Results tagged ‘ Manny Delcarmen ’

Memorable Season

April 4, 2010—the Red Sox had their home opener against their biggest
rival and the defending World Series Champions, the New York Yankees.
They came out on top that day, winning 9-7. Dustin Pedroia (2-for-4,
2-run HR, 3 RBIs) and Kevin Youkilis (3-for-4, 2 RBIs) helped carry the
team to victory. Josh Beckett started that game, going 4.2 innings,
giving up five runs off of eight hits, striking out only one while
walking three. This outing for Beckett was just a preview of things to
come this season, while he was anything but dominant all year long.

On
October 3, 2010, we ended our regular season on a high note against
those awful pinstripes, salvaging a W (8-4) over our arch rivals, while
managing to play spoiler and preventing them from clinching the AL East
title. Jed Lowrie went 2-for-3, belting two homeruns with 3 RBIs. John
Lackey, surprising us all, ended his season the way we were hoping he
would have pitched all year. He went 7.2 innings, giving up three runs
on six hits, walking only two, while tying his career high for strike
outs with ten.

I wish I could say that those two wins summed up
our season of positivity and success. However, there were 160 games in
between which messed with our emotions, sent us on a roller coaster
ride, broke our heart, devastated us as Red Sox fans and left us with
little hope that we could make it into October this year. We managed to
stay in contention into the final week of the season, but,
unfortunately, we were right. We didn’t make it to the postseason, the
first time since 2006, and we were forced to start this lonely,
miserable off-season much earlier than we would have wanted. 

There’s
so many excuses that we could use, or so many people we could blame
this season on. But, what’s the point? There are multitude of reasons
for our struggles this year, and we’ve discussed them numerous times
throughout the season. I’ve decided to skip all that nonsense…because
as we all know, I’m all about optimism!

Daniel Bard has definitely proved
himself this year. In 74.2 IP, he finished strong with a 1.93 ERA.
He struck out 76, while producing a WHIP of 1.004. He’s been a great
set-up man, but could potentially take over our closer position.

Clay
Buchholz had an absolutely outstanding season, and has even been in the
discussion for the Cy Young Award. He went 17-7 this year with a 2.33
ERA in 173.2 IP.

David Ortiz, despite having a rough start to
the season, ended with a .270 AVG, .370 OBP, .529 SLG and a .899 OPS. He
had 32 homeruns, and 102 RBIs. While winning the Home Run Derby this
year, he is showing everyone that Big Papi still has what it takes to
produce for our team.

Adrian Beltre had his best season since
2004, finishing with a .321 AVG, 28 homeruns, and 102 RBIs. He had a
.365 OBP, .553 SLG and a .919 OPS. Even though he inflicted some major
pain on a few of his teammates, he deserves a nice head-rub (joking)
after an exceptional season. 

Jon Lester proved very dominant this season. With a 19-9 record, he ended the year with a 3.25 ERA in 208.0 IP, striking out 225 and walking 83. 

Rookies Daniel Nava, Ryan Kalish
and Darnell McDonald managed to step up when asked and really helped our
team get through one of our toughest seasons in history.

We were plagued with many injuries this season, so here’s a list of the players who spent time on the disabled list during the year:

Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Mike Lowell
Adrian Beltre
J.D. Drew
Marco Scutaro
Dustin Pedroia
Eric Patterson
Jacoby Ellsbury
Kevin Cash
Hideki Okajima
Jon Lester
Kevin Youkilis
Mike Cameron
Manny Delcarmen
Jason Varitek
Victor Martinez
Clay Buchholz
Jeremy Hermida
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Felipe Lopez
Josh Beckett
Junichi Tazawa
Boof Bonser
Jed Lowrie

Now, let’s look at our Opening Day starting lineup-
Ellsbury LF
Pedroia 2B
Martinez C
Youkilis 1B
Ortiz DH
Beltre 3B
Drew RF
Cameron CF
Scutaro SS

This is absolutely heart-breaking to look at. David Ortiz is the only player from our Opening Day lineup to not have spent any time on the DL. We were given some tough hands to work with, and we still managed to end our season just shy of 90 wins (89-73).

