Popping the Clutch
Two peculiarly NESN things made their debut on Sunday: Red Sox Small Talk and Dontourage.
If Bobby Valentine is wondering why Kevin Youkilis isn’t emotionally and physically into the game it’s because he’s still recovering from being grilled by the Small Talk troop. I didn’t want to like this segment but who can resist wee moppets prying into Red Sox players’ personal lives? One tyke got Youkilis to admit that “The Humpty Dance” is his favorite song, and even more charmingly Youkilis wasn’t ashamed of his musical taste. Another cherub showed his left-handed swing and imitated the third baseman’s stance, but also in a southpaw fashion.
Youkilis wouldn’t commit to a single answer about who the funniest player on the team was, but stated that David Ortiz, Nick Punto, and Dustin Pedroia were amongst the funniest. Punto will have time to hone his act with Pedroia entrenched at the keystone sack and Mike Aviles ripping it up in the leadoff spot. Ortiz is too busy carrying the team on his shoulders to work on his comedy routine.
Carlos Pena couldn’t handle Ortiz’s line shot in the fourth and the designated hitter scored on Cody Ross’s double off the wall. In the sixth Ortiz broke the 4-4 tie with a double that recoiled off the center field wall. Papi’s clutch has returned.
Don Orsillo talked about his “Dontourage” and Heidi Watney’s replacement Jenny Dell asked if she was in this exclusive group. Orsillo replied that of course she was. The crew in the truck offered some suggestions about how to get in the Dontourage but tactfully Orsillo didn’t share the gang’s ideas.
| Game 9: April 15, 2012 | ||
| Tampa Bay Rays 4-5 |
4 |
L: Matt Moore (0-1) |
| 2B: Desmond Jennings (1), Jeff Keppinger (2), Carlos Pena (4) HR: Luke Scott (2) | ||
 Boston Red Sox4-5 |
6 |
W: Vicente Padilla (1-0) H: Franklin Morales (2) S: Alfredo Aceves (2) |
| 2B: David Ortiz – 2 (6), Kelly Shoppach (3) HR: Cody Ross (2), Mike Aviles (2) | ||
