Red Sox 07 Game 29 Recap

Final

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0		1	7	1
Minn.	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	x		2	4	1

WP: J. Santana (4-2, 3.40); L: J. Tavarez (1-3, 6.48); SV: J. Nathan (8)
HR: None.

• Hero - Johan Santana
  
• Goat - Willy Mo Pena

Take a look at that final table. Tavarez gives up 4 hits in 6 innings of pitching and loses. That is why WMP / Cement glove is the goat of this game. Without his bad jump and error on Morneau's hit in the second, it is quite possible that the Twins are shut out for the second game in a row. Is there any doubt that Coco doesn't catch that ball? Not in my mind.

for the game, but 1 for 5 while Santana was pitching. They had their chances but continue to struggle with Santana gets the hero for pitching out of trouble in the first and second. Santana had base runners on base each inning but only allowed the one run in the fourth. Sox were 1 for 7 RISP for the game but 1 for 5 RISP with Santana pitching.

Tavarez was dealing for his six innings. Only 2 earned runs with 7 K's and 3 walks. He had no outs on fly balls, so the sinker was doing its job.

Other thoughts on the game and season:

• Pedroia looked better at the plate going 2 for 2 with the only RBI and a walk. This raises his average above the Mendoza line.
• Drew continues to be in a slump, not for sure why, maybe because his is still under the weather? He needs to start hitting though to provide some protection for Manny.
• Lugo is sucking wind in the lead off role, he needs to start producing there.
• Sox are now 2 and 3 on Saturday games, joining Mondays (1 -2) and Tuesdays (1-3) as the only days with losing records.
• The number 5 starter has faced the #1 starter for five games. Team record is 2 and 3.
  
• Sox are now 6 and 2 vs in games with left handed starters.
• 1 and 6 in games scoring fewer than 3 runs.
• 4 and 3 in one run games.
• Sox are 4 and 9 when trailing after six innings.
• Since 1941 this is the fifth time the Sox were 19 and 9. Only the 1982 and 1998 team won the next game. Last time the Sox were 19 and 10 was 2003.

Preview for game 30 later on this morning. Chow!