Showing posts with label Tim Wakefield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tim Wakefield. Show all posts
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tim Wakefield coming back?
The Boston Herald reports that the Red Sox will exercise their $4 million option on Tim Wakefield for 2009.Under the terms of the contract Wakefield signed in 2005, the Red Sox essentially have a perpetual $4 million option that can be picked up within five days of the World Series each year. This season will be his 15th in Boston.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Sox beat Yankees 7-3; ARod being ARod
August 26. NEW YORK - When Alex Rodriguez strode to the plate in the seventh inning, the bases full and a rookie on the mound, the four-run Yankee deficit must have been echoing in his ears. With one good stroke, Rodriguez could lift his team, lift its playoff hopes, lift the 55,058 (always) ready to boo their third baseman.
Tim Wakefield won in his return from the disabled list and the Boston Red Sox moved a step closer to squashing New York's playoff hopes, beating Andy Pettitte and the Yankees 7-3 Tuesday night. Rodriguez flopped in crucial spots all night. He grounded into two double plays -- one with the bases loaded -- and whiffed for the final out
Playing his first game in the rivalry, Bay had an RBI single in the third and a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
Even without Manny Ramirez batting behind him, Ortiz tormented the Yankees as usual with two doubles and two walks. "I like playing here," he said. "I was taking my walks and doing my thing." Coco Crisp got three hits and dashed home from second on Jeff Bailey's two-out infield single off the third-base bag in the fifth. First baseman Jason Giambi held onto Rodriguez's throw as Crisp scored. Bailey was credited with two RBIs, chasing Pettitte and capping a three-run rally -- all with two outs.
Two sinkers from Justin Masterson, and Rodriguez had grounded to Alex Cora for the double play that ended the inning. A-Rod had it in his grasp, had the chance, and couldn't do it. All chances of a sweep over the Red Sox vanished in one ground ball, and the Yankees fell, 7-3, last night in the Bronx. "It was obviously maybe the biggest pitch in the game," manager Terry Francona said. "We got ourselves in a position where one pitch can turn the game around, and Masterson comes in and makes one pitch and gets out of the inning. That was huge."
Coming in after Manny Delcarmen loaded the bases, Masterson knew his best pitch would be needed to get Rodriguez out. So there it was - sinker, sinker, ground out. That is, after all, exactly what that pitch is designed to do. "That's what the game's about," Masterson said. "In my respects, he's a good righthanded hitter, and when I'm called upon, I'm supposed to get the job done. I won that time.
Tim Wakefield won in his return from the disabled list and the Boston Red Sox moved a step closer to squashing New York's playoff hopes, beating Andy Pettitte and the Yankees 7-3 Tuesday night. Rodriguez flopped in crucial spots all night. He grounded into two double plays -- one with the bases loaded -- and whiffed for the final out
Playing his first game in the rivalry, Bay had an RBI single in the third and a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
Even without Manny Ramirez batting behind him, Ortiz tormented the Yankees as usual with two doubles and two walks. "I like playing here," he said. "I was taking my walks and doing my thing." Coco Crisp got three hits and dashed home from second on Jeff Bailey's two-out infield single off the third-base bag in the fifth. First baseman Jason Giambi held onto Rodriguez's throw as Crisp scored. Bailey was credited with two RBIs, chasing Pettitte and capping a three-run rally -- all with two outs.
Two sinkers from Justin Masterson, and Rodriguez had grounded to Alex Cora for the double play that ended the inning. A-Rod had it in his grasp, had the chance, and couldn't do it. All chances of a sweep over the Red Sox vanished in one ground ball, and the Yankees fell, 7-3, last night in the Bronx. "It was obviously maybe the biggest pitch in the game," manager Terry Francona said. "We got ourselves in a position where one pitch can turn the game around, and Masterson comes in and makes one pitch and gets out of the inning. That was huge."
Coming in after Manny Delcarmen loaded the bases, Masterson knew his best pitch would be needed to get Rodriguez out. So there it was - sinker, sinker, ground out. That is, after all, exactly what that pitch is designed to do. "That's what the game's about," Masterson said. "In my respects, he's a good righthanded hitter, and when I'm called upon, I'm supposed to get the job done. I won that time.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Wakefield put on Disabled List
CHICAGO - The Red Sox lost Tim Wakefield, one of their top starters, for at least two weeks and possibly into September because of tightness and stiffness in the back of his right shoulder.
