2004 Relived, Red Sox Get To Rivera, Win In Extras (70-43)

Last night, the Red Sox and Yankees played a heck of a game, as the Sox won 3-2 in the 10th inning to take 1st place. In the 2nd inning, the Red Sox loaded the bases on a walk and two hits with nobody out. However, the next two batters, Jason Varitek and Josh Reddick each got out before a Marco Scutaro line drive into right field made it 1-0. In the 5th, Eduardo Nunez crushed a home run to left field over the monster to tie it up at 1-1. In the 7th, another Yankees homer, this one by Brett Gardner made it 2-1. In the 9th, Marco Scutaro doubled to lead off the inning, and a Jacoby Ellsbury bunt put him at 3rd base with just one out. Dustin Pedroia obliged and hit a fly ball deep, and Scutaro was able to tag up and tie the game at 2-2. In the 10th, David Ortiz doubled with one out, and after Phil Hughes intentionally walked Carl Crawford, Josh Reddick came through with a drive to left with Gardner was unable to reach, and the Sox won!

Josh Beckett was very good, allowing 1 earned run in 6 innings, as he is now 9-4/2.17/127. He was relieved with Matt Albers for 2/3 of an inning (gave up 1 run), Franklin Morales for 1/3, then Dan Wheeler, Jonathan Papelbon, and Daniel Bard (got the win) for 1 inning. Dustin Pedroia had a good game, going 1-3 with an RBI. David Ortiz went 2-4. Carl Crawford went 3-4 and raised his average to .260, as he's been really hot lately. Josh Reddick had a god-awful day, going 1-5 and stranding 6 runners, but I suppose since he got the walk-off hit he's a bright spot as well. Marco Scutaro had a great day as well, going 4-4 with a run and an RBI, as he is now .272/5/24. Tomorrow, the Sox will head to Minneapolis and will send Tim Wakefield (6-4/4.99/58) to get his 200th win against Scott Baker (8-6/3.01/115).

Bright Spots:

Josh Beckett- pitched very well allowing just 1 run over 6 innings

Dan Wheeler, Jonathan Papelbon, and Daniel Bard- 3 combined scoreless innings

Dustin Pedroia- 1-3 with an RBI

David Ortiz- 2-4

Carl Crawford- 3-4

Josh Reddick- 1-5 with the walk-off hit, despite stranding 6 runners

Marco Scutaro- 4-4 with a run and an RBI

Dull Spots:

Jacoby Ellsbury- 0-4 with 8 LOB

Adrian Gonzalez- 0-5

Kevin Youkilis- 0-4 with a strikeout

Jason Varitek- 0-3 with 6 LOB

This was an exciting game, and we're back in 1st place!

Ortiz Upset About His Contract Situation

I can't imagine the Red Sox without David Ortiz, he has been there ever since I started watching Red Sox baseball and I have just loved watching him. Obviously he feels the same way, as he is upset with the team's management about the lack of contract talks with their slugger. Ortiz, a career .281 hitter, is having another great season as the Red Sox designated hitter, batting a solid .286/21/71. Ortiz has been wildly successful since coming to the Red Sox, his worst season coming in 2009, when he finished at a respectable .238/28/99. His best seasons came from 2003-2007, when he was regarded as one of the best hitters in the game. After two down years in 2008 and 2009, he made a comeback last year, winning the Sox.Rox Player of the Year Award, going .270/32/102. However, so far Theo Epstein and the Red Sox have apparently made no move to sign him to a long-term extension after activating his $12.5 million option for 2011 this offseason. I have no doubts that the Red Sox will try to resign Papi to a deal this offseason, and I would love to see him back in a Red Sox uniform.

Ellsbury Drives In Six As Sox Pound Yanks (69-43)

Today, the Sox pounded the Yankees 10-4 in a game where the Sox dominated on all aspects of the game. The Red Sox put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1 out in the 3rd inning, and Jacoby Ellsbury drove one in with a sacrifice fly. It then became 2-0 as Dustin Pedroia doubled to left field. However, the Yankees got those back as they loaded the bases to start the 4th. Nick Swisher drove in a run on a 4-6-3 double play and Eric Chavez drove in another on a single to left making it 2-2. In the bottom of the 4th, the Red Sox put runners at 1st and 3rd with 1 out. A single by Carl Crawford scored a run and made it 3-2. The Red Sox soon scored another on a single by Marco Scutaro to make it 4-2. The next batter, Jacoby Ellsbury, then made the Yankees forget about winning this one as he crushed a 3-run homer to right, making it 7-2. In the 5th, Francisco Cervelli scored on a single by Derek Jeter to make it 7-3. In the 8th, it became 7-4 as Mark Teixeira hit a home run to right field to cut the lead further. However, in the bottom of the 8th, the Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs and after a Marco Scutaro popup, it was Ellsbury again, singling in two and making it 9-4. A sacrifice fly by Dustin Pedroia then extended the lead to 10-4.

