Sox Outlast Mariners in 15 Innings, Back in First (7/31/13)

I did not see this game as I was at work....however:

News:

The trade deadline came and went and the only other move by the Red Sox was getting Brayan Villarreal from the Tigers, who's heading straight to Pawtucket. Other than that, the Sox are what they are for the remainder of the season. They never addressed the bat situation although they managed to get Jake Peavy as their starter. They needed an arm in the bullpen that's tough on right-handers but they figure that can be cleaned up in house, maybe so. Still, barring injury, call-ups and unexpected waiver pickups this is who they are for the rest of the season. MLB as a whole didn't do any jawdropping deals as they've done in years past. Thanks to the second wild card, teams on the bubble still think they have a shot that they wouldn't have in years past so they're holding on to their best players in order to go for that second slot. A team like Philly that looks hopelessly out of playoff contention can suddenly get Roy Halladay back healthy in September, then go on a run that takes them to the play-in game, where they start Cliff Lee and win. The Rays trade deadline gamble was getting all-star reliever Jessie Crain from the White Sox (who asked for prospects for Jake Peavy) for...absolutely nothing. "Cash consideriations was the official reason but for a team that's notoriously cheap, that's hard to believe. Still, wasn't like the Yankees traded to get Felix Hernandez so you can pretty much wipe them off the contenders list.

As for the game, what a win. The Sox bullpen tossed 7 innings of shut out ball and came out on top for their 10th walkoff of the season. Here's how it happened:

Dustin Pedroia worked a walk to leadoff the bottom of the 15th against Luke Luetge. David Ortiz grounded out but Pedroia moved to second. The Mariners had Mike Napoli intentionally walked as Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck out. Mr. Walkoff Jonny Gomes walked to load the bases and Stephen "No longer PU" Drew hit a ground rule single to end the game.

                                            What is Ortiz about to do? Don't think I want to know


THE GOOD:

Hero of the night should be Hero's of the Knights as the Sox bullpen (sans Junichi Tazawa) held the M's off the board for 7 innings. Still, Hero goes to Stephen Drew who supplied the 10th walkoff win of the season for the Sox.

                                                       Hero of the Night

John Lackey did the best he could, tossing 7 innings of 3 run ball and leaving the game with a 4-3 lead. Shane Victorino was 2 for 6 with a walk and a run scored. Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 6 with a walk and a huge 2 run home run that gave the Sox a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 7th, 3 rbi's total. Jonny Gomes pinch hit for Daniel Nava and walked twice. Brandon Snyder pinch hit for Brock Holt and doubled. Koji Uehara struck out 3 of the 6 batters he faced. Matt Thornton pitched a scoreless 11th inning. Craig Breslow threw 2 scoreless innings. Drake Britton earned his first major league win by tossing the final 2 scoreless innings.


THE BAD:

Mike Carp was 0 for 3 with a strikeout before being pinch hit for by Daniel Nava...who was 0 for 2 with a strikeout. Junichi Tazawa coughed up the lead in the 8th inning, continuing to struggle the last few months of the season. It may be time to shut him down until his velocity returns.


THE UGLY:

Jacoby Ellsbury was just 1 for 6 but made it count by scoring a run. David Ortiz was just 1 for 7. Mike Napoli was 0 for 5 but walked twice, including an intentional one that set up the winning hit. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was just 2 for 7. Brock Holt was 1 for 5 with a run scored before Brandon Snyder pinch hit for him.


Final Thoughts:

The Sox refuse to give up and die this season. After just 3 walkoffs total last year this year's team has 10 already. Not only that but last year's team won 69 games total, they improved to 65-44 this year at the end of July, a half game in first. Tomorrow the Rays have an offday but the Sox run smack into King Felix Hernandez and counter with Ryan Dempster...uh oh.

Iglesias Traded for Jake Peavy as Sox Defeat Mariners (7/30/13)

Well....they did it. They finally did it, Jose Iglesias is gone for good. The man the Sox never wanted has been shipped off to the Detroit Tigers (who are about to lose Jhonny Peralta for the season due to an upcoming PED suspension) while shipping prospects (one of them the popular JB Wendelken) to the White Sox for former ace Jake Peavy. The Sox sacrificed the future of Sox defense for an aging, broken down ace looking for that one shot at the World Series. The good news was they didn't give up Xander Bogaerts, Henry Owens, Anthony Raunado, Jamie Callahan or other prime prospects but someone had to go and it was Iglesias. I feel bad for Jose because he fought as hard as he could to crack the team. He was being buried in Pawtucket while Will Middlebrooks was swinging at air and Pedro Ciriaco was bobbling grounders at an alarming rate. Then an injury to Drew gave Jose his shot and he took advantage, leapfrogging Ciriaco (who was traded) and then Middlebrooks when Drew came back (Will demoted to Pawtucket). Now he's gone, replaced not by Middlebrooks but by Brock Holt. The Sox needed an ace to pair with Lester since Buchholz seems like he's never coming back but Peavy is 32 with a shaky injury history. He hasn't been the dominating pitcher he was from 2005-08 and may never be again. Sox general manager Ben Cherrington has made his choice, he's going to try to win it this season. Now he needs to get a slugger and a power arm in the bullpen that can get right handed batters out. He's got one day to do it.

