Look, are we doing a good job? Define “good.” Besides, you didn’t really want something hot off the presses for an embarrassing series-ending slaughter anyway. Frankly, I applaud myself for sticking with this game as much as I did. If you can’t already tell, this blog is going to be incredibly half-assed. It’s gonna be impressive. I’m just preparing you. Ready, go.
So I get home from dinner, and the Yankees are up 7-0. Sigh. Clay. How’d it happen? Walks, hits, an error. A bases-clearing double by A-Rod. Back-to-back homers. I’m not linking to any videos, no one wants to see that. That’s morbid.
During an intense, secreted-away discussion between Lancel and Cersei about their past sins, Bogaerts hit a double to left to shorten the lead to four runs, knocking in Napoli and Sandoval, two of the Sox’ better offensive performers on the night. Napoli had his first hit of the year in the 8th inning and walked twice, and Sandoval went 2-4.
Other offensive highlights:
– Hanley hit his third home run of the year on a breaking ball outside, taking it the opposite way to right center to make it 10-4. In the future though, let’s try to save those for when we’re not down by eight billion. He also had a sacrifice fly to make it 7-1. Hanley Ramirez: turning 7-run leads into 6-run leads, one at a time.
– …oh, are you still here? There weren’t any other offensive highlights. That was it.
On the other side of the ball, well, let’s see. Buchholz settled down for a little while. But by the time Jon Snow and Mance Rayder were having another intense discussion before Rayder’s inevitable execution, he was giving up four straight singles and a sacrifice fly in the 4th. Then Breslow came in, and he was a little wild (three walks) but effective, not letting anyone cross the plate over 1.2 innings.
Tommy Layne was up next, and he looked about as hittable as possible, giving up three singles, a walk, another single, and a sacrifice fly before Mookie bailed him out with an inning-ending double play on a fantastic diving catch. Weird play: Mookie’s already heading off the field as he flips it half-heartedly to second to double off Headley. Layne really might not be more than just a lefty specialist. Last year, he held lefties (like me! except I’m not really a lefty) to a .159 average, but righties hit .318 against him. The disparity is worse so far this year: lefties are hitting .200, but righties are hitting .429.
Elsewhere, Hanigan threw out Stephen Drew at second on a tough low pitch.
Mujica gave up another home run.
Sandy León played third base in the 8th inning! Who knew? Unfortunately, he didn’t get any chances to show off his hot corner skills.
I didn’t watch Anthony Varvaro pitch, but he gave us an inning of pretty clean relief in a situation of the lowest possible pressure. Good work!
What else…Brock Holt! Played some second base, hit a single in the 9th. Is now batting SEVEN FOURTEEN on the season. .714! I’m no mathemagician but I’m pretty sure that would be some sort of record. Get this man on the All-Star ballot!
Okay, are we done here? I think we’re done here.