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Smoltz uncertain, Wakefield on call
PHILADELPHIA -- John Smoltz arrived here this afternoon and met for an extended period of time with manager Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell after making his fifth rehab start yesterday with Triple A Pawtucket in Syracuse. The Red Sox will wait to make a decision on his next step.
Smoltz is "in a holding pattern," he said. He will pitch somehwere Thursday, but the team has not decided if it will be another rehab outing or his Red Sox debut. Smoltz's 30-day rehab period ends Friday.
Yesterday in Syracuse, Smoltz pitched all six innings (it was a doubleheader) of Pawtucket's 4-1 loss and allowed four runs on six hits and a walk, striking out six. Smoltz threw 56 strikes in 70 pitches, which manager Terry Francona said is a credit to Smoltz being able to repeat his delivery. Smoltz then threw 15 more pitches in the bullpen to strengthen his stamina. Smoltz feels ready to pitch at the major league level.
"My results were not at all indictative of how I threw," Smoltz said. "I was very pleased."
As for the game tonight, the Red Sox have a rough combination brewing: Their bullpen is fatigued from a 13-inning game, and Daisuke Matsuzaka is starting tonight. The solution, as it always seems to be this season for the Red Sox pitching staff, is Tim Wakefield. Today would be his day to throw a side session, but he skipped it and volunteered to pitch as a long reliever if Matsuzaka falters early. Regardless, Wakefield will make his scheduled start Tuesday. Brad Penny also volunteered if necessary, Francona said.
The lineup has a couple changes from yesterday, most notably Julio Lugo at shorstop. Lugo, who had a big single in the Red Sox' game-winning rally in the 13th last night, last started June 5, eight days ago. Nick Green had become the regular starter.
"He hasn't played in a while, and I don't know that that's in anybody's best interest," Francona said. "Even maybe Greenie, giving him a day. It helps everybody."
Might want to proof-read your post!
Might want to proof-read your post!
"Tim Wakefield ... volunteered to pitch as a long reliever if Matsuzaka falters early."
This is why Tim Wakefield's picture should be in the dictionary next to "unselfish." He will do whatever it takes to help the team.
Wish you guys would learn to edit. How many pitches did he throw? For crying out loud, you guys write for a living.
Use spell check, please.
I and countless others have said it before and will say it again: Tim Wakefield is one of the most selfless players in baseball. How many starting pitchers volunteer like this?
If Kilgore is going to write his usual mundane articles, he could at least proof read them. No wonder why they are slicing the salaries of these folks
Smoltz threw 56 pitches in 70 pitches? Amazing!
Seriously though, both Wake and Penny are awesome for volunteering. Now hopefully they won't be needed.
All you little "Johnny Editors" need to get girlfriends.
You Grammar Nazis need to get a life. It's a blog, not a cover story.
This rain delay isn't going to help matters is it ? Lets hope Dice K handles the dlay and holds his own...five runs doesn't feel all that comfortable on a night like this.
Hey, what happened to me "e" in delay? I swear it was there when I sent the post. Lol.
Ok so it actually says 56 strikes in 70 pitches then he threw an additional 15 in the bullpen so I guess it would be considered 85 pitches. Everyone slamming the guy for his editing how about your reading skills.
You grammar numb-skulls need to get a life. It's a published article, not a usual nonsensical comment in boston.com.
The real discussion should be how best to use Smoltzie. Sheesh. It's not long relief, I can say that. The guy's a Hall of Famer.
People need to read before they make comments like that. It seemed pretty simple to understand.... and we all know the answer about how to use Smoltz..... He replaces Dice-K in the rotation. And until Dice can prove that he can pitch 6 innings, he isnt a starter.... I would consider Penny or Dice-K as trade options to improve the team for the future....
@Bat Insider
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