at 
Monday August 13th, 7:05 PM
James Shields, RHP (9-7, 4.32) vs Tim Wakefield, RHP (13-10, 4.81)
Tuesday August 14th, 7:05 PM
Scott Kazmir, LHP (9-7, 3.58) vs Jon Lester, LHP (1-0, 6.43)
Wednesday August 15th, 7:05 PM
Andy Sonnanstine, RHP (1-8, 6.35) vs Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP (13-8, 3.59)
Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia is having an August to remember.
Braves skipper Bobby Cox is in awe of Mark Teixeira’s defense at first base.
A.J. Burnett returned to the Blue Jays while Brandon League went on the DL.
Marlins OF Josh Willingham has enjoyed playing at Shea Stadium.
Jonny Gomes led off for the Devil Rays on Sunday night due to his high OBP.
The Mets celebrated Tom Glavine’s 300th win before Sunday’s game.
Orioles 3B Melvin Mora denied stealing signs during Saturday’s Sox-O’s game.
Despite a poor outing on Friday night, Matt Chico will stay in the Nationals rotation.
Having Jose Molina back up Jorge Posada has made Yankees skipper Joe Torre’s life a little easier.
J.C. Romero and Jose Mesa have provided stability to the Phillies bullpen.
Never in my wildest dreams when I started this blog back in November 2005, did I ever think I would see 100,000 visitors let alone 200,000. So a big thank you goes out to everyone who has visited SOX & Dawgs and please keep coming back. We enjoy your company and your comments.
With the recent druthers of the Red Sox, I decided to take a look at some Sox history to see how this year compared with some other famous and infamous seasons.
With the help of the fine folks at baseball-reference.com I went back in time and took a look at the team’s record on August 12th and how far ahead or behind they were. The record at season’s end and the date of their largest lead and how many games ahead they were.
The seasons I looked at were:
1975 Won AL East, lost World Series to Cincinnati.
1977 Failed to make the playoffs but lead the division as of August 22nd.
1978 Lost one game playoff, lead division as of September 12th, tied October 1st.
1986 Won AL East, lost World Series to New York Mets
1988 Won AL East, lost ALCS to Oakland
1990 Won AL East, lost ALCS to Oakland
1995 Won AL East, lost ALDS to Cleveland
1999 Won Wild Card, lost ALCS to New York Yankees
2003 Won Wild Card, lost ALCS to New York Yankees
2004 Won Wild Card, won World Series over St. Louis
2005 Won Wild Card, lost ALDS to Chicago White Sox
| August 12th | Seasons End | Largest Lead | ||||
| 1975 | 71-46 | +7 | 95-65 | +4.5 | 8/3 | +9.5 |
| 1977 | 66-44 | +1.5 | 97-64 | -2 | 6/23 | +5 |
| 1978 | 72-42 | +9 | 99-64 | -1 | 7/8 | +10 |
| 1986 | 65-47 | +3.5 | 95-66 | +5.5 | 9/18 | +10.5 |
| 1988 | 65-50 | -3.5 | 89-73 | +1 | 9/18 | +6 |
| 1990 | 62-51 | +3 | 88-74 | +2 | 9/4 | +6.5 |
| 1995 | 59-39 | +9 | 86-58 | +7 | 9/6 | +15.5 |
| 1999 | 63-51 | -7.5 | 94-68 | -4 | 5/25 | +2.5 |
| 2003 | 68-51 | -4 | 95-67 | -6 | 5/26 | +2.5 |
| 2004 | 63-50 | -9.5 | 98-64 | -3 | 5/1 | +2.5 |
| 2005 | 67-47 | +5 | 95-67 | tie | 8/10 | +5.5 |
| 2007 | 70-47 | +4 | 7/5 | +12 | ||
As you can see if the Sox were to blow this and not make the playoffs it would be of epic proportions. Even bigger than the 1978 collapse when their largest lead that season was 10 games.
This season the Sox had a 12 game lead on July 5th, one week prior to the All-Star game. At the all-star break the lead was 10 games, it dipped to 7 and was built back up to 9 games as of July 28th. In two weeks the lead has shrunk to four games. The Yankees have won 8 of their last ten, the Sox have gone 5-5.
