Diggity Danks
Whew. It feels so good to win, never gets old! I know it's only the first series and who wants to ever get swept but in the very beginning of the year--I think it would have just hurt a little bit more if we didn't manage to pull out at least one! I'm not saying it would have been the end of the world. I wasn't going to return my tickets, just sucks to lose is all regardless of how good the pitchers are that you're facing.
First inning and both teams went "up and out in order". Second inning, nearly the same with one walk allowed to CLE. In the first Danks and Paulie had a great play to get Sizemore out on a bunt. Flat out sprint to first between Danks and Grady. Paulie picked up the ball with a light toss over to Danks who was on the move. It was timed perfectly and they got him. Danks also had two first pitch outs. Swish had a good play for the second out in the 2nd...it's was almost down right grindy. (ahem)
Juan Uribe homered on the first pitch in the top of the 6th to put the Sox on top 1-0. Bottom of the 6th the Indians got their 1st hit and advanced the runner to 2nd on a sac bunt. As I was listening at work today my nerves were really starting to go...and my new co-workers are clearly not used to me during baseball season...it will be funny to see how long it takes them to "settle in" with it. Danks makes it out of the inning safely.
Are we ever going to be able to bunt? AJs was fair but went dead in the 7th which allowed an out at 3rd but somehow he managed to get himself safely to 1st but it was for naught as Quinten grounded into a double play right after him.
Danks started the 7th and he walked Hafner who eventually came around to score thanks to a double by Garko (and thanks to JD's misread in right field--not much new there either. Don't get me wrong, I like him but JD is just ready to be a DH.) Score is tied at 1. Next batter JD and Swish collide in the outfield and CLE have two runners at 2nd and 3rd. Now this is at least the 2nd time we've seen this in three games. I know this is the beginning of the season but that is elementary baseball and really unprofessional and dumb. How hard is it to call for the ball?! Next play A. Cabrera slaps a ball right at Crede who can only block it and O. Cabrera THANKFULLY is there to pick it up and throw out the runner at first. Two outs.
Danks departs after a solid outting and Dotel comes in--what's up with those shoes?? Runners still at 2nd and 3rd, and I bite off the rest of the fingernails that somehow made it through the Wings/Hawks game last night. All I can think of is his last outting--ouch. First pitch strike. Deep breath and exhale. Swish makes a catch for three outs. Deeper breath and exhale of relief.
Westbrook is still on the mound for CLE and it's the top of the 8th, I'm thinking it's gotta be time to get this guy out of here. We might have a good little chance here to do something.... 1-0, 2-0 (yeah, it's our time...he's done...) 3rd pitch and YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOAAARRRRRD, YES! JOE CREDE! Sox 2 CLE 1 Sox put 2 aboard and Westbrook is out.
Linebrink comes in, I'm still nervous but he pulls it off! Three batters faced...and a flash of excitement as that means Big Bad Bobby's coming out next time!! HOOORAH!
Don't want to sound grumpy and don't want to complain, I'm very happy about the win and happy to have some of the new guys but I can't help but notice that a few things haven't changed. We still can't bunt, we still can't move guys over, still strand a lot, still hit into more double plays than I'd like and (I don't want to say it) but once again JDs looking old in right-sorry dude. He didn't look right for most of the first half last year, it did get better in the second part of the year but...whatever, we won today and I'm just going to be happy about that
Good to see Crede getting warmed up for Motown. He holds visiting HR record at Comerica...wouldn't want him showing up cold! Go Sox!