John Lackey was pretty good, allowing 3 runs in 6 innings, as he is now 10-8/6.14/76. In relief, Alfredo Aceves pitched a scoreless inning, Daniel Bard allowed a run in an inning, and Dan Wheeler pitched a scoreless inning. Jacoby Ellsbury (left) had a great game, going 2-4 with 6 RBIs, 3 on a home run, and a run scored, as he is now .321/19/72, as he is definitely having an MVP-caliber season.

Dustin Pedroia also had a pretty good game, going 1-4 with 2 RBIs. Carl Crawford also had a very good game, going 4-4 with 3 runs and an RBI as he is now .254/7/38, as he is not having a great year. Marco Scutaro went 1-3 with a run and an RBI. In the rubber match tomorrow night, the Sox will send Josh Beckett (9-4/2.20/122) up against Freddy Garcia (10-7/3.22/80) in a must-win game.

Bright Spots:

John Lackey- he was pretty sharp with 3 runs in 6 innings

Alfredo Aceves- a scoreless inning

Dan Wheeler- a scoreless inning

Jacoby Ellsbury- 2-4 with a homer and 6 RBIs in an awesome game

Dustin Pedroia- 1-4 with 2 RBIs

Carl Crawford- 4-4 with 3 runs and an RBI

Marco Scutaro- 1-3 with a run and an RBI

Dull Spots:

Daniel Bard- a run in an inning

David Ortiz- 0-4 with 2 strikeouts and 3 LOB

This was a great game for the Sox, and they need a win tomorrow to reclaim 1st place!

Lester In Too Long, Red Sox Fall (68-43)

Last night was a really bad game for the Red Sox, as they were leading up until the Yankees had one good inning, and lost because of it. After Josh Reddick singled in the 3rd, Jacoby Ellsbury whacked a double off the center field part of the green monster to make it 1-0. In the 4th, the Sox extended their lead to 2-0 when David Ortiz belted a home run way into the bleachers. However, in the 6th, the Yankees put runners at 1st and 2nd to start the inning. Curtis Granderson promptly blooped a single to left field to put the Yankees on the board at 2-1. Soon after, Robinson Cano grounded into a double play, but the run still scored and made it 2-2. Nick Swisher then hit a ground-rule double to left field where Granderson scored and made it 3-2 Yankees.

Jon Lester was very good through the first 5 innings, but he broke down in the 6th, and overall allowed 3 runs in 6 innings. He is now 11-5/3.23/131, as he is having a good season. Matt Albers pitched very well in relief, throwing 2 scoreless innings. Randy Williams then threw 2/3 of a scoreless inning and Alfredo Aceves threw the other 1/3. Jacoby Ellsbury went 1-3 with an RBI double in a pretty good day. David Ortiz only went 1-4, but he had that big home run and is now .289/21/71, as he has been really good this year. Carl Crawford also had a rare good day, going 2-4 with a double. Josh Reddick also went 2-4, but both hits were singles, as he has been phenomenal. Tonight, the Red Sox and John Lackey (9-8/6.23/71) will try to reclaim first place against C.C. Sabathia (16-5/255/162).

Bright Spots:

Jon Lester- 3 runs in 6 innings, but he pitched much better than that

Matt Albers- 2 shutout innings of relief

Jacoby Ellsbury- 1-3 with an RBI double

David Ortiz- 1-4 with a solo home run

Carl Crawford- 2-4 with a double

Josh Reddick- 2-4

Dull Spots:

Adrian Gonzalez- ended his 13-game hitting streak with an 0-4, 3 LOB night

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 0-4 with a strikeout and 2 LOB

Marco Scutaro- 0-3 with 2 LOB

This was a really tough game for the Sox, and they really need to win tonight.

