Asleep
Game 11: April 15, 2006
Mariners (6-6), 3
Red Sox (7-4), 0
W: Joel Pineiro (2-1)
H: J.J. Putz (2)
S: Eddie Guardado (2)
L: Tim Wakefield (1-2)
Thanks to Jere at A Red Sox Fan in Pinstripe Territory, I got to attend yesterday’s game. Unfortunately, it was because his usual accomplice got into a car accident (he’s fine) and the second in line was volunteering for charitable organization. Terry Francona was equally and simultaneously disastrous and philanthropic judging by the lineup he contrived:
- Adam Stern, CF
- Alex Cora, 2B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Manny Ramirez, LF
- Kevin Youkilis, 3B
- J.T. Snow, 1B
- Wily Mo Peña, RF
- Josh Bard, C
- Alex Gonzalez, SS
Given the above, is it any surprise the Red Sox were shut out for the first time this season? Joel Pineiro ably took on Ted Lilly’s mantle, pitching six and a third innings with just five hits, two walks, and five strikeouts.
I thought Francona could use some helpful hints; here are my rules for constructing Red Sox lineups:
- No more than one “Alex” permitted in a day.
- You must have at least one infielder whose surname begins with “Lo” start at all times.
- When the “Bard” sings, the “Snow” must not fall.
I can’t imagine what Tim Wakefield must have thought when he saw the lineup card. He busted his hump for a complete game loss, throwing 108 pitches for nine hits, three runs (two earned), and six strikeouts. I understand the difference between playing time for hitters and pitchers and that the bullpen is stretched thin after David Wells and Matt Clement’s back-to-back disappointing starts, but it still seems slightly contradictory of Francona to let the 39-year old pitcher take one for the team while the productive members of the offense sit.
At least my seating companions were enjoyable. Jere and I swung by Section 12 to see if Andrew of 12eight was there, and indeed he was, with this father. In another stroke of happenstance, two seats near them were vacant and we got to sit with them. There was much discussion of uniform numbers, baseball trivia (such as longest-running plate appearance reaching first base streaks), and Red Sox players of the past.
Perhaps at the next game I attend should be with a baseball neophyte who continually asks questions thereby distracting me from the game. I’m sure then Clement would throw a perfect game, Gonzalez would turn an unassisted triple play, and Ortiz would hit for the cycle in natural order.
Pictures of the day’s festivities to follow.
