The Depot: Rangers Live Game Blog, News And Notes

Posted on June 5th, 2009 5:05pm by Evan Grant
Filed under Baseball, Live blogs, Texas Rangers
FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total
Rangers 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 5
Red Sox 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

5:02: Home Run Pool is open. And here’s something to read by the pool regarding the Vicente Padilla Waivers Affair. Also, there are some notes on Tom Hicks’ philosophy regarding business operations while the team is up for sale and club’s interest – or lack thereof – in Tom Glavine. More notes expected in the notebook before the end of the game.

5:09: Also on David Ortiz, whose troubles at the plate have some wondering if the Red Sox might be interested in Hank Blalock, I’ll offer this: The Red Sox may get a final feel on whether Ortiz’s skills are declining or if its just a slump during this weekend. Ortiz was slumping badly at the start of last season when the Rangers came to town.  He hit a grand slame in his first game against Texas pitching and went on to bat .385 with five homers and 22 RBIs in 39 at-bats against the Rangers.  He’s a .300 career hitter against Texas with 20 homers in 297 at-bats. Perhaps the Red Sox are waiting to see if the Rangers’ arms awaken Big Papi’s bat before they do anything with him.

6:39: Final addendum on the Vicente Padilla waiver situation comes this from manager Ron Washington, who confirmed that Padilla will start on Sunday and confirmed a meeting between Padilla and Ranger officials on the same day it became public knowledge that he had been placed on waivers:

“Vicente felt like he needed to address what he did and our folks felt like they needed to address whatever they did. All I want is for him to keep us in the game. Whatever happened in the meeting happened. I don’t have the details.”

6:42: Good little test for Kevin Millwood to start the second. David Ortiz, who looked at a called third strike, had a .389 career average against Millwood in 18 at-bats. And Jason Varitek, who popped out to the catcher, had a .417 average in 24 career at-bats. Ortiz’s strikeout was just his second against Millwood.

6:49: Just for the record, there really isn’t any update on Eric Nadel’s status. Maybe more at the beginning of the week. Surgery was successful. Resting comfortably. Watching and listening to game from home.

7:23: On this road trip, the Rangers are facing the third- (Yankees) and fourth-most (Red Sox) patient teams in the league.  The Red Sox are seeing an average of about 17 pitches per inning. That makes Kevin Millwood’s 60 pitches in four innings (15 per inning) a little more impressive.

7:29: Terrific at-bat by Elvis Andrus to go from 0-and-2 to full-count. It culminated in a ground-ball single that gave the Rangers the lead. And Ian Kinsler followed with a three-run homer, making Andrus at-bat that much more impressive. If Rangers can hold on to this 4-0 lead through the end of the inning, it will end a streak of of 24 consecutive innings in which they have not led at Fenway. Remember, Rangers have lost eight straight here.

7:43: Maybe I’ve made it clear with my MVP vote last year and a couple of previous mentions, but I believe Kevin Youkilis to be the most dangerous hitter in the game, partly because he’s so patient. He saw nine pitches over his first two at-bats from Kevin Millwood. Made me think that at-bat No. 3, coming after a two-out walk, was a danger zone. Millwood navigated it well, got Youkilis to bounce to third for easy third out.

7:56: Chris Davis’ third double in last two games produces fifth run of the game, all after there were two outs. Since going to the thong, Davis has more hits (five) and as many RBIs (four) as strikeouts.

8:13: Judges have ruled: No HR Derby winners again tonight. Lot of Kinsler, none of them in the fifth. Pity. We’ll try again tomorrow.

8:24: Millwood has 105 pitches through seven. I’d say he’s got enough in tank for one more inning. What say you?

8:34: Replays show Chris Davis should have had the ball that Jason Bay hit to Michael Young to start the eighth. Ball clanged off the top of Davis’ shoe as he was stretching.

