BOS @ TB 4/30/09

TB 13 BOS 0

Matt Garza RHP Rays 7.2IP 1H 1BB 10K
He was perfect through six innings and the only hit he let up was a soft liner off the fists of Ellsbury. He worked with a hard and well located FB (91-95). It was an above average offering and at times had some sink. His SL (85-87) had great bite and he used liked using it down and in to lefties with two strikes (That's how he struck out Ellsbury and Drew swinging in their first at bats). He also wasn't afraid to throw his hammer CB (72-76). He throws all of his pitches on a great downward plane and has the stuff to be an Ace. I really like the swagger he had on the mound. He showed the confidence that teams look for in a top of the rotation starter. He's a number 2 starter right now but has the stuff and makeup to be an Ace.

Grant Balfour RHP Rays 1.1IP 1BB 1K
He worked with an above average FB (90-93) an above average SL(85-86) and an average CB(81). He also throws a CH but didn't show one in this outing. He showed below average control this outing and came into the game when they were already up 8-0. He was arguably their best Reliever last year and has regressed some this year.

Josh Beckett RHP Red Sox 4.2IP 10H 7ER 3BB 8K
He was lights out with 5K through 2 1/3 and then got a little unlucky from some swinging bunts and bad defense by Jason Bay in LF. Bartlett and Upton got on with swinging bunts and then he walked Crawford. He had 2 strikes on Longoria and threw a CUT on the outter black just below the belt and Longoria had a great piece of hitting and just place it in the Right CF gap emptying the bases. Bay also misplayed two balls later in the game that cost him at least two runs. He was working with a above average 2 and 4 seam FBs (92-95). His power CB (74-79) is one of the best in the game and buckled the knees of Hernandez on a looking K. His CH(87-90) is hard and has plus movement with arm side run. He also uses a CUT(91-93) but I only saw it once. He had average command in this outing, but normally is above average. I think this was just an unlucky outing and I can't wait to chart him again.

Hunter Jones LHP Red Sox 1.1IP 1H 1ER 0BB 1K
He commanded his pitches well and continues to impress me how he gets hitters out with fringe-average stuff. The one blemish to his outing was a moon shot HR hit by Longoria on a SL low and in (I didn't think it was that terrible of a pitch, but the All-Star crushed it).

Takashi Saito RHP Red Sox 1.0IP 1H 0ER 1K
He consistently threw strikes and looked good. He showed average stuff, but was able to mix up his pitches enough to get outs.

Javier Lopez LHP Red Sox 0.1IP 4H 5ER 1BB 0K
He looked to have a tired arm. His FB(82-84) was below his normal range (87-90) and he was very wild. Hopefully he isn't hurt.

Jonathan Van Every RF Red Sox 0.2IP 1H 1BB
Yes that's right he is an OF!! He came in to give the bullpen some much needed rest and when he came in from RF Lopez took his spot in the field and they lost the DH with this move. This was the first time I charted a game when this came up so I thought I'd have some fun with it.