Almost have to go with Nava hitting leadoff tonight, no?
Sweeney is hitting .172/.200/.172 in the leadoff slot.
Aviles hasn't taken a walk since May 8th and has a .258 OBP in May (15 Games). Not that he was ever that disciplined, but he's been an even more free swinger lately it seems (although he's had 2 knocks in each of his last 2 games).
Nava, meanwhile, has taken 6 walks in 7 games since coming up (and 3 HBP to boot), has an OBP of .643, and is driving the ball to all fields. He's the hot hand right now.
Gotta go with the hot hand.
http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/numlocation.php-pitchSel=407908&game=gid_2012_05_16_bosmlb_tbamlb_1&batterX=62&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3.gif
Gonzo has a point. That strike 1 call was atrocious.
Umpires have been pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.
For all of you Gonzo haters, just watch. He's about to go on an absolute tear.
He promised a HR for the game today. We'll see. All I know is that this is a guy who wouldn't say something like that unless he was feeling like he was on the verge of being locked in.
http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/location.php-pitchSel=453329&game=gid_2012_05_16_bosmlb_tbamlb_1&batterX=15&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3.gif
This was the AB that did him in. That ball called right in the middle of the zone is unacceptable. Terrible. Then Buchholz balked in the run with 2 outs after the walk.
That's why this game was a horseshit loss.
This is unbelievable.
The Red Sox had 7 balks in 2011, 3 in 2010, 5 in 2009, 2 in 2008, 0 in 2007, 3 in 2006, 4 in 2005, etc etc.
That means they've had more balks already this season than they had in 6 of the past 7 seasons.
Buch is fine. Grounder up the middle, went off his left shin in a weird kick, you'd just have to see it.
Gave up a knock to Pena. Rays have 1st and 3rd, no outs. Buch out, Miller in. Scott due up.