Red Sox Salvage Series, Avoid Sweep (46-34)

Today the Red Sox avoided a sweep at the hands of the Phillies in a 5-2 win. The Red Sox took their first lead of the day in the 5th inning on RBI singles by Drew Sutton and Jacoby Ellsbury to make it 2-0. In the 6th, Jason Varitek knocked a solo home run to give the Sox a 3-0 lead. In the top of the 8th the Red Sox took a 5-0 lead on back-to-back home runs by Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek, Varitek's second home run of the day. In the 9th, the Phillies scored their only runs of the day on a 2-run homer by Ryan Howard to make it 5-2, but that was it.

Jon Lester (top right) pitched very well, allowing just 2 hits in 7 shutout innings. He rightly earned the win and is now 10-4/3.43/105 as he is having a great year. Daniel Bard pitched a scoreless inning before Bobby Jenks allowed Howard's homer, recording 1 out. Jonathan Papelbon earned his 15th save of the year afterwards. Jacoby Ellsbury had a great game, going 3-5 with an RBI, as he is now .300/9/40. Dustin Pedroia only went 1-5, but his one hit was a big one as it was his 7th home run of the season. Jason Varitek (left) had a very good game, going 2-4 with 2 solo home runs, as he is now .248/5/17. Josh Reddick went 2-4 and scored a run, as he is on a tear, batting .444. Drew Sutton went 2-4 with a run and an RBI as he is .310/0/6 as he's been good when called upon. Marco Scutaro went 2-4. Tomorrow, the Sox head to Houston and will send Tim Wakefield (4-3/4.54/33) against Bud Norris (4-6/3.36/100) and the Astros.

Bright Spots:

Jon Lester- 7 shutout innings and the win

Daniel Bard- a scoreless inning

Jonathan Papelbon- his 15th save

Jacoby Ellsbury- 3-5 with an RBI

Jason Varitek- 2-4 with 2 solo home runs

Josh Reddick- 2-4 with a run

Drew Sutton- 2-4 with a run and an RBI

Marco Scutaro- 2-4

Dull Spots:

Bobby Jenks- 2 runs in 1/3 of an inning

Darnell McDonald- 0-3 with 3 runners left on base

Adrian Gonzalez- 0-4 with 2 strikeouts

This was a good game for the Sox and they played really well.

No More Mike Cameron (Silent Cheer)

Today the Red Sox designated 4th outfielder Mike Cameron for assignment. Before the 2010 season, they signed Cameron for 2 years and $15.5 million, but the deal never worked out. He was injured for most of last season, and wound up going .259/4/15 in 48 games. Despite being healthy this year, he has been even worse, going .149/3/9. I will not attack Theo Epstein because this was a good move at the time, as he had batted .250/24/70 the previous season along with great defense. The Red Sox called Yamaico Navarro up from Pawtucket to take his roster spot in his first MLB stint of the year after going .143/0/5 in 20 games last year. This was a brave move for Theo, but I think he did the right thing, Cameron just wasn't producing.

Once Again, Red Sox Cannot Hit, Fall To Phillies (45-34)

First off, I'm sorry I couldn't post yesterday, I had no connection, but the night before last the Sox lost 5-0. Last night was a tough loss for the Sox as well as they fell 2-1 to the Phillies. In the 2nd inning, the Phillies got a lead on an RBI single by Raul Ibanez, scoring Shane Victorino. However, in the 5th, the Sox tied it up with a long RBI double by none other than John Lackey. In the 7th, however, the Phillies broke the tie with a home run by Raul Ibanez to make it 2-1.

John Lackey pitched very well, going 7 2/3 innings, allowing only 2 runs. He earned the loss because of a lack of run support and is now 5-7/6.81/43 this year. Franklin Morales relieved him with a scoreless third of an inning. Josh Reddick (my man) had a good game, going 2-3 and scoring a run as he has been streaking lately. John Lackey, however, was better than anyone with the bat, hitting an RBI double to the warning track, going 1-3. Tonight will be a great matchup as Jon Lester (9-4/3.66/100) and Cole Hamels (9-4/2.49/108) will square off in the City of Brotherly Love.

Bright Spots:

John Lackey- 2 runs in 7 2/3 innings along with going 1-3 with an RBI double

Josh Reddick- 2-3 with a run scored

Dull Spots:

Jacoby Ellsbury- 0-4 with 2 runners left on base

Kevin Youkilis- 0-3

David Ortiz- 0-4 with a strikeout and 2 runners left on base

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 0-3 with 2 strikeouts

Marco Scutaro- 0-3 with 3 runners left on base

This was a good game, but it did not go our way at all.

Why Josh Reddick Should Be Starting

The Red Sox basically have two weaknesses. One of them is catcher, which is actually improving as Jarrod Saltalamacchia heats up at the plate. The other is right field, which has been a fairly unstable position ever since Trot Nixon left in 2006. J.D. Drew has been fairly consistent over the years, but this year he has just been bad, going .232/4/18 in 62 games this year. He is still a good fielder in the tough right field of Fenway Park but defense is not enough. Unfortunately his immediate replacements have not been much better, with Darnell McDonald getting outmatched at the plate by his cousin James (pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates) and Mike Cameron not doing much better at .154/3/9 in 32 games and 91 at bats. In my opinion, the answer is from the farm system, Josh Reddick. Reddick has been up and down from Boston and Pawtucket since 2009, and has never really found his niche. However, this year, some improved features have him batting at a remarkable .414/1/9 in 12 games. Please vote on my poll on the right sidebar and tell me if you agree with me.

