9/17 @ Rays...

[Taz]

This one has been busted open, with what should be a decent, defendable lead, as we move into the bottom of the 7th.

[jung]

Wow, they go 1-5 and that turns into an 11,000 "fan" turnout tonight!!!! Talk about an area not supporting a baseball team.....I would tend to agree with Remy on this one. If they can be in the thick of a race and just stumble on a road trip and cause an empty house, I would say they are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

We have often talked about the Rays simply not really having a fan base....I would be surprised if they are not forced to do something..like move.

 

To be honest looking at the place now, 11,000 must be the gate and at least half of those most have left already. Don't know why. Not like they were going to have any traffic facing them on the way out.

[jopete19]

Can we dump Mark Melancon???

[Bellhorn04]

Tazawa has been dealing. 41 K's and 5 BB's in 37.2 innings.

[jung]

I wonder how the Sox will handle Tazawa going forward. It would appear pretty clear that he is a talented pitcher. It does seem like V has been moving him closer and closer to critical parts of the game. Maybe his immediate future (as in 2013) will be to become Mr 8th inning set up guy.

 

It would be pretty neat for the Sox to have a guy that they could depend on in that role again. At the very least it would seem that Tazawa could be Mr 7th inning. Although at this stage of the game, he might be the best 8th inning guy they would have. There is always the chance that they could split up the 7th inning assignment based on who was coming to the plate for the opponent.

[jung]

I wonder how the Sox will handle Tazawa going forward. It would appear pretty clear that he is a talented pitcher. It does seem like V has been moving him closer and closer to critical parts of the game. Maybe his immediate future (as in 2013) will be to become Mr 8th inning set up guy.

 

It would be pretty neat for the Sox to have a guy that they could depend on in that role again. At the very least it would seem that Tazawa could be Mr 7th inning. Although at this stage of the game, he might be the best 8th inning guy they would have. There is always the chance that they could split up the 7th inning assignment based on who was coming to the plate for the opponent.

[a700hitter]

Can we dump Mark Melancon???

Cherries must view that cutting Melancon as an admission of failure. Sometimes you just need to move on.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I wonder how the Sox will handle Tazawa going forward. It would appear pretty clear that he is a talented pitcher. It does seem like V has been moving him closer and closer to critical parts of the game. Maybe his immediate future (as in 2013) will be to become Mr 8th inning set up guy.

 

It would be pretty neat for the Sox to have a guy that they could depend on in that role again. At the very least it would seem that Tazawa could be Mr 7th inning. Although at this stage of the game, he might be the best 8th inning guy they would have. There is always the chance that they could split up the 7th inning assignment based on who was coming to the plate for the opponent.

 

The Sox could very well go into 2013 with a back end of the bullpen of Bailey, De La Rosa (if they don't have him start out of the gate, he probably sits 98-100 out of the pen), Tazawa, Bard, Miller, Breslow, and Alex Wilson. And that's not even counting guys like Rich Hill, Chris Carpenter (who sits upper 90's), or Scott Atchison.

 

They could have a very talented bullpen next year just on the players they have right now alone.

[kapsis21]

The Sox could very well go into 2013 with a back end of the bullpen of Bailey, De La Rosa (if they don't have him start out of the gate, he probably sits 98-100 out of the pen), Tazawa, Bard, Miller, Breslow, and Alex Wilson. And that's not even counting guys like Rich Hill, Chris Carpenter (who sits upper 90's), or Scott Atchison.

 

They could have a very talented bullpen next year just on the players they have right now alone.

 

i love this young bullpen, cant wait for next year to start already!

 

I wish Wilson/Carpenter can be switched to a starter and stick there for crying out loud. when was the last time our farm system produced a decent Starting pitcher.. Jon Lester back in 06..

Clay Buchholz in 07. since then it has been crapshoot. yep we did give up Casey Kelley but oh well.

[Station 13]

Iggy received a 6.2M signing bonus, plus he is paid $2M a year. He has bank around $10M without doing s***.

[jung]

There is no new game thread tonight for this second game at the Rays so I thought I would post here. The Echo-dome appears to be ghost town again tonight.

