WAKE UP CALL

It is abundantly clear that the Yankees Pwn Tim Wakefield. In 3 starts this year against New York, he is 0-3 with an ERA of 10.93. He walks everyone then gives up homers. The knuckleball is fooling the rest of the AL, but not the Yankees. This is understandable. The Yankees are very familiar with him. Last night's starting lineup had 451 career at-bats against him, and more than 500 career plate appearances. Consider the fact that Wakefield really only throws one pitch, and that means that the Yankees lineup has seen something around 2,000 to 3,000 knuckleballs out of Wakefield's arm. That's familiarity right there.

So what do we do? Do we just keep Wakefield from starting against the Yankees? Yes, I think that's exactly what we should do. I guess now it isn't that big of a deal, he might see them 2 more times in the regular season. But let's say the lead in the division closes down, or both teams make the playoffs, do you really want to see Wakefield throwing knuckleballs to the Yankee hitters?

This is the second time this season that Sox fans have been forced to say "Well, if Wakefield wasn't so off, we would have beaten the Yankees."

Wake let up 3 early on, we tied it at 3-3, then New York blew it open with a 6 run 4th. The game was pretty much over at that point.

Man of the Game goes to Jorge Posada who was 2 for 5 with a pair of doubles and 3 RBI, all of which came with 2 outs.

Honorable Mentions:
Dustin Pedroia: 3/4, 2 2Bs, Run, RBI
Robinson Cano: 2/4, HR, 2 Runs, 2 RBI
Melky Cabrera: 2/3, 2B, Run, RBI, 2 BB

Bitch-Goat:
Wakefield: 0.8 - 3.2 IP, 8 ER, 5 H, 6 BB, HR, WP, HBP
Snyder: 0.2 - IP, 3 H, 2 BB, ER, 2 inherited runners scored

This is the 3rd Red Sox "losing streak" of the season. It's the first time they've lost consecutive games since April 24th. The other "losing streak" was also a 2 gamer, on April 6th and 7th in Texas.

Mike Lowell left the game with a contusion on his wrist after being hit by a pitch. X-Rays were negative and he hopes to be in the lineup this afternoon. JD Drew left the game in the 6th with a bad feeling in his hamstring. Neither is expected to miss much time or be placed on the DL.

Just a note about the supposed "beanball war" that ESPN hyped up on SportsCenter (and ended their highlight reel promoting Sunday's ESPN televised game), and will most assuredly be hyped up by Fox this afternoon. I don't think there was much, if any, intent in most of the pitches that hit batters. Wang hit Lowell, but he also allowed 10 hits so his best control was not evident last night. Wakefield hit Phelps, but he also walked 6 batters and threw a wild pitch. Snyder hit A-Rod, but he also walked 2 batters in an inning of work. Lopez hit Cano, and then Proctor hit Youkilis. I think Proctor's hit had some intent. Did he intend to hit him? I don't know, but he did intend to go up and in with a fastball on him.

Proctor had seen three of his teammates hit, the game was essentially over, so why not hit Youkilis. And you know what, I really don't have much of a problem with going up and in there. What I do have a problem with is the carelessness shown by Proctor. You don't just hurl it up there, you've got to be real fucking careful when you're throwing up and in. Expect to see someone on the Yankees plunked today or tomorrow, if the situation allows it.

Schilling vs. Mussina this afternoon.