                                             Goodbye Jose, sorry you weren't appreciated

                                                 Welcome back Brock

                                                Welcome to Boston Jake Peavy


Before the game started the Red Sox paid tribute to Joe Morgan and the 1988 Red Sox, 25th year anniversary of Morgan Magic. For those who don't know, the 1988 Red Sox were falling apart in the middle of the season. It had been 2 years removed from the tragic 1988 World Series and they were a team in transition. Wade Boggs had become enveloped in a sex scandal and was involving his teammates. Eventually he and others got into a fight on the team bus and manager John McNamara had lost control. Owner Jean Yawkey fired McNamara during the all-star break with the Sox 43-42 at the time and replaced him with Joe Morgan. Under Morgan, the Sox won 12 in a row and 19 out of 20 to get back in the race. Then the Sox pulled off a trade that sent minor leaguers Brady Anderson and Curt Schilling (yes, THAT Curt Schilling) to the Baltimore Orioles for starter Mike Boddicker. Boddicker gave the Sox 3 aces (to go with Roger Clemens and Bruce Hurst) and the Sox won the 1988 AL East. 2 years later with a group of ragtags they managed to do it again to win the 1990 AL East flag. They also came close in 1991, suffering a heartbreaking loss to (as usual) the Yankees in late September to knock them out. It was called Morgan Magic and its been 25 years since it started.

                                                 Rocket Roger, Dewey and others salute Joe Morgan

Ironically tonight's trade and Morgan Magic can ironically be paired together. The 88 Sox were still feeling the fallout from the 86 World Series plus the Margo Adams scandal when they came roaring back. This year's team is still feeling the fallout from 2011's collapse and 2012's reign of error. Both years a big trade was made with prospects involve. Looking back on the 1988 trade of Schilling and Anderson for Boddicker, a lot of people say it was a bad trade because of the names of the players and what they accomplished in their careers. Looking closely, it was the right move to make. Schilling floundered in Baltimore a few years and was an unsuccessful reliever for the Houston Astros before a surprise tongue lashing during the 1991 off-season by Roger Clemens got him motivated, becoming a dominant starter for the Philadelphia Phillies. Brady Anderson was an average player but eventually became an all-star culminating with a 50 homer season in 1996. Both players took years to develop while Boddicker helped the Sox to two LCS appearances. This year the Sox are rising from the ashes of 2012 and just got their version of Mike Boddicker (we hope) in exchange for Jose Iglesias. Hopefully the trade doesn't come back to bite them.


As for the game itself....didn't see it, however here are the stats.


THE GOOD:

Hero of the night goes to rookie pitcher Brandon Workman. In the heat of a tight pennant race, Workman stepped up to toss 6 innings of 1 run ball with NINE strikeouts, earning his first major league victory.

                                                     Hero of the Night

Shane Victorino was 3 for 4 with 3 runs scored. Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4 including his 7th home run of the season and 3 rbi's total. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was also 2 for 4 with a two run blast. Jose Iglesias was 1 for 3 in his final game for the Red Sox before being relieved of duty by Brandon Snyder. Should have known something was up when Brandon Snyder takes over defensively for Jose Iglesias. Craig Breslow and Matt Thornton each tossed scoreless innings of relief.


THE BAD:

Not much here. PU Drew was 0 for 4 with a strikeout and Pedro Beato allowed a run in the 9th inning during mop-up duty.


THE UGLY:

Jacoby Ellsbury was just 1 for 4 but made it count, launching his 5th home run of the season in the second inning. David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run. Mike Napoli was 1 for 4 but scored a run. Jonny Gomes was 0 for 3 but walked.


Final Thoughts:

What more can be said really. The Sox rival Morgan Magic 88 by trading for a third starter hoping it pays dividends at the end of the season. Jose Iglesias fought his way into the lineup only to be traded for his troubles. Now with Jose gone, the Sox have to go with Brock Holt, Will Middlebrooks or 21 year old Anthony Bogaerts at third base. Hopefully Middlebrooks has corrected his mistakes in Pawtucket so the one that bashed 15 home runs last season in 3 months comes back. The win moved the Sox up to 64-44, still a half game behind Tampa Bay. Tomorrow John Lackey looks to rebound against Hisashi Iwakuma.

Controversy Erupts as Sox Relinquish First (7/29/13)

I did not see this game as I was at work, however what I did hear about was this:

The Sox were trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th. Ryan Lavarnway doubled and Daniel Nava pinch ran for him. PU Drew doubled to tie the game right? WRONG! Apparently Nava felt the need to retreat to second thinking the ball would be caught only it wasn't caught and Nava had to run to third. Then Brandon Snyder lofted a ball that Sam Fuld called for, Nava tagged up and went home and throw came in.....OUT! Not so fast, the replays showed home plate umpire Jerry Meals was screened by catcher Jose Molina and Nava was really safe. Sox manager John Farrell sprinted out of the dugout to protest and was tossed from the game. The Sox did manage to put the tying and go-ahead runs on in the 9th but failed to score as the Rays put themselves back in first.

                                                Bedlam at home plate


THE GOOD:

David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk. Ryan Lavarnway was also 1 for 3. PU Drew was 1 for 3 including what should have been a game tying double in the 8th inning. Brandon Snyder was 1 for 3 with his second home run of the season. Jose De La Torre, Drake Britton and Koji Uehara combined to throw 4 innings of scoreless relief.


THE BAD:

Jackass of the Night goes to Mike Napoli...NOT Daniel Nava. Yes Nava didn't score on the double by Drew but was actually safe at home, umpire just missed the call. The true jackass was Mike Napoli going 0 for 4, striking out in the bottom of the 7th representing the tying run and striking out in the 9th with the tying run at third, winning run at second.

