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Recap: Sox get swept, lose 90th game

(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

It's official, this is the worst Red Sox team since 1966. The Sox lost their final meeting against the Orioles, by a score of 6-3 to complete the sweep. The Sox finished the season with a 5-13 record against the O's, the first losing record to Baltimore since 2004. Unfortunately, that was a better end to the season for the Sox.

Zach Stewart completely sucked, again. This time, Stewart only went 2.2 innings, giving up 5 runs (all earned), on 7 hits, and struck out only 1 Orioles batter. The bullpen did a good job in relief, giving up only 1 more run (Mortensen), but the offense was held back by Orioles pitching. What else is new?

The Sox got their 3 runs on homers from Ross and Nava. Ross hit a solo shot in the 4th and Nava hit a 2-run homer in the 7th. That was it for any notable offense. Jose Iglesias flashed some pretty leather to make the 100 Red Sox fans that watched this game feel good. 

If history repeats itself, and the Sox do follow up this season with one like 1967(with a different World Series outcome), I will be pretty damn happy.

Box Score

Your Morning Dump...Where the Sox embark on a miserable milestone

 

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.

The next loss for the Red Sox will be their 90th of the season. This will almost certainly be viewed as further evidence of the apocalypse and the need for Bobby Valentine to be drawn and quartered in Copley Square.

Losing 90 games is a benchmark in baseball. It's the point where you cross the line from being merely a bad team to being a truly dreadful one. Plenty of teams have losing seasons, but you need to really stink up the joint to lose 90 games.

But it's worth noting that you have to back to 1966 — three years before Neil Armstrong walked on the moon — to find the last Red Sox team to lose 90 games.

If that sounds impressive, it should. Because no other team has come close to going that many years.

[...]

So do not bemoan 90 losses. Celebrate the fact that you went 45 years without having to say, "Man, my team really stinks."

Globe: Thoughts on a miserable milestone for the Red Sox

Most Red Sox fans have stopped watching and are oblivious to what is going on with the team and baseball in general. With 4 games left this season, fully expect the Sox to finish with 93 losses. It is still weird to type "losses" after such a large number.

Last night's loss wasn't as embarrassing as the previous night. The Sox put up a great fight, but fell short of returning the favor to the Orioles by playing spoiler. There is that word again, I don't know why I mentioned it..."spoiler". I thought the requirement to play spoiler is to be a decent team. By decent, I mean more than 70 wins. I've been hearing that word for the last month and the Sox are the worst team at playing spoiler. They just make every team they play look like a playoff contender. The Royals have a better record than the Red Sox, THE ROYALS!

Thank god it is football season and basketball season is right around the corner. Some hockey would be nice, but I won't get into it.

On Page 2, The Sox may not require experience for their next manager.

Your Morning Dump... Where Tek's role is becoming a little more clear

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.

Ex-captain Jason Varitek [stats] is now a member of the front office, a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington, and for someone who was here in uniform just a year ago, he sounded ready and willing to help his floundering team as soon as possible.

“That’s why you do it, that’s why I never left this organization,” said Varitek during a conference call yesterday. “That’s why you take part. That could have just as well happened anywhere else. Here, I know a lot of the people still and it’s not that far removed. If I can offer some help in some ways then I want to be able to do it.”

The job description for Varitek does not seem ironclad, yet. He will help with evaluation at the major and minor league levels, mentorship, instruction and personnel decisions.

“First and foremost, it’s starting to be involved and to be involved and to learn a lot in a lot of different areas, that’s the biggest part,” said Varitek. “I’m not going to be removed from what goes on, but yet spend time with a lot of different things. As long as I played, I can still learn.”

Herald - In need of Tek relief

This new Varitek-Red Sox relationship is pretty interesting to me.  And, right now, doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Jason Varitek was born to manage a ballclub.  That's where we all expect this thing to conclude -- with him at the helm of the Red Sox.  As some recent managerial hires have proven, you don't need to have spent several years managing in the minors, or under a different manager to be run a major league club.  But if this is the path that Varitek is on, why make him an assistant general manager (assistant TO the general manager!)? 

I could be reading entirely too much into this, but I wonder if Varitek truly does want to manage a club.  At least at any time in the near future.  The Sox clearly want him as part of the organization, which is smart.  Maybe they'll let him 'explore' different positions hoping he'll realize that in the dugout is the only place he really wants to be.

