Made a run at it

Sending this one in from Boston. Nice to get a win at Fenway tonight. Made a run at a no-hitter but really just wanted to win the game. The no-hitter would have been nice, but whatever, we're about winning games. It's probably a good thing I gave up a hit on a curveball which is probably my best pitch. If I'm going to lose it I want it to be on my best pitch. I can sleep on that. One of the keys tonight was that I was throwing strikes a lot early. I was really challenging guys. My fastball was locating pretty well all night and I kind of mixed in my breaking stuff later on in the game. The first pitch strikes were definitely significant. I was challenging guys with my fastball early on and pretty much throughout the game. I was lucky enough. Some guys hit balls at people and things just kind of kept rolling for me. I was asked how this compared to the one hitter I had against Oakland and I would say I had better stuff that night. I definitely had a better breaking ball that night, had a lot more strikeouts so I guess my stuff in that one was more dominating, you'd say. Happy we got the win tonight.

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Comments (69)

oflarity said July 29, 2008

Nice work, John. Between your night and the Teixeira trade, you guys were really making headlines today.
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Mizzy21390 said July 29, 2008

YEA U DID play great today.. and i had to watch my sox lose 7 straight to u guys.. oh well.. hopefully we win tomorows game... cuz i cant have another angels sweep..
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- Mizzy21390 replied July 29, 2008
  
  and worst in our own home... tho i cant believe im saying this, but i would root for u guys to win the WS if we didnt make it.. u guys can really do it this yr..
abovebullpen said July 29, 2008

I'm so proud of you. You always think about team's win.
Oh,,,,,, You almost made it ! ! !
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diamond23dust said July 29, 2008

Nice game! You'll get that no-hitter some day...but hopefully not against the Yankees ;-)
Anyway, thanks for beating the Sox!
-A Yankees fan :-)
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Conrad said July 29, 2008

Thanks for another awesome start .... and complete game John, I love your post game comments, with focus kept on wins..... I will sorely miss Casey, but he helped to put us in position for a great run ! I will have my broom out for tomorrow, but win or lose..... playoffs are the focus! Stay healthy and see you back in ANGEL STADIUM !
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cincysportsart said July 29, 2008

Great game tonight! You guys are definitely rolling. I'm sure you're sorry to see Kotchman go, but anytime you can add a switch-hitting 1B with some "pop", like Teixeira, I would imagine it was an understandable move. Best of luck the rest of the way!
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Reneeskates said July 29, 2008

well like the announcer says...sometimes when your a pitcher against the sox you don't know if you can win against them or not... i love the red sox AND the angels but i feel it's the angels year so i want y'all to GO for it and don't hold back. i'd love to see you guys do another world series like you did before several years ago. the earth shakes, rattles and rolls for ya angels...! haha
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Reneeskates said July 29, 2008

y'all missed some fun today.....(back in southern cali!).... ;)
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pattimelt said July 29, 2008

Good job, John!! See you on Sunday at Yankee Stadium!!!!!!!! You'll have some Angels fans there!!
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ANGLSDUXFAN78 said July 30, 2008

I was very happy to see you do as well as you did tonight!!! =) I'm even happier to see the team playing so well this year. I'm quite proud to wear the halo that I have tattooed on my arm(with the phrase "Just Another Halo Victory" written around it). Take Care!
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lightitup said July 30, 2008

Life is really good for Angel fans right now and you're a big part of it, John! We had a heck of a day out here... first an earthquake, then the Tex signing and the you thowing the gem! Congrats on a great outing and thanks for the blog!
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1Halo_Luvr said July 30, 2008

Way to go John....How sweet the win! 11 days ago at home and then in Boston! You have a great group of guys behind you and you believe in them. I loved the look you gave to Izzy after Pedroia got his knock...was it "You and me...Double Play"? You went after the win with gusto....never gave up and that's the way you boys win ballgames and series. Keep up the great work. You definitely deserve some Dublin Dr. Pepper tonight!

Sad that we lost Kotch...but Tex will be a nice addition to a great group. Best of Luck Casey!!!!

GO ANGELS!!!
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carney25 said July 30, 2008

Great game today.
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johnlackeyfan said July 30, 2008

You Pitched so well i am actually in boston so way to go!
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jjackflash said July 30, 2008

John, heck of a game today. I was pissed to be stuck in my office all afternoon and evening, unable to watch this gem. Couple of questions: (1) when did you hear about the Teixeira trade, and (2) I can't believe you didn't say anything about it! What was the reaction in the clubhouse? After years of speculation in the media and among fans (I'm sure you as players are aware of all the chatter), the team finally made a deadline deal for a "Big Bat."
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JASON323_310 said July 30, 2008

ANGELS ALL DAY !!!!!!!!!!!
THAT DAMN PEDROIA HAD TO MESS IT UP HUH !!!!!! LOL

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phillyfannaz said July 30, 2008

win all the games u want because in the world series the phils are coming into ur house and taking it Tex aint got nothing on Howard
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- CelticPride33 replied July 30, 2008
  
