Random Thoughts (July 17, 2007)

I watched two great baseball games (from my perspective) last night. The first game was Kason Gabbard's complete game, three-hit shutout of the Kansas City Royals in a 4-0 Red Sox win. Gabbard was brilliant in this game, showing off his off-speed pitches that befuddled the K.C. hitters. The Red Sox runs all came via the homerun. Dustin Pedroia (4) and Manny Ramirez (13) clubbed solo shots over the Monster in the fourth inning and David Ortiz (16) powered a two-run blast past Pesky's Pole in the sixth. The other game I followed with interest was the Cubs 3-2 win over the Giants at Wrigley Field. Rich Hill spread out two runs on four hits over eight strong innings and got the win over San Francisco's rookie phenom Tim Lincecum. The Giants actually held a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the eighth. Ryan Theriot got a two-out infield single for the Cubs and then was given the steal sign by manager Lou Piniella. Derek Lee hit a grounder towards second base as Theriot was off, pulling Ray Durham away from the hole, allowing Lee to single and Theriot to head to third. Aramis Ramirez then doubled in Theriot and Lee, making the difference in the win. Good night of baseball... There has been concern over the play of the Red Sox the last few weeks. Have you wondered why there has been such a fuss with the team sporting the best record in baseball (56-36) and holding a 9 game lead over the Yankees in the AL East? Here are the records, by month, for the Sox in 2007: April: 16-8 May: 20-8 June: 13-14 July: 7-6 After a terrific start the Sox have stumbled since June. This hasn't been too big of a deal because the Yankees and Blue Jays have not been great in the East but the Red Sox can't afford to sleep walk through the rest of July and through August and September or the Yanks will be knocking down our door... The Patriots and Asante Samuel did not reach a deal by 4 p.m. yesterday so Samuel can now only play for the team in 2007 under the terms of the franchise tender ($7.79 million for one-year). One of five things can happen to Samuel and the Pats now. They are listed in decreasing order from what is least likely to happen to what is most likely to happen. 5. Samuel receives an offer sheet from another team. Very doubtful because the ransom for such a move is two first round draft picks. 4. The team removes the franchise tag. Can't see the Pats making him a free agent so close to training camp. 3. Samuel sits out. Possible but doubtful -- Samuel was great in 2006 but that was his one big year. He needs more exposure to really cash in on the open market. 2. The Patriots trade Samuel. With a team built to win now, I think this will be a last ditch move for the team. Asante is by far their best corner and I can't see them moving him for draft picks. 1. Samuel signs the tender. For a guy who earned just over $4 million in his first four years in the NFL, $7.79 million is a lot to turn down. It might not be the long-term contract he seeks but it's the best he can do with New England for the time being. While Samuel might want a trade for financial reasons (he can sign a long-term deal with any club other than the Pats right now), the $7.79 million and the opportunity to win a third Super Bowl in his fifth year of playing should keep him in Foxboro in 2007... The Royals recalled pitcher Leo Nunez from Triple-A Omaha to replace scheduled starter John Thomsen for tonight's game... Clay Buchholz had a positive debut in Pawtucket last night. Held to a limit of 50 pitches (the exact amount he threw), Buchholz went three innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits. The 22-year-old righty struck out four and had zero walks in the PawSox 6-4 win over the Ottawa Lynx. The pitch count might be an indication that the Red Sox want Buchholz for their bullpen down the stretch... Enjoy the Red Sox-Royals game tonight...