                                                       Jackass of the night

Shane Victorino and Dustin Pedroia combined to go 0 for 8. Jonny Gomes was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts. Daniel Nava is spared from Jackass but not from the bad list because he should of scored on the Drew double.


THE UGLY:

Felix Doubront was the hard luck loser but the OLD Doubront pitched tonight. He was his usual nibbling self, allowing 2 runs while throwing 104 pitches in just 5 innings, allowing 8 hits and 3 walks....dropping to 7-5 on the season with a 3.77 ERA. Jacoby Ellsbury went just 1 for 4 but made it count, swiping his 39th base of the season.


Final Thoughts:

Once again the Tampa Bay Rays are back in first due to a lucky call. This combined with the catwalk game are types of breaks teams going places get. You don't see the Yankees winning games like this these days like they used to time and time again. The Sox should have tied the game in the 8th and since they have 9 walkoffs this season, its safe to assume that a 10th would have been in the books. Unfortunately they lost, dropping to 63-44 and a half game behind the Rays.
  The trade deadline is in 2 days and the Sox have yet to make a move. Sox general manager Ben Cherrington has said the asking price for Cliff Lee is too high and for once I can't blame him. The Sox have several prospects in their system that have had outstanding season such as Single A phenom Henry Owens, Double A phenom Anthony Raunado along with Jackie Bradley Jr, Bryce Brentz, Garin Checchini, Xander Bogaerts, Jeremy Hazelbaker and a few guys in Lowell (Jamie Callahan in particular) that are kicking ass. In order to get Lee, the Sox would have to give up Bogaerts for sure and maybe one of their stud pitchers. Cherrington is under a lot of pressure because he has to make a choice.
  Before the season started, this year's team wasn't meant to contend but to lose with dignity and bring the fans back. That's why they signed all these character guys like Napoli, Gomes, Ryan Dempster, Victorino, David Ross and Koji Uehara to 1-2 year deals, basically stopgaps until their prospects mature for next season. The problem was the true talent of the team showed, especially when Clay Buchholz was healthy and the team has been good enough to contend for first place in the AL East all season. So now Cherrington has to make a choice, keep the prospects and stick to the script of playing for next year or make some major moves in order to try to win the World Series this season. My opinion personally is to hold their ground and stick to the script. They just may win the AL East (unless Tampa pulls off a killer trade) anyway so don't sacrifice the future to win now. That's how Dan Duquette lost his job by sacrificing major league talent such as David Eckstein, Will Ledezma, Chris Reitsma and Dennis Tankersley to try to win then and now, but it didn't work.
  They have 2 days to make a move so lets see what happens.

Lester, Ortiz Power Sox Back in First (7/28/13)

I did not see this game as I was on vacation

News:

David Ortiz was NOT suspended for his actions in yesterdays game. All he had to do was pay for the phones, in which Ryan Dempster and Jonny Gomes decided to have some fun with. They put on a keystone kops routine where they attempt to repair the phones and use two cans with a string like in a tree house. Talk about a complete opposite from last year, negatives turn into positives this year.

                                                  Ahoy matey!


THE GOOD:

Tonight are co-heroes of the night. David Ortiz was 4 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 2 rbis coming off his 20th home run of the season. Took his frustrations out on the Dirty Birds pitching instead of their phones today.

                                                    Hero of the Night 1

The other hero is Jon Lester. He tossed 7 shut-out innings, improving to 10-6 on the season with a 4.27 ERA. He allowed just 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8. THIS is the Lester that pitched in April and May this season, good to see him back.

Hero of the Night 2

Jacoby Ellsbury found his hitting stroke again, going 2 for 5 with a run scored. Mike Napoli continued his hot streak by going 2 for 4 with an rbi and run scored. Jonny Gomes pinch hit for Mike Carp and was intentionally walked. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 2 for 4 with 2 rbi's. Matt Thornton pitched a scoreless 8th inning and Pedro Beato pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning.


THE BAD:

Only one name on this list, Jose Iglesias continued to slump by going 0 for 4. Ironically despite not having an extra base hit in almost 3 weeks he's still hitting .330 on the season.


THE UGLY:

Shane Victorino was 0 for 3 but walked twice and scored. Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 with an error but walked. Mike Carp was 0 for 2 but walked. PU Drew was 0 for 3 but walked...lot of walks in this one.


Final Thoughts:

Good to see both Ortiz and Lester get their heads on straight. The Sox still need more power in their lineup and another starter since Clay Buchholz is mostly done for the year....again. He seriously is becoming the Pervis Ellison of the Red Sox. The win improved the Sox to 63-43, a half game back in first thanks to the New York Yankees doing the Sox a favor by walking off against the Rays. Tomorrow is the makeup game where once again David Price takes on Felix Doubront. The fate of first place hangs in the balance.....for one game in July anyway. Still, the Sox won their 63rd game today on July 28th, they finished with 69 wins last season.

Drew Powers Sox past Dirty Birds (7/27/13)

I did not see this game as I was on vacation


News:

David Ortiz went beserk after striking out in the 7th inning. He had a 3-0 count and the umpire called the 4th ball a strike. Ortiz complained so home plate umpire Jim Reynolds called another ball a strike. After Ortiz swung and missed and then took a nutty. Getting ejected and taking a bat to the dugout phones. The diminutive Dustin Pedroia had to get in his face to calm him down.

                                                                    Poor phones

The O's have every right to charge Ortiz for the phones and he made a complete ass out of himself, possibly suspended for his actions. Not good.