8:37: That’s it for Millwood. Eddie Guardado on. You know, this whole putrid streak of losses in Fenway started when the Rangers blew a 5-0 lead back in July, 2007. I bring that up not to horrify anybody, but, well, yeah, I guess these are scare tactics.

8:42: Take back my scare tactics. The game the Rangers lost after leading 5-0 was in April of last year. Here, the ugly losses all seem to run together.

8:45: At this point, I am inclined to believe that Darren O’Day is unavailable. He should have been up and ready for either Julio Lugo or Rocco Baldelli, who pinch hit for him. But Guardado got out of the inning in impressive fashion.

8:52: Now Darren O’Day is warming, along with Doug Mathis. What’s wrong with this picture? Frank Francisco is not in it. I don ‘t expect Francisco to start the ninth, but I would expect him to pitch if a save situation arises.

8:54: Chris Davis singles. Third hit of game. Now 6-for-16 in thong (assuming he’s wearing it for a fourth straight day). I really don’t want to have to ask the guy about his undies on a daily basis.

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196 Comments to “The Depot: Rangers Live Game Blog, News And Notes”
  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    Hey, Evan! Hope you’re having a great time in Boston!

  • Malone @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:07 pm

    Alright I’ve got a good feeling for tonight. Let’s go rangers!

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:18 pm

    Evan, any places you recommend to eat in Boston? You should have a eatery post when you go on the road trips.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:22 pm

    The slow death begins…a walk.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    ugh. strike outs are nice. but not in a walk sandwich.

  • Evan Grant @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    @Ehren: Boston trips always include a trip to Legal Seafoods, where I highly recommend … everything. I have been hankering for lobster lately and used up the D expense account today for a baked, stuffed lobster. Stuffed with shrimp, herbs, bread crumbs and ritz cracker and some butter (as if the butter in the ritz crackers wasn’t enough), then baked. Then its served with some drawn butter. I’m not sure which I love more the butter or the lobster. … Anyway, I’ll be having some clam chowder tomorrow. Did not get any today.

  • Malone @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:29 pm

    Please get out of this!

  • adam @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    Bay just saved us by swinging at the first pitch

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    TAG says that Atlantic Fish Company is his favorite. Have you ever eaten there and, if so, what did you think?

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    WOW!!! gotta try it!! Personally I love the butter!

  • Evan Grant @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    @Scooper: Have eaten at Atlantic Fish Company with TAG, as a matter of fact. Was very good. Still partial to Legal.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:34 pm

    i would think the rangers organization wouldn’t condone illegal fish.

  • Michael in LH @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:36 pm

    Isn’t there an Atlantic Fish Company at the airport?

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:38 pm

    Oh, no! I hope Chris didn’t start thinking that his slump was over and discard the magic red thong!

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:39 pm

    Food and/or site seeing notes as a regular part of this blog are actually a very good idea

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:39 pm

    I did find 2 Legal Seafood at the airport.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    scooper, maybe he did wash and all the magic got washed away.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    i enjoy seeing big papi strike out looking.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    Maybe Ortiz should try the thong!

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:42 pm

    of all the players in baseball i wanted to least imagine in a red thong, ortiz was number 1. thanks for the image, ehren

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    nothing like a little payback. :)

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    Byrd with a dive!

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:46 pm

    @becca: Chris, on the other hand, is not a bad image at all!

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

    Youk got eaten alive by that grounder.
    then they turn a double.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

    well, i could be worse.

  • Michael in LH @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

    @scooper – which team are you on anyway?

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:49 pm

    i meant it.
    ha. it’s funny either way.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:49 pm

    talking about baseball is WAY more comfortable than red undies.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    gotta love this blog!

