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Monday, August 22, 2005 |
Byrd Roast: Red Sox 5, Angels 1
Peter Gammons, in a recent column, made mention of the large number of quality rookies coming up lately, and in particular the large number of very good pitchers:
This game would have been far more serious for the Angels, but fortunately, the Royals helped out by beating the A's 5-4. Going 2-7 over this last stretch qualifies as a slump, according to Blez. Well, I'll say.
"We may have seen five legit No. 1 starters come up this year in Santana, Hernandez, Duke, [Justin] Verlander and [Jonathan] Papelbon," says one assistant GM. "Don't rule Santana out from being the best of them all." He throws in the mid-90s, but he's shown that he can throw his slider and changeup for strikes early in the count and has dominated good teams like the White Sox and Red Sox. "He's got a chance to be very special," says Mike Scioscia.The Angels yesterday got to see what it feels like on the other side of that equasion as Papelbon held them down to five meaningless hits over five and two thirds. The Red Sox finally figured out Byrd when Edgar Renteria -- of all people! -- got a three-run shot into the stands in the eighth, and Donnelly gave up one in a third of an inning. It's too bad, because Byrd pitched far, far better than that through seven, and the Angels bats never helped him out....
"[Papelbon's] got what you can't teach -- that fastball with late life that hitters can't lay off as it darts up and out of the strike zone," says one GM. "He's got poise, and as he learns from Curt Schilling, that ability to go up, then pound the outside corner down and away with his split may make for a great pitcher." Papelbon was a closer at Mississippi State, and may end up in the bullpen in September.
Speaking of bats, I see that Finley collected two hits and the only RBI for the day. I hope he doesn't hurt himself patting himself on the back. Wait -- if it's severe enough, he might have to go on the DL. Steve, go on ahead.
This game would have been far more serious for the Angels, but fortunately, the Royals helped out by beating the A's 5-4. Going 2-7 over this last stretch qualifies as a slump, according to Blez. Well, I'll say.
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