THE GOOD:

Hero of the Night is easy, Stephen "Not tonight  P.U." Drew who bashed a 3 run homer in the 4th and a 2 run shot in the 6th to single-handedly beat the Birds. He finished 3 for 4 with 5 rbi's and 3 runs scored.

                                                          Hero of the Night

Mike Carp was 3 for 4 with a run scored. Ryan Dempster earned the win, improving to 6-8 on the season. He lasted 5 1/3 innings and allowed just 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. His ERA is 4.24 which is not that bad all things considered. Craig Breslow tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Koji Uehara pitched a scoreless 9th inning.


THE BAD:

Brandon Snyder pinch hit and failed to reach base. Mike Napoli was 0 for 4 with 2 whiffs. Junichi Tazawa surrendered a run on 2 hits and a walk in the 8th inning.


THE UGLY:

Lots of ugly in this one. Jacoby Ellsbury was just 1 for 5 but stole a base. Shane Victorino was just 1 for 5 but scored a run and knocked in 2. Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 but walked. David Ortiz was 0 for 2 but walked as well. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 1 for 4 with 2 runs scored. Jose Iglesias was 1 for 4 with a stolen base.


Final Thoughts:

Great win but Ortiz made a complete ass out of himself. In a pennant race as tight as this one with the Dirty Birds, Rays and Sox all within striking distance, the Sox can't afford to lose anyone to suspension. The good news is the Sox won the game thanks to some timely offense from Stephen Drew. The win improved the Sox to 62-43, still a half game behind the Rays who had yet ANOTHER complete game shutout, this time Chris Archer blanked the Yankees 1-0. Tomorrow the Sox look to take 2 of 3 when Jon Lester takes on Jimmy Hammel. Still 4 days left until the deadline, let's see if they make a move or stand pat.

Complete Bawful (7/26/13)

I did not see this game as I was on vacation.....and I'm glad I didn't.

.
News:

Last night was supposed to be Game 4 of the Rays and O's series but it was postponed until Monday due to rains that actually never came.


THE GOOD:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 4. David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk. Drake Britton pitched a scoreless 9th


THE BAD:

John Lackey finally had his first stinker in about 2 months. He got knocked around for 9 hits, 3 home runs, a walk and 5 earned runs in just 6 1/3 innings. He also committed his 2nd error of the season.

Jackass of the Night

Lackey was far from the only offender tonight. Shane Victorino was 0 for 4. For the second game in a row the trio of PU Drew, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jose Iglesias were 0 for 9. Jose De La Torre pitched the last of the 8th and gave up a solo blast to JJ Hardy.


THE UGLY:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4. David Ortiz was 1 for 3 with a walk. Mike Napoli and Daniel Nava were both 0 for 3 but with a walk.



Final Thoughts:

Chris Tillman has been on fire lately, winning 9 of his last 10 starts so it wasn't just Red Sox incompetence that cost them the game. Still, the Sox have managed to score 1 lonely run in their last 2 games on just 9 hits. Their bottom half of their order has done nothing the past 4 games it seems and it looks like Nava won't get the job done. They need a slugging outfielder badly. The deadline is approaching and they still need another bat, an ace and bullpen arm that can get righties. They got 5 days to work something out. The loss drops the Sox out of first as the Rays won again, putting them at 61-43, a half game behind Tampa. All 12 Rays fans celebrate tonight. Tomorrow the Sox look to get their heads out of their collective rear-ends. Duke "The Dumpster" Dempster takes on Scott Feldman in game 2 at Fenway tomorrow.

Price Shuts Sox Down (7/24/13)

I did not see this game as I was on vacation


News:

None


THE GOOD:

Not much here. Shane Victorino was 2 for 4. Mike Napoli was 2 for 3 including his 14th home run of the season. Drake Britton pitched a scoreless 9th inning.


THE BAD:

Jackass of the Night is a tough one. With virtually zero offense it wasn't just one guy who was the big donut. I'll have to go with Matt Thornton on this one, a repeat offender. He allowed the 4th and 5th runs to score on 3 hits which put the game out of reach against David Price.

                                                         Jackass of the Night

Other offensive people include Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia who were a combined 0 for 8. Jonny Gomes, PU Drew, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jose Iglesias were a combined 0 for 12. All 6 men combined to go 0 for 20, great production huh?


THE UGLY:

David Ortiz was 1 for 4. Felix Doubront was the hard luck loser in this one, tossing 6 2/3 innings while allowing 3 runs. He falls to 7-4 with a 3.78 ERA. Pedro Beato faced 3 batters and one of them singled, then came around to score.


Final Thoughts:

The Sox are in deep trouble, not in the short term but in the long term. If Boston can't beat Price or Matt Moore, if they are to meet the Tampa Bay Rays in an LCS or one game playoff they would be screwed. The loss dropped the Sox to 61-42, a half game in front of the Rays. Tomorrow is a huge game for both teams as it will decide who stays in first place in the AL East. Who knows how that will turn out?

Lester Back To Form (7/23/13)

I did not see this game as I was on vacation



News:

None


THE GOOD:

Hero of the Night is an easy one. The contributors on offense were backed up by a solid performance from Jon Lester, so he gets the nod. He improved to 9-6 on the season, giving up 2 runs on 7 hits in 6 1/3 innings with 8 strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 4.50 in the process

                                               Hero of the Night

Other babyfaces include David Ortiz who was 2 for 4. Mike Napoli was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored. Mike Carp was 1 for 3 with an rbi. Jonny Gomes pinch hit for Carp then singled and scored. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 2 for 3 with a walk. Matt Thornton got the one batter he faced in the top of the 7th. Junichi Tazawa struck out 3 of the 4 batters he faced. Koji Uehara struck out 2 of the 3 batters he faced as well.


