Fight Night at Fenway: Red Sox 7, Tigers 5
by Ian Casselberry on Aug 12, 2009 9:15 AM EDT
in News
125 comments
So how often is the outcome of a ballgame the secondary story?
Of course, the big, flashy thing from the Tigers' 7-5 loss to the Red Sox last night is the fight between Kevin Youkilis and Rick Porcello. The Tigers felt they had to stick up for themselves after Miguel Cabrera was hit on the hand in the first inning, and Porcello threw a purpose pitch inside to Victor Martinez during Boston's turn at-bat. (Martinez took exception, and tried to stare the rookie down. That was the first attempt to intimidate Kid Rick.)
Cabrera's hand was painful enough that he came out of the game after fouling a pitch off in his next at-bat. (He was later diagnosed with a bruised hand, with his status listed as day-to-day.) And that lit the fuse.
Porcello hit Youkilis with his very first pitch, and it was on. Youkilis charged the mound, throwing his helmet at Kid Rick, and then attempted to tackle him. But Porcello used his attacker's momentum against him, and hip-tossed him to the ground. (Obviously, there are going to be different accounts of this, depending on which team you root for. But if you look at it objectively, I think it's pretty clear who got thrown to the ground.)
After the benches cleared, with Tigers and Red Sox either sticking their chest out or trying to keep peace, both Porcello and Youkilis were ejected from the game. Unfortunately for Detroit, this is pretty much where the game was lost. Porcello looked like he had the stuff to beat Boston, but didn't really get a chance to show it. The Red Sox lost Youkilis, but his replacement, Mike Lowell, came in and smacked two home runs.
And in easily the worst trade-off, Chris Lambert replaced Porcello and proceeded to pitch batting practice. Maybe it's because he had to come in quickly, and didn't have time to warm up properly. Maybe Lambert was overwhelmed by pitching in Boston for the first time since college. Maybe playing in Fenway Park was just too much for him to handle. Whatever the reason, Lambert was awful. The kind of awful that makes you wonder if we'll ever see him in a Tigers uniform again.
Lambert served up three home runs, leading to five Boston runs, and walked four batters. If there's one good thing you could say about the outing, it's that he pitched five innings and prevented Jim Leyland from further tapping out his bullpen. But I don't know how much credit Lambert actually deserves, since I think he was basically left out there to hang. The Tigers needed someone to make up Porcello's innings. (After the game, he was sent back down to Toledo, and Freddy Dolsi was recalled.)
In the end, the Tigers ended up losing a game they probably could've won. And the repercussions from the brawl could ripple out for a few days. Armando Galarraga may be too sick to make his start tonight. But Lambert won't be taking his place. Zach Miner probably isn't available, either, after pitching two innings on Monday. So unless an emergency call-up is made, Galarraga might have to pitch while feeling ill. (And if you thought he was bad before...)
Will Porcello get suspended? It sure seems likely, but I think you could make a pretty strong case that he wasn't throwing at Youkilis. For one thing, he had a 3-0 lead and looked to be in command of the game. Why jeopardize that? But if you watch the pitch in question, Porcello didn't aim the ball right at the batter. He threw a two-seam fastball that ran inside. (Compare that to the pitch he threw to Martinez.) Given what happened, however, it might all be elementary.
Looking at this through Tiger-striped glasses, you could say that Porcello truly became a major league pitcher last night. He wasn't intimidated. He stuck up for himself and his teammates. And when a crazy, hulking bald man ran at him with intent to fight, he didn't back down. That will go a long way toward earning Porcello some respect around this league. (And, of course, within his clubhouse.) As if his stuff wasn't already getting him that respect.
You could also pull out the cliche card and say this is the sort of thing that can bring a team closer together. (Though that seemed to work more for the Red Sox immediately after the brawl.) We'll see about that. After triage is performed on the pitching staff, and some aching sluggers get healed up. Maybe the Tigers can still salvage something from the remaining two games of this series.
Comment of the Night:
So they lose Rick tonight, plus there will probably be a suspension somewhere
that’s one way to limit the innings
by murrajo
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Disappointing Loss
If this type of game doesnt eat at your Tiger heart none will, In a pennant race you can’t have games just taken away like this one was. They rob us by ejecting Rick after no warning and Youk gets run and Lowell comes in and hits two bombs. Thats when you know it isnt your night and now we run Armando out there against Beckett…it doesnt get any easier but hopefully we can just steal one somehow in this series and come back to COPA
I was listening to XM this morning
and they were going on and on about how the brawl must have really galvanized the Red Sox because they went out and scored three runs right away and ended up winning the game after being down 3-0. I was banging my head against the steering wheel shouting “That was no galvanizing!! That was Lambert!!” And really, given the situation the final score SHOULD have been Red Sox 12, Tigers 3.