  • Evan Grant @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    @all: If you want the occasional postcard from the road, I’m not opposed. I just don’t want to bore anybody with the boring details of my boring life.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:53 pm

    Boring…WHATEVER!!!! Yes, I think we would like the occasional postcard from the road Evan.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    will you mail the postcards directly to our homes? that could get could expensive with postage and all that. but i guess the D empire has deep pockets.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    @evan: when you are in interesting places, it isn’t particularly boring. and, compared to my life (which is non-existant), yours isn’t boring at all.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    @michael: I appreciate all beauty in the world.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    why am i not feeling totally comfortable with millwood tonight? he’s not looking that bad. it just feels different. oh wait. maybe it’s just fenway park surrounding him that makes me uncomfortable.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    we needed that!

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

    @Evan: i was just wondering about Eric. Thanks for the update.

    Nice play by Young.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    then there’s that ‘pitching and defense goes together’ thing. that was nice.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    @evan: when can we expect him to start participating on our blog?

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    How does someone get a torn retina?

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    @becca: it may also have something to do with his last start not being that great, too.

  • Evan Grant @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:10 pm

    @adiosmofo: Retina tears are not uncommon as we age. Just part of the breakdown of our bodies. Weird because Eric is in far better shape at 58 than I’ve ever been, but aging is aging.

    @scooper: Eric is a frequent reader of the blog, but I think work keeps him from participating, since he’s broadcasting for much of the time that we are live-blogging.

  • Malone @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    Man this is a battle. We need to get some hits

  • Malone @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    Why can we never score runs when milly pitches? We need to help him out!

  • JustSaying @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    yeah it sounds like he got in a fight with room service and they ripped his retina?

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    i now realize i was just talking crazy talk. millwood looks great.

  • adam @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    Great inning for milly, we have to put something on the board soon…

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    @evan: I meant while he is recuperating.

  • JustSaying @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:16 pm

    @Eric Hurry back cause we want you to do a video with vincente and evan with you as translator…….

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:17 pm

    @scooper: because his eyeball is broken! it’s hard to type when you’re eyeball is broken! :)

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:19 pm

    evan, the fow sw boys are talking about you! are your ears burning? they were also talking about eric’s eye. i hope that wasn’t burning.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pm

    @becca: I understand if he doesn’t want to, but apparently he was typing on the plane back from NY.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    great hit, thong-man!

  • Malone @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    We really need a big hit from salty

  • walrus @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    attaboy Davis.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    Great! Maybe CD doesn’t need the thong anymore after all!

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    Josh is a total goose

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    C’mon, Elvis!

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    YES!!!

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    RBI ELVIS!!!!! great at bat!

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    sweet

  • adam @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:29 pm

    Elvis is something else

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:30 pm

    jack

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    Wonderful!! Beautiful HR, Ian!

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    he was looking for that

  • Malone @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    Yes!!!!

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    fantastic

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    becca you came up with a great nickname!

    kins meets the green monster!

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm

    finally got some funs behind milly

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

    i meant runs. but they are fun, to be fair.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

    next year i’m going to make a trip to watch the rangers in boston.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    becca, i didn’t even catch that until the correction. LOL

  • walrus @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:34 pm

    Elvis’ hit after starting out 0-2 was huge in that inning.

  • Evan Grant @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:34 pm

    @becca: What did the FOX boys say? Let me guess: Josh Lewin mentioned something about me and Dustin Pedroia?

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    I really think that Chris has saved Elvis from some “casual” throwing errors this year.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    @Evan: how real are the rumors of Boston wanting Omar?

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    no, talking about how you and eric are good buddies and you told them that he was doing well.
    only big stuff about pedroia is how short he is. and you weren’t mentioned in connection with that.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

    agreed scooper.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    @Evan: I still think your vote got way blown out of proportion. You made a great point for your vote. Especially after seeing how good Kins was before the injury.

  • Evan Grant @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:38 pm

    @Ehren: Not real enough to warrant dealing him. Right now, the Rangers need Vizquel as part of a contending club as much as the Red Sox need him.

  • Evan Grant @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:39 pm

    @Ehren: Thanks. I fully admit I made a mistake in my reasoning. Pedroia belonged on my ballot, but nobody has changed my thinking that Youkilis was the MVP.

