Yardwork: A Red Sox September to Remember, and the Yankees as '80s Pop Stars
By Tim Ryan
What the hell is going on here? When did bad things start happening to these guys? We haven’t seen massive failure from a Red Sox team since they slipped a few quaaludes to the baseball gods in 2004. Perhaps the drugs have finally worn off and the baseball world has returned to it’s original, rightful orbit. But that’s probably wishful thinking. I can still see them just barely making the playoffs but then turning the tables and making a respectable run to at least the ALCS. Tonight’s pitching matchup is Erik Bedard against rookie Zach Britton.
Rays 5, Yanks 2 — Robinson Cano hit a home run in the first inning but James Shields settled down nicely, allowing just five more hits in 8 2-3 innings. Fans stuck around the Trop to watch the ninth inning of the Red Sox-Orioles game and upon its conclusion, the gathered crowd of 18,772 went nuts. I expected more to be in attendance for such an important game, but that would require thousands of people to get off the couch and into an automobile. Some may have even been forced to stop for gas on the way, so the paltry turnout is completely understood. Tonight’s pitching matchup is Bloat-olo Colon against Jeremy Hellickson
Following the game, the Yankee rookies were hazed with an 80s Pop Stars theme. Outstanding. And in case you’ve been wondering, yes, Joe Griardi clips his cell phone to his jeans:
Phils 4, Braves 2 — The Braves appeared to be in business, scoring a run in the first two innings off Cliff Lee thanks in part to a Hunter Pence drop in right, but to no surprise Cliffy found his groove. Shane Victorino went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and a walk. Tonight’s pitching matchup is Roy Oswalt against Derek Lowe. If the Braves can’t be Oswalt, they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs.
Astros 5, Cards 4, 10 innings — Yesterday I said the Cardinals would head to Houston to “beat up” on the Astros. It was a test to see if the opposite would happen and, naturally, it did. I thought for sure the Cards would win after Lance Berkman tied things up with a 2-run double in the eighth, but it was not to be. Regardless, he is easily the comeback player of the year. Amazing. Tonight’s pitching matchup is Jake Westbrook against the incomparable Henry Sosa.
[Yankee photo via @JimmyTraina, Ellsbury via Getty]