Bedard Not Bad, But Sox Split Series (68-42)

Last night was a tough loss, as Erik Bedard was not bad in his Sox debut, but we still lost 7-3 due to some shaky bullpen work. After Jacoby Ellsbury reached second with one out in the 1st inning, Adrian Gonzalez hit a long fly ball off the center field portion of the green monster to score him and make it 1-0. David Ortiz promptly singled him home to make it 2-0 in the 1st. However, the Indians retaliated in the 2nd, putting runners on 1st and 3rd to start the inning, an infield single by Matt LaPorta and an RBI groundout by Austin Kearns made it 2-2. The Indians put runners at 1st and 3rd again in the 3rd, and Carlos Santana blooped a single to right field, scoring a run to make it 3-2. In the 4th, Josh Reddick tied it with a solo home run into the bullpen, making it 3-3. However, when Erik Bedard left, in the 6th, all hell broke loss as Travis Hafner doubled to deep center to lead off the inning and Carlos Santana homered to center to make it 5-3. With Asdrubal Cabrera on 1st, Travis Hafner again hit a double, this time bringing him in in the 7th, to make it 6-3. In the 9th, Asdrubal Cabrera again scored on a double, this time by Kosuke Fukudome.

Erik Bedard was not bad, as despite allowed 3 runs and 7 hits, he also struck out 5 in 5 innings, and he threw three 1-2-3 innings, he is now 4-7/3.55/92. In relief, Franklin Morales allowed 2 runs in 1/3 of an inning, and Alfredo Aceves threw a scoreless 2/3. Andrew Miller then allowed 2 runs in 2 2/3 innings, and Dan Wheeler threw a scoreless 1/3. Jacoby Ellsbury went 2-3 with a run, but he couldn't manage to be the hero again. Adrian Gonzalez went 1-4 with an RBI double and a run scored. Josh Reddick (left) went 1-4 with a solo home run, as he is now .338/5/22. Tonight, the Yankees will come to town for a crucial series for 1st place and the Sox will send Jon Lester (11-4/3.17/124) against Bartolo Colon (8-6/3.30/98).

Bright Spots:

Erik Bedard- despite 2 bad innings, he was very sharp in the other 3

Jacoby Ellsbury- 2-3 with a run scored

Adrian Gonzalez- 1-4 with a run and an RBI on a double

David Ortiz- 1-3 with an RBI

Josh Reddick- 1-4 with a solo home run

Dull Spots:

Franklin Morales- the loss with 2 runs in 1/3 of an inning

Andrew Miller- 2 runs in 2 2/3 innings

Dustin Pedroia- 0-4 with a strikeout and 3 runners left on base

Kevin Youkilis- 0-4 with a strikeout

Carl Crawford- 0-4 with 2 runners left on base

Jason Varitek- 0-4 with 3 runners left on base and 3 strikeouts, ouch!

Marco Scutaro- 0-4 with a strikeout

Everyone Ready For Erik Bedard?

Hi there, I know it's unlike me to make pre-game posts, but I found this one necessary. The past two years that I have been blogging (2009, 2010), I have been away at camp for the Trading Deadline. This year, however, I was there for it and I witnessed Erik Bedard coming over to the Red Sox at right about 4:00. Tonight will be Bedard's Red Sox debut and I'm really excited, as I haven't actually watched Bedard since he was an Oriole in 2007. I remember watching one game where it was Orioles vs. Yankees and he struck out the first 4 Yankees in the ballgame and tossed a gem. That game elevated my expectations of Bedard as I began to think he was one of the best pitchers in baseball (2007 was the first year I really watched baseball). I live in Virginia, and had not yet bought the MLB package with which I could watch all Sox games and inspired me to write this blog. I could only watch Orioles and Nationals games so in the offseason when Bedard was traded to Seattle for George Sherrill and Adam Jones I was sad. Even though those two became playmakers for the Orioles (The O's are my 2nd favorite team by the way), I was sad to see Bedard go, especially because he missed about 1 1/2 months at the end of 2007. The years went by and I didn't really expect to see Bedard again until I saw that the Red Sox were interested in him a little over a week ago. That changed quickly from "interested" to "all over him" to "Red Sox Acquire Erik Bedard in 3 Team Deal." Even though I realize we'll only have him for about 2 months (not counting playoffs) and we'll be lucky to get 10 starts, I'll be happy to see him again. I hope everybody else is as ready as I am to see Erik Bedard!

