Varitek leaves defensive hole

August 16, 2006 | Worcester Telegram & Gazette | By Bill Ballou

 

BOSTON— Jason Varitek played catch in right field before last night’s game, his arm strong and his mobility good. He would probably be back in uniform shortly, manager Terry Francona said, were he not a catcher.

But he is, so the Sox will remain careful with him. In the meantime, how much have they missed him?

Going into last night, Boston had played 14 games since Varitek was hurt early on the night of July 31. Some comparative records:

The Red Sox were 8-6 in the 14 games before the injury and are 6-8 since. They had allowed 78 runs, or 5.6 a game, and 143 hits in the 14 games before Varitek was hurt. Boston has allowed 84 runs, or 6.0 a game, and 152 hits since the injury.

Most telling is the number of balls that have wound up going to the backstop. In the 14 games before Varitek hurt his knee, Sox pitchers were charged with one wild pitch and there were no passed balls. Since then, Boston pitchers have thrown seven wild pitches and there have been two passed balls.

Offensively, Varitek’s replacements have fared well enough in comparison. He was 10 for 50 (.200) with 10 RBIs in his last 14 games. Doug Mirabelli, Corky Miller, Ken Huckaby and Javy Lopez have combined to go 14 for 52 (.269), also with 10 RBIs.