Breaking out the joss sticks as we speak

I can think of few things more depressing in Red Sox baseball nowadays than having to watch Jonathan Papelbon blow a save. One of those few things, however, is watching Jonathan Papelbon blow a save while worrying that he's hurt.

I, for one, am worried after that top of the ninth. Every pitcher has his bad days, and even Papelbon blew at least one save last year--but with a kid that was pumping 97-mph heat with wicked movement in there a week ago and topping 95 just the other day, seeing him unable to top 94 and hovering mostly between 91 and 93 with practically no control whatsoever is enough to have me reaching for the barf bag. Especially now that I think back on his last appearance, the roughness of which I had attributed to rainy weather at the time.

It wasn't just the home run. He also issued two walks in one inning when his season total is four, and gave up two hits when his season total is five. Something was clearly very wrong tonight.

The diminished velocity did not escape the notice of the broadcast booth, either. After a while I grew irrationally angry with Don Orsillo for reading off the velocity after every pitch. "Stop saying it!" I yelled at the TV at one point, as if that would make a difference.

I could care less about today's game and the blown save at this point. What I'm worried about is whether Jonathan is healthy. The entire equation of this team, 1 through 25, let alone the bullpen and the pitching staff, changes drastically if we lose him. The entire complexion of the season changes.

I'm hoping I feel like a silly worrywart after the next time I see him...but in the meantime, anybody know any voodoo rituals? Wiccan incantations? Now that I think of it, who's the patron saint of the right arm?

Comments

[maxwell horse]

This was my exact response as I watched the 9th as well. We *knew* Paps was going to blow a save sooner or later, because he did blow a few last year. I can live with a blown save. What was *most* disturbing however was that he looked so bad tonight. As you (and Don and Remy) noticed, his velocity was 4-5 mph lower than it normally was. That fact alone scared the crap out of me. And after his pitch count got into the twenties, I was cringing after each throw, half-expecting him to grab his shoulder, waiting for the medical staff to usher him off the field in a repeat of last year.

In the post-game press conference Terry downplayed the blown save saying stuff like "he's human." I *have* to think, however, that in the back of Terry's mind, he's concerned about the same exact thing that a lot of home viewers automatically thought of when Orsillo kept noting the weak velocity. I've just *got* to believe that Terry and Co. are already, as we speak, planning a full-on set of medical exams for Paps' shoulder.

This was the sh*ttiest game of the year.

If there is *any* positive to tonight, it's that Paps and Donnelly both chose the same night to eff-up--meaning it only resulted in one lost game. If they'd spread out their failures, it might've meant two losses.

[Mike]

I am also very concerned about Pap's arm.
I will be praying to Robin Roberts tonight for Jonathan's well-being.

[mouse]

I feel the same way. It's particularly disturbing considering Papelbon was rested; off Monday and he only pitched one game in the Yankees series, one game against Baltimore, and not at all against Toronto last week.

He looked fine on Sunday, blowing away Matsui on pure gas. Hopefully it's just one of those bad days every pitcher has.

[David Welch]

In baseball, we have the IBB (intentional walk). Now, perhaps we have the IBS. Think about it. Teams are now feeling that perhaps Papelbon has some weakness, since he psyched them out with that intentional blown save. Watch for him the convert his next 20 opportunities while giving up maybe 2 runs!

[Dawn]

maybe offer up a sacrificial duck to the baseball gods?

[Sammy]

http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=34197&lastnode_id=0

There it is Beth, all the Voodoo Healer info we need. He'll be okay.