4/23/07
Toronto 7, Boston 3

Once again, the Red Sox had control-challenged Toronto pitcher Tomo Ohka on the hook.  This time, however, he managed to wriggle off and slither back into the visiting dugout with the lead, and the Sox were unable to get the big hit against the Blue Jays bullpen.  

Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield was treated to his usual evening dish: a steaming plate of anemic run support, garnished with a side order of poor defense.  After catcher Doug Mirabelli handed Toronto their first run with a wild throw in the first inning, Wakefield settled down, and proceeded to dispatch the Blue Jays with a particularly fluttery knuckleball.  However, the poor run support proved to be critical, as Toronto eventually got to Wakefield for four more runs in the sixth inning.

Shortstop Julio Lugo had a particularly rough night, going 0-5 and leaving 6 men on base, decreasing his batting average to .246.  The bullpen also did not help matters, yielding 3 runs in 3 innings, and effectively putting the game out of reach.

Some positives from tonight’s loss:

- Dustin Pedroia.  Another good night at the plate and in the field.  He’s finally bumped that batting average over the Mendoza Line, and has a very impressive K/BB ratio of 4/8.  We know he can make solid contact, and now he is finally hitting the ball hard.

- Doug Mirabelli.  He continues to hit, and actually went to the opposite field (on purpose) against the right-handed Ohka.  Perhaps the “Stud Who Hits Bombs” worked on a thing or two this offseason?

- Mike Lowell.  Made an error on a tough play, but he’s really mashing right now.  Even his foul balls are impressive.  He’s a notorious quick starter, so this isn’t really a surprise.

The glaring concern of the day:

- The back end of the bullpen: Mike Timlin and Joel Pineiro.  Both pitchers were knocked around handily by Toronto.  The team will be relying on at least one of these guys as a key right-hander out of the bullpen over the course of the year.  Right now, they both are inconsistent.  Luckily, the rest of the pen has been rather impressive, rendering this a minor concern for now.

Pitching Wednesday night: Julian Tavarez (who has apparently assumed the duty of Matsuzaka’s mentor, which, to me, is sort of like hiring OJ Simpson to mentor Reggie Bush).  Pitching for Toronto?  Roy Halladay.  Given this pitching match-up, Las Vegas will undoubtedly say the Jays sweep tomorrow night.  We’ll see how it plays out.