August 31st, 2006 → 11:01 pm @ Seth Mnookin // No Comments
Reverse lock, indeed: Cy Young candidate Roy Halliday looking for his baseball-leading 17th win versus Julian Tavarez, starting for the first time in four years. Yeah, that’s pretty much an automatic win. After all, the Sox have Alex Cora (offensive powerhouse), Dustin Pedroia (defensive whiz), Bryan Corey (relief stopper). About the only thing that didn’t make any sense about tonight’s game was Papelbon notching his 35th save. Dirty water, indeed.
(You so totally know that if this had been last week, not only would Rios have caught Cora’s ball but somehow Pedroia and Cora would have both ended up in a heap on the field with multiple concussions after somehow running into each other on the basepaths.)
Post Categories: Dirty Water
mtalinm
17 years ago
Tonight was the one game this year I was able to get tickets for. I’ll admit that I went in assumuming a loss. Seemed like a throwaway with Tavarez pinch-pitching for Wells. My kids only recognized a few players on the field (including Pedroia, whom they had seen play at Pawtucket). After all, this team can’t score runs without Manny, Papi, and Wily Mo, right?
Well let’s say this team has a little something left. Sure, the game would have stayed tied and might’ve gone the other way if not for Rios’ bloop. But we won. Period.
I have to say I was quite impressed with Francona’s moves tonight. He left in Tavarez until the 3rd-inning meltdown, surprised me with Corey (also a good job), and got a good showing from Delcarmen. I’ll admit I held my breath when Timlin went it, and sure enough, he started to blow it for us (though Pedroia manufactured a double play out of a ball I’ll bet Loretta would’ve missed). People around me were clamoring for Papelbon, but Francona Timlin in until there was someone in scoring position and only then went to his closer. Who closed it out.
Even with Epstein throwing in the towel with the Wells trade, even with the piranha media coverage, even with the skeleton crew on the field, this team can finish the season honorably. Pennant win? It’s not statistically impossible, but probably not. But that doesn’t mean giving up, either.
Carson
17 years ago
The Rios error was the funniest thing I’ve seen since Canseco took that line drive off his head.