“Galvanized”. Pffffffffft
my first bosox locker room question:
Mr. Youkilis: The last guy who threw his helmet, Richie Sexson, called himself out for making a “chicken shit” move. Response?
It is a lame move...
But when you’re frustrated, you kinda want to throw things if you can’t get to the person fast enough. That said, he shouldn’t have done it.
@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation
I'm so tired
I couldn’t sleep after all this last night. I shall use the photos of fired-up Rick to keep me awake today.
does anyone else hear Miggy's voice reading this
and unconsciously feel themselves straining to understand what he’s saying even though it’s words on a computer screen?
“It’s frustrating because Porcello, he looked very good out there on the mound,” said Miguel Cabrera, who’s listed as day-to-day after Junichi Tazawa’s first-inning pitch off his left hand knocked him out of the game.
“I don’t think he was trying to hit Youkilis,” Cabrera continued. “We were up, 3-0. We want to win the game. When you have something happen like that, it was frustration.”
All...
All of the BoSox haters unite!! It is funny to read about the so-called “brawl” around SBNation this morning!
Don't drive angry!
according to tigers web site....
Gallaraga has been sick, but Lambert was to make the start, although now he won’t and Gallaraga forced into pitching ill. (yes, his pitching makes me ill)
Tammy
or not...
“After Tuesday’s 7-5 loss, pitching coach Rick Knapp said there was no news on Galarraga’s status. If Galarraga can’t go, Knapp said, the Tigers will essentially go with a bullpen start, in which several relievers cover the innings.”
Tammy
+100
Works for me.
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
by Detroitchik on Aug 12, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
the "fight"
WTG Rick! you showed more heart and cajones than the rest of your team has all year!
Passive Tigers
Where’s the fire in the Tigers? Where’s the Dick McAuliffe’s, the Kirk Gibson’s?
There doesn’t seem to be anyone who has taken on the role of a scrappy leader. They get pitches throw at them and don’t even stare down the pitcher, let alone taking more direct action. I’m not talking just about last night. I’ve seen it all season. Thomas took a pitch close to his head a couple of weeks ago and didn’t even look at the pitcher.
I’m starting to think these guys are pussy cats and not tigers.
Passive Tigers
Amen ‘63….all year this bunch has played nice…a little fire in the gut wouldn’t hurt!
different kinds of leadership,
While there is no gibby type screamer, leadership is not a problem on this team. The season has had several points at which it could have gone totally off the rails. To date, it hasn’t. Guys like polly, laird, and inge exemplify the leadership we have, with jv and grandy coming on. Quiet leadership does not look as good on tv, but it can be just as effective as a screamer.
by rook34 on Aug 12, 2009 1:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Ian's Article Sums It Up Right
Good article. Porcello DID use Youks momentum against him to take him down. Over on the Sox blog they’re saying a whole different story. Like the Tigers should relocate to a different city. It’s bash Detroit anytime they can. I have a new found respect for Porcello for sticking up for his team mates. GO TIGERS!!!
Sorry about all that.
Very emotional environment over there coming off the sweeps. Try not to instigate more stuff next time, please.
@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation
I have such an fn headache. No sleep too much adrenalin
I am going to drop a couple of Ibuprofen. How much of my day will be spent browsing the internets to try and find out who’s starting tonight. I NEED to know… ugh.
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
Porcello definitely pwned youk.
with the pitch and with the takedown. Youk should be embarassed.
I will say this though. Baseball fights are the dumbest thing. Besides why would you want to fight a team that has Country Strong Marcus Thames? And Jackson definitely looks like he knows how to throwdown. If this was a real fight and not just a bunch of crybaby Red Sox mostly upset over how they got such a stupid team name, the Red Sox would have definitely had to have gotten their boo-boo’s bandaged up. Hopefully for their sakes, the trainer has Dora the Explorer ones. Also, I bet Fu Te Ni can whip out some pretty awesome moves as well.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
Yeah
I was thinking that Youk should be embarrassed too. If for no other reason, Kid Rick, is just that. A 20 year old kid. Youkilis is a 30 year old woman man. What a joke
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
by Detroitchik on Aug 12, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
heres a comment from Big League Stew that made me laugh....
“Jim Leyland should have come out and stuck a lit Marl Red in Youks eye.”
