Fighting the rain all game long, the Sox were able to best the Mariners just before the umpires were forced to call this one, as a two-run blast by Tyler Flowers after a Kevin Millwood walk to Jordan Danks won this one for the Sox 4-3. It is the sixth straight win for this ballclub, giving them a perfect 6-0 homestand.
GAVIN’S INJURY
Gavin Floyd was forced to leave this one just after two innings due to elbow soreness. I wonder if this had anything to do with the weahter, as maybe he warmed up before the game was delayed (not sure, just speculating)?
While Floyd has been bad lately, the Sox certainly need him in this rotation down the stretch. If he does miss a start, I wouldn’t expect Hector Santiago to fill the void given the fact the Sox already have three lefties in the rotation. It would likely be Dylan Axelrod of Phil Humber. The next start for this spot in the rotation? Friday at Detroit, so the Sox better make a decision quickly. Maybe they will elect to throw Humber Thursday and push back Quintana to Friday? I guess time and Floyd’s health will determine that.
RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY (OR PICK UP AT THE RIGHT TIME)
It was a legnthy wait at The Cell on Saturday. Credit: fanfeedr.com
The umpires had a rough series, and today was not different, as I thought they managed this game terribly with the rain. I’m not complaining because the Sox likely won because of it, but the way that seventh inning was run was pretty bad. It’s really unfair to a starting pitcher, especially late in the ballgame, to make him stand around for five minutes in the middle of the inning. The more you rest your arm each half-inning, the harder it is to come back the next inning. So, basically, Millwood had another half-inning’s time off built into the middle of an actual inning. The umps probably should have called it right then and there, but again, I’m not complaining! lol.
TYLER’S HOT STREAK
Tyler Flowers came through again today with his , and he’s now hitting over .350 in his last 15 or 16 games played. It will be nice to have another good bat off the bench down the stretch, and when a third catcher gets called up in September, it will give Robin the flexibility to pinch-hit Tyler and even start him when Dunn or Paulie needs rest, having AJ DH and Flowers catch.
HEADING EAST
The Sox will head to Baltimore for a four game set, with Francisco Liriano facing Wei-Yin Chen in the first game tomorrow night. Baltimore’s been a good team all season, so the Sox are certainly going to have to come to play if they want to take this series.