THE BAD:

None....yes, none. No one...zip...nada.


THE UGLY:

Shane Victorino was just 1 for 5 but scored a run. Daniel Nava was just 1 for 4 but scored as well. Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 2 but knocked in a run. PU Drew was 1 for 4 with a run and an rbi. Jose Iglesias was 1 for 4 with an rbi.



Final Thoughts:

Nice to see Lester back on track. The Rays are the toughest competition the Sox will face in the AL East this year. Baltimore doesn't have an ace and the Yankees are heading down the drain amid PED scandals and injury. The win improved the Sox to 61-41, 1.5 games ahead of the Rays. Tomorrow David Price is in town in game 3 of the series and it'll be up to Felix Doubront to match him. As the trade deadline nears it seems obvious that the Sox need a bullpen arm that can get righthanders out, a slugging outfielder and an ace. Hopefully they can address this situation before its too late.

Moore Untouchable as Rays Defeat Sox (7/22/13)

I did not see this game as I was on vacation.


News:

None, other than Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers was suspended for the remainder of the season for his involvement with performance enhancing drugs. 2011 MVP runner up Matt Kemp is furious and demands the MVP trophy be given to him instead. If MLB refused to strip Jose Canseco of his 88 MVP title and give it to Mike Greenwell, Kemp sure as hell isn't getting it.


THE GOOD:

Not much here. David Ortiz was 1 for 3 and Mike Napoli was 1 for 2 with a walk. Craig Breslow got the last out of the top of the 9th.


THE BAD:

Jackass of the Night is really tough since the only baserunners all night were Ortiz and Napoli. I'd have to go with Jonny Gomes who went 0 for 3 including striking out with Napoli on first and banging into a double play after Mike walked.

                                                 Jackass of the Night

Other bad guys include everyone else on offense. Jacoby Ellsbury, Shane Victorino and Dustin Pedroia were a combined 0 for 11. Ryan Lavarnway, Brandon Snyder and Jose Iglesias were a combined 0 for 9 with 3 strikeouts.


THE UGLY:

Brandon Workman was the hard luck loser but didn't pitch like a loser at all. On a normal day the rookie would have done fine by allowing just 2 earned runs in 6 innings of work. If the Sox could have generated some offense he would have been spared the defeat. Jose De La Torre ran out of gas in the 9th inning, allowing a run in 2 2/3 innings of work.


Final Thoughts:

The last 4 games has shown a big difference when Pedroia/Ellsbury/Iglesias/Victorino get on base and when they don't. The 2 games they've lost since the second half started, none of them could get on base and in the games they won, they did. If the top of the order can get on base, they have a shot to win...simple. The Rays are scorching hot, winning 18 out of 20 now and just a half game back of the 60-41 Red Sox. The good news is the Sox sent their rookie 5th starter against their ace. Tomorrow the Sox send their ace (in name only) Jon Lester against The Artist Formerly Known as Fausto Carmona. Unless David Price reverts to last year's form, the Sox won't see pitching like Moore again the rest of this series. Hopefully the Sox bats wake up.

Sox Walkoff in 11th, Take 2 of 3 from Yankees (7/21/13)

I did not see this game as I was on vacation.


News:

Finally there were no transactions although it was confirmed that Andrew Bailey would get surgery on his shoulder, officially ending his season. Clay Buchholz does NOT need surgery in the opinion of Dr. James Andrews and the fragile starter may resume activities anytime now, about damn time.


THE GOOD:

Hero of the Night is a no-brainer. Mike Napoli blasted a 3 run home run in the third inning and launched the walkoff solo shot in the 11th. He was headed toward ugly status with a Hat Trick before the solo shot

                                           Hero of the Night

Other babyfaces include Jacoby Ellsbury who was 2 for 4 with a HBP, a steal, a walk and a run scored. Shane Victorino was 2 for 5 with 2 steals and 2 rbi's. David Ortiz was 1 for 4 but with 2 walks, a run scored and his career best 4th steal of the season. Jonny Gomes was just 1 for 4 but walked and his one hit was his 8th home run of the season. Matt Thornton, Koji Uehara and Drake Britton combined for 3 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts. Pedro Beato got his first win of the season with a scoreless top of the 11th.


THE BAD:

Only two names on this list. Ryan Dempster was smacked around by the Yankees, going only 5 1/3 while being touched for 5 runs (3 earned) on four walks, a throwing error and 6 hits. Sad part is he would have gotten the win if it wasn't for Craig Breslow as he allowed 2 runs (1 earned) of his own in 1 inning of work.


THE UGLY:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 6 but made it count by knocking in a run and scoring a run. Jarrod Saltamacchia was just 1 for 5 with a Hat Trick. PU Drew was 0 for 3 with a Hat Trick but walked, was hit by a pitch and scored a run. Jose Iglesias was just 1 for 5 with a run scored while committing a huge error in the 7th that allowed the tying runs to score. Junichi Tazawa allowed both inherited runners to score but did not allow a run of his own.


