Dinn Trophy Player of the Week is Jacoby Ellsbury (who I nicknamed Little Running Feet). Hopefully no offense is taken in this but he does run like the wind.
The game got off with a bang as the rain started pouring down just as the Celtics emerged on the Duck boat. But as the saying goes “Don’t rain on our Parade” nothing stops Boston from celebrating. As the boat traveled slowly around Fenway, the fans and Celtics were beaming as they were drenched in the downpour. As “We are the Champions” played it gave me a warm feeling to see how happy everyone was at that moment. Rain can’t ruin that. Another priceless moment at Fenway.
So as we honor the Celtics, the Red Sox wore their green uniforms which were last worn on April 20th 2007 to honor Red Auerbach. We won the Yankees 7-6 that night. Hopefully the shirts will bring that “Luck of the Irish” to our boys tonight. And the shamrock in center field was a very nice touch.
Before the game started we got the bad news about 41 year old Curt Schilling needing shoulder surgery. Amaline Benjamin-Red Sox Insider said that he has a diseased tendon in his bicep. The surgery will move the tendon in hopes that it will repair itself. But the question will be what will they find after they go in. If they find injury to his rotor cup it may be the end of Curts’ career. His career with the Red Sox was a great way to end it if that will be the case. I hope the best for Curt and his family.
And as the Cardinals visit Fenway Park for the first time since the 2004 World Series they have their own share of players on the DL. With us in first place in the American League and the Cardinals in second place in the National League it should be a great game.
As the rainbow stretched across Fenway the game started at approximately 8:15 pm due to the rain delay. Wakefield (4-4) vs Lohse (8-2). The first inning was quick, three pop-ups by the Cardinals and they were gone 1, 2, 3. Jacoby strikes out, Pedroia hits the ball to the shortstop and is out at 1st. Drew hits to right field and it’s caught.
I feel the game was slow overall; even Rem Dawg and Don were quiet. I think the long road trip has done a toll on everyone. I’ll try to just highlight the game because as I read what I wrote it’s pretty boring stuff.
In the second inning: Cardinals try to make a little noise in this inning but we take care of them quick enough. Manny leads off the second with a few foul balls (making a fan very happy) before finally walking. Lowell hits and the Cardinals boggle the ball. Man on 1st and 2nd. Youkilis strikes out. Coco lifts to left field and bases are loaded. Lugo hits sac fly to center field and Manny scores. Cash grounds out. Score 1-0.
Third inning: The innings go pretty fast in this game. Like I said it is very slow going. I know I’m yawning.
My mother, Helen, is also an avid fan and we usually talk when something exciting happens in the game. So far me and mom aren’t talking.
Fourth Inning: Cardinals load the bases but can do nothing here and neither do we.
In the middle of this there’s Don and Remy and of course, Wally relaxing in his chair. I smile because I also have a Wally in his chair as I watch the game. Weird but fun.
The Fifth Inning is when things started happening and me and mom were on the phone. Jason LaRue ties the game with a homerun. But that’s all they manage. Then here we come. Cash gets a base hit. Ellsbury pops up. Pedroia gets a hit after a long at bat. And the boys play their make-shift instruments in the bull pen… Cash is on 2nd and Drew hits to centerfield and three outfielders run for it. Bases are loaded. Now my blood is rushing through me veins but alas another let down when many strikes out and Lowell grounds out. We haven’t done anything in this inning. Too many missed chances.
Six Inning: Ankiel at bat doubles off scoreboard with a leadoff double. Glaus makes it to first on an error from Lugo. (His 15th of the season.) Duncan gets a hit and Lugo goes for the double play and throws the ball away again! (16th error of the season). Molina pops up and Ellsbury makes a great catch in left field. The cardinals are gone after a pop up. The highlight of this inning is Lugo making amends and getting a homerun making it us ahead 2-1. It brings some energy back to Fenway and some confidence back to Lugo.
And the camera zooms to the dugout where yet again, more spitting takes place. It’s a sport in itself. I can say for sure that this is NOT one of my highlights of the game.
Seventh Inning: Larue crushes one to left field for a single. Ryan advances runner to second and then Schumaker belts a knuckleball into the Bull Pen making it Cardinals 4-2. That stopped the boys from playing their tune quickly. A couple of pitching changes for the Cardinals in this inning. The bases are loaded again with no outs. Russ Springer is the pitcher for the Cardinals. Here comes Manny…Again my blood is beginning to sizzle. Nows our chance to get a good lead in this game. Manny grounds into a double play but Ellsbury scores. It’s now 4-3. Lowell gets up and strikes out! Yikes! Another screaming bout from me and mom.
Eight Inning: Okajima pitching for Boston. Another home-run for the Cardinals this time by Molina. Score is no 5-3.
The 9th Inning I thought we were going to do our magic but alas I was crushed. Okajima strikes all three batters and my hope soars. Ellsbury flies out. Pedroai gets a double. Drew strikes out. Now there are 2 out in the 9th. Usually this is when we pull our rabbits out of the hat. Here comes Manny…. Manny has a chance to tie the game. I’m squirming, biting me nails hoping for the best. Manny walks. I’m wondering if Lowell can win the game. One homerun and the game is over. Lowell gets a base hit and Adam Kennedy makes a dive and misses and a run scores. That’s my boys…now it’s 5-4. I’m rooting for Youkilis but Youk pops up and ends the game. Bummer.
A little excitement at the end but we couldn’t pull it off. Too many double plays and leaving our guys on base. Do you think the Cardinals were giving us a little payback for 2004? What do you think?
Keywords: Red Sox
