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Dice-K breaks all the rules and still wins
by Gerry Fraley, Special to FOXSports.com
Phantastic Phils
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Phillies win 4-1 |
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Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos |
Rosenthal | Fraley | Video | Photos |
Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos |
Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos |
Rosenthal | Kriegel | Video | Photos |
More on the playoffs:
Go ahead and start hitters off with ball one. It doesn't matter.
Walks? Four or five a game are no big deal.
Let the opponent fill the bases. All that does is make them more frustrated.
He was at his Matsuzakian best in Friday night's opener of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field. That is to say he did everything that pitching coaches have said for 100 years is wrong and flirted with a no-hitter in the 2-0 victory.
Matsuzaka walked the bases loaded in the first inning. He threw a first-pitch ball to 14 of the 29 batters faced. He allowed the Rays a total of six at-bats with runners in scoring position and eight at-bats with a runner on base.
And the Rays did nothing with the chances.
The man leads a charmed life.
"It's amazing how he get out of jams,'' said third baseman Kevin Youkilis, who had three of the Red Sox's seven hits. "We wish he wouldn't put himself in those jams, but it's amazing how he does get out of it.''
Matsuzaka held Tampa Bay hitless until Carl Crawford's leadoff single in the seventh inning. He combined with three relievers to give the Rays their first shutout loss at home since April 20.
For the first time since the All-Star break, the Rays trail. They won the first post-break game to take the lead in the AL East and won the first two games of the division series against the Chicago White Sox. This is a new test for the Rays.
"It's something that we've done many times this year, coming back after difficult losses,'' Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I've been involved in playoff series where we've lost the first game of each series and eventually won a World Series.''
Maddon was referring to the 2002 Anaheim Angels, for whom he was the bench coach. Those Angels slugged their way to victory. Postseason opponents are having a difficult time doing that against the Red Sox.
Boston has allowed two runs or fewer in half of its last 20 postseason games, dating back to last year's division-series sweep of the Angels. The Red Sox have repeatedly made big pitches in that span, holding opponents to a .239 average with runners in scoring position.
"They've been here, and they've done it,'' Maddon said. "They know what it takes at this time of the season.''
That does not fully explain Matsuzaka's uncanny ability to wriggle out of jams.
"I'm not really sure myself,'' Matsuzaka said when asked about his success under duress. "I'm not making any big mental changes when I get runners in scoring position.''
The first was Matsuzaka's most important inning in this game.
He walked the bases loaded with two outs, throwing 25 pitches. A hit by Cliff Floyd would have enabled Tampa Bay to build on the energy it created with the division-series win.
Instead, Matsuzaka did what he always does — escape, on Floyd's grounder.
When facing Matsuzaka with the bases loaded, opponents would be better off keeping the bat on their shoulders. They are 0-for-15 against Matsuzaka with the bases loaded but have driven in runs on one walk and one hit by pitch.
"I don't think the fact that it was a big game affected how I started,'' Matsuzaka said. "As usual, I had a tough time getting going.''
The failure in the first seemed to gnaw at the Rays. They played into Matsuzaka's hands by dropping their patient approach and flailed at bad pitches while inexplicably taking good pitches. Of Matsuzaka's nine strikeouts, five came on called third strikes by plate umpire Tim McClelland.
Tampa Bay had one more shot at Houdini.
Trailing 1-0, the Rays put runners at first and third with none out in the seventh. The Red Sox set up the infield to concede one run. The Rays declined.
Dioner Navarro was late on a fast ball and flied out to shallow left. Gabe Gross chased a sinking fastball in the dirt to strike out. Jason Bartlett ended the chance with a routine grounder.
"We were prepared to give up a run for a couple of outs, but I certainly didn't want to let any runs score,'' Matsuzaka said. "After I got the first batter out, it certainly got a lot easier.''
It gets more difficult for the Rays Saturday as Boston will start righthander Josh Beckett. In five postseason starts for the Red Sox, Beckett is 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA.
After dealing with the bizarre world of Daisuke Matsuzaka, Beckett is the last pitcher the Rays want to see.