 

Ells lost one in that ridiculous ceiling but got back on it to make the catch.

 

You can tell that Pedey is really on it as he is just as likely to hit the ball to right as to left. Where you throw it, he will hit it. Just missed driving Ells home for the first run of the game.

[jung]

Felix falling apart here in the 3rd pulls a "Nuke" LaLouche and walks two straight guys, the last one on four straight balls. Complaining to the ump but according to the pitch location software, has nothing to complain about.

 

I have to admit I was kinda' surprised when they brought Felix back from his "rest". Since it was thought he was going to run into a innings problem, I thought he would simply not be back at least not until maybe something like the very end.

 

He has now thrown 8 straight balls and he might have a complaint about Ball 8. Ball 8 happens when you can't find the plate though.

[jung]

All coming apart for Felix now. After walking the bases full, Felix just grooved one to Zobriest who jumped on it driving in 2 runs. Felix does have an out this inning so he could induce a DP and be out of this mess.

[jung]

Obviously, Felix tosses up a ball that Longoria can drive to the outfield and here comes the 3rd run of the inning.

 

Rays dugout turning into a soap opera the last couple nights....that apple firmly lodged in their throats it appears.

[jung]

You wonder if management's reaction to the low attendance of the last couple nights in Ray-ville is immediate and if that causes some tension for the team by itself. We are so used to being in an environment where it almost does not matter how poorly the team is playing, Fenway is basically still packed out or at least it has been. Maybe Madden gets a text message about the attendance almost immediately when it goes downhill this badly and does that s*** flow downhill from Madden after that.

 

Here in Ray-ville it seems that 1-5 road trip had an immediate impact on ticket sales for the Rays. There is just nobody there tonight and there wasn't last night either.

[Bellhorn04]

You wonder if management's reaction to the low attendance of the last couple nights in Ray-ville is immediate and if that causes some tension for the team by itself. We are so used to being in an environment where it almost does not matter how poorly the team is playing, Fenway is basically still packed out or at least it has been. Maybe Madden gets a text message about the attendance almost immediately when it goes downhill this badly and does that s*** flow downhill from Madden after that.

 

Here in Ray-ville it seems that 1-5 road trip had an immediate impact on ticket sales for the Rays. There is just nobody there tonight and there wasn't last night either.

 

The Rays' organization is constantly touted as one of the best and it may be. They continue to produce good young pitchers. But they are not producing any hitters at all. They are a classic good pitch/no hit team, and this year's version looks like it will miss the playoffs.

 

The lack of hitting also makes this Rays team a bore to watch. The Tampa fans have never been the best, but when the team is like watching paint dry it makes matters worse.

[jung]

The AL West has really pulled itself up this year along with the O's in the East. The O's look like they will either beat out the Spanks for the Eastern Div Crown or will be one of the WC teams. Would love to see them drive the Spanks into that one game play in. It is getting to the point where Oakland would have to pull a mini-fold for the Angels to catch them and the Rays would almost have to win out from here to go anywhere.

[jung]

Ells drives in another run tonight. Iggy scores! Thank God he still knew how to run the bases. Sox really have a shot now that they are into that terrific Rays pen. Game now tied with Ells at second.

[jung]

Felix has not been able to coax that high strike from this ump tonight. Has really been frustrating for him as that pitch has been a strike every time. Felix really does not have much else to complain about but the ump has missed that high strike just about every time.

[jung]

While I can buy the argument that the Rays are sort of a boring team, there does not even appear to be enough support for MLB in that area. Imagine being able to just walk up to the gate, watch ML ball, basically have your run of the place since it would still be empty if here were another 10k people in the stands.

 

Can't be the weather, at least not tonight. It is pouring in Florida. So it is not like they are all at the beach.

[jung]

Geez people are disappointed in Iggy's hitting...Lavs is really worrying me at this point. Lavs is supposed to be one of the young hitters we are depending on and he is mired in a terrible slump and looks terrible at the plate.

[jung]

Iggy trying to work his way to his most exciting plate activity...a walk but ends up grounding weakly to 2nd base.

