Deposed
Game 125: August 25, 2005
Red Sox (72-53), 4
Royals (42-83), 7
L: Curt Schilling (5-6)
W: Jose Lima (5-12)
H: Ambiorix Burgos (9)
H: Jeremy Affeldt (10)
S: Mike MacDougal (17)
As a starter, I like Schilling as a spokesperson for various charities. I’d hate to add my wares to the ever-expanding inventory of the merchants of misery, but the veteran northpaw’s first start since April 23rd left much to be desired. Schilling threw 82 pitches over 5 innings with 9 hits, 6 earned runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts, but at least no home runs were surrendered. The organization trusts Schilling implicity and without hesitation, and this seems to be creating an untenable situation. Schilling’s faith in his god and himself was well and good when his body was physically capable of rigors he demanded of it. But now, “[t]he falcon cannot hear the falconer.”
Gratuitous Bill Mueller feat: With the count full, 2 out, and 1 on, the third baseman hit a grounder that jauntily skipped by former Red Sox player and current Kansas City first baseman Matt Stairs. Also notable is that by the time the ball was gathered by right fielder Emil Brown, Kevin Millar was able to score from first. I’ll permit you to let that sink in a moment. Yes, you read that correctly: Millar legged out a run.
Since this game wasn’t particularly compelling, I watched the ‘Ewa Beach match-up against Lafayette in Game 28 of the Little League World Series instead. It’s win or go home for the remaining teams from this point forward. Unlike previous games in which the team from Hawai‘i outscored their opponents a combined 24-4, the final score was a tight 2-0 in favor of the islanders. The scoreless tie was broken in the 4th inning when Sheyne “Bubbles” Baniaga hit a 2-run home run. Baniaga drove in Alaka‘i Aglipay, who had reached on a walk. Myron “Kini” Enos (1.06 ERA) pitched 5 innings of shutout ball, stifling the Southwest champs. ‘Ewa Beach next plays the West champs from Vista, California on August 27th. The winner of this game will represent the US in the World title game.
I’ll be at the game tonight and will let you know if the new turf installed because of the havoc wreaked by the Rolling Stones concert meets my approval. Perhaps the Red Sox will market the Rolling Stone lawn just as they did the championship sward. Everyone knows, a rolling stone gathers no moss (which is entirely different from grass because it is a non-vascular plant).
