Losers

How do you blow a 4-0 to the freakin' Royals? Anyone? Just asking.

Burnett Survives Wildness

I knew A.J. Burnett had a wild streak in him but three wild pitches and four walks is pretty impressive. But Burnett battled and managed to pitch into the seventh to get the win. Aside from Burnett the bullpen did a decent job. Joe Mauer touching up Phil Coke for a home run was something you could see coming. Coke has been good in the pen, but you knew the Yankees couldn't hold Mauer down for and entire series.

After that Phil Hughes and Mariano continued the dominance from the Yankee bullpen throwing 2.1 scoreless innings. It was more in of the same from the bullpen, which has become one of the Yankees strengths since May.

Today the Yankees go for the season sweep of the Twins. They will face Francisco Liriano. Liriano, of course, was to be the next Johan Santana and he would ease the lose of Santana to the trade market and a huge contract. But midway through 2006 Liriano went down and after Tommy John surgery he missed all of 2007. Since then he hasn't been the same. He can still strike out batters at a good rate, but he has lost some control and he has become a little more hittable.

Here's hoping Alfredo Aceves continues his dominating ways back in the starting rotation. Aceves has proven to be quite adapt at throwing all his pitches for stikes in just about any count. Hopefully that no fear attitude comes in handy against Mauer and Morneau.

Boston Spanking A's

J.D. Drew and David Ortiz have just gone yard and have chased the A's rookie starter from the game. Order is restored to the universe. Tim Wakefield is pitching well and continuing his fine season. A couple of those knuckle balls really dove into the dirt as the A's light-hitting line up flailed at them helplessly. They better keep this lead and take the rubber match in the series tonight.

Oops, I spoke too soon. As Wakefield came out for the start of the seventh he promptly gave up two base hits. Francona just came out to get him. It was a very good effort anyway. The bullpen had better shut things down. Manny Delcarmen is heading out of the bullpen.

Anything less than taking three of four from the Royals in the next series would be completely unacceptable to me. If the Sox can pull that off, that would make the Sox 6-4 in this stretch of facing cupcakes before the dreaded All-Star break (more on that in a day or two). In my mind 7-3 would have been the minimum goal, but we'll take it.

NOMAH!

Before I get into the pathetic performance by the Sox against the Mariners over the weekend. I have to comment on the return of Nomar Garciaparra to Boston as a member of the A's. As I type, Nomar is receiving a standing ovation. He has tipped his hat several times to the four corners of the stadium and the ovation has gone on now for a couple of minutes.

You have to feel for a guy like Nomar. He's a guy who started his career on fire. For a few years there he was good for 25-30 HR, 40 2B, and 100 RBI. He won the batting title two years in a row and even has a Rookie of the Year to his credit. Everyone figured he would be a Boston fixture for years to come. Then it all came apart. He got traded right before Boston broke the curse and injuries have ensured that the rest of his career will be spent as a journeyman. I wouldn't feel as bad if he were able to maintain a high level of play after he left Boston, but he's put together only one productive season (in my estimation) since the trade. Anyhow, the salute is finally over, but it was certainly well deserved.

Now... as soon as I open my big mouth and talk about how the Sox should easily lay waste to their next three opponents, the Sox drop two of three to one of the worst offensive teams in base ball. (Damn you, Lugo! He just airmailed a routine throw.) I know their pitching is good but c'mon. You have to win games against bottom feeders at home. The next three games are against the A's, the worst offensive team in the AL. Throw me a bone would ya!

Interesting: I didn't know this until today, but Nomar's replacement in 2004, Orlando Cabrera, is now his teammate.

Bad Day for CC and the Yanks

Well ever starter has a clunker every once and a while so it is hard to get down on CC when he was 6-1 in his previous 10 starts. Hopefully A.J. Burnett, who spoke of being inspired by CC pitching in front of him, doesn't talk this effort with him to the mound against the Jays.

The Blue Jays may be fading from the divisional race, but they are still a division rival. The Yanks need these games and they especially need to step up in those games when Roy Halladay is not the opposing starter. Those games don't tend to go well for the Yankees, so best they take advantage of the Jays pitching when he isn't out there.

Don't have much else for you since I haven't been able to watch much of the past two games, but hopefully I'm able to catch Burnett going for win number seven (which would put him one ahead of our dearly departed Carl Pavano) against his former mates.

Anyway just caught this interesting piece from Outside the Lines on ESPN.com about Lou Gehrig's final days. Good Stuff.

Sox Have Comeback of Their Own

After giving up an 8 run lead in last night's wacky rain delayed game, the Sox came back from 5-1 down and took two of three from Baltimore this afternoon. This win should assuage some of the bitter taste from last night's debacle. Josh Beckett didn't pitch great, but he gave Boston seven innings and didn't let things get too out of hand.

Jonathan Papelbon made amends for his blown save yesterday and in the process became the Red Sox all time saves leader. Now with 133 career saves, he's only 467 behind Mariano Rivera.

Disturbing observation of the week: Jason Bay seems to be striking out a ton lately. He struck out 5 times today and his average has fallen from around .280 to .262. This is not completely unlike him. He's struck out an average of 141 times a season since 2004. It just seems like recently he's been struggling mightily and punching out at inopportune times.

Smoltz Bounces Back, Gets Support

I write this as the Sox lead the Orioles 9-1 in the bottom of the fifth. The game has been delayed by rain. Hopefully it won't take too long. Apparently the same rain made its way through New York and the Yankees game in about 40 minutes.

The good news is that John Smoltz looked great today. The bad news is that he probably won't get his first win in the American League. I doubt that the Sox will let the 42-year-old head back out after sitting around during a rain delay. Answer me this, the starter can't get a win if he doesn't go at least five, but if he leaves with a 9-1 lead, as Smoltz has, who does?

Anyway, Smoltz had all three pitches working. His slider and his curve were biting hard and he was painting with the fast ball. He worked quickly and looked very comfortable. It's a complete 180 from his first start.

Meanwhile, the Boston bats have been relentless in this game making things even more comfortable for Smoltzy (as I'm sure Tito is already calling him). It was very satisfying to see the Sox break things open in the 4th when the Orioles intentionally walked Jason Bay to get to David Ortiz. He took a pitch the opposite way to left field and made them pay. He's smacking hits the other way more and more often, and if he keeps doing that he'll be in good shape the rest of the season.