7/5 vs. Rays

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

I don't want to believe that the Soxs lost regardless of being up 5-1 with pattersons 2 home runs.-__- So lets just say we beat the rays ok? Good.

[jacksonianmarch]

Shallow observers might view this loss solely from the pitcher's mound.

 

Give the Rays some credit. Their manager got the matchups he wanted and their players executed. Meanwhile, the Sox couldn't get their signals straight on who is covering the third base line on a bunt, who is covering second base when the "shift" is on on an made to order DP, and for the second straight night a run scores when a ball goes back to the screen.

 

Offensively, the book on the Sox hitters must be that they'll chase high fastballs out of the zone. They failed to move runners up, hit behind runners, and execute with a runner on third with less than two outs.

 

All of this, and they lost by a run.

 

Most losses are a culmination of the little things that you did not do correctly; most wins are a culmination of all the little things you did right. When the Sox go back to taking each pitch as it comes and playing the game of baseball the right way they'll be fine. Spare me the "Tito is an idiot" analysis.

 

Tito is an idiot for using Bard in the bottom of the 8th inning down by 1 run.

[TheMino007]

Dice-K and Fracona lost tonights game, can't blame injuries on that

[jacksonianmarch]

I wont pin the loss on Tito. But using Bard was stupid for future problems

[db41]

Bard threw 10 pitches to get three outs-- barely broke a sweat. He played his role perfectly and was used appropriately and effectively.

 

The sac bunt up the third base line hurt. Dice-K, for all his flaws, is a good athlete and fields his position well. Beltre could have easily stayed home on the bunt and Dice-K could've made the force out there had Beltre stayed home. They didn't have their s*** together for some reason and for that you can blame Tito. It's basic baseball you learn starting at about 9 years old. That was maddening. If you get that out, a groundball gets you out of the inning.

 

With runners on 1st and 2nd in the 8th, they had a chance for an easy double play when Pena hit a ball right to Hall. For some reason, Scutaro (whom I like) ran over to back up the play instead of staying where he was positioned-- ON TOP OF SECONDBASE! It was a bad read by Scutaro and one of those things that won't show up as an "error" in the box score. That's two outs instead of one and if we get those, the fly ball to right field doesn't hurt us.

 

Speaking of the fly ball to right field. With runners on second and third and one out, Ramirez has the Bartlett 0-2. At 1-2 he throws him the only pitch he can hit in the outfield-- a fastball away. No slider in the dirt, no up and in (base open mind you), no making him chase. That one pitch ended up to be the winning run.

 

I'd say the lack of cohesiveness defensively can be attributed to the makeshift lineup-- to some extent. However, there are some things that are just basic baseball and you should always pay attention to the "little things."

[jacksonianmarch]

Dude, he probably threw 25 pitches in the pen, 8 warmups the 10 pitches. Regardless, the amt of pitches is moot. It is the chronicity of use. He's gonna reach a career high in games pitched and may very well be part of a playoff run. Tito is using him a la Gordon in 2004 or Proctor a few yrs back. Eventually, the binky breaks

[example1]

Dude' date=' he probably threw 25 pitches in the pen, 8 warmups the 10 pitches. Regardless, the amt of pitches is moot. It is the chronicity of use. He's gonna reach a career high in games pitched and may very well be part of a playoff run. Tito is using him a la Gordon in 2004 or Proctor a few yrs back. Eventually, the binky breaks[/quote']

 

While all of this may be true, it is a different topic. He didn't lose the game for him and he didn't hurt his arm.

 

Also, FWIW, Bard IS on pace to be roughly Tom Gordon in 2004. Of course, in 2005 Gordon appeared in 79 games and put up a sub-3 ERA so apparently it wasn't instantly damaging on him.

 

I agree with you and have a general sense that the Sox need to be careful with Bard, but I think Tito is aware of that is he is probably begging Theo for at least one more good arm in the pen.

[jacksonianmarch]

It isnt just injury, it's ineffectiveness. By the ALCS, Gordon was shot. Regardless, you are talking about a young pitcher entering untested territory for him, which should always bring up warning flags. But that is why I brought it up. He used him in the bottom of the 8th, down a run with one of the league's best closers coming in. The chance of a win was pretty minimal

[Palodios]

He's gonna reach a career high in games pitched and may very well be part of a playoff run.

 

I would like to point out that not only did Jacko just admit the sox have a chance to get to the playoffs, he's also using it as a way to criticize them.

[jacksonianmarch]

I never said otherwise. I have said all along that the sox will win between 90-95 games this yr.