Drab
Game 21: April 26, 2006
Red Sox (13-8), 1
Indians (11-10), 7
L: Tim Wakefield (1-4)
W: Cliff Lee (2-1)
Each game I carefully select a single word to recap the game. Can you guess why I chose this particular word?
So there. Are you pro-Arroyo guys happy now? Wily Mo Peña now has as many home runs as Bronson. Last night Peña jolted a homer in the fourth inning for Boston’s only run of the game.
Just kidding. I miss Arroyo, too. Who would have known he was so well-suited to Great American Ballpark and the National League? He is currently sporting a 4-0 record with an orderly 2.34 ERA. However, I do think that once the NL hitters have seen more of him, the more vulnerable he will become. I wonder if he has booked a gig at Bogarts yet?
Although scorn is being heaped upon backup catcher Josh Bard, please do note that, despite the four passed balls, he broke up Cliff Lee’s no-hitter in the top of the third inning. Lee has only given up three gopher balls this season and all of them have been to right-handed hitters.
Travis Hafner may have a candy bar tastily named “Pronk” after the “part project, part donkey” tagline he adopted during his push for the MVP last season, but he certainly runs slowly. In the third inning, he grounded out to Kevin Youkilis. Youkilis fumbled multiple times with the ball but still managed to relay it in time for Tim Wakefield to tag the bag. Perhaps Hafner should consider developing an energy bar.
I think Jason Davis really wants to be on the Red Sox. How else would you explain that facial hair? Davis pitched two scoreless innings, allowed no hits, and walked a single batter. I’d prefer him over a few of the current bullpen options.
Manny Delcarmen made his first appearance this season, fresh from being recalled. The righty pitched the ninth and gave up four hits and two earned runs with no walks or strikeouts.
Wakefield has had similar losing streaks in the past; it appears worse than it is because of the new catcher and everyone has exceedingly high expectations at the beginning of the season. Also, in comparison to Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett’s outstanding streaks, Wakefield’s 1-4 April is frightful. Just as easily, however, the knuckleballer can win four or five in a row.
