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00:00:00Live from the venerable grounds of Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, it's Major League Baseball
00:00:16on a Friday night. It's the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox. John Chambi alongside Chris
00:00:23Singleton. A couple of top-level power arms on the mound today, Singy. Well, with these arms,
00:00:28you expect a low-scoring ball game, and I think it's going to come down to which pitcher makes the
00:00:33least amount of mistakes. First pitch coming at you right after the break.
00:00:45Just about ready to go, and getting the start for the Red Sox, number 33. And Chris, he's a guy that
00:00:51gets better when things get tough. Yeah, his batting average against is actually better when he's in a
00:00:58jam, so we'll see if he continues to dance his way out of danger.
00:01:03All right, just about ready to go here at Fenway. Now it's the shortstop.
00:01:10The pitch.
00:01:14Lace to right, center base hit.
00:01:16Oh, that started and ended pretty quickly. No messing around right there. Just a cookie down
00:01:26the middle. I mean, those are the ones you dream about. Ones in the cage, you're just hoping you get
00:01:30in the ball game. Right down the middle, not a whole lot of velocity, right on top of it.
00:01:34So next to hit for Texas, number 29. That hits the dirt. Ball one.
00:01:41Foul ball.
00:01:59Rutter at first with no outs here.
00:02:06Pick-off throw. Young dives back in safely.
00:02:12And he deals. And a count one and two.
00:02:25And the righty deals. Pitch in the dirt. Now two and two.
00:02:41Well, with the amount of pitches that can end up in the dirt, a good secondary lead doesn't have to get
00:02:47away from the catcher. But if you're anticipating based off the trajectory, get yourself into scoring
00:02:53position.
00:02:54And a pitch. And a swing and a miss. And there's one down.
00:03:06Tell you what, those are the types of guys pitchers really like to punch out when they're on the mound.
00:03:10Because if they get on, just the distraction that they create with all that speed over on the base pass,
00:03:17it can take away your focus from the next hitter. And that's the last thing you want to do is serve up
00:03:22a pitch that a guy hits over the fence. And it's a multi-run home run.
00:03:26Stepping in, Josh Hamilton. Next pitch downstairs. And that's ball one.
00:03:32Righty to the plate.
00:03:47There's a high chopper on the run. Throw to first. Got the out.
00:03:52And now we take a look at the Rangers lineup.
00:04:01Singy, we're looking at a really young lineup here. So not much experience, but it also means
00:04:06they're going to bring a lot of energy to the table most days.
00:04:09Well, we're in a golden age of young players. I mean, these players, they're getting up to the majors.
00:04:14They're dominating from a young age, bringing home plenty of hardware early in their careers.
00:04:19I mean, before they even get to free agency. So, you know, when you consider all of that,
00:04:23I love seeing the kind of energy that a team like this brings to the yard every day, day in and day out.
00:04:30Rafael Palmeiro stepping in for the Rangers.
00:04:34Palmeiro, a guy hoping strong in September. And that's in there for strike one.
00:04:40That was absolute gas. Triple digits on the gun.
00:04:43It's just a different experience as a hitter watching that go by.
00:04:46Okay. Young stands at second with two gone.
00:04:51The next pitch misses, and it's one and two.
00:05:14That one is blasted. Left field towards the monster.
00:05:34Pulls it in on the warning track.
00:05:36One left for Texas. Now the Red Sox will get their shot.
00:05:42No score. It's Major League Baseball, and it's on the show.
00:05:48And we're back here at Fenway Park.
00:05:55And starting this one, Kevin Brown.
00:05:58What do you have on him?
00:05:59Yeah, he gave up several earned runs his last time out.
00:06:02I think command is a huge issue for him.
00:06:05And fastball command.
00:06:06He's got to trust it. He's got good velocity.
00:06:08Attack hitters with it in this one.
00:06:10Back in Boston.
00:06:12And stepping in for Boston, number 10.
00:06:15I think when you contemplate him as a player, the first thing you think about is defense,
00:06:19and you think about that great arm.
00:06:21I also think about the speed.
00:06:22If he can get on, that's going to give one more thing for that pitcher to think about.
00:06:26The pitch.
00:06:29Bunting, and it's right in front of the plate.
00:06:32And he beats it out.
00:06:33It's a bunt single to start the inning.
00:06:36This is a big part of his skill set, and he puts himself into situations where he can rely on his speed to impact the ball game.
00:06:44And this is just another example of it, and we'll see what else he can do now that he's on first.
00:06:50Wade Boggs now at the plate.
00:06:52This guy has turned into a beast.
00:06:56That one's in there, 0-1.
00:07:05Nobody out.
00:07:14Runner at first.
00:07:23Next offering upstairs.
00:07:24He was looking for some firewood right there.
00:07:27I tell you what, if you're not out in front, swing at that pitch, you'll be looking for a new bat.
00:07:33The next offering misses.
00:07:35Two balls and a strike.
00:07:36Left-hand batter waits.
00:07:52Fouls one off.
00:07:53Two and two.
00:07:54And the right-hander deals.
00:08:07Swing and a ball lifted.
00:08:08Left field.
00:08:09Power racing over to make the catch.
00:08:11Time now to check out the lineup for the Boston Red Sox.
00:08:19Next to hit, David Ortiz.
00:08:39Big time power.
00:08:49First off ring, misses the mark.
00:08:57The pitch.
00:08:59That just misses, and the count is 2-0.
00:09:12Right-hander kicks, steals.
