A Nice Weekend Series Against the Phillies

I have to admit, I was a little worried about the Red Sox heading into Philadelphia to play the Phillies. The Red Sox had been playing great baseball up to Friday, and I didn’t want them to lose their momentum. Even though the Sox were still in last place, they were playing the Phillies, a last place team with a better record than the Sox. Plus, the Red Sox would lose their DH and have to face their former teammate, closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Looking back, I think the Red Sox played great, for the most part. Yes, Friday night’s game was a little dicey. Bard gave up 4 runs in the first inning, five overall in five innings. He also hit two batters and his own catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia who ended up needing twelve stitches near his ear. I always thought it was never good to have blood coming from the ear, but maybe it was good for Salty (he played both Saturday and Sunday going 4 for 8 with two home runs, a double, and four RBIs).

The Red Sox ended up losing Friday night’s game 6-4, and Papelbon got the save for the Phillies. While this game ended in a loss, it showed that the Red Sox still had some heart. Aviles, Ross, and Gonzalez all hit home runs, all single shots. Nava had the other RBI on a sac fly. Ross took a foul ball off his foot, and he’s been out since, though he is hoping to play today (Monday).

Probably the most entertaining aspect in the game happened in the 9th inning when Bobby Valentine was ejected arguing a close play at first base, something I’m sure everyone has been waiting for all season. It was interesting because the umpire “spit” his gum at Valentine (or rather, it flew out of his mouth and hit Valentine). Valentine raised his finger at the umpire, letting him know he didn’t appreciate it.

My question is does the umpire get penalized, by fine or suspension, for his gum hitting a manager? It appeared to be an accident, but what would happen if the roles were reversed? What if Valentine’s gum flew out of his mouth and hit the umpire? I’m sure Valentine would be fined and probably given a suspension of at least a game. This past week, we saw Toronto’s Brett Lawrie get a four-game suspension when he threw his helmet on the ground (in anger, after arguing with the umpire), and the helmet hit the umpire. I highly doubt anything will happen to the umpire though, in this case.

I didn’t get to watch the Saturday game because it was broadcasted on Fox, and we Midwesterners were forced to watch the Chicago series. I did follow the game on the MLB At-Bat and ESPN apps. Lester’s start was a little shaky, 6.0IP, 8H, 4ER, 1BB, 3SO, and 1HR. The relievers; Padilla, Hill, and Aceves, did an okay job, only surrendering one run, but they made it a little too interesting. They gave up a combined 7 hits in 3 innings.

The offense produced Saturday though. Aviles, Middlebrooks, Saltalamacchia, and Ortiz all had home runs. Quick fact, Middlebrooks and Saltalamacchia went back-to-back, and now hold the record for teammates with the longest last names going back-to-back (who comes up with these statistics?). Salty was 3 for 4 on the night with 2 runs. Stranely, no one on the Sox was walked that game.

Sweeney had a spectacular diving catch, which resulted whiplash and concussion-like symptoms. He’s hoping to play today (Monday). Gonzalez started in right field and Ortiz at first for this game, and neither committed an error. The Sox had three double- plays in the 7-5 win.

Sunday’s game was great- a great performance by Beckett, a great performance by the offense, and some great defense (including gold-glove candidate for first base, David Ortiz). When a team plays great, great things happen (sorry, will not say “great” as much anymore during this post). The Sox took the series with a 5-1 win.

I’ll start with Beckett, who seems to by silencing his critics pretty effectively. His line for the game: 7.2IP, 7H (4 were infield singles), 1ER, 2BB, 5SO. He carried a shut-out into the eighth inning. He even had a hit, the longest single I’ve probably ever seen in my life. It was inches away from being a home run, and Beckett just stopped at first base (a wise move, considering he was experiencing a little discomfort in his foot).

The offense produced as well, scoring 5 runs in the first three innings. Aviles started it off with a home run in the first (his third consecutive game with a home run), and Salty also had a home run. Aviles (2) and Salty (3) were the only two players with RBIs. Middlebrooks had a double and scored a run, and only Gonzalez and Aviles had more than one hit (2 a piece).

For the second game in a row, Adrian Gonzalez started in right field and Ortiz at first base. Ortiz had some terrific plays, and I couldn’t help by saying that he’ll win a gold glove (jokingly, of course). I don’t know if it was all the weight Ortiz lost in the off- season, but he was looking good at first.

The Red Sox have now won 8 of the past 10 games and are one game back from the Yankees and a game below .500. They take on the first-place Orioles the next three days, and everything could change in that series. The Sox are playing well, and if they continue to play the way they have been, they’ll start to roll, much like they did at this time last year. I’m optimistic that the Sox can carry this on.

* Just a side note, this is my 100th post on the blog. Thank you for reading because let’s face it, if no one was reading, I wouldn’t be posting.