That is the same area that forced Wakefield to be left off last year’s Division Series and World Series roster, but this time the club believes after a cortisone shot and rest period, he should be ready to resume his so far successful 2008 season.
Wakefield was supposed to start tomorrow’s homestand opener against the Texas Rangers, but instead will go on the disabled list. A replacement has yet to be named, but Michael Bowden, today’s scheduled starter for Triple-A Pawtucket, is a top candidate with Devern Hansack a possibility as well.
NOTE: I believe that the Red Sox are recalling Charle Zink from Pawtucket. His record is 13-4 with a 2.89 ERA. It would be nice to see Bowden, a top prospect, come up. David Pauley's record is similar to Zink's.
Zink to take injured Wakefield's spot
The Red Sox have placed RHP Tim Wakefield on the disabled list (right shoulder) and will promote knuckleballing RHP Charlie Zink from Pawtucket to start Tuesday against Texas. Zink, 28, is 13-4 with a 2.89 ERA for the PawSox in 2008. In 25 starts, Zink has allowed 49 earned runs on 129 hits (.228 BAA) over 152.1 innings pitched, striking out 94 and walking 43. He was selected as an International League All Star in last month's AAA All Star Game. As a 28-year-old, Zink is ineligible for the SoxProspects prospect rankings, but he is ranked #5 on the Post-Prospects list. Tuesday will be Zink's major league debut.
More stats on the PAWSOX:
http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/teams/players/?tm_id=3146
That is the same area that forced Wakefield to be left off last year’s Division Series and World Series roster, but this time the club believes after a cortisone shot and rest period, he should be ready to resume his so far successful 2008 season.
Wakefield was supposed to start tomorrow’s homestand opener against the Texas Rangers, but instead will go on the disabled list. A replacement has yet to be named, but Michael Bowden, today’s scheduled starter for Triple-A Pawtucket, is a top candidate with Devern Hansack a possibility as well.
NOTE: I believe that the Red Sox are recalling Charle Zink from Pawtucket. His record is 13-4 with a 2.89 ERA. It would be nice to see Bowden, a top prospect, come up. David Pauley's record is similar to Zink's.
Zink to take injured Wakefield's spot
The Red Sox have placed RHP Tim Wakefield on the disabled list (right shoulder) and will promote knuckleballing RHP Charlie Zink from Pawtucket to start Tuesday against Texas. Zink, 28, is 13-4 with a 2.89 ERA for the PawSox in 2008. In 25 starts, Zink has allowed 49 earned runs on 129 hits (.228 BAA) over 152.1 innings pitched, striking out 94 and walking 43. He was selected as an International League All Star in last month's AAA All Star Game. As a 28-year-old, Zink is ineligible for the SoxProspects prospect rankings, but he is ranked #5 on the Post-Prospects list. Tuesday will be Zink's major league debut.
More stats on the PAWSOX:
http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/teams/players/?tm_id=3146
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Royals Knuckle under to Sox 8-2
AUGUST 6, 2008. Kansas City, MO. Wakefield's floating, tantalizing signature pitch shut down the Royals on four hits through six crisp innings. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a three-run homer and also turned in a great outfield catch to spur an 8-2 victory that made the Red Sox 6-1 in their seven-game season series against Kansas City.
"It's happened before," said the 42-year-old right-hander (7-8), who had six strikeouts and no walks. "When I faced the Braves in '92, Bruce Dal Canton threw knuckleballs to the guys in batting practice." Jed Lowrie and J.D. Drew drove in two runs apiece for the Red Sox, whose only negative note on the night was the bruised and swollen right hand of first baseman Kevin Youkilis Luke Hochevar (6-10) hit Youkilis with a pitch in the first inning, loading the bases. After trainers inspected the hand, Youkilis stayed in to run, but left the game when he was doubled off first to end the inning.
"It hurts like hell still," he said. "It's swollen and bruised up."
Youkilis said he hoped to play in Chicago on Friday after an off day on Thursday.
"If I feel good, I'll play," he said. "Bottom line." Wakefield threw knuckleballs almost exclusively, tossing practically each delivery toward the plate in the 63 mph range while winning for the first time in four starts.
