*Official* 5/16 - Angels 7, Sox 2 Post-Game Thread

[SoxSpeed22]

Originally Posted by DirtySox

Just wait until Kenny backs up the truck. Hope for a legitimate 3B prospect. Kevin Youkilis isn't saving this Sox team.

Originally Posted by palehozenychicty

Him and what scouting army? I'll believe it when I see it.

Whoever we trade Peavy to might have a third baseman?

[TaylorStSox]

Originally Posted by SteveFakeBlood

I think it's hard to reach the acceptance stage because the Tigers are playing so poorly- and no one (other than possibly the Indians themselves) really believes the Indians are going to be a factor after the All-star break.

Anyway, it's encouraging to see Viciedo hitting. Who knows if he can overcome his poor plate discipline (on the plus side, he's still only 23- and with a change in approach can still be a decent hitter with very little discipline), but he sprays the ball all over the field when he actually makes contact.

I guess Gavin was due for a letdown, just as Jake was yesterday. They can't have great stuff every time out (yes, Jake didn't give up any runs through the first five- but from walking Jackson to lead off the game- he was laboring).

Watching Trout in Center was as frustrating as watching Austin Jackson. It feels like it's been a long time since the Sox have had a Center fielder who could make it look so easy.

Anyway, those were a couple ugly games- maybe Sale and the rest of the team will be well-rested enough to salvage a split tomorrow.

~ Steve

Viciedo's MO at every level has been to improve plate discipline as he adjusts. He's too much of a natural hitter to be failure, IMO.

Anderson was a hell of a defensive CF.

Trout got a real good jump on that ball, but it wasn't as insane of a jump as Hawk made it sound. "You might see as good of a jump, but you won't see a better one." "You might find guys as strong, but you won't find anybody stronger than Viciedo." "You won't see a better throw from a LF'r in all of baseball." Those are just a few from tonight's game. He used to pull of those out a week. Now, he's doing multiple "You won't find a better" in every inning.

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by SoxSpeed22

Tank hit the ball hard and AJ continues to hit well. Not much good to take out of this one.

Nice first game back for Crain, too. Picked Trout off 1B.

Hopefully he can stay healthy through July now and net us a prospect or two.

[JB98]

Originally Posted by doublem23

If anyone has anything creative at this hour, feel free to add it, maybe I'll change the thread title.

Creativity at this hour after that game? ****.

Nevertheless, if anyone wants a recap of this game here is tonight's TBGR.

At least they didn't give us any false hope this time.

[hawkjt]

All I could think about was ...where was Crain yesterday to face Jackson in the 6th,up 6-5 with two men on base? Robin sticks with Ohman,and Jackson hits a three run homer. So,today we trot our best righty out there in mop-up time instead? Not good. If we win yesterday,today is not so painful.

This two games on the west coast in 20 hour road trip is fricking ridiculous...thanks a lot MLB!

I was listening to ESPN the other nite during the Angels-Rangers game and they said basically that all you had to do to get Albert Pujols out was not throw him a strike. Well, Gavin,AJ and Coop were not listening as they decided to serve Albert up a fastball on the inner half...then the rest of the day they stayed on the outside and he had no chance. Nice scouting guys.

Same old pattern, when we pitch,can't hit,and vice versa. Tigers give up 11 runs today after 8 yesterday,but they split. We give up 10 and 7 and we go 0-2.
Gavin has been so good, I was surprised they roughed him up like this,but he aint perfect...nor is Jake,obviously...but they were are two best of late. Not good. Sale must come thru tomorrow.

I will go out on a limb and predict that the Sox are the only team in MLB that will make a 20 hour road trip to the West coast all year...darn them all!
This is shaping up to be an early dagger week for this season. Cubs will be waiting,and eager to sweep the Sox and finish off a disaster week.

[aryzner]

I knew Pujols would homer off us. It just had to happen. It was inevitable. He'll probably do it again today.

[tstrike2000]

It's Fukudome's fault.

[jdm2662]

Originally Posted by aryzner

I knew Pujols would homer off us. It just had to happen. It was inevitable. He'll probably do it again today.

I was half asleep watching his at bat. I turned to my wife and said, watch him jack one here. Two pitches later...

[amsteel]

I have hope...for next season...that they'll be above .500 in May.

Shoot for the stars, folks!

[vinny]

Originally Posted by hawkjt

All I could think about was ...where was Crain yesterday to face Jackson in the 6th,up 6-5 with two men on base? Robin sticks with Ohman,and Jackson hits a three run homer. So,today we trot our best righty out there in mop-up time instead? Not good. If we win yesterday,today is not so painful.

Completely agree. If Crain was activated and ready to go, then let's put him in a crunch situation where we know that Ohman will likely fail.

[salty99]

Does any team in MLB have a worse bench then the Sox?

[sullythered]

Originally Posted by salty99

Does any team in MLB have a worse bench then the Sox?

You mean, like, in MLB history? I don't know, maybe.

[BigKlu59]

Agree with Foulke...Zombie baseball after the red eye with some real putrid AB's. Gavin's gift wrapped cookie to Albert sealed this one early.
Not jumping off of the bridge yet. But these guys do make it maddening to watch at times.

BK59

[salty99]

Originally Posted by sullythered

You mean, like, in MLB history? I don't know, maybe.

No not in MLB history.

[SteveFakeBlood]

Originally Posted by TaylorStSox

Viciedo's MO at every level has been to improve plate discipline as he adjusts. He's too much of a natural hitter to be failure, IMO.

Anderson was a hell of a defensive CF.

Trout got a real good jump on that ball, but it wasn't as insane of a jump as Hawk made it sound. "You might see as good of a jump, but you won't see a better one." "You might find guys as strong, but you won't find anybody stronger than Viciedo." "You won't see a better throw from a LF'r in all of baseball." Those are just a few from tonight's game. He used to pull of those out a week. Now, he's doing multiple "You won't find a better" in every inning.

I don't totally disagree with you, I think Tank's plate discipline shows signs of improving, but then it seems like he frustratingly regresses every couple games- maybe that's just natural for a young hitter and I'm being too hard on him- but his natural line drive hitting ability to all fields makes his sometimes complete inability to lay off bad ones really frustrating. The kid has huge upside as he's shown the last few games, and in flashes in both of the last two seasons.

Anderson was a good defensive center fielder and got much better jumps on balls than Rowand (Rowand had more flair and caught most things that came his way, but I think a fair amount of that diving had to do with not seeing the ball as well off the bat), but I think other than his great diving catch to end the Blackout game- I mostly remember his utter futility at the plate. Maybe my sentimental feelings towards the early to mid '90s Sox teams (as well as being a young and impressionable kid) is clouding my memory, but I remember Lance Johnson making Center field look like a piece of cake (I could go to Baseball-reference and look at his range factor and confirm or deny those memories, but I don't think I will). It was easy for me to be jealous of other team's center fielder's when they're making catches to stop rallies rather than being rendered a non-factor (like today).

~ Steve