Lester Outduels Peavy, Red Sox Edge White Sox (4/28/12)

After the Boston Red Sox defeated the Chicago White Sox by a combined score of 20-6 the past two nights, the monster match between aces Jon Lester (1-2, 4.65 ERA) and Jake Peavy pretty much meant runs were going to be at a premium. Sure enough only one run was scored during tonight's game but thankfully it was Boston that got it. Adrian Gonzalez drove in Ryan Sweeney in the top of the fourth inning and that was it for the game. Peavy heroically went the distance for Chicago while Lester shut down the White Sox for seven innings. The much maligned Red Sox bullpen got it done as the one-two punch of Franklin Morales and Vicente Padilla stoned the White Sox in the eighth inning and Alfredo Aceves slammed the door in the ninth. The Red Sox have now won six games in a row and three straight against Chicago with a 1-0 victory at Comiskey Park.

                                                   Bill Williamson approves of the win

Peavy got the ball in the top of the first and Mike Aviles led off with a grounder to third to start. Ryan Sweeney struck out swinging and Dustin Pedroia lined out to right to end the inning. Lester got the ball in the bottom of the first as Alejandro De Aza flied out to center to start. Alexei Ramirez struck out swinging but Adam Dunn drew a walk. Paul Konerko ripped a double to left that Ross bobbled...but Dunn didn't see it and stopped at third. That was a huge mistake as Alex Rios popped up to right to end the inning.

Adrian Gonzalez popped up to left to begin the top of the second before David Ortiz was frozen for strike three on a nasty curveball. Kevin Youkilis popped up to center to end the inning. Dayan Viciedo grounded out to short to start the bottom of the second before Tyler Flowers struck out swinging on a curve in the dirt. Brent Morel also struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia led off the top of the third by striking out swinging and Cody Ross flied out to left. Marlon Byrd walked but Aviles waived at strike three to end the inning. The White Sox beat the ball in the dirt in the bottom of the third as Gordan Beckham grounded out to second to start. De Aza also grounded out to second and Ramirez grounded out to short to end the inning.

The BoSox struck first in the top of the fourth as Sweeney broke his bat popping up to shallow right but Beckham failed to make the catch for a "double". Pedroia hit a weak liner to third but Gonzalez lined a base hit to right to score Sweeney. Ortiz flied out to left and Youkilis forced Gonzalez at second to end the inning with Boston ahead 1-0.

                                                     Sweeney scores a run

Dunn took strike three to start the bottom of the fourth before Byrd failed to catch a double by Konerko. Rios took a strike that should have been ball four before hitting a bullet....right to Byrd. Viciedo struck out swinging to end the inning.

Saltalamacchia struck out swinging to start the top of the fifth before Ross flied out to the left field fence. Byrd got a base hit to left but Aviles popped up to first in foul territory to end the inning. Flowers grounded out to first to start the bottom of the fifth before Morel drilled a base hit to center. Pedroia made a good running catch on a Beckham pop up and De Aza grounded out to third to end the inning.

Sweeney ripped a base hit to center to start the top of the sixth as White Sox analyst Steve Stone brought up how Andrew Bailey tore a thumb muscle two days before Spring Training ended. Pedroia beat out a double play ball but Gonzalez flied out to right. Ortiz popped up to right to end the inning. Ramirez popped up to Pedroia to start the bottom of the sixth. Pedroia made a great snag to rob Dunn of a hit before Konerko struck out swinging to end the inning.

The BoSox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Youkilis grounded back to the mound to begin. Saltalamacchia popped up to third in foul territory and Ross flied out to Viciedo in foul territory to end the inning. Lester returned for one final inning in the bottom of the seventh as Rios took strike three to start. Viciedo hit a roller just inside the third base bag for a hit and Aviles airmailed Pedroia on a grounder by Flowers for a "single". Lester recovered to get Morel to force Viciedo at second and Beckham to force Morel to end the inning. Lester was outstanding, tossing 7 innings of shutout ball allowing just 5 hits and a walk while striking out seven.

                                                        Good work by Lester

Byrd flied out to center to start the top of the eighth before Aviles also flied out to center. Sweeney took strike three to end the inning. Franklin Morales came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and De Aza popped up to short to start. Ramirez ripped a base hit to center but Dunn struck out swinging. That was it for Morales as Sox manager Bobby Valentine wanted Vicente Padilla to pitch to Konerko. Paul walked but Rios grounded out to second to end the inning.

Peavy returned to finish his outing in the top of the ninth and Pedroia struck out swinging to start. Gonzalez flied out to right and Ortiz popped up to short to end the inning. Peavy was outstanding but made just one mistake to Gonzalez. Alfredo Aceves came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Viciedo grounded out to second to start. Kosuke Fukudome pinch hit for Flowers and grounded back to the mound and the pain in the ass AJ Pierzynski pinch hit for Morel. AJ struck out swinging to end the game. The BoSox had won it 1-0.

                                                                   Sox win

Hero of the Night is Jon Lester. He tossed 7 shutout innings to keep the White Sox off the board. He allowed 5 hits and a walk while striking out 7.

                                                               Hero Lester

The Good:

Ryan Sweeney was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Marlon Byrd was 1 for 2 with a walk.

Franklin Morales got the first two outs of the eighth inning.

