Red Sox Acquire Marlon Byrd For Michael Bowden

It's very rare to see a team make a legitimate trade involving major league players so early in the season, but yesterday the Cubs and Red Sox pulled one off. The Red Sox will acquire Marlon Byrd for Michael Bowden and cash. Now I'm no expert, but this trade appears to ridiculously favor the Red Sox. They are getting a serviceable outfielder to replace Jacoby Ellsbury and are only paying $400K of his contract, plus they are only giving up a reliever who is 0-0/3.00/3 this season. Now, Byrd has gotten off to a rough start to the year at just .070/0/2-- yes, you did read that right-- he is batting .070 (3 for 43) so far this year. However, I have no doubts that he can turn it around to become, as I said earlier, a serviceable outfielder. Last season he batted .276/9/35 in 119 games and the year before was .293/12/66 in 152 games. If Byrd can do that in the month or so before Jacoby Ellsbury returns, this was a great trade, and if not... well, they didn't give up much.

Red Sox Promote Repko, Spears

This morning, the Red Sox made moves which would promote Jason Repko and Nate Spears to the major leagues. To add them to the 40-man roster, they had to designate Michael Bowden and Luis Exposito for assignment. Repko had gotten off to a hot start at AAA Pawtucket this season-- he was batting at a .538/1/2 clip in four games and thirteen at bats before his promotion. Repko played in 67 games last season with the Twins-- he batted .226/2/11 in 133 at bats. These two moves were obviously made to give the Red Sox outfield depth after Jacoby Ellsbury's injury-- thus, Jason Repko will be batting ninth and playing center field in today's game against the Rays. Nate Spears hasn't gotten off to quite as hot a start as Repko-- he currently stands at .231/0/2 in eight games and twenty six at bats with Pawtucket. However, the thing about Spears is that he can play anywhere: outfield, infield, you name it. Hopefully Repko and Spears will pan out for now but they are only temporary additions to the 25-man roster.

Ciriaco The Hero Again In Red Sox Win (7-2)

Doubront was brilliant through 4

Last night was one hell of a pitching game on both sides with the Sox eventually coming out on top in a very tight game. Felix Doubront was spot on tonight, working four innings with his final line looking like 4 innings, 2 hits, no runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts in a very good performance for the young lefty battling for a rotation spot. Michael Bowden then came on for the fifth inning and was brilliant allowing only a hit and striking out three in a scoreless inning. Vicente Padilla then upped his case for the fifth starter role by tossing three perfect innings while striking out four. Then, finally after eight strong innings by Red Sox (and Yankees) pitchers, the score finally broke. Leading off the ninth inning, Pedro Ciriaco hit a little bloop to right field. Normally this would be a single, however, in right field-- Zoilo Almonte of the Yankees tried to catch it on the run and it got by him. This allowed Ciriaco to easily get into third but Almonte threw the ball away and Ciriaco scored on an inside-the-park home run aided by two errors. Junichi Tazawa came on to get the save, and was very good, allowing just a hit and striking out three in the inning, closing out a rare 1-0 win over the Yankees.

Bright Spots:
Felix Doubront- 4 innings, 2 hits, no runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts
Michael Bowden- 1 inning, 1 hit, no runs, 3 strikeouts
Vicente Padilla- 3 innings, no hits or runs, 4 strikeouts
Junichi Tazawa- 1 inning, 1 hit, no runs, 3 strikeouts

Dull Spots:
Mike Aviles- 0-3
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 0-2, 1 strikeout, 2 left on base
Will Middlebrooks- 0-3, 1 strikeout, 1 left on base
Lars Anderson- 0-3, 2 strikeouts
Josh Kroeger- 0-3, 1 strikeout
Alex Hassan- 0-2, 1 strikeout, 1 left on base

Red Sox Underperform, Lose To Mediocre Pirates' Lineup (3-2)

