Sox 4/5/2006 - Texas

Espn Box Score

A good way to end the series. Beckett struggled right off the bat giving up 3 hits and a first inning run. The first 4 innings were a struggle for the big Texan but he was able to hold them to the one run. Pitch count was 61 after 3, 81 after 4, 97 after 6 and 109 after 7. If the starting pitching can go 7 innings giving up less than 4 runs this team will be winning a lot of series. Just go 2-1 each series and 108 wins is there for the taking.

Good things that happened: 1) Beckett 7 innings 1 run 2) Nixon hitting a 2 run homer on the only mistake that Loe made all night 3) Pitching had 1, 2, 3 inning three times. 4) No errors!! 5) Rangers running themselves out of a big inning.

Bad things that happened - Papi hitting into two double plays and striking out. Timlin stinking up the place by going single, fly ball out, 4 pitch walk, single (runner thrown out at the plate 7 - 5 - 3) and 4 - 3 ground out in the eighth.

Grades -
Offense C (only 2 runs and failed to get runner home from 3rd with only 1 out).
S. P. A- (high pitch count through 4 brings that down).
R.P. C (Timlin stunk up the place, Papelbon was mighty).

Things noted during the game:
Crisp can flat out motor and I liked the way he picked up the 3rd base coach on his triple.
Remdog saying how Francona would spin the Papelbon relief appearance (he was wrong).
Manny showing his defensive prowess again by getting an assist (snicker).
The combativeness shown by Beckett and Papelbon.
7th inning Beckett still hitting 96 on the gun.

LOL watch - 1 for 2. (taken from Simmons of espn page 2 "E-mail from Matt in Salem, N.H.: "I want early credit for Mike Lowell's new nickname, 'Last Out Lowell,' or for short, LOL." You got it.")


that's all for tonight folks - last look at the Yankees - A's game shows it 4-4 top of 7th with Damon (Judas) batting.