  • Ryans Dad @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:44 pm

    Evening all

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:45 pm

    Evening Ryans Dad!

  • Ryans Dad @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:46 pm

    Had to do some maintenance for the little lady, looks like I’ve missed some good pitchin.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:49 pm

    i know the feelin.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:50 pm

    how does the saying go? if ryan’s mom’s happy, everyone’s happy? something like that.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    I love what TAG just said about the ump, and he is right. When an ump is doing an excellent job, you barely even notice that he is there!

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    I think Elvis would have had that ball the Lugo just missed.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    @becca: I’m not even going to ask them what kind of “maintenance.”

  • Ryans Dad @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    Very funny becca. I don’t miss the days when our short stop couldn’t get to those types of hits.

  • Ryans Dad @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    scoop, I said FOR not ON!

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

    calling the homer here

  • Ryans Dad @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    ALMOST ADIOS!

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    so close!

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    @evan: please tell Chris that your faithful followers would like to know if the “magic thong” is what has brought him out of his slump. I say this because I consider the slump to be over.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    great hit. and how much better does it have to feel to come out of your slump against the yankkees AND boston? i predict a new haircut!

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    @ryansdad: sorry!

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    Nice! 2-3 so far tonight for Thongy.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    @becca: I don’t know, he may want to keep the haircut a little longer.

  • walrus @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    Davis is over the Mendoza line, he’s gotta be feeling better with two multi hit games in a row.

  • Ryans Dad @ June 5th, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    Since the Mendoza line has been thrown out there, would anyone like to explain it to me. I have heard it over the years, but never taken the time to research the back story.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    i think the hardline on the ticket was talking about it today. but i wasn’t paying attention. so i guess the answer is, no, i can’t help you with it. but the huge braintrust here surely has an answer!

  • Juboon @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    Milly! What the heck was that?!

  • Juboon @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    Nevermind, he was just setting Bay up. ;)

  • bob4boobs @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    boobs in the house..hi. Millwood is dealing…from obvious man!

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    Mendoza Line is an informal term used in baseball when a position player’s batting average falls below .200. Mario Mendoza hit .198 back in 1979. Lowest recorded for a full season.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    @ryansdad: someone else may have the whole story, but it was named for Mario Mendoza, a light-hitting middle-infielder. I don’t know who coined the phrase.

  • Ted Price @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    @Ryan – the Mendoza line is a .200 average. Named for Mario Mendoza – played in the ’70′s – who was good with the glove and bad at the plate. Not really sure how his name was synonymous with that average, though.

  • bob4boobs @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    Wika says…

    The term is named for former shortstop Mario Mendoza, who hit .198 in the 1979 season. Mario Mendoza was a flashy defensive player, but a poor hitter. At numerous times during the season, his batting average fell into the .170 to .180 range. George Brett is believed to have coined the phrase when asked about his batting average.[1] When shown his average in a newspaper, Brett was said to have made a remark along of the lines of, “I knew I was off to a bad start when I saw my average listed below the Mendoza line.”[

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    @ehren: thanks! wonderful explanation!

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    time to bear down

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    @Ted: Supposedly George Brett coined it during an interview. From what is on Wiki.

  • Ryans Dad @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    Really, lowest recorded. I wouldn’t have thought that.

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    Speaking of George Brett, have you seen this:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUdHMkE5Qdk

    Hang in for the priceless ending.

    Becca, not for you, sorry

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    Evening Ted!

  • Ryans Dad @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    Thanks for all the good info.

  • Juboon @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:07 pm

    Shame on me for questioning Milly. It was not wise.

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:07 pm

    Ryans Dad,

    Refers to Mario Medoza and his struggles to hit above .200 in 1979. Actually finished his career with Tex in 81 and 82. Truly a horrible player.

  • becca @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    adios: come on, who hasn’t sharted? it happens. pow pow!

    and with that, good night kids. time to detach myself from the computer and go out into the real world.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    Adios: TWICE A YEAR!!!