00:09:15Rudder takes off, and that's a stolen base, not even close.
00:09:20Well, a nice lead and a nice steal there to get in the scoring position
00:09:24with the heart of the order at the plate.
00:09:25That might just lead them to pitching around these hitters a little more
00:09:28because of the open base, but it's early in this ballgame.
00:09:32Can't imagine it'll change the attack plan too much.
00:09:35Man, it's second.
00:09:38Late with the swing there.
00:09:39Two strikes.
00:09:44That one missed.
00:09:54In the air, left field.
00:10:08Howard moving back for this one.
00:10:10No trouble here.
00:10:11Puts it away for the out.
00:10:13And there's two down.
00:10:17Batting four.
00:10:18Here's Ray Burr.
00:10:19Here, and who the baseball is really what look out
00:10:22because the sky's the limit on that potential.
00:10:26He swings and hits a fly ball.
00:10:33Center field.
00:10:34Hamilton makes the catch, and that'll do it.
00:10:39On to the second from Fenway Park.
00:10:41No score.
00:10:45Back here in Boston.
00:10:47Second inning, set to go.
00:10:49And now, Pudge Rodriguez.
00:10:51The catcher, Yvonne Rodriguez.
00:10:55The wind and the pitch.
00:10:56The catcher, Yvonne, to kick the pitch.
00:11:07So, two balls and no strikes.
00:11:09James Kingsley, our plate umpire.
00:11:12Consistent, as you mentioned, and maybe a little generous on the edges.
00:11:16The 2-0 is in for a strike.
00:11:27Fans don't really understand the familiarity and relationship players and coaches have with umpires.
00:11:32I mean, you see these guys a lot.
00:11:34Yeah, but these guys are all out there trying to do their best and perform at a high level.
00:11:38So, when you respect that, I think, over time, you can develop a relationship with some of these guys.
00:11:44And a pitch.
00:11:49Drilled out towards left center field.
00:11:51That's well struck.
00:11:52That one carrying.
00:11:54Pulls it in on the warning track.
00:11:56And he hammered that to straightaway center field.
00:11:59It's a deep part of the ballpark.
00:12:01Tell you what, that wind is blowing straight in.
00:12:04Got to be a big man.
00:12:05If you're going to go through the wind of that part of the park, it just knocked that ball down.
00:12:10Now the left fielder, Frank Howard.
00:12:14First pitch doesn't find the zone.
00:12:21He really committed to that fastball up at the top of the zone.
00:12:24He knows that if you make some mistake in the zone, it gets hit hard by a power guy like this.
00:12:29That's a nice miss right there.
00:12:30The 1-0.
00:12:38Popped up.
00:12:40Number 15.
00:12:41Settles under it.
00:12:43He's got it.
00:12:44There's two away.
00:12:47Batting seven.
00:12:49The right fielder.
00:12:50Juan Gonzalez.
00:12:55Juan Gonzalez.
00:12:57Stepping in for the Rangers.
00:13:00Gonzalez.
00:13:01Having more success against left-handed pitching this season, as might be expected.
00:13:05In there, and it's 0-1.
00:13:19Second inning here.
00:13:21No score.
00:13:26Next offering down in the dirt.
00:13:28Top of the zone for a called strike.
00:13:37The 1-2.
00:13:57And another ball.
00:13:593-2 now.
00:14:09The pitch stays alive.
00:14:24The pitch stays alive.
00:14:24Eighth pitch of the at-bat coming up.
00:14:35The right-hander gives up the two-out walk.
00:14:41Well, that's a nice job of grinding out that at-bat.
00:14:44Saw a lot of pitches and ends up drawing the walk.
00:14:46Very gritty.
00:14:48So now the DH spot.
00:14:50Number 23.
00:14:54First offering, and it just misses.
00:15:12And here it comes.
00:15:14And it's fouled away.
00:15:20Gonzalez.
00:15:21Off of first with two away.
00:15:24Line drive.
00:15:31That's a base hit out of the left-center field.
00:15:36They stopped the lead runner at second.
00:15:39Now two on with two outs.
00:15:41Well, a swing like that can help you come out of this struggle.
00:15:44We saw the numbers coming into the ball game.
00:15:47But all he's trying to do at this point is help his team win.
00:15:49Up next for the Rangers, Alfonso Soriano.
00:15:56First pitch.
00:15:57Just misses.
00:15:58Just misses.
00:16:06No score here in the second.
00:16:08There's a strike.
00:16:15There's a strike.
00:16:29That's in there.
00:16:30Here comes a pitch.
00:16:49And a foul.
00:16:50Baldy stays alive.
00:16:51Next one.
00:17:03Next one.
00:17:03Next one.
00:17:05Next one.
00:17:06Next one.
