| 10 September 2009
This is why Victor Martinex needs to be in the lineup as much as possible.
That... and Jason Varitek's .170 BA since the All-Star break.
With the score locked at 4-4, Tito called V-Mart off the bench to pinch hit with the bases loaded. Victor responded with a bases-clearing double to left center that put the Sox up 7-4 and sealed the two-game sweep of the O's.
With that key hit, V-Mart is now riding a 12-game hitting streak that has him hitting .400 in September. Varitek had two hits in last night's game, but he had been dreadful overall this season. Tito has already done the hard part, playing Martinez in 36 games since August 1st, while The Captain has played in just 19 games over that time frame, but my fear is that Francona will want to start Varitek in the playoffs with Lester and Beckett starting the first two games...
We can only wait and see what Tito does, but it seems clear to me that Martinez needs to be in the lineup one way or another and Mike Lowell should see more time than Tek or Ortiz.
Feel free to debate this point in the comments section below, but let me wrap up this game recap with a brief mention of Jason Bay's 3 for 5 night and the two RBI that earned him 100 runs batted in on the season. I'd like to see the BA up in the 2.80's but you can't deny that the guy is consistent with the production.
Theo needs to make sure that he locks Bay and Martinez up this offseason so that we can keep the core of the lineup intact for the future.
Lastly - Bard and Wagner combined for four strikeouts, one walk and one hit through 1 2/3 innings last night. Bard got a hold, Wagner got the win and Paps, despite allowing a run, earned his 35th save. It was the O's... but the bullpen is nasty right now.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