On October 2, 2010, the Red Sox recognized Mike Lowell for an outstanding career, and honored him with an on-field ceremony as this was his final season in a Major League Baseball uniform. The 2007 World Series MVP was not only an exceptional player throughout his 12 year career, but an incredible human being who was well respected by everyone in the baseball world. He is a Tony Conigliaro Award Winner (1999), Silver Slugger Award Winner (2003), Gold Glove Award Winner (2005), 4x All-Star Selection (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007) and a 2x World Series Champion (2003, 2007). He will forever be #25 in the hearts of Red Sox Nation and will truly be missed as a player and person. We love you, Mikey!

Honestly, this has been one of my favorite seasons so far as a Red Sox fan. I know that might sound odd, and as surprising as it might be, I’ve grown to love this team, and Red Sox Nation even more than I used to. The Red Sox have been an important part of my life since I first stepped inside Fenway Park at the age of twelve and I’ve met so many amazing people because of my love for this team, and this game. I’m excited to see what happens this off-season, and I absolutely cannot wait until Spring Training next year. I plan on making a trip to Ft. Myers, FL in 2011, along with a few trips to my favorite place in this world—Boston and Fenway Park!

This sure has been a memorable season, and I’m so ready to see what’s in store for next season…because like they say, there’s always next year!

“It
breaks your heart.  It is designed to break your heart.  The game
begins in spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in
the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the
chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone.” -A. Bartlett Giamatti

Jenn

Oh- How Sweep It Is

One swing… one swing taken by Marco Scutaro scored 4 runs, gave us the lead, ended up winning us the game and ultimately was the last act to help us sweep the Los Angeles Angels. And to add on to that– it was the first series sweep at Anaheim since 1998.

However, we can’t forget about all the outstanding baseball that was played in the last three days to put us in the position to end this 10-game road trip 6-4.

Clay Buchholz started Monday night’s game and came out with the win thanks to an outstanding 4-out save by Jonathan Papelbon. Buchholz dominated, going 7 innings, giving up only 1 run on 5 hits with 1 walk and 7 strike outs. I, of course, must mention David Ortiz, who came back to Anaheim after winning the home-run derby and kept his power alive. He belted 2 home-runs to help the Red Sox win 6-3. Victor Martinez started the scoring off early, though, when he came out for his first at bat since being activated from the disabled list, with an RBI single to score Adrian Beltre. J.D. Drew helped out in the 9th, with a 2-run double to add some cushion for Paps who returned for the 9th inning to close it out. Papelbon came in with 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th after Scott Atchison gave up a 2 run homer to Hideki Matsui. Drama in the 8th inning is something every Red Sox fan has, unfortunately, grown accustomed to.

Game 2 of the series was an interesting match-up. John Lackey was returning to the mound at Anaheim for the first time since joining the Red Sox. He didn’t get the kind of welcome he was hoping for after spending 8 seasons with the Angels. After receiving mostly boo’s from the crowd, he pitched a gem of a game and came out with the win against his former teammates. He went 7.1 innings, giving up 7 hits, 2 runs, 1 BB and 2 strike outs. Daniel Bard came in for relief, walking 1, striking out 1 and one FO to end the 8th. Paps came in and pitched a perfect 9th to get the save. It’s just so perfect– this Bard to Paps set-up and closer deal we have going on. We walked off the field winning 4-2, giving Lackey his 10th win on the season.

Today’s afternoon game, Josh Beckett came out hoping to get his 2nd win on the season. It was his second start after being activated from the DL and we really needed him to go deep in the game, mainly because Bard and Paps were unavailable. We also needed our offense to show up to give us some confidence towards the later innings. Beltre and Bill Hall both belted solo home runs early on, while Kevin Youkilis tied the game in the 7th with another solo shot. But, the hero of the game was by far Scutaro, who had his 2nd career grand slam to break the tie and put us on top 7-3. Beckett went 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits, with 1 walk and 5 strike outs. Manny Delcarmen came in for the 8th giving up a hit and a walk while striking out 2. The Angels had runners on first and second with hope for a 2-out rally, but, Bill Hall had something else in mind when he made an incredible catch to end the inning. Ramon Ramirez came in and pitched a perfect 9th to get the save and to give the ever-so-deserving starter a win. It was a very smooth game, and everyone worked together to prove that the Red Sox will keep fighting and keep winning.

