Picture of Mike looking annoyed, courtesy of Kelly O’ConnorThere aren’t enough pictures of Jesse L Martin in the world to make me not annoyed by the Sox losing a series to the Royals*. Add to that, the Blue Jays laying down for the Yankees and, well, 7 games ahead is still 7 games ahead, but it’s annoying all the same.
Still not worried, though. I’ve said all along, unlike last year, the Sox were winning when they had to, when New York was struggling. They took advantage of that and gave themselves a lead that afforded them a bit of a slide. Every team goes through it so I’m not getting out the crying towels.
But they need to stop this shit now. (Listen up guys!)
I didn’t see most of the game so I suppose that has something to do with only being ‘annoyed’ and not being pissed right now. Funny how that works.
Exactly a month ago, the Yankees were 9 games behind the Sox. On June 14th, they were 7.5 games behind. We were supposed to be ‘frightened’ that the Yankees were on the comeback trail because they won 9 in a row while the Sox lost 5 out of 9 in that same stretch. Then the Sox were up by 10 at the All Star break. And that was when the likes of Manny and Lugo weren’t performing well. So, given how things are going right now (Julio Lugo must have really taken our postcard shower to heart!), you’ll pardon me for not being too concerned just yet.
So much for sending Julian the good vibes by making him my player of the week, eh?
And if anything can make me absolutely giddy about the Sox right now, it’s Mike Timlin. 2 1/3 scoreless innings last night, 13 2/3 scoreless innings in a row, four hits since June 26th in Seattle. He’s also been pitching more, last night having been the fourth time (out of the last six opportunities he’s had) that he’s pitched at least two innings. How happy does all of this make me? How much do I want to stick my tongue out at every other person I know and say "See? I told you so!". Good work, Mike!
Jeff Goldberg printed a great quote by Mike in regard to his pitching of late:
"I almost took a bat in the face in Seattle and had to go back out the next day. You’ve got to get back on the horse. It takes a point where you get knocked down, (and) say, ‘Okay, that’s enough.’ I threw the ball well right before I left Seattle and I’ve been throwing the ball well ever since. Maybe someone needed to throw a bat at my face. Should have done it earlier."
Hey, whatever works for you, Mike! Maybe we should send Ben Broussard a fruit basket?
Let’s hope that losing a series to the Royals will have the same affect on the team that almost getting beheaded by a flying bat had on you.
*So a picture of Mike Timlin will have to do!
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