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I was hiking all day and came home in time to catch the 11th. Scutaro is walked to start the inning. Why would you walk Scutaro? That'd be like Mariano walking Kevin Millar. McDonald is asked to bunt? I almost came out of my massage chair! Youk. Waiting for the fastball, waiting, waiting...game over. Good win here. If you're looking at the matchups, Lackey vs. Lee, you're thinking no way...

Did you guys not get the beer and brats I sent you? Relax. It is what it is.

Yikes, I take it we lost? A mate in Wisconsin sent out some Sheboygan brats. Cheers. http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad350/dbdb41/P5290252.jpg

Didn't see it posted anywhere else, so I thought I put it here. My apologies if it's inappropriately placed. Now the rant: Why didn't Adrian Beltre start tonight's game? It's rhetorical. Don't answer. I've read all the articles and what not. It seems pretty clear to me that being selected to play in the All-Star game was a higher priority than being ready to play in today's game. As soon as he tweaked his hammy, he could have gone home to Boston and done the MRI thing and started the resting and rehab so that he would not miss one regular season game more than necessary. Tito and the FO supported his decision to fly to across the country to LA and play in a meaningless exhibition. I know, I know, it meant a lot for him to be selected-- his first time and all-- but isn't the primary goal to win as many games as you can during the regular season so that you qualify for the playoffs and a run at the World Series? I'm not saying that the decision cost them the game. People will point to Hall's two nice stabs at third and his solo homerun; I'd remind them of the double play ball he booted while Wake was still in the game. However, this really isn't just about Beltre. There continues to be an appalling lack of urgency from Tito on down about the most important thing in your professional life: Tonight's game. The line in the sand needs to be drawn sometime soon. If you are on the roster you need to make yourself available to play. You should never be "surprised" by a bunt in a bunting situation. Our defensive communication sucks ass. We don't know what each other are doing and we don't pay attention to details. Cameron needs a GPS device to find a flyball for chrissakes. I'm still spewing on the ball he "drifted" to instead of hustling back to its landing spot. Baserunners lick their chops when aboard b/c our pitchers have decided, thanks to Mr. Farrell, that they aren't going to alter their delivery to the plate so as to protect their arms. We don't alter our looks, time in the set position, or set runners up. It took Lester three stolen bases a couple of weeks ago before he figured it out. Do we not have infielders to help out with this by reading a runner's body language? Catchers have and instinct when a guy is leaning? A coach in the dugout who's spent his life around the game? How can we continue to be reactive instead of proactive in not giving up the game in 90 foot increments? When we do get a chance to throw someone out, our catchers s*** their pants instead of simply getting the ball out quickly and accurately. There seems to be an emphasis on receiving the ball first and then moving their feet to throw. I know of high school catchers with a faster and more accurate release than the bozos we have right know. I don't care if we're down to the 87th catcher in the organization, if you're a professional, you should know how to handle a game defensively. And bunting. f***. Don't get me started on bunting. We can't do it for two reasons: one, it's not part of what we normally do and Tito asks a player to bunt only when the Perseid Meteor Showers are occurring. Two, we obviously don't teach it well in our organization, in spring training, or in the minor leagues. The baseball fundamentals of our young players are pathetic. They do a good job of working counts and seeing a lot of pitches, I'll give them that, but ask them to pop a bunt down and you might as well go by a lottery ticket. We rarely hit and run and frequently miss opportunities to go from first to third. We don't slide well. Our third base coach looks like he's part of Obama's stimulus package for "on the job" training. I better stop and go have a beer before I get carried away. Thanks for listening.

A ray of sunshine aren't you?

I work in Manoa too, in Education. Maybe I know your sister? Send me a PM if you like. I have to duck out for a while. Cheers.

Good chance to get a look at Manuel. He'll probably go as long he's effective.

Not to excuse the turd Wake just laid on the mound but.... A bad call in the first extended that inning-- should've been two strikeouts to start the game. Hall boots a double play ball in the 3rd.

It's always nice to go to your BP after six outs.

Does anyone mind if I go and play third base?

These are the types of things that don't show up in the box score and a big reason why you should pay attention to every call. I wonder if these umps get bothered when they so obviously boot one like this- and change the direction of an inning/game.

Good point. It seems that these things happen all the time under Tito's reign.

You think?

That's exactly what we need coming out of the break-- the umps with their head up their ass-- no way Young got a piece of strike three.

Because Beltre really wanted to play in the All Star game and these second half games aren't that important?

Girardi's mismanagement of the roster selections and game situations makes him the first AL manager to lose the All Star game in 14 years. He just cost the Red Sox home field advantage in the World Series.

47 through three innings. Gotta check out for a bit...

I'm not watching, but "pitch track" says he's just missing... Radio broadcasters claim Lester's body language indicates he wanted a few pitches he didn't get.

Like to see Lester go 8 and throw about 90 pitches or so. Sometimes these games get real ugly (and long) late...

It's nice to get into the other team's BP early in the first game of a series. Just a thought.

Good, I hate it when an umpire decides he's going to reinvent the strikezone.

Internet radio broadcast for me. Anyone watching live? What's the strikezone look like today?

Yeah, but yesterday was an off day and he sat against Price the day before-- he has to earn his keep somehow. I'm fine with a few singles up the middle...

I like Romero, think he has good stuff and learning finally how to pitch. Good to see Drew in there-- you never know. Time for him to try to carry this team for a while...