David Ortiz hit his second homer

In a night in which many expected the Sox to overrun the Pirates, myself included, the Sox played a bad game and dropped a tough one. The Pirates scored in the first and third off Clay Buchholz-- who didn't have a great night. However, he looked more comfortable out there despite going 3 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs, and a strikeout. The Red Sox never really caught up to the Pirates' fast start, despite David Ortiz (right) leading off the fourth inning with a homer to right. This pitted the Sox in a 2-1 deficit, unfortunately the fifth inning was when the game was coughed up. After a 1-2-3 fourth inning, Vicente Padilla was awful in the fifth, allowing four runs in the inning and putting the Sox behind 6-1. His final line looked like this: 2 innings, 5 hits, 4 runs. The Red Sox did score in the fifth, with Josh Kroeger doubling with two outs and Mike Aviles driving him in with a single up the middle to cut it to 6-2. Will Inman allowed a run in the seventh, but he went 2 innings, 2 hits, 1 run, 3 walks and after him, the scoring stopped. The Red Sox scored once in the sixth when Dustin Pedroia singled. Pedro Ciriaco came in to pinch-run and advanced to second on a wild pitch before stealing third-- I'm telling you, this kid runs like a deer! A single into left for Cody Ross scored Ciriaco and made it a 7-3 deficit. A one out homer to left for Darnell McDonald in the 7th would finally stop everyone's scoring at 7-4. Strong innings for Michael Bowden (1 inning, no runs or hits or walks, 1 strikeout) and Brandon Duckworth (1 inning, no runs, hits, or walks, 1 strikeout) closed out the game.

Bright Spots:
Michael Bowden- 1 inning, no runs, hits, or walks, 1 strikeout
Brandon Duckworth- same as Bowden
Pedro Ciriaco- 1-2, 1 run, 1 stolen base
David Ortiz- 1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 home run
Cody Ross- 2-3, 1 RBI
Darnell McDonald- 2-2, 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 homer, 1 double

Dull Spots:
Vicente Padilla- 2 innings, 5 hits, 4 runs
Ryan Sweeney- 0-3, 1 strikeout, 1 left on base
Lars Anderson- 0-2, 1 strikeout, 1 left on base
Nate Spears- 0-2, 2 strikeouts, 1 left on base

Sox Ride Strong Pitching To Third Win (3-0)

Bard threw 2 scoreless innings

Today, the Red Sox continued their winning ways against the Orioles with yet another solid win. The Red Sox got going quick out of the gate when a Jacoby Ellsbury double and Dustin Pedroia single put them at the corners with none out in the first inning. However, only one run came out of it-- a sacrifice fly by Ryan Lavarnway. In his first two innings of the spring, Daniel Bard (right) was very strong: 2 innings, no runs or hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts. The Red Sox had their biggest inning in the 3rd, when they put runners at the corners with one out. Adrian Gonzalez proceeded to hit a wall ball double off the monster to score one and a Ryan Lavarnway single scored another. The lead became 4-0 when Cody Ross hammered one high off the monster to score Gonzalez. All the while, Alfredo Aceves was brilliant-- tossing two perfect innings and striking out two. However, the problems came when Alex Wilson came in to pitch-- in 1+ innings, he allowed 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. However, a 2-out RBI double off the monster by Pedro Ciriaco netted the Sox the victory. Clayton Mortensen was fantastic, throwing 2.1 strong innings and striking out four with just a hit allowed while Michael Bowden was also very good-- he threw 1.2 perfect innings while striking out one.

Bright Spots:
Daniel Bard- 2 innings, no runs or hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
Alfredo Aceves- 2 innings, no runs, hits, or walks and 2 strikeouts
Clayton Mortensen- 2.1 innings, no runs, 1 hit, 4 strikeouts
Michael Bowden- 1.2 innings, no runs, hits, or walks and a strikeout
Jacoby Ellsbury- 1-2, 1 run, 1 double
Dustin Pedroia- 1-2, 1 run, 1 walk
Pedro Ciriaco- 1-1, 1 RBI, 1 double
Adrian Gonzalez- 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 double, 1 run
Ryan Lavarnway- 1-1, 2 RBI
Cody Ross- 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 double

Dull Spots:
Alex Wilson- 1+ innings, 4 runs, 5 hits, 2 walks
Luis Exposito- 0-2, 1 strikeout, 1 left on base
Jason Repko- 0-2, 1 strikeout
Alex Hassan- 0-3, 1 strikeout
Will Middlebrooks- 0-2

