September 12th @ Seattle

[yeszir]

This seven-game road trip through Oakland and Seattle is already guaranteed to be a success. But the Red Sox will try and make it even a little sweeter when they close things out Sunday afternoon against the Mariners.

 

The Sox have won five of the first six games, outscoring Oakland and Seattle by a total of 45-16.

 

Derek Lowe, who picked up a win in his last start in Oakland, takes the ball for Boston.

 

After losing the first game of this four-game set, the Sox have rallied back to pound the Mariners by scores of 13-2 and 9-0.

 

Pitching matchup

BOS: RHP Derek Lowe

# 14-10, 5.01 ERA in 2004

# 1-0, 7.20 ERA vs. SEA in 2004

# 4-3, 3.66 ERA lifetime vs. SEA

 

SEA: RHP Gil Meche

# 4-6, 5.38 ERA in 2004

# First appearance vs. BOS in 2004

# 1-1, 7.15 ERA lifetime vs. BOS

 

Players to watch

Second baseman Mark Bellhorn is on an on-base tear, having reached base safely in his last 24 games. ... Manny Ramirez has belted three homers in the last two games. ... Right fielder Trot Nixon, who recently came off the disabled list, is expected to make his first start since July 24. ... Second baseman Pokey Reese will make his first start since July 17.

 

Quotable

"I think part of it is that we're a different ballclub. When we get on the road, we're able to compete a little better. We're a little quicker on defense and we haven't been giving extra outs." -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona on why the Sox are playing better on the road

 

Lowe has pitched very well recently, and the Sox are on fire. I predict a win.

[stocker323]

Red Sox could have their "dream infield" today for the first time, with gold glovers Mientkiewicz, Pokey and Cabrera, with the always stellar Bill Mueller at 3rd. Mientkiewicz might be sidelined by the flu though.

[sarasoxfan]

francona seems to love bellhorn, and I think poor pokey just isnt in the plans.

He might get the odd strat but I would bet my boots that pokey is through,.

[Zenny]

Originally posted by sarasoxfan@Sep 12 2004, 01:52 PM

francona seems to love bellhorn, and I think poor pokey just isnt in the plans.

He might get the odd strat but I would bet my boots that pokey is through,.

And I can see why. One of the better defense 2B's in the league, among the league leaders in walks and much better offensive production than what we got from Walker last year. Granted, Bellhorn's no Pokey defensively, but he's no slouch.

 

Still, it looks like Pokey-mon and Trotter are starting today. Thank God Trot is back.

[stocker323]

Lineups

 

Red Sox

 

Damon CF

Cabrera SS

Ramirez LF

Varitek C

Millar DH

Nixon RF

Mueller 3B

McCarty 1B

Reese 2B

 

Mariners

 

Ichiro RF

Winn LF

Martinez DH

Ibanez 1B

Boone 2B

Dobbs 3B

Olivo C

Reed CF

Lopez SS

[yeszir]

The site seems to have been down for the majority of the day. Anyway, we lost, 2-0. You can't win em all I guess.. Lowe pitched well though.

[empirestrikesback26]

Back to my old job, yankee update- yanks win 9-7.

[Zenny]

How come we couldn't beat Ichiro, Edgar and the Tacoma Rainiers at least 3 out of 4? We can sweep the A's, at home, where they are always incredible. Then we go see a team with a .370 winning percentage coming into series and we make two of their pitchers look like aces. At least we have 3 at home against Tampa to hopefully help make up the lost game and potentially add some ground.

[Zenny]

By the way, Trotter was the Sox's best hitter today. I hope he gets his job back; he and Lowe were the only ones to really contribute today, despite Lowe getting tagged with the tough loss.

[empirestrikesback26]

we re not playing anybody better than the D ray. The royals i believe.

[Zenny]

Originally posted by empirestrikesback26@Sep 12 2004, 07:37 PM

we re not playing anybody better than the D ray. The royals i believe.

Dammit! Another AAA team. I think to make it fair, the Yankees should have to send the Columbus Clippers to the games. Poor Royals are going to get demolished; they'll never know what hit 'em.

[empirestrikesback26]

well the damn orioles confused us for the sox,the yanks need a break.

[mosox]

I'm wondering whether Ortiz asked to sit out or if Tito gave him the day off for his sore shoulder. This is a pennant race and tomorrow is an off day. Apparently he was ok enough to pinch hit.

[stocker323]

I think the shoulder stiffened up a little and Tito sat him for precautionary reasons. He hit a good bullet but it was right at the 3rd baseman. I expect to see him in the lineup on Tuesday.

[empirestrikesback26]

thats whack, when theres a division race going on, you don't sit for something minor like that.

[yeszir]

The sox are pretty much into the playoffs. I'd rather have a healthy ortiz playing in the playoffs than an injured ortiz hurting himself playing in a loss to the mariners in september.

[mosox]

I have to agree with empire. This isn't May or June. I'm wondering if the Orioles were ahead when Francona made out the lineup card? If they were maybe Francona is already settling for the wild card. Tomorrow is a day off for crying out loud.

[empirestrikesback26]

Ortiz probably just wanted an extra day off.

[Tek04]

Basically the only thing the sox are aiming for is the division, because they already have the wild card

[yeszir]

Originally posted by Tek04@Sep 12 2004, 09:00 PM

Basically the only thing the sox are aiming for is the division, because they already have the wild card

Anaheim won today, they're 5 back, and they're on a hot streak. If the sox go cold any time soo, then the WC is not a sure thing by any means.

[elsrbueno]

I'm with Yeszir....

 

Yes, it's going to be difficult for Anaheim to catch up IF Boston plays well.... But Boston's GOTTA play well.

 

The Red Sox have certainly given up bigger leads before...I wouldn't say this thing is locked up by any means.

[CrespoBlows]

The A's and Angels have 6 games left with each other, so either of them getting the Wild Card, is doubtful.

[Zenny]

How do we lose to the Tacoma Rainiers? Someone please explain that to me.

[empirestrikesback26]

sometimes bad teams play hard against teams competing. their motivation is "if im goin down, you re goin down with me."

[empirestrikesback26]

Originally posted by Zenny@Sep 13 2004, 04:44 PM

How do we lose to the Tacoma Rainiers? Someone please explain that to me.

and the hudson valley renagades.