Member Comments
Classy performance from Dice-k? LMAO...he keeps on walking that many batters ans somebody will find a way to make him pay.<br />You say classy, we say lucky.
yankeelegends10/12/2008 14:44:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Absolutely right that pitching wins it all. Duh, when your ace coughs up 8 runs in 4-1/3 you better have a bullpen to back it up.<br />Wheeler shut the door on the Boston come back. A little known guy who never pitched 3 innings in relief.<br />Tampa has been finding ways all year. I'm sure they can find some more in Bawston.<br />Either way, they are a great story. Now, will they become another Florida WHO Marlins?
yankeelegends10/12/2008 14:42:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Tampa won the season series 10-8. If the Sox could have just won one more, it's 9-9. The Angels proved the regular season means nothing.. right Lackey? Chat with me and with real cute girls at "B l a c k W h i t e K i s s . c o m " -- for men to find real beauties, both black and white, all of them love sports...
sbabenice10/11/2008 23:31:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
That was a classy performance from dice k and francona obviously knew what he was doing. I stll say the series depends on beckett. No way Drew is hit on purpose in that situation. The biggest goof was Pena swinging 3-0 against a lefty.
jarhead44410/11/2008 18:05:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Dadio61, why would he want to load the bases to face Jason Bay who has 5 rbi's in the post-season and has a mjor chance to go deep.
Proud.To.Be.23410/11/2008 16:50:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Want to see the Dodgers mount a comeback so the Sox can spank Manny's aloof ars
Semper0110/11/2008 16:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
This series is already over (as much as I am loath to admit).<br /><br />Good job Boston and go Philly once you inevitably dismiss LA from the postseason (the Dodgers are also done).<br /><br />That's the thing about supposedly weak performances, right? If I'm Dice-K, I don't care if I walk fifty guys. If none, one or two of those guys scores, who cares? Same thing with football. If your team allows 400 yards rushing but you win 7-6, do you care? All about the bottom line.<br /><br />Good season Tampa. See you next year.
PatsAndRedSoxBlow10/11/2008 14:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Dice-K 18-3. Lester 16-6. Beckett and Wakefield. Pitching wins it all.
super310/11/2008 13:46:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
GO RAYS!!!!! Please make my day and beat the SOX...
Rosie6110/11/2008 12:06:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Yeah I hear that the Red Sox got the series brought to right Motastic.. or thats that haterade u drinking.. one or the other..
digibreakthe1st10/11/2008 11:18:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
D-K broke all the rules allright!! Along with the home plate umpire, his strike zone was pretty lame and inconsistent, he made some horrible calls which benefit Mr D-K himself. Thanks Ump!!
motastic10/11/2008 10:53:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Big Papi Ortiz need to snap out that funk and start looking like a star again and forget that Manny is not there anymore and depend on Youk and Bay to pick up the slack of offense with Drew doing his part...
digibreakthe1st10/11/2008 10:25:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
That pitch was a bad pitch, some of u people love to start controversy. TBrays Maddon wouldnt call for him to hit Drew..Bad location thats all...Both teams got alot at stake going in the series why would they wana go do something stupid.. think about it
digibreakthe1st10/11/2008 10:23:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Again Boston doesn't need anymore motivation against Balfour. Believe me if Maddon would have called for a walk they would have. Balfour throws hard and once in a while it gets away from him. <br /><br />Setting up the double play I understand, but hitting the man, no. Already down one run, didn't need to add fuel to the fire. Bad pitch thats all.
UFgreat_FSUgarbage10/11/2008 10:18:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
If the Rays win tonite there will be a game 6, after Bosox win 2 of 3 at Fenway.
stabler121210/11/2008 9:56:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Stowaway<br /><br />You may be correct. If the Sox win tonight Tampa would have to win 2 of 3 in Fenway to send this series back to Florida. That would be tough with Lester on the hill for game three but they've taken 2 of 3 in Boston before, the late season series that may have decided the division. That was a big series.<br /><br />I will not underestimate the Rays. They've proven themselves.<br /><br />We need some bats to wake up....especially Papi and Pedrioa.<br /><br />I would love a Red Sox win in a short series but I think it's unlikely.
dadio6110/11/2008 9:47:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
UF great<br /><br />When you have ONE out and men at 2nd and 3rd base you intentionally walk the batter......especially if he's a good hitter......to load the bases so you set up the potential inning-ending double play. You also provide force-out opportunities at every base making any ground ball an easy out.<br /><br />Rather than a four pitch intentional walk, I think he threw at Drew but the ball ran up higher than he expected. People will disagree and that's okay with me. I didn't call for a retaliation. It's part of the game.
dadio6110/11/2008 9:43:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
don't listen to dadio he is a closet yankee fan i have hardly heard yankee fans talk as bad about the sox as he does
nufced33310/11/2008 9:23:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I wonder how these experts make so much talking about sports but know so little. just listened to Dibble talk about todays matchup being lester/ kazmir.....beckett is pitching moroon
nufced33310/11/2008 9:22:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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