"I understand the circumstances of today," Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield told his manager before yesterday's game.
"No matter what, don't take me out."
The previous game's starter had headed to the showers after one inning. The bullpen pitched 11 innings after that. All but ONE relief pitcher was leaned upon hard, with Javy Lopez throwing for the third straight day and eventually taking the hard luck loss.
Things were bleak for my beloved Red Sox. Looking at a potential four-game losing streak, already down 2-6 to start the season, they needed something. Thursday was an off day, so if they could just get through Wednesday's game intact, they could take a breather, recuperate, and regroup to start pushing again. They needed a stopper. They got Tim Wakefield.
And vintage Timmy they got, in some of his most beautiful, fluttering, knuckleball glory. Wake took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and went home with a complete game, 8-2 win under his belt.
People may question his age (he would have been the 2nd oldest pitcher to throw a no-no), his unorthodox (and often maddening) pitch, his back or shoulder ailments that have slowed him down at the end of the last two seasons... but you can never doubt his heart.
"No matter what, don't take me out."
With the masterful performance he put on yesterday afternoon, we never even thought about it.
Picture via YFSF
That was definitely a wonderful performance. I was listening to the last few innings of the game at work wishing I had taken the day off to be there in person. I did make it up to Oakland on Tuesday night. That was a frustrating loss after sitting there in the cold and wind for nearly four and a half hours, but awesome to see the Red Sox right there on the field (I had a seat in the second row right by their bullpen mound...watching the relievers get up one by one to take their turn).
By the way, I am a fairly new Boston fan after finally getting hooked on them last year. I meant to ask after a recent link to survivinggrady.com, any other recommended Red Sox related reading, blogs, etc. for keeping up with the team?
Posted by: Andy Blackwell | Apr 16, 2009 at 07:36 PM
GAH!!
I had just typed up a nice list of blogs and poof! It's gone. I need to gather my strength to add it again...
Posted by: Doug | May 01, 2009 at 02:02 PM