Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead.You Oughta Know ...
That the Red Sox haven't had a streak like this against the Yankees in a long time. Nearly 100 years, actually. The Red Sox beat the Yankees, 6-5, on Wednesday night, their eighth consecutive victory against their rivals, dating back to last year. It is Boston's longest winning streak against New York since 1912.
That was before Babe Ruth played his first big -league game.
The Red Sox have hit .295 and they have a 3.66 ERA against the Yankees this season. They've outscored the Bombers, 51-28.
"We're moving guys over, we're getting big two-out hits, and when you do those little things like that and you're playing good baseball you're going to win ballgames -- regardless of it's the Yankees or anybody else," Jonathan Papelbon said. "We just happen to be playing good baseball against them right now and we've got to keep this momentum."
From The Trainers' Room ...
White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin, out with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, said he wants to be back by the All-Star break, but manager Ozzie Guillen said he'll consider anything before the mid-July break to be a blessing. Guillen even hinted that if the White Sox are out of the race, it might not make sense for Quentin to come back at all.
"If we're out of the pennant race, I don't understand why he has to come back and play. I don't see why. Maybe he wants to. But if we're in the pennant race, I'm more than glad to have him on the field. But we'll see what happens.''Numbers Game ...
The Giants improved to 31-27, moving four games over .500 for the second time this year. They have been four games over several times over the past four seasons, but they haven't been five over since 2004. They'll try for that mark Thursday with Jonathan Sanchez on the mound against Arizona.
In Their Own Words ...
"It's almost PlayStation stuff, watching him throw the ball exactly where he wants to -- with movement, velocity, the works. Ninety-nine percent of us only wish we had his stuff. To sit there and watch him paint a 97 mph fastball on the outside corner at the knees and then throw a perfect 82 mph curve, that's just impressive," -- White Sox lefty John Danks, on Tigers righty Justin Verlander. Verlander gave up six hits in a complete-game victory over the White Sox. He improved to 7-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.02.
Advance Scouting...
Astros righty Russ Ortiz isn't quite a Comeback Player of the Year candidate, but he's quietly been pitching well. Ortiz, who starts on Thursday against the Cubs (2:05 PM ET), has not allowed a run in his last 12 1/3 innings. He hasn't allowed more than three runs in any start. Ortiz has a 3.96 ERA and three wins, one more than he had in the past three seasons combined.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-11-2009 @ 7:13AM
waterdog said...
51-28 Wow!
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6-11-2009 @ 10:05AM
keithstbird said...
The Yanks are not getting owned by this team. The Yanks have to figure out who there starting pitching will be as far as I am concerned get rid of wang petitte and that awfull bullpen and start making some moves. Boston sux and worst of all there power guy cannot hit like I have said he will be on that list of players that took steroids just like Ramirez and Arod and then what will boston do there beloved player will go to shit ohhh wait that already happened
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6-11-2009 @ 11:56AM
atar said...
bitter bitter bitter. rotflmao. Hay loser - pitching pitching pitching. And as a yankee fan , you should stay away from the steroid story especially with your million dollar baby A-Roid with his fanny filled with juice ( and then there's Pettit, Giambi, Clemens) and i wouldn't be surprised to learn
A-Holes connection is supplying the other players who were slumping before the juicer returned
(as Texiera).Even with "help" Alex Rodriguez is batting in the 230 range. Check mate -
6-12-2009 @ 2:22AM
waterdog said...
ho ho ho 8 and 0
6-12-2009 @ 2:56PM
Geezer said...
Unfortunately for the Yankees, it's the middle of June and everybody else has figured out who their starting pitching is. Not to mention, it's a bit hard to win when your defense chokes away games for you. If they weren't exposed before, they are now, and all the cupcake schedules in the world won't help them. The Yankees suck.
6-11-2009 @ 12:10PM
tonytiger18 said...
I have been involved in sports a long time in various capacities.
When I coached, I told my players never get excited when you appear to be on the mounatin top, and never let it get to you when your in a valley. You aren't that great when on top nor that bad when your not.
Things have a way of leveling out.
