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View Full Version : September 22nd Vs. Baltimore



element1151
09-22-2004, 09:13 AM
Game #151: Baltimore Orioles @ Boston Red Sox
Date: September 22nd, 2004
First Pitch: 7:05 PM, Fenway Park, Boston
TV: NESN, ESPN
Season Series: BAL leads, 8-5

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bal.gif >>> (70-79) >>> http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/132260.jpg Ponson 11-14, 5.22 ERA
@
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif >>> (90-60) >>> http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/276520.jpg Arroyo 9-9, 4.01 ERA

elsrbueno
09-22-2004, 10:37 AM
Sydney Ponson is Baltimore's version of Bartolo Colon. They brought him in to anchor that pitching staff, and there has always been concerns about him keeping in shape.

Ponson also can dominate when on, but when he's off he tends to be erratic at best. This season he beat Boston on opening day, then 2 weeks later the Red Sox got 7 runs over 4 innings. Baltimore won that game (scoring 5 runs in the 11th inning), but Ponson didn't get a decision.

Ponson's has pitched well in his last 3 starts, 2 of which were against New York. He had 3 bad starts before that, however, getting hit hard by Oakland (twice) and Texas. He seems to be the classic streaky pitcher, so hopefully the Red Sox can snap his good streak tonight.

Bronson Arroyo has only faced Baltimore once this season. Coincidentally enough, he gave up the 5 runs in the 11th inning of the abovementioned game. Granted, only 2 of those runs were earned, but Arroyo only recorded 1 out, so his ERA vs Baltimore this season is 54.00.

As I said in a previous post, Arroyo has also pitched very well of late. He didn't get a decision against New York, but pitched VERY well, giving up just 2 runs over 6 innings. Bronson continues to pitch SIGNIFICANTLY better on the road, where his ERA is 3.12 (his home ERA is 5.12).

As predicted, Bronson's struggles occur against lefthanded hitters. The 2 Yankees to get RBIs against him were both lefties (Posada and Olerud).

It may work to Arroyo's advantage that of Baltimore's sluggers (players with 20+ homeruns), only 1 (Rafael Palmiero) bats lefthanded.

Bigbe, Gibbons, and Surhoff may get a start to try to counter Arroyo's dominance vs Righties...

The key to this game (as usual) will be starting pitching. The Red Sox are coming off an emotional win and need to keep momentum.

RedSoxRooter
09-22-2004, 11:50 AM
I think the key to this game and series will be Boston's offense. They need to take last night's win and translate that into runs early in this game. The Sox are averaging only 4.7 runs/game in their last 10 games (the number drops to 3.8 in their last 9) and they are only 4-5 in that stretch.

Sure they've seen some decent pitching but nothing good enough to keep this offense down like it's been (Jon Leiber no hit bid???)..

Anyway, how did they win last night? A rally! Walk, double, double. They need to stop swinging for the fences trying to hit HRs and start getting on base and put pressure on the pitcher.

Ever notice how some pitchers become a lot less effective if a runner gets on base? They can shrug off a HR, but force a guy to pitch under pressure and I bet the sox will start to score.

ramble ramble ramble. :wacko:

elsrbueno
09-22-2004, 02:45 PM
RedSoxRooter,
I agree with you 100%. There are some pitchers who just come apart when the opposition starts a rally. After I read your post, I looked up Sydney Ponson's numbers this season with nobody on base. Here are opponents Batting Average/On base Percentage/Slugging Percentage:

.286/.338/.401

Compare that to the same stats with runners on:

.320/.373/.492

Hitters fair MUCH better against Ponson with runners on base. Like you said RedSoxRooter (I'm not taking credit for this I'm just backing up your theory), that might be the key to victory tonight.

That, and Bronson pitching well.

Zenny
09-22-2004, 03:46 PM
I expect nothing short from Arroyo but another gem. That ERA is going under 4.00 tonight. He's going to get some nasty breaking stuff going and the Sox will be all fine and dandy.

elsrbueno
09-22-2004, 03:48 PM
Originally posted by Zenny@Sep 22 2004, 04:46 PM
I expect nothing short from Arroyo but another gem. That ERA is going under 4.00 tonight. He's going to get some nasty breaking stuff going and the Sox will be all fine and dandy.
I hope your prediction is correct.

