Portland Sox Fan

No, I’m not talking about the game tonight. Or about the Blue Jay’s 8th inning today.

If anybody from Portland, CT actually comes to this site, you’ll know about the fireworks. Tonight was the town’s annual fireworks show, and in a day and age where usually only bigger cities have a fireworks show (Portland has maybe 9 or 10 thousand residents), tonight’s show was without question the most impressive fireworks I have ever seen. And I’ve seen fireworks sponsored by the Connecticut casinos…these put them to shame. The show was literally over 40 minutes of nonstop fireworks. And the impressive part is….it is all donation-driven. Nice work.

Anyway, we had some people over for burgers and then drove down to the show. I brought my little transistor, and as we were doing the 3/4 mile or so walk to the fairgrounds, the Tigers tied the game at 1. Then I listened on and off, and was happy to hear that as soon as the fireworks were over, it was the top of the 11th. This was good because I turned off the radio after the top of the 10th, hoping I would hear more baseball.

Well, as we made the trek back…I got my wish. And just before we got to the car, the Sox took the lead. As we pulled back onto the main road, the ballgame ended. Very nice. Especially when we were armed with the fact that the Yanks lost by a large margin.

So no pressure on Weaver tomorrow, eh? A chance to start the second half of the season just like the first…all knotted up atop the AL East. I like it.

With Burkett’s propensity for terrible first innings, the joke has been made by everybody I know that Burkett should pitch an inning or two in the bullpen. Even my father-in-law (poor suffering Tigers fan that he is) has said to me on numerous occasions: “Burkett should warm up longer”.

Burkett won his fourth game in his last five decisions in part by dusting off an old trick. He warmed up before the game with bullpen coach Euclides Rojas posing as a batter. The preparation put Burkett on track to start a game for this first time this season by pitching two perfect innings, a stark turnound from his previous seven outings in which he was walloped for 15 runs in the first inning. HOHLER

Took ya long enough!

For those that didn’t know it…Wayback Wasdin made an appearance in the majors last night. Unfortunately, it was for the Blue Jays against the Yankees. He gave up 5 runs in the first inning. Jays rallied back, but the Yanks ended up winning 8-5.

Ok, so it was slightly less of a statement…but a statement nonetheless. Coming into Toronto, the Jays were 5 games back from the Sox for 2nd in the East, and also for the wildcard. Now, they are 8 games back and treading water. Let’s hope they have a little statement left in them before the All Star Break and can take a couple from the Yankees.

Mendoza gets his second win, and has allowed 1 run in 10 innings as a starter. The much-maligned bullpen has been pretty good. In 3 games against the (2nd) scariest lineup in the league, they didn’t allow a run.

The Sox bullpen has pitched 13 1/3 innings without yielding an earned run after Brandon Lyon (two innings), Mike Timlin (one) and Chad Fox (one) preserved the 7-1 lead for Mendoza. Some players were saying privately that if there is a trade in the works, maybe it should be reconsidered. The chemistry is too good. CAFARDO

I don’t know if I’d go THAT far, fellas. While the only run Mendoza gave up was the homer to Wells in the first, he did look a little shaky the innings I saw. He must have settled down after I stopped watching, so that’s good. Anyway, on to Detroit.

As for the Yankees, it appears that while Grady was serving his suspension in the visitor’s clubhouse, he was on the phone advising Joe Torre. In the bottom of the 10th, Sterling Hitchcock allowed a hit and a walk…and then Torre walked Milton Bradley to load them with 0 out.

We Sox fans know how that one generally turns out, eh?

A nice comeback win for the Sox last night. Great rally in the 8th and 9th; and then Kim, working for his 4th consecutive day, strikes out the side to end the game. And he didn’t strike out slouches; he struck out Wells, Delgado, and Hinske. I’ll be the first to admit that the Hinske K was somewhat of a gift.

Kim may be a reluctant closer; but he still has the attitude:

With the tying run on second and one out, Little asked Kim if he wanted to face Carlos Delgado and his .433 average with runners in scoring position.

And it was indeed a challenge. Kim threw nine pitches to Delgado, who swung and missed at the last one. HEUSCHKEL

And here’s a trade rumor out of left field. I haven’t even heard of Damon on the table; but apparantly Damon has:

Damon said he has received calls from players on other teams telling him the Cubs, Dodgers and Royals are interested. A week ago, a former teammate told Damon he would be going back to Kansas City.

Damon, hitting .254, said he was told the deal is a swap of center fielders, with him going to the Royals and switch hitting Carlos Beltran to the Red Sox. The $11 million Beltran is projected to make through arbitration next season may be too much for the small-market Royals to afford. He is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2004 season.

And in case you didn’t hear; Tek is the vote-in all star.

…like they were about to be kicked again like Monday?

Another great pitching matchup; this time, Sox prevail. When Todd Jones was picked up a week ago, I thought that was a Duquettian scrap heap move…and it still might turn out that way; but so far, he’s been very good. If I recall correctly; the only big hit he’s given up was the triple to Soriano (who hit a ball a foot off the plate; but that’s another story). Both catchers come up huge in this one; Belli with a homer, and Tek with the game winner.