Final Thoughts:

Yet another walkoff win just goes to show that this team refuses to roll over and die in extra innings. 10 years ago this would be front page news but amazingly taking 2 of 3 from the Yankees is just a tuneup for the Tampa Bay Rays, my how times have changed. The Rays swept the Blue Jays, winning 17 of their last 19 as they roll into Boston for a 4 game set that could go either way. The Sox improved to 60-40, 1.5 games in front. Last year the Sox were 49-51 after 100 games, much better this time don't you think? As for this game, as bad as Dempster was his ERA is still lower than Sabbathia and it was nice to see the new look bullpen shut the Yankees down after the 7th inning. Tomorrow the Rays cy young threat Matt Moore (13-3) goes up against the rookie Brandon Workman, not good.

Sox Can't Hit Kuroda as Yanks Take Game (7/20/13)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Stephen Drew was activated off the Disabled List and Brock Holt was sent back to Pawtucket.

                                                                   OUT

                                                                         IN

More bad news was an MRI revealed Andrew Bailey has a torn labrun and is out for the season. Now the Sox are down both closers and their top lefty reliever for the rest of the season.

                                        The Sox are quickly becoming in need of a M*A*S*H* unit



As for the game, that was pitiful







THE GOOD:

Not much here. Daniel Nava was 1 for 3 and was hit with a pitch. David Ortiz was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Mike Carp was 3 for 4 with a run scored. Jonny Gomes was 1 for 3 with a sac fly. Drake Britton made his major league debut and pitched a scoreless 9th.


THE BAD:

Jackass of the Night is Dustin Pedroia. He went 0 for 4 and his error in the 9th allowed the 5th run to score.

                                                        Jackass of the Night

Other heels include Jacoby Ellsbury who was 0 for 4. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 0 for 4 with a Hat Trick. Jose Iglesias was 0 for 3 with a strikeout. John Lackey got hammered by the Yankees in 6 1/3 innings, giving up 10 hits and 4 earned runs. He dropped to 7-7 on the season and his ERA rose to 2.95.


THE UGLY:

PU Drew was 0 for 2 but walked. Matt Thornton allowed both inherited runners to score in the 7th inning but got out of the jam. Pedro Beato was charged with an unearned run thanks to Pedroia in an inning of work.





Final Thoughts:

Iglesias, Ellsbury and Pedroia went a combined 0 for 11, not the formula for success especially against Hideki Kuroda. The loss dropped the Sox to 59-40, just 1.5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays who have now won 16 out of their last 18. They are red hot right now and the Sox desperately need to win tomorrow to have some momentum going into the big four game series against the Rays starting Monday. Tomorrow Ryan Dempster takes the hill opposite CC Sabbathia in the rubber game of the series.

Sox Back With a Bang, Top Yankees (7/19/13)

I did not see this game as I was on vacation.


News:

The Sox got some bad news when Andrew Bailey was placed on the 15 day disabled list with a shoulder problem. Jose De La Torre has been called up to take his place. This feels weird because he was dominant in his last outing so it wasn't like when Miller or Hanrahan had to leave the game.

                                                                  OUT

                                                                   IN


THE GOOD:

Hero of the Night is so tough to choose from so tonight we have co-winners. Hero number 1 is tonight's winning pitcher, Felix Doubront. Doubront tossed 6 1/3 solid innings while giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 5, lowered his ERA to 3.76 (lower than both Andy Pettite and CC Sabbathia) and improved to 7-3 on the season.

                                            Hero of the Night 1

The other hero is the offensive star, Jonny Gomes. He went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a two run blast in the second inning.

                                             Hero of the Night 2

Other do-gooders include Jacoby Ellsbury who was 2 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the 1st off Pettite. David Ortiz was 2 for 4 and Jose Iglesias was 1 for 3 and knocked in an insurance run in the bottom of the 7th. Junichi Tazawa got out of the 7th inning without a run allowed while Craig Breslow tossed a scoreless 8th. Koji Uehara earned his 9th save and lowered his ERA to 1.66.


THE BAD:

Shane Victorino was 0 for 2 before Daniel Nava pinch hit for him and went 0 for 2 as well. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 0 for 3 with a strikeout and his throwing error allowed New York's 1st run to score. Brandon Snyder was 0 for 2 before Brock Holt pinch hit for him and failed to reach base as well.


THE UGLY:

Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 4. Mike Napoli was 0 for 3 but walked and scored.


Final Thoughts:

Nice to come out of the gate with a win, especially against the Yankees who may lose A-Rod for the rest of the season due to his involvement with PED's. Derek Jeter is also on the DL so a sweep right here could knock the Yankees so far behind Tampa and Baltimore that they may mentally give up. One team who won't give up are the Tampa Bay Rays who won again, thus keeping the Sox lead in the AL East at 2.5 games with a record of 59-39 overall. It was good to see Doubront continue to do well after his horrific start to the season. Tomorrow John Lackey goes up against CC Sabbathia in Game 2 of the series.

Sox Stumble Into All-Star Break (7/14/13)

I did not see the game as I was on vacation.


News:

The Sox got rid of Alfredo Aceves once and for all by removing him from the 40 man roster. They also sent down Jackie Bradley Jr and called up 24 year old lefty Drake Britton who was taken way back in the 2007 draft.

                                                                       OUT

                                                                IN


THE GOOD:

Jacoby Ellsbury was 3 for 5 with a run scored. Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 4 with a walk and an rbi. Brandon Workman had a no hitter through 6 before running out of gas in the 7th, giving up a single and a 2 run jack. If he had more run support, he should have won the game. Craig Breslow and Koji Uehara tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.