Homers By Ross, Sweeney, Gonzalez Highlight Slugfest Vs. Northeastern

The Red Sox essentially went crazy on Northeastern University today in their annual double-header against NEU and BC. After scoring twice in the first inning on a timely double by Darnell McDonald, the Sox exploded in the 2nd with a 7-run inning highlighted by a solo home run by Cody Ross and a 3-run shot by Adrian Gonzalez. Through this time, Jon Lester was very strong for the Sox-- allowing just a hit and striking out two through the first couple of innings. After a run in the third inning, the Sox came storming back in the fourth-- scoring 7 more times-- highlighted by a grand slam by Cody Ross and a 2-run shot by light-hitting outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin. Through this, Justin Germano pitched very well for the Sox-- allowing a hit and striking out one through two innings-- also not allowing a run. Two runs in the fifth, on RBI doubles by Max St. Pierre and Will Middlebrooks, plus two more perfect inning by Michael Bowden slates the Sox with a 19-0 lead in the middle of the 6th. The Sox scored six more in the 6th inning and are now up 25-0 after a big inning highlighted by a 3-run homer by Ryan Sweeney. The game was called after the top of the 7th, the Sox still up 25-0. All in all, a very successful day for the Sox-- even against a college team. There were many reasons to hope, such as the power shown by everyone-- but particularly Cody Ross and Ryan Sweeney. Everyone pitched very well, with Justin Germano's nice outing a pleasant surprise. I'll be away from home for tonight's game against Boston College, but I should be able to post about it tomorrow morning (hopefully after having watched the game in the MLB.TV archives. 

Bright Spots:

Jon Lester- 2 innings, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts-- not bad

Justin Germano- 2 innings, 1 hit, 1 strikeout-- very pleasant surprise 

Michael Bowden- 2 innings, no hits, 3 strikeouts-- excellent outing for the bullpen candidate

Jose Iglesias- 1-3, 1 run, 1 stolen base

Pedro Ciriaco- 2-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI

Che-Hsuan Lin- 2-2, 2 runs, 3 RBIs, 1 home run, 1 walk

Adrian Gonzalez- 1-1, 1 walk, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 home run

Nate Spears- 1-2, 2 runs, 1 walk

Darnell McDonald- 2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, 1 double

Ryan Sweeney- 4-5, 3 runs, 5 RBIs, 1 home run, 1 double

Cody Ross- 2-3, 2 runs, 5 RBIs, 2 home runs

Will Middlebrooks- 3-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 double

Dull Spots:

Northeastern University!

This Is What We, In America, Call A 'Bad Game' (88-69)

Yesterday, the Red Sox played a terrible game, losing miserably to the Yankees and losing ground in the wild card chase. It started in the 2nd for the Yankees when they loaded the bases with 1 out. Jesus Montero hit a soft drive to left that would score one. Two more would score when Russell Martin hit a long line drive into left to score two more and make it 3-0. Then Derek Jeter came up and crushed a homer to right center to cap a 6-run 2nd inning and make the score 6-0. In the 3rd, a 2-run double by Jesus Montero would make it 8-0, as you can tell, a very lovely game for the Red Sox. In the 6th, Jesus Montero homered to left to make it an even more reciprocal score of 9-0. An RBI double by Carl Crawford in the 7th would dramatically close the gap in the game at 9-1.
      Jon Lester was really bad, simply put, allowing 8 runs in 2 2/3 innings to raise his ERA from 3.15 to 3.49. Scott Atchison was great, allowing no runs in 2 1/3 innings. Junichi Tazawa was ok, allowing a run in 1 2/3 innings. Trever Miller pitched a scoreless 1/3 of an inning, and Michael Bowden was lights out for an inning. Jacoby Ellsbury had a decent game, going 2-4. Carl Crawford went 1-4 with an RBI. Dustin Pedroia went 2-4. Conor Jackson was 1-2 with a run scored off of the bench, replacing Josh Reddick. There will be a double-header today, and pitching in the day game will be Tim Wakefield (7-7/5.08/89) going up against A.J. Burnett (10-11/5.28/167).

Bright Spots:
Scott Atchison- 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief
Michael Bowden- a scoreless inning
Jacoby Ellsbury- 2-4
Carl Crawford- 1-4 with an RBI
Dustin Pedroia- 2-4
Conor Jackson- 1-2 with a run scored off the bench

Dull Spots:
Jon Lester- 8 runs in 2 2/3 innings, a great start by any measure
David Ortiz- 0-4 with 5 LOB
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 0-3 with a strikeout and 2 LOB

Well, we only lead the wild card by 1.5 games and it is only the Rays' ineptitude keeping us there.

