FIRST PITCH AGAIN????

Are these guys retarded? Lowell's seen two pitches. Honestly...sometimes I wonder why we care so much when they obviously don't. Work the f&*&ing count or quit.

Jesus.... 6 base runners threw 3 and 0 runs... nice work offense....

arrghghhhh

Let's see, if Ortiz no rbi= Red Sox don't score. Why does this seem so familiar

He took it the other way, and Abreu was positioned well and it didn't drop.

We'll get these guys.

Leaving tons of guys on base + Jason Johnson on the mound = Deep shit

that's 0-6 with RISP tonight.
That's 6 LOB after 3 innings.

That's Wang pitching an awful game with 52 pitches and no runs against after 3 IP.

I just can't believe it... but we're going to get to him, he can't keep being this lucky playing so poorly.

Six LOB in three innings? That is going to come back to haunt them later in this game.....

I just can't believe that Lowell still bats this high in the order considering his 2nd half numbers (check my sig for the numbers). The Sox would be better off with almost anyone.

That last one was the 2nd pitch of the at bat; he should have swung at the meatball on the 1st pitch.

"Positioned well"

Umm, he was in RF. He wasn't in any special position. Lowell flied out to right. Let's not start waxing poetic about going the other way, and good positioning. He sucks in the second half. He is proving that yet again.

I don't care. The pitcher's got no control. Wait for a hanger you can crush. If you get to two strucks, then try to go the other way with something. Don't hack away at the first pitch.

Hinske?

that was better than the first inning. Coco and Ortiz both saw 3 pitches instead of 1. Lowell saw 2 pitches instead of 1, and Hinske's leading off now, with Wang up to 51 pitches. This is, so far, an OK outcome.

I think it was the second pitch of the at bat. Not that it matters....

these guys suck. they dont care. why should we?

I'm only following the game thread right now. I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to go downstairs and turn on the TV. I don't think it's reached the tipping point yet.

that 2-2 pitch was freakin strike

DP!!!!

huge dp there

Nice double play. That ball seemed to go slow motion to first.

that's the second time Johnson struck out a guy who then reached. He's just not lucky with the calls...

We have 6 LOB, Manny has been walked twice intentionally and no one has stepped up, and we're losing. What's ok?

Edit: Oh yeah, and Johnson is pitching above his head and his effort could be wasted.

DP nice work JJ

Steadiest steaderer that ever steaded.

when we are only down by 1 when our weakest pitcher is on the mound, it's ok.

but Johnson is pitching really well, come on. He's getting the groundballs (Wang has 3/6 GB/FB instead), so it's just natural...

That throw by Loretta almost hit A-Rod in the head. Maybe it would have been worth to have Cano safe at first...

He would be a much better option than Lowell at this point. Hell AGonz and Cora would probably be better options at this point. Lowell has fallen off a cliff in the 2nd half.

AND he had Posada struck out. Come on ump!!!

His pitch count would be so much lower with normal counts...

this up is being tough on the strike 3 mis calls on johnson

johnson isn't getting some calls he deserves, there were a couple pitches in that inning that were clearly strikes

when Johnson pitches this far above his head and you've squandered multiple chances it's not.

77 pitches. He might give us 2 more innings, and that would just be great... he's been really good tonight, I'm going to credit him with that... although he still sucks.

But tonight I'm certainly not screaming for Clement to be on the mound instead of him.

Got to say Johnson has looked okay the last few. I think he has faced the minimum since Abreu's walk.

Agreed - especially since this is game 1 of a 5 game series AND a doubleheader. We can damage them for this game AND the next 4

The 4th is key. JJ did his part, now its the bat's turn.

OK 2bshorty, time to start watching. The law of averages clearly states that the Sox will score in this inning (yes I know this law is fictional, but as Jimmy said to the Bloods and Crips: "c'mon")

Other than the fact that we've stranded about ten runners, i think you'd have to feel it is indeed OK. Emotional roller coaster weekend, so buckle up.

Hinske looks great out there. I love the pick up.

Hinske is Finn for "Awesome Red Sox Debut"

Hmm, now imagine that last inning with the bases loaded.

Ladies and gents... your new 3rd baseman....Eric Hinske.

alright runner on 3rd, he must advance 90 feet here Gonzo

If they squander a leadoff double I will throw my computer out the window

I'm starting to like this Hinske guy. Just wish his name was easier to spell. Can't believe the Sox got a young guy with a .886 OPS for a sack of balls.

I hate Francona's lineup construction, but gotta hand it to him here for giving Hinske the start this afternoon....

Tie game. Small ball.

Don't Swing at the 1st pitch Gonz!

Well, swing at the 1st pitch!

does coco ever not swing at the first pitch?

Coco has to make Wang work here. Those 2 outs were nicely productive, but too fast

Good to see he has abandoned his bunt approach

Can someone nudge Coco and tell him that there's a ballgame going on?