  You do realize that you have to win playoff games in order to get to the World Series.
- aforstner replied July 30, 2008
  
  The Phillies may want to focus on winning the NL East before they can even think about winning playoff games, or getting to the WS for that matter. I don't think the Mets are folding again this year, and you've got a hot young Florida team in the mix too. Remember - Florida wins on 5-year cycles with a bunch of no-names, then has a fire-sale once everyone knows their players. 1997, 2003...their about due.
aforstner said July 30, 2008

John...tonight's performance is the result of your incredible work ethic and mature demeanor. One of the main reasons the Angels are the best team in basebaill is the fact that they have an intimidating presence at the top of the rotation. This season really began to come into focus when you came off the DL. Great game John. If you can no-hit the Red Sox for 8.1, you can do anything. With those first-pitch strikes and early count outs you have become a very efficient pitcher that takes the club deep into games. If Frankie breaks the record it will be in large part due to you and the other starters taking pressure off of him and allowing him to only work 1 inning ber save.
So...how 'bout that Teixeira deal?? How do the guys really feel about it (and not the company line of "he's a great player and we're looking forward to him helping our ballclub")? Just thought I'd ask, I understand if you don't want to get into that.
Anyway...again great game, and keep pitching the way you do and I'm sure a perfect game is in your future. As you said in the article though, just win games. I'm sure another World Series ring would be much sweeter than a single perfect game. I know who I would give the ball to in a World Series Game 7 - the winner of Game 7 of the 2002 Series of cours!! Keep up the good work.
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bloodbrother said July 30, 2008

Awesome outing today, John! Especially great to see you do it in Fenway which has been sort of a house of horrors for not only you but the Halos in the past. Man what a crazy day this way for a Halos fan. First they land a big bat in Teix.... who always plays gold glove D at 1B which I'm sure you and the rest of the staff will love, then you go out and throw a damn near no-no vs the defending World Champs. Things are certainly looking good right now for the Angels not only now but in the future. This staff is so sick. Lackey, Saunders, Santana is a scary 1-3. You know your pitching is stacked when Garland/Weaver are your #4 and #5 starters. Keep on rolling, guys!
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birdsrule said July 30, 2008

Great job John! Nice to see you put the win first. You will get another shot at a NO NO another time.
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DRAFTODEN said July 30, 2008

GIVE ME THE BALL!!! I LOVED THAT ON SPORTSCENTER.
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- aforstner replied July 30, 2008
  
  That's right - that's why John is the Ace of the best pitching staff in the game. Give up a big homer that breaks up a shutout - and all he thinks is "GIVE ME THE F"N BALL!!!" That's why other teams don't want to face the Angels, and that's why the road to the World Series will go though Anaheim. Don't fold in tough times - when times get tough - GIVE ME THE BALL!!! I love it!
- Annt74 replied July 30, 2008
  
  John dont come into a WS game 7 as a rookie and get that W unless he has tha exact attitude, tkaes the mound pissed off every time
soxaddict said July 30, 2008

Ugh...
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- soxaddict replied July 30, 2008
  
  Alright, now that the sting of the Sox almost being no-hit has subsided slightly, congrats on last night.
  - Annt74 replied July 30, 2008
    
    soxaddict keepin classy yet funny, big ups to U
tedhill said July 30, 2008

Great game John, you guys are one nice roll, gotta clinch that home field advantage for the playoffs.
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suzendonut said July 30, 2008

good thing my boy was there to put a stop to it!
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- Annt74 replied July 30, 2008
  
  that was a nice piece of hitiin but yer boy still went home a loser, which is a good thing
BrandeBrande said July 30, 2008

I was driving home and listening to the game and I took the long way to keep listening, as not to mess with the no-hitter. Rory and even Hud were doing really well at not saying a thing - and I tried not to cringe when Physioc said the words, but he said them. So give him a little crap :) Great game tonight Big John. Definitely why I am proud to be an Angels fan! I'm wondering if you think finding out about Kotch prior to the game helped you kick it into overdrive - because you had to think about the game even more than normal and not about your teammate/buddy leaving suddenly...
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Dewey said July 30, 2008

Great game, Big John.
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dsiano6447 said July 30, 2008

What a game! You were great! Good luck tonight. Donna
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splint7438 said July 30, 2008

Congrats John. You are definately the horse on this staff and we love you for it. Keep up the good work. By the way some people think we had an earthquake here in socal yesterday. Not true......it was the balance of power in MLB shifting to Anaheim that we all felt.
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BronxBomba62 said July 30, 2008

nice game i hate the sox way to win it would have been nice to have the no hitter but a wins a win
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YANKEEKILLERS said July 30, 2008

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- Annt74 replied July 30, 2008
  
  Big Daddy
brettwb1 said July 30, 2008

You pitched a great game John, so close to a no-no, my heart was pounding and it dropped when you didn't get it, but you overcame your problems in Boston tonight and that should help a lot in the future, you showed those biased ESPN idiots that you and the Halos can beat Boston. After your game in Oakland in 2006 and this game I know someday you'll throw a no-hitter, probably against the A's. Keep up the good work John you're my favorite player I wear your jersey to every game and I'm the idiot always standing up and clapping when you walk from the pen to the mound lol, also please re-sign after 2009!
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kgfugitive said July 30, 2008

