Right On Target
Target Field’s façade is adorned by dolomitic limestone from Mankato. Limestone is made primarily of the remains of marine life, but the addition of dolomite makes the Minnesotan stone stronger and gives its a distinctive hue. Calcite and dolomite particles are deposited in layers and compressed. The process takes the better part of 500 millenia, much like Kevin Slowey’s pitching.
Much of the Human Rain Delay’s tarrying came as the result of actual rain. Tediously cleaning his cleats of mud did not keep the basepaths clear of Red Sox runners. Slowey surrendered a run in three of the five innings he pitched and he had only a single 1-2-3 inning.
The first run notched was avoidable but Delmon Young somehow avoided any contact with Dustin Pedroia’s liner and the ball skipped all the way to the wall. The Twins left fielder got caught playing the ball in between, committing neither to a diving attempt nor backing up to stop the ball from getting past him. Perhaps he was blinded by the Red Sox second baseman’s laser show. While Young chased the ball down replacement leadoff hitter Marco Scutaro scurried home all the way from first for the first run of the game.
John Lackey had three less strikeouts to Slowey’s five, allowed seven hits, and walked four batters, yet still earned his first win in a Red Sox uniform. Twin twin killings of Twins in the first and second innings kept the home team off the board despite having the leadoff runners reach in both frames.
The Red Sox have an embarrassment of riches in the outfield. No, not J.D. Drew’s contract but the tandem of 26-year olds in left field. Jacoby Ellsbury has streaking speed, Jeremy Hermida has hot and cold streaks. The former’s calling card is stolen bases, the latter’s is his as yet unfulfilled promise of power. Sun Life Stadium’s dimensions stymied Hermida’s production, so Fenway Park’s petite perimeters could make Hermida the hitter he was supposed to be. Since switching over to the American League and seeing more time due to Ellsbury’s bruised ribs Hermida has some nifty numbers: .357 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, and .786 slugging percentage.
Pedroia would be quick to point out that his OBP is .410, that he is slugging .818, and that he leads the team in home runs.
| Game 8: April 14, 2010 | ||
 Red Sox4-4 | 6 | W: John Lackey (1-0) H: Hideki Okajima (3) S: Jonathan Papelbon (3) |
| 2B: Adrian Beltre (2), Jeremy Hermida (3), David Ortiz (3), Dustin Pedroia (3) HR: Dustin Pedroia (4) | ||
| Twins 6-3 | 3 | L: Kevin Slowey (1-1) |
| 2B: Delmon Young – 2 (2) HR: Michael Cuddyer (1) | ||