00:17:18two outs a couple of base runners at first and second
00:17:35next pitch misses and it's three and two
00:17:48two outs and that's ball four now that sets up a really big at bat in this game
00:18:03these are the moments when everyone in the stadium gets really locked in here's
00:18:07the shortstop at the play Michael Young
00:18:18meanwhile this pitch gets away nice job behind the plate there bases loaded two
00:18:36down rip down the line base hit and it bangs off the top of the wall one runs
00:18:50in two runs across now the tag and that's out number three inning over now to the
00:18:58bottom of the second it's the Rangers two and the Red Sox nothing
00:19:10bottom half of inning number two now it's the rookie DH Jimmy Collins leading off
00:19:16for the Red Sox Brown back to work swing and a foul pushed off to the right
00:19:28and he bunts but that's a foul ball
00:19:49going to now stays alive
00:19:58and a swing and a miss down on strikes and quickly one away in the second
00:20:07well that's a curve ball that I'm sure he wants back at the plate two strikes sort
00:20:11of pitch you're hoping for a bit of a mistake and I'd say in a very hittable
00:20:15location but clearly the break was enough to get him to swing through it
00:20:20out to center Hamilton settles under this one puts it away for the out
00:20:36batting seven the catcher number 29 two outs bases empty number 29 will hit next
00:20:49this lineup is going to have to find a way to make him work a little harder out there on the mound I
00:21:02mean he is just mowing him down he's settling in you got to make him uncomfortable maybe step out of
00:21:07the box call timeout do whatever it takes the old one is outside and it's a ball and a strike you want to
00:21:14be patient here try to work a walk if you can you've got a big power bat behind you in
00:21:18the on-deck circle and with two outs one swing can put you right back in this ball game next offering is in for a strike
00:21:26and that's doubted away the guy at the plate could recognize slider out of the hand didn't stay in
00:21:45the tunnel very long in terms of depth and perception he knew right away it was an off-speed pitch
00:21:50kick said deals and now it's three and two
00:22:20the three two is off the outside edge and that is ball four what a battle it's not always easy laying
00:22:31off a three two pitch and I tell you what you earned that wall and next for the Red Sox Jim
00:22:37Rice singing you can't ask for anything more this guy checks all the boxes offensively he's the ultimate
00:22:44professional and it doesn't just start at game time it starts in the afternoon the way he prepares and gets
00:22:49ready for the ball game I tell you what his teammates feed off of the leadership that he shows on and off
00:22:55the field first pitch and that's in for a strike
00:22:59and that's outside number 29 leads off first with two down to the inning
00:23:19next offering is in for a strike
00:23:25that one just misses really good run perhaps a little bit too much on that two seamer couldn't hold the corner
00:23:40the pitch and a swing and a miss and that's that one left for the Red Sox they trail it here 2-0
00:23:51all set for the start of the inning now the third baseman number 29 leading off for the Rangers
00:24:12the third baseman and a pitch
00:24:18and a strike right through there that one a triple digits
00:24:24the wind of the pitch they tried to get him to chase on a slider down and away
00:24:42and the pitch
00:24:43right through there got him and one away at the top of the third man he had the stanky leg on that one
00:25:08right there that curveball just locked him up
00:25:18next up for texas josh hamilton
00:25:25in there for strike one
00:25:38one down base is empty
00:25:55and a foul ball he stays alive
00:25:56left hand hitter waits just off the inside corner two and two and he deals
00:26:23puts it in the air out towards left center
00:26:30makes the grab on the run
00:26:32and there are two outs
00:26:34every day during batting practice these outfielders get about 10 minutes of balls
00:26:39in the gaps they practice this and when the game comes they make the play perfectly
00:26:44two outs space is empty and next will be the cleanup hitter rafael palmero
00:26:53and that's in there for strike one
00:27:00the wind of the pitch
00:27:01check swing he went and account is 0-2
00:27:12and the righty deals
00:27:16one ball two strikes
00:27:17swings through that one it's a strikeout
00:27:28and good work there as he gets a one two three
00:27:31rangers go down quickly there but they're on top two nothing
00:27:34leading off for the red top
00:27:43the second baseman
00:27:56brown back to work
00:27:58ball one there
00:28:12and a pitch
00:28:15on the ground right side
00:28:18sends it to first
00:28:20one gone bottom of the third inning
00:28:21now batting number 10
00:28:29so the red sox lineup turns over digging in it's the speedy outfielder number 10
00:28:35we talk about guys with good speed and definitely he has it but pushing the offensive side
00:28:41for just a second chris it's the defensive side that i think the speed factors in the most
00:28:47ball one no strike
00:28:56flares it into the outfield now the throw to first on the run two up two down
00:29:04now batting third baseman
00:29:11it's Wade Boggs now
00:29:12singe he's a guy that covers both sides of the plate about as well as anyone in the sport
00:29:18how difficult is that to do well just look at the back of my bubblegum card you'll see how hard
00:29:23it is these guys are great man they have the ability to look out there but also to be able to
00:29:28turn on the well get a pause on that thought as that'll do it for the inning red sox go down
00:29:34quietly they're still down it's two zip
00:29:47as we go to the top of the fourth and now the catcher comes up to him
00:29:51this guy one of the best defensive catchers going you talk about framing the ability to block catch and
00:29:58throw he is at the top of the game and the first pitch misses for ball one really good athlete and
00:30:05many times we talk about you know the feet of infielders this catcher as well really quick feet
00:30:11he's able to recognize the pitch see the trajectory and get into a spot where he can block those balls
00:30:16and keep them from going to the backstop in the air right field rice on the move to his left
