twins/mlb
Boston media (and Nick Punto) on losing to Mauer and the Twins
Posted by: Howard Sinker Updated: August 5, 2012 - 8:50 AM
Let's get right to the tale of Baby Jesus and the two-out, full-count home run as told through the eyes of Boston media.
The Boston Herald's Scott Lauber wrote this about Saturday night's 6-4 loss to the Twins, in which Boston held a 4-3 lead until Joe Mauer took on the Green Monster: "In a loss that would have been stunning if only it wasn’t so predictable, closer Alfredo Aceves gave up a three-run homer to Joe Mauer in the ninth inning last night. And in the blink of an eye, the Sox went from being one strike away from a rousing victory to a 6-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins, only the latest gut punch in a season that has turned into a ghastly mess."
And this, from the exiled Nick Punto: “We’re very mediocre.We’re not playing good baseball. We have the talent in this room to do it. We just haven’t. We know we need to go on this run. The clock’s ticking. We just need to play good baseball.”
In addition to the required grilling of manager Bobby Valentine, a reasonable amount was made of the pitch by Alfredo Aceves before the home run, which could have been called a strike without raising too many eyebrows.
From Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe: "Aceves had been pinched on a 2-2 pitch to Mauer by home plate umpire David Rackley. The replay showed the pitch was right on the outside corner for a strike. But the count ran to 3-2 and Aceves left one way too fat and Mauer powered it over the Monster. 'Why don’t you ask the umpire how much he missed the pitch before? Ask him,' "
Here's that full story.
And if you were looking for a Boston view of how Valentine managed his bullpen Saturday night, NESN.com offers this under the headline: "Bobby Valentine has managed bullpen brilliantly, can't be faulted for Saturday relief collapse."
(No, it isn't written by Bobby Valentine.)
And if you missed the home run call, ft. Dick 'n' Bert, here it is.
Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/08/bobby-valentine-has-managed-bullpen-brilliantly-cant-be-faulted-for-saturday-relief-collapse.html
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