August 17th vs. Anaheim - Game 2

[mtbykr]

Keep on winning!

 

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/1825/541985tza2.jpg

 

vs.

 

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8819/beckettip8.jpg

 

 

Temperatures have been rising steadily in Boston this summer, and there's no disputing this theory: the Yankees have controlled the dial, boiling seven games off the Red Sox's American League East lead since July 5. Now, Boston is preparing to fight fire with fire.

Enter Clay Buchholz, a right-handed Texan with stuff to match his moxie. Red Sox fans know of Buchholz as the best pitching prospect the team has produced since Jonathan Papelbon. Standing tall and wiry at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Buchholz, who turned 23 on Tuesday, leads the Minor Leagues in strikeouts. On Friday, he'll start in the Majors for the first time.

 

And so it begins with a Friday day-night doubleheader against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Like the Red Sox, the Halos started hot and have done just enough in the AL West to hold off a surging rival. Since June 24, Los Angeles is 20-21, its lead over Seattle shrinking from eight games to three.

 

As for the Yankees? Curiously, the Orioles stopped the Bombers in the Bronx in consecutive games on Tuesday and Wednesday, allowing the Red Sox to reclaim a game in the AL East standings. With the opportunity to rest on Thursday, Boston enters Friday reloaded and riding an 18-9 home record since June 15.

 

The Red Sox recovered their footing from an early August skid by taking two out of three from the Rays this past week.

 

"We're just looking forward to another series," said Jason Varitek, following the team's loss on Wednesday against the Rays in which it nearly completed an improbable ninth-inning comeback. "Hopefully, we keep this momentum of fighting through games, and carry it through the whole weekend."

 

But if it's a fight the Red Sox want, Buchholz gives them as good a spot-start option as there is in the Minors. Owner of a 2.15 ERA in 117 innings between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, Buchholz will be called up on Friday in time to make the first pitch in Game 1 of the twin bill at 1:05 p.m. ET.

 

After his start, it is believed that Buchholz will be shuttled back down to the Minors so the Red Sox can use his roster spot on a reserve outfielder, such as Jacoby Ellsbury. It is unclear if Buchholz will return to the active roster before Aug. 31, at which point players must be on the big league roster to be eligible for the playoffs.

 

But as Boston knows, it's not all about Buchholz. Fellow Texan and staff ace Josh Beckett, chasing the first Cy Young Award of his career, will start in the 7:05 nightcap. As the Yankees host the sputtering Tigers in New York this weekend, the Red Sox will need contributions from up and down the roster.

 

"We're ready every day," said Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo, happily hitting .372 since Aug. 1 (19-for-51), with seven doubles in 12 games. "This team's ready every day. We have a lot of guys here who are prepared to play every day."

 

Pitching matchup

 

Game 2

BOS: RHP Josh Beckett (15-5, 3.24 ERA)

Beckett came within one out of his third career shutout against the Orioles in his last start. With a 1.76 ERA in a pair of starts since Aug. 1 and a 2.78 ERA since the All-Star break, the Red Sox's undisputed ace is putting together the kind of second wind to his season that results in Cy Young Awards. He has fared well against the Angels, winning both of his career starts against them.

 

LAA: RHP Ervin Santana (5-11, 6.22 ERA)

As Beckett's career has taken off since the 2006 season, Santana's has traveled steadily south. Still considered an intriguing pitching prospect by some, the 24-year-old right-hander has nonetheless yielded a 6.22 ERA with 136 hits and 42 walks in 110 innings, a year after winning 16 games.

 

Player to watch

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, whose weakened stroke and balky shoulder have nevertheless resulted in a team-leading 19 homers, owns a .414 average in his career against Santana and Lackey, with two home runs.

[mtbykr]

Keeping the cheers mojo alive::thumbsup:

 

 

[youtube=We Will Rock You]qP4Y1IvIPZA

[mtbykr]

Inkman's new ink, he wanted it in this thread.

 

 

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/inkman2000/1187375755.jpg

[yeszir]

That's a pretty hardcore tattoo. Today on Boylston I saw some guy who had the periodic table entry for Nickel tattooed on both calves. I don't understand why.

[riverside sluggers]

Sox going for the sweep of the DH, while Beckett looks for his baseball leading 16th W of the season! If thats the case and Yankees lose, bang the Sox will have gained 2 games in the last 24 hours (7 game lead). If Cash comes in time for the game he will be the starting catcher. With Cash still on his way to Boston and Ellsbury called up at same time, I guess Mirabelli will indeed be placed on the DL afterall

 

Ervin Santana (4 games vs Boston, 2-2 with a 5.73 ERA---Career at Fenway park in 3 games, 1-2 with a 7.70 ERA)

Jacoby Ellsbury, 0 for 3

Dustin Pedroia, 0 for 3

David Ortiz, 5 for 9 (.556 avg) 2 Doubles, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

Manny Ramirez, 1 for 11 (.091 avg) 2 RBIs, 2 Ks

J.D. Drew, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) Double, 2 Ks

Mike Lowell, 2 for 5 (.400 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI, Walk

Jason Varitek, 0 for 7, Walk, 2 Ks

Eric Hinske, 0 for 4, 2 Ks

Julio Lugo, 5 for 14 (.357 avg) 3 Doubles, Triple, RBI, 3 Ks

///

Alex Cora, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) Double, Triple, 2 RBIs, Walk, K

Coco Crisp, 2 for 2 (1.000 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI, Walk

Kevin Youkilis, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) RBI, Walk, K

 

Josh Beckett (4 games vs Anaheim, 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 31 games, 14-11 with a 4.59 ERA)