Tomorrow as a Sox fan you’re going to do one of two things. You are either going to take a number to stand in line to jump from the nearest bridge or large structure or you’re going to try to talk your fellow fans down off the ledge.
Kevin Millar hit a walkoff 3-run homer in the bottom half of the 10th off of Kyle Synder to lead the Orioles past the Red Sox 6-3 on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The loss coupled with yet another Yankees win cuts the lead to 4 games in the AL East.
The Red Sox did have a 2 run lead in the 8th inning until Eric Gagné served up a meatball to Miguel Tejada, who blasted it into the left field seats. Hideki Okajima had started the inning and issued a lead-off walk to to Corey Patterson. He then got Nick Markakis to ground into a fielder’s choice that retired Patterson at second. Terry Francona then went to his bullpen for Gagné to face Tejada. Tejada took the 7th pitch, a fastball, and put it in the seats to tie the game at 3. Gagné settled down and retired Millar and Aubrey Huff but it was too late as the damage was done. As he walking off the field after the inning, the legions of Red Sox Nation fans booed him all the way to the dugout.
In the 10th inning with Synder on the hill, Patterson led off with a single and went to third on a Markakis single. Synder then got Tejada to foul out for the first out of the inning. With Millar at the plate, Markakis stole second and much to my surprise, the Red Sox decided to pitch to Millar. Millar took a hanging curveball and put it in the left field seats for a 3-run homer and an Orioles win. Millar was greeted by his teammates who mobbed him at the plate.
Curt Schilling pitched really well today for the Sox. Basically he did what he needed to do to get the win. The Orioles got to him for the only run he gave up in the game in the 2nd inning. Schilling got Tejada for the first out. Former Sox teammate Millar then hit a single off of Schill. Millar would go to third on a ball hit by Huff that was booted by Julio Lugo. Melvin Mora then grounded out to Lugo at short but Millar came across to make it 1-0 Orioles.
The Sox got the lead for Schilling in the 3rd inning. After Steve Trachsel got Dustin Pedroia out, he walked Kevin Youkilis. David Ortiz followed with a double to deep right that moved Youk to third. Manny Ramirez brought them both in with a double of his own, giving the Sox a 2-1 lead. With J.D. Drew at the plate, Manny was thrown out at third as he tried to advance on a ball in the dirt. The out by Manny would hurt as Drew lined a single to right. Trachsel got out of the inning as Mora made an awesome diving grab of a Mike Lowell liner down the left field line.
Boston added another run for Schilling and the Sox in the 4th. Jason Varitek led off with a double. Trachsel then got Hinske to pop out to Brian Roberts at second. Lugo brought in Varitek with a double of his own, giving the Sox a 3-1 lead. Trachsel would get out of the inning as he would get Pedroia and Youk out.
As I said earlier, Schilling pitched really well. The only two guys in the O’s lineup who gave him trouble were Millar and Huff. They both reached base a combined 5 of 6 times against Schilling. For the game, Schilling went 6 innings, giving up 5 hits and 1 run (not earned). He didn’t walk anyone and he didn’t strikeout anybody.
The Sox now return home to face the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Monday night at the Fens. Tim Wakefield will get the ball and look to get this Red Sox ship back on course.
Can someone answer this question for me? With Gagné coming in and not pitching well AGAIN, why does Francona keep going to him. I understand you want him back on the mound after a tough outing but this is ridiculous. Why did the Sox even tinker with what was the best back end of a bullpen in baseball? Delcarmen, Okajima, and Papelbon were virtually untouchable all season. Why mess with a good thing? I just don’t understand it.
/rant
I was watching the NASCAR race from Watkins Glen online at ESPN360.com or whatever it is now, and there was an accident at lap 72 between Juan Pablo Montoya and Kevin Harvick. Montoya’s car was pushed by Martin Truex and his car went into Montoya’s which in turn hit Harvick’s car. After all the cars cleared out, both drivers exited their cars and exchanged some words and shoves.After things calmed down, ESPN interviewed Harvick and the interviewer asked him what was being said between the two. Harvick’s words and I quote him exactly:
I was talking to him about kicking his ass because that’s how I felt!