Weekly News

This was not a great week for the Red Sox, they went 2-4, dropping series to the Pirates and Padres. Adrian Gonzalez (right), however, had a great week, going .500/1/7. He batted .500, 13-26! Gonzalez is having a great season, as he is now .361/16/71, leading the AL in just about every offensive category. The pitcher of the week was Andrew Miller, who went 1-0/3.09/10 in 2 starts this week, as the Red Sox' trainers have done wonders with him. The Game of the Week was Tuesday (6/20/11), as the Sox broke a 3-3 deadlock in the 7th inning, to win the game 14-5. The performance of the week was Adrian Gonzalez on the afore-mentioned date, as he went 3-5 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs in a great game. I really hope that the Sox can turn it around next week. However, on a more serious note, this is my last Weekly News before I go to camp for 2 weeks. So, be expecting the annual Triple Weekly News on July 16, which can put a leading player way ahead in the Player of the Year standings, or give a new player a good shot at it.

Sox Avoid Sweep, End Skid At Four (45-32)

Today, the Red Sox played a good game, beating the Pirates 4-2 to end their losing skid at 4 games. The Red Sox took their first lead in the 4th, when Jarrod Saltalamacchia came home on a throw into the stands by Andrew McCutchen to make it 1-0. However, in the bottom half, the Pirates tied it on a sacrifice fly by Ronny Cedeno (great catch by Ellsbury!). In the 5th, the Pirates took a lead on an RBI single by Andrew McCutchen to make it 2-1. In the 6th, Kevin Youkilis came in to tie the game on a sacrifice fly by Josh Reddick. In the 7th, the Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs. An RBI groundout by Dustin Pedroia and a sacrifice fly by Kevin Youkilis were enough to give the Sox a 4-2 lead.

Andrew Miller (top right) was very good in his 2nd start with the Sox, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned in 6 innings. He earned the win, and he is now 1-0/3.09/10. Alfredo Aceves, Daniel Bard, and Jonathan Papelbon each threw a scoreless inning of relief. Adrian Gonzalez went 2-3 with a walk, raising his average to a remarkable .361. Kevin Youkilis also had a good game, going 1-3 with a run and an RBI. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (left) went 1-3 with a runs scored. After an off day Monday, on Tuesday the Sox head to Philly for a marquee matchup with Josh Beckett (6-2/1.86/79) and Cliff Lee (8-5/2.87/114).

Bright Spots:

Andrew Miller- 1 earned run and a win in 6 innings

Alfredo Aceves- a scoreless inning

Daniel Bard- a scoreless inning

Jonathan Papelbon- his 14th save with a scoreless inning

Adrian Gonzalez- 2-3 with a walk

Kevin Youkilis- 1-3 with a run and an RBI

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 1-3 with a run scored

Dull Spots:

Darnell McDonald- 0-4 with 8 freaking runners left on base, we need to get rid of this guy!

This was a good game, and I'm glad they avoided the sweep.

Red Sox Unable To Come Back From Pirates' Rallies (44-32)

Well, I wanted to make the title of this post "Timmy Ballgame," I really did. Unfortuantely he was not sharp and last night was a tough game for the Sox, as we lost 6-4 to the Pirates. The Red Sox took another early lead in the 1st inning, as with Dustin Pedroia on third base, Adrian Gonzalez grounded out. Gonzalez struck again in the 3rd, with an opposite field home run to make it 2-0. In the 4th, the Pirates made a splash as Lyle Overbay crushed a 3-run homer to right field, making it 3-2 Pirates. Later in the inning, pitcher Jeff Karstens singled back up the middle to make it 4-2. In the 5th, the Pirates got some insurance as a ball rolled through teh legs of Dustin Pedroia, scoring a run and making it 5-2. In the top of the 7th, home runs by Josh Reddick and Jacoby Ellsbury put the Sox back in the game at 5-4. Unfortunately, the Pirates got right back in the bottom half with a long home run by Garrett Jones to make it 6-4.

Wakefield was not good, allowing 5 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings. He earned the loss, and is now 4-3/4.54/33. Matt Albers allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning in relief and Daniel Bard threw a perfect 1 1/3 innings. Jacoby Ellsbury only went 1-5, but he had a very clutch home run, and is now .304/9/39. Dustin Pedroia went 2-4 with a double and a run scored. Adrian Gonzalez only went 1-5 as well, but he had a home run and an RBI groundout, and is now .358/16/71. Jarrod Saltalamacchia had a pretty good game, going 2-4 with a double that was almost a home run. Josh Reddick went 2-3 with a home run, he is now .462/1/8. Today at 1:35, Andrew Miller (0-0/4.76/6) and James McDonald (5-4/4.86/62) will go in the series finale.

