Quick Sox Recap: Rivalry Edition

Wow!! What a win!! So many heroes in the game tonight. I don’t actually know where to begin. You’ve got Jason Varitek, Coco Crisp, Alex Cora, Hideki “Darkman” Okajima.

A 5 run rally in the bottom of the 8th inning capped off by Cora’s single over the drawn-in infield, drove in Crisp with the winning run as the Sox won over the Evil Empire 7-6.

The Red Sox got their rally going that inning when Big Papi doubled off Yankees reliever, Mike Myers. Luis Vizcaino was then brought into the game and he walked Manny. J.D Drew then grounded out to second base, allowing Manny and Big Papi to advance 90 feet. Former Yankee farmhand Mike Lowell singled in Big Papi to make the score 6-3. So Joe Torre called in his big gun, Mariano Rivera, to try to get 5 outs to save the game.

His first batter was the Captain, Varitek, who singled in Manny to make it a 6-4 ballgame. Coco then ripped a triple down the right field line and drove in Lowell and ‘Tek. This tied the game at 6. With the infield in, Cora then got the job done with a soft liner over the head of Derek Jeter to drive in the eventual winning run. Had the infield been playing back at normal depth, Cora would’ve lined out.

With Papelglare not being able to pitch after throwing 45 pitches in the past two days, Terry Francona called on an unlikely hero to finish the Spankees off. That man was Okajima. He retired Jeter on a groundout to second base, walked Abreu, got Gayrod to lineout to second and then got Kevin Thompson to strikeout on a nasty ass splitter.

I should mention Curt Schilling wasn’t as sharp as his previous two outings. It will be very interesting to see his reaction in the morning. Oh and btw, AROD is still on fire after hitting two home runs of off Schilling. I will say though. Coco gave it his all trying to take away the second home run.

Josh Beckett will make his third consecutive Fenway start as he goes to the mound to face Jeff Karstens. Game time is 4 PM and can be seen almost everywhere nationally on FOX>

[coolplayer width=”400″ height=”300″ autoplay=”0″ loop=”0″ charset=”GBK” download=”1″ mediatype=””]
Sox WIN!!!
[/coolplayer]

Continue reading

The Rivalry Begins

With the start of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry for the 2007 season tonight, let’s take a look at the starting lineups for the game, courtesy of Amalie Benjamin from the Boston Globe.Red Sox

1. Julio Lugo, SS
2. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. J.D. Drew, RF
6. Mike Lowell, 3B
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Coco Crisp, CF
9. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

SP – Curt Schilling

Yankees

1. Johnny Damon, CF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, DH
6. Jorge Posada, C
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Melky Cabrera, LF
9. Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B

SP – Andy Pettitte

Players to watch: Manny Ramirez. Hopefully Manny’s home run in Toronto on Thursday is what he needed to start breaking the slump. Alex Rodriguez. As much as I dislike the guy, he is absolutely on fire to start the season. 2 of his 10 home runs are of the walk-off variety, including yesterday’s 3 run homer to win the game.

Update: The Red Sox will be wearing there green uniforms tonight and be honoring the late Celtics legend Red Auerbach before the game.

Friday’s Fast Walk Around the AL & NL West

Sooze, the resident hottie over at Babes Love Baseball, tells us that Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez’s injury isn’t as serious as it was thought to be.

Mickey Hatcher, Angels hitting coach, says the players need to step up their hitting.

Rangers SS Michael Young is 85th among 94 AL qualifiers for the batting title.

Joe Kennedy will take Rich Harden’s place in the A’s rotation on Saturday.

Rockies pitcher Rodrigo Lopez has found himself on the 15 day DL with elbow inflammation.

Padres pitcher David Wells has a big problem with an umpire.

A handwriting expert has some interesting things to say about the Diamondbacks.

Dodgers pitcher Joe Beimel is pitching better after making some changes to his delivery.

Giants pitcher Noah Lowry only had trouble with his opposing pitcher at the plate in Thursday’s win over the Cardinals.

Quick Sox Recap

A timely home run by Manny Ramirez and some effective pitching by Julian Tavarez led the Red Sox to a 5-3 victory in the rubber game of a 3 day road trip. Alex Cora delivered the big blow in the top of the 9th inning when his triple drove in pinch-runner Julio Lugo. Cora was then driven in by Coco Crisp on a sacrifice fly.

Manny got the Sox back in the game in the top of the 8th inning when his two run shot off of Shawn Marcum tied the game at 3. This was Manny’s first blast of the season.

Tavarez was effective for five innings only allowing a Frank Thomas home run. He ran into some trouble in the 6th when former New Haven Raven Alex Rios took him deep. Then Adam Lind singled and Vernon Wells drove him home with a double. The Sox bullpen (Piñero, Romero Timlin) got the job done and Jonathan Papelbon closed out the game for his fourth save in as many chances.

