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?