Vicente Padilla got the final out of the eighth inning.

Alfredo Aceves earned his fifth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Mike Aviles was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

David Ortiz was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Kevin Youkilis was 0 for 3.

Jarrod Salatalamacchia was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts.

Cody Ross was 0 for 3.

The Ugly:

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run.

Final Thoughts:

After scoring 20 runs the last two nights, a let down was inevitable. Thank goodness Jon Lester was up to the task when Jake Peavy stoned the offense cold. Even more impressive was the trio of Morales, Padilla and Aceves got the job done tonight. White Sox broadcasters Steve Stone and Ken Harrelson was saying how bad the Red Sox bullpen is this entire series but tonight the bullpen delivered. Not only that, Marlon Byrd has been what the doctor ordered after Jason Repko couldn't hit a ball off a tee for two weeks after Jacoby Ellsbury got hurt. Ellsbury and Carl Crawford won't be back for a while so hopefully Byrd can bridge the gap until one of them return. Lester didn't give an inch tonight with runs at a premium so hats off on them taking a close, one run game. The BoSox look to make it seven wins in a row and a series sweep of the White Sox tomorrow afternoon when Josh Beckett (2-2) takes on Gavin Floyd of the White Sox. The game begins at 2:20 PM eastern time at Comiskey Park.

Sox Sweep Twins (4/25/12)

The bad news was the Boston Bruins were eliminated in Game 7 of their first round NHL playoff series by the Washington Capitals but the good news was the Boston Red Sox swept the Minnesota twins for their third straight win. The Red Sox jumped out to a 7-1 lead thanks to a Mike Aviles three run home run, a Jarrod Saltalamacchia two run hit and two other run scored. Then the Twins came back as Clay Buchholz (2-1, 8.87 ERA) got knocked out in the sixth innings after allowing 5 runs. Scott Atchison, Justin Thomas and Matt Albers allowed rbis to cut the lead...but the trio of Vicente Padilla, Franklin Morales and Alfredo Aceves put Saturday behind them as they slammed the door on the victory. The Sox had held on to win 7-6 and sweep the Twins at Target Field.

                                                       Cael Sanderson approves of the win

Liam Hendriks got the ball in the top of the first inning and Mike Aviles grounded out to second to start. Ryan Sweeney struck out swinging but Dustin Pedroia doubled to left. Adrian Gonzalez grounded out to short to end the inning after 32 pitches. Buchholz got the ball in the bottom of the first and Denard Span grounded back to the mound to start. Jamey Carroll walked and Joe Mauer dropped a base hit in front of Sweeney but Justin Morneau forced Joe at second. Chris Parmalee walked to load the bases but Trevor Plouffe popped up to second to end the inning.

The Sox exploded in the top of the second inning as David Ortiz walked to start. Kevin Youkilis ripped a base hit to center to move Ortiz to third but Jarrod Saltalamacchia took strike three. Cody Ross dropped a base hit to left to score Ortiz but Marlon Byrd lined out to center. Aviles then pounded his third home run of the season to put the Sox up big early. Sweeney struck out swinging again to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-0.

                                                                Aviles with another homer

The Twins fought back in the bottom of the second although Sean Burroughs grounded out to short to start. Ben Revere doubled to center and Alexi Casilla dropped a base hit to left to score Revere to cut the lead. Casilla stole second and moved to third on the Span grounder to first, but Carroll grounded out to first to end the inning with the Twins down 4-1.

                                                  Casilla drives in a run

The Sox answered in the top of the third as Pedroia beat out a roller to third to start. Gonzalez walked but Ortiz popped up to third in foul territory. Both runners moved over on the grounder to third by Youkilis but Saltalamacchia dropped a base hit to right. Pedroia and Gonzalez scored but Saltalmacchia was thrown out trying to stretch a double to end the inning with the Sox up 6-1.

                                                 "You're out you dummy!"

Mauer grounded out to short to start the bottom of the third but Morneau got a base hit to left. Parmalee singled to right but Plouffe struck out swinging. Burroughs flied out to Byrd to end the inning.

Ross flied out to left to start the top of the fourth before Byrd singled in the hole at second. Aviles lined out to center and Sweeney lined out to third to end the inning. Revere grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth but Casilla got a base hit to left. Span hit one off Buchholz for a single and both runners moved over on a grounder to third by Carroll. Mauer popped up to short to end the inning.

The Sox struck again in the top of the fifth as Plouffe missed a catch at the right field wall allowing Pedroia to reach third on a "triple". Gonzalez lifted an opposite field single to left to score Pedroia and chase Hendriks from the game. Anthony Swarzak came in and Ortiz flied out to left before Youkilis grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-1.

                                                       Sox are all smiles

Buchholz cruised in the bottom of the fifth as Morneau grounded out to second to start. Parmalee and Plouffe both grounded out to short to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the sixth as Saltalamacchia flied out to left to begin. Ross struck out swinging and Byrd flied out to center to end the inning. Suddenly Buchholz fell apart in the bottom of the sixth with Darnell McDonald now in left. Burroughs struck out swinging but Revere caught Buchholz asleep with a bunt single. Casilla got a base hit to center but Span doubled into the right field corner to score Revere. Carroll walked to load the bases and that was it for Buchholz. He'd eventually be charged with 5 runs in just 5 1/3 innings.

