I got a good look at the field of the Miami Marlin’s brand spankin’ new Marlins Park last night as the Sox took on the Marlins on ESPN. Something wasn’t right. From afar it was clear that there were many yellow patches where green should be. Upon closer inspection it was clear the field was chewed up. Clods of grass gave way to public golf course-like divots. It wasn’t manicured. It was stressed. Was the head groundskeeper not paying attention or had the field simply succumbed to the early ravages of the Florida heat? It was, well, ugly. Then it became painfully clear to me. This field was the place the Red Sox belonged.
The metaphor is too strong to ignore. Boston came in to Miami stressed, injured and chewed up after having stumbled and bumbled their way through a horrible six loss in seven game stretch of baseball. After squandering a top of the first opportunity – Scott Podsednik singled, stole a base and Dustin Pedroia walked only to have Adrian Gonzalez strike out and both David Ortiz and Jarrod Salatlamacchia fly out – Josh Beckett gave up a lead-off triple to Jose Reyes, a sac fly to Donovan Solano, and a Logan Morrison double sandwiched between Giancarlo Stanton and Mendoza line candidate Gaby Sanchez singles. Marlins 3, Red Sox 0 just like that. Miami picked up another run in the third to make it 4-0, another divot in Boston’s 2012 Field of Screams. After the second inning Beckett strangled the Marlins batting order by retiring 14 in a row before walking John Buck in the seventh inning. During that stretch Boston did very little to help him out.
"When things go bad on a baseball team the collective funk takes it’s toll and it seems no one is immune to catching the bug."
Gonzo bobbling a ball in right field and missing the cutoff man in the first to keep the Marlins rolling. Ryan Sweeney singling then leaning the wrong way to get picked off first base in the second. Big Papi just missing on four pitches in four separate at bats that resulted in zilch. Josh Johnson kick-saving a Kevin Youkilis baseball clearly tagged up the middle for a single, which deflected and bounded on a soft hop to allow shortstop Jose Reyes to field it barehanded and easily throw out Youk. Gonzalez, alternately impatient and tentative at the plate, finally getting the job done in the sixth with a long sac fly to left centerfield to plate Podsednik with Boston’s only run and it felt damn near like a miracle. I love baseball. This is hard to watch.
This simply has to be said. Inter-leagure play sucks, period. Adrian Gonzalez in right field so Papi can play first to keep his bat in the lineup while Youk – still being showcased one can only presume – playing third as an obviously more talented Will Middlebrooks watches from the dugout is wrong. Josh Beckett barely taking the bat off his shoulder for what turned out to be three automatic outs is pathetic. Yes, the moves were made partially because Boston’s outfield continues to be decimated by injury (Daniel Nava is set to return Tuesday) but this is as convenient excuse as any to complain long and loud about inter-league play. Did I forget to mention how much it sucks?
Boston attempts to get off the mat when Clay Buchholz faces Mark Buehrle tomorrow and evening at 7:10 back in Marlins Park. Here’s hoping that Boston’s liberal use of fertilizer Monday night will help to level the playing field Tuesday.
Scary Moment:
The return of Mark Melancon. The last time Melancon was seen in the bigs, Red Sox fans went through a series of shudders then heaved a collective sigh of relief as Melancon went to Pawtucket for the Daniel Bard shock therapy treatment. These are words that have not been written in 2012. Mark Melancon had a 1, 2, 3 eighth inning.
Bright Light:
Scott Podsednik continues to press the case that, even if he doesn’t stay with the Sox, he belongs in the majors. Podsednik cracked three hits, scored Boston’s only run, still has some righteous wheels and has played a solid outfield.
I’m digging in the dirt
Stay with me I need support
I’m digging in the dirt
To find the places I got hurt
To open up the places I got hurt
– Digging In The Dirt, Peter Gabriel