00:30:24brings it in and there's one down
00:30:32the left fielder number nine Frank Howard so next to hit for Texas Frank Howard
00:30:39Chris baseball today so many strikeouts and they are available to pitchers but this is a guy that puts
00:30:46the bat on the ball and is kind of different from the players that we see day in day out
00:30:53yeah his swing is so good it's in the zone a long time he gets the barrel to it a lot and that
00:30:58produces more base hits ground ball right side on the first two quick outs here in the top of the fourth
00:31:07well he's doing a nice job of keeping the ball out of the air lets the defense work behind him with
00:31:12another ground ball good execution so digging in Juan Gonzalez he walked and came around to score his
00:31:20first time up
00:31:27swing and a ball lifted in the air left field pretty well struck and it hits the fence
00:31:32these guys today are so great with handling velocity they're seeing high speeds day after day and a nice
00:31:42job of turning that one around next it'll be the Texas DH number 23
00:31:49first offering misses the mark
00:32:07Gonzalez the runner at first with two gone
00:32:10is a 1-1 fouled off he was late
00:32:32the pitch swings and misses and the inning is over rangers leave one as they're unable to add to
00:32:52their to nothing lead back inside Fenway Park here's some real power at the plate David Ortiz
00:33:09he's not gonna get cheated up there no he's not he's looking to do damage with every swing he takes
00:33:15and the right hater back to work just missed he's been pitching well but going through this middle
00:33:28of the order second time through we'll see what kind of adjustments are being made
00:33:34breaks his bat pops it up
00:33:38one out in the bottom of the fourth
00:33:39got to feel pretty good for the pitcher absolutely sawed him off bat explodes
00:33:47and then he makes an easy play on it pretty satisfying if you're out there on the ball
00:34:01and now here's the speed threat outfielder number eight
00:34:10first pitch doesn't find the zone
00:34:27righty delivers that one out to right
00:34:32Gonzalez coming on
00:34:34Paul's it in and there's two away lefties can definitely be a little pull happy up there
00:34:40especially with pitches that they see pretty well that was a good example he hooked an outside pitch
00:34:45hit that ball in the air to right just not with much authority
00:34:49two outs base is empty Jimmy Collins up next for the Red Sox
00:34:54and the first pitch misses for ball one
00:35:13that's down and in
00:35:16two balls no
00:35:17the next pitch misses and it's three at oh
00:35:31there's the strike one way to make a guy real uncomfortable at the plate
00:35:45is pound him inside with good velocity they're doing that right here
00:35:49in for a strike now it's three and two love how vocal the umpire is today
00:36:03no doubt and the hitter's mind catcher's mind and even the pitcher's mind
00:36:07as to the conviction in the call
00:36:10fouled off again and it remains three and two
00:36:19two down nobody on
00:36:22stays the line
00:36:24well the hitter's got his timing down for the breaking ball if you're a pitcher if you can get
00:36:29that fastball in on the hand it's going to be very difficult for that hitter to get the barrel to it
00:36:34righty to the plate on the ground the first
00:36:39palmero takes it himself three up three down ending over
00:36:44nothing doing for boston they trail things here to nothing
00:36:57back here at fenway park and here is alfonso soriano
00:37:02rangers he is quite an athlete i mean you look around the other sports basketball football
00:37:07you feel like he could thrive in one of those sports too
00:37:11next offering is down low one and oh
00:37:17and the right hander deals
00:37:21and that one fouled off
00:37:22here's a one-to-one
00:37:33swings over the top of that one he has a tendency to chase out of the zone and that slider that's down
00:37:39that's one of his money pitches to get that swing and miss
00:37:41it's started to go after it now a look down to first didn't go
00:37:54foul off down the right side
00:38:08the wide to kick the pitch misses inside and the count's full
00:38:29kicks and fires
00:38:30good plate appearance there able to take the walk oh you know this guy wants to swing it but he's
00:38:37showing some good patience in this one it's the second time he's taking ball four
00:38:42back to the top of the lineup michael young stepping in for the rangers
00:38:46first offering misses the mark
00:39:00the right hander
00:39:11check on the runner soriano back in on a dive
00:39:25next offering is in for a strike now there's a pitch we haven't seen in a while it's gonna be tough
00:39:30on the hitters if he could mix that in whenever he wants
00:39:41and here it comes and the slider catches the zone pretty rare location right there right down the
00:39:48middle this guy paints the edges i'm not sure if you're gonna see that pitch again as a hitter
00:39:52kicks and deals ground ball left side could be two one at second now the first and it's a double play
00:40:02now battle number 29
00:40:14now the number two hitter number 29 and when you talk about elite defensive third baseman
00:40:20this guy is at the top of the list
00:40:26in there in its own one this guy plays third base like he's a shortstop and he
00:40:32welcomes the difficult play can throw from so many different angles
00:40:36and makes really tough plays look very easy
00:40:46next offering is in for a strike
00:40:48the wind and the pitch
00:41:08and a foul ball he stays alive
00:41:10here comes the pitch
00:41:25reaches into the stands he got it
00:41:28back now at venway and the batter will be the shortstop number seven leading off well these fans
00:41:43definitely want to get involved in the game all it's going to take is to get the leadoff man or even a
00:41:49base runner on the pitch that one catches the corner for a strike so what are the skills you look for that make
00:41:59a really good defensive third baseman that elite oh but one of the things i think about
00:42:05immediately are just the feet does he have good feet is he able to quickly react and when you have
00:42:10good feet you've got soft hands and soft hand defenders are able to make tough plays look easy
00:42:16left hand batter weights swing and a miss and he struck him out