Red Sox Make Hats Out Of Orioles (88-66)

In the top of the 1st, the Orioles took an early lead as, with runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs, Nick Markakis singled through the right side. The next batter, Vladimir Guerrero lined a ball to right field that would be caught for a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. Later in the inning, Chris Davis singled to right field to score a run to make it 3-0. In the bottom of the inning, the Red Sox had runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 out as Dustin Pedroia grounded out to make it 3-1. After a double by David Ortiz, Jed Lowrie ground out a long at-bat, eventually crushing a ball to dead left for a three-run homer to make it 4-3 Red Sox! In the 2nd the Red Sox had runners at 1st and 3rd with 1 out and Marco Scutaro had a great hit for a double down the 3rd base line to make it 5-3. Then, in the same inning, Dustin Pedroia knocked a liner through the right side to score another run. However, the Orioles loaded the bases in the 3rd, and they scored two on a bloop single to right by Nolan Reimold to make it 6-5. In the 3rd, the Sox scored one as Chris Davis could not pick J.J. Hardy's throw to first, and the Sox scored. Later in the inning, Jacoby Ellsbury hit a high fly ball to left which dropped at the wall and allowed another un to score and make it 8-5. The next batter, Marco Scutaro, singled up the middle and Ellsbury scored to make it 9-5. After a single by Adrian Gonzalez, the runs kept coming as Dustin Pedroia lined a ball to right-center to score another run.  Then, the next batter David Ortiz bounced a ball to second and beat it out, so another run scored and made it 11-5. With 2 outs in the 4th, Matt Angle scored on a triple into the corner by Nick Markakis to make it 11-6. A sacrifice fly by Nolan Reimold cut the lead to 11-7, and the next batter Ryan Adams singled up the middle to make it 11-8. In the 6th, the Orioles scored again, as Nick Markakis scored on a double by Vladimir Guerrero to make it 11-9. Our big inning started in the 7th, when Jacoby Ellsbury led off the inning with an inside-the-park home run into the triangle. Three straight singles by Marco Scutaro, Adrian Gonzalez, and Dustin Pedroia would make it 13-9. After the Red Sox walked the bases loaded, Jed Lowrie singled into right field to make it 14-9. Then Conor Jackson came up to the plate, and promptly lined a ball into the monster seats to make it 18-9.

       To put it simply, John Lackey was awful but lucky. He allowed 8 runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings, but he didn't lose. He was relieved with a scoreless 1 1/3 innings by Scott Atchison, then 2/3 of one-run ball by Franklin Morales. Matt Albers threw a scoreless 2/3 and Michael Bowden threw 2 scoreless innings. Jacoby Ellsbury (left) had a great game, going 3-6 with 3 runs and 2 RBI, including the inside-the-park home run as he is now .319/28/98. Marco Scutaro had an equally good game, going 3-5 with 3 runs and 2 RBIs, as he is now .298/6/51. Adrian Gonzalez helped the batting average, going 3-3 and scoring a run. Dustin Pedroia had an awesome game, going 3-4 with 2 runs and 4 RBIs, as he is now .300/20/88. David Ortiz had a great game as well, going 2-4 with 2 runs and an RBI. Jed Lowrie went 2-5 with 3 runs and 4 RBI, including a very important 3-run homer, as he is now .254/5/35. Conor Jackson only went 1-4, but that one hit was pretty big as the grand slam now makes him .245/5/43 on the season, and .143/1/5 with the Red Sox. Even Darnell McDonald had a good day, going 2-5 and scoring a run. Tonight, Erik Bedard (5-9/3.50/119) will face his former team, and specifically, Rick VandenHurk (0-0/6.00/3).

Bright Spots:
Scott Atchison- 1 1/3 scoreless innings
Michael Bowden- 2 scoreless innings
Jacoby Ellsbury- 3-6 with 3 runs and 2 RBI, including an inside-the-parker
Marco Scutaro- 3-5 with 3 runs and 2 RBI
Adrian Gonzalez- 3-3 and scored a run
Dustin Pedroia- 3-4 with 3 runs and 4 RBIs
David Ortiz- 2-4 with 2 runs and an RBI
Jed Lowrie- 2-5 with 3 runs and 4 RBI, including a 3-run homer
Conor Jackson- 1-4 with a grand slam
Darnell McDonald- 2-5 with a run scored

Dull Spots:
John Lackey- 8 runs in 4 1/3 innings
Jason Varitek- 0-4 with 4 strikeouts

This was an awesome game offensively, but John Lackey....

