Monday, June 02, 2008

Boston Bops Birds - Colon Sharp Enough...Red Sox 9 Orioles 4

Bartolo Colon won his third straight decision while wearing a Boston uniform and the Red Sox went on a hitting tear, several of them, in fact, and defeated Baltimore 9-4. Another highlight was home run #501 from Manny Ramirez. But Bartolo Colon, who struggled a little bit more than in his first two starts but is clearly what this team needed after Matsuzaka went down, pitched into the 7th inning, giving up 4 earned runs (the last one came in courtesy of Javy Lopez), on 7 hits. He struck out 5 and threw a total of 102 pitches. If he keeps going like this, and he thinks his velocity has not fully returned yet, he will help his club immensely. The O's third base coach, Juan Samuels, said this to Colon as he passed by him yesterday...

“I told him, ‘You’ve got your sh*t back,’ Samuel said."

Peter here...well said, Juan. I couldn't have put it better myself. I wonder if the Yankees' front office is kicking themselves for not signing Bartolo to an almost risk-free deal like their bitter and better rivals did. Great move, Theo and company! Here's what John Farrell had to say about his Sunday pitcher...

“He threw today similar to what he’s done in the first two starts,” said Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell. “This is a very good fastball-hitting team and still he was able to locate his four-seamer away from left-handers and particularly to run his two-seamer in to get a couple of called strike threes. Each time out, he has had the game very much in control and he appears very confident and relaxed on the mound.”

Peter here, and I saw that confidence grow along with the velocity of his fastball yesterday. He topped out at 96 MPH...not bad for a guy who was plagued by injuries and arm woes the past two years. If this is his second wind, I hope it can last through October...of 2010.

The batting stars were numerous, with the Sox collecting 16 base hits. Manny and Lowell went back to back and JD Drew, just returned to the lineup, also went deep and made a spectacular catch in right. His quick start this year has meant a lot to the club. Jacoby Ellsbury had only one stolen base, giving him SEVEN through the first three games of this series at Fenway Park south. He was caught once for only the third time this season. He leads the MAJORS with 27 swipes so far. My, oh my. Mercy!

It'll be Monday night baseball from Baltimore tonight as Timmy Wakefield will face the Bird's Guthrie. He's one of their toughest pitchers, but the Sox bats are sizzling. We have to hope that the MRI scheduled for Big Papi's wrist will not show a break of any kind. There are so many small bones in a person's wrist - it scares me that he heard a "pop" while swinging. He's in Boston right now and will have his test this morning. Good luck, David. Boy, do we need you. But it seems that Manny puts it into another gear when Papi is hurting...that's the kind of player and person he is. Manny being Manny? No, Manny being himself, a kind, caring and hard working person who loves his team and the fans who root for them. Manny, the feeling is mutual.

Click on the title to be linked to the Boston Globe homepage, and have another great Monday. I bumped my head slightly (when I did it, there was NOTHING slight about it) on Saturday afternoon and have had a headache ever since. I hope it goes away. Well, there's one thing for sure...these world champipon Boston Red Sox ain't going anywhere...except to first place. Thanks for stopping in and as always, BE WELL.

14 Comments:

At 6/02/2008 10:21 AM, Blogger gingerly said...

Gee, Peter, hope you feel better. Head-whacking is trouble.

You sure were right about Colon. It's great to see him pitch. He looks so comfortable that it makes me comfortable as I watch him. And I like that a lot.

Let's hope Ortiz is okay.

 
At 6/02/2008 4:40 PM, Blogger Rooster said...

Colon - secret weapon - I like it!

Dancing knuckle ball tonight. Can the Sox continue to score runs, or will they hit a lull?

 
At 6/02/2008 10:37 PM, Blogger Nodd Blossom said...

Hey Petes,
Just wanted to say a quick hello to you and everybody who's a fan of the Red Sox. HI

 
At 6/02/2008 10:40 PM, Blogger Nodd Blossom said...

Rooster, as stupid as this may seem, i've got to ask you a question...what's a "Dancing Knuckle Ball"??? (O.O)

 
At 6/03/2008 1:04 AM, Blogger redsox.njdevils said...

I hope your head feels better! You're wonderful writing didn't seem to be affected by it, so I'm sure it's not too serious.

 
At 6/03/2008 1:23 AM, Blogger KAYLEE said...

I am getting opur of the hioospittak wednesday!

 
At 6/03/2008 5:11 AM, Blogger Peter N said...

Keith, I still have a headache and if it's not better by tomorrow, I'll call the doctor. Thanks.
The Sox hit an Okie roadblock, Rooster
Nads, that's the way a knuckleball moves after it leaves the pitcher's hand-it dances all over the place, making it a tough pitch to hit.
And thank you, Brittany.

 
At 6/03/2008 5:11 AM, Blogger Peter N said...

KAYLEE, congratulations!! Good luck and stop by once in a while if you're well enough. I'm so happy for you!

 
At 6/03/2008 8:50 AM, Blogger Rooster said...

Nodd,

Like Peter said, if you watch a great camera angle of a really good knuckle ball, it kind of floats like a bubble almost. It is very susceptible to the wind and will bob all around. So, it can look like it is dancing - especially to the hitter. By saying it is dancing, means he's getting a lot of movement on it, as opposed to saying he's throwing a flat knuckleball.

Good on you for asking!

 
At 6/03/2008 10:25 AM, Blogger Peter N said...

Thanks Rooster! She a remarkable person (Nads).

 
At 6/03/2008 10:25 AM, Blogger Peter N said...

She's.....I meant

 
At 6/03/2008 5:44 PM, Blogger Nodd Blossom said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 6/03/2008 5:45 PM, Blogger Nodd Blossom said...

Thank you very much Rooster and Petes for explaining that to me, i was a little confused when i was reading the comments, :D
And Petes?
I know i'm a remarkable person...what can i say...it comes naturaly to me, jk, thank you Peter!

 
At 6/04/2008 6:20 AM, Blogger Peter N said...

You're welcome, Nads. I hope Rooster had a chance to read your comment. Don't be a stranger here (with spellcheck)! P.S. I am kidding.

 

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