Ellsbury the Hero Again; This Time, Touches 'em All (68-41)

Last night was another walk-off win, and another by Ellsbury as the Sox beat the Indians 4-3 to hold on to the AL East lead. After two quick outs in the 1st inning, a single by Adrian Gonzalez and a double by Kevin Youkilis put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. David Ortiz delivered with a line drive through to left field that scored both runners with an wrror for Austin Kearns (only 1 RBI for Papi) to make it 2-0. In the 4th inning, a leadoff homer by Jason Kipnis cut it to 2-1. Then an Asdrubal Cabrera single and a double down the right field line by Travis Hafner made it 2-2. However, the Red Sox juiced the bases in the bottom of the 4th, and a Marco Scutaro groundout netted them another lead at 3-2. It stayed 3-2 until the 7th, when after a leadoff double by Lonnie Chisenhall, Ezequiel Carrera knocked a ground-rule double into right field to tie it up at 3-3. In the 9th, Darnell McDonald and Marco Scutaro were out to lead off the inning and it left Jacoby Ellsbury up against righty Joe Smith. Smith threw a fastball outside and low and Ellsbury's wonderful uppercut swing crushed it into the center field bleachers.

Tim Wakefield was so close, he almost got win #200, and he pitched really well, allowing 3 runs in 6 2/3 innings, but it wasn't enough as he is now 6-4/4.99/58. Randy Williams with 1 1/3 scoreless innings and Jonathan Papelbon with a scoreless inning, were each very good and Papelbon got the win in his 2nd straight night. Jacoby Ellsbury went 1-5 again, but again he gets mentioned for that walk-off homer, he is now .317/18/65. Dustin Pedroia went 2-4 and Adrian Gonzalez went 2-4 with a run scored. David Ortiz went 1-3 with a run and an RBI in a good game for him. Josh Reddick went 2-2 with a walk before being pinch-hit for with Darnell McDonald (for some reason). Tonight, Erik Bedard (4-7/3.45/87 with the Mariners) will make his Red Sox debut against former Red Sox Justin Masterson (8-7/2.56/112).

Bright Spots:

Tim Wakefield- despite falling short of win #200 he pitched very well

Randy Williams- 1 1/3 scoreless innings

Jonathan Papelbon- a scoreless inning

Jacoby Ellsbury- despite only going 1-5 he hit a walk-off homer

Dustin Pedroia- 2-4

Adrian Gonzalez- 2-4 with a run scored

David Ortiz- 1-3 with a run and an RBI

Josh Reddick- 2-2 with a walk

Dull Spots:

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 0-4 with 3 strikeouts and 3 runners left on base

Marco Scutaro- 0-4 with 4 runners left on base and an RBI

This was another great game, and the Sox are walking off on a daily basis now!

Ellsbury, Salty Come Through In The Clutch To Win It (67-41)

Last night, the Red Sox played a great game against the Indians, as after a 1 hour, 35 minute rain delay, the game lasted until midnight, and I was there the whole time. In the 1st, the Indians took a quick lead on a solo homer by Jason Kipnis to make it 1-0. With the bases loaded in the 2nd, however, Jason Varitek struck out but the ball got away from the catcher and David Ortiz rushed home. However, in the 4th, Lonnie Chisenall put one in the seats to make it 2-1. But the Sox got that back as well, as in the 6th, Kevin Youkilis crushed a home run over the green monster. By the 9th inning, the Red Sox were playing at around midnight and I was getting pretty tired. There were runners at 1st and 2nd and my head was nodding so I picked up my guitar to occupy myself in some way. As I began to play the chorus of "Dirty Water," Jacoby Ellsbury lined a ball into center field and Jarrod Saltalamacchia raced around third, barely scoring the run and giving the Sox a 3-2 win!

Josh Beckett (left) pitched pretty well, allowing 2 runs in 6 innings, as he is now 9-4/2.20/122. Franklin Morales, who was lights out, relieved him with two shutout innings, a huge asset in the win as he has been a respectable 0-0/3.94/15 in 16 innings since coming to Boston. Jonathan Papelbon got the win in a scoreless ninth inning, making his record 3-0. Despite getting that key hit in the 9th, Jacoby Ellsbury only went 1-5, but he still deserves to be mentioned. Dustin Pedroia went 2-4, and is now batting .312 this season. Kevin Youkilis went 1-4 with that solo home run as he is now at .275/16/76 for the year. Tonight, Tim Wakefield (6-4/5.06/52) will go for #200 against Carlos Carrasco (8-9/4.67/80).

