April 16, 2015

Red Sox Rundown - Three Ring Circus at Fenway






Fenway Park played host to the circus as the Nationals rolled into town to kick off the 104th season of operation for America's Most Beloved Ballpark. Ya know, there is nothing quite like the excitement that the carnival brings: the thrilling stunts that amaze and astound along with the slight of hand that performers offer up to the bug-eyed spectators who, in turn, ponder the mystery behind the incomparable feats they witness.

 There was plenty of wizardry in the opening game compliments of Mookie Betts. "Mookie's Magical Mystery Tour" brought the Fenway Faithful out of their seats before they even got warm. After only his second inning of his first Opening Day at Fenway, he baffled the senses pulling off an acrobatic hat trick for the ages, the likes I haven't seen in 40 years of following this team. 


And that wasn't all. David Ortiz got in the act and performed the traditional, but stunning, cannon ball shot. David gifted a fan in deep left center field with his second bomb of the year, but there's more here than meets the eye. This youngster wasn't just any run-of-the-mill spectator but Ryan Hanigan's nephew. How's that for a "called shot"? I mean you can't even make this stuff up. Pure sorcery!

With the offense shifted into overdrive, it allowed ringmaster Rick Porcello to cruise into the eighth inning and pick up his first win as a Red Sox. The Opening Day game was a huge success and ended 9-4 for the good guys. To date, Rick is (1-1) in 14 innings with 7 ER. It's true that Porcello has been nothing to write home about just yet, but he's been steady, if not unspectacular. In reality, this should have been the only game Boston really deserved to win from a starting pitching perspective as his 8 inning effort would top the next two starters combined in length of outing. Each of the next two rotation members also allowed 7 ER each in 14 innings in total, so to take one of those two games required a jaw dropping act. Time to cue the Nats' defense.

In the second game, Justin Masterson was on autopilot until the fifth inning. Entrusted with a 4 run lead, he inexplicably flew into full on choke mode. He hit 2 batters, walked one and surrendered 3 hits. After Alexi Ogando came on and gave up a laser into right center for a triple, the scoreboard read 7-5 for Washington.  A somber crowd needed a lift and what better to put a smile on people's faces than to send in the clowns. Nationals' reliever Blake Treinen  quickly donned the traditional jester garb and got to work (see below). His buffoonish two run error evened the ledger at 7 apiece. 

What's better than one clown? How about a comedic duo? This was pure teamwork in the seventh inning as his partner in crime, Ian Desmond, who committed an error earlier to get the Boston rally started, elected not to throw home allowing the winning run to score in an astonishing 8-7 victory. Boston did not register a single hit in that three run inning as the Washington defense generously provided all the support the home team required. Honorable mention also goes out to Washington's center fielder Michael Taylor as he had a very forgettable series with the swirling winds at Fenway. Another interesting facet in Boston's fast start is that they have benefited from some very sloppy play from their opponents overall as the error column for their foes reads like this for the first nine games: 0,2,3,1,3,1,1,3,1. This series also marked the return of Koji Uehara, as he fired his amazing bottomless split finger fastball that mezmorized the Nats' batters to seal the win.

With yet another chance to sweep a series, Boston placed the ball in the hands of Wade Miley on Jackie Robinson Day. It was also the day of remembrance for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing which took place exactly two years ago. Every circus comes with a freaky side show act, and Miley's effort certainly fit the bill as a horrific curiosity due to its grotesque appearance. I'm quickly discovering that one of Miley's most favorable qualities is his speedy pace, whether the results are good or bad. Unfortunately for Boston, it was the latter with regards to outcome as he registered the shortest outing of the year by any Sawx starter lasting a mere 2.1 IP, allowing 7 ER. The Red Sox took this one on the chin to the tune of 10-5. 
With the current performance of the starting rotation, early departures equal longer showers. Boston may have to rethink their clubhouse supply of body wash and shampoo with the parade of hurlers passing under the shower heads early and often as of late. Kelly will turn the rotation over a second time with his start against Baltimore on Friday night and here's a rather unflattering comparison that came across the wire during Miley's start.


The most remarkable aspect of the Red Sox current 6-3 record may lie in this tweet below.

Talk about smoke and mirrors! That opposing ERA boggles the mind when you consider that Papi and Napoli haven't even peaked as of yet. Conversely, how long can Boston hope to mystify their followers with this death defying tightrope act if the rotation doesn't level off considerably? The safety net beneath them is also questionable as the jury is still out on the bullpen. 

 One guy who is going to be hard to keep out of the lineup is Brock Holt. The "Brock Star" was 3 - 8 in this series and is batting an absurd.533. Hanley Ramirez also is demonstrating plenty of pop drilling his team leading 4th homer in today's loss. In the field, he's still not making anyone forget about Carl Yastrzemski (or Jonny Gomes for that matter), but such is life when the circus is in town. To get the full effect as you watch the gif of Hanley's "wall ball" act in this series, click play below for the appropriate musical accompaniment.

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