Fire Brand of the American League

7/3: Out of the frying pan into the fire

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Prev. Gm:

Boston Red Sox (50-37) @ New York Yankees (45-40)
Jon Lester (6-3, 3.48) @ Andy Pettitte (9-5, 3.98)

7:05 PM EDT | The Toilet (Bronx, NY)
TV: NESN RADIO: WRKO 680, SBN 1150

GAME NOTES: Here we go. This crucial mid-season intra-division road trip continues with a four-game stop in the Bronx at the House that Harry Frazee’s Lack of Business Acumen Built. After losing five in a row, the Sox find themselves 3.5 games out of first place, and four games ahead of Satan’s Minions, er, the Yankees. Tonight they begin a four game series. Four games ahead. Four game series. Don’t make me spell it out.

Tonight’s pitching matchup is Jon Lester vs. Andy Pettitte; lefty vs. lefty, young up-and-comer vs. established veteran, chemotherapy vs. HGH. If the Red Sox are serious about winning the division, now would be an excellent time for them to demonstrate their resolve. — Tessie’s Dad

38 Responses to “7/3: Out of the frying pan into the fire”

  1. Tessie's Dad says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 4:23 pm

    Thanks, Fire Brand, for the opportunity to provide today’s Game Notes. GO SOX!

  2. Steven Roth says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 6:28 pm

    Look out for The Stache

  3. Bob says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 6:44 pm

    I’m not watching the game today, might seem like sacrilege, but my mind and liver sorely need a break after that 3-gamer almost put me in AA.

  4. Colin says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    Off to a decent start our offense is it is…Pedroia continues to rack up the hits and Pettitte is already at 24.

    Here’s to hoping Lester can rock the house.

  5. Mostly Running. says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    There’s the single Dusty was looking for.

  6. Colin says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm

    Lester…concentrate.

  7. Colin says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    Lester…did you not take notes from last night?

    Stop the walking…

  8. Colin says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Lugo…honestly what is your damage?

  9. Mostly Running. says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    This strike zone is ridiculous.

  10. Mostly Running. says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:32 pm

    He was out despite Lugo’s idiocy.

  11. Mostly Running. says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:33 pm

    I hate it when people complain about umps, but if this game keeps going the way it is you’re going to be hearing a bunch of bitching from me.

  12. Colin says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:36 pm

    See at least Lester knows how to redeem himself.

    2 BBs followed with a ground out and 2 Ks. Watch and learn Lugo.

  13. Tessie's Dad says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:36 pm

    Lester! Way to come around!

  14. Fully Manny says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    A HELL OF A JOB BY LESTER!

    The umps gave the Yankees 3 extra outs in that inning and Lester still worked out of it without giving up a run.

  15. Tessie's Dad says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    Hey! Lugo could hit into a triple play here. That’s his life’s ambition!

  16. Tessie's Dad says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:48 pm

    O.K., Lugo, nice work; I’ll give credit when it’s due. Thank you.

  17. Mostly Running. says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:52 pm

    re: the pickoff move that got Ellsbury: I thought the pitcher had to go to second when that move is used? I’m too lazy to search the rules, and I admit I’m likely wrong, but I didn’t think you could throw ahead of the runner like that.

  18. Colin says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    Wow…Lester is not fucking around after those two walks.

  19. Evan Brunell says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:00 pm

    MR: As a former pitcher, I can tell you that you do NOT have to go to second as long as you step off the mound first. If you do the pickoff without stepping off, you must go.

    I’m in the chat, fyi

  20. Fully Manny says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:08 pm

    There goes the no-hitter…

  21. Tessie's Dad says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:10 pm

    Nice! Three outs on four pitches. Go Lester!

  22. Tessie's Dad says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    Another sacrifice for Lugo? We finally found SOMETHING he can DO?

  23. Evan Brunell says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    Tek lost track of the outs…

  24. Tessie's Dad says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 pm

    Well, that inning did take twice as many pitches for Lester to get the three outs; you can understand how Tek’s attention might wander, can’t you?

