Reed Johnson shows off his man strength with 2 HRs tonight, including a walk off HR to win the game 9-6.
The lesson, as always: You don't mess with the Jays on a Tuesday.
And with Sparky's big game...Can it be that Richard Griffin suddenly has mojo powers?!?
And with Sparky's big game...Can it be that Richard Griffin suddenly has mojo powers?!?
That was sudden. First he was 0-3, an hour later he's got 2 HRs and 5 RBIs.
The Dude clutch pinch hit
Fantastic return for Zaun
Lights out Batista
Red Sox lost the game
Superb win for the home team
Text Sparky home run
Fightin' Jays swoop down and peck a win!
Fantastic return for Zaun
Lights out Batista
Red Sox lost the game
Superb win for the home team
Text Sparky home run
Fightin' Jays swoop down and peck a win!
man, that muggy air was carrying the ball tonight.
None of the four homers looked like they were out off the bat, but three of them went out to deep straightaway centre regardless.
Great win.
...I'm starting to think that Bush is just plain scared of the Bosox.
None of the four homers looked like they were out off the bat, but three of them went out to deep straightaway centre regardless.
Great win.
...I'm starting to think that Bush is just plain scared of the Bosox.
Reed Johnson's 3-year left/right splits:
vs. Left .357 .478 .835
vs. Right .324 .365 .689
If anyone has an explanation as to why Allan Embree pitched to him with a runner on second in a tie game, I'd love to hear it. It feels like throwing the game away, to be perfectly honest.
vs. Left .357 .478 .835
vs. Right .324 .365 .689
If anyone has an explanation as to why Allan Embree pitched to him with a runner on second in a tie game, I'd love to hear it. It feels like throwing the game away, to be perfectly honest.
I meant to say why Allan Embree was ALLOWED to pitch to him, as an intentional walk wouldn't have been practical.
NEW YORK YANKEES_Claimed 1B Eric Crozier off waivers from Toronto and optioned him to Trenton of the Eastern League. Trenton is presently in New Britain until Thursday so I'll get to meet up with Eric there and shoot some pics if he plays.
I was no longer watching TV by the ninth, and I don't remember clearly who, if anyone, was warm in the pen for Boston. Presumably it was Foulke, or possibly Mantei I guess.
Foulke's been struggling big-time, especially in the last two weeks, while Mantei's been very sharp and hasn't allowed a run in over a month. Still, because Foulke's the closer, it would likely have been him getting warm to come in should Embree have trouble. I'd imagine he was ready.
So if you bring in Foulke, you'll get Foulke versus Gross instead of Embree versus Johnson. From Francona's position, if I'm just worried about the next batter I'd rather have Foulke versus Gross, that much is true, as Johnson's more of a threat to get a single in that situation, which will likely win the game.
On the other hand, Johnson is an extreme groundball hitter, while Gross is not. And Embree has a fairly normal groundball/flyball ratio (slight flyball pitcher). On the other hand, Foulke is about as extreme a flyball pitcher as you'll find. So if you're looking to get out of the inning (and I would be that that's exactly what Francona was doing) you'll be happy to pitch to Reed, because the chance of getting a double play and out of the inning is much greater.
Then there's the consideration of Hinske in the on-deck circle. If you go to Foulke, after either Johnson or Gross you have to face Hinske with Foulke or haul out another lefty (and you don't want that).
The disadvantage of facing Hinske with the righty versus the lefty is greater than the advantage of making Sparky face the righty, especially since Gibby would just haul out Gross anyway. Couple that with the chance of a double play to get you right out of trouble, and I say he made the right call, but got the wrong result.
Foulke's been struggling big-time, especially in the last two weeks, while Mantei's been very sharp and hasn't allowed a run in over a month. Still, because Foulke's the closer, it would likely have been him getting warm to come in should Embree have trouble. I'd imagine he was ready.
So if you bring in Foulke, you'll get Foulke versus Gross instead of Embree versus Johnson. From Francona's position, if I'm just worried about the next batter I'd rather have Foulke versus Gross, that much is true, as Johnson's more of a threat to get a single in that situation, which will likely win the game.
On the other hand, Johnson is an extreme groundball hitter, while Gross is not. And Embree has a fairly normal groundball/flyball ratio (slight flyball pitcher). On the other hand, Foulke is about as extreme a flyball pitcher as you'll find. So if you're looking to get out of the inning (and I would be that that's exactly what Francona was doing) you'll be happy to pitch to Reed, because the chance of getting a double play and out of the inning is much greater.
