El Bronx - What kind of pitching performance could be expected from two pitchers with an ERA over 5? For one team (Boston’s Tim Wakefield 7-7, 5.08) it was practically a do or die time with 5 games remaining; for the other it was a rest-some- players (Granderson, Cano and Teixeira) while its starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (10-11, 5.28)was auditioning for a role in the post season.
The Red Sox entered the first of this twin bill (two separate admission games in one day) with a 5-17 record since September 2nd – the worst in the Majors during the month and were hanging for life to enter the postseason as an AL Wild Card team with a 1.5 game lead over the Rays.
A Call for Jorge Posada
By the end of the third inning 45 year old Tim Wakefield was catching up to his ERA (no ageist comment please) by allowing 4 runs (3 earned). In the 5th, he allowed his fifth run before departing. The first 2 runs came in the bottom of the first featuring two bunt singles by Bret Gardner and Derek Jeter, two stolen bases by both, an error and a passed ball by the catcher and a Wakefield wild pitch. In the bottom of the third Jorge smacked a two-run home run. Fans would not stop calling his name until he came out for a curtain call one pitch into the next batter.
Burnett on the mound through six, then seventh and…
Burnett on the other hand, through 5 innings had allowed just two hits: a single in the first and a homerun to Jacoby Ellsbury (29) on the top of the fourth. Burnett watchers know that from the fifth on it can all be downhill for Burnett and his ERA takes a hit. And that is because hits come in bunches interspersed with base on balls and a wild pitch here and there, if not a homerun.
Entered the 6th and all he allowed was another homerun with the bases empty. Once again it was Jacoby Ellsbury who got his 30th and his 100 RBI of the season. Big Papi Ortiz opened the 7th with a hit to right but Adrian Gonzalez’s sharp grounder to first resulted in a double play before the next batter made the last out of the inning. Later AJ would praise first baseman Brandon Laird, but also noted the importance of his covering first base on the play.
AJ in the House?
Marco Scutaro open the 8th with a double to center but Burnett struck out – bear with me – Jarrod Saltalamacchia (come on Anglo press, does he have to be Latino, do we have to wait till he makes it to call him J-Sal?) and Mike Aviles.
Skipper Joe Giraldi decided that Ellsbury had seen enough of Burnett so he brought in David Robertson. The crowd was seemingly was ecstatic with AJ and gave him roaring round of applause and ovation. Mid-way to the dugout Burnett tipped his cap to the crowd for which the fans reacted with increased joy. His line score would read 7 2/3 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks with 6 strike outs (2HR). And at the end of the afternoon, A.J. Burnett evened his win-loss record to 11-11, lowered his ERA some and maybe something else may come out of this for him. Dave Robertson finished the game with 1 1/3 innings and 3 Ks.
Post-game Quotes and then some.
Joe Girardi said that there would be meetings in Tampa to think about AJ’s role in the post season. “Very pleased with his outing …did a nicehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif job.” The skipper attributed AJ’s ability to be on location and his use of his curve. He indicated that who would be the Yankees opponent would also figure in the decision. He praised Jorge Posada whom he had penciled in as the clean-up hitter. “He was in the middle of the offense,” he said.
Published at www.latinosports.com on 2011-09-25
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