THE BAD:

Jackass of the night is Matt Thornton for allowing the A's to walkoff in the 11th inning.

                                          Jackass of the Night


Other heels include Mike Napoli who pinch hit for Jonny Gomes and struck out. Jose Iglesias was 0 for 4.


THE UGLY:

Everyone else. Daniel Nava was just 1 for 5. David Ortiz was 0 for 4 but drew a walk. Jonny Gomes put up a Hat Trick but singled to go 1 for 4. Mike Carp was just 1 for 4 but walked and scored as well. Ryan Lavarnway was 0 for 4 but was hit by a pitch. Brock Holt was 1 for 5 with an rbi.


Final Thoughts:

Not the way the Sox wanted to go into the All-Star break that's for sure. Good news is they get 4 days of rest before starting a crucial homestand against the Yankees, Rays and O's. The loss drops the Sox to 58-39, 2.5 in front of the Rays who won yet again. The Sox gt back to work July 19th against the Yankees.

Sox Put Up Goose Egg, Blanked by A's (7/13/13)

I did not see the game as I was on vacation.


News:

Steven Wright was sent back to Pawtucket after earning the win the other night. What gratitude huh?


THE GOOD:

Shane Victorino was 2 for 4 with a stolen base. Mike Napoli was also 2 for 4. Brock Holt was 1 for 3.


THE BAD:

Jackass of the night is a tough one but I'll go with Jarrod Saltalamacchia. He left 4 men on base and in a 1-2 run game until late, those are huge outs to make.

                                            Jackass of the Night

Salty also had no help from the rest of the offense. Jacoby Ellsbury was 0 for 4 with a strikeout for the second consecutive game. Dustin Pedroia and Jose Iglesias were both 0 for 4.


THE UGLY:

David Ortiz and Daniel Nava were just 1 for 4 each. Jon Lester was the hard luck loser when he allowed 3 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings, normally that would be good enough for a win. Junichi Tazawa allowed the 3rd and final run to score on a single but pitched a scoreless 8th inning.


Final Thoughts:

This was one of those games where nothing went right on offense. They had chances throughout the game but couldn't get a run across. Lester didn't pitch that bad either. Oh well, luckily the Rays lost so at 58-38, the Sox remained 3.5 games in front.

Late Inning Heroics Lift Sox (7/12/13)

 I did not see this game because I was on vacation.

News:

The Sox traded minor league outfielder Brandon Jacobs to the Chicago White Sox for lefty reliever Matt Thornton, Andrew Miller's replacement. Thornton is a 36 year old hard throwing lefty who's like Miller only 10 years older.

                                                      Welcome to Boston


THE GOOD:

Dustin Pedroia wins hero of the night honors for his big 2 run single in the top of the 8th.

                                                Hero of the Night

Mike Napoli was 2 for 4 with a run scored. Brock Holt was 1 for 3 with 2 rbi's. John Lackey improved to 7-6 by tossing 7 innings and allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits, 4 walks and 5 strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 2.78. Andrew Bailey pitched a scoreless 8th inning with 2 strikeouts and Koji Uehara earned his 8th save by striking out the side in the 9th inning.


THE BAD:

Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz were both 0 for 4 with a strikeout. That's about it.


THE UGLY:

Shane Victorino was 0 for 3 but was hit by a pitch and stole second in the 8th, eventually scoring the go-ahead run. Daniel Nava was also 0 for 3 with an HBP and came around to score. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 0 for 3 but walked. Jose Iglesias was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.


Final Thoughts:

Big win by the Sox after taking 3 out of 4 from Seattle. The team needs to regain momentum after that disaster against Los Angeles and this is a step in the right direction. Lackey continues to be the ace of the staff if that's humanly possible and the Sox got some timely runs. The win puts the Sox at 58-37, 3.5 games in front of the Tampa Bay Rays who won yet again. It'll be interesting to see if Matt Thornton can replace Andrew Miller who was pitching so well.

Wright To The Rescue! (7/11/13)

Just as it seemed the Sox were headed for another defeat, help came from an unlikely source that propelled the Sox to take 3 out of 4 from the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.

                                           Demarcus Cousins celebrates the win

Erasmo Ramirez was making his major league debut for the Mariners and Jacoby Ellsbury greeted him in the top of the first with his 3rd home run of the year to give the Sox a 1-0 lead one batter into the game.

                                           1-0 Sox before the fans could even get to their seats

Daniel Nava flied out, Dustin Pedroia struck out and David Ortiz grounded out to end the inning. Ryan Dempster took the ball in the bottom of the first. Brad Miller and Endy Chavez both struck out but Raul Ibanez singled. Kendrys Morales flied out to end the inning. Mike Carp walked with one out in the top of the second but nothing else happened.

Dempster crapped himself in the bottom of the second. Kyle Seager led off with a home run but Justin Smoak lined out. Mike Zunino singled but Michael Saunders flied out. All Dempster needed was one more out and the damage would be kept at 1. Instead he uncorked a wild pitch that moved Zunino to second. Brendan Ryan then lopped a ground ball to Brock Holt.....which was bobbled, allowing Zunino to reach third. Brad Miller hit a ground rule double to score Zunino. Endy Chavez singled home the remaining runners to make it 4-1 just like that. Chavez added insult to injury when he swiped second but thankfully Ibanez grounded out to end the inning. Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad inning.