Give credit to the RED SOX, they did all the little things, the Yanks didn't--poor pitching, not cathing a sure flyout to right which led to a "double" and a gift run, getting doubled off first with a liner to short(never should have happened),a ground ball with first and second that found a hole and led to a run, These things do level out.
Before we label any team a world series champion in June, let us play the whole season.
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6-11-2009 @ 1:22PM
papam11 said...
We keep hearing that Lowrie's return will solve the Sox problems at SS. Lowrie IS NOT the answer. He can't hit, he's not slick in the field and is no more than a marginal utility player.
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6-11-2009 @ 1:40PM
waterdog said...
Agreed. Keep Green there, or try for Orlando Cabrera or the likes.
6-11-2009 @ 1:55PM
Rei said...
It is certainly that the BoSox are a great team and the most offensive one in baseball today. As a Yankee fan I agree on those that feel that we are so benevolent with Wang and the bullpen. This is a level that you have to show how good are prepared you are. Girardi is babysitting the players, worst than Torre. He needs to make sincere and honest decisions if he is thinking about playoffs or World Series 2009. Wang it is not an option on this rotation. Once again, if the Yankees want to make the playoffs, make serious changes now or forget about it, and that is going to be so shamefull and Girard should be fired with all the staff. That is my opinion.
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6-11-2009 @ 11:06PM
Goldie said...
RED SOX 8, YANKEES 0 !!!!! YAAAAAAAHHHH BABY!!!!!!!
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6-12-2009 @ 10:23AM
GJ said...
Can someone explain why Mariano Rivera, the best closer in the universe, doesn't come into the game in the 8th inning to shut the bosox rally? Simply put, if the Yanks win both teams are tied for 1st place. If the Yanks lose, which they did, they come home 2 games out of first place, in the division race.
Girardi has to bring in his ACE reliever, Mariano Rivera in that spot. If he has to bring him in the 8th inning to slam the door on the RED SOX rally then that is what has to be done, in a divisional game, and deal with who will pitch in the 9th inning when the 9th gets there. Or just let Mo pitch 2 innings tonight, if necessary, and worry about tomorrows relief pitching tomorrow.
HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE decision making by Girardi tonight in the 4-3 Bosox win tonight June 11, 2009!
Final Score: Boston 4 Giradi 3
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6-12-2009 @ 4:14PM
atar said...
Mo has lost 2 big ones in less than a week. Sadly for the Yankees it will take at least 3 good bull pen pitchers and one more good closer. Hank would write the check if only there was talent to buy. Also starting pitching is a little weak as well. AJ and Wang in particular.
6-12-2009 @ 2:45AM
bdyftns said...
Playing the Yankees is getting boring. Same old outcome, Red Sox win again. I wish the Yanks would spend some money to shore up that team of theirs....oh, wait a sec......
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6-12-2009 @ 7:01AM
Mark said...
Leaving CC in after 122 pitches when was obviously tiring reminded me of Brady Little in the 2003 playoffs. Girardi is not a good manager and is killing the Yankees with poor decisions. The Yankees will still win lots of games and may make the playoffs but if they get into a close game situation where they need the manager they are in trouble. Girardi needs to go. By the way I'm a Sox fan. It's sad they felt the need to run Torre out. I expect thing would be different
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6-14-2009 @ 10:06AM
papam11 said...
How much longer are the Sox going to go before they get it through their thick skulls that Varitek is the absolute LAST player you want at the plate with 2-3 on, 1-2 outs and the game on the line. This guy couldn't hit water if he fell out of the boat. Everyone gets a "boner" about how important he is to the pitching staff or that he's the reason they're pitching so well, yet we never hear that he's the problem when the starters ERA's were "up there" til now. Can't have it both ways Tek fans. He sticks and gets too much credit for an good pitching staff. I'll bet there wouldn't be much of a dropoff if there were a bucket in back of home plate.
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6-14-2009 @ 2:46PM
msharkey2001 said...
Looks like things are gonna get even worse for the Yankees. After the Sox finish sweeping Philly today they only play teams with sub .500 records until after the all-star break (July 17), and two thirds of those games are at Fenway. I can easily imagine the Sox with a 7 or 8 game lead in the AL East by mid July.
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