fathom

Nationals have a huge horseshoe up their ass this last month. Finding crazy ways to get big runs home late.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 25, 2011 -> 05:13 AM) This is Crain. The slider is what he throws. Have to keep a hitter honest though. Waste a pitch here or there.

Crain has struggled mightily getting the 3rd out in a crucial situation it seems. Can't believe we let Bixler beat us, but yes, if Crain threw all sliders to Ramos and never tried to change his eye level with a fastball, then shame on AJP. Same crap he pulled against Miguel Cabrera.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jun 25, 2011 -> 05:09 AM) In an ideal world, the best lineup the Sox could put out, as currently constructed, is: Ramirez Beckham Quentin Konerko Dunn Rios Pierzynski Morel Pierre

The biggest problem with Pierre/Morel batting 1/2 is that they make just a lot of outs. Heck, give Rios a try at the 2nd spot if we're going to keep playing Pierre.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jun 25, 2011 -> 04:47 AM) That truly sucks. Coulda had a 1-2-3 inning and maybe won it in the bottom! Now a stolen base. f***. Ugh, hate this type of posts when you're following via gameday.

Crain should just pick him off.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Jun 25, 2011 -> 04:44 AM) still have ohman as well Wrong

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 25, 2011 -> 04:43 AM) We've basically got Crain and Thornton in the pen right? So maybe we can push 3 innings with luck... Who would be the backup guy if we have to use a starter? M-56? Well, Peavy did volunteer to pitch in relief

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 25, 2011 -> 04:41 AM) JC Makes the 8th kinda puzzling, doesn't it?

Be a hero Teahen!

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 25, 2011 -> 04:26 AM) A 96 mph fastball is a pretty good pitch too. And his change has been good several times this year, including games where he didn't have his good slider. He needs to learn how to get swings and misses with his fastball. Throws it over the plate a lot, but would be more effective with some occasional ones at the eyes with 2 strikes.

Is it hyperbole to say Bixler is one of the worst hitters to get 183 at bats in the majors in a long time?

Sergio does not like pitching on Friday nights, does he?

Yep, Nix has slider speed bat. With 2 strikes, you have to make him chase it.

Can some describe how Pierre just missed a walkoff?

That a boy Teahen and Ozzie! Great spot to use him

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 25, 2011 -> 03:54 AM) Pitching in the eighth inning of a 0-0 ballgame shouldn't be Bruneys job unless the bullpen is totally gassed. Sox desperately need to find another reliable righty reliever. Having two on the roster is a recipe for burning them out.

Did they say during the game why Bruney was used instead of Crain or Santos?

Here's my thought on Dunn after the question I asked before. If he hits terrible for another few weeks, I think you bench him. Everyone says that we won't win anything without him contributing, but what if the opposite is true, and that is "we won't win the AL Central with him in our lineup struggling?" With Rios, you let him ride it out cause you don't have anyone else who can play full time CF.

Wow, just saw that we let Bruney pitch to Morse with an open base. I can't believe we didn't walk him to face Espinosa, who really struggles against LHP. Why is Bruney valued so much by this organization? It's funny, but the man of the day, J4L, screamed last week that Ozzie better not let Morse beat us.

What happened on the Dunn deep fly out?

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jun 25, 2011 -> 02:49 AM) We seem to be calling for a Dayan Viciedo call up more all the time and complaining about Juan Pierre. But, I have never seen DV in the OF. How is his throwing arm? How many assists does he have at Charlotte? Of course he also swings a bat, which I agree seems to be a challenge for JP. Viciedo is supposed to have a cannon

Legitimate question: at what point do you bench Dunn? I'm all for letting him work it out if you're not in a pennant race, but since we've climbed back into contention, you can't keep letting him hurt you. Hopefully he'll figure it out in the next few months, but for right now, the big man needs to take a step back and regroup.

Whats up with CQ