00:42:23and the leadoff man set down and they're half of the fifth thought it was a pretty good pitch top of
00:42:28the strike zone we're seeing more fastballs in that location hitters especially with two strikes
00:42:34have to be ready to pull the trigger and now here is number 29
00:42:39first pitch and that's in for a strike
00:43:00the pitch and a swing and a miss well on the mound very efficient able to produce an outcome it seems
00:43:08like within the third or fourth pitch of just about every at bat
00:43:14swing and a miss and he got him back to back strikeouts just blown away in that at bat three
00:43:20fastballs all strikes he wasn't even able to foul one off there's not much you can take away from an
00:43:26at bat like that as a hitter other than maybe there's something wrong with your eyes got to have
00:43:30better timing on the fastball next time jim wright's the next to hit good contact guy good defender
00:43:39first pitch just misses
00:43:49two outs
00:43:55and a strike on the outside edge
00:43:58at the belt and fires in for a strike at a count one and two now this offense has just been locked down almost five full innings of shutout baseball
00:44:19right hander kicks deals just misses and the count is even two and two
00:44:29and now it's filled up
00:44:38filled up
00:44:55fouled off again and it remains three and two
00:45:06swing and a miss the velocity blasted it right past him down in order go the red sox and they're down to nothing
00:45:20and welcome back and here is josh hamilton leading off for the rangers the center fielder
00:45:35josh hamilton the wind to the pitch
00:45:40going to one fell in at bat can be a little bit of a dance strike one here but
00:45:45a few more pitches we'll see how it turns out
00:45:52and a pitch
00:45:55strike two the red sox with some bullpen action carl mays the rookie right hander is getting loose
00:46:01number 49 getting loose as well
00:46:04the pitch
00:46:12and one and two pretty standard high oh two fastball right there if you're smart
00:46:18you'll look for something down in the zone but not too far don't want to chase that breaking ball in the dirt
00:46:22and the pitch
00:46:34in the air left side brings it in with a nice running grab and there's one away
00:46:40now batting the first baseman rafael
00:46:50so up next rafael
00:46:53you know singe they talk about red sox nation but there is something to that because
00:46:59the boston red sox aren't just about boston or massachusetts it's that whole new england area so
00:47:05you're talking about maine new hampshire vermont northern connecticut there's a whole segment of
00:47:12the country that is locked in on the boston red sox pitch to pitch throughout the summer
00:47:21righty delivers
00:47:35and a four pitch walk
00:47:43four pitches that's an easy walk man he could have walked me right there boo the last one
00:47:47wasn't even close now the catcher for the rangers pudge rodriguez
00:47:52swings here and blast one left field this one's got a chance
00:48:12in to score from first it's three zip
00:48:14well clearly he was ready to hit right there absolutely blasted that one into the gap but
00:48:22just didn't have quite enough to clear the wall out there maybe a little more elevation under it
00:48:27and it carries over but that's a swing you'll be happy with every time manager out of the dugout now
00:48:33and he'll make a move to dip into the red sox bullpen number 33 departs and he's responsible
00:48:39for the runner on second so the book isn't closed on him yet we'll be right back
00:48:44here's a new pitcher from the pen carl maize hasn't pitched in the last three days
00:48:56well at this point of the ball game we're talking about middle innings and
00:49:00the little length out of this arm coming out of the bullpen we'll see just how many outs he's able to
00:49:06give his skipper man at second with one away frank howard stepping in for the rangers
00:49:14pitch misses inside ball one they travel really well and i think red sox fans are sprinkled all over the
00:49:20country
00:49:30and there's the strike one in one
00:49:37runner leads away at second that's the third boggs collects tosses across the first and that's an out
00:49:45and now batting the right fielder one singing he's got a history of coming through in the big spots i
00:49:59know i like to talk about i'm not sure where their clutch actually exists but you look at the numbers
00:50:05and this guy always seems to deliver in those spots
00:50:14and a pitch well i think it's the ability to assess the situation understanding what the pitcher has
00:50:20what he's trying to get people out on and then being able to use the entire field
00:50:252-0 a bit behind with that swing it's strike one if you're a guy that can only hit to one field then
00:50:32you're really not going to be able to come through and clutch situations because pitchers are going
00:50:36to adjust but because he's able to use the entire field that's why he's so successful in these
00:50:41situations and puts the squeeze on that and that will end the inning
00:50:58well we go bottom six and stepping in is the speedy number 15. the red sox in striking distance but
00:51:15have some work to do boog it starts with the laid off man need a good and bad out of him right here
00:51:19and the pitch misses off the plate and it's one to know
00:51:38righty to the plate strike on the inside corner and that strike one and it really looks like these hitters
00:51:45have been in between with their timing today good fastball excellent slider but they've not been able
00:51:51to commit to one velocity and stay there
00:52:03next offering upstairs
00:52:13and that one sliced foul
00:52:27and the righty deals that one not close full count three and two
00:52:33kicks and fires that one fouled off
00:52:54here comes a three two swing and a high fly ball in the air left field and that is gone
00:53:01he got just enough of that one his 11th of the year it's three one he kept swinging and it paid off well that was a battle boo again he just kept taking
00:53:14his cuts finally squared one off
00:53:23knew what pitch he wanted to hit spent on some other pitches in this hit bad was very patient
00:53:28and it paid off
00:53:29so the batting order turns over number 10 up next for the red sox number 10
00:53:41now a drag bunt third base side throw pulls him off the bag and he's safe