The Rays Are Really Beginning To Scare Me (86-63)

Last night was a bad game, as the Sox fell to the Rays in a game that was just not fun at all. With runners at 1st and 2nd in the 3rd inning for the Rays, B.J. Upton hit a soft ground ball to shortstop. The only problem was that he broke his bat, and part of it flew and almost hit Marco Scutaro so he dodged the bat... and the ball... and a run came in to score. The next batter, Evan Longoria, would lock up the game right there by hitting a 3-run homer to right-center to make it 4-0. In the bottom of the 3rd, the Sox loaded the bases with 1 out, and Adrian Gonzalez grounded to first base to score a run and make it 4-1. Two batters after Johnny Damon was hit by a pitch in the 6th inning, Casey Kotchman belted a 2-run homer to right center to make it 6-1. Then in the next inning, B.J. Upton knocked a 2-run shot over the green monster to make it 8-1. Later in the inning, after a walk and a single, Casey Kotchman drove another run in with a single. With runners at 1st and 3rd and two outs (Jose Iglesias had his first major league hit!), Darnell McDonald drove in a run to make it 9-2.
        Kyle Weiland was very good for the first two innings, but then he totally lost it and was only able to go 3 innings, allowing 4 runs. Then came a pair of good innings by Trever Miller and Scott Atchison. However, then Franklin Morales allowed 2 runs in an inning and Matt Albers allowed 3 in 1/3 of an inning. Andrew Miller relieved them with 1 2/3 scoreless innings and Michael Bowden threw a scoreless inning. David Ortiz was more or less our only offensive bright spot, as he went 2-2 before he was taken out to give him a break. Marco Scutaro was also decent, going 2-3. Tonight, the Sox will look to maybe.... beat the Rays? With Josh Beckett (12-5/2.49/155) going against James Shields (15-10/2.70/210).

Bright Spots:
Trever Miller- a scoreless inning, getting the Sox out of a jam
Scott Atchison- a scoreless inning
Andrew Miller- 1 2/3 scoreless inning
Michael Bowden- a scoreless inning
David Ortiz- 2-2
Marco Scutaro- 2-3

Dull Spots:
Kyle Weiland- 4 runs in 3 innings
Franklin Morales- 2 runs in an inning
Matt Albers- 3 runs in 1/3 of an inning
Jacoby Ellsbury- 0-4 with a strikeout and 3 LOB
Dustin Pedroia- 0-3 with a strikeout and an LOB
Kevin Youkilis- 0-3 with 2 strikeouts and 5 LOB

Not a good game, and I'm beginning to panic.

This Game, Well... Kinda Sucked (83-54)

This was a bad game, I actually don't really want to blog it, but I feel it is my duty. Andrew Miller allowed two straight walks to open up the ballgame, and after Josh Hamilton struck out, Michael Young hit an RBI single to make it 1-0. Then Adrian Beltre hit a sacrifice fly to center which allowed another run to score. After singles by Yorvit Torrealba and David Murphy, and a bunt by Craig Gentry; Ian Kinsler knocked a 3-run homer to left to make it 5-0. Later in the inning, two walks and a single loaded the bases for the Rangers, and when Mike Napoli walked it became 6-0. Elvis Andrus singled to lead off the 4th, he stole second and later in the inning came in on a single by Adrian Beltre. In the 5th, David Murphy hit a solo home run to make it 8-0 and then later in the inning, a 2-run homer by Elvis Andrus would, mercifully, end the scoring and make it 10-0.
     Andrew Miller was awful, just awful, allowing 6 runs and walking 4 in just 1 1/3 innings. Michael Bowden was good, allowing just 1 run in 2 2/3 innings, and Matt Albers was terrible, allowing 3 runs in an inning. Tim Wakefield was very good in relief, though, tossing 4 shutout innings and allowing just 3 hits. Adrian Gonzalez went 1-2, the other hit in the ballgame was Jacoby Ellsbury, who went 1-4. This was a terrible game. Today, Erik Bedard (4-9/3.45/113) will pitch against Colby Lewis (11-9/4.19/140).

Bright Spots:
Michael Bowden- 1 run in 2 2/3 innings
Tim Wakefield- 4 shutout innings, wow!
Adrian Gonzalez- 1-2

Dull Spots:
Everybody else

This was probably the worst game we've played all year.

