1. "We’re still playing bad baseball. Unintelligent, undisciplined, uninspired baseball. It’s got to change. It changes itself or we have to do something to change it.” Theo Epstein, May 3rd
I have to agree with God's gift to Sabermetrics. The Sox match up well with the Tigers based on talent but just didn't seem to want it as much. The Tigers out-hustled, out-scrapped and generally out-played the Sox throughout the three-game set. Today was no different as the Tigers beat the Sox at their own game, making Lackey throw too many pitches early, getting a lead and holding on with great defense and bullpen. The young lineup of the Tigers made this version of the Red Sox look old and tired.
2. This game changed on an incredible at-bat by Alex Avilla. He drew 11 pitches from Lackey, fouling off four balls with a full count and ultimately walking to load the bases. More importantly, Alex was down 1-2 and fought off those pitches with two outs to extend an inning that ultimately plated two early runs. In total, Lackey threw 35 pitches. Lackey was noticeably frustrated at his inability to end the inning with a .150 hitter at the plate. He may also have been frustrated after having been voted one of baseball's ugliest starting pitchers (see picture).
3. One thing is certain from watching this series: Kevin Youkilis has no business playing first base. He looks like a beer league catcher who had to fill in when someone didn't show up. At this point, my boy Theo should think about Yook's safety as odds are scratch that he gets hit in the head with a throw from shortstop before the year ends. On a weak ground ball from Brennan Boesch in the 3rd inning, the "Greek God of Errors" looked liked he was fending away a hornet rather than trying to actually catch the ball. Two innings later, he fell down trying to move 5 feet to his right on a worm-burner from Donnie Kelly that might not have made it to the grass. What are they trying to do with him out there? The DH was created with bozos like this in mind. Oh yeah, we haven't forgotten that you got your ass kicked by our 20-year old pitcher last year, boyyyyy.
4. Rumor on the street is the Sox are in negotiations with Shawn Johnson about a potential starting catcher job as both of their catchers throw like little girls anyway. After watching Varitek and Martinez throw to second for two days, this girl is an upgrade.
5. I can't make it through a post without highlighting Jim Leland's ineptness. With a 5-1 lead and Bondo in firm control in the 7th, Jim felt the need to pull him with two outs after he made quick work of the first two hitters in the inning. Fu-Te Ni came in and promptly loaded the bases before getting "Nancy" Drew to strike out. This was a classic example of Leland over-managing. You've got a four-run lead, let Bondo finish the inning for the love of Pete. On another interesting side note, I noticed that Fu-Te Ni, who hails from Taiwan, came out of the bullpen to "Old Time Rock n' Roll" by Bob Seger. Clearly, this was a diversionary tactic to get the fans on their feet and forget about the silly blunder by Leland or maybe I'm wrong and Ni rocks the Motor City legend on his ipod.
6. Final shout-out to my Uncle Torry who passed away yesterday. Like all good Michiganders, Torry didn't miss many Tiger games which always gave us a common thread to talk about through the years. He was a good man and a hell of a pitcher in his prime (if you didn't know how good, you could just ask him). I can remember him trying to teach me how to throw from a windup and coming to my little league ballgames when I pitched. Torry was Detroit to the core; he cut his grass daily, drank beer in a lawn chair in his driveway in the summer and used his pessimistic sense of humor to liven up holiday parties. He always wanted to know what was going on in my life and took a real interest in me. I will miss that grumpy old man and as Ernie would say, I hope he's enjoying his "next journey" already.
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