Assuming the Cubs’ Glendon Rusch (above) has an opportunity to face Bronson Arroyo for a third time this season, he might as well knock his counterpart down. Anything to avoid being taken deep by an opposing pitcher for a third time in one year.
Jonathan Papelbon collected his 4th save in a week, pitching a perfect 9th inning and preserving the win for Josh Beckett (2-0), as the Red Sox celebrated a 5-3 home opener victory over the Blue Jays. If you’re looking for a silver lining in Keith Foulke’s new status as the highest paid set-up guy in baseball, look at it this way : soon, he’ll be the most well compensated mop-up man.
3B Mike Lowell, completely written off by this correspondent during spring training, had 4 hits, 3 of ’em doubles, and 4 RBI’s. Terry Francona said afterwards that Lowell would soon learn to love the Green Monster, but on today’s evidence, he’s already infatuated.
In case Ben Schwartz hasn’t mentioned this already, Cubs’ broadcasts now feature OBP as a stat when hitters come to the plate.