                                                          So much for Buchholz

Scott Atchison came in to pitch to Mauer and Joe lined a ball off him into left to score Casilla and Span. One and done for Atchison as Justin Thomas was brought in to face Morneau and Justin doubled to center to score Carroll. A scary moment occurred when Thomas hit Parmalee in the head with a fastball, knocking him out cold. Sox manager Bobby Valentine yanked Thomas out of the game with Danny Valencia running for Parmalee. Matt Albers came in and Plouffe got a base hit to center to score Mauer and cut the lead. 9 straight batters reached for Minnesota but Burroughs banged into a double play to end the inning with the Twins down 7-6.

                                                  Hope Parmalee is okay

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Aviles grounded out to third to start. Sweeney got a base hit to left but Pedroia hit into a double play to end the inning. Vicente Padilla came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Revere grounded out to third to start. Casilla grounded out to second and Span took strike three to end the inning.

Glen Perkins came in to pitch the top of the eighth and blew away the side. Gonzalez, Ortiz and Youkilis all went down hacking to end the inning. Franklin Morales came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Carroll struck out swinging to start. Mauer grounded out to first and Morneau flied out to the centerfield warning track to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the ninth with Jared Burton now on the mound. Saltalamacchia grounded out to first, McDonald grounded back to the mound and Byrd struck out swinging to end the inning. The Twins pitchers had retired 15 in a row after Gonzalez' single drove in the seventh run. Alfredo Aceves came in to close out the bottom of the ninth and Valencia grounded out to short. Plouffe walked and Ryan Doumit pinch hit for Burroughs. Doumit singled to right and both runners moved over on the grounder to first by Revere. Casilla was hit with a pitch to load the bases but Span struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-6.

                                                          Red Sox win

Hero of the Night is Mike Aviles. His 3 run home run put the Sox up big and helped the team to victory.

                                                         Hero Aviles

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Adrian Gonzalez was 1 for 3 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Cody Ross was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Vicente Padilla pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

Franklin Morales pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

Alfredo Aceves earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Darnell McDonald was 0 for 1 at the plate.

Clay Buchholz got charged with 5 runs in just 5 1/3 innings. He allowed 10 hits and 3 walks.

Scott Atchison gave up a hit to the only man he faced.

Justin Thomas didn't record an out after giving up a hit and a hit batsmen.

The Ugly:

Ryan Sweeney was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.

David Ortiz was 0 for 3 with a strikeout but walked and scored a run.

Kevin Youkilis was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but scored a run.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was just 1 for 4 with a strikeouts but drove in 2 runs.

Marlon Byrd was just 1 for 4.

Matt Albers allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 2/3 of an inning.

Final Thoughts:

That was too close for comfort for the Red Sox. They won the game but they damn near blew a huge lead again. Losing Andrew Bailey in spring training took away their closer but it looks like the guys they brought in to be the set-up guys aren't going to get it done. With the slow start the starters have gotten off to, this team can ill-afford bullpen meltdowns like this and especially the natural disaster last Saturday. The good news is the offense is producing and they just won three in a row against the Twins. The Twins may be a bad team with a TV broadcast that can put you to sleep, but taking three in a row is nothing to sneeze at. Buchholz fell apart in the sixth inning and the sad part is no starter looks good right now. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Buchholz have the ability to dominate, apart from Beckett against the Tampa Bay Rays we really haven't seen it yet. Expecting Felix Doubront and Daniel Bard to pitch like those three would be unfair. Still, the offense is rolling and they did just enough to win. The Sox now move on to a set with the Chicago White Sox in the Windy City. Felix Doubront gets the start for the Red Sox against Phillip Humber of the White Sox. The game begins at 8:10 PM Eastern time at Comiskey Park.

Yankees Erase Nine Run Lead, Blow Out Sox (4/21/12)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a few roster moves. 25 year old pitcher Michael Bowden was traded to the Chicago Cubs along with a Player To Be Named Later in exchange for 34 year old outfielder Marlon Byrd. Byrd was an All-Star two years ago and with Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford out, the Sox needed better outfield depth than Jason Repko.

                                                                           OUT

                                                                        IN 

It was embarrassing news all around as the Boston Bruins gagged to the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of their first round NHL playoff series and the New York Yankees erased a 9-0 deficit and humiliated the Boston Red Sox by blowing THEM out in today's game. Felix Doubront held the Yankees to just 1 run in 6 innings while the Sox built a 9-1 lead. All of a sudden the Yankees exploded with 7 runs in the top of the seventh to pull within a run against Vicente Padilla and Matt Albers. Then the Yankees scored another 7 runs against Franklin Morales, Alfredo Aceves and Justin Thomas to put the game out of reach. The entire bullpen with the exception of Junichi Tazawa and Scott Atchison was humiliated as the Yankees went from being blown out to blowing out the Red Sox 15-9 at Fenway Park.

                                                            Sox fans have had enough

Doubront got the ball in the top of the first inning and Derek Jeter led off with a base hit to right. Nick Swisher grounded into a double play but Robinson Cano drew a walk. Cano took second on a passed ball but Alex Rodriguez grounded out to short to end the inning. The Sox shelled Yankees starter Freddy Garcia in the bottom of the first as Mike Aviles flied out to left to start. Ryan Sweeney stroked an opposite field double to left but Dustin Pedroia hit one up the elevator shaft. Adrian Gonzalez pounded a ground rule double into the right field stands to score Sweeney and David Ortiz doubled down the left field line to score Adrian. Kevin Youkilis grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.

