20/20
For the first time in two years, a pitcher has reached the 20 win mark, and that pitcher happens to play for the Boston Red Sox. Last night in Tampa Bay, Josh "Baseball" Beckett, as I've been calling him all year, went six strong innings, using his curveball in his later innings to move his strikeout total to 8. He only allowed 4 hits...that's a total of 7 in his last 2 starts. Great job, Josh. The bullpen took over for the final 3 innings, and Delcarmen, Lopez and Gagne (we need him to be effective!) all contributed to three scoreless frames. The Sox offense finally awakened from its unfortunate slumber in a huge way. Big Papi, a surprise starter against the lefty Kazmir, banged 3 hits, including a home run. Mikey Lowell hit another tater, which gave him 20 for the second consecutive season, hence the title of this post, 20/20. He becomes the first Sox third baseman to hit 20 home runs in back-to-back seasons. Great job Mike!
The Yankees, at home against the Jays and Doc Halladay, were down 4-0 going into the 9th inning, but rallied to force a 4-4 tie. That tie was broken in the 14th inning on a home run by Greg Zahn. So after 3 straight wins against the Red Sox, the Jays took the first of 4 from the Yankees. May they sweep them.
The magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to two. Any combination of a Detroit victory or a Boston win will be cause for celebration. But will the team celebrate when what they really want is the AL East championship? I say they should. Here's what Tito had to say.....
"Terry Francona looked perplexed when asked the question Friday afternoon. If the Red Sox clinch a postseason berth this weekend, while still fending off the Yankees in the division race, will there be a celebration?
"I don't know," Francona said. "I'll have to go ask somebody, because I really don't know. I'll have to see what other teams do. I know in Philadelphia, we didn't. And here was the other way around; we were behind. Maybe we'll have a Coke, or something."
"I've asked around, I think you should celebrate every time," Mike Lowell said. "We're here to have fun. I think we have to be happy about that. There's only four teams in our league going. For us to be one of them, we should be happy about that."
Peter here...I'm happy...are you? Click on the title of this post for Theo and Peter Gammons' thoughts, and have a wonderful Saturday. Comments? I'm here!
posted by Peter N @ 6:28 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Finally, the offense wakes up and the pitching starts to get outs!
As for the celebration, they should do what they want. In my opinion though, it's only gonna be a satisfying celebration when they win the division. Yeah, when. It's impossible for them to come this far and, God forbid, give it up. They can't. So I dunno, I guess they should celebrate if they want to, but the big one should come with a division title, not just Wild Card-clincher.
sure you can celebrate a little bit, making the post season is a big accomplishment....but it's still a bit of an embarrassment if we don't win the division.
Hi Lauren and SL...I think it's a no-lose proposition...after last night, ANYTHING is possible, and probably will!
Happy weekend...
By coincidence, have you seen the latest issue of reader's Digest? The back cover sports a Red Sox fan riding on the subway in NY surrounded by Yankee fans. He has a very smug grin on his fce and they all look annoyed or angry.
It's the art print by CF Payne
Well yeah, I agree that it's a big accomplishment making the post-season. No doubt about it. But you said exactly what I was thinking, it's a bit embarrassing if they don't. Because they should have this in the bag already.
As much as I like the added Drama of the divisional race, I think it would have a little more juice to it if there was a bigger penalty for being a Wild Card versus a divisional winner.
Maybe no home games for the first series or something.
Great baseball - I love this time of year!!!!!
Faith, ML and LAUREN, thanks for the comments! I am lucky enugh to be writing this on Sunday, a beautiful but before 7am morning. It's beautiful because of the 9th inning yesterday. We're back to the best record in the AL, we've clinched a playoff berth, and now, now, the toughest part. HEAL!!!
Thanks, everyone, again, for your great comments. Stay glued here as the pressure mounts and our heart rates increase!!!!!
And ML, as the only Yankee fan here in the comment section, I applaud your knowlege of the game, and you should be proud of your team. They've been the best since....well, for a long ass time!
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