Yardwork: Papelbon Blows It, But Ivan Nova Saved the Day
By Tim Ryan
“My job when I’m called on is to go out there and finish the game. I didn’t do that, so this game is on me and I take full responsibility for that.”
Don’t be so hard on yourself, Jonathan, if Josh Reddick could find a way to play mistake-free baseball, perhaps we’re talking about a lengthier start from Erik Bedard and a Red Sox win today. ‘Twas not to be. Should the Yankees cease cooperation and start losing to the Rays, we could be looking at one of the most embarrassing collapses of all time. Mets fans have been longing for company in this capacity since the final day of the 2007 season, so I imagine they’re giddy and ready to welcome some failure.
Speaking of Bedard, he was served papers by a Yankee fan before his start last night regarding a child support case. All in all, it’s been one hell of a month for the Boston Red Sox.
Yanks 5, Rays 0 — Ivan Nova went 7 2-3 shutout innings and presumably solidified his spot as the Yankees No. 2 starter in the postseason. Such a splendid outing is worthy of a James Lipton deeee-light.
Cards 11, Mets 6 — The Mets are cooperating nicely thus far for the Cardinals, though probably through no choice of their own.
Braves 4, Marlins 0 — Five shutout innings from Randall Delgado is exactly how we all drew it up. Atlanta’s wildcard lead remains at 2.5 games. We’re running out of games here and frenzied fans of baseball would like to see at least one meltdown. Make it happen, someone.
Dodgers 2, Giants 1 — Clayton Kershaw was a little bit better than Timmy, going 7 1-3 innings and allowing the lone Giants run on a Chris Stewart homer.
Did the Nats really sweep a doubleheader against the Phillies? Why yes, they certainly did. And while Cliff Lee only allowed two runs, he was peppered for 11 hits. As Lloyd Christmas once said, so you’re tellin’ me there’s a chance?
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Here are the pitching matchups for the baseball games that matter today:
Rays at Yankees, doubleheader: James Shields vs. Hector Noesi and Jeremy Hellickson vs. CC
O’s at Red Sox: Tommy Hunter vs. Josh Beckett
Mets at Cards: Chris Schwinden vs. Jaime Garcia
Braves at Marlins: Derek Lowe vs. Javy Vazquez