Random Wednesday Thoughts

Okay, I know it's Thursday. But I was so amped for last night's game, I couldn't settle my thoughts or my mind or myself! So, here's Wednesday's thoughts a day late...
Globe photo by Barry Chin
1) First, last night's game was great. Yes, I was disappointed that Matsuzaka couldn't get his second win and his first at home. It would have been a great victory for him - and I think he was equally disappointed that he disappointed the home crowd. But he unfortunately went up against a pitcher that was on his "a" game. Felix Hernandez was simply unhittable, and I have to admit, like most other true baseball fans, I got to a point around the 6th when I actually started rooting for him to get the no hitter. Hernandez figures to be a real force on the mound this year for the Mariners - I'm hoping we'll get to see him pitch this summer. Wouldn't it be cool if it was a rematch of this pitching duel?

And what I love about that picture? Schill greeting him at the top of the dugout steps.

2) Another thing about the game - the shot on NESN of all the flashbulbs going off as Matsuzaka threw the first pitch to Ichiro. It was blinding! Great quote from Mikey Lowell:

"I didn't want Ichiro to hit me the ball because you couldn't even see the ball there were so many flashbulbs going off," third baseman Mike Lowell said. "I was thinking, I hope he hits me a ground ball because if he hits a line drive right at me, I'm seeing stars."

3) According to the Glob, Josh Beckett is the first Sox pitcher to win back-to-back home openers since Dennis Eckersley did it in 1979-1980.

4) Jon Lester is doing some great pitching with the Greenville Drive. Tuesday night he pitched 4 scoreless innings, and hit 93 miles per hour. According to the Glob:

"He's the best text messager in the game," Francona said. "He text messaged me this morning, said he felt good. He's begging for more innings. He'll go five in his next start."

No matter what else happens this year, the Lester story has to be the feel-good story of the year.

5) Speaking of life on the farm, Mark Bellhorn continues to play well for the Louisville Bats, the Reds' triple-A farm team. I'm starting to think "the Bell" is one of the type players they discussed on last night's telecast (not sure if it was on ESPN or NESN - I was bouncing back and forth for a while). Anyway, they talked about the typical Japanese player being a "4-A" type player - one not quite good enough for the majors, but too good for triple A. I'm not sure there's room on the Reds for Bellhorn, but he clearly can't stay at the triple A level. So what should he do? Should he de-camp for the Japanese leagues? Selfishly, I hope not. Selfishly, I hope he starts playing badly and comes to Chattanooga and plays for the double-A Lookouts, but let's not delve into my fantasy life...

6) As for tonight's game - the scheduled start of 4:05 seems in question. It's raining in Boston right now, temperature is dropping, and there's a possibility of snow. However, as this is the only time the Mariner's are visiting Fenway this year, MLB is pretty anxious to get the game in. So I suspect they will wait as long as possible, and make every effort to get it in. Part of me feels sorry for those stuck in the inclement weather, waiting - and part of my feels very jealous. I'd love to be milling around Yawkey Way, sucking down the brews and dogs. Oh, well, the time for that will come....what, 3 1/2 months or so?