fathom

QUOTE (WCSox @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 05:29 PM) My memory may be failing me, but I don't recall Bobby throwing that hook very often in 2005. I didn't see it until 2006, after he changed his mechanics and was topping out at 96-97. His hook is worthless if he can't throw it over the plate. Hitters will sit on his fastball. He threw it all the time with 2 strikes in 2005. His hook is a lot less effective now because hitters don't have to start their swing as fast with the fastball coming in at a more hittable speed.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 04:29 PM) So why do the Red Sox need another 1b? Lowell might be out for the year, so they'll move Youkilis to 3rd base. I hate watching LaRoche hit, so I'm very happy the White Sox didn't get him.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 05:41 AM) His off speed stuff looked great for the first 2 hitters last night, I don't think anybody would argue that. The fastball velocity thing baffles me though, because his heater has looked to the naked eye to be the worst it's ever been this year, and hitters seem to be hitting it harder than they ever have been. But even last night, Hawk was SHOCKED that Pena was able to turn around a high fastball from Jenks and hit it 400 feet into the upper deck foul.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 05:09 AM) He's had a pretty good curveball this year for the most part, which I think helps explain the K rate. The curveball this year, IMO, has been the biggest reason he's been able to be even as ok as he has. He had a stretch in June where it wasn't there, but other than that, it's saved him quite a bit. That and the slider to a lesser degree has also helped. Tonight was the least explosive I've ever seen his stuff. He did something he never does, and that's throw his fastball in the dirt. When he's even moderately fresh, his fastball will tail up and away to lefties. And as soxfan1 talked about in the gamethread, Burrell got some favorable calls. It sucks he hit Longoria, cause that was a 5-4-3 waiting to happen.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 05:06 AM) It's funny too cause his K/BB rate/ratio has been very good this year. He's basically Rod Beck 2.0 right now, cept this is one of the rare saves he's blown. People forget how disgustingly bad his K/9 IP was last year. I wanted him traded during the offseason, and think he'll be dealt after this season. It sucks to see this happening, as he's had just a magical run with the Sox so far.

He needs to start getting ahead with offspeed stuff, as you could tell Tampa's scouting report said to jump on the first pitch. Even last night, Pena started the 9th with a blast way, way foul. He doesn't throw hard enough to just frequently blow it past hitters like he did in 2005, etc. I wonder if all the homers he allowed earlier in the year has scared him into using the 2 seamer a lot more?

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 03:02 AM) Were 0-39 after trailing in the 8th, so I doubt it. Unless we tied the game up only to lose it, but I can't remember any of those. We still haven't had a walkoff homer this year.

Anyone find out if a closer has had a blown save vs the Sox this year?

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 02:50 AM) Mariano Rivera makes about as much as Jenks, Linebrink, and Dotel combined. I deleted it as soon as I typed it, as I was referring to the set-up men but figured there's guys on the DL I forget.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 02:47 AM) Relax. Take a deep breath, step away from the keyboard, and relax. I'm disappointed we couldn't keep the momentum from last night and win tonight, but I'm just happy to finally get to watch our top 9 batters play in the same lineup.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 02:47 AM) Iwant to know what Jenk's problem is and not hear a tirade from Ozzie about how he is the manager and it was just a lucky hit blah blah. We can't afford to give up leads and wins in the 9th. That's what our closer is for to shut down the opposition/ Other teams seem to be able to beat us in the 9th The ironic thing is that Jenks K rate is way up from last year. He also had amazing control really until last night. As jphat keeps pointing out, he's throwing that sinker and it's tailing too much towards his right. He obviously has no confidence in his 4 seamer.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 03:43 AM) It hadn't crossed my mind that Bobby would do this to us again. I can't believe that, i'm so pissed, right now. So, damn pissed. We can't keep sending him out their. This is unacceptable. Do what? He barely escaped three blown saves in the last 10 games. At least my man love for J. Werth can continue to make tonight not just horrible.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 03:42 AM) Man, taking that 1st pitch down the pipe was bad by Nix. Hawk nailed the scouting report

Ouch..tough loss.

Nix can't do anything after getting some great pitches to hit. How about Beckham's first homer at the Cell?

Ozzie know lefties hit Howell much better cause of the change-up?

Wow...at least it wasn't a DP.

Bunt with Quentin?

QUOTE (jphat007 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 02:32 AM) Oh come on. Every team has a bunch of these types of games every year. I would say the bigger issue is we need to start winning some of the games where we make a comeback at the end.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 02:32 AM) Sox have hit the s*** out of Howell, so thats a positive. Have we when he's been a reliever? Bad memories of Crede/Swisher not swinging against him last year for strike outs.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 02:29 AM) You're ridiculous. You are probably Dotel's biggest critic. He always chokes. He's not a closer. GMAB, you're never f***ing wrong are you? I'm tired of your bulls***. Now is not the f***ing time. Um, Dotel is the person who I would beg for Ozzie to use as a closer instead of Linebrink last year. He's the only one with closing experience besides him. I understand you're pissed about what's happened tonight, we all are.

QUOTE (qwerty @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 02:28 AM) No manager pulls their full time closer in that situation. None. I think we can all agree he should be pulled now? This is a ton of pitches for him to throw in consecutive days.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 02:26 AM) Guess I'm the only one that thinks Zobrist ball shoulda been a DP. Not sure where the hell Lexi was. That was a rocket, no chance

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 02:25 AM) Ya, what a moron. Bringing your closer in? Horrible decision. STOP f***ING WHINING!!!!!!!!! Oh stop...he should have been pulled when the bases were loaded. After seeing how poorly the fastball was the first few batters, you have to bring in Dotel.

QUOTE (qwerty @ Jul 22, 2009 -> 02:25 AM) For all of you that think dye is a good fielder... i hope you remember that play. There's no one who watches games that's not named Ken or Steve that thinks Dye is good defensively.