Red Sox / Yankees - Game 9

Yesterday Sandy asked how I could say that a pitcher who gave up 5 runs in five innings still pitched a good game. Randy Johnson was an example of just that very situation last night. Johnson ended up throwing seven innings, giving up five runs (all earned - all in the first five innings) while walking two and striking out nine before giving way to THOMAS Gordon.

Yesterday I complained about the Red Sox blowing scoring chances and leaving men on base. Last night was the opposite. The five runs they scored off Johnson came off just five hits (three just happened to be home runs). If it wasn't for those three home runs, Johnson could have had a shutout going but then again if my aunt had balls....

Before moving past Johnson let me say that I don't think he'll handle a full season of the pressure of playing in New York very well. I grant that Gibson behind the plate didn't do a very good job of calling balls and strikes last night but that happens and Johnson didn't handle it very well. Volcano ready to erupt, ticking time bomb, use whatever metaphor you want to describe Johnson's demeanor. Let me suffice it to say that Randy Johnson is heading towards a very ugly situation sometime this summer.

Oh and also let me say a premature "I told you so" regarding the Big Unit. Some scribes suggested that the Cy Young should be engraved with Johnson's name before the season but I said that Johnson would be lucky to match the numbers Roger Clemens put up in his first year in New York (14-10 with a 4.60 ERA). After three starts Johnson is 1-0 with a 4.74 ERA. Premature - I know (if I'm wrong then you get to tell me "I told you so").

Thursdays have traditionally been poker night. So after watching the first five innings I drove off to our secure location only to find that because the firemen and cops who play in the game were working - no game. Not one to waste a kitchen pass where my wife didn't expect me home till 2:30 - I decided to drive to Foxwoods.

Listening to the Red Sox radio broadcasters on the way down I was struck by one thing; every time a certain Yankee reliever was mentioned - it was always "Thomas" Gordon. Not the familiar "Tom" or "Flash" but "Thomas". I thought this was strange. Did Gordon make a request to be known as "Thomas" after all these years? If so then he should go back to just plain "Tom" because "Tom" was very reliable whereas "Thomas" has a 7.71 ERA and took the loss in last nights game.

Halfway down to the Connecticut casino the Red Sox signal petered out and I had to switch over to the Yankee broadcast. I was struck by one thing - the Yankee radio broadcasters suck. I mean they are really bad. Sterling and Waldman just suck. Sterling rambles incoherently like a 80-year old trying to order the early bird special at an unfamiliar restaurant. Waldman screeches. I wonder if they are somehow part of some mad-scientist experiment where confusing information is coupled with the distracting sound of nails on a chalk board to break the spirit of the listener.

Unfortunately, I had to rely on the un-dynamic duo for my game information and for the description of the Gary Sheffield / fan altercation. I couldn't wait to get to the Foxwoods poker room to see what actually happened.

My take is that the fan was making a reach for the ball not trying to hit Sheffield and that Sheffield did not show "great restraint" as he is today being credited for. To me, though, the big story is how quick that security guard went on the field, ran to the situation, hopped the fence and got between Sheffield and the fan. That was a really quick reaction.

For the longest time the Red Sox have used Boston College hockey players as security guards. The arrangement stems from ex-Red Sox CEO John Harrington being a BC alum. The hockey players are quick, athletic and unafraid to throw down if called upon. I wonder if that security guard last night is a BC Eagle hockey player.

Two final things.

1. Jason Varitek has passed Ortizzle as the team MVP this year.

2. I think Edgar Renteria may have finally given a performance that allows him to stop pressing and trying to impress and allows him to just relax and be himself. Last night Renteria had a HR a double and three RBI.

Oh - as far as Foxwoods is concerned, I dropped a Benjamin at a 4 / 8 Hold'em table. I play it tight but it just wasn't my night.