In case you were tuned into a boring Braves-Mets game…
… let me update you on the game that most of America was interested in - Game 1 of Sox-Yanks 2007. Schilling vs. Pettitte - two okay pitchers. ARod - has hit a couple HRs this month. Sox wearing green - tribute to Red Auerbach, the best coach in NBA history, bar none.
The skinny: In his first four ABs, Arod goes 3-for-4 with 2 HRs and a double, 4 RBIs, 3 runs scored. Yanks take 6-2 lead. Oh, and on the second HR, Crisp does a backflip over the wall into the bullpen trying to make a catch. Sox score five runs in the bottom of the eighth - the last four coming on three consecutive hits off Mariano Rivera. With Papelbon unavailable, Hideki Okajima comes in and retires Jeter on a weak grounder to second, walks Abreu (although strike three *should* have been called), and gets ARod on a soft liner to second (only ball he didn’t hit hard all day) - before completely overmatching poor Kevin Thompson, striking him out on a splitter to end the game.
But yeah, I would’ve much rather watched a boring 7-0 game between two teams who can’t get it done come playoff time. Um… yeah.
P.S. As mentioned in a separate post, I’m no longer surprised when Alex Cora comes through for the Sox - as he did again last night, driving in the winning run. I love that guy.
April 22nd, 2007 at 2:26 pm
What is new about Mariano Rivera blowing an easy save… Happens all the time. Has that guy converted a save all year. Man he is terrible
April 22nd, 2007 at 2:39 pm
A couple of years ago, I was part of the mistaken masses that predicted Rivera was done when he blew a couple early saves (including to the Sox). It was April of 2005, and followed his two blown saves in the 2004 ALCS (yes, Tank, there is a Santa Claus). The Yankees were there for the Sox home opener, when they got their WS rings (you know from the 2004 season, featuring the 2004 ALCS) - and when the Yankees were all introduced (as part of Opening Day ceremonies), Rivera was cheered loudly. He smiled, laughed, and tipped his cap to the audience. Classy move… by a guy who most certainly wasn’t done.
I’ll believe Rivera’s dominance is over when he retires. Otherwise, borrowing from Mark Twain, I’ll presume the rumors of his demise are indeed premature.