Bad Man Manny Strikes Again

Uh Oh, is that some jazz hands I see from Manny? (SawxBlog Illustration)

Manny Ramirez, coming fresh off of another great series against the Yankees, picked up in Cleveland right where he left off in Boston, hot. Last nights come from behind two out in the top of the ninth victory, coupled together with the series win over the Yankees, finally seems to be giving the Red Sox some sort of positive momentum. The Sox are now only half a game out of first in what thus far has been a fairly even spread AL East.

One of my favorite things to see last night was how a bunch of the players gathered around Big Papi before the game and performed some sort of hex reversing ceremony on the left handed slugger. This showed me two things. One being that the Sox players, despite the travel, despite the Coco/Jacoby CF thing, and despite their slow start they still have both their humor and their camaraderie. It also showed how they gather around the leader Ortiz has become. David ended up going 2/5 last night, and although he still looks a little off, and yes his two hits were opposite field bloops, but these are the games that get you going in the right direction. That and Ortiz is now finally over the Mirabelli line now that he's hitting .106.

Unfortunately it was more of the same for Jon Lester last night, great early on, and not so much later on. I hope this attributes to arm strength and is something that will change as the season progresses, but we'll see. Papelbon continued with his dominance last night as he K'd two of the three batters he faced in a most impressive manner. Johhny Paps (1.29 ERA) has pitched 7.0 innings so far this season and he has 14 K's to his credit. Like I said, pretty sick. The real unsung hero of this game is my man Julian Tavarez, who pitched a great game over 2.2 innings and gave up 0 runs to keep the Sox within the distance of a possible comeback.

However we all know the true hero on the night was Manny Ramirez, whose HR in the ninth inning became the most dramatic hit for the Red Sox in this young 2008 season. Manny is averaging an RBI a game with 14 in 14 and is hitting .309 with 3 HR's as he is rapidly approaching the 500 mark. With Big Papi struggling, Manny's really put the Sox on his back, and have kept things manageable as the Sox battle jet lag and Papi's woes. And from me to you, I'm glad this bad man's on our side.

Comments

[DAD]

I know what Manny did was great but without that great performance by Tavarez he might not have tthat chance. Coming in and strikng out two batters with the bases loaded and a couple of more good innings was just great.

[Derek Hixon]

I agree 100% there Dad, Julian been a gamer for the Sox the past couple years and consistently accepts whatever role it is he's given. Be it starter, long reliever, set-up man, or interpretor of Manny :-)

Great game last night, and great work by Julian.

PS - Go Bruins!

[Cecilio's Scribe]

I posted this yesterday on Manny

http://www.legendofcecilioguante.com/2008/04/manny-ramirez-best-of-era-methinks.html

Watching last night only has me more convinced.

[Cecilio's Scribe]

I posted this yesterday on Manny

http://www.legendofcecilioguante.com/2008/04/manny-ramirez-best-of-era-methinks.html

Watching last night only has me more convinced.

[Dogzilla]

Manny has always been my favorite Red Sox, since the day he arrived here. I've held a lot of love for other players over the years, but Manny's always been my man. Plus, we're both from the same city in the DR. I know a lot of folks have doubted my man over the years, especially in this sports-crazy city, but I personally think he has one of the best attitudes in this or any other game.

And I have to second DAD's props for Julian. Tavarez may be up and down, and he may suddenly turn into a bowling pro when the ball drives back to the mound, but damn if he doesn't always give everything he has, no matter when he's asked to perform and no matter what he's asked to do. Last night was a beaut.

A friend asked me the other day which Red Sox I'd most like to have a beer with. While my first response would be to chill with Manny or Mike Lowell, I had to think long and hard, cause you know having a beer with Tavarez would just turn into an insane adventure.

God I love my Red Sox.

[Derek Hixon]

First off, great site Cecilio, lovin' it.

And Dog I love the idea of which Red Sox would you most want to have a beer with so much I think I'm going to make that the new poll. I did it a few years ago and it was a shoot out between Millar and Damon. This year I think I'd have to go with either Paps, Julian, or Youk. We'll see what the people have to say.

[Christopha Hixon]

Classic baseball game last night. The Red Sox demonstrated that they don't win simply because they are loaded with talent, they win because they know how to play the game. All 9 innnings. I couldn't agree more with Dad. Middle relief, especially Tavarez did a phemoninal job keeping us in the game. Youk did his thing in the eigth to trim the lead to just one run. The 9th inning was classic baseball, start to finish. Lugo set the tone with a great at bat and huge double to get into scoring position. Who executes a bunt better than Coco? No one. Not only did he move Lugo to third, but he just about beat out the throw. Pedroia, knowing the situation and the role he needed to execute hit the ball deep enough to score Lugo. Papi rips (okay bloops, but we'll take it) a single to left and Manny being Manny again destroys his former club by blasting another home run to take a 6 to 4 lead. You couldn't have scripted a better 9th inning and the Red Sox are proving they know how to play and win as a team. It's right out of the Bellicheck book - know you role and execute - that's all you have to do to win and play like a champion.

Special shout out to MLB TV - watching every freaking Sox game from Chicago, Illinois is unbelieveble. My one and only suggestion to improve this awesome online tool - please let us listen to the home town broadcasters for away games. Listening to the idiots on Cleveland TV is excruciating. Give me the Rem Dog for all 162 games!

Go Sawx!!!

[Derek Hixon]

We'll be watching a game live together in just a few days, can't wait!!!