Down in the Zone
I was more than a little worried about the way the Tampa series ended. An intentional walk followed by an unintentional walk is just terrible and a walk-off walk is even worse. The fact that all of that happened within about five minutes in the 11th inning nearly pushed me over the edge. THROW STRIKES.
That feeling of dread carried over to the Boston series, where 145 year old Ramon Ortiz started and Jon Lester one-hit the Blue Jays. Ortiz actually did all right, aside from the 5 walks, and only gave up one run. 1-0 was the score until the Sox punished the bullpen and ballooned the score to 5-0.
On Saturday, Mark Buehrle pitched like a guy one could actually believe has a World Series ring, a perfect game and a no-hitter.
“It was one of those days that I had the majority of my pitches working, movement, down in the zone, but the times I did miss they didn’t make me pay for it,” he said. “I think a big part of this game is luck and I had that on my side today.”
Adam Lind provided the late offense, putting the Jays back up on top 3-2 with a homer to straightaway centre in the ninth after the pen denied Buehrle a well-deserved win.
“It’s just fun to help this team win, do some good things, be on the bases, getting dirty, playing first,” Lind said. “You're really more involved with the game and you feel like you're part of it and have a better rhythm with it.”
Or as SOSH put it:
Lind is probably munching a hot pocket in the dugout now.
Speaking of, SOSH, in the midst of a Red Sox slide that is wearing the sheen off their great April, is pretty colourful.
Chad Jenkins has The World''s Biggest Horseshoe lodged in his ass.
Chad Jenkins took a page out of the Mark Buehrle book of "Down in the Zone" and flat out dominated Red Sox hitters in a way that made me forget he was drafted by the Blue Jays ahead of Mike Trout. Well, actually I'll never forget that, but Jenkins was really good.
Well you can't expect to score any runs off an all-time great like Whatshisname Jenkins. You just have to tip your cap to the Hall of Famer who is dominating us today.
Holy shit April was a mirage. Honeymoon over for Farrell?
I love that this is an articulated sentiment. It's one of the reasons the whole "dream job" narrative was so funny. And I know #firegibby has been a thing, but those people are idiots, too.
And this:
I miss Bobby Valentine.
Double-steal up 7-1. Jays hate the Sox. I think we see a brawl with this team at some point this season.
The double steal was great. There was a swagger present that's been missing. And why wouldn't they hate the Sox? It's fun to roll in and rain on the parade. Also, homers from Encarnacion, Bonifacio and two from Bautista helped, too.
These are the Blue Jays that we expected to see.
Yeah.
And finally, a warm sentiment from SOSH on this special day:
The Red Sox players' mothers should have gotten abortions. Thanks, Moms.
Yeah.
Happy Mother's Day.