Schilling Being Schilling
The Red Sox held on to a 2-1 victory over the Rockies to take a 2 games to none lead as the series heads to Colorado for games 3, 4, and if needed 5. Thoughts:
- Schilling continued to add to his October resume as he held the Rockies to 1 run over 5 and a third innings. The general consensus is that Schilling survived rather than dominated, yet take away the sketchy hit batter in the first inning (the pitch was actually on the inside corner) and Schilling went into the 6th throwing a shutout. Giving up only 4 singles the Rockies actually hit Beckett harder than Schilling.
- It would be great if we could stop discussing Schilling’s diminished stuff. He hasn’t had his 95 per hour fast ball for several years now. And yes, his days of going 9 innings are gone. Yet there’s no reason with adjustments he can’t still be successful with a 90 mph fast ball. There are pitchers in the Hall of Fame that never touched 90 in their career. Ask Okajima if a pitcher can win with an 89 mph fast ball.
- Now that’s the Boston offense I remember cursing over the course of the season. Runners were left on base almost every inning. Thank god for the bullpen, which, other than a few rough patches, was lights out over the season.
- Still, Boston was a break away from busting the game open twice with Ortiz’s home run and Lugo’s line drive down the left field line both only slightly going foul
- The one Francona mistake was not having Elsbury steal second in the 6th inning. With a runner who hasn’t been caught stealing this year and a catcher who can’t throw anyone out it was ridiculous to have Lugo bunt (and only Elsbury’s speed made the sacrifice a success with a terrible bunt by Lugo).
- I’ve never seen Papelbon give even a second look to a runner at first, so I’m sure it was a complete surprise to see him not only go to first, but do so with a very quick move. Yes, it was bad play by Holliday, but I can see why it happened.
Boston did what they needed to do, hold serve at Fenway. But the Rockies are tough at home, and a victory in game 3 could give them hope and a huge boost in confidence. Still, you have to feel good if you’re a Red Sox fan. Even with a sweep in Colorado the Rockies will have to come back to Fenway.