Bright Spots:

Josh Beckett- 2 runs in 6 innings in a good start

Franklin Morales- 2 shutout innings from the bullpen, striking out 3

Jonathan Papelbon- the win in a scoreless inning

Jacoby Ellsbury- the walk-off single, need I say more?

Dustin Pedroia- 2-4

Kevin Youkilis- 1-4 with a solo homer

Dull Spots:

Carl Crawford- 0-4 with 2 strikeouts and 3 runners left on base

Darnell McDonald- 0-2 with 2 runners left on base

This was an awesome game and I'm really glad I watched it!

Game Gets Away From Bard In The 8th (66-41)

Last night, the Red Sox played a really tough game against the Sox where we just couldn't hold on. The Sox took an early lead in the 2nd on an RBI single by Marco Scutaro, making it 1-0. However, the Indians got it back on an RBI double by Michael Brantley to tie it up. In the bottom of the 3rd, and Adrian Gonzalez on 1st, Kevin Youkilis tripled to center to make it 2-1. Later in the inning, a solo homer by Carl Crawford made it 3-1. In the 4th, Asdrubal Cabrera scored on a forceout by Kosuke Fukudome. In the 6th, Jason Kipnis doubled to right with one out, and the next batter Asdrubal Cabrera homered to right to make it 4-3. The next batter, Travis Hafner, then went back-to-back with him as he crushed another homer to make it 5-3. In the bottom of the 6th, with Carl Crawford on 2nd, Jarrod Saltalamacchia homered around the pesky pole on a broken bat to tie it up. After Jason Kipnis singled to lead off the 8th, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a deep drive to right which hit off the fence for a single; or so it would seem, the play was overturned as a home run to makeit 7-5. Later in the inning, an RBI double by Matt LaPorta hit an RBI single to make it 8-5. In the 9th, Jason Kipnis lifted a high fly ball to right that just got over Josh Reddick's glove for a home run, making it 9-5. In the bottom of the 9th, the Red Sox got two outs quickly before Mike Aviles lined a ball to right and stole second. Jacoby Ellsbury then hit a ground-rule double down the left field line to cut the lead to 9-6.

John Lackey was not terribly good or bad, as he allowed 5 runs in 6 2/3 innings, he is now 9-8/6.23/71. Franklin Morales tossed a scoreless 1/3 of an inning, Daniel Bard allowed 3 runs in another third inning. Randy Williams allowed no runs in 2/3 of an inning, and Matt Albers allowed one run. Dustin Pedroia went 2-5, raising his average to .310. Kevin Youkilis had a good game, going 2-4 with an RBI on his 2nd triple of the year. Carl Crawford had a pretty good day, going 2-4 with 2 runs and a solo home run, as he is now .248/7/37. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (left) also had a good game, going 2-4 with 2 runs and a 2-run homer as he is now .265/10/36. Tonight, Josh Beckett (9-4/2.17/115) and David Huff (1-1/0.71/9) will square off.

Bright Spots:

Dustin Pedroia- 2-5

Kevin Youkilis- 2-4 with an RBI triple

Carl Crawford- 2-4 with 2 runs and an RBI

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 2-4 with 2 runs and a 2-run homer

Marco Scutaro/Mike Aviles- 2-4 with a run and an RBI

Dull Spots:

Daniel Bard- 3 runs, 2 earned in 1/3 of an inning

David Ortiz- 0-4 with 2 runners left on base

Last night was a tough game, and I hope they rebound tonight.

Buchholz Probably Out For Season

Well, the Bedard trade is looking like a very good move right about now as we've heard that Clay Buchholz is probably out for the rest of the 2011 season. He was put on the DL on June 17 with a back strain but the news has gotten consistently worse as apparently he now has a stress fracture. Buchholz was having a pretty good year at 6-3/3.48/60 before his injury, however, it was still a major drop-off from 2010's 17-7/2.33/120 stats. A healthy Buchholz would have been, in Theo Epstein's words, "The best acquisition that we could have gotten at the trade deadline." However, since it looks like that won't happen, it's good that he went out and got Erik Bedard from the Mariners. A playoff rotation of Beckett, Lester, Bedard, and Lackey would probably be able to get it done in the playoffs, at least compared the New York's rotation of Sabathia, Burnett, Colon, and Garcia. However, the Phillies' Halladay, Lee, Hamels, and Oswalt/Worley would be clearly dominant. This move is definitely going to affect the Red Sox season, and not in a good way.