Home plate umpire Jim Joyce gave all of us on the East Coast a start last night after jumping up from behind home plate to issue a warning to both ball clubs in the third. As it turns out, both clubs were informed before the game even started that the umps would be keeping a close eye on them, according to Lyle Spencer from mlb.com.
That certainly cleared up some of the air for me. There was no reason for Masterson, who clearly couldn’t find the strike zone last night, to put on the lead runner in the third. Spencer also mentioned that Hunter told his skipper Mike Scocia that he also didn’t believe Masterson was trying to hit him. I was very pleased to see that mlb.com posted something about the pitch because I was really flustered by the whole thing. For anyone who’d like to read the article here’s the link http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090513&conte
Of course that wasn’t the only issue that arose from last night’s game. The Sox were having trouble producing runs, and that was all due to a great performance by Jered Weaver. He went 7 innings, only allowing 4 hits, 1 run, and a walk, while striking out four. The run was surrendered to JD Drew in the second, and boy is he getting hot. I am happy to say that I just picked up Drew on my fantasy team and can’t wait until next week when I can start playing him.
Then Papi got hit in the wrist in the 8th which wasn’t any more fun to watch than Weaver dominating our offense. Rob Bradford from weei.com reports that Papi is hopeful to play in tonight’s game. That would be great if he could considering Youk just got put on the 15 day DL.
And if that’s not enough, Bradford also reported that Pedroia will not be in the starting lineup once again. Francona was on 850 AM WEEI’s Dale and Holley show this morning and said this, but also said that Pedroia will be available to pinch hit tonight. I just hope that our second baseman doesn’t join our first basemen on the DL.
Although there were a lot of negativites last night, it was a very exciting game to watch, as Varitek drove in the go ahead run with a double in the 9th. Maybe the Angels can finally get rid of that stupid Rally monkey now…
Oh, and finally, as if there weren’t enough troubles last night, where was Heidi Watney?!
Keep the Faith.