Bright Spots:

Daniel Bard- 1 1/3 scoreless innings when we needed it

Jacoby Ellsbury- despite batting 1-5, he had a clutch home run

Dustin Pedroia- 2-4 with a double and a run scored

Adrian Gonzalez- 1-5 with a homer and an RBI groundout

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 2-4 with a double

Josh Reddick- 2-3 with a solo home run

Dull Spots:

Tim Wakefield- despite starting out well, he collapsed late

Matt Albers- allowed a solo home run in 2/3 of an inning

Kevin Youkilis- 0-3

Marco Scutaro- 0-4 with 5 runners left on base

I am sad that the Sox gave up their early rally, and it is now a 4-game skid.

Red Sox Score Early, But Not Often, In Loss To Pirates (44-31)

Last night the Red Sox lost 3-1 to the Pirates as their offense was just held in check the whole game. They scored early in the 1st inning, as with runners on the corners, Kevin Youkilis bounced a ball to third base, scoring Jacoby Ellsbury to make it 1-0. In the 3rd inning, the Pirates loaded the bases with no out, preparing for a single that literally bounced off third base by Ronny Cedeno and a double play on Chase d'Arnaud to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead. In the 6th, Lyle Overbay brought in Neil Walker to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead, but that's all she... or in this case, he, wrote.

Jon Lester (right) was actually pretty sharp, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, in 6 innings. He still lost, however, and is now 9-4/3.66/100. In relief, Matt Albers threw 2/3 of an inning, Tommy Hottovy threw 1/3 and Dan Wheeler threw a scoreless inning. Adrian Gonzalez continued his torrid streak, going 2-4 and raising his average up to a remarkable .360 mark. Jason Varitek actually had a good game, going 2-3. Tonight, Tim Wakefield (4-2/4.26/31) will take his first trip to PIttsburgh since 1993, when he was a member of the team, and will face Jeff Karstens (4-4/2.54/51).

Bright Spots:

Jon Lester- 2 earned runs in 6 innings, despite a loss

Dan Wheeler- a scoreless inning of relief

Adrian Gonzalez- 2-4

Jason Varitek- 2-3

Dull Spots:

Jacoby Ellsbury- 0-4 despite a walk and run scored

Darnell McDonald- 1-4 with 6 runners left on base

Mike Cameron- 0-3 with 2 strikeouts

This was a tough game, and I'm disappointed they lost.

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.

Adrian Sparks Late Rally Against Old Team (44-28)

Last night, the Red Sox creamed the Padres 14-5, or it would appear that way as the score was actually deadlocked at 3-3 in the 7th inning. The Sox took an early lead in the 1st with a bases loaded single by David Ortiz to make it 1-0. In the 3rd, Kevin Youkilis scored on a double by David Ortiz. With the bases loaded in the 4th, Jacoby Ellsbury grounded into a double play, but the run scored to make it 3-0. In the top of the 6th, Orlando Hudson whacked a 3-run homer over the monster to tie the game at 3-3. In the bottom of the 7th, a clutch double by Adrian Gonzalez, scoring Dustin Pedroia, made it 4-3. The Red Sox proceeded to load the bases in the inning, while 2 hit batters made it 6-3. Josh Reddick hit a 2-run single to make it 8-3. The Red Sox then loaded the bases again, as a walk to Dustin Pedroia made it 9-3. A 2-run single by Adrian Gonzalez made it 11-3, as he had 3 RBIs in the inning. Next, a 2-run double by Kevin Youkilis pushed it to 13-3, a 10-run inning. In the 8th inning, an RBI single by Chris Denorfia made it 13-4. But in the bottom of the 8th, the Red Sox got the run back with a bases loaded walk to Jacoby Ellsbury, making it 14-4. In the 9th, a Jesus Guzman single, scoring Chase Headly made it 14-5, the final.

This was Andrew Miller's first start in a Red Sox uniform and overall, I was very impressed. He wound up allowing 3 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings, but all of those were just on the home run as he was very sharp overall. Matt Albers earned the win, allowing no runs in 1 1/3 innings. Michael Bowden and Tommy Hottovy each allowed a run in a scoreless inning. Dustin Pedroia went 1-4 with 3 runs and an RBI in a good day. Adrian Gonzalez (left) had a great game against his old team, going 3-5 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs, as he is now .353/15/67. Kevin Youkilis had a good game, going 2-4 with a run scored and 2 RBIs. David Ortiz's stats were literally identical to Youkilis' as they each had a great game. Marco Scutaro went 2-4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI, as he's been good since coming off the DL. Tonight, Alfredo Aceves (3-1/3.30/24) will go against Mat Latos (4-8/4.06/68).

Bright Spots:

Andrew Miller- Miller was very sharp through most of his outing

Matt Albers- the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings

Dustin Pedroia= 1-4 with 3 runs and an RBI

Kevin Youkilis/David Ortiz- 2-4 with a run and 2 RBIs each

Marco Scutaro- 2-4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI

Dull Spots:

None!

This was a great game and the Sox really exploded late!