posted on Friday, June 27, 2008 12:24 AM
by
Jim
Beginner's luck, and help wanted
Mark Gonzalez took a nice look at what we've all been wondering for quite some time --
why can't the Sox hit pitchers they have never seen before?"We have guys like (special assistant) Dennis Gilbert, (computer
scouting analyst) Mike Gellinger here," hitting coach Greg Walker said
before the Sox edged the Los Angeles Dodgers and rookie left-hander
Clayton Kershaw 2-0. "We have the computer program. We have videotape.
We have everything. It's not a matter of being prepared. Our scouts do
a wonderful job." [...]
"We knew [Stults] had a pretty good changeup," Walker said. "A
left-hander with a very good changeup makes it difficult. While we've
been on a pretty good roll, the one shortcoming has been left-handers
with a pretty good changeup. But I don't know if you went to every team
if that wasn't a common threat."
At least:
- They acknowledge it.
- They didn't give Clayton Kershaw an easy time Thursday.
- John Danks met my requirements.
******************
Meanwhile, the second Sox-Cubs weekend is upon us, and
Don Cooper has the same attitude I do:
"'I'm anxious to win games,'' Cooper said. ''That's what I'm anxious
for. The reality of this is we lost a series to the Cubs, we lost a
series to Tampa Bay a few weeks ago, you know, we've lost a few series.
We need wins, and I don't give a [bleep] how we get them.''
That said, I'm heading down the coast for the weekend, seeing
The Hold Steady in Baltimore before going to Washington to check out the Nationals' new stadium.
If anybody wants to write a recap over the next three days, you're absolutely welcome to email one to me. Otherwise, I'll probably be able to post minimal summaries and minor-league roundups.
Enjoy the weekend, and if you have obnoxious Cubs fans in your life, I wish you the best of luck.
***********************
Minor league roundup:- Charlotte 6, Norfolk 5
- Jason Bourgeois went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored.
- Danny Richar had two hits including a double, raising his average to .250.
- Charlie Haeger had a helluva day -- he allowed five hits and six walks in five innings, but only two runs -- and one of them was a solo homer.
- Mississippi 6, Birmingham 5
- Cole Armstrong had a three-hit, three-RBI day. He doubled and scored two runs.
- Ricardo Nanita, Micah Schnurstein and Stefan Gartrell each added two hits.
- Aaron Poreda took the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out five.
- Fernando Hernandez struck out four over two scoreless innings of work.
- Lynchburg 4, Winston-Salem 3
- Estee Harris, who I can safely say I hadn't heard of, had three hits including a solo homer.
- Paulo Orlando had two hits and two RBI from the leadoff spot; John Shelby went 2-for-4.
- John Ely met the requirements for a quality start, allowing three runs over six innings. He struck out six.
- Henry Mabee took the loss in his first game at Winston-Salem.
- Kannapolis 10, Greensboro 5
- Nick Mahin drove in three runs in his second game up from rookie ball; Sergio Miranda also had three RBI.
- Dale Mollenhauer went 4-for-5 with a double from the leadoff spot, and has 13 hits in his last five games.
- Jason Rice allowed just two runs over five innings despite allowing 10 hits.
- Bristol 8, Bluefield 7
- Po-Yu Lin allowed two runs on one swing but otherwise pitched well: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.
- Jordan Kendall went 3-for-5 with a homer and three RBI.
- Justin Greene keeps tripling -- he hit his fourth in nine games.
- Great Falls 7, Missoula 5
- Daniel Hudson pitched four shutout innings, striking out seven while only allowing a hit.
- Kent Gerst had three hits; Jesus Avila and Tyler Kuhn each had two.
- Kenneth Williams Jr. is hitless in his last 24 at-bats after an 0-for-4 night.
Also,
Clayton Richard and Chris Getz will play in the Futures Game during the All-Star break.