RESULT – LOSS 5-4
I know the only other option in the bullpen was knuckleballer Steven Wright who hasn’t thrown a Major League pitch as of yet but I have absolutely no faith in Andrew Miller right now. Miller came on in the top of the 10th and struck out Miguel Tejada to start the inning. By the way, did anyone realize that Tejada was even still playing? I was shocked to see him come out to pitch hit. Miller then gave up a single to Alex Gordon and then walked Alcides Escobar. Billy Butler who had already homered a few innings before came up and he struck him out as well. I sighed a breath of relief as I thought Miller would escape the outing. NOPE. He let up another single to Eric Hosmer then with the bases loaded walked Lorenzo Cain on four straight pitches. YES, on four straight pitches! Andrew Miller could not throw one strike in the most important situation of the game. He has been terrible this year as his ERA is 6.75 and he’s walked 6 batters in his 4 innings of work this year.
Andrew threw 29 pitches in the inning but only 15 found the strike zone. With Franklin Morales and Craig Breslow working their way back from injuries it leaves Miller as the only lefty out of the pen but he’s been the weakest link of the very good bullpen so far this year. It ruined a solid start by young phenom Allen Webster the centerpiece of the huge blockbuster trade last year with the Dodgers. Webster was called up before the game because MLB allows roster expansion to a 26th man when playing a doubleheader.
The 23 year old right hander flashed an array of powerful pitches, including a nasty fastball that touched 95-97 routinely. He went 6 strong innings giving up 5 hits and allowing 3 runs (only 2 were earned). He walked one and struck out 5. The future looks bright for him and it was nice to see him get some MLB exposure. He’ll be back this year and I’m sure will be a force in the rotation as soon as next year.
Junichi Tazawa pitched a perfect 7th striking out2 but Koji Uehara let up 2 hits including a solo home run by Billy Butler in the 8th. It is unusual to see Koji give up a hit let alone a home run. Andrew Bailey pitched a perfect 9th, striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced. Then Miller came on and stunk up the place.
The Sox hit the ball fairly decently banging out 9 hits. Mike Napoli had 3 hits including a double and home run, knocking in 2 runs. Jacoby Ellsbury went 2 for 4 with a double and is quietly having a really good start. Dustin Pedroia added in 2 hits and 2 walks with 1 RBI and Mike Carp also had another RBI double. Will Middlebrooks took an 0 for 5 but only struck out once, he’s batting .176 and David Ross and Pedro Ciriaco combined to go 0 for 7 with 2 strikeouts.
Alex Gordon had himself a night going 3 for 5 scoring 3 runs and Billy Butler and George Kottaras each added a solo home run. The Royals have a good looking young team that is going to be hard to beat.
The Sox get back at it again today with the Oakland Athletics (12-7) coming to town. It’s a 6:35 game which you don’t see much here in Boston
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
Mike Napoli. Mike finished 3 for 5 with 2 RBI a double and a home run. He also ripped a ball to deep center field to end the 9th inning that took Lorenzo Cain to the warning track. A few more feet and they would have had another walk off hit.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Andrew Miller. Walking a batter on four straight pitches with the bases loaded in a clutch situation will get you a lot of elbows to the face.
PLAY OF THE GAME
The four pitch walk that I’ve written about above. Just can’t have that happen!
NEXT
Today, Monday, April 22nd vs. the Oakland
No comments:
Post a Comment