty's to start the inning, makes sense, he didn't pitch much his last start so he could probably throw around 115-120 today
#62
Posted by JaredK, August 28, 2008 3:32 PM
Lester will never give up another run in any NY stadium. I see his k rate continuing to rise and getting even better.
Saw some Jason Kidd comments earlier...not sure if you heard but he apparently gave his gold medal to a Las Vegas casino/hotel owner in exchange of 2 or 3 weeks completely comp'd. I realize he has another but still...wtf?
#64
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:37 PM
"Lester will never give up another run in any NY stadium." why say that?
But in all seriousness, Jason Kidd sucks it gave me an infinite amount of pleasure watching Chris Paul skeet on him in the playoffs
#65
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 3:38 PM
Damn. Ok guys...it's a hit but it's not over. Let's hope Oki can do us proud.
#66
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 3:39 PM
@JK: What have we said about guarantees in the world of baseball?
DO NOT MAKE THEM!
#74
Posted by JaredK, August 28, 2008 3:41 PM
I guarantee that will be the last run charged to Lester at this stadium.
#76
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 3:41 PM
Now I don't wanna hear anything like "Oh they'll never beat us!" or "We're going to strike out the rest of the sides!"
Guarantees are stupid.
#77
Posted by Steven Roth, August 28, 2008 3:42 PM
Jesus Christ...the homer itself pissed me off but goddamn with the fucking curtain calls, so annoying.
#78
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 3:42 PM
Now we need the offense to wake up again and connect those bats.
With God willing, their relief will give up one or two or three...or how about a four? I'm not making any sure statements but we need some runs now!
#79
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:43 PM
Honestly I would have left Lester in for one more batter or maybe brought in Masterson, knowing how homer-prone Okajima is it was just too much of a risk
#80
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 3:44 PM
Ok Bruney's up. Hopefully their relief is less than reliable.
#81
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:45 PM
the good news is we worked their pen last night so we get to face Bruney. The bad news is that we will probably lose.
#84
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:46 PM
LaRussa-ism here? Why not just have Marte start the inning? Well at least it's one less guy they can throw out there.
#85
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 3:47 PM
Well call me superstitious but I remember my brother guaranteeing the Pats to take the Super Bowl. Guess what happened? I remember Lester's outing against Toronto to be an "automatic win." Guess what happened? A comment is made how Lester won't get a run on him today. Guess what happened?
It could be childish superstition but I know better than to make sure statements in the world of MLB.
#87
Posted by JaredK, August 28, 2008 3:50 PM
Fair enough...I'm still gonna believe that it had more to do with Okajima/Giambi.
#89
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:52 PM
Wow I'm really puzzled by Girardi here, is Bruney incapable of getting Ortiz out? Is Marte incapable of getting Youk? He must really believe that his offense is going to score next inning because otherwise it doesn't make sense to run through your pen like that in a tie game when you got pounded the night before.
#90
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 3:53 PM
Fuck...well here's praying our relief can stem the bleeding while our offense figures out how to make one last statement.
#91
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 3:54 PM
In the mean time maybe our offense may have also learned that two-pitch hacking is also not a good idea.
#92
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 3:54 PM
As much as I would like to sweep I don't know how much it matters to me. In any case it's too nice of a day to sit in here and watch so I'm going to the pool. Good luck
#95
Posted by Tom A, August 28, 2008 4:08 PM
Thank you A-Rod...he's always so reliable in these situations!
#96
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 4:10 PM
Let's just hope our boys are actually reliable in this situation.
Mo is formidable.
#98
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 4:17 PM
So they keep Masterson in on the ninth? I can see some validity in that provided he can get the outs.
#100
Posted by Evan Brunell, August 28, 2008 4:22 PM
Good idea to walk Matsui. He's a lefty, and Pudge can't hurt us as bad as Matsui could. He's capable of launching a game-winning hit, but playing the odds and going to I-Rod was the best bet.
#101
Posted by Mostly Running., August 28, 2008 4:22 PM
Why walk Matsui? After that jackknife bullshit on the steal he needs one between the numbers, not three more pitches from the Monster.
#102
Posted by Evan Brunell, August 28, 2008 4:22 PM
And of course, the force at third, second and first helps.