                                                     Captain Picard can't bear to watch

Ellsbury worked a one out walk in the top of the 3rd but nothing else happened. Dempster struck out Morales and Seager flied out to open the bottom of the 3rd, but once again he got burned with 2 outs. Smoak walked, Zunino was hit with a pitch and Saunders singled home Smoak to make it 5-1. Ryan popped up to end the inning.

Now it was Boston's turn to rally in the top of the 4th. Ortiz walked but Jonny Gomes struck out. Carp was hit with a pitch but Ryan Lavarnway struck out. Brock Holt made up for his error by singling home Ortiz and advancing Carp to third. Jose Iglesias also singled to score Holt and cut the deficit 5-3. Ellsbury made it 5-4 by scoring Carp with a single. Nava grounded out but the game was close again.

                                                Iglesias keeps it close with an rbi single

Now all Dempster had to do was settle down.....but he didn't. Miller singled and Chavez bunted his way on, but Ryan recovered to strike out Ibanez. Morales then singled home Miller to make it 6-4 and Sox manager John Farrell had seen enough. Dempster was done after allowing NINE hits and a walk in 3 1/3 innings. He was due for a stinker and this was it.

                                                    Not today young fella, 7 runs allowed in 3 innings

Pressed into emergency relief, the returning Steven Wright got the ball to clean up the mess. Unfortunately Chavez pulled up lame and had to leave the game, replaced by Dustin Ackley. Seager singled to score Ackley and a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third. In what became one of the crucial plays of the game, Smoak grounded out to second. Zunino struck out but the damage was limited to 2 runs and the score stood 7-4.

Once again it was the Sox turn to rally in the top of the 5th. Pedroia singled and Ortiz walked. Gomes singled to load the bases and Pedroia scored on the sac fly by Carp. Lavarnway flied out and that was it for Ramirez. Limiting the rookie to 100 pitches, Mariners manager Eric Wedge brought in Charlie Furbush. Holt greeted him with a single that scored Ortiz to make it 7-6 and Iglesias singled in Gomes to tie the game. Who says Iglesias can't hit? Ellsbury struck out but the Sox had come back again.

                                                       Clapping all the way home, tie game

At this point it became an unlike pitchers duel between Steven Wright and the Seattle bullpen. Wright worked around a 2 out walk in the bottom of the 5th to retire the side. Furbush pitched a 1-2-3 top of the 6th and Wright got a huge double play to get out of the bottom of the 6th. Lavarnway doubled with 2 out in the top of the 7th but was stranded. Carp misplayed a ground ball with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th allowing Saunders to reach. Ryan grounded out to end the inning. Oliver Perez relieved Furbush and struck out the side in the top of the 8th. Wright kept pace by working around a 2 out walk by Ibanez to retire the side. Gomes worked a 2 out walk in the top of the 9th and Wedge sent in closer Tom Wilhelmsen. Shane Victorino pinch hit for Carp and struck out. Nava moved to first and Victorino to right for the bottom of the 9th. Smoak singled with one out but Zunino banged into a double play. That's 5 2/3 scoreless innings of relief by Wright, very...VERY impressive.

                                                      Outstanding effort by Wright

Moved by Wright's effort, the Sox looked to end this damn thing in the top of the 10th. Lavarnway walked and Jackie Bradley Jr pinch ran for him. Holt laid down the picture perfect sacrifice bunt to advance Bradley to second. Iglesias struck out and Wedge had Ellsbury intentionally walked. Nava made Wedge pay by singling in Bradley with the go-ahead run. Pedroia flied out but the Sox had the lead after trailing 5-1 and 7-4.

                                                          Nava gives the Sox the lead

Now it was up to Koji Uehara to preserve the win. No sweat, Uehara struck out 2 of the 3 batters he faced to slam the door. Red Sox had won 8-7

                                                     "We win! High Five!"


THE GOOD:

Hero of the Night is Steven Wright. Pressed into emergency relief, he tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings to earn his first win of the season.

                                            Hero of the Night

Other babyfaces included Jacoby Ellsbury who was 2 for 4 with 2 walks, 2 rbi's and a run scored. Brock Holt was 2 for 4 with 2 rbi's, a run scored and a big sacrifice bunt that led to the winning run. Jose Iglesias was 2 for 5 with 2 rbi's. Jackie Bradley Jr pinch ran for Ryan Lavarnway and scored the winning run. Koji Uehara earned his 7th save with a 1-2-3 ninth.


THE BAD:

Ryan Dempster pooped his pants allowing 9 hits, a walk and 7 runs in just 3 1/3 innings. Shane Victorino pinch hit for Mike Carp and struck out.


THE UGLY:

Daniel Nava was just 1 for 6 but the one hit was the game winning hit. Dustin Pedroia was just 1 for 6 with a run scored. David Ortiz was 0 for 3 but with 2 walks and 2 runs scored. Jonny Gomes was just 1 for 4 with a Hat Trick but walked and scored. Ryan Lavarnway was 1 for 4 with a walk.



Final Thoughts:

That was a very impressive comeback and it was much needed as the Rays won again. Dempster was due for a stinker and he's a .500 pitcher so his effort was a shrug and "eh whataya gonna do". Luckily Steven Wright saved the day with a huge effort. The Sox have taken 3 out of 4 and are now 4-3 on the roadtrip. They have 3 games left in Oakland before the all-star break. If they can take 2 of 3 and go 6-4, it'll be great momentum going into the second half. The Sox improve to 57-37, once again 20 games over .500 and 3.5 in front of the Rays. Tomorrow night John Lackey takes the mound against Jarrod Parker of the A's.