Again, Damon moved to the bottom third of the lineup..and again, Damon hits better. Hmmm, I see a pattern here. Let’s leave him here for more than a couple games, ok?

And to make the night sweeter; the Yankees were one hit by a rookie in Cleveland. Granted, they were missing the top two of their order. Which leads to this mornings gem:

Pedro Martinez scoffed at comments by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner that suggested the Red Sox ace purposely threw at Alfonso Soriano and Derek Jeter on Monday.

“Georgie Porgie, he might buy the whole league,” he said, “but he doesn’t have enough money to buy fear to put in my heart.” HEUSCHKEL

Beautiful.

Great game by Pedro; Yankee pitching was just that much better yesterday. While it was immediately frustrating, after sitting back and thinking about it (and reading about how fired up some other people are), I’m not as upset as I was when Matsui initially crossed the plate.

Right after the game ended, I started doing the ‘What Ifs’…what if Walker fielded cleanly…what if Tek had Fisk’s 1975 powers…what if Kim doesn’t hit Posada…

Then it dawned on me. It isn’t necessary to find blame. Sometimes the other team just plays better. Pedro had a fantastic game; Mussina’s was just a hair better.

I said the other day that I would accept 2-2 at the very least in NY with trepidation. So that’s what I’m doing. I still think they need to finish this road trip strong (4-2) and go into the break with momentum.

So after basically being threatened in his next at bat from Clemens the other day, Ortiz responds with a subtle jab.

But as bruised as Burkett was by the setback, he spoke the plain truth.

”That guy’s a man,” Ortiz said. ”That’s the way you’re supposed to take it. You don’t blame anybody. You blame yourself because you didn’t get the job done.” HOHLER

More clarifying comments from the Texas Con Man:

”If you’ve been watching the game the last five years,” Clemens told reporters, ”some guys don’t know how to get out of the way anymore.”

What’s more, Millar had this message for Clemens: ”Try to beat us for once, instead of [going] five innings and [giving up] eight runs. It’s not our fault. Make some pitches.” HOHLER NOTES

Gotta love Millar…

Yanks won today pretty much no contest…Pettite pitched a great game; Burkett pitched a ‘Number 5 Starter’ game. Should be a good one tomorrow with Pedro and Mussina.

I don’t generally care too much about the All Star game; but it boggles my mind that Tek didn’t get selected by the players/managers/AS Manager. Wonder if he gets voted in with the ‘extra player’ vote…

Well, it’s nice to see the Sox in the driver’s seat during a series in the Bronx. Has that happened since their sweep there in September of 99?

Just an explosion in the first game; and after a little bit of inspiration yesterday, the ‘rout’ button was turned on again. Poor Roger sees it as a lack of respect:

“Guys just don’t get out of the way anymore,” Clemens said. “Everybody’s hunting for pitches [outside]. That’s just how it is.”

“His plate coverage was surprising,” Clemens said ominously. “I’m going to have to make some adjustments next time I face him. He had way too much plate coverage.” O’Connell

Today should be interesting. Sox generally fare well vs. lefties so far; but Pettite has had a few solid outings in a row. Wonder where Kapler will be in the lineup, what with Trot being the hero yesterday, and Damon making what in my opinion was the best play of the game.

For those that didn’t see it; Damon stole second, and headed to third on All Star Starting Catcher Jorge Posada’s errant throw. Clemens covered the plate, and fielded the ball at third. The ball got away; but Damon slid hard into third, and when he saw Clemens blocking the plate, he lifted up and drove his shoulder into Clemens like a fullback clearing the off-tackle hole. A thing of beauty.

Couple of other interesting notes:
-Red Sox starting pitchers are 15-2 with a 2.90 ERA in the 29 games since June 4. Derek Lowe (6-0) leads the way. And at 35-17, the Red Sox have the best winning percentage (.673) of any starting rotation in baseball.
-Eight of the nine players in the Red Sox lineup came in hitting at least .300. Johnny Damon (.251) was the exception
-Casey Fossum made his first rehab appearance Saturday night with Double A Portland. He pitched one inning, allowing a homer and a double. He struck out two and walked one.

…to this road trip.

In what could have easily been a sweep the Sox lose 2 of 3 to the lowly Devil Rays.

Even the normally level-headed Hartford Courant is beginning to question the Sox manager:

Some might be pointing to manager Grady Little, who may not make it to the All-Star break if the Red Sox don’t stay within striking distance of the Yankees. The Red Sox are four games behind them in the American League East.

So it’s crucial the Red Sox win at least two in New York, otherwise general manager Theo Epstein might have to consider replacing Little.

I’m not going to bother to check the Boston papers; as I’m sure they are much less subtle than that. Personally, I’ve been indifferent to Little so far; but beginning with last weekend’s pathetic apologies, combined with moves like walking the bases loaded (off the top of my head; I believe Little is 0-3 when using this move)…well, I may have had enough. Last night was the 7th time this season the Sox lost in a ‘walk-off’ fashion…not sure of the 7 how many they were leading in the late innings…

So to go with my earlier declaration; the Sox now need to go 7-3 to make this road trip worth anything. And to narrow the focus even more; in my opinion, they need to take 3 of 4 in NY to be successful, if they split I’ll be satisfied but still have questions.