00:53:47up next for the red sox number 10
00:53:56up next for the red sox number 10
00:53:58the third baseman
00:54:04Wade Boggs
00:54:06Wade Boggs
00:54:06Wade Boggs
00:54:07Wade Boggs
00:54:08Wade Boggs
00:54:08Wade Boggs
00:54:09first pitch doesn't find the zone
00:54:17and the right hater deals and that gets the top of the zone for a strike the real threats are
00:54:35coming up already giving up a home run in this inning he's going to really have to bear down
00:54:40move to first and he's back in there
00:54:44left hand hitter waits
00:54:55with two strikes may see some movement over there at first base trying to stay out of a double play here
00:55:03next pitch is outside number 10 on at first nobody out
00:55:10next one is off the play full countdown so here we go base runner at first could be running on the
00:55:22pitch he's got good enough speed to steal the bag to get in scoring position even if it's a swing
00:55:27and miss at the plate and a pop-up right side foul
00:55:34territory Palmero makes the catch one down
00:55:43now batting first baseman and now the first baseman David Ortiz
00:55:49first baseman David Ortiz
00:55:57the kick in the pitch runner goes strike in there throw save punch too late with the toss that was close but stack cast shows us why he so often seems to be on the safe side of these steal attempts Chris
00:56:04the kick in the pitch
00:56:11the kick in the pitch
00:56:12the kick in the pitch runner goes strike in there throw save punch too late with the
00:56:18toss that was close but stack cast shows us why he so often seems to be on the safe side of these
00:56:25steal attempts Chris yeah you see that plus speed and he needed every last bit of it to swipe that bag
00:56:32such a threat on the bases slow roll into first and he takes it himself for the out well there's a lot
00:56:39riding on that at bat right there a nice job of the pitcher to bear down make the pitch get the ground ball
00:56:44excellent piece of work
00:56:53so here's Boston's cleanup hitter number eight pretty amazing athlete this guy is power and speed
00:57:00quite a threat i mean you're talking about someone that could steal your bag and go deep Bo Jackson anyone
00:57:10and first offering is fouled off
00:57:14runner at third two away
00:57:27next offering is in for a strike good pitch to hit on a tee up in the zone i think he was looking for
00:57:33something else right there
00:57:34well this guy competes hard we see the emotion there i love it great job of getting out of the jam
00:57:50welcome back now it's the dh number 23 off for the rangers the designated hitter number 23
00:58:12the wind of the pitch
00:58:24just off the inside edge
00:58:26that one misses two balls no strikes
00:58:45good eye right there this is a really good feeling for a hitter at this point in the ball game you know
00:58:51that they don't want to walk you so you're going to get a pitch to hit you just better not miss it
00:58:57right-handed reliever
00:59:01pumps in a strike and now
00:59:03three and one the cow the why to kick the pitch
00:59:11and a foul ball
00:59:20kicks and deals
00:59:21that one misses
00:59:22that one misses so a lead off walk you get a walk and you get a walk everyone gets a walk
00:59:31boom for the rangers alfonso soriano stepping in for the rangers
00:59:36that one's in their own one there was a high velocity fastball in the zone i think a little
00:59:50frustration from walking the previous hitter he's got good stuff pitch inside the zone and trust it
00:59:55he'll one swings through that don't play situation here he's been working up in the zone typically
01:00:06you look for guys to get that ground ball see if he adjusts on this next pitch
01:00:10at the belt and fires stays alive
01:00:30the pitch and he chases that one and that's the first out
01:00:35book gets talked about a lot but a good high fastball and a two strike situation it's just
01:00:41become such a problem for hitters in more recent years with all of the emphasis by pitchers
01:00:46on developing that spin rate having a good grip on the baseball those high fastballs
01:00:52they kind of look like to the hitter that they're rising even though they're not but they're
01:00:56not decreasing in velocity and spin rate so very difficult to get the barrel on
01:01:05it comes a pitch and that one fouled off
01:01:26the pitch there's a strike
01:01:35the pitch that misses and it's two and two
01:01:45and he deals misses counts full three and two
01:01:49the pitch
01:02:01pitch and ball four to a board
01:02:06man that's a tough one to take on the full count but i guess he saw it really well it's a really nice
01:02:11plate appearance up next for the rangers number 29 it's interesting he plays kind of a power spot
01:02:19defensively but runs pretty well so when you're looking at that position you're not expecting someone
01:02:25that has maybe above average speed but he does
01:02:33ripped on a line
01:02:36can't get there and now maybe extra bases
01:02:39one run across the relay to the plate slides his hand in there save it's 5-1
01:02:49picks himself up a couple of ribbies against good pitchers you've got to take advantage of the
01:02:53mistakes that was right in his wheelhouse and he didn't miss a stitch
01:02:57so the red sox bring on a new pitcher number 49 he'll try to strand the runner at second
01:03:10josh hamilton getting ready to hit a guy who makes an impact not just at the plate but also in the field
01:03:25and the first pitch misses for ball one and i think that skill set really upgrades the position because
01:03:35when you have that kind of speed it makes the whole team that much better
01:03:39next offering is in for a strike
01:03:51the next offering misses it's two and two what about him playing another position on defense
01:04:21one that would require a little more range absolutely and i think if push came to shove
01:04:26where they had to make a move during a game it surprised a lot of people you that's a hit
01:04:32right past his coach headed for the plate the tag and he's safe
01:04:41two consecutive base hits for these guys here everything was on time and fluid in that swing
01:04:46got a pitch he could get the barrel on and lined it into center for the knock those always feel good
01:04:51and here's the first baseman rafael palmero
01:05:06first offering misses the mark
01:05:07hamilton the runner at first with one gone to the inning