Chone Figgins, 1 for 8 (.125 avg) 2 Walks, 3 Ks, 2 SBs

Orlando Cabrera, 9 for 31 (.290 avg) 2 Doubles, HR, 4 RBIs, Walk, 4 Ks, 2 SBs

Vladimir Guerrero, 5 for 23 (.217 avg) Double, HR, 3 RBIs, 4 Walks, 7 Ks, 2 SBs

Garret Anderson, 4 for 10 (.400 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI, 2 Walks, K

Gary Matthews Jr., 2 for 12 (.167 avg) Double, Walk, 6 Ks

Maicer Izturis, 4 for 17 (.235 avg) Double, RBI, Walk, 2 Ks, 2 SBs

Robb Quinlan, 0 for 3, K

Ryan Budde, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) K

Nathan Haynes, 0 for 3

///

Casey Kotchman, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) K, SB

Reggie Willits, 0 for 2

 

Santana this season vs Boston in 2 games, 1-1 with a 5.35 ERA. On the road in 12 games, 2-9 with an 8.12 ERA

 

Beckett this season vs Anaheim in 2 games, 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA. At home in 14 games, 7-5 with a 4.25 ERA

[jacksonianmarch]

That's a pretty hardcore tattoo. Today on Boylston I saw some guy who had the periodic table entry for Nickel tattooed on both calves. I don't understand why.

 

I love nickel, get off it, okay?

[VA Sox Fan]

Win Sweet 16 Joshy!

 

Welcome back Jacoby!

 

Get well SOON Dougie!

 

Way to be Tek!

 

GO RED SOX!!!!

[schillingouttheks]

I think Tek is starting tonight because Cash won't be ready for the game. I can't say I'm complaining.

 

Pumped to see Ellsbury tonight.

[BoSox21]

I love nickel' date=' get off it, okay?[/quote']

 

 

[Cocos Disciples]

On the road, Ervin Santana has a 1-9 record with a 8.79 ERA and a .341 BAA in 11 starts. Lol.

[Anuj09]

http://www.wwcc.cc.wy.us/pnnutting/images/birthday%20cake.gif

 

 

I believe today is DPed's birthday. He had a hr in game 1 lets hope for atleast one more !

 

BIRTHDAY MOJO

[Cocos Disciples]

Happy 24th Dusty.

[riverside sluggers]

What a sucker punch for the Orioles

 

 

Chris Ray underwent Tommy John surgery on Thursday and is likely to miss all of 2008.

 

The Orioles didn't even reveal that he was set to see Dr. James Andrews. It turned out that he was scheduled for surgery to remove a bone spur, but a damaged UCL was found and it was determined that Tommy John surgery was the proper course. This doesn't come as a big surprise, given that it was revealed he had a ligament sprain in late July. It's unlikely the Orioles will try to rush him back in the second half of next year, though since he is a reliever, it's possible that he could return then. Danys Baez will spend the rest of this year auditioning for the closer's role in 2008. The Orioles could look to sign a stopgap this winter if Baez continues to disappoint.

[See Red]

I love nickel' date=' get off it, okay?[/quote']

 

:lol:

 

Good stuff, Jacko.

 

Let's sweep this double header tonight, boys.

[BoSox21]

f*** YOU MATTHEWS, YOU (insert alleged racial slur here)

[See Red]

f*** YOU MATTHEWS' date=' YOU (insert alleged racial slur here)[/quote']

 

:o

 

... I can't believe you called him that...

 

[schillingouttheks]

Manny, you're killing me. Goddamn it.

[schillingouttheks]

Ok. Seriously, gentlemen. I know you just won game 1 of a double header, but we're facing Ervin Santana at home. That means that Ervin Santana is on the road. That also means that Ervin Santana f***ING SUCKS RIGHT NOW, SO EX-LAX PLEASE.

[riverside sluggers]

Sox bats are tired thus far. Santana has faced the min. of 9 batters through 3 innings

 

EDIT: Santana with a perfect game through 4

 

60 pitches, 4 Ks

[schillingouttheks]

Yeah. This has to stop, kthx.

[riverside sluggers]

Courtesy of Lugo... again

 

Smart play by Lowell, but in the end all it does is put a speedier player on 1st base

[inkman]

Inkman's new ink, he wanted it in this thread.

 

 

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/inkman2000/1187375755.jpg

 

Thank you. :thumbsup:

[schillingouttheks]

Thank you, Drew.

[See Red]

We got a hit!

[riverside sluggers]

Good news: Drew got a 1 out hit to end the perfect game

 

Bad news: Lowell followed with a 1 pitch pop up, Varitek with a 3 pitch strikeout (all swings, last 2 were clearly out of the zone)

 

EDIT: f***ing Lugo!! 2 errors and a bad play on a line drive

[schillingouttheks]

Lugo, COME THE f*** ON.

 

Wow. Did I hear that correctly? 6 errors in the last 13 games for Lugo?

[See Red]

Christ, Lugo.

[schillingouttheks]

Annnnnnnnnnd Lugo's error is threatening to be costly once a-f***ing-gain.

[riverside sluggers]

Runners on the corners, no outs. Lugo has made Beckett to throw a lot more pitches than he should have. Its bad enough the offense hasnt yet shown up tonight

[schillingouttheks]

Runners on the corners' date=' no outs. Lugo has made Beckett to throw a lot more pitches than he should have. Its bad enough the offense hasnt yet shown up tonight[/quote']

 

Lugo needs to f***ing launch a goddamn f***ing dinger because I'm so f***ing sick of his f***ing errors f***ing up the f***ing game and f***ing us in the f***ing ass. f***.