9/8: Stomach punch game level 8

by | Sep 8, 2011 | Adrian Gonzalez, Andrew Miller, Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Carlton Fisk, Craig Hansen, Cy Young, Daniel Bard, Dick O'Connell, Dick Radatz, Game Threads, Harry Hooper, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jimmie Foxx, John Farrell, Luis Tiant, Mel Parnell, Ricky Romero, Rico Petrocelli, Steve Carlton, Texas Rangers, Tim Wakefield, Toronto Blue Jays

Boston Red Sox (85-57) @ Toronto Blue Jays (71-72)
 Andrew Miller (6-2, 5.27) @ Ricky Romero (13-10, 2.97)
7:07 PM EDT | Rogers Centre (Toronto, ON)
TV: NESN RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510

GAME NOTES

After the most disappointing loss of the season on many levels, the Red Sox close out their series against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre tonight. Daniel Bard turned into Craig Hansen last night, compete with a 3/4 release point that failed to help Bard find the strike zone. Such results will happen to the best pitchers during the course of a year, but to happen when Tim Wakefield was on the verge of his 200th victory for the Red Sox made last night’s failure all the more frustrating.

Andrew Miller hopes to get back to winning ways tonight. In his last start against the Rangers, Miller only tallied four outs while surrendering six runs on five hits, four walks and a balk whole striking out only one batter. Miller will be making his first career start against the Blue Jays.

Ricky Romero takes the bump for the Jays tonight. Romero is 0-2 against the Red Sox this year, allowing 11 runs on 17 hits and 8 walks in 8-2/3 innings. However, Romero was named AL Pitcher of the Month for August, so the Olde Towne Team may be catching Romero at the wrong time. Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford are getting the night off, presumably due to their lack of success against the southpaw Romero.

Lineups

Boston Red Sox

  1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
  2. Marco Scutaro, SS
  3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  4. David Ortiz, DH
  5. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
  6. Jed Lowrie, 3B
  7. Jason Varitek, C
  8. Josh Reddick, RF
  9. Darnell McDonald, LF

Toronto Blue Jays

  1. Yunel Escobar, SS
  2. Eric Thames, LF
  3. Jose Bautista, RF
  4. Edwin Encarnacion, DH
  5. Kelly Johnson, 2B
  6. Brett Lawrie, 3B
  7. David Cooper, 1B
  8. J.P. Arencibia, C
  9. Mike McCoy, CF

INJURY REPORT

Boston: Clay Buchholz, lower back strain (placed on 15-day DL June 19, retroactive to June 17); J.D. Drew, left shoulder impingement (placed on 15-day DL July 26, currently rehabbing)

Toronto: Rajai Davis, torn left hamstring (placed on 15-day DL August 14, transferred to the 60-day DL September 7); Colby Rasmus, jammed right wrist (placed on 15-day DL August 27)

Fun Facts

-According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Tim Wakefield is the first pitcher since Steve Carlton in 1978 to make seven starts in the attempt to go from 199 to 200 wins.

-With his home run last night, Jacoby Ellsbury became the first Red Sox player to reach 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in one season. Five more quadrangulars for 30/30!

– On September 8, 1997, the Red Sox inducted Carlton Fisk, Dick O’Connell, Mel Parnell, Rico Petrocelli, Dick Radatz, Luis Tiant, Jimmie Foxx, Harry Hooper and Cy Young into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.

-And for today’s Totally Untrue Fun Fact: Ricky Romero often dresses up as The Joker in homage to his namesake Cesar Romero, who played the role in the 60s television version of Batman. This really annoys John Farrell, who secretly wishes Romero would dress up like Eartha Kitt’s Catwoman.