01:05:24ground ball right side could be two feed to second that's one double play and that'll do it for the
01:05:30in it midway and inning number seven and it's time to stretch it's the ranger six and the red sox one
01:05:37back here in boston bottom of the seventh at the plate jimmy collins
01:05:51the right hander back to work on the ground to third and they get the lead off hitter in the seventh
01:06:06down battle number seven
01:06:15joe stepping in for boston number seven he's kind of an outlier especially
01:06:20when guys are consciously sacrificing contact to deliver power
01:06:25first pitch doesn't find the zone
01:06:38right hander kicks deals
01:06:41just off the outside edge definitely a frustrating day for the offense but when they look at it this
01:06:48guy's had his best stuff he's painting the corners working on the edges and changing speeds just a
01:06:53difficult one you tip your cap
01:06:582-0
01:07:01lifted in the air right center field hamilton moving to his left dives but it's off his glove base hit
01:07:09hitting is really easy for some guys one thing that i can see already his bat stays in the zone on
01:07:15plane for an extended period of time and guys like that they have a high contact rate and they have
01:07:22more barrels because of that bat being on plane and even when you don't get it great
01:07:27it's still hit hard enough to dunk something in like that in front of the center fielder
01:07:32number 29 in the box again takes the strike
01:07:43swing at a high fly ball to left makes the grab for the second out
01:07:57good pitch he just kind of had him out in front on that pitch away and wasn't able to stay closed the
01:08:02right fielder number 14. jim wright's up next for the red sox
01:08:08and he swings and misses at the initial offering
01:08:20way out front for strike two two pretty nasty sliders to get this hitter in an 0-2
01:08:38count if you're up there at the plate you got to look up in the zone and spit on anything that's down
01:08:43swing and a miss and he is down on strikes for the third straight at bat and the red sox leave one
01:08:50the lead remains five it's six one
01:08:52we're at the top of the eighth here's the catcher pudge rodriguez he is at the top of the game in terms of defense at the catching spot
01:09:06and the pitch
01:09:13and there's the strike
01:09:14it's so impressive because these guys have to do so much study in preparation for their pitchers for
01:09:20opposing hitters and really their number one job is to guide that staff through a ball game and so when
01:09:27you also can turn it up offensively and be a force there that is a win-win every manager's dream
01:09:44popped up first base side flashes the leather on the running catch one up one down
01:09:51the left fielder number nine Frank Howard
01:10:01and now Frank Howard for the fourth time tonight
01:10:05with this kind of lead he can swing freely try to hit the ball out of the park
01:10:09do what he loves to do
01:10:16in there for strike one
01:10:25righty delivers pitch misses and one and one
01:10:30and the righty deals
01:10:41in the air out towards right center number 10 trots over to his left puts the squeeze on that one
01:10:47and there are two down
01:10:52now paddock white fielder
01:10:58two outs space is empty one gonzalez
01:11:01next pitch downstairs and that is ball one
01:11:29two outs
01:11:31foul ball there
01:11:46next offering misses and it's two and one
01:11:58and a pitch
01:12:11and there's a foul ball
01:12:14and a foul ball
01:12:29and a foul ball he stays alive
01:12:31that one
01:12:45that one pushed foul
01:12:55next pitch just misses and that's ball three
01:13:08ninth pitch of the at-bat due next
01:13:20and down on strikes and it's a one two three inning
01:13:24nothing doing for the Rangers they lead it though six one ready for the bottom of
01:13:37the eighth and now number 15 leading off the second baseman number 15 brown back
01:13:48to work there's a strike action in the pen down there
01:13:52Neftali Feliz the veteran right-hander appears to be loosening up
01:14:05and now he'll one swing and a miss as he was late that time so impressive how the
01:14:12velo is still there even this deep into the outing
01:14:24swing and a miss struck him out now one away he came out of his mechanics there
01:14:30typically likes to shoot the ball the other way but that time a little anxious
01:14:35so the lineup flips over number 10 up next for the Red Sox
01:14:48and a rope into center field base hit so they get a man aboard with a one-out single right there does a great job of staying in the big part of the field man there are a lot of hits there
01:15:04wait
01:15:10one down Wade box we'll hit next
01:15:34first offering misses badly for ball one number 10 at first one gone next offering
01:15:46is in for a strike
01:15:47one ball one strike
01:16:03and there's the strike
01:16:05next pitch misses ball two
01:16:12next pitch misses ball two
01:16:16that one down the line low throw and he can't take it out and he'll be safe at first
01:16:30now
01:16:37potential double play ball hit to first is probably the toughest one to execute cleanly at first baseman it's got a very tough throwing lane to deal with because of the runner headed the second base and a lot of times guys try to throw over or around the runner which can really mess up a throw like that still definitely an error though now just about to hit that century mark a hundred pitches for this game
01:16:58four teams in the box with one away as he takes ball one
01:17:05and a one-out and that misses off the outside edge tough spot right here a couple runners on two ball count you can't nibble but you have to execute and finish your pitch if you leave something out over the plate it's going to bring in some runs
01:17:07it's going to bring in some runs
01:17:09next one misses and now three and oh
01:17:10three and oh
01:17:10and a two and a two and a one-out speed
01:17:15and a one-out and a one-out and that misses off the outside edge tough spot right here a couple runners on two ball count you can't nibble but you have to execute and finish your pitch if you leave something out over the plate it's going to bring in some runs
01:17:30it's gonna bring in some runs next one misses and now three you know looking to
01:17:38get something going this is the guy you want at the plate he's been great for