Then there's the consideration of Hinske in the on-deck circle. If you go to Foulke, after either Johnson or Gross you have to face Hinske with Foulke or haul out another lefty (and you don't want that).
The disadvantage of facing Hinske with the righty versus the lefty is greater than the advantage of making Sparky face the righty, especially since Gibby would just haul out Gross anyway. Couple that with the chance of a double play to get you right out of trouble, and I say he made the right call, but got the wrong result.
Besides the news that Crozier was claimed, Dr Prison Fence's notes said that Halladay will be pushed back at least a couple days in the rotation due to an oblique issue.
Great game. Its nice to see the extra pitcher actually be of use. Downs had a good game, I know he was a starter in AAA and has the potential to pitch 5-7 innings but after he pitches three scoreless innings against a team like Boston, you gotta think the chances of a 4th good inning are slim. I was wanting Gibby to take him out after his 3rd inning.
Did others agree? It ended up ok I just thought Gibby was pressing his luck with Downs.
Did others agree? It ended up ok I just thought Gibby was pressing his luck with Downs.
he probably should have had someone up in the pen a bit quicker than he did, but up until his 4th inning i don't think he threw a first pitch ball to anyone, and didn't go to three balls on any batter. Unfourtunately, come his 4th inning he was going 2-0 on people.
I was watching the game and Mantei was warming in the pen.
Crozier in pinstripes? Meh. Now a young 1B/DH in the system to back up the forty-six veteran 1B/DH the Yankees have under contract.
Tho maybe someday this will be seen as exacting revenge for the Fred McGriff heist.
Tho maybe someday this will be seen as exacting revenge for the Fred McGriff heist.
With Mantei, you have similar arguments to Foulke. He's not quite as extreme a flyballer, but he's definitely a flyball pitcher. I'd still have stuck with Embree, although Mantei's a beter bet than Foulke in that situation.
Tx for the info, by the way.
Tx for the info, by the way.
I was at the game, and I was really confused when they brought Embree in.
There were no lefties of consequence until Hinske, so why bring in your LOOGY any time before that?
If I was managing that game, it would have been Mantei for at least the first three batters in the 9th. I would maybe have brought in Embree to face Hinske. But I can't for the life of me understand why Francona would think it was a good idea to have a lefty pitch to Reed Johnson with the game on the line.
Lifting the lefthanded Downs for Frasor with Damon coming up seemed a little weird, but I guess Downs was kinda losing it after he gave up that homer to Mueller.
There were no lefties of consequence until Hinske, so why bring in your LOOGY any time before that?
If I was managing that game, it would have been Mantei for at least the first three batters in the 9th. I would maybe have brought in Embree to face Hinske. But I can't for the life of me understand why Francona would think it was a good idea to have a lefty pitch to Reed Johnson with the game on the line.
Lifting the lefthanded Downs for Frasor with Damon coming up seemed a little weird, but I guess Downs was kinda losing it after he gave up that homer to Mueller.
A fantastic game. Entertaining throghout and it was just great to see the park full with lots of fans.....especially younger ones. Who says baseball doesn't appeal to young people?!!
after he pitches three scoreless innings against a team like Boston, you gotta think the chances of a 4th good inning are slim. I was wanting Gibby to take him out after his 3rd inning.
I thought the same thing, but Downs had been cruising along prior to the 7th. If you take him out and the reliever coming in gives up runs we're all questioning why Downs wasn't left in.
Downs was starting in Syracuse prior to his callup.
Warren Sawkiw was also on the "second guessing bandwagon" after the two runs that Downs gave up. He mentioned that it was the second time through the order for him, so perhaps the hitters were starting to get a better read on him.
Personally, after too many years of seeing Tosca with the quick hook, I don't mind if a pitcher is left in too long occasionally.
Personally, after too many years of seeing Tosca with the quick hook, I don't mind if a pitcher is left in too long occasionally.
Actually, it was a funny "Sawkiw moment" because he was implying it was a bad move to let the lefty Downs face the righty Mueller... Jerry of course couldn't say to Warren what I said out loud as I was driving in my car: "YOU'RE AN IDIOT!"... instead, Jerry casually ran through Mueller's numbers this year from each side of the plate, which as it turns out are very balanced.