Let it be known that questioning Jimmy Leyland will not be tolerated, even on the part of one of the game’s most dangerous hitters (circa 2003).
Congratulations to Carl Pavano, who showed tonight without a shadow of a doubt that he’s an even riskier proposition for a big league start than Ian Kennedy. Equal salutations are due the bullpens of the Red Sox and Rangers, who proved the New York Mets’ relief corps are hardly alone in their abject suckiness.
Speaking of which, after declaring Eddie Kunz the Mets’ new closer, Jerry Manuel promptly left Pedro Feliciano on the mound for the duration of the home 9th inning in Washington, with Feliciano earning the save in New York’s 4-3 victory. Were it not for the skull of Damon Easley, plunked-or-not with the score tied at 3 in the 8th inning, we might well be asking why Manuel chose to pinch hit the punchless Brian Schnieder for Johan Santana in the 8th.
I dunno, seems a little bit unfair to blame the Rangers’ bullpen when their starter gave up 12 runs in 2 2/3. (But only six earned!) And Okajima and Papelbon did what you’d like Heilman and Sanchez (and Wagner, for that matter) to do.
Josh Rupe – 2.1 IP, 4 hits, 3 walks, 2 earned runs
Jamey Wright – 1 IP, 1 earned run, 1 hit, 1 walk
Frankie Francisco – 1 IP, 4 earned runs, 2 hits, 2 walks
Javier Lopez, 0.1 IP, 1 earned run, 1 hit,
David Aardsma, 0.1 IP, 4 earned runs, 3 hits, 1 walk
Manny Being Manny Declarman – 1.1 IP, 3 runs (two earned), 4 hits
Indeed, the starters Scott Feldman and Charlie Zink were responsible for much of the damage at Fenway. But I feel comfortable citing the performance of the half dozen relievers cited above as examples of abject suckiness.
And Papelbon made the 9th pretty interesting too. Well, at least we know now that the Red Sox can win the close games.
I just figure any of the first two relievers pitching in a game before the fifth inning sucks by definition. Though if Rupe could pitch like that for twice as long he could have had either of two rotation spots for the Phillies just a month ago.
Francisco definitely sucked.