  • Ted Price @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:08 pm

    @Ehren – Howdy!

    Always lurking – sometimes posting

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    Winning this game will have me dreaming of a 3-3 NY-BOS roadtrip. Wow that’d be good.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Night becca!!!

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:11 pm

    Guys:

    didn’t get any feedback on my top 5 Rangers wins of the year I posted on Wedneday here (you all had probably already signed off). Waddaya think?:

    5. Road win vs Jays and Halladay (big HR by Kinsler, opp field to win it)
    4. Walk off vs Sea (Chris Davis)
    3. Walk off win vs. Royals (Young). ended homestand 5-7 instead of 4-8. in my mind, saved season
    2. Wednesday vs. Yanks (the Feldman start)
    1. Sunday finale vs. Halos (the Hammy catch at the wall, Feldman vs. Weaver pitch for pitch).

    Evan – agree?

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:12 pm

    Have fun, Becca!!!

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    @Jack: I’d go along with that listing.

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:16 pm

    Tigers and Halos 0-0 in 9th. Sure don’t like seeing Santana get right. That could be very bad for us.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:18 pm

    Is anyone else scared of Rick Renner’s hair????

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    wow. 6 of our 7 hits are from bottom 4 hitters. top 5 only has the Kins HR.

    dangit – LAA just scored. 1-0. Two still on and nobody out. Stupid Fernando Rodney.

  • bob4boobs @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:21 pm

    uhhhhhhh…rrrrrick renner

    Think FOX is too…he has be demoted to Twitter update man

  • James @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    Wow, I will never be able to look at George Brett the same way. “Twice a year!” “Who’s the pitchers in this game?”

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:26 pm

    evan,

    where has o’day been? Just getting him an extended rest? Not sore arm, i hope. he sure did need a fews off. we were riding him like Zorro. i assume he’s due for the 8th.

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:26 pm

    Hey folks, nice looking score to greet me upon coming home!

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:29 pm

    @beerguy: don’t tell me you were doing maintenance for the wife, too!

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    evan – you called it. glad milly is going back out. who pitches 9th? Eddie?

    if you could, though, give an update of darren o-d, that would be great.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    Let Milly go for another inning.

  • Evan Grant @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    @Jack Daddy: Will check on O’Day post-game if he doesn’t get up tonight, but I’ve seen nothing to suggest injury.

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    Nope! I was having a beer with a lovely lady. Sadly, she sent me home alone. But the score makes up for that somewhat (plus the lack of a busted lip her boyfriend would have given me if I kept her longer!).

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:34 pm

    Re: O’Day, I’m happy if it’s just rest. I was getting concerned about frequent use, both for health reasons but also for ‘batters getting used to him’ reasons.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

    @beerguy: good for you! someone who actually has a life!

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

    detroit has 2 on, 1 out. error to start inning.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

    So do you bring Eddie in?

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    @scooper: no kidding!

  • bob4boobs @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    last year’s Ortiz would have homered that pitch…

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:39 pm

    @bob: fortunately for us, this isn’t last year’s Ortiz.

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:39 pm

    Take Millwood out now.

  • walrus @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:39 pm

    why was no one warmed up in the bullpen with Millwood with 105 pitches? I appreciate the whole go longer philosophy but can’t they also plan ahead a little bit? What they decided to do was go with Millwood until he put at least 3 men on because no one was ready.

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:40 pm

    eddie vs. the righty? something must be up with ODay. can’t remember the last time he pitched.

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:40 pm

    Agreed, walrus. Sort of need at least one RP warming I’d think, even up 5-0

  • walrus @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    What has happened to Darren O’Day? Do we not use him any more?

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    Detroit scored, now 2-1, men on corners 2 outs

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    Varitek is a switch-hitter.

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    detroit plates 1. 2 out, runners on corners.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    that was a great change!

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    final. LA wins. granderson foul out. darn.

