August 23rd vs Anaheim

[br3ds0x]

Well I don't think too much could hurt them at this point..so I figured I would try the game thread. Some relatively newb mojo?

 

Game Info:

Date: Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006

First Pitch: 10:05pm EDT

TV: NESN

Starting Pitchers: BOS: LHP Jon Lester (6-2, 4.72 ERA)

LAA: RHP Kelvim Escobar (9-10, 3.77 ERA)

 

 

The Red Sox will try to snap their worst losing streak -- a six-game skid -- since 2001 when rookie Jon Lester opposes veteran Kelvim Escobar Wednesday night in Anaheim.

 

Before Tuesday's game, manager Terry Francona held a meeting with his troops to try to keep morale high, but the Red Sox still suffered a nail-biting, 4-3 loss.

 

First baseman Kevin Youkilis knows what the cynics are writing, saying and thinking right now.

 

"There's a lot of people that say we can't win," Youkilis said. "I'd love to prove everyone wrong. You've got to go out and play ball, you've got to win. Basically it's us. Everyone doubts us right now. There's crazier things in baseball that have happened.

 

One thing that could help the Red Sox is if they get Manny Ramirez's big bat back in the lineup. The left fielder didn't start Tuesday night because of right hamstring woes, but manager Terry Francona expects to get him back in this one.

 

The Red Sox are 6-15 in August and have lost eight of their past nine games.

 

Pitching matchup

BOS: LHP Jon Lester (6-2, 4.72 ERA)

Red Sox fans will hope that Lester's rookie struggles peaked in his last outing against the Yankees. By far the worst start of his young Major League career, Lester also had his shortest outing. He went 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs, eight hits and three walks. His inability to command the strike zone has left him with one win in his past six starts after a 5-0 start.

 

LAA: RHP Kelvim Escobar (9-10, 3.77 ERA)

Escobar showed pinpoint accuracy in his last start. He got ahead of nearly every Mariner he faced and allowed one earned run in seven innings. In total he threw 70 of his 97 pitches for strikes, walked only one and struck out seven. The right-hander said he has been feeling a lot better since coming off the disabled list with elbow inflammation in July and has won four of his last five decisions.

 

Player to watch

CF Coco Crisp is 4-for-11 lifetime against Escobar.

 

 

Go Sox :harhar:

[Papelbon58]

kind of early to start a game thread, but heck, the thread isn't bad and we need to try everything, so what the heck?

[riverside sluggers]

Kelvim Escobar (35 games vs Boston, 6-6 record & 2 saves with a 4.55 ERA---Career at Angel Stadium in 46 games, 13-17 record & 2 saves with a 3.51 ERA)

Kevin Youkilis, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) 2 Ks

Mark Loretta, 0 for 3, K

David Ortiz, 3 for 20 (.150 avg) RBI, 3 Walks, 8 Ks

Manny Ramirez, 7 for 30 (.233 avg) 3 Doubles, HR, 4 RBIs, 6 Walks, 9 Ks

Wily Mo Pena --

Mike Lowell, 4 for 12 (.333 avg) Double, RBI, 2 Ks

Javy Lopez, 6 for 14 (.429 avg) Double, HR, 2 RBIs, Walk, 2 Ks

Coco Crisp, 4 for 11 (.364 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 Walks, K, SB

Dustin Pedroia --

///

Alex Cora, 0 for 2

Eric Hinske, 1 for 10 (.100 avg) 5 Ks, SB

Gabe Kapler, 3 for 19 (.158 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 RBIs, Walk, 5 Ks, SB

Doug Mirabelli, 1 for 4 (.250 avg) RBI, K

 

Jon Lester (1 game vs Anaheim, 0-1 record with a 7.11 ERA---1st career appearance at Angel Stadium)

Garret Anderson, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) Double

Orlando Cabrera, 0 for 3

Vladimir Guerrero, 1 for 3 (.33 avg) SB

Maicer Izturis, 2 for 4 (.500 avg) Double, RBI

Howie Kendrick, 1 for 3 (.333 avg)

Mike Napoli, 0 for 3, K

Robb Quinlan, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) RBI, K

Juan Rivera, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) Double

Tim Salmon, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) RBI

 

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060819/capt.585856171f9745ae8fbaa62690dd7140.yankees_red_sox_baseball_mame107.jpg

Jon, too hard to ask for a better image of you tonight?

[YanksHater213]

i was sitting here, thinking about our recent pathetic struggles, then i went back and read this thread (http://www.talksox.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1334) and i felt MUCH better.

[MANNYHOF24]

i was sitting here, thinking about our recent pathetic struggles, then i went back and read this thread (http://www.talksox.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1334) and i felt MUCH better.

 

Wow your right, Those were good times.