01:17:41this team he is a professional hitter and here comes and that's in for a
01:17:50strike
01:17:53the pitch and a foul ball
01:18:13got down on strikes and he knew it frustrating end to the at-bat for the
01:18:19hitter and I'm sure that's gonna sit on him for a little while you want to be
01:18:23ready to hit the fastball sometimes you can overthink things and I think that
01:18:26was the case right there
01:18:31here's the Boston cleanup hitter number eight
01:18:41and that's in there for strike one
01:18:49first and second two down
01:19:00the next pitch misses one and one
01:19:10inside and hit him and now the bases are loaded Boog that wasn't even close you know sometimes a guy will barely miss the zone and hit someone but
01:19:19right there he completely lost the handle and that's when it gets a little scary
01:19:37Collins in the box now no balls in a strike tough situation right here so
01:19:42important as a pitcher to get ahead in the count as he did right there
01:19:45and the pitch swing and a liner foul off to the right
01:19:54two outs bases are full
01:20:06next pitch is popped up gets it to first out to escape a bases loaded jam unscathed so they load the bases but leave them stranded ninth inning coming up it's the Rangers six and the Red Sox one
01:20:13back here at Fenway new inning getting started now here's the Rangers DH number 23 the designated hitter number 23 the pitch
01:20:31had a strike in there not sure if he was expected for the pitcher to come right at him but he got a nice cookie there and just watched it the entire way
01:20:47just watched it the entire way
01:20:59next offering misses and it's a ball to strike
01:21:10and a pitch
01:21:12swing and a high fly ball out there towards left field and there's one down
01:21:30up next for the Rangers the second baseman Alfonso now it's the second baseman Alfonso Soriano a strikeout and a walk
01:21:46and first offering is fouled off
01:22:14now wanted one
01:22:16so a foul ball makes it one and two
01:22:46right-handed reliever
01:22:49in the air to left center
01:22:51number eight ranging into the alley
01:22:53and there's two away
01:23:01the batter number 10
01:23:03shortstop
01:23:04Michael
01:23:05Michael Young stepping in for the Rangers
01:23:08he's turned into one of the best shortstops in the game
01:23:11in the game
01:23:12fly ball to right base hit so a two out knock keeps the inning alive
01:23:26you know I was watching his rounds during batting practice today so impressed with his ability to let the ball travel go back up the middle and the other way sometimes when you step in the box during the game you get a little anxious and you get away from that but so far I've seen him stay consistent with his previous
01:23:28pregame preparation
01:23:43now here is number 29 in there in its own one
01:23:50swing and a ground ball out to short that ends the frame
01:24:07six seven eight scheduled to start the bottom of the night
01:24:12it's the Rangers six and the Red Sox one
01:24:14we ain't talking money
01:24:16we ain't talking money
01:24:17we ain't talking money
01:24:18it's the game
01:24:19back now as they hand the ball to a fresh arm to start the bottom of the ninth
01:24:24Neftali Feliz
01:24:25he's been so good against lefties
01:24:36back in Boston bottom nine and now the shortstop number seven leading off
01:24:40you talk about elite defensive players especially in the middle of the diamond and this guy is at the top of the list
01:24:51here comes a pitch
01:24:53and that's a strike and you played behind guys and they loved having your speed out there defensively
01:24:59one of the things that we talk about is how much pitchers enjoy having those elite defenders behind him
01:25:04and he's down 0-2 as he swings through it
01:25:07left-hand batter waits on the ground right side Soriano handles the chance the throw to first and the leadoff man retired here in the ninth
01:25:28and stepping in for Boston number 29 and this is a guy that doesn't just impact the game defensively they count on him to deliver offense
01:25:46he's the first guy at the ballpark he's got to study
01:25:50opposing hitters he's got to get familiar with his starting pitcher for that night
01:25:55and he's getting in the cage to take his swings that's a whole lot and so many times goes unnoticed
01:26:010-1 down cut on and missed 96 of that fastball
01:26:11meanwhile activity in the bullpen you Darvish appears to be getting loose
01:26:160-2 now and now one and two
01:26:28and a swing and a miss and he's down on strikes for the second time today
01:26:40that was a tough slider right there he couldn't get a piece of it just to try to keep the at bat alive
01:26:45and hitters will tell you that slider when a guy's able to really tunnel the pitch where it looks like a fastball
01:26:51and then late has really good bite
01:26:54so tough to lay off of because you've made the decision you don't want to get beat by a fastball
01:26:59and then you swing and you miss you go back to the dugout shaking your head
01:27:16comes up empty on the swing 0-2 now
01:27:19he's had a tough day at the plate three strikeouts already it's hard not to think negative
01:27:24but you've got to find a way to somehow center up the baseball and put it in play
01:27:29and the 0-2
01:27:31and a swing and a miss and that is the ball game
01:27:35sometimes road trips can be tough you're away from your family
01:27:38but when you can win silence that opposing crowd
01:27:41it makes things just a little bit better
01:27:43makes the road trip just a little bit shorter
01:27:456-1 is your final here today
01:27:47for Chris Singleton and our entire crew
01:27:49I'm Jon Shambi saying so long
01:28:19the bitches that are so cool
01:28:21my eyes still the queen with the locks and the crown on top
01:28:23lookin' at the like mountain top
01:28:25let the wrong from the fountain top
01:28:27figure A1 on the count get top
01:28:29my confidence rocket high baby
01:28:30and I'll be a rockabye baby
01:28:32I might have to draw a line baby
01:28:34you got the water line baby
01:28:36you're so far away
01:28:37you're so far away
01:28:39don't you walk away
01:28:41no you gotta stay
01:28:43it's all over your face
01:28:45let's be honest baby
01:28:47The final line score for our ballgame tonight.
01:28:51For the victorious Rangers, six runs, eight hits, one error.
01:28:56They left eight runners on.