Red Sox Lose Game, Series, To Padres (44-30)

I'm sorry I couldn't post yesterday, but the Red Sox lost 5-4, and today they allowed 5 runs for the 3rd straight game in a 5-1 loss to the Padres. The Padres got rolling immediately on a leadoff homer by Will Venable in the 1st inning. With the bases loaded in the 4th, the Padres struck again with a walk to Will Venable. After that, Lackey hit former Ray Jason Bartlett (success?) to make it 3-0. In the next at-bat, a wild pitch and a single for Chase Headley pushed it to 5-0. In the 5th inning, Jacoby Ellsbury ran home on a single by Adrian Gonzalez to make it 5-1, the final.

John Lackey was not sharp, allowing 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings, earning the loss and becoming 5-6/7.36/34. Michael Bowden threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, Matt Albers threw 2 scoreless innings, and Dan Wheeler threw a scoreless inning. Dustin Pedroia did a good job of reaching base, going 2-3 with a walk. Adrian Gonzalez had a great game against his old team, going 4-4 with an RBI single, as he is now .359/15/69. Kevin Youkilis went 2-4. After a day off tomorrow, the Sox will head to Pittsburgh, sending Jon Lester (9-3/3.70/95) against Paul Maholm (3-8/3.29/61).

Bright Spots:

Michael Bowden- 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief

Matt Albers- 2 innings of scoreless relief

Dan Wheeler- a scoreless inning of relief

Dustin Pedroia- 2-3 with a walk

Adrian Gonzalez- 4-4 with an RBI

Kevin Youkilis- 2-4

Dull Spots:

John Lackey- 5 runs in 3 1/3 innings, ouch!

David Ortiz- 0-3 with 7 runners left on base!

I am unhappy that the Sox dropped a series to the Padres but hopefully they can turn it around.

Red Sox Fall On Rough Start By Lester (30-24)

Last night, the Red Sox suffered a tough 7-3 loss to the White Sox, where they tied the game after an early deficit but couldn't hold on. In the 1st inning, the White Sox loaded the bases with only one out to start the game. A.J. Pierzynski immediately delivered with a bouncing single up the middle, scoring Alexei Ramirez and Carlos Quentin to make it 2-0 early on. In the bottom of the 1st, the Red Sox got one back as Adrian Gonzalez knocked a shot to right field for his 10th homer of the year. In the 3rd inning, Paul Konerko hit a home run over the green monster to make it 3-1 White Sox. In the bottom of the 3rd, however, the Red Sox put runners on second and third with one out. After grinding out a long at-bat with Jake Peavy, Dustin Pedroia delivered with a single up the middle to make it 3-3. Then in the 6th inning, we lost control of the game as the White Sox loaded the bases with two outs. Alexei Ramirez blooped a ball down the first base line just out of Adrian Gonzalez' reach, which would fall for a double and score two. Then Carlos Quentin singled up the middle, scoring another two and making it 7-3 White Sox.

Jon Lester (top right) was not very good at all, allowing 7 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings, earning a loss and making him 7-2/3.94/74. Dan Wheeler threw 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief and Michael Bowden threw 2, but it was not enough. Dustin Pedroia only went 1-4, but he had that clutch two-run single, and he is now .243/4/18. Adrian Gonzalez went 2-4 with that long home run to right, as he is now .332/10/36, as he's been great all year. David Ortiz did a good job of getting on base, going 2-3 with a walk, and raising that average to .306. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, the bottom half on the order did not even get a hit, as the last 4 people went a combined 0-13 with a walk. Tonight, Alfredo Aceves (2-0/2.22/17) and Phillip Humber (3-3/2.85/33) will square off in Fenway.

Bright Spots:

Dan Wheeler- 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief

Michael Bowden- 2 innings of scoreless relief

Dustin Pedroia- 1-4 with a clutch 2-run single

Adrian Gonzalez- 2-4 with a solo home run

David Ortiz- 2-3 with a walk

Dull Spots:

Jon Lester- a loss with 7 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings

Carl Crawford- 0-4 with a strikeout and 5 runners left on base

Drew Sutton- 0-3 with a strikeout and 2 runners left on base

J.D. Drew- 0-3

Jarrod Saltalamcchia- 0-3 with a run scored

Ok guys, not the time for the losing streak, we're back to a tie for first place at 30-24.