Sox cruise past O’s and Gary Thorne causes a stir

The Sox scored three runs in the seventh and two runs in the ninth to win the first of a two game series at Camden Yards against the Orioles. Curt Schiling went 7 innings giving up 5 hits, one run (earned) and striking out three. Hideki Okijima looked great in middle relief striking out two. As of yesterday the Sox pen has the lowest era in the majors. That is quiet a statement as the pen was the biggest cause for concern going into the season. Okajima has certainly been a star so far this year for the Sox. Both Manny and Mike Lowell had two RBI’s and Kevin Youkilis went three for four and an RBI. Here is the boxscore.

The real story of the game though was not on the field but in the announcers booth. In the fifth inning while the Orioles were batting Gary Thorne a nationally known broadcaster said:

“The great story we were talking about the other night was that famous red stocking that he wore when they finally won, the blood on his stocking,” Thorne said to his on air partner Jim Palmer, the Hall of Fame pitcher, in a conversation that had begun with a discussion of Schilling’s blog of all things.

“Nah,” Thorne said. “It was painted. Doug Mirabelli confessed up to it after. It was all for PR. Two-ball, two-strike count.”

Palmer: “Yeah, that was the 2004 World Series [sic].” Thorne: “Yeah.”

During a break two innings later, Thorne confirmed that’s what he said, and that Mirabelli had told him so in a conversation “a couple of years ago.”

“Go ask him [Mirabelli],” Thorne said.

Mirabelli was shocked, then angry, when relayed Thorne’s comments.

“What? Are you kidding me? He’s [expletive] lying. A straight lie,” Mirabelli said. “I never said that. I know it was blood. Everybody knows it was blood.”

The sock has been scrutinezed previously before making its way to Cooperstown and into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The performance Schilling had that night was one of the greatest in MLB history. Thorne has thrown into question the validity of the injury and in some respects the performance itself. Where and when did Thorne get this statement from Mirabelli? And why did it just come out now? The Sox have indicated they will seek a retraction from Thorne. Unless Thorne can come up with concrete evidence that the substance on the sock is not blood an apology is in order as well.

Sox roll with 3 home runs, face Halladay in series finale

Tomo Ohka gave up only four hits for the Toronto Blue Jays but three of them were home runs to Papi, Mike Lowell and Doug Mirabelli. Mirabelli accounted for two of the four Sox runs for the night. Tim Wakefield pitched 7 innings, giving up four hits, three walks and striking out four. This was a nice rebound offensively for the Sox who managed just one run the night before. Check the entire box score.

In the series finale Julian Tavarez (0-1 9.00 ERA), having not been on the mound for eleven days faces Roy Halladay (2-0 2.35 ERA), one of the best pitchers in the game at 12:37 EST.  Tavarez was effective at then end of last year for the Sox posting a 3-0 record and a 4.01 ERA,  Historically he has been more effective as a reliever with a 3.99 ERA vs a 5.07 ERA as a starter.

Sox Notes:

Remember this name, Devern Hansack.  If Tavarez falters in the fifth spot look for the Sox to call him up from Triple AAA Pawtucket, and with good reason.  He is 2-0 and sports a 0.84 ERA and has 20 k’s, leading the International League as of yesterday, going into todays start against the Rochester Red Wings.  Hansack has four solid pitches in his repertoire, a 90 mph plus fastball, curve, change and a nasty slider.  Hansack is from Nicaragua and spent the last two years as a lobsterman and pitched for the Nicaraguan national team.  He was dropped by the Astros in 2003.

Hideki Okajima is shining in the bullpen for the Sox. Since a giving up a home run to Joe Buck, the first MLB hitter he faced. Okajima has not been scored upon in his last five appearances. He is sporting a tidy 1.35 ERA and struck out the side in Wednesday game in Toronto.

Overall the Sox pitching has been outstanding. As of Wednesday Sox pitchers had allowed three runs or fewer in seven consecutive games. This is the first time a Boston pitching staff had done that over seven games since May 11-19, 1994. The Sox also entered the night second in the American League with a 2.68 ERA.

Updating yesterdays news Jon Lester is going to pitch one more time in Class A Greenville, throw a session at Fenway then meet with the Sox braintrust and will more than likely pitch his next game at Triple A Pawtucket next week. This gets Lester closer to the Sox sooner than anyone expected.

Boston takes first game in series 10 -1

With a six run 8th inning Boston ran away with the first game in the series with the Angels winning 10-1. Doug Mirabelli, David Ortiz, Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew each had a multi RBI game. Manny struggled at the plate with no hits and three walks. Tim Wakefield went seven innings allowing only five hits and striking out three. Papelbon had an impressive strike out of Vladimir Guerrero striking him out with a 97 mph heater. Check the entire box score.

Nice to see the bats come alive to start the series. 10 runs and 14 hits is impressive considering our recent woes at the plate. Julio Lugo had three hits while CoCo went hitless again, wonder how long Tito is going to stick with him.