John, you owe us another ring. Bring the bling back to L.A.!
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bthayer said July 30, 2008

Great game John. I nearly fell off the treadmill at the gym when Pedroia got the hit. But you have to feel good about how the team played in Boston.
How do you feel about Tex coming to the line up?
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Gebers said July 29, 2008

Thanks for the great game.. My daughter (3 months old) and I watch the whole thing on the Computer... I hope this is the year...
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Mozster said July 29, 2008

The point is to win the game and the series. Both were done in awesome fashion John. Complete game and the win. Excellent work. Enjoy the next few days off.
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- Annt74 replied July 30, 2008
  
  ya but a no-hitter at Fenway woyuld have nbeen so effin SWEET!!!!!!, hoever i agree with you, mission accomplished
jobarules13 said July 29, 2008

I'm a Yankee fan but i think all Yankee fans say thank you..you pitched very well if we loose to you i wouldn't mine and with that mark texiera you guys are the team to beat.
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- Annt74 replied July 30, 2008
  
  angel fan here, as much as i dont wanna see the Angels lose, I say if we lose just make sure it isnt to the Yanks.......
- CelticPride33 replied July 30, 2008
  
  You are saying you would not mind losing to the angels....You are obiviously not a die hard yankees fan.
bthayer said July 29, 2008

John... great game man. I was watching every pitch and pulling for you the whole time. I'm flying to New York on Saturday Morning to watch you guys play in Yankee Stadium... I'll be one of the fans trying not to get stabbed in Yankee Stadium.
What's your thoughts on having big Tex to back you now?
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SoCalSportsFan said July 29, 2008

Great game John! You've shown today that the Angels are no longer "afraid" of the Red Sox Curse, and that they can be beat in Fenway. Congrats on a great game pitched! Go Angels!!!!!!
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BrandeBrande said July 30, 2008

I was driving home and listening to the game and I took the long way to keep listening, as not to mess with the no-hitter. Rory and even Hud were doing really well at not saying a thing - and I tried not to cringe when Physioc said the words, but he said them. So give him a little crap :) Great game tonight Big John. Definitely why I am proud to be an Angels fan! I'm wondering if you think finding out about Kotch prior to the game helped you kick it into overdrive - because you had to think about the game even more than normal and not about your teammate/buddy leaving suddenly...
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BWH1976 said July 30, 2008

Congratulations - it would have been great to get the no-hitter, but that was a masterful pitching performance regardless. Once again, great work last night!
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rage1973 said July 30, 2008

Great job tonight John. Hope you guys can finish the sweep tomorrow and good luck pitching in New York for the last time. Take the experience in since it's one of those memorable places where so much baseball history happened. Now time to make your own history in Anaheim.
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lanea1 said July 30, 2008

Before anyone talks about resigning TEXIERA how about you? Angels nation needs you to sign a long term deal!!!!!!
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Biglar said July 30, 2008

Excellent job....you guys make watching the game fun. One of the few teams that just goes out & does their job without all the drama. Hate to see Kotch go, but I guess that's the business part of the game.
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NavyOAngelFan said July 30, 2008

John, You're the man! I'm a Navy Officer, from Cali, Stationed in SD and I deal with people from all over the U.S and most are not Angel fans. The guys i work with often say we're overrated but lately they've been very quiet, Its awesome! You're the best pitcher in the Majors (in my opinion) and i know you'll get that no hitter sometime in the near future. Just keep being our ACE!
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pistolpete said July 30, 2008

What a game John! Keep rocking it.
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ayJbay7 said July 30, 2008

AMAZING MAN!
Nail down those Sawx!

But please be easy on my Yanks next week meh
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- Annt74 replied July 30, 2008
  
  No Way, gotta go even harder against the Yanks
Tbone42 said July 30, 2008

Scooby.
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AngelsFan99 said July 30, 2008

'that was awesome! Now let's win it all!
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cubbie08 said July 30, 2008

Great performance last night for a quality pitcher and this is coming from a life long Cubs Fan.
Cubs/Angels world series?
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SportsPicks said July 30, 2008

Excellent stuff tonight against a very impressive Boston lineup. The Angels are a team to reckon with this season and have the hitting, pitching and bullpen to get the job done and represent the AL in the World Series. It should be an interesting playoffs this year.

Sports Odds
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fantasyyankees said July 30, 2008

Great pitching versus that tough Boston lineup. What were your exact feelings when Pedroia singled? It must have been hard to get it together, obviously it was because of the Youk home run, but way to finish it out and get that damn nice complete game!
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angelmania said July 30, 2008

Great game Mr. Lackey. Good luck the rest of the season. Please keep that arm healthy.
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johnlacking said July 30, 2008

i am

john lacking
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KingC69 said July 31, 2008

Nice work John, lets keep the momentum going and make this a magical season and bring back a championship to So Cal.
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