#106
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 4:24 PM
with how things have been going on the injury front I definitely do not want to get into a bean ball war, best to just intentionally walk him
#111
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 4:26 PM
I dunno guys...methinks this might not end well. Tito I appreciate your effort to put the rookie in but such situations aren't exactly called for it.
Now Paps comes in...sense of timing Tito, where was it?
#112
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 4:27 PM
On the flipside if the Yanks win I guess it might prevent mass suicide.
#113
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 4:28 PM
And now it's Paps vs. Giambi. Wow it couldn't get any more nervewracking.
But regarding my previous comment, maybe Tito has a sense of compassion and wouldn't want to see such bawling?
#114
Posted by Evan Brunell, August 28, 2008 4:28 PM
Colin,
You say that like it's a bad thing...
KIDDING! Kidding.
#117
Posted by Steven Roth, August 28, 2008 4:30 PM
Celebrate all you want queers, we still won the series!
#118
Posted by Tim Daloisio, August 28, 2008 4:31 PM
Hate giving them life like that....lets hope that the Rays don't make us pay tonight
#119
Posted by Mostly Running., August 28, 2008 4:31 PM
On Giambi "He might have kept the New York Yankees season alive single-handedly." Geeze, I love me some hyperbole, but this is rat turd.
#120
Posted by Evan Brunell, August 28, 2008 4:31 PM
Add one win to the Yankees total of the past 10 years of players on steroids.
#121
Posted by Mostly Running., August 28, 2008 4:32 PM
And Steven Roth goes down as an asshole. Way to go kiddo.
#122
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 4:32 PM
We can goat Masterson and Oki (definitely Oki) for this but we got the series and still dropped their morale some.
#123
Posted by Mostly Running., August 28, 2008 4:34 PM
I'm really hoping that was a spoofed comment Steven.
#124
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 4:34 PM
Let them savor this victory because otherwise there'd be some serious suicides.
They're still not better than us and we made some careless pitching mistakes to cost us this game. Let them deal with Toronto now and hope that Toronto is just really merciful on them.
#125
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 4:34 PM
I really hope that doesn't give them something to build on...
I hate how we outplayed them for an entire game and lost because of one bad pitch, but that's baseball I guess. Considering the way we annihilated them in the first two games I'll take the series win. Now let's focus on the White Sox, that's a series that is much more important in the big picture.
#126
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 4:35 PM
In the mean time playing the White Sox should help us out a little bit and lessen the tension.
#127
Posted by JaredK, August 28, 2008 4:37 PM
Certainly not Tek's fault but I can't help think to that third foul-tipped strike he dropped. Those are never easy to squeeze but it was so close. Oh well, still feel good about our post season chances.
#128
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 4:38 PM
We're in very good shape, we've won every series on this road trip in parks that have given us trouble in the past (tor and NY) 20 of the last 29 games are at home and we still have 6 head 2 head games to catch up to Tampa.
That said, I'm hoping Drew and Lowell get back soon, because I feel like Youk is going to slow down a little soon.
#129
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 4:41 PM
Besides, the Yanks are still 6 GB in the wild card and will have a fun time playing Toronto.
We on the other hand still need to win. 6GB with 29 games left leaves little room for error.
#130
Posted by Colin, August 28, 2008 5:05 PM
So what have we gotten from all this?
1. We're still capable of rocking the Yanks even if we can still make some poor pitching mistakes and get in jams.
2. We've got better pitching for the most part save for some sloppy BP action.
3. While we're great in a romp, we need to figure out how to click the bats more when the scores are tight. 1st/2nd pitch hacking is a no-no.
4. Jason Bay and Dusty were the heroes of this series.
5. While it'd be safe to call the Yanks toast, let us not do that. As Pedroia said, "You can never count them out" until the end of September. All we gotta do is win and pray that the Yanks lose when we win and lose when we lose.
6. Boston still has a lot of work to do. TB is still a formidable opponent. Can't deal with bullshit (Clay, Lugo, etc.) now regardless of compassion.
#132
Posted by Bob, August 28, 2008 5:37 PM
Clay won't be back in the majors any time soon. I doubt we're going to see Lugo. Let's win the series against Chicago, with Beckett going tomorrow and then Dice on extra rest we have a great chance to take the first two games.
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