                                                        Ortiz drives in a run

Mark Teixeira led off the top of the second by grounding out to second before Curtis Granderson took strike three. Andruw Jones drew a walk but Russell Martin struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second as Jarrod Saltamacchia was retired on a slow roller to first to start. Cody Ross dropped a base hit to left and Darnell McDonald doubled off the Monster, Ross scoring on the base hit to center by Aviles. McDonald moved to third on the hit and Sweeney hit a sac fly to right to score Darnell. Aviles swiped second and Pedroia scored him with a base hit to right. That was it for Garcia as Clay Rapada came in to get Gonzalez to fly out to center to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-0.

                                                       Pedroia knocks in a run

Eduardo Nunez grounded out to short to start the top of the third before Jeter grounded out to second. Swisher singled to left but Cano flied out to center to end the inning. The Sox were relentless in the bottom of the third as Ortiz singled through the shift to chase Rapada. David Phelps came in to take a beating as Youkilis was hit on the left hip. Saltalamacchia drilled a base hit to right to load the bases but Ross struck out swinging. McDonald hit a sac fly to center to score Ortiz and Aviles drilled a base hit to right to score Youkilis. Saltalamacchia moved to third on the hit but Sweeney forced Aviles at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-0.

                                                        Youkilis scores another run

A-Rod grounded out to short to start the top of the fourth inning and Teixeira took strike three. Granderson took strike three on the inside corner to end the inning. Pedroia flied out to right to start the bottom of the fourth before Gonzalez grounded out to first. Ortiz walked and Nate Spears pinch hit for Youkilis who apparently was more hurt by the HBP than it seemed. Spears struck out swinging to end the inning.

Jones grounded out to short to start the top of the fifth before Martin struck out swinging. Nunez walked and Jeter singled Eduardo to third with a base hit to center but Swisher grounded out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fifth as Saltalamacchia hit a double off the Monster to start. Ross blasted his third home run of the season to increase the lead. McDonald flied out to Swisher at the warning track and Aviles flied out to center. Sweeney flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox up 9-0.

                                                               Ross with the two run shot

The Yankees began their comeback in the top of the sixth as Cano struck out swinging to start. A-Rod struck out swinging but Teixeira hit a home run all the way to New Hampshire to cut the lead. Granderson popped up to short to end the inning. Doubront pitched his best game of the season allowing just the home run in 6 innings of work as the Sox enjoyed a 9-1 lead,

                                                          Doubront gets it done

Pedroia tried to start a rally in the bottom of the sixth with a base hit to center to start. Gonzalez banged into a double play but Ortiz got a base hit to center. Spears grounded out to first to end the inning.

Suddenly the Yankees exploded against Vicente Padilla in the top of the seventh. Jones took strike three and at this point the Sox were just eight outs away from a blowout win.....instead Martin singled to right, Nunez beat out a roller to third and Jeter walked to load the bases. Swisher than pounded a grand slam to the outer reaches of Mongolia to make it a game again. Cano doubled to left and that was it for Padilla as Matt Albers came in to stop the bleeding. A-Rod hit a routine grounder to short...BOOTED BY AVILES FOR AN ERROR! Teixeira took advantage by sending a home run into outer space to cut the lead to just one run just like that. Franklin Morales came in and Granderson singled to right, but Jones struck out swinging. Martin forced Granderson at second to end the inning with the Yankees only down 9-8 in a blink of an eye.

                                                          Yankees storm back

Rafael Soriano came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Saltalamacchia tried to start a rally with a ground rule double into the right field stands. Ross grounded out to short, McDonald popped up to Teixeira in foul territory and Aviles took strike three to end the inning.

The Yankees humiliated the Sox in the top of the eighth as Nunez singled to left to chase Morales. Alfredo Aceves was brought in for the six out save....and Jeter walked. Swisher doubled to right to score both runners and the Yankees had come all the way back to take the lead. But wait there's more! Cano was intentionally walked and A-Rod drew a conventional walk to load the bases. Teixeira pounded a ground rule double down the right field line to score two more runners and Granderson was intentionally walked. That was it for Aceves who didn't record an out. Justin Thomas came in and Ibanez hit a rocket to Gonzalez who doubled off Granderson. At this point a 3 run deficit would not be too much to overcome with two innings to go....but Martin doubled to center to score A-Rod and Teixeira. Nunez singled in the hole at short to move Martin to third and Valentine had enough of him. Junichi Tazawa came in and Nunez promptly stole second. Jeter hit a routine grounder to Aviles who fell down making the play to score Martin. Swisher flied out to center to end the beat down with the Yankees ahead 15-9.

                                                          What a disaster

Boone Logan came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Sweeney flied out to left to start. Pedroia struck out swinging as Fox broadcaster Tim McCarver brought up the Sox' collapse last year and how they needed to get off to a good start this season only to end up "woeful". Ken Rosenthal brought up the very real power struggle that Larry Lucchino overruled Sox GM Ben Cherrington by hiring Bobby Valentine to manage the team. Gonzalez popped up to shallow right to end the inning.

