Sox v. Rays – 4.7.09

Opening day finally arrives!

Beckett faced off against James Shields and, but for the third inning, Beckett was dominant.  In 7 IP he allowed only one run, struck out ten, scattered two hits, and walked three.  His fastball was consistently 93-95. For example, his last batter faced, Gabe Gross, faced this cheese:

Not bad for pitches 91, 92 and 93.

I saw something on MLB Tonight that said Beckett was only the 4th opening day pitcher to allow 2 hits or less and strike out more then 10. Impressive.

On the Rays side, Shields looked pretty good but not as sharp as Rays fans have come to expect. One thing that has bugged me about Shields is his nickname – Big Game James. I mean, come on. He got this name before he’d even pitched one playoff game. That just isn’t right.

. . . . . . .

Other things I noticed from yesterday’s games:

• As I suggested in a previous post, Trevor Cahill needs some time in AAA. His line was 5 IP, 5 Hits, 3 Runs, 2 ERs, 5 BB (!), 1 SO. He was all over the place and could not seem to get into any kind of groove. Maybe it was just 21 year old jitters and a big league debut, but if he keeps this up against more patient clubs he will get shellacked.
• Joe Sheehan from Baseball Prospectus nailed my thoughts on the Royals game yesterday – poor Gil Meche.

Two on, two out, one-run lead, eighth inning.

Jim Thome batting.

You have Joakim Soria.

You use Kyle Farnsworth.

Gone.

I know it happens all the time, but it’s really freaking stupid every single time. This is what the creation of the closer position has wrought: teams losing games, frequently, without using their best reliever, for no reason other than the misguided notion that getting three outs is their role, and getting four isn’t.

(For that matter, you also have Ron Mahay. Why did you acquire him if not to have him face Jim Thome in the eighth inning of a one-run game? Ron Gardenhire lost the division last year for want of a similar clue and Jose Mijares.)

Some people deserve to lose.

• Will Brandon Morrow’s move from starter to reliever be short lived? Morrow got two quick outs to start the ninth and looked okay doing it – Delmon Young did line a shot to center for a loud out. Then … Morrow suddenly lost his control, issuing three straight walks which started the Twins comeback victory. Nasty ending for the Mariners.
• Matt Clement retired.  As a Sox fan, we saw a so-so 2005 from Clement. He had a decent run from 2002-2005, going 48-42, but overall he was a pretty average to mediocre pitcher. He didn’t seem, however, to be a bad guy. I recall the day back in 2005 when he was hit by a liner in the head. A scary sight.  Here is to wishing Clement a comfy retirement. And, it is interesting to note that he was once traded for Dontrelle Willis. What does that say?

Today’s Sox game – Lester v. Kazmir, the battle of the lefties.