(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Have you ever had one of those moments where you thought something was just a joke?
Last night, the Boston Red Sox were up 9-1 before a rain delay forced John Smoltz out of the game. They took a 10-1 lead before the implosion happened.
This morning, sports radio says the Red Sox lost 11-10.
Confusion is only one word that could be used to describe the reaction of the majority in the Boston area. Personally, the TV had been changed at my house.
Of course, should this have been all that unexpected? The last two days, ESPN and NESN have done nothing, but throw graphics up, as to how the Red Sox had beaten the Orioles eight straight times dating back to last September.
There was talk of the dominance over Baltimore since 1999. Moreso, there was the stat that Jonathan Papelbon had not blown a save against Baltimore in 21 chances.
Everything came together last night into one big mess for the Red Sox bullpen. Fundamentals were the lead in yesterday. Today, it has to all be about, how anything is possible. Strange things seem to happen.
On to the notes:
Tuesday Rewind
- Smoltz did look solid before the rain came down in Baltimore. He worked both sides of the plate well, and his slider was much sharper than it was in his opening outing. Smoltz's fastball was consistently 91-93, and he had the Orioles off-balance for all four innings. This is a good sign. AL-only leagues should take note of this performance.
- The Padres won the game, but could lose Adrian Gonzalez for a few days. The Padres first baseman was taken out of the game after straining his knee. Gonzalez was hurt sliding into third base, and is being treated as day-to-day. The break might do him some good, since the beginning of June, Gonzalez is hitting just .221.
- Mark DeRosa also left the game last night after tweaking his wrist while swinging. DeRosa said the wrist immediately did not feel right, and he expects to have some tests run on Wednesday to determine if there is anything structural wrong. Expect him to miss at least tonight's game.
- The Red Sox did place Mike Lowell on the DL yesterday with his hip injury. The team recalled Jeff Bailey from AAA to take his place on the roster. Bailey and Mark Kotsay will both see some time at first base over this span, and neither have much bearing outside of deeper AL-only leagues.
- The Pirates sent Nyjer Morgan to the Nationals in exchange for Joel Hanrahan and Lastings Milledge. The Pirates certainly bought low on Hanrahan, and he could push Matt Capps out. It will definitely make the end of that bullpen more interesting. Milledge is still hurting, so the Pirates will have to wait on that piece.
- Alright, who had Jason Marquis with ten wins all season? That makes no one. Marquis threw a complete game shutout last night against one of the best teams in baseball. The Dodgers could only manage two hits against the starter. It's getting ridiculous, and he is available in about 70 percent of all leagues.
- Carlos Beltran received a second opinion on his knee. The doctor here gave him a more encouraging report, and indicated that surgery is not likely necessary. He will still be held out until the All-Star break, but it has become a matter of rest and healing time than anything else.
- The pitcher's duel last night between Scott Baker and Brian Bannister was largely unexpected. Yes, both had been pitching well, but neither had given indications that this was coming. Bannister looked better than Baker. He worked seven innings and took the loss, but gave up just one earned run on six hits and a walk. Baker needed 111 pitches to get through five innings. He only walked two, but was in deep counts most of the night.
- It was pointed out yesterday, and then it came true last night. Joe Saunders cannot pitch in Texas. Each outing over the last few seasons, Saunders has been roughed up, and last night was no exception. He is fine against the Rangers at home, but there is something about the ballpark in Arlington that does him in.
Wednesday Notes
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