All that aside, just having him around next year is going to put me at ease a little bit. I can't even speculate as to how much interaction he'll have with the players in 2013, but I would imagine the Sox made sure that some of the duties they expect from the assistant general manager (assistant TO the general manager!) is dealing with the players on the roster. 

Either way, it's just nice to have him aboard again.

Rest of the links:

Herald - Same old result here for Sox | Globe - Held to one hit, it’s a bad night in Baltimore | Varitek’s goal is to help restore the Red Sox | CSNNE -Losses bring Sox closer to protected draft pick | Orioles make short work of Cook, 9-1 | WEEI - A year later, Red Sox still at a loss to explain 2011 swoon | Varitek: Not saying 'yes' or 'no' to managing

Recap: We're not even trying anymore

October can't come fast enough (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Maybe it's because Cherington just confirmed that Valentine is a lame-duck (despite the poor backtracking attempt).  Maybe it's because they're as desperate for the season to end as we are.  Maybe they want to see the Yankees lose the division. 

Maybe they're just not that good at baseball.

Whatever the reason, the Red Sox were steamrolled by the Orioles tonight, 9-1.

How bad was Boston tonight?  In addition to the single run, they only had one hit - a Scott Podsednik bunt to lead off the game.  That's right - their only hit was on a bunt, during the first at-bat.  Pedroia drive him home on a sacrifice.  Woop-de-doo!

On the mound, Aaron Cook lasted an entire inning, giving up 6 runs and 3 walks in the frame.  Aceves followed him and gave up 3 runs and 6 hits over 3 2/3.  Pedro Beato came in and not only got Orioles out, he surrendered just one hit over 2+ innings with 2 K's.  So he's your Sox MVP for the night.

Daniel Bard also pitched and didn't give up a run for the first time since April 23rd.  I only wish I was making that up. 

BOX SCORE

How we see it goin' down: Red Sox - Orioles series

First Pitch: Friday 7:05, Saturday 7:05, Sunday 1:35

Arms: Friday: Aaron Cook, RHP (4-10, 5.13 ERA)  vs. Chriss Tillman, RHP (8-2, 3.08 ERA)

Saturday: Felix Doubront, LHP (11-9, 4.91 ERA) vs. Steve Johnson, RHP (4-0, 1.62 ERA) 

Sunday: Zach Stewart, RHP (0-1, 27.00 ERA) vs. Joe Saunders, LHP (8-13, 4.09 ERA) 

                       Yard: Oriole Park at Camden Yards   Watch it: NESN   Hear it:  WEEI

The Matchup

Record: 69-87 (T-Last AL East)	Record: 89-60 (2nd AL East)
On road: 35-40	At home: 44-34
Streak: Lost 2	Streak: Won 1
Leaders at the plate	Leaders at the plate
Average: Podsednik (.307)	Average: Jones (.292)
Homers: Saltalamacchia (24)	Homers: Jones (32)
RBI: Ross (77)	RBI: Wieters (82)
Leaders on the mound	Leaders on the mound
Wins: Buchholz/Doubront  (11)	Wins: Chen (12)
ERA: Buchholz (4.22) | Tazawa (1.54)	ERA: Johnson (1.62) |Strop (2.33)
K's: Lester (165)	K's: Chen (150)

Last time

The Orioles took 2 out of 3 against the Sox last weekend at Fenway to improve their season record against Boston to 10-5. Matt Wieters and Adam Jones were tough on Sox pitching in the first two losses, but the Sox were able to salvage the final game behind a very good Doubront start.

This time

Laser Show: Dustin Pedroia

The top performer of a group of non-performers, if that makes sense. It doesn't matter anyway.

Pitch Around: Mark Reynolds, Adam Jones & Matt Wieters

The Sox normally make Mark Reynolds look like Babe Ruth, and they continue to.  Even though Reynolds was the only one of the trio to record a hit in all 3 games, Adam Jones and Mark Wieters brought the bigger bats last weekend. They combined for 9 hits, 5 RBI,  and 5 runs scored.

Don't Fall Behind: Steve Johnson

I don't care if the Sox get swept, but they have to lose with some dignity. They can't get shut down or no-hit, and it could be a possibility with the way Steve Johnson is pitching. As a starter, Johnson is 3-0 in 3 starts,  with a 2.12 ERA, and 22 K's.  That is over 7 strikeouts per game. It could get ugly. 

