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Okajima Tired?

Last night, Hideki Okajima coughed up a game-losing two-run homer in the ninth to Vernon Wells.

The left-hander was quoted after the game as saying he was getting tired, a function of the longer season in the majors compared with the Japanese League season.

Boston manager Terry Francona, though, discounted that comment from Okajima.

"How many people asked him the same thing?" asked Francona moments ago in his daily meeting with the media.

"After 12 people ask you that, you throw up your hands (and agree with the question). I think he left a changeup up. No one asked him two days ago (when he turned in a scoreless outing) if he was tired. There needs to be some consistency in the questioning. He didn't all of a sudden run a marathon. He gave up a hit," said Francona.

"I think everybody gets somewhat tired at this time of the year. But his fastball is the same as it has been all year, not an ounce of dropoff. I am aware of where he pitched and the amount, but we can't stop the season. We have to try to use good judgment (on when to call on Okajima). He just left a pitch up," said Francona.

The manager also said that Okajima was suffering from a sore hip for a few days, but that "I think he's okay."

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 4:38 PM | Permalink