Tazawa returned for the top of the ninth and Cano grounded back to the mound to start. Rodriguez grounded out to third and Teixeira popped up to third to end the inning. Ortiz got a base hit to right to start the bottom of the ninth and Cody Eppley came in to pitch. Nick Punto pinch hit for Spears and naturally lined out to Teixeira who doubled off Ortiz. Saltalamacchia singled to center and took second on a wild pitch, but Ross took strike three to end the game. The Yankees completed one of the biggest comebacks in major league history and humiliated the Red Sox 15-9.

                                                        Yankees win

Jackass of the Night is Alfredo Aceves. The entire bullpen imploded but he could have slammed the door in the eighth, instead he allowed an inherited runner to score and was charged with 5 runs of his own without getting an out.

                                                                   Jackass Aceves

The Good:

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with an rbi.

David Ortiz was 4 for 4 with a walk, rbi and a run scored.

Kevin Youkilis was hit with a pitch and scored a run before leaving the game.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 4 for 5 with a run scored.

Cody Ross was 2 for 5 with a 2 run homer and 2 total runs scored.

Darnell McDonald was 1 for 3 with an rbi and a run scored.

Felix Doubront tossed 6 solid innings and allowed just the one run. He allowed 4 hits and struck out 7.

The Bad:

Nate Spears was 0 for 2.

Nick Punto hit into a double play as a pinch hitter.

Vicente Padilla was charged with 5 runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Matt Albers was charged with 2 runs without recording an out.

Franklin Morales was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

Justin Thomas was charged with a run in 2/3 of an inning.

The Ugly:

Mike Aviles was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis, a stolen base and a run scored but he made a huge fielding error that allowed the Yankees comeback to continue.

Ryan Sweeney was just 1 for 4 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 5 but drove in a run and scored a run.

Junichi Tazawa allowed an inherited runner to score but none of his own in 1 1/3 innings.

Final Thoughts:

The Red Sox have officially hit rock bottom. The Red Sox are officially 11-30 since September of last season and today was the microcosm of everything wrong with them. After not hitting at all for most of the season the Sox scored 9 runs today. After the rotation didn't look good to start the season Felix Doubront looked good today. Then the bullpen completely implodes to hand the Sox one of their most ignominious defeats of all time. They had an 8 run lead with 8 outs to go after Padilla struck out Jones and then collapsed. When you look at the bullpen, its not that good. They let Jonathan Papelbon walk and replaced him with Mark Melancon only for him to have one of the worst meltdowns since Michael Rappaport in the movie The Scout. Alfredo Aceves, Vicente Padilla and Justin Thomas haven't gotten it done and Franklin Morales is better suited as a starter or long man than a late inning guy. If its not the bats that are asleep, its the rotation. If its not the rotation, its the bullpen. Nothing has gone right since the end of August last year and clearly the problem wasn't Terry Francona and Theo Epstein. There's plenty of time to turn things around but fans are becoming increasingly impatient. Bobby Valentine ripped Youkilis to fire him up only for the opposite to happen, he let Daniel Bard rot against Tampa and there's rumors he's upset the core of the team in other ways. Its all giving off a bad vibe to a team that was under a microscope to begin with and they've remained flat on their face. If today wasn't bad enough, now the Sox have to face Yankees ace CC Sabathia tomorrow night on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. Daniel Bard (0-2) is tasked with ending the Yankees dominance over Boston at 8:30 PM at Fenway Park.

Sox Drop Rays (4/15/12)

Before the game the Boston Red Sox made a roster move. Che-Suan Lin was sent down to Pawtucket in favor of 31 year old Jason Repko and Nate Spears. Sox brass didn't want to waste Lin on the bench and would rather have him play every day in Pawtucket. Repko started his rookie year with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005 but hasn't done much since.

                                                                            OUT

                                                                  IN

Don't look now but the Boston Red Sox have won three games in a row against the Tampa Bay Rays. After laying waste to their bungholes for 25 runs in the past two games, this time the Sox needed ro rally against the Rays to pull out the victory. Felix Doubront lasted just 5 innings while allowing 4 runs in a mediocre start. The Sox did manage to take the lead on a 3 run home run by Cody Ross in the second inning against Matt Moore of Tampa. The Rays rallied to tie the game but David Ortiz doubled home Kevin Youkilis to put the Sox on top. Mike Aviles hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh and the Sox bullpen slammed the door. Alfredo Aceves got the save and the Sox made it three in a row with a 6-4 victory over the Rays at Fenway Park.

                                                          Lisa Seiffert approves of the win

Doubront got the ball in the top of the first inning and Desmond Jennings took strike three to open the game. Carlos Pena took strike three but Evan Longoria walked. Jeff Keppinger popped up to short to end the inning. Moore got the ball in the bottom of the first and Mike Aviles led off with a swinging strikeout. Dustin Pedroia popped up to short and Adrian Gonzalez lined out to center to end the inning.

Ben Zobrist struck out swinging to open the top of the second before Luke Scott hit one up the elevator shaft. Sean Rodiguez lined out to second to end the inning. The Sox struck first in the bottom of the second as Kevin Youkilis singled to left to start. David Ortiz doubled to right and Cody Ross smashed a 3 run home run over the Monster Seats to put the Sox on top. Darnell McDonald grounded out to third, Kelly Shoppach popped up to third and Jason Repko made his Sox debut by popping up to short to end the inning with the Sox up 3-0.

