Duren, Duren

Suarez, right on cue blows the game open for Boston.

Frustrating game. Just not making the key plays.

Anderson runs out of gas. Got to stay close and come from behind. Too bad they missed chances to add runs earlier.

Turned into a pitchers duel.

Middle of the lineup, back to back Ks with men on base. Not productive at bats.

Hicks is clueless. Drury finally connects.

Anderson can't throw those pitches over the middle of the plate and not get hurt. Another lousy first inning.

Trout missed a fat pitch right down the middle, waist high.

The challenge system works pretty good in hockey. Both for goals and off sides. But you need indisputable video evidence. Often from different angles and high zoom capacity cameras. And even then there are some calls that just can't be confirmed because of obstructions blocking the cameras. Hockey is a fast action sport, With balls/strikes everything is much more static. There are built in problems though with late moving pitches, hitters stance, the angle the ump stands at. The question is how close to 100% do they want the calls to be? Traditionally it's always been accepted that each ump has his own strike zone. But that just admits that there is no absolute way calls will always be totally accurate. The technology seems to be there for the robo system, though I haven't looked at the details in depth. Presumably it would come closer to 100% over the long haul. But it would radically change the heart of the game. However, big mistakes really do affect entire games and have repercussions for the standings over a season. And what about non ball/strike situations? They allow challenges for safe/out calls on the bases and fielding plays. Those seem to be accepted and are non controversial. So it seems balls/strikes are the final frontier. I would keep the umps, but really judge them more harshly. And add a number of challenges per game.

A great start got the team going. Jumped on Houck early, who was let down by his defense. Detmers did the rest. And a mix of hitters padded the cushion.

A rare game that never was in doubt from the first inning on. Given how Detmers pitched. Now let's start moving further ahead of .500.

Staff ace. With Anderson, a nice 1 - 2 combo. Though for how long remains to be seen.

ward is dialed in this season! They are having some sort of charity/fundraising event on the Sox broadcast. Of course, tied in with betting (Draftkings). Which is what it is. But it completely has taken over their broadcast. Split screens, cutaways, obligatory interviews, urging people to try for the jackpot in the middle of the action. Baseball broadcasts in most cities do this to some degree. But It varies in the way it interfers with the actual enjoyment of the game. been part of

One thing about the Red Sox. It really is cool seeing a game at Fenway. You don't get the actual feel of what it's like otherwise. I've been there a few times sitting in different sections and you are right on top of the action behind home, along the bases and in right field.I once sat near the "Pesky Pole" and watched an easy fly ball just bend around it for a homer. The Green Monster was just an old style wooden wall from the outside. Back in the Fred Lynn/Jim Rice days of my youth!

Detmers down to 72 mph on his curve. Just about equal to Herget's fastball.

Sox broadcasters chastising Rendon for just jogging to second and keeping Schanuel from getting a double. And bringing up all the Rendon controversy. Seems this will follow him everywhere.

Batting practice!

Now Detmers has a 20 mph difference in speeds. 74-94. This is great when he keeps his control. 94 seems to be his ceiling but it must seem faster after the slow stuff.

So far, solid ball/strike calls. But it's early.

Detmers mixing speeds nicely. Between 77-94.

Sox defense. "A comedy of errors" as their broadcasters said.

Hicks with some well hit balls tonight.

Should be an infield hit but Sox are on an error streak.

Nice couple of dps keeping the bases empty.

Lucky the Sox suck on defense. Inning should have been over without any runs. Even Hicks gets in on things. Houck not pitching badly but behind 3 - 0.