Ellsbury, who appears to be breaking out of a prolonged slump, was 3-for-4 with two runs and the three-run homer off left-handed Ron Mahay. He also made a diving, tumbling head-over-heels catch of Mitch Maier's popup into shallow center after Ross Gload's two-run double shaved the lead to 3-2 in the fifth.
"Unbelievable," said Wakefield. "That was a key catch to get the two outs with a runner on second. The homer wasn't bad either." If Ellsbury lets the ball fall, the Royals have two in, runners at first and third and only one out. "I got a great read on the ball," he said. "I was running in. I wasn't sure I could get to it. I dove for the ball. I'll take a great catch any day. But a three-run homer to center, I'll take that, too. The home run was pretty neat."
"It's happened before," said the 42-year-old right-hander (7-8), who had six strikeouts and no walks. "When I faced the Braves in '92, Bruce Dal Canton threw knuckleballs to the guys in batting practice." Jed Lowrie and J.D. Drew drove in two runs apiece for the Red Sox, whose only negative note on the night was the bruised and swollen right hand of first baseman Kevin Youkilis Luke Hochevar (6-10) hit Youkilis with a pitch in the first inning, loading the bases. After trainers inspected the hand, Youkilis stayed in to run, but left the game when he was doubled off first to end the inning.
"It hurts like hell still," he said. "It's swollen and bruised up."
Youkilis said he hoped to play in Chicago on Friday after an off day on Thursday.
"If I feel good, I'll play," he said. "Bottom line." Wakefield threw knuckleballs almost exclusively, tossing practically each delivery toward the plate in the 63 mph range while winning for the first time in four starts.
Ellsbury, who appears to be breaking out of a prolonged slump, was 3-for-4 with two runs and the three-run homer off left-handed Ron Mahay. He also made a diving, tumbling head-over-heels catch of Mitch Maier's popup into shallow center after Ross Gload's two-run double shaved the lead to 3-2 in the fifth.
"Unbelievable," said Wakefield. "That was a key catch to get the two outs with a runner on second. The homer wasn't bad either." If Ellsbury lets the ball fall, the Royals have two in, runners at first and third and only one out. "I got a great read on the ball," he said. "I was running in. I wasn't sure I could get to it. I dove for the ball. I'll take a great catch any day. But a three-run homer to center, I'll take that, too. The home run was pretty neat."
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Wake's puts O's to sleep; Sox win 12-1
July 12. BOSTON, MA -- Tim Wakefield (6-6 3.60) put together another dandy, allowing just two hits while walking one in 7 innings of work. He retired the final 13 men to face him before giving way to the bullpen in the eighth inning. Kevin Youkilis' first career grand slam helped him tally his first six-RBI game, and J.D. Drew and Manny Ramirez homered on consecutive pitches in the first inning to stake Wakefield (6-6) to an early lead.
"I think that's actually the best I've seen him pitch," said Francona, who had to leave Wakefield off the World Series roster last fall because of lingering back and shoulder problems. "He worked hard to stay where he is. When last year ended, and he wasn't able to pitch, it was very important to him to come back and take the ball when it's his turn." Youkilis, who had four RBIs in Boston's 18-5 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday, homered in the third when the Red Sox scored seven times to chase Radhames Liz (3-2). Youkilis also added a sacrifice fly in the fourth and a run-scoring infield single in the eighth.
Wakefield went at least seven innings in seven straight games before lasting 6 1/3 last Sunday. But he had just two wins to show for the streak, with three losses in which the Red Sox scored a total of five runs and two no-decisions when the bullpen blew the lead. The Red Sox scored 12 runs for the fourth time this season and improved to 35-11 at home (best in MLB).
"I think that's actually the best I've seen him pitch," said Francona, who had to leave Wakefield off the World Series roster last fall because of lingering back and shoulder problems. "He worked hard to stay where he is. When last year ended, and he wasn't able to pitch, it was very important to him to come back and take the ball when it's his turn." Youkilis, who had four RBIs in Boston's 18-5 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday, homered in the third when the Red Sox scored seven times to chase Radhames Liz (3-2). Youkilis also added a sacrifice fly in the fourth and a run-scoring infield single in the eighth.
Wakefield went at least seven innings in seven straight games before lasting 6 1/3 last Sunday. But he had just two wins to show for the streak, with three losses in which the Red Sox scored a total of five runs and two no-decisions when the bullpen blew the lead. The Red Sox scored 12 runs for the fourth time this season and improved to 35-11 at home (best in MLB).
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