Revive
| Game 33: May 12, 2009 | |||
 Red Sox | 4 | W: Ramon Ramirez (4-0) S: Jonathan Papelbon (9) | 21-12, 2 game winning streak |
| Angels | 3 | H: Jose Arredondo (10) BS, L: Scot Shields (1, 1-3) | 16-15, 1 game losing streak |
| Highlights: Remember the great run Shawn Chacon had with the Yankees in 2005 and how pundits predicted similar success for him 2006? Remember how he got sent to the bullpen right before the All-Star break and was replaced by Kris Wilson in the Yankees’ rotation? Guess who the Yankees gave up to acquire Chacon? Hint: he has four wins for the Red Sox this season. | |||
For some reason Ramon Ramirez never found a home with his previous major league clubs. The Rockies traded him in March of 2008 for a player to be named later despite his franchise record of 15⅓ scoreless innings to start his career. The player the Rockies acquired was Jorge de la Rosa.
When Boston exchanged Coco Crisp for Ramirez, who knew that the reliever would become the key cog in the bullpen machine that chews up the ends of games and leaves befuddled hitters in its wake? The Royals traded from a position of strength (their relievers have for an ERA of 3.07 in the season thus far) and the Red Sox from a position of excess. Crisp has been delivering in the defense and steals departments, Ramirez has been lights out, and both clubs are vying for the top spot in their respective divisions, so this trade helped both teams.
Justin Masterson walked the bases loaded in the first but the Angels only managed a sacrifice fly. Actually, since Mike Scioscia’s modus operandi consists mostly of scoring runs in ways that also generate outs, he was perfectly content with the first inning’s outcome. The Angels scored the go-ahead run in the fourth with, yes, a sac fly.
J.D. Drew homered to the front corner of the center field bleachers in the second to tie the game. That was the only run that Jered Weaver allowed in his seven innings of work. Since his friend Nick Adenhart’s death Weaver has been pitching with increased purpose. He pitched his first complete game shutout against the Toronto Blue Jays just a few days ago.
Did he insist on going all nine in that game? He must have felt a bit leery leaving the fate of the game in the hands of the shaky pen.
Jose Arredondo co-authored an anti-Hollywood ending for the home team. Nick Green knocked a humpback single into right field. Jacoby Ellsbury fell behind in the count but worked it full. With the count full Ellsbury could be more selective. The center fielder shot a grounder between first and second and Green sprinted to third with the hit.
Like many pitchers, Arredondo was uneasy with Ellsbury dancing at first. So uneasy that he walked Julio Lugo to load the bases.
Scioscia went by the book and brought in southpaw Darren Oliver to face David Ortiz. They say lefties can pitch into their late 30s, perhaps even into their 40s. I guess that depends on what your definition of “can” and “pitch” is. Oliver hit Ortiz with the fourth pitch he threw to force Green home. Then the incomparable Jason Bay scored Scioscia style; his ground out to second tied the game.
Earlier in the evening the Bruins had won in dominating fashion while the Celtics survived a squeaker. Taking their cue from the Celtics’ comeback late in the game, Drew lined a single over the shortstop’s head. Jason Varitek made like Stephon Marbury; his double through the right-center gap to the wall plated the winning run.
Jonathan Papelbon didn’t pitch a perfect bottom of the ninth. Despite the sole walk he issued to Bobby Abreu, this save was orders of magnitude less ulcer-inducing than his previous outing. With three teams from Boston playing in one night, the less stress the better.
