June 18th @ Atlanta - Coco Mashes

[mtbykr]

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/9332/b1fd125d2aa34634ac47126xr4.jpg

 

VS.

 

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/1559/edf45c95a153494590df8f8uf8.jpg

 

 

Curt Schilling has helped lead the Boston Red Sox to the best record in the majors, but he is coming off one of his worst starts since he came to the team before the 2004 season.

 

Schilling looks to bounce back against one of his favorite opponents when he takes the mound in Monday's series opener against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

 

The first-place Red Sox (44-24) lead the New York Yankees by 8 1/2 games in the AL East, and are 10-4 in contests started by Schilling this season.

 

After coming within one out of his first career no-hitter in a win at Oakland on June 7, though, Schilling (6-3, 3.80 ERA) was tagged for six runs and nine hits in five innings of 12-2 loss to Colorado on Wednesday. He threw 100 pitches in his complete-game win over the Athletics, and 98 against the Rockies.

 

"Good and bad, every fifth day, it's a new game," Schilling told the team's official Web site. "I certainly wanted to build on (the win over Oakland)."

 

Schilling tries to get back on track at Turner Field, where he has pitched outstanding lately.

 

In eight starts in Atlanta since 1999, the 40-year-old right-hander is 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA and two complete games. Schilling has also been pitching well on the road this season, going 4-1 with a 2.52 ERA in his last five starts away from Fenway Park.

 

In his only start against the Braves last season, he allowed two runs and eight hits in six innings, but did not receive a decision in Boston's 10-7 victory. Schilling is 10-3 with a 2.47 ERA in 18 starts against Atlanta since the start of the 1998 season.

 

Boston won two of three over the Braves (37-33) at Fenway Park May 19-20, and has won six of the last seven meetings between the teams. The Red Sox are 8-4 in interleague games this season, while Atlanta is just 3-6 against the AL.

 

Boston defeated San Francisco 9-5 on Sunday, and outscored the Giants 20-7 in sweeping the three-game weekend series.

 

Manny Ramirez homered in his second straight game Sunday, but went just 2-for-10 against the Braves last month.

 

David Ortiz had a pair of doubles Sunday, and is batting .387 (12-for-31) with two homers, five RBIs and 10 runs in nine games against Atlanta since the start of the 2005 season.

 

The Braves lost to Cleveland 5-2 on Sunday, failing to complete their first road sweep in an interleague series since winning three games at Fenway Park June 28-30, 2002.

 

Atlanta has lost 10 of its last 15 games, but is still only 1 1/2 games back of the first-place New York Mets in the NL East.

 

Chipper Jones got his 2,000th hit for the Braves on Sunday, and is batting .474 (9-for-19) in his last five games after spending three weeks on the disabled list with a sore right hand.

 

"It's a pretty cool number," said the 35-year-old Jones of the milestone. "It's one of the numbers you reach when you've been around a long time. My next goal is to work on the next thousand, but I don't know if I'll play that long."

 

Jones went 5-for-13 (.385) with a solo homer in three games against the Red Sox last month.

 

Atlanta's Chuck James (5-6, 4.16) takes the hill in Monday's series opener, also trying to rebound from a rough start.

 

James gave up six runs and nine hits -- including three homers -- in just 4 1-3 innings of a 6-0 loss to Minnesota on Wednesday. He gave up five runs in 19 innings in his previous three starts.

 

The left-hander is 2-1 with a 4.42 ERA in three career interleague starts. This will be his first appearance against Boston.

[mtbykr]

Keeping the Fitzy mojo rolling:

 

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6931/lb94165aa58d6085d66354dgt5.jpg

[seabeachfred]

MTB, here we go again. Hardly any time to savor our three-game sweep of the Giants until we have to wade into the maelstrom again. I'm counting on you and Fitzy to keep the mojo working.

[schillingouttheks]

Since Fitzy enjoys beer, he enjoys saluting fellow beer-drinkers. So, today I will bring back the "Real Men of Genius" mojo. Today we salute:

 

Mr. Ceremonial First Pitch Thrower Outer!

 

http://gingrey.house.gov/UploadedPhotos/MediumResolution/3f08d688-1c0f-4c50-aa70-b10052a4557d.jpg

 

Today we salute you, Mr. Ceremonial First Pitch Thrower-Outer.

Mr. Ceremonial First Pitch Thrower-Outer!

Dressed in slacks, button down shirt and ball cap,

You take to the mound announcing to everyone in attendance

I am fully prepared to make a complete fool of myself.

You're on TV!

Over the backstop, half way to the plate, in to the back of the umpire's head...

Who knows where your throw will land.

It hit me in the groin!

Your fastball was clocked at a breath-taking 8 1/2 miles per hour.

That's almost ten!

So crack open an ice-cold Bud Light, O Friar of the fireball.

Watching you will always be our favorite pastime.

Mr. Ceremonial First Pitch Thrower-Outer!