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:44 pm

    scooper – you’re correct. thanks. my bad.

  • bob4boobs @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:44 pm

    Evan, what’s your take on that Wash article from ESPN? I think a lot of locals gained respect for him after reading…the conversations with Elvis and such. Much more clear to me why JD, players, and former players respect him. Defending everyone from the media and teach sternly behind doors. I would think he’s right up Nolan’s alley.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    Eddie’s showing tonight!

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    Nice k eddie! LA won, Granderson fouled out :(

  • Mike E @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    Hey Evan, any word on whether the thong is affecting Davis’ fielding? Maybe riding in on those splits?

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    @Jack: Beat me that time! ;)

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    Evan I hope you didn’t curse the game…

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    nobody in pen? Should o day and or FrankFranc be up and warming?

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    That’s the way to get out of that inning! And they said O’Day was up in the ‘pen.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    @Evan: any chance for a blogging night at the Old Monk? :)

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    Eddie! Thanks, old man!

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    Damn fine work for Eddie there. He has really gotten on track lately.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    Saito has a funky wind up.

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

    @scooper – yep, heard that. feel better now knowing he’s ok.

  • walrus @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

    Great job Guardado. Way to go.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

    TAG said O’Day was up in the ‘pen, and he just said that O’Day is still up and will start the 9th.

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    He didn’t say anything about Frank Frank, but it is not currently a save situation.

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    @Ehren: That is an odd wind up. Japanese pitchers have funky wind ups…remember Nomo’s?

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    That was like hitting a pause button on Nomo’s wind up.

  • James @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    The start of Saito’s windup reminds me of Nomo

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:54 pm

    3-4 night for Thongy!

  • walrus @ June 5th, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    It’s nice to see Davis hitting. Hope he’s about to start a hot streak.

  • bob4boobs @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

    We need another 8th inning guy down the stretch…I don’t want to see Benson in this game

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    this is going south

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    @evan: OK. What’s up with Frankie?

  • walrus @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    Even the Boston announcers are wondering why Francisco is not up throwing.

  • Evan Grant @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:07 pm

    @bob4: I think Washing is getting the players to play hard and allowing them to take center stage. I don’t see behind closed doors and can’t comment on how much teaching he’s doing there, but you’d only hear what went on behind those closed doors if it was something bad. As for strategy, he’s inconsistent, so I can’t give him a high endorsement there. But I’ll take a guy who gets his players to play hard (Washington) over a guy whose a brilliant strategist without the team behind him (You can fill in the blank).

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    BENSON?!?!?

  • Evan Grant @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    @All: As I blogged a few minutes ago, it’s obvious now that Francisco is not available. I’ve seen him getting treatment and with heat packs on the last couple of days, but nothing more than usual. I’m not sure when this bout of whatever came up, but it will be at the center of many post-game conversations, regardless of outcome.

  • matt @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    Feliz in the bullpen would be interesting.

  • Jack Daddy @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    Evan,

    You have some work post-game, to see what’s going on with FrankFranc. Let’s hope its just because its wet and cold.

  • Ehren @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    HELLO WIN COLUMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • adiosmofo @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    awesomeness.

    one more win and this is a great road trip despite that blown game in NY

  • bob4boobs @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    nice win…and hanging tough by O’Day, O’Day, O’Day, O’Day

  • Ryans Dad @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

    Excellente

  • The Beer Guy @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    Sweet! Weird no-throw by O’Day, maybe he was too concerned about the runner on third…forgot there were 2 outs or something. Who knows. Anyway, it’s all moot now!

  • JustSaying @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:16 pm

    so what is up with frankie?

  • JustSaying @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    i forgive the error on davis to get those 3 hits pushing that average upward to 210

  • JustSaying @ June 5th, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    he might could sell that thong on ebay…….

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 11:43 pm

    @justsaying: he ought to sell it to Salty

  • scooper @ June 5th, 2009 at 11:44 pm

    @beerguy: I think you nailed it!