[Sox fan in Tex]

I just read all the posts on that thread, YanksHater213. I think it's time for all those who post here to stop being so negative. I am probably as guilty as anyone by making statements such as "It's very likely the Sox won't make the playoffs" and garbage like that. Who cares if it doesn't look like they are built for the playoffs and have a long way to go? Let's try to keep a positive attitude on here, atleast. There is no point in tearing each other apart because of the five game set against the Yankees. LET'S GO RED SOX! BEAT THE HALOS!

[MANNYHOF24]

Lester is going to dominate!! haha who am I kidding

[jsinger121]

Manny's back in left field and batting cleanup for the Red Sox tonight:

 

1. Coco Crisp, CF

2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

6. Mike Lowell, 3B

7. Wily Mo Pena, RF

8. Javy Lopez, C

9. Alex Cora, SS

-- Jon Lester, P

 

For the Angels:

 

1. Chone Figgins, CF

2. Maicer Izturis, 3B

3. Orlando Cabrera, SS

4. Vladimir Guerrero, RF

5. Juan Rivera, LF

6. Robb Quinlan, 1B

7. Tim Salmon, DH

8. Howie Kendrick, 2B

9. Jose Molina, C

-- Kelvim Escobar, P

[greenwell39]

i was sitting here, thinking about our recent pathetic struggles, then i went back and read this thread (http://www.talksox.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1334) and i felt MUCH better.

 

While I wasn't on talksox during that thread, I do remember exactly where I was on that date (sitting in my living room trying SO hard to control my screams and cries since I had a 6 month old bably sleeping in the next room!) and I got chills just reading the thread!

I think it's important that we remember times like that to keep our spirits high! GO SOX!!!!:thumbsup:

[BoSox21]

for the love of god, just win

[Cocos Disciples]

i was sitting here, thinking about our recent pathetic struggles, then i went back and read this thread (http://www.talksox.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1334) and i felt MUCH better.

 

Thank you. That was needed. Remember that year, half the season we played .500 ball? Don't give up. Don't gimme reasons why you should. Just don't.

[jsinger121]

Thank you. That was needed. Remember that year' date=' half the season we played .500 ball? Don't give up. Don't gimme reasons why you should. Just don't.[/quote']

 

That year we had much better starting pitching and a much better bullpen. A big difference.

[Cocos Disciples]

Thank you. That was needed. Remember that year' date=' half the season we played .500 ball? Don't give up. [b']Don't gimme reasons why you should[/b]. Just don't.

 

Ahem...

[RedSoxRooter]

Just enjoy the game. Imagine it's like February and you're dying for some baseball. Enjoy it!

 

(btw, my manager rescheduled a 10:30 meeting tomorrow to 1:30 pm. I suppose I'll be here the whole night! - during commercialS ). LET'S FINALLY f***ING WIN ONE. GO SOX!

[Anuj09]

First HR for Pedroia tonight ?

[Youk Of The Nation]

Lets actually drive the leadoff runner in for a change.

[a700hitter]

He should be hitting behind the runner, not swinging from the heels.

[RoyNHSox]

Alright an early lead.

[jsinger121]

ortiz goes boom....we have a lead for the first time in awhile.

[BoSox21]

PAPI!!!

[RedSoxRooter]

:ortiz:

Nice start.

[Youk Of The Nation]

A two-run lead? What is this, June?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I wanna see David Ortiz stand next to Dustin Pedroia

[jsinger121]

5 homers to tie the franchise record for homeruns

[a700hitter]

Ortiz trying to put this team on his back. Sooner or later you would think his heroics would inspire more guys on this team.

[CrespoBlows]

He should be hitting behind the runner, not swinging from the heels.

 

The kid never strikes out. If he thinks he had a pitch to drive, then I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. He can, and did, move the runner over on 1-2.

 

(Why do you insist on talking to young players like they've never played baseball?)

[Anuj09]

In the words of 311 - THATS RIGHT MUTHA f***AAA

 

 

:ortiz:

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I'm watching the Yankee game and its amazing how differently things changed from the beginning of the season. It wasn't Liriano, Weaver, Papelbon, Verlander, Zumaya that was supposed to be great. It was King Felix. A player like Hernandez only comes around once every 10 years (so they said). Clearly brought up too early.

[Anuj09]

well he is a few years younger than all of them so give him time when hes 23-25 he will open up some more eyes

 

Edit : wasnt Duke one of those guys that were really hyped up too ?

[a700hitter]

The kid never strikes out. If he thinks he had a pitch to drive, then I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. He can, and did, move the runner over on 1-2.

 

(Why do you insist on talking to young players like they've never played baseball?)

I'd agree with you if the runner was on 3rd, but not second. The guy behind him is paid to drive the ball.