[riverside sluggers]

Im guessing the Sox will do the same as in Arizona: Youk, Lowell, Ortiz each receiving a day off. I'll edit the lineups when its announced. EDIT: Ortiz will receive the day off

 

Curt Schilling (39 games vs Atlanta, 13-10 & 2 saves with a 3.42 ERA---Career at Turner Field in 11 games, 7-3 with a 2.64 ERA)

Kelly Johnson ---

Willie Harris, 0 for 4, K

Edgar Renteria, 7 for 31 (.226 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 RBIs, 8 Ks

Chipper Jones, 16 for 59 (.271 avg) 2 Doubles, 4 HRs, 5 RBIs, 8 Walks, 16 Ks, SB

Andruw Jones, 16 for 63 (.254 avg) 3 Doubles, 4 HRs, 7 RBIs, 3 Walks, 19 Ks

Jeff Francoeur, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) RBI, K

Brian McCann, 2 for 3 (.667 avg)

Scott Thorman, 0 for 3, K

Chuck James ---

///

Chris Woodward, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) Double, Walk, 2 Ks

 

Chuck James (1st career appearance vs Boston---Career at Turner Field in 17 games, 7-5 with a 3.70 ERA)

J.D. Drew, 0 for 1

Dustin Pedroia ---

Kevin Youkilis ---

Manny Ramirez ---

Jason Varitek ---

Mike Lowell, 1 for 2 (.500 avg)

Coco Crisp ---

Julio Lugo, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) Walk

Curt Schilling ---

 

Schilling this season on the road in 6 games, 4-2 with a 3.40 ERA

 

James this season at home in 5 games, 1-3 with a 3.08 ERA

[redsoxrules]

ortiz getting the night off , no surprise there as we are facing a lefty

 

were facing a pitcher who allows alot of baserunners 1.53WHIP.. so lets make the most it

[mtbykr]

Should be entertaining watching Shill at the plate:o

[mtbykr]

Since Fitzy enjoys beer, he enjoys saluting fellow beer-drinkers. So, today I will bring back the "Real Men of Genius" mojo. Today we salute:

 

Mr. Ceremonial First Pitch Thrower Outer!

 

http://gingrey.house.gov/UploadedPhotos/MediumResolution/3f08d688-1c0f-4c50-aa70-b10052a4557d.jpg

 

Today we salute you, Mr. Ceremonial First Pitch Thrower-Outer.

Mr. Ceremonial First Pitch Thrower-Outer!

Dressed in slacks, button down shirt and ball cap,

You take to the mound announcing to everyone in attendance

I am fully prepared to make a complete fool of myself.

You're on TV!

Over the backstop, half way to the plate, in to the back of the umpire's head...

Who knows where your throw will land.

It hit me in the groin!

Your fastball was clocked at a breath-taking 8 1/2 miles per hour.

That's almost ten!

So crack open an ice-cold Bud Light, O Friar of the fireball.

Watching you will always be our favorite pastime.

Mr. Ceremonial First Pitch Thrower-Outer!

 

 

The link didn't work for me, but I found this:

 

http://thefuntimesguide.com/2005/04/throwfirstpitch.php

 

Same site, just click on listen. Love those commercials!

[schillingouttheks]

Should be entertaining watching Shill at the plate:o

 

And Matsuzaka on Friday Maybe Tavarez can get on base as much as he did last time in Arizona? That was classic.

[schillingouttheks]

7-8-9 is Crisp-Lugo-Schilling. God help us.

[redsoxrules]

crisp is batting .353 in the last 7 days

[schillingouttheks]

crisp is batting .353 in the last 7 days

 

Really? Didn't know that. Must be a result of his altered swing.

 

'Atta boy Pedroia.

[redsoxrules]

Really? Didn't know that. Must be a result of his altered swing.

 

'Atta boy Pedroia.

 

yup i was shocked when i saw it too ..lol

[schillingouttheks]

Way to work the count Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk. Back to back walks. Bring 'em home Manny!

[schillingouttheks]

That kinda sucked. 1st pitch too.

[redsoxrules]

f***....

[Cocos Disciples]

2 LOB

[schillingouttheks]

Lowell should be hitting 5th. I don't know why Tito is hell bent on leaving him 6th. I love Tek, but he's not a 5 hitter.

[redsoxrules]

theres nothing i hate more than not taking advantage of walks

[BoSox21]

how the f*** is willie harris batting .382?!

[schillingouttheks]

Seriously. Back-to-back walks too. He was obviously having trouble finding the plate, yet Manny went chasing a first pitch change up.

[schillingouttheks]

Haha, that was sweet.

[BoSox21]

wow, even nancy-armed Crisp got him

[Rdsxmbnt]

yep ive seen it all now

[schillingouttheks]

LOL! Crisp really just hit a homer? Maybe this new swing really is helping him out...

 

1-0 Sox.

[Teddyballgame10]

About god damn time

[BoSox21]

holy s***, did Coco really go yard?

[schillingouttheks]

About god damn time

 

Those were my exact first thoughts.

[redsoxrules]

yeah crisp!! he's on a roll

[Teddyballgame10]

Lugo is pathetic, .207, I dont care if you win 80 gold gloves, there should a clause in everyones contract where if you suck that much dick you can be cut. No one deserves to play in the major hitting like that.