  25. Evan Brunell says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Tim’s at a wedding and internet access fell through. Calling FIre Branders — want to submit a guest post for tomorrow? E-mail me your column. As short or as long as you want. Will post all submissions.

  26. Mostly Running. says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 pm

    It’s insane to me there are 25 comments against the yankees, but the last thread against the rays topped 200.

  27. Evan Brunell says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    I know, MR. I don’t get it either.

    Lester really needed that DP. WOW, is he dealing!

  28. Tessie's Dad says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    I think everyone may be a little burned out after last night.

  29. Colin says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    Hell yeah Lester…that’s sticking it to the MFY. Complete game against the Yanks in a while. Well done.

  30. Colin says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:27 pm

    Perhaps TB was necessary to get the Red Sox motivated and spiteful to take their frustration out on a ceremonial whipping boy…this time New York.

  31. Zach Hayes says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 10:42 pm

    Just wanted to stop by and say:

    JON LESTER

  32. Sam says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:30 pm

    Hey Lester did start today … I thought it was Beckett’s night for some reason … well … good thing I guess … I doubt even Josh would’ve pitched like this tonight … Lester freaking rocks … IMO he’s the best thing that has happened to the Red Sox this year … Keep it up Jon

  33. Evan Brunell says:

    July 3rd, 2008 at 11:48 pm

    JON LESTER

  34. Sean O says:

    July 4th, 2008 at 12:07 am

    Man, I wish I was always wrong like this. Lester has turned into everything I never thought he could be, and then some.

    Ice water flows through his veins.

  35. gerry says:

    July 4th, 2008 at 1:01 am

    Sean. And better than I ever thought he could be. His consistency and constant improvement say he is long past being a #3, but how high can he climb? I think he is getting stronger and more savvy.

    Please stay wrong a few more days. Masterson was part of that trade talk, and he pitches, for some unfathomable reason, Saturday. So was Moss, and it appears he is being showcased as part of the Pen-Rescue about to take place. He has earned his freedom. Come to think of it, so was Bowden, about to move to Rhode Island, and Lowrie, hopefully about to move to Boston. We need them to keep performing.

  36. Sam says:

    July 4th, 2008 at 1:35 am

    Ice water indeed … thats one of the most exciting things about Lester’s emergence … we get ourselves in the postseason and Beckett/Lester is going to make a sick 1-2 punch … both have shown they can handle the pressure and shine in it … Good stuff

    As far as I’m concerned Lester preformed a miracle today … he transformed yesterday from a haunting nightmare into a painful but distant memory … Now its time for Beckett to be Beckkkkkkkkkkett

  37. gerry says:

    July 4th, 2008 at 1:50 am

    Agreed: Beckett/Lester as they keep improving will not instill confidence in opposing hitters. It will be interesting to see who will join them as the Sox “Big Three”.

    Can Colon or Daisuke fully recover in time? Will Buchholz or Masterson become lights out? Has Wake really fixed a mechanics problem to stay fantastic? Will Bowden or Zinc do a Masterson? One thing is for sure, the days of Spahn & Sain & Pray For Rain are history, like the Braves themselves.

  38. Bob says:

    July 4th, 2008 at 2:28 am

    Looks like I missed a gem. The interesting thing about Lester is that pre-cancer he did have pretty good fastball command, while he was recovering he lost that. Now that he’s healthy his fastball is back in the mid-90s and he’s been better able to throw it for strikes. His curve is a nice out pitch since it comes off the same plane as the fastball and has a big break and the cutter and changeup are developing. It’s prettty clear at this point that nothing rattles him. He’s been better than I expected and I’ve always liked the potential I saw. I just have this feeling that he’s going to be a solid pitcher for the Red Sox for years to come and in 5 years he may be the guy that panned out the most consistent from all the pitching prospects the Sox have now..

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