9/27/04 at Devil Rays W 7-3

Just caught bits and pieces of this one through MLB Audio. Weekday 7:00 PM Eastern start times are a bummer, because unless I can happen to leave work at 3:30, I will undoubtedly miss a portion of the game. Anyway, between that other necessary domestic chores, one of the parts I did catch was the Millar HBP. It didn't sound to me like he hit him intentionally, but once the warning goes out, it's tough to leave a pitcher in after a hit batter.

I understand the whole 'tit-for-tat' mentallity of hit batters, but these guys have got to realize that Arroyo is not hitting batters on purpose. The first batter - maybe, but putting two runners on base is like putting a noose around your own neck. He's hit more batters than anyone else in baseball, not because he has a control problem, but because his fastball tails.

Other than the two runs he gave up, he really pitched quite well. Looking back over the past two months, he has thrown a quality game about 4 times out of 6. That's a pretty good average for your fifth starter. I think his performance recently justifies giving him the fourth spot in the playoff rotation, or even the third if Wake can't manage to find his groove.

Toot, Toot! If you don't know what that is, you aren't paying attention. Another homer and 2 more RBI's, turned out to be the winning run when it was all said and done. He is on such a roll, he couldn't have picked a better time to get hot, we can only hope that it carries on past nect Sunday.

I'm still perplexed that Scott Williamson didn't get any work tonight. If leading by a 7-2 margin isn't going to get him into the game, I don't know what will. Leskanic (hereforto referred to as Letspanic) needs consistent work st stay fresh, I get that. But I still don't understand why Timlin pitches the 8th.

No complaints tonight though. The Red Sox are in the playoffs. I'm not sure who I'd rather see them meet; the Twins, Angels, or A's. Tredding along the 'be careful what you wish for' road, I'm going to say I prefer the A's. Since game 3 in the Division Series last year, the Sox have owned them. If the Yankees are Pedro's daddy, then I guess that makes them the A's grandaddy!