Bronson Arroyo, man of corn rows, how does your blond hair grow?
As I learnt from watching NESN today, Bronson was responsible not just for his cornrows, but for Trot Nixon’s mohawk. Perhaps he needs some training at Blaine? But while he may be no Vidal “I was an Israeli commando” Sassoon, he can flat-out pitch. The only threat from Seattle against Arroyo today was in the 3rd inning, and that was thanks to a fairly measly infield single from Dobbs followed by a single from Wilson. 7IP, 4 hits, 0ER - Bronson keeps up his reputation as a killer on the road.
With the next Bronson win, the entire starting rotation of the Sox will have at least 10 wins each, which is amazing. One thing I feel about watching these Sox, as I’ve said before, is that the rotation is like a pitching education. Pedro is king of a 1000 pitches, of course, but let’s just say his changeup and curve are the sickest of the sick and Schilling’s splitter is wicked. Then the back end of the rotation - which could be a front end in New York - feature Wakefield’s knuckleball and Lowe’s sinker, both of which, when on, are the premier examples of either pitch in the majors. And while Arroyo doesn’t have any such distinctive pitches (he has a nice curve when it’s on, but Pedro and Zito definitely top him), he’s got that distinctive leg kick. I’m rooting for him to get his 10th win next time up, it’s long overdue.
Good to see Hyzdu get his first major-league hit for a perfect 1.000 batting average. One thing I like about the way the Sox are playing now is that they always go for the jugular. Even when they’re up 7-0 the late-inning scrubs/defensive replacements (Hyzdu, McCarty, Mirabelli, Reese) are trying to pile it on.