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
also one of the few in english
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com
by rock n rye on Aug 12, 2009 10:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
THIS
i posted comment 109. but a lot of the sox fans couldn’t seem to type in english. it was in “gangsta.” i mean…it was hard to read.
I Like Pie
hey adam everett
Beckett pitches anywhere near you today, lean into it and charge the mound.
http://www.fromthecopa.blogspot.com
by rock n rye on Aug 12, 2009 10:39 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
that’s what I said last night.
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
by Detroitchik on Aug 12, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
+100
as am I, Alli, as am I.
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
by Detroitchik on Aug 12, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
we went to lunch
was tasty
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
by Detroitchik on Aug 12, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Soooo...
Perhaps someone smarter than me can help me. I just read that the Tigers are having a hard time finding a starter for tonight because of Galaraga’s illness and the fact that Bonine just threw in the minors so they can’t bring him up.
My question then is why don’t they just put Porcello out there again?
He only threw something like 15 pitches last night. It’d be like a warmup for him.
I think a lot of people are wondering the same thing.
I doubt leyland wants to stir up more emotions on the field, though. that’s my take.
I think it would be great
to rub it into those fn fans. We could use a little emotion.
probably
The first pitch that Porcello threw that was in the same area code as a Red Sock would prompt charging of the mound and general self-important hissy fits. No reason to stir it up any more than it is already.
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." -- Philo of Alexandria
probably don't want to mess with a routine
especially going into the last 6-7 weeks of a season in a tight race?
Official BYB Juju Consultant...now accepting rally creature applications!
For all we know
Porcello may be handed a suspension before tonight’s game…then what? Scramble at the last second?
Don't get me wrong, I do NOT think it's a good idea for Porcello to start tonight regardless...
…but if he were handed a suspension, couldn’t he just appeal it? That would buy some time.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 12, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe, except
1. that never works anyways
2. depending on the length of potential suspension that may just jepordize him missing a forthcoming scheduled start
Call up Rudy Lugo and Start Him.
Rudy has won his past 3 of four games pitched and did not win in his last appearance, but did pitch 6 shutout innings.
But it's Ruddy Lugo...
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
by David Tokarz on Aug 12, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Boston being Boston
The Redsoxs have been the rest of the American Leagues bitch for sooo long that they do not know how to handle themselves when they are falling back down to earth!!!
Prediction
Armando—sick and inspiried—tosses a solid 6 innings, giving up only 1 run.
The tigers scrape together 3 runs, Seay, Lyon and Rodney do their jobs
and the Tigers win 3-1.
didn't thamesy have a good night when he was sick
that one time, a grand slam or at least multiple HR
by allikazoo on Aug 12, 2009 1:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
did I read correctly?
Armando is pitching tonight. My fn tigers home page won’t load right…. is this true?
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
That's the word
hopefully he won’t puke on the mound or anything
by kendra.michelle on Aug 12, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Good point
it would also drag the game out even longer, what with the grounds crew having to come out and clean it up.
by kendra.michelle on Aug 12, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
blagh
games witht Red Sox or Yankees seem to take days and days. They’re soooo dramatic.
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
Dramatic = "boring as hell?"
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." -- Philo of Alexandria
Not all the time, of course - but sometimes.
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." -- Philo of Alexandria
Youkilis is the biggest drama queen of them all
and yesssssssssss so boring. But I will still watch…lol
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
No, that honor goes to Paps.
Youk just gets pissed when he doesn’t do great.
@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation
now that's just gross
to think about, even. He’s probably eating Caldo de Pollo.
Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.
I wish it was contagious.
He could cough on the ball before each pitch and get the entire Red Sox team sick. It would be like Typhoid Mary – but without the Mary part.
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." -- Philo of Alexandria
LOL
I remember a couple years ago a bunch of the Tigers had the flu when it came time to them to go to Yankee Stadium. Leyland joked that he was gonna have a bunch of New York reporters interview Polanco and then send them to go interview A-Rod and Derek Jeter.
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 12, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
off topic, humor
a friend posted this to his flickr today, from LA
he captioned it “yoda’s not even from LA”
for Lambert
cue Vince McMahon:
“YOURE FIRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDD”
He's a starting pitcher
so he won’t play in 4 of them anyway. 5 games is just one start.
Maybe now you'll never slime a guy with a positron collider!
He did have to be restrained by several people
So I guess the fine is for intent, I suppose?
http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com
by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 12, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Where'd you find this?
I believe it, I’d just like to see it. That’s crazy though, I mean sure he was mad and had to be held back, but he didn’t actually DO anything really…
by kendra.michelle on Aug 12, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
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