The key for Arroyo should be getting the lefties out.

RedSoxRooter
09-22-2004, 03:57 PM
Originally posted by Zenny@Sep 22 2004, 04:46 PM
I expect nothing short from Arroyo but another gem. That ERA is going under 4.00 tonight. He's going to get some nasty breaking stuff going and the Sox will be all fine and dandy.
I don't know if I have come to fully expect a gem, as you are Zen, but it wouldn't surprise me. I'm also keeping tabs on that ERA. If Arroyo can finish the season with a sub 4 ERA, I think our postseaon #3 man has been found without much debate.

Oh, forgot to mention it before, but good writeup elsrbueno (again).

yeszir
09-22-2004, 04:10 PM
Originally posted by RedSoxRooter+Sep 22 2004, 04:57 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (RedSoxRooter @ Sep 22 2004, 04:57 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Zenny@Sep 22 2004, 04:46 PM
I expect nothing short from Arroyo but another gem. That ERA is going under 4.00 tonight. He&#39;s going to get some nasty breaking stuff going and the Sox will be all fine and dandy.
I don&#39;t know if I have come to fully expect a gem, as you are Zen, but it wouldn&#39;t surprise me. I&#39;m also keeping tabs on that ERA. If Arroyo can finish the season with a sub 4 ERA, I think our postseaon #3 man has been found without much debate. [/b][/quote]
Especially with the way Wake and Lowe have been pitching recently. I hope for our playoff success&#39;s sake that Bronson can pitch well for the rest of the season, otherwise we&#39;re pretty much screwed.

stocker323
09-22-2004, 04:41 PM
Lineups

Orioles
Roberts 2B
Newhan RF
Mora 3B
Tejada SS
Surhoff LF
Lopez C
Gibbons 1B
Bigbie CF
Lopez DH

Red Sox

Damon CF
Bellhorn 2B
Ramirez LF
Ortiz DH
Nixon RF
Millar 1B
Varitek C
Cabrera SS
Mueller 3B

CrespoBlows
09-22-2004, 05:01 PM
Damn lineup, looks great on paper, but playing like crap. We need to hit some balls.

Zenny
09-22-2004, 05:49 PM
This is the lineup I have been waiting for for quite some time. I can&#39;t wait to see them in action. I really hope Manny picks up the pace as well, he&#39;s really been scuffling.

element1151
09-22-2004, 07:21 PM
2-2 top 5th

CalvnHobs6
09-22-2004, 08:36 PM
6-5 now. Thank you David Ortiz.

element1151
09-22-2004, 08:37 PM
Big HR for Ortiz there.

yeszir
09-22-2004, 08:47 PM
Foulke has to make up for last night by getting a save once the 9th inning comes around.

yeszir
09-22-2004, 09:00 PM
WOW. Keith Foulke is the single worst player ever.

Beaneater
09-22-2004, 09:07 PM
Mmmmm... a little overstatement there, yeszir, but this doesn&#39;t bode well. Oh well, looks like we need _another_ 9th inning comeback.

element1151
09-22-2004, 09:12 PM
and another Foulke win.

element1151
09-22-2004, 09:13 PM
in other news, the Yankees are losing by one going into the bottom of the 9th.

element1151
09-22-2004, 09:17 PM
Yanks lost&#33;

element1151
09-22-2004, 09:27 PM
Extras

yeszir
09-22-2004, 09:29 PM
Originally posted by element1151@Sep 22 2004, 10:27 PM
Extras
How I hate them.

ACL BoSox
09-22-2004, 09:39 PM
arg...

If there&#39;s one person I don&#39;t trust on the mound it&#39;s Embree.

Good thing he only needs ONE out.

ACL BoSox
09-22-2004, 09:42 PM
i swear to god...

ACL BoSox
09-22-2004, 09:43 PM
lets pray there&#39;s no 11th inning, the meat of our bullpen has been used.

