Congratulations to my fellow diehard citizens of Red Sox Nation. We’ve sold out Fenway Park five hundred consecutive times! It’s a streak started six years ago, on May 15, 2003. And it’s still going strong. There was a big “500” cut into the outfield grass last night, and the focus was without a doubt on the fans. John Henry said:
This record is the fans’ record, and we want to salute the members of Red Sox Nation for reaching this extraordinary milestone. It’s a testament to the passion and dedication they have for the game, for the team, and for the ballpark. Every day, we work hard to make sure that we are worthy of their loyal support.
That’s unique of the Red Sox organization: when the fans refer to the team as “we,” it’s because we’re actually part of it, much like all other aspects of the organization, and the brass recognizes that. I mean, our record at home is 23-8 this season and 326-173 over those five hundred home games, both Major League bests, and we create that electric atmosphere that the players love, so we do our part. Everyone does. The brass came up to NESN’s broadcast booth and thanked the fans on the air, but we have them to thank as well for keeping us coming. And our sponsors had giveaways every inning, each of five hundred products. Thank-yous from the team played on the jumbotron during inning breaks. Wakefield says we’re the twenty-sixth man. And I think I speak for all of Red Sox Nation when I say the organization is most definitely welcome, it’s our pleasure, and thank you as well. So all in all it was a celebration of the fans but also of the organization as a whole. And of course it was a celebration of the park and the team, because that’s really the whole point.
And the team punctuated the night in the park with a win. For Penny, it was win number one hundred. Five innings, no earned runs on three hits, four walks, and three strikeouts. An inning shorter than usual but he threw exactly one hundred pitches due to various jams he had to work himself out of. And it wasn’t without bumps and bruises. In the first inning, Jeremy Hermida hit a line drive right into the left side of Penny’s chest. It hit him so hard, the ball bounced to first base. Masterson, Okajima, Ramirez, and Papelbon each worked an inning to finish it, Masterson and Okajima each earning holds. I like that the depth of our bullpen is applied to the workloads of the relievers. No sense in making just one guy shoulder four innings when you spread the work around. It lets each reliever have some playing time, it confuses the opposition because they don’t see any one reliever too long, and it keeps the ‘pen fresh and ready to go for the next game.
The final score was 6-1, and that one unearned run was due entirely to Jacoby Ellsbury’s first career error. It was a fielding error. With two out in the first inning, Jorge Cantu hit a fly to left center. Ellsbury reached out on the run, but the ball bounced off his glove. This is a play he makes in his sleep, but unfortunately the streak couldn’t last forever. at 232 games and 554 chances, it’s the longest streak in Red Sox history. Add that to his Major League record-tying twelve putouts on May 20 against the Blue Jays, and he’s already got himself quite the fielding resume. He also hit a deep home run last night to lead off the seventh inning. His third of the season days after his second. I like where this is going.
It appears that Pedroia is quickly becoming slump-free; he went three for five was batted in half our runs. In the fourth he batted with the bases loaded and stroked a single to plate two of the three. And he followed that with his second steal of the night, his twelfth of the season in sixteen attempts. So he’s back to delivering. Youk, not so much; he struck out three times and was swinging at pitches outside the strike zone, which for him is very unusual. Ortiz hit, walked twice, and scored three runs. Baldelli went two for three with a run and an RBI. And in the fifth Green made a spectacular play in the field; he slid to catch a ball, and the rushed throw to first was right on target. JD Drew had the night off because starting tonight we’ll face four straight right-handers, and Drew will be in for all four of those games.
Just to give you a bit of contrast, the Marlins were 0 for 15 with runners and scoring position and left eleven on base.
Last but not least, Jason Bay celebrated his own personal triumph: meeting Bobby Orr. Orr came by the clubhouse before the game, but Bay, fellow Canadian and lifelong hockey fan, missed him somehow and was annoyed. So Orr watched the sixth inning from inside the Green Monster, and when Bay came out to play left in the bottom of the frame, Orr emerged, shook his hand, and said, “Nice to meet you.” Number Four meeting and greeting Number Forty-Four.
All in all, that’s what I call a good night. Brad Penny gets his 100th win. The team gets it done. Bobby Orr is on hand to see the team get it done. Forty-nine years ago yesterday, Ted Williams hit his 500th home run. And the whole organization celebrates continued unparalleled success with the 500th consecutive sellout at Fenway Park. And the best part is that it goes on. Ricky Nolasco at Lester tonight, and with the way Lester’s been pitching lately, this shouldn’t be a problem. Hopefully, sellout number 501 will also be a win.
Boston Soul 