How we see it goin' down

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see the Red Sox win, it is just not likely. It would be great to see them play spoiler, but the Orioles have a lot ot play for and the Sox have nothing. As I said, as long as they don't get embarrassed, I can tolerate the losses. I believe the Sox have at least one more win against the O's in them, and that may be a stretch. I have some faith left in Doubront and none in Cook or Stewart, so write those two games off.

Your Morning Dump... Where Cherington backtracks

Don't get too comfortable in this.

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.

Reached by the Globe Thursday afternoon, Cherington said he did not mean to suggest Bobby Valentine’s firing was imminent.

“I honestly meant it very literally, like we would like to spend less time on it,” Cherington said. “That could mean one day, that could mean no days. In my mind, it was nothing to do with Bobby or a decision about him, but I guess people are taking it the wrong way and if I need to clarify it, I’ll clarify it.”

Asked if he felt compelled clarify the remark, Cherington replied, “I mean, the only thing I can clarify is to tell you that I meant it in the most literal sense possible. We’d like to focus less of our offseason on who the manager is. I don’t think that has anything to do with Bobby Valentine. It has to do with how we’re allocating our time.

“As Larry [Lucchino, the team president] has stated many times, and as ownership has stated many times, Bobby is managing the team and we’ll meet after the season.”

Globe -Ben Cherington says comment didn’t mean Valentine firing was imminent

After reading those quotes above, at least one thing is clear: Ben Cherington would make for a terrible presidential candidate.  Not convincing whatsoever.

Yesterday, as Nick mentioned, hearing Cherington say what he originally said - that the Sox would be spending time this offseason on their managerial search - was certainly not shocking.  Not to you.  Not to me.  Most likely not to Bobby Valentine, either.  It even gave a glimmer of hope to Sox fans desperate to put this season, and the Bobby Valentine era, in the rearview mirror.

So what does the Sox brass expect us to do now?  Pretend like we don't know that Valentine is going to be fired as quickly as possible?  That his desk isn't probably already cleared off?  You let the cat out of the bag - a cat that everybody knew was in the bag, if I'm using that old-timey phrase properly.  Might as well run with it.  Now you just look silly, and we're all left rolling our eyes at you.  Again.

On a side note, I've been spending some time thinking about the 2013 Red Sox.  While we have absolutely no idea what that roster is going to look like, it's probably safe to say they won't go handing out $150 million contracts to every free agent that wants one this winter.  We're going to have some young guys, and a few others with a bit to prove.  And, as silly as it may sound, Valentine is probably well-suited to manage that team.  Much more so than he was the team the Sox fielded this season. 

But there is no turning back on 2012 now.  Regardless of the nonsense Ben desperately tries to spin.

Rest of the links:

Herald - Sox switch in works? | It adds up to disaster | Globe - Varitek named assistant to the GM | Winning players in a lost Red Sox season | Making the most of it |Ortiz: Red Sox need to re-embrace the '04 approach | WEEI -In search of Mike Aviles: What to make of the shortstop's lot in life | Report: Francona has contact with Indians | ESPN - Keith Foulke catches up

Cherington indirectly confirms Valentine will be out

Ben Cherington was on the D&C show on WEEI this morning and discussed the state of the Red Sox and future plans. Without directly saying it, although he might as well have, Cherington indicated Bobby Valentine will not be the Red Sox manager next season.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington was a guest of the Dennis & Callahan show on Thursday morning. Understading Cherington wouldn't specifically address if manger Bobby Valentine would return in 2013, Gerry Callahan asked if Cherington would move quickly should the decison be made to fire Valentine.

"I'd always rather get the decision right rather than rush it," Cherington said. "But I think that what we know we need to do is hit the ground running in this offseason. One of the things, as I look back at last offseason, that didn't go perfectly was simply the amount of time that we spent on the manager search and what that did to the rest of the offseason. I would like to spend less time on it this offseason, that's for sure."

There it is. He would like to spend less time on the manager search this offseason. I would say it is a pretty solid statement that we will see the last of  Valentine after the New York series.

Does this come as a shock to anyone? If it does, Ben will come over and hit you over the head with a hammer.