ACL BoSox
09-22-2004, 09:55 PM
Top 11, don&#39;t forget though, Baltimore still has B.J. Ryan in their bullpen, he&#39;s very good against the Red Sox. They need to score soon.

Bren25x
09-22-2004, 09:57 PM
fuck foulke. im starting to hold my breath now when he pitches.

ACL BoSox
09-22-2004, 10:02 PM
Embree had a strong 11th, maybe the momentum will carry into the bottom of the inning.

I think we only have lescanik, adams, and... KIM???? to work with.

CrespoBlows
09-22-2004, 10:05 PM
Adams, Astascio, Kim, Leskanic, and DiNardo

ACL BoSox
09-22-2004, 10:07 PM
ESPN just gave me a heart attack with that Varitek AB.

Top 12, who do we send out?

CrespoBlows
09-22-2004, 10:08 PM
We send Caberra, Mueller, and Damon

ACL BoSox
09-22-2004, 10:12 PM
great, that ball couldn&#39;t have taken a worse bounce...

1st, 2nd NOBODY OUT

><

ACL BoSox
09-22-2004, 10:16 PM
prays for a double play

*crosses fingers*

ACL BoSox
09-22-2004, 10:18 PM
menkeiwicz is my god

ACL BoSox
09-22-2004, 10:22 PM
CABRERA&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;


SOX WIN&#33;&#33;&#33; SOX WIN&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;

mosox
09-22-2004, 10:29 PM
Oh Yeah&#33;&#33; Cabrera&#33;&#33;

element1151
09-22-2004, 10:30 PM
Great win, but could have done it in the 9th&#33;

YanksHater213
09-23-2004, 04:40 AM
Originally posted by ACL BoSox@Sep 22 2004, 11:18 PM
menkeiwicz is my god
yeszir would be angry... spell it with me

M-I-E-N-T-K-I-E-W-I-C-Z... Mientkiewicz

But anyways... Foulke has kind of been scary lately, except for the fact that we won the last two. Orlando is hitting like he did last season, perhaps better. I think this front office better take a long look at him this offseason. I believe he has stated that he loves it here, and he has been playing very well for us. He has shown the doubters in him that he is still one of the elite shortstops in the game. Hes got a bat and a glove, and there is no reason why he shouldnt be resigned. Theo has gotta realize that, and resign him, as he fits in real well here with our fun type of attitude, as Nomar didnt. He also plays nearly every game (unless of course his wife is having surgery). RESIGN ORLANDO

ahhchon
09-23-2004, 07:47 AM
Originally posted by ACL BoSox@Sep 22 2004, 10:02 PM
Embree had a strong 11th, maybe the momentum will carry into the bottom of the inning.

I think we only have lescanik, adams, and... KIM???? to work with.
hate on kim now, but make sure you eat your words when he&#39;s back and dominating. he&#39;s only 25.

john

elsrbueno
09-23-2004, 08:02 AM
Although I don&#39;t post during games, I was cursing Foulke like everyone else, and pumped my fist when Mientkiewicz/Varitek/Reese turned the DP in the top of the 12th. Defense made a huge difference in this game, with Cabrera and Mientkiewicz playing good D in late innings.

Then, of course, Cabrera winning it in the 12th was AWESOME. On the radio when he missed the 2-1 pitch they were saying Cabrera was trying to win it with one swing of the bat. Next pitch -- He did just that.

Cabrera has had a few BIG hits this season, this being the latest one. The only thing left for Cabrera to do is beat the Yankees with a big hit or great defensive play... Then he&#39;ll be adored by Red Sox fans.

That being said... I already like him (in fact, I distinctly remember saying this guy was great BEFORE we got him.)

Great win&#33;

I think it&#39;s important that we not get too overexcited about the division. Yes, we&#39;re only 3.5 games back and have 3 games left with the Yankees... AND we&#39;ve got Pedro and Schilling going this weekend... (uh oh, I&#39;m getting excited)

But let&#39;s focus on the Wild Card. Magic Number: 5

Beaneater
09-23-2004, 08:07 AM
It&#39;s at 5? Excellent, Smithers.