Thoughts on Dice-K, Phil Hughes, Chan Ho Park, and the rest of Monday’s Red Sox-Yankees matchup

If the Yankees had been defeated last night, it would have been the worst loss of the season, without a doubt. But fortunately, that disastrous scenario was averted.

I’m rewatching the game right now, getting ready to bask again. Here are some more thoughts on the game:

* Dice-K is noticably thinner this year, but he’s still terrible. Five runs in the first inning? Please. And given how well Tim Wakefield – the guy he replaced in the rotation – did in relief against the Yankees, no wonder Sox fans are grumbling.

* Phil Hughes had his first shaky start of the year, but still would have won the game if it weren’t for the Yankee bullpen (more on that in a sec.)

* The New York Post’s Kevin Kernan had a nice story on Javier Vazquez. Given the game situation he came into last night – runners on first and third with two out and Kevin Youkilis at the plate, it could have been another memorably ugly relief outing for him. But he got Youk out – and got the win! Kernan’s piece details how much Yankee teammates are rooting for Vazquez, with many players happy for Javy!

* What’s this about David Ortiz’s career being over? He still can hit them out against the Yankees!

* Why did Joe Girardi leave Chan Ho Park in after the first home run to Kevin Youkilis (and I was yelling Fack Youk over that one!), only to have him give up a second homer to Victor Martinez (which, incidentally, was his second homer of the night.)

* Run prevention, eh? I swear, Manny Ramirez fielded against the Yankees better than the Sox’s current outfield does!

* I’ve got a feeling that there’s going to be a beanball – or two – thrown tonight, especially with Josh Beckett pitching.

What do you think? Tell us about it!

Arrow to top