                                                               Ross crushes a home run

Matt Joyce singled to right to start the top of the third but Chris Gimenez flied out to center. Jennings hit a ground rule double into the bullpen but Pena struck out swinging. Longoria grounded out to third to end the inning. Aviles grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third but Pedroia grounded out to third. Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the inning.

Keppinger hit a ground rule double into the right to start the top of the fourth but Zobrist lined out to third. Scott struck out swinging but Rodriguez singled in the hole at short. Keppinger tried to score from second but was thrown out at home to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the fourth as Youkilis struck out swinging to start. Ortiz singled up the first base line and Ross walked, but McDonald struck out swinging. Shoppach ripped a double to left that scored Ortiz but Ross was thrown out at home to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.

                                                                     Yerrrrr out!

Doubront lost it in the top of the fifth although Joyce took strike three to start. Gimenez singled in the hole at third and Jennings singled to left before Pena doubled to right to score both of them. Longoria hit a ground rule double into the right field stands to score Pena but Keppinger flied out to center. A wild pitch moved Longoria to third but Zobrist took strike three to end the inning with the Rays down 4-3.

                                                        Pena drives in a pair

The Sox failed to respond in the bottom of the fifth as Repko took strike three to begin. Aviles flied out to center and Pedroia grounded out to short to end the inning.

Doubront returned for the top of the sixth briefly only to give up the tying home run to Scott. Doubront fell apart in the fifth inning as he was charged with 4 runs in just 5 plus innings. Scott Atchison came in and Rodriguez singled in the hole before Joyce walked. Gimenez bunted foul for strike three and that was it for Atchison. Vicente Padilla came in and struck out Jennings swinging before getting Pena to fly out to right to end the inning with the game tied 4-4.

                                                         Doubront was perfectly mediocre

The Sox answered in the bottom of the sixth although Gonzalez grounded out to first to start. Youkilis walked and came all the way around to score on the double to center by Ortiz to put Boston back on top. Ross was intentionally walked and both runners moved over on the grounder to first by McDonald. Shoppach was intentionally walked to load the bases but Repko flied out to right to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-4.

                                                         Youkilis scores the go-ahead run

Padilla returned for the top of the seventh and Longoria flied out to center to start. Keppinger beat out an infield single to short but Gonzalez fielded a ball stuck by Zobrist off of Padilla to get Jeff at second. Scott struck out swinging to end the inning. The Sox got a big insurance run when Aviles clocked his second home run of the year to start the bottom of the seventh. Pedroia flied out to left but Gonzalez singled to left to chase Moore. Joel Peralta came in and got Youkilis to fly out to right before Ortiz grounded out to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-4.

                                                       Aviles goes deep

Franklin Morales came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Rodriguez popped up to first to start. Jose Molina pinch hit for Joyce and got a base hit to left. Gimenez also singled to left but Jennings flied out to left and Pena grounded out to short to end the inning. Fernando Rodney came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Ross struck out swinging to start. McDonald flied out to center and Shoppach flied out to left to end the inning.

Alfredo Aceves came in to close out the top of the ninth and Longoria flied out to right to start. Keppinger lined out to center and Zobrist struck out swinging to end the game. The Sox had won it 6-4.

                                                                Sox win

Hero of the Night is David Ortiz. His rbi double in the sixth was the go-ahead rbi.

                                                      Ross and our Hero

The Good:

Kevin Youkilis was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Cody Ross was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a 3 run homer.

Kelly Shoppach was 1 for 3 with a walk and an rbi.

Scott Atchison got the first out of the sixth inning.

Vicente Padilla got the win with 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Franklin Morales pitched a scoreless inning.

Alfredo Aceves got the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The Bad:

Jason Repko was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Darnell McDonald was 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 4.

Felix Doubront allowed 4 runs in 5 plus innings.

The Ugly:

Mike Aviles was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but the one hit was a home run.

Adrian Gonzalez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.

Final Thoughts:

This was an encouraging win because it showed the Sox ability to pull away late and slam the door. The bullpen has given games away late and the bats have been unable to fight back when trailing or tied. This is what the Sox are capable of when everyone is contributing. The only drawback to today was Felix Doubront be he's still young enough to figure it out. Jon Lester threw way too many pitches in 2006 and 2007 but figured it out eventually. Beating a team like the Rays three straight is tough and its a good thing Ross, Ortiz and Youkilis came to play. If the Sox want to erase the stigma of last year then they need to keep the momentum as they go for the series sweep tomorrow morning against the Rays on the special Patriots Day matinee. Daniel Bard (0-1) gets the start against Rays ace James Shields. The game begins at 11:00 AM at Fenway Park.