The Sox now head back home to the friendly confines of Fenway Park as the hated Yankees come to town.

The National Lampoon Sports Minute (Or So)

The National Lampoon Sports Minute (Or So)
Written by Steve Hofstetter, Adam Hofstetter, Cody Marley, Ryan Murphy, Rich Ragains, Elliot Steingart, and Chris Strait

Congratulations to Kenya’s Robert Cheruiyot, who won the Boston Marathon by outrunning the rest of the Kenyans. We’re tired of Americans losing every marathon, and are starting our own. The course will be nine miles and can be driven.

Yankee pitcher Carl Pavano’s girlfriend will be photographed for Maxim. Unless she gets injured first.

In basketball, Tim Duncan was given a technical foul and thrown out of a game for laughing at a call while on the bench. Officials feared for their safety as it’s the first time Duncan has ever smiled.

Georgetown juniors Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert will submit their names for the NBA draft but will not sign with agents. That’s great news for savvy NBA teams who are looking to sign the players for $15 a piece.

Turning to football, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin was arrested at a night club for refusing to pull up his pants. Mr. Griffin, there is a time and a place for that kind of behavior, and that’s on a cruise with the rest of your team.

Tennis star Andre Agassi hit wife Stefi Graf in the face with a tennis racquet during a charity event. Crazy what married people are into. In related news, Agassi ex Brooke Shields is no longer depressed.

And a 102-year-old woman has become the oldest golfer to ever record a hole-in-one. The woman was thrilled once she learned that she was golfing. She’ll be even more thrilled when they tell her again in 20 minutes.

For more of the Sports Minute (Or So), visit minuteorso.com

Thursday’s Tiptoe Around the AL & NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter is set to resume his rehab from the bone spurs in his elbow.

Mark Buehrle’s no-hitter was the first for the White Sox since Wilson Alvarez in 1991.

Does Reds manager Jerry Narron play favorites with guys who don’t hustle.

Torii Hunter sat out the Twins game on Wednesday night with a sore shoulder.

Brewers minor leaguer and final cut of spring training, Jose Capellan has decided to go AWOL.

The Kansas City Star has an interesting feature called the “Meche Meter“.

Cubs manager Lou Pinella asked Cliff Floyd for advice in the 14th inning of Tuesday’s game.

Indians 3B Andy Marte was given the night off Wednesday after making two errors the previous game.

How come the Brewers spend $20 million more on payroll than the Pirates despite playing in similar size markets?

Wil Ledezma has taken over the departed Jaime Walker’s role as the lefty specialist for the Tigers.

Elias Sports Bureau says Astros 2B Craig Biggio is 30th and not 29th on the all-time hits list as some websites are reporting.

Quick Sox Recap: Dancing Knuckleball Edition

Behind seven strong innings from Tim Wakefield and the bat of his battery mate, Doug Mirabelli, the Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays by the final score of 4-1. Wakefield had the knuckleball dancing again as he has had in his other two starts. Wakefield gave up 4 hits, walked 3 batters, struck out 4 Blue Jays and gave up 1 run.

Mike Lowell got the Red Sox on the scoreboard with a home run, the Red Sox first hit of the game. Doug Mirabell hit a home run in the 6th inning and drove in J.D. Drew in the 7th inning. “Big Papi” David Ortiz went deep in the 7th inning as well. Lowell and Ortiz were both 2 for 4 with an rbi each.

Julian Tavarez will take the hill for the Sox on Thursday afternoon and will be opposed by Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay.

The Hit’s Keep Coming… Episode 6 Recap

‘The Hits Keep Coming’ internet radio show on Blog Talk Radio just had it’s sixth episode on the air tonight. Thanks to Anthony and Jason for helping make everything go smoothly, as well as the conversation and taking out part of their evening to talk about the sport we love.The first was live and streaming; whereas, the second hour was just recorded after we got off the air.

A special thanks to Jeff and Vince from Sox and Pinstripes for joining us on the show.

[coolplayer width=”200″ height=”50″ autoplay=”0″ loop=”0″ charset=”GBK” download=”1″ mediatype=””]
The Hits Keep Coming…
[/coolplayer]

Website: http://blogtalkradio.com/oriolepost

First Hour:

  • The Nationals tribute to Virginia Tech
  • The events from Jackie Robinson Day
  • Red Sox-Yankees rivalry

Second Hour:

  • The state of the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies
  • Key injuries
  • Surprise hitters and pitchers from the AL & NL

Downloads:

Windows Media

ITunes

MP3