This sweep couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. Victor Martinez being back in the line-up has obviously boosted our offensive confidence (which I knew it would). We outscored the Angels 17-8 this series if that proves anything at all. Mike Lowell, Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek are all doing everything in their power to get back on the roster quickly. I’m hoping J.D. Drew’s injuries aren’t serious and he’ll be back in the line-up this weekend. I’m really looking forward to this 7 game home-stand that’s coming up after our off-day tomorrow. Jon Lester will be on the mound Friday against Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga. We’ll finish off this weekends series with Dice-K starting on Saturday while Buchholz will be back on the mound for Sunday’s game.

I hope to take my broom out once again this weekend because oh–indeed.. how sweep it is!

Go Red Sox!
Jenn Doll

Blood Pressure Meds at 20?

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I feel like the Red Sox might give me a heart attack before I turn
21.

Tonight was a very smooth night for the Red Sox. John Lackey pitched great–he
had a no-hitter into the 8th inning against the Seattle Mariners and lost it
with 2-outs when Josh Bard hit a line-drive into right-center for a single. So,
it was a bummer that Lackey lost his bid for a no-no, but we went into the 9th
inning with a 5-run lead (6-1) and brought Manny Delcarmen in to close it out.
Just 3 outs… that’s all we needed and the Red Sox could walk away from a
great game with the win and all of Red Sox Nation could get some much needed,
deep sleep.

But, the Red Sox have to make things interesting. Manny…being Manny… (never
heard that one before) and Jonathan Papelbon jointly ruined our lead and the
game ended up tied after 9, which forced us into extra innings. Daniel Bard
came in for the 10th and had a nice 3 up 3 down appearance (I can’t get over
how much I love him). Hideki Okajima came in for the 11th and 12th and managed
to get out of a 1-out, bases loaded jam to end the 12th inning. Eric Patterson
turned out to be the hero of the game, with a 2-out, 2-run double in the 13th
to put the Red Sox on top 8-6. Then, Ramon Ramirez came in for the bottom of
the inning and earned the save while Oki was given the win.

It’s upsetting that Lackey was snubbed of his 10th win this season because our
pen was unable to hold the lead. Over 8 innings, Lackey threw 116 pitches, gave
up only 2 hits and 1 run, with 6 strike outs and only 1 walk. He left the game
with an enormous lead, and no question, his best outing in a Red Sox uniform,
and ended up with a no-decision. I guess, as they say, life isn’t fair and
obviously neither is baseball.

That was the short version of what happened in the game tonight. But, really,
it ended up being a little over a 4 hour game with my blood pressure raised to
a point where it might be safe for me to be put on some medicine for it (just
kidding, kind of).

JoshBeckett_2007_042.jpg

Before this game, the Red Sox just ended a 3-game series in Oakland where we
lost 2 out of 3 and lost even more ground in the AL East race. After winning
tonight, though, we are now 7 games behind the first place Yankees and 4 games
from the Rays who still hold the Wild Card spot. Josh Beckett will make his
return tomorrow night for the second game in this 4 game series against the
Mariners. I’m so glad he’s back, I just hope he’s not too rusty and can make it
at least 6+ innings. After using a lot of our bullpen tonight, we really don’t
have many options if he gets in to trouble early.

So, I don’t think I’ll need blood pressure meds just yet, but if the Red Sox
keep this up, come October, I might just have to make a visit to my doctor. I’m
not sure she would understand, though. “Ms. Doll, why are you stressed out
lately? What is the reason for the rise in your blood pressure? You are only 20
years old.” Oh, the Red Sox bullpen keeps blowing leads and my boys aren’t
hitting. I’m sure she would love that as an answer. Her solution would not be
medicine, but a referral to a therapist, I’m afraid.

Go Red Sox!
Jenn      

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