Tigers Walkoff Sox in 11 Inning Slugfest (4/8/12)

The great Casey Stengal once said "I've been in this game a hundred years but I've seen new ways to lose I never knew existed before" while he was managing the hapless New York Mets in the early 1960's. The Boston Red Sox are making Casey laugh from beyond the grave as they were swept in their season opening series by the Detroit Tigers. After getting walked off on Opening Day, the Sox got pasted 10-0 yesterday. Today was a slugfest with the Tigers and the Sox blew not one, but two leads in the later innings. The Sox fell behind 5-2 only to rally for 5 runs in the top of the third. The Sox took a 10-7 lead into the bottom of the ninth when interim closer Alfredo Aceves allowed a 3 run bomb to Miguel Cabrera to tie the game. Dustin Pedroia and Nick Punto gave the Sox the lead in the top of the eleventh but new set-up man Mark Melancon allowed a backbreaking 2 out, 2 run game winning home run to Alex Avila to give the Tigers a shocking 13-12 victory at Comerica Park.

                                                  "Dammit all to hell!" - BV

Max Scherzer got the ball in the top of the first inning and Nick Punto sliced a line out to Jhonny Peralta at short to start. Jacoby Ellsbury struck out swinging but Dustin Pedroia ripped a base hit to left. Adrian Gonzalez flied out to left to end the inning. The Tigers bushwhacked Sox starter Clay Buchholz in the bottom of the first as Austin Jackson got the rally started with a double down the left field line. Brennan Boesch moved Jackson to third with a fly out to left and Austin scored on the Miguel Cabrera base hit to right. Prince Fielder ripped a base hit to right but Delmon Young struck out swinging but Alex Avila walked to load the bases. Peralta then jacked a ball deep out to center that Ellsbury slid....and dropped for a bases clearing double. Andy Dirks popped up to left to end the inning but Ellsbury's drop contributed to the Tigers leading 4-0.

                                                           Jackson starts the rally

The Sox fought back in the top of the second as David Ortiz beat the shift with a base hit to right to start. Darnell McDonald drew a walk but Ryan Sweeney popped up to Cabrera in foul territory. Mike Avilies doubled to center to score both runs to cut the lead and Kelly Shoppach was hit with a pitch. Punto popped up to short but Ellsbury walked to load the bases. Pedroia whiffed on a 96 mph fastball to end the inning but the Sox were down 4-2.

                                                   Sox cut the lead

The Tigers struck again in the bottom of the second as Ryan Raburn was plunked to start. The Tigers executed a perfect hit and run as Jackson beat out a roller to third and Raburn made it all the way to third. Boesch took strike three but Raburn scored on the diving catch by Ellsbury off a Cabrera line drive. Fielder popped up to center to end the inning with the Tigers ahead 5-2.

                                                        Good catch by Ellsbury

The Sox exploded in the top of the third as Gonzalez hit a rocket into right for a base hit and Ortiz doubled to left to score Adrian. McDonald struck out swinging but Sweeney singled off the glove of Raburn. Avilies singled to left to score Ortiz and Shoppach was hit with a pitch again. Punto hit a fly ball to center and Sweeney made a mad dash home to tie the game. Shoppach took second on the throw and Scherzer somehow balked home Avilies and moved Shoppach to third. Ellsbury chased Scherzer with a seeing eye single to left to score Shoppach to increase the lead. Collin Balester came in to pitch and Pedroia grounded into a force to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-5.

                                                        Sox score 5 in the third

Buchholz did his part in the bottom of the third as Young grounded out to short to start. Avila walked but Peralta flied out to center. Dirks grounded out to second to end the inning.

Gonzalez flied out to center to start the top of the fourth but Ortiz singled to left. McDonald flied out to right and Sweeney grounded out to short to end the inning. The Tigers finished off Buchholz in the bottom of the fourth as Raburn singled to left to start. Jackson singled to left and Boesch singled to right to score Raburn. Cabrera banged into a double play but Jackson scored to tie the game. Fielder grounded into the shift to end the inning with the game tied 7-7.

                                                                 Bad start for Buchholz

The Sox did nothing in the top of the fifth as Avilies grounded out to third to start. Boesch made a great diving catch to rob Shoppach of a bloop single and Peralta made a great throw to rob Punto of a base hit to end the inning. Vicente Padilla came in to pitch the bottom of the fifth and Young hit a rocket to Scutaro to start. Avila grounded back to the mound and Peralta took strike three to end the inning.

The Sox took command in the top of the sixth as Ellsbury doubled down the left field line to start. Pedroia moved Ellsbury to third with a fly out to right and Tigers manager Jim Leyland made a pitching change. Daniel Schlereth came in to pitch and Gonzalez greeted him with his first home run of the season to put the Sox ahead. Ortiz went down hacking and McDonald flied out to left to end the inning with Boston ahead 9-7.

                                                        Gonzalez puts the Sox on top

Dirks led off the bottom of the sixth with a base hit to center to start but Raburn went down hacking. Jackson swung and missed on a 93 mph fastball for strike three and Boesch also struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox did nothing in the top of the seventh as Sweeney grounded out to second to start. Avilies grounded out to third and Shoppach went down swinging to end the inning. Padilla returned for the bottom of the seventh and Cabrera grounded out to short to start. Fielder flied out to left but Punto bobbled a grounder by Young for a "single". Avila grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Sox blew a rally in the top of the eighth as Punto doubled into the centerfield gap to start. Ellsbury chased Schlereth by grounding out to first to move Punto to third. Brayan Villarreal came in to pitch and Pedroia hit a grounder to short that should have scored Punto....but he stopped halfway and tried to go back, only to get caught in a rundown for the second out. Pedroia made it to second on the play and that was it for Villarreal. Phil Coke came in and uncorked a wild pitch to move Pedroia to third. Gonzalez was hit with a pitch and Sox manager Bobby Valentine stormed out on the field to argue that Coke did it intentionally. Home plate umpire Dan Iasssogna warned BOTH teams and Valentine started screaming at the top of his lungs that the Tigers hit Shoppach twice, now Gonzalez. Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning, what a waste.