Gotta love the fieryness of NASCAR drivers.
And to answer your question, yes I do watch NASCAR. I have been watching it online today while watching the Red Sox game.
I hope to have video up shortly.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbos7zTpTfg[/youtube]
Television mogul Merv Griffin has passed away at the age of 82 after a battle with prostate cancer. He is the man who brought you Jeopardy and The Wheel of Fortune.My condolences go out to his family and friends.
The Red Sox got a great outing by Josh Beckett on Saturday and it was much needed. He did run into a bit of trouble with 2 outs in the 9th but Jonathan Papelbon bailed him out by finishing the game. It was also another day where Red Sox Nation took over the ballpark. I am sure the businesses of Baltimore thank you for coming down and spending money. Curt Schilling now gets the ball for the Sox today in his second start since returning from the DL. We need a great start from Schill and another Red Sox win because the Yanks are getting a little too close for my comfort. But before Big Schill gets the ball, let’s take a look at the headlines and happenings from yesterday’s games in today’s Boston and Baltimore area papers.
Beckett, Sox shake off sign of trouble [Boston Herald]
O’s avoid shutout, take loss [Baltimore Sun]
Beckett rights the ship [Boston Globe]
Beckett Blasts Orioles [Washington Post]
Beckett grounds Orioles [Pro Jo]
Beckett Erases The Bad Memories [Hartford Courant]
Gibbons Shuts It Down [Washington Post]
Final analysis: Sox may have fatal flaw [Boston Herald]
Ray set to begin throwing [Baltimore Sun]
Ace was hoping to finish what he started [Boston Globe]
Drew Might Be Finding His Swing At Last [Hartford Courant]
Matsuzaka could use a little support [Boston Globe]
For more headlines and stories, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Providence Journal, Hartford Courant, Baltimore Sun, and Washington Post websites.
Newly acquired Eric Gagné is looking for answers to his struggles with the Red Sox.
Jorge Posada missed his second straight game on Saturday for the Yankees.
The White Sox bullpen has been much better lately.
Ron Gardenhire tried some lineup changes on Saturday for the Twinkies.
The Tigers called up some fresh arms for their tired bullpen.
Joey Gathright is stuck at the bottom of the Royals batting order.
Ian Stewart made his MLB debut for the Rockies on Saturday.
The Reds optioned Matt Belisle to Triple-A due to his recent struggles.
The Rangers have four days to sign their top pick Neil Ramirez.
Shane Youman will start the doubleheader for the Pirates on Monday after not pitching for 11 days.
Phillies OF Aaron Rowand returned to the lineup after a bout with blurry vision.
The Padres placed Michael Barrett on the 15 day DL with concussion-like symptoms.
Jay Gibbons will miss the rest of the season for the Orioles with a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
The Nationals will activate Shawn Hill on Tuesday from the 15 day DL to start against the Phillies.
Jorge Sosa has pitched better as reliever than a starter for the Mets.
Alejandro De Aza hopes to show the Marlins he’s worthy of a permanent spot in the lineup.
The Mariners offense is starting to come to life.
Indians 2B Josh Barfield is working on his approach at the plate.
Brian Wilson found his way back to San Francisco four months later than he hoped.
Jonathan Broxton has no desire to return to the Dodgers rotation.
Diamondbacks starter Brandon Webb ran his scoreless streak to 33 innings on Saturday night.
Devil Rays OF Carl Crawford contributed some uniforms and equipment to the inner-city youth of Houston on Saturday.
Matt Murton has done a good job of replacing Alfonso Soriano for the Cubs.
Rick Ankiel started for the third straight day and homered twice on Saturday for the Cardinals
Derek Turnbow has been huge for the Brewers in the bullpen as of late.
Braves CF Andruw Jones has been playing through some elbow pain lately.
The Blue Jays young arms have helped kept them in things this season.
A’s DH Mike Piazza is part of the Miami-Dade Community College fraternity in the big leagues.
Dave Borkowski is adjusting to his role as the 7th inning specialist for the Astros.
Gary Matthews has been DH’ing for the Angels to rest his knees.
