Friday, April 08, 2011

...AND THE BEAT GOES ON

***YANKS WIN, RED SOX LOSE***

Let's enjoy it while we can. When teams like the Sox finally break out of their funk, the explosion will be heard for a long way. As often happens in slumps, calls go against you, weird plays happen to you and reporters circle like buzzards. Why do they ask the players questions they already know the answer to: "How do you feel about the losing streak? Do you think you'll come out of it? How do you start winning again?" What do they think the players will say? " We don't care because we're getting paid millions. We probably won't win a game all season. We could win if we could just score more runs than the other team."

Yesterday, I saw three calls against the Sox that could have (and maybe, should have) gone their way. Two days ago, the veteran catcher, Jason Varitek, allows a run to score because he doesn't tag the runner. Granted, he didn't see the 3rd baseman tag third on a grounder before throwing home, eliminating the force, but the real problem is that afterwards, Varitek said he, "...wasn't sure of the rule." He wasn't sure of the rule? That's scary.

Burnett looked pretty good, keeping his composure throughout the game. He walked the first two guys in one inning, but got out of it without a run. Last year, he would have been happy to get out with just a couple of runs scoring. A-Rod looks like he has cooled off a bit. so has Teixeira, but he is still having good at bats.

Too bad about Nishioka's broken leg. Nishioka and the rest of the Twins feel that nothing dirty occured on the play and they feel no ill will towards Swisher. Nick visited the Yankee X-ray room and offered apologies to the little 2nd baseman, who appreciated the gesture but said Swisher had nothing to apologize for. We'll see what happens when the Yanks go to Minnesota.


New York/Boston series starting today. This is no time for the Red Sox to wake up. The key to game for the Yanks: watch the velocity on Hughes fastball. If he can get up to 92-94, the Yanks should be okay. If not, we'll be solving a lot of Boston's problems.


***OTHER NEWS***

Asserting his veteran leadership, Johnny Damon called a players-only meeting to get Tampa Bay on a winning track. What would be more helpful, Johnny, is if you and Manny had more than two hits between you.

I just read where the Red Sox and Adrian Gonzales are close to finalizing a contract extension. Are they still at this? I thought that got handled in Spring Training. Better make the deal fast, Theo, Gonzales is the only one hitting.

The Sox also brought up Alfredo Aceves from Pawtucket for the series against the Yanks. I guess the theory is , If you can't beat 'em, let them play each other.

I thought Vod was talking about the hat Francona wears when it's cold out. I saw him wearing it last year. It caught my eye because, as I said, my dad used to wear one. The 'Tea Cozy' thing I'll look for today.


CP-


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