It should be a cause for celebration. I'm glad someone said it without saying it. Something to look forward to next season, no Bobby V.

Taking Stock: Rays - Sox series

After every series, we'll take stock of how each individual and group performance affects their overall value.

Lineup

Yeah, I'm grouping everyone together again. They all sucked. No one had more than 2 hits combined in the 2-game series. They combined for 25 strikeouts...25! Not that it matters, but it is nice to have some positive in such a disappointing time. Well, Pedey did reach base 4 times, 2 more than anyone else. Actually, that is not really a positive, that is just sad.

Starting Pitching

Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester have been worse, but they could have been much better. As a whole, the Rays do not have a great offense. Their offense didn't demolish Buchholz and Lester, but they did enough to back the Rays' better asset, their pitching.

Bullpen

Other than Clayton Mortensen's tough outing last night, no one else was touched for runs. Hill, Melancon, and Breslow combined for 9 strikeouts last night. Hey, look at that, some positives.

Managing

Poor Bobby.

 

Overall

Just another series sweep. At least this one was a quick 2 games. Can we just throw up the white flag and just forfeit the final 6 games? I doubt they are going to be much of a spoiler.

Your Morning Dump... where Bobby knows he's gone.

 

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.

“I have the gas masks,” he said. “I could handle the chemical weapons. The bullets penetrated but they didn’t kill me. What did I learn about myself? I’m almost a year older, I know that and it’s gone quickly.”

 

Rumors and speculation have run rampant that he will be fired after the season concludes, Wednesday in New York. Valentine, though, does not  believe that. He hasn’t thought that today could be his last day at Fenway Park as the Sox manager.

 

“I don’t think so, no,” he said. “And if it is, I’d like to thank you all, or at least most of you, for your professionalism this year and your willingness to put up with all the stuff that goes on on a day-to-day basis and wish you all great health to you and your families. Enjoy. Because it is the last [home] day this year.”

CSNNE: Bobby Valentine 'I think I'm coming back'

There's no way you can believe what you're saying right Bobby? Otherwise, your last pregame press conference at Fenway wouldn't have sounded like an exit interview. 

But for one more time, Bobby managed to give one hell of a quote to leave on, a little reminiscent of an old  Kevin Garnett quote.

It's great to think that Bobby has withstood the attack. Everything around him is in ruins but he's still standing, until Larry Lucchino comes and stabs him in the back. Someone has to fall on the sword for this bad season and Lucchino will never take the blame for making a bad decision and Bobby Valentine is the odd man out. Even if they never gave Valentine a legitimate chance to do something.

Maybe in 2013 that will change. Valentine won't be around to find out which would be a sour end to the man's career. Damn shame.

Globe: Valentine's final thoughts? | Sox announce all- Fenway team | Rays 4, Sox 2 | Herald: Sox lineup includes Yaz, Rocket | A Fenway finale but same Bobby V | Varitek close to rejoining club | Yaz on Triple Crown: Somebody's got to do it | CSNNE: Sox drop home finale to Rays | Valentine: I "think I'm coming back" | It could be a Field of Dreams again | Red Sox pitchers tie season high with 14 strikeouts | WEEI: Lester explains '12 | Manager search could change

Recap: Red Sox lose in fitting final game at Fenway

The Red Sox closed out their home portion of 2012 in appropriate fashion, losing to the Rays 4-2. Jon Lester underwhelmed (also appropriately), but did salvage a quality start out of a performance that went from no-hitter to batting practice in a matter of a few pitches in the 5th inning.

Even more fittingly, the organization went out of its way to name the "All-Fenway" team, which means about as little as you might think. It was another chance for the Red Sox to pump up their history, though the team's desperate attempt to make the present look decent resulted in selecting Dustin Pedroia as the greatest second baseman to play at Fenway, instead of Hall of Famer and nine-time All-Star Bobby Doerr. Doerr's number is retired, he is 200 spots ahead of Pedroia on Baseball-Reference's EloRater, and is better in pretty much every way. Meanwhile, Pedroia is still just 28, and while he's been very good, he's started to show signs that durability may be an issue.

Who knows, maybe Doerr's uniform didn't get dirty enough.

The Sox end the year at 34-47 at home, a mark that, according to Peter Abraham was their worst in nearly 50 years. This season was awful.

#buyabrick

Box score