No Glory Blog: Let's Go 2014 Texas Rangers!

Even God Doesn't Want the Sox Above .500

Argh! Three outs away from a win over Justin Verlander to break the ding-dang barrier and suddenly the Second Great Flood happens. Oh well... I can't wait up for it if it happens at all tonight, that is.

We should also get news about Pedroia's injury late tonight. I'm expecting the worst of course.

The Glass Ceiling

So close to climbing above .500. You could feel it... the optimism bubbling up. A 9th inning comeback, a 7th inning comeback, Orioles losing, thoughts of the Tigers coming in... all Aceves had to do was get through the bottom of the Rays order. It's almost as if the Dave O'Brien was trying to set it up, talking about how Aceves owned Sean "Bucky" Rodriguez...  how Aceves has really righted the ship of his season... It's just frustrating. This season is Sissyphean.

The Streakers

I didn't really give up on the team. I've just been busy and then I didn't want to interrupt the 5-game winning streak. Tonight I've just finished watching the Pirates' Josh Harrison break up a 9th inning bid for Justin Verlander's third no-hitter.

Now, the Phillies are getting ready to bring in Papelbon against the Sox with a two-run lead. I never loved Papelbon. He was amusing, but he was an unlikable celebrity.

So, I was going to post that song "The Streak" but then I realized it's by Ray Stevens, who has become a right-wing nut-job so he doesn't need any publicity from me. But here's my point:

1-5, 3-0, 0-5, 6-0, 2-9, 6-1. That's the season leading up to tonight. If they can't pull it out against Papelbon, things don't bode well for the next week...

Really?

16th inning... Sox looking like fools batting against a designated hitter throwing batting practice fastballs down the middle. Then get lucky and get an out at the plate to end it. Then.. even though there is an actual pitcher available in the 17th, Bobby V goes with Darnell McDonald to pitch and he can't throw a strike. Really? REALLY? Then, predictably a 3-run homer.

This team sucks. They SUCK. This season is not fun.

So... much... pain...

13 innings of it yesterday to lose. Today we only needed 3. At least we're preserving resources.

Heartbreaker

Down by 3, bottom of the 7th, bases loaded, two outs, and the teams biggest hitting superstar, Adrian Gonzalez up. Strikeout. I'm going to bed. Ugh.

p.s.

I called it. Good one, Bobby. I think we've seen what we're going to see with Lars Anderson. I like that O'Brien called you out, too. "Boy, it would be great if we had Darnell McDonald available to pinch hit here."

Genius

OK, so Bobby V wants to "play the percentages" down 4 runs in the 8th inning. The good news is the meat of the order is up, starting with Ryan Sweeney, the #2 batter, currently hitting .362.

Oh, but there is a left-handed pitcher on the mound so Bobby V. sends in Darnell McDonald, .205 on the season but has been hot lately.

Bob Melvin counters for the A's and sends in righty Ryan Cook.

A-ha, however! He won't get the best of Bobby V! He has a left-handed hitter available... yes, it's Lars Anderson and his .143 average, a bit below his lifetime average of .176. Anderson strikes out.

But how could he strike out?? I mean, he's left-handed and was batting against a right-handed pitcher? I mean... Bobby V won the chess game! That's not what's supposed to happen! It's almost as if by "acting" he put his team in less of a chance for success.

Was it really worth it to have Anderson vs. Ryan instead of Sweeney vs. Fuentes? Let's hope the Sox don't need a pinch-hitter later for like, one of their not good hitters, maybe? Good thing Darnell kept his Games Appeared In streak going.

Ugh, this game has passed Valentine by...