Photo lifted from Boston.com
I don’t have the proper words to describe Joshua Patrick’s performance last night. Mike and Mike called it "redunkulous". The TBS guys called it "filthy" and the NESN folks called it "nasty".
A complete game shut out (his third post-season shut out of his career!) Save for four hits, he absolutely dominated the Angels, making them look just plain silly.
I’ve said it before, Josh is a new man this season. Not just how his pitching has improved, but his all-around attitude. He handled that game like he’s been there every year. He was calm and executed fantastic pitches.
Hell, after giving up a lead-off hit, he put down 19 Angels in a row. Nineteen. Where are the doubters now?
It’s interesting to note that, in contrast, Lou Pinella chose to pull his pitcher (Zambrano) who was, pretty much, cruising, because he trusted his bullpen, and it came back to bite him, with the Cubs losing yesterday. His excuse was that Zambrano was going to be pitching again in the series on short rest. If I’m a Cubs fan, I’m banging my head right now. As a Red Sox fan, I’m thrilled that Tito had enough faith in Josh, the bullpen and the team to let things ride the way they did.
A few folks have asked who I want to win the other games. Initially, I thought I wanted the Phillies to win, so when they lost yesterday, I felt bad for them. Then I remembered Brett Myers and I felt less bad. I hope they make a series of it, and use up all five games, but I’d like to see the Rockies emerge victorious.
Diamondbacks/Cubs is tougher. I’ll admit to being thrilled for Stephen Drew last night, hitting a home run, and I think it was at that moment I decided I could root for the D’Backs. (Of course, it was just after that moment that I fell asleep for the night!) It’s another series I want to go five games. Wear ’em all out! 🙂
Sox are getting some criticism from the likes of Mike and Mike for choosing the schedule that gives them a day off between these first two games. I have no problem with this. I’m not a huge believer in momentum carrying you through the next game. I’m sure there could be something to it, but how many times have we seen a team have a pulse-pounding win to get their butts kicked the next night? I like the idea of the guys having such a good game last night, and being able to bask in it and relax for a day.
John Anderson, on Sportscenter, just called Chone Figgins "Choe-nee"…a handful of my friends and readers will understand why that struck me so funny. 🙂
On Friday, I’ll be at my first baseball playoff game! (The only professional sports playoff game I’ve ever attended was a Celtics/Pacers game back in 1991. The Celtics won and I have the image and sounds of my parents chanting "Hey Chuck, You Suck!" forever embedded in my brain!)
I ended up not going to the last three games of the regular season last week because of personal issues, but, thanks to a wonderfully generous and thoughtful friend, I’ll get to say ‘goodbye’ to Fenway for the season on Friday (I know more games will be played in Fenway this year, but I’m sure I won’t be at them! I like to get in a ‘goodbye’ on my last game there!)
Even though the Sox are off, more baseball today! Sox are the only team not playing today, so stick with TBS (or Game Day if, like me, you’re at work today!) to watch all the fun.
Congratulations Josh, Papi, Youk and the rest of the team for winning game 1. Two more to go (short-term, anyway!).
Have a great day, folks!
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