                                                                YOU'RE OUT!!

Padilla returned for one final inning in the bottom of the eighth and Peralta grounded out to second to start. Dirks grounded out to first and Raburn flied out to center to end the inning. Padilla tossed 4 scoreless innings to keep the Sox in the game.

                                                      Hell of an effort by Padilla

The Sox got another run in the top of the ninth as McDonald blooped a single to right to begin. Cody Ross pinch hit for Sweeney and Ross dropped a base hit out of the reach of Raburn's glove. Avilies dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners and chase Coke from the game. Octavio Dotel came in and struck out Shoppach swinging, but Punto beat out an infield single to short to score McDonald. Ellsbury grounded back to the mound to end the inning with the Sox ahead 10-7.

                                                     McDonald scores a run.

The Tigers wasted no time tying the game in the bottom of the ninth against Alfredo Aceves as Jackson singled to right to start. Boesch beat out a roller up the middle and Cabrera hit a home run all the way to the Palace of Auburn Hills to tie the game. That was it for Aceves as Franklin Morales came in to mitigate the damage. Fielder struck out swinging, Young grounded out to third and Avila flied out to left to end the inning with the game tied 10-10.

                                                              Tie game

Joaquin Benoit came in to pitch the top of the tenth and Pedroia walked to start. Gonzalez flied out to center, Ortiz did the same and McDonald struck out swinging to end the inning. Morales returned for the bottom of the tenth and Peralta took strike three to start. Danny Worth pinch hit for Dirks and hit a seeing eye single to left but Raburn flied out to center. Worth took second on a wild pitch but Jackson struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Sox somehow took the lead as Ross walked to start before moving to third on the Avilies base hit to right. Jarrod Saltalamacchia pinch hit for Shoppach and struck out swinging but Punto blooped a base hit to left to score Ross. Avilies made it to third on the play but Ellsbury struck out swinging. Pedroia lined a base hit to left to score Avilies and move Punto to third to increase the lead. Pedroia swiped second but Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 12-10.

                                                     Pedroia drives in a run

Mark Melancon was tasked to save the game in the bottom of the eleventh but instead crapped his pants. Boesch grounded out to first but Cabrera ripped a base hit to right field. Fielder slapped a base hit to left and a wild pitch moved Cabrera to third. Young hit a sac fly to center to score Cabrera but the Sox were one out away from victory. Melancon worked the count to 2-2, one strike away......and Avila smashed a two run home run all the way to the Gulf of Mexico to win the game. The Tigers had walked off the Sox 13-12.

                                                             Tigers win

Jackass of the Night is Mark Melancon. Yes Aceves gave up the home run in the ninth but Melancon was one strike away from victory when he served up the jack to Avila.

                                                       Nice relief, Jackass

The Good:

Nick Punto was 3 for 6 with 3 rbis.

Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 6 with an rbi, walk, rbi and a run scored.

Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 6 with a walk, stolen base and an rbi.

Adrian Gonzalez was 2 for 6 with a 2 run home run and two total runs scored.

David Ortiz was 3 for 6 with an rbi and 2 runs scored.

Cody Ross was 1 for 1 with a walk and a run scored.

Mike Avilies was 3 for 5 with 3 rbis and 2 runs scored.

Vicente Padilla tossed 4 scoreless innings.

Franklin Morales tossed 2 scoreless innings.

The Bad:

Jarrod Saltalamacchia struck out as a pinch hitter.

Clay Buchholz got hammered, allowing 7 runs in 4 innings while striking out just two batters.

Alfredo Aceves allowed the three run home run to Cabrera in the ninth inning.

The Ugly:

Darnell McDonald was just 1 for 5 with 2 strikeouts but walked and scored 2 runs.

Ryan Sweeney was just 1 for 4 but scored a run.

Kelly Shoppach was 0 for 3 but was hit with a pitch twice and scored a run.

Final Thoughts:

A lot of things went wrong today. Ellsbury dropping the Peralta double in the first started it and Melancon giving up the bomb to Avila was the icing on the cake. Ellsbury missed a two run double in the 11th by inches that would have iced the game, and on and on. At least the offense showed up but the pitching has been dreadful the first three games this season. To be fair, they were relying on Andrew Bailey to be the closer and instead have to turn to Aceves and Melancon. After the collapse of last year, getting off on the wrong foot was the last thing the Sox needed but here we are. Buchholz, Josh Beckett and Jon Lester all looked like garbage the same as Lester and Beckett looked at the end of last year. The Sox have plenty of time to turn things around but getting smacked around by the Tigers is a bad look after what happened last year. Blowing multiple run leads twice with the game on the line isn't going to win any games. The Sox now travel to Toronto for a three game set with the Toronto Blue Jays. Felix Doubront makes his season debut up against Henderson Alvarez the 3rd tomorrow night in Toronto. The game begins at 7:30 PM at the Skydome.