This sums up the Sox season pretty well (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Erik Bedard didn’t need a thesaurus to describe the third inning of the Red Sox’ 7-5 loss to the Orioles last night.
He summed it up in one word.
“Long.’’
He hadn’t started since Sept. 3 because of a sore knee and a left lat strain, and after the long layoff manager Terry Francona wanted to keep him on a pitch limit.
There was no way, Francona said, Bedard would come anywhere near 100 pitches.
He wound up throwing 54 in the third inning alone, giving up four runs (just one earned) on three hits. His night lasted just 2 2/3 innings as the Sox took their fourth loss in the past five games.
“It was a long inning,’’ Bedard said. “I just tried to battle and tried to limit the damage.’’
Globe - Long third inning does in Bedard
This is my fourth attempt at writing this morning's dump. The previous three were an odd mixture of vulgarities and incoherent swipes at the keyboard in between violent, heaving sobs. Did you know it's possible to cry so much that you short out your keyboard?
The Red Sox lost a game where the Orioles threw Rick VandenHurk on the mound to start. Not even Rick VandenHurk's mother thought Baltimore stood a chance last night. And while Rick VandenHurk didn't pitch so well (yes, I really really enjoy the name Rick VandenHurk), the Red Sox pitching was just that much worse.
Tell me if this sounds familiar: Red Sox starter struggles early, is out of the game by the third inning. Sox batters battle back, giving the Sox the lead heading into the 8th. Tito turns the game over to his oh so amazing bullpen, who immediately vomit all over your hopes and dreams.
With the Yankees taking down the Rays last night, we didn't lose any ground in the Wild Card. But if this is the type of effort we take to the field against an Orioles squad lead by Rick VandenHurk, I don't know that I want to deal with the anger and frustration of getting blown out in October.
And in related news, I'm pretty sure I've lost the ability to pretend to be optimistic about this season.
Also, be sure to check out the 'Yankee fan' link from CSNNE below. What a dick.
On Page 2, Manny is picking up a bat again (to play baseball this time).
Former World Series MVP Manny Ramirez, who retired in April after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, hopes to play for a winter league team in his Caribbean homeland.
Winston Llenas, president of the Cibao Eagles, a winter league team in the northern Dominican Republic for whom Ramirez played in 1993-94, told The Associated Press during a Tuesday phone interview that Ramirez is expected to start training with his former team next week.
Llenas said the 39-year-old Ramirez told team officials he wants to "play before the Dominican fans and to perhaps motivate other Major League stars to also play in the country."
FoxNews - Fresh Off Arrest, Manny Ramirez to Play Winter Ball in Dominican Republic
Despite whatever he's become in the US, I imagine Manny is still a hero in the Dominican.
Whether or not he's going to blaze a trail for Major League 'stars' to leave the US and play for the their homeland? Well, I'm a bit more skeptical on that plan.
I think it's become clear that Manny needs baseball in his life. If going back home and playing there is what's going to keep Manny out of trouble, then I'm all for it. Plus, I doubt the Dominican League has very strict PED testing.
....just be happy I went for the steroid joke and not the domestic abuse joke. We do have standards on this site, you know. Why else do you think Chuck is only allowed one post per season?
Rest of the links:
CSNNE - Game Story: SEPTEMBER 20: ORIOLES 7, RED SOX 5 | Francona takes high road on Schilling comments | Yankee fan happily joins sink-the-Sox bandwagon | Globe - Holding pattern | Herald - Tito may Yank Bedard | Pedroia, Sox get pumped with Flair for dramatics | April rain brings pain for Red Sox | WEEI - Papelbon: 'This game's on me' | Duquette on D&C: 'We overpaid for Crawford' | Pedroia: 'Take a deep breath' | NESN - Josh Reddick's Miscue Prolongs Nightmare Inning for Erik Bedard, Forces Another Early Dip Into Red Sox Bullpen