 

While Iggy has gradually looked a bit more competent at the plate as he has gotten more at bats, he really does not have a stroke with the bat. At his size you have to hit the ball pretty cleanly and he just does not do that. Iggy sort of slaps at the ball. Looks like a guy that has spent a lifetime hitting with metal bats. I have yet to see him drive anything anywhere. He did hit a mid-length fly ball earlier tonight but with his swing even that looked more like luck than intent.

 

Not sure what they will be able to do with Iggy now that i have actually seen him hit for an extended period. Clearly they have not broken him of that slap hitting technique and unless he gets a little stronger, it looks to me like he will always struggle to get the ball out of the infield.

 

Meanwhile, Rodriguez continues throwing the ball all over the lot accounting for yet another Sox run. Sox now lead 4-3.

[Thunder]

We got a two day GT going here?

 

This is the best ball the Sox have played all here. When there's no pressure on them, they're a great team. An 81-81 finish is still possible!

[Bellhorn04]

Geez people are disappointed in Iggy's hitting...Lavs is really worrying me at this point. Lavs is supposed to be one of the young hitters we are depending on and he is mired in a terrible slump and looks terrible at the plate.

 

This happens to a lot of young hitters though. Rizzo hit 141/281/242 in his first ML stint last year. This year he's hitting 296/349/486.

[jung]

Felix had the one really bad inning when he could not find the plate but he has actually pitched pretty good tonight. With few exceptions it has been Strike 1 all night for Felix.

 

Rodriguez is a defensive disaster at 3rd for the Rays and as is often the case when struggling, the ball keeps finding him. Single handedly, allowing the Sox to lead tonight. Hellickson-Doubront opposing each other makes three to four hour games a near certainty.

[Bellhorn04]

Felix had the one really bad inning when he could not find the plate but he has actually pitched pretty good tonight. With few exceptions it has been Strike 1 all night for Felix.

 

Rodriguez is a defensive disaster at 3rd for the Rays and as is often the case when struggling, the ball keeps finding him. Single handedly, allowing the Sox to lead tonight. Hellickson-Doubront opposing each other makes three to four hour games a near certainty.

 

Rodriguez is a good example of the Rays lack of depth in positional players. The guy is hitting .214 and butchering it in the field and here he is starting in an important game.

[jung]

At least we know Lavs CAN hit. Lavs just seems a bit lost at the plate this time around...like he does not have a plan going up there.

 

It could be a factor of his youth. Once a guy starts to slump, he might start concentrating to much on just not looking so bad at the plate and be less concerned about having an actual plan of attack at the plate. Unfortunately that is the surest way to continue to slump.

 

Having seen Iggy now for awhile I would love to know what the hell they have been trying to do with him down on the farm. Have they been trying to break him of that slap hitting technique....have they been trying to get him stronger so that he can at least survive using that technique...what????

 

Lavs WILL hit....I think. I am no longer confident Iggy will ever have a "2" at as the first digit of his BA in he Majors as he cannot even handle the bat well enough to earn a few sacrifices or walk very often. Seems a real shame.

[jung]

At least we know Lavs CAN hit. Lavs just seems a bit lost at the plate this time around...like he does not have a plan going up there.

 

It could be a factor of his youth. Once a guy starts to slump, he might start concentrating to much on just not looking so bad at the plate and be less concerned about having an actual plan of attack at the plate. Unfortunately that is the surest way to continue to slump.

 

Having seen Iggy now for awhile I would love to know what the hell they have been trying to do with him down on the farm. Have they been trying to break him of that slap hitting technique....have they been trying to get him stronger so that he can at least survive using that technique...what????

 

Lavs WILL hit....I think. I am no longer confident Iggy will ever have a "2" at as the first digit of his BA in he Majors as he cannot even handle the bat well enough to earn a few sacrifices or walk very often. Seems a real shame.

[jung]

My God the Rays look terrible in the field. What the hell has happened to these guys. Rodriguez is subing for Longoria at 3rd but the rest look terrible as well.

 

Lavarnway doubles....hurray!!

[NativeBostonian]

Wow he seems to get worse with every pitch. I could pitcher better than this guy.