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BRONSON ARROYO |
THE "IDIOTS" REVERSE THE CURSE
Bronson Arroyo shines against Texas
July 9, 2004 ...
It was one heck of a performance by Bronson Arroyo, who held the most potent offensive team in the majors - the Texas Rangers - to three hits over eight innings in a 7-0 win
tonight at Fenway. Arroyo allowed two of the hits in the first inning, then settled down to pitch the best game he's thrown since his perfect game in
Pawtucket last season. Arroyo snapped a six-game losing streak while vaulting the Sox to their fourth straight victory on this six-game homestand before the All-Star break.
Arroyo, who was throwing in the low 90s, had plenty of offensive support from Johnny Damon, who went 4 for 5 with a pair of solo home runs that brought him out for a curtain call in the eighth after his second shot gave the Sox a 7-0 lead. The red-hot Damon, who has a team-high 14-game
hitting streak, is 19 for 32 (.594) in his last six games, raising his average from .290 to .319. He's also hit five homers in his last 10 games and he's scored at least one run in 13 of his last 14 games.
Arroyo last won May 21, defeating Toronto, 11-5. He had lost his last six decisions and didn't figure in the outcome of a 6-3, 12- inning loss to the Braves July 2, despite pitching seven innings, allowing five hits and only two runs. In 13 previous starts, Arroyo had received just 3.7 runs
per outing. The Sox were 4-9 in those games. Arroyo was staked to a 2-0 lead after five innings against the Rangers, no small feat against a potent lineup that led the majors with 475 runs, 130 home runs, 1,416 total bases, and a .479 slugging percentage.
Curt Schilling will not pitch in the All-Star Game at Houston Tuesday to rest his troublesome right ankle, but he is going to the game with his family. The decision was made yesterday after Schilling conferred with the Sox medical staff, which decided the nine-day rest would be beneficial.
Schilling will face the Angels in Anaheim, Calif., July 18, the Sox fourth game after the break. Red Sox manager Terry Francona informed Yankees manager Joe Torre, the American League All- Star manager, and a replacement is likely to be named today.
The Red Sox placed lefthanded reliever Lenny DiNardo on the 15- day disabled list with a severe blister on his left middle finger and called up Pawtucket righthander Joe Nelson. |
