It Was Bound To Happen Sooner Or Later

By Erik Pesta
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Staked to a four run lead, thanks in part to Jason Bay's tenth homerun, Tim Wakefield couldn't hold on for the victory as the Sox fell to the Angels, 8-4. Boston jumped out early, scoring two runs in the first on Bay's homer, and then two more in the second inning on a double by Nick Green and run-scoring ground out by Jacoby Ellsbury. However, Wakefield would give all of it back and then some in the third inning, the big blow being a go-ahead three run blast off the bat of Mike Napoli. Torii Hunter followed that with a homerun of his own, a solo shot in the fourth inning, to make the score 6-4. The Angels would tack on two more runs, one each in the fifth and sixth innings, to close out the scoring for the night.

It's not like we didn't see this coming. At this point in his career, Sox fans know what to expect from Tim Wakefield: double digit wins and losses and an ERA hovering around 4.50. He had been too hot lately for it to continue, especially since he had lost his previous five starts in Anaheim. As many times a year as he baffles hitters with his signature knuckler, seemingly just as many times the pitch betrays him. This was one of those times. He gave up seven earned runs on 11 hits in just 4.2 innings pitched, while walking three and striking out only two. Such is life with the 17-year veteran: you take the good with the bad. You just never know when the good or the bad is coming, and Wakefield probably doesn't, either.

Anaheim's Matt Palmer was just the opposite of Wakefield on Wednesday night, turning what looked like a disaster of a start into a complete game victory. The 30-year old right hander settled down after rocky first and second innings, allowing only one more hit while facing the minimum number of batters the rest of the way. Palmer is now 4-0 with a 3.32 ERA on the year, after an April call up from Triple-A Salt Lake of the Pacific Coast League.

Boston turns to Brad Penny (3-1, 6.90 ERA) in the rubber game, set to face Ervin Santana, who makes his 2009 debut today after being on the disabled list with an injured elbow. First pitch is at 3:35 from Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

Joba Rules in the hate category!

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

What a big surprise, the voters say Joba Chamberlain is the player on the Yankees who is hated the most. 

Looks like all has been forgiven in Red Sox Nation with Johnny Damon, huh?

I guess Joba should be honored that Sox fans hate him. That means they know who he is and deep down -- it's OK to admit it -- are afraid because he's got the skill to beat the BoSox. 

If you think Chamberlain's mound demeanor is over the top -- you can probably expect another fist pump or two when he punches out Ortiz, Bay, Varitek, Lowell, Pedroia, Youkilis or whoever the next time -- well you need to loosen up ... a lot.

Joba feeds off the energy of a ballgame. For the baseball conservatives out there, and it appears like Red Sox Nation is completely uptight now, Joba isn't your guy ... I understand. You like the player that doesn't say boo and doesn't show emotion. That's fine, too, in my book.

Well, I like the guy who wears his emotions on his sleeve. Chamberlain is fiery with swagger, he tries to pump himself up, that's how he motivates himself. That's how I played so obviously I appreciate players that actually look like they care about the game and are obviously having fun doing it.

Papelbon is Boston's version of Chamberlain. But I'm willing to go out on a limb and say Sox fans love it when Papelbon goes through his 9th-inning routine of fist-pumping. If he was a boxer, he's have a first-round TKO in every fight.

I don't think either guy tries to show anyone up, they just play with more emotion that the average Joe. If players or fans take it the wrong way, well, who really cares.

I know Joba DOES throw at people from time to time, but so do a lot of guys ... Josh Beckett, perhaps Red Sox fans? Joba tries to own the inside part of the plate, like most power pitches should anyway. I know he's not at the level of Roger Clemens or Nolan Ryan -- no need to even have that discussion -- but Joba doesn't want people digging in on him. Clemens and Ryan were pretty -- major understatement -- good at intimidating people weren't they? I guess when you've got a 94 mph-plus heater, batters shouldn't feel too comfortable digging in.

Anyway, Sox fans think Joba's a punk. It's just a little more motivation for No. 62 when he pitches against the Sox. 

Here's a major fist pump to the Nation!