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PREGAME: It’s double header time! The first game is slated for a 12:35 start and will feature Mike Maroth taking on Julian Tavarez.
Tavarez is really the only weak link in the Red Sox rotation. He posts a 6.60 ERA and has struggled pretty much every time out. He’s also had more trouble with right handed hitters who have posted a 976 OPS against him (lefties are at 630).
Mike Maroth is coming off his best start, a 6 2/3 inning, 1 run effort against the Twins. The key for Maroth will be keeping the ball in the park. He’s allowed 7 homers already this year.
Forget all the Maroth stuff, Miner is starting today because Mike is sick. So this will be 3 starts this week by pitchers not in the rotation. Sheesh.
Game Time 12:35
POSTGAME: Mud Hen pitchers unite!
Really, any time you call up a guy from AAA to make a spot start and he gives you 5+ and only 1 earned run you have to be satisfied. Given that it was a few hours notice, and against the best offense in the league I think you should be overwhelmed.
If it was possible Miner was upstaged by fellow Mud Hen come Tiger, Tim Byrdak. Byrdak came in with 2 men on and one out and got out of the jam. In total he retired all 6 batters he faced, fanning 5 of them.
Unfortunately the Tigers bats couldn’t get going, despite putting out their A lineup against a pitcher with an ERA over 6. It was the first time the Tigers didn’t pick up an extra base hit since April 15th when coincidentally they lost 2-1 to Josh Towers and the Blue Jays.
Losing a close game is always tough, because by definition it was winnable. But I’m not to bummed, not sure why. Maybe if I’d seen it (I was at work listening) it would have bugged me more. Instead I just get to appreciate the unpredictability of baseball where a pitching match-up that looked to induce a slugfest instead turned into an unexpected pitcher’s duel.
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, this should be interesting. Zach did pretty good earlier in last year’s season but just got shellacked (sp) in a couple of games. I remember thinking at the time I never wanted to see him again (gave up 6 or 7 ER in one inning as I recall) and he pretty much didn’t pitch much after that. Let’s hope Kenny can get him to stay calm and focus.
I’d be more comfortable, if they swapped Durbin and Miner. Probably makes it look like you’re conceding the game tonight vs. Schilling. But I’d rather have the guy who’s been up in the big leagues for a month and a half going against their weak link.
As a tar heel myself, I look forward to Andrew’s return as the DFP is reporting will be next Friday. As for today, I’m hoping, realistically, for a split in the two games, and thus the series. Getting out of Fenway no worse than we came in with their lineup and our staff would be a blessing indeed!
This has certainly been a busy week for Dave Dombrowski with all of the shuffling he has had to do with the pitchers. Seems like everyday lately I check the injury report before the box score of the previous game.
Yikes. Zach Miner and Chad Durbin going today/tonight?
Uh-oh. A split would be a raging success. Hopefully Miner’s a tad better then Tavarez.
All this hate of Miner? 7-6 with a 4.84 ERA seems like a decent fourth or fifth starterto me. I feel that there is a good chance that they both give the team a shot at victory (with 6 or 7 runs of support).
It’s less hate on Miner and more dreading sending to 5th starters at the Boston Red Sox offense, in Boston, and having one of said starters oppose Curt Schilling in the night cap of the double header.
I think these boys are still asleep.
A Junk balling lefthanded pitcher at Fenway, I would be sick too
-Sam
This guy is not throwing anything special. Were going to tag him sooner or later.
Leadoff errors and walks always bight you.
C’mon Tigers, get those bats heated up.
Miner has been ahead of most batters.
Jerry Remy and his sidekick are horrible announcers.
Miner is doing a solid job.
Tavarez is really keeping the ball down. Joe Morgan would appreciate that.
Nice! The Byrd is the wyrd!
Well, this is going about as well as you could hope… if you’re a Boston fan.
Joe Morgan? You must mean he’s keeping the Jeter down. He’s Jetering pretty well today. A tough game for the Jeter’s bats. Etc.
It’s not that bad - we’re totally in this game and we have the heart of the order due up. Miner threw well, and the ‘pen has shut them down so far. I find it hard to complain, given the situation with injuries, being on the road, facing Boston, etc.
Definitely agreed that this game is going fairly well, given. Looks like we got the Schilling swings out a couple hours early.
I’ll take a one run loss at this point.
I guess I just mean that Boston’s bullpen will be pretty fresh for the second game. It would have been nice to get to Tavarez early and limit Francona’s options for the nightcap.
The error, the missed chances. I thought Miner stepped up as well as could be expected on what, 14 minutes notice? This one is killing me.
All true, Nate. All true.
It’s really not that bad. Remember that one game where we didn’t score any runs till the tweflth?
Our pitching has been great, so far. But that error sure hurt us. If we can get Boston out for one more inning, then we have to face Mr. P.
So may bad ABs this game.
Oh, Lord, here comes Mesa.
You sure can’t say we didn’t have our chances in this game. All those guys left on base.
Gum Time.
Heartbreak Hotel.
Amen, Kathy. This one was just sad.
Looks like the early April offense came back with the cooler weather in Boston. Ugh!! Baseball is a funny game though. Maybe we will rough up Schilling tonight.
Interesting game. Zero extra base hits, just ten hits between the two teams, every player on the Red Sox minus Cora and Lowell struck out, and a total of fourteen strikeouts.
The difference in the game? The Carlos Guillen errror.
I hope we rought him up. But, this game was one of those woulda, shoulda, coulda.
Someone tell me the last time there was a game without an extra base hit.
A couple hours ago.
Before that.