Boston Red Sox: Welcome Aboard Mr. Price

The one day delay to opening day of the 2016 season didn’t hurt the David Price debut as the ace of the Boston Red Sox pitched 6 solid innings to earn his 1st win in a Red Sox uniform…an impressive Sox 6-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Solid defense (led by a great catch in RF by Mookie Betts), power hitting (HRs by Betts & Big Papi) and 3 innings of shutout relief pitching by Junichi Tazawa, Koji Uehara and new closer Craig Kimbell ended the day with smiles on the faces of Red Sox Nation.

Drawing Board Victory

This start went exactly as planned:

• Price striking out 10 in his 6 inning stint,
• Mookie Betts continuing to impress at bat and in the field
• David “Big Papi” Ortiz cracking a HR to put the game away
• Closer Craig Kimbrell throwing smoke as he ended the game with a strike out

Add in the bottom four in the batting order (Travis Shaw, Brock Holt, Blake Swihart & Jackie Bradley Jr.) going 5-15 with 3 walks, 2 runs 1 RBI and not much went wrong. Shaw had 2 hits and was flawless in the field (OK, so he only had a few chances) while Pablo “Panda” Sandoval stayed bundled up in the dugout.

Not everything was perfect (especially the temperature) as the Sox stranded 10 men and were just 1-7 with runners in scoring position, but that’s nitpicking after just one game.

Scoring Summary 

Mookie Betts homers to start the scoring vs Cleveland

Boston scored first when Betts launched one to left field with Bradley (single) on base in the 3rd, but Cleveland came right back in the 4th with two of their own as Price had his only rocky inning of the game, throwing 34 pitches.

In the 6th the Sox put the game away with 2 more runs and knocked out former Cy Young winner Corey Kluber after just 5 1/3 innings. Boston hit him hard from the 2nd inning on, with 9 hits and 4 earned runs before he left the game.

David Ortiz wrapped up the scoring with a long 2 run blast to RF in the 9th, taking away a save opportunity from closer Craig Kimbell.

Final: Boston 6 Cleveland 2 

David Price (1-0): 6IP – 5H – 2ER – 2 BB – 10 K – 103 Pitches

Corey Kluber (0-1): 5 1/3IP – 9H – 4ER – 2BB – 5K – 96 Pitches

Notes:

• Hanley Ramirez went 2 for 4, but left himself open to criticism for not running out what should have been a double when he thought he had a HR. He did however give it his all when he went from 1st to 3rd on a single to left earlier

• Despite the solid outing by Price, Betts was the star of the game, going 2-5 with a HR, 2 RBI and the catch of the day
• Boston pitching accumulated 15 Ks, helped by a large strike zone from Home Plate Umpire John Hirschbeck
• Prior to the game the Indians surprised Manager John Farrell with a special tribute as he was introduced
• Old friend Mike Napoli had a tough game at the plate, striking out 3 times in 3 ABs

Quote: After the game Big Papi said: “When the lights go on Big Papi goes on”

Next Game:

RHP Clay Buchholz (7-7, 3.26) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (14-12, 3.63) Wednesday at 6:10 p.m.

Follow me on Twitter @SnowdonBob

 

 

THE BEST TIME OF YEAR IN SPORTS

Fall is by far the best season for sports fans!

Let’s see, you have:

• Baseball races & Playoffs
• NFL
• NHL teams start practice
• College Football
• NBA starts

RED SOX

Could anyone ask any more from this years team?  At first we thought it was a “rebuilding year.” As the year moved on we began to think “maybe….” Then it was “If they can just get thru this series.”  Next came “Who’s the ace of this staff?” And FINALLY it became “Damn, this team is for real.” Let’s just enjoy them.

After the last few years, it was easy to stop liking the Sox.  You still followed them out of loyalty…but you didn’t really like them.  Then they got rid of lot of the “big $$$” players and signed a lot of, what you thought were, “Good Clubhouse Guys” with not as much talent.

Boy, were we wrong! These guys can really play…and root for each other…and seem to enjoy playing the game.  And guess what?  They are also pretty good on the field.  No Superstars, just a bunch of good players having fun together.  What a concept.

Yeah, they have Petey and Ortiz who have had their usual good years, but players we were questioning also started having fun too.  Lester….Lackey….Ellsbury…and the beat goes on.

Players don’t have to like each other to perform, but it is sure more fun to watch them when they seem to.  Uehara, Gomez, Victorino, Peavy, Carp & the rest have made a huge difference in the “likeability” of this year’s team.  Than there’s Nava & Salty having career years. Middlebrooks not pouting when he is sent down & returning with a purpose.

Hey, “I like them again!”

You can’t say enough about what Uehara has done. Not only does he make the save, but he makes it look easy. Who was the last Sox closer you could say that about?

They may not win the World Series this year (however, they could), but I’m now enjoying them as a team…and it’s fun.  How about you?

PATRIOTS

Are you ready?  Like the Sox, this year’s team is a lot different than what we’ve come to expect..

• 14 rookies!
• 7 Undrafted Free Agents
• A whole new cast of receivers
• No Wes Welker
• No Aaron Hernandez

Despite that, they have some of the “Old Timers” still playing great.  Wilfork…oh yeah, and a guy named Brady.

Gronkowski looks like he’s close to coming back & that’s good.

Their depth on the defensive line, safety & corner back is real thin & that’s bad.

The rookies WR’s look to be gaining Brady’s trust quickly & that’s good.

The rookies are rookies, & rookies usually are inconsistent.  That’s bad.

There’s Tom Brady & that’s always good.

There’s a possible suspension coming for Alfonso Dennard & that’s bad

With all that said, this should be another interesting year for Pat’s fans.  Some real highs, but also some real question marks.  Bring it on…I’m ready!

Well, that’s it for this blog. Hope you enjoyed it.  I’ll welcome all comments, both good and bad (but I’ll like the good more!).

Bob