Empyreal Environs

Clay Buchholz has had a topsy-turvy run this season thus far: when he pitches terribly the offense assaults the pitcher and he wins but when he lasts five innings while striking out five and allowing only two bases on balls he loses. The first run scored off of him was the result of a balk in the second inning with Carlos Pena on third. Buchholz had just gotten out a jam by inducing a 5-4-3 double play off the bat of Sean Rodriguez but a minute move gave the local nine the advantage.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia supported his battery mate with a two-out double to right in the fourth. Cody Ross joined the backstop on the basepaths with a four-pitch walk. Nursing his second cup of coffee as long as he can while still trying to woo Erin Andrews, Nava looped the ball into left field. Matt Joyce seemed in on Nava’s ploy with his failed dive for the bloop RBI single. B.J. Upton’s feckless throw allowed Nava to take second — or maybe everyone wants Nava to have a chance with the ESPN personality.

The tie lasted until the sixth. Luke Scott’s sacrifice fly to right, which allowed Joyce to tag up and score what would be the winning run. Ross got twisted around attempting the play the ball, similarly to how Scott twists around the truth about Barack Obama’s citizenship.

Something as frightening as Scott’s political views unfolded in the eighth. After being hit in the elbow by Franklin Morales’s heater Will Rhymes took his base but then motioned to be taken out of the game. He collapsed and seemed on the brink of losing consciousness. He was carted off but x-rays were negative. Morales and Rhymes worked it out like all celebrities do these days: via Twitter. Although Morales doesn’t have his own presence and used Providence Journal reporter Brian MacPherson’s account. Morales also texted Rhymes to smooth things over.

When I step up in the place
Ay yo I step correct
Woo-hah
Got you all in check
I got that head nod shit
Make you break your neck
Woo-hah
I got you all in check

Game 37: May 16, 2012
Boston Red Sox 17-20	1	L: Clay Buchholz (4-2)
		2B: Mike Aviles (12), Jarrod Saltalamacchia (9)
Tampa Bay Rays 24-14	2	W: Jeremy Hellickson (4-0)
		No extra base hits