Lackey Not Lacking As Red Sox Rout Brewers (42-27)

Last night the Red Sox beat the Brewers 10-4 to extend to having won 12 of the last 13 games. The Brewers scored early in the 1st, as Casey McGehee singled up the middle scoring 2. In the bottom of the 1st, the Red Sox came right back with a solo home run by Jacoby Ellsbury and an RBI double by David Ortiz to tie it at 2-2. In the bottom of the 2nd, a 2-run single by Kevin Youkilis made it 4-2 Red Sox. However, the Brewers came back in the 3rd with an RBI single by Prince Fielder and Nyjer Morgan scoring on a double play. In the 5th, the Red Sox took a permanent lead, however, on a home run by Adrian Gonzalez. In the 6th, an RBI double by Jason Varitek and an RBI single for Dustin Pedroia made it 7-4. In the 7th, Drew Sutton scored on an error by Craig Counsell and a 2-run single for J.D. Drew finally made it 10-4.

John Lackey really settled down after a bad start, winding up going 8 innings, allowing 4 runs. He earned the win, and he is now 5-5/7.02/34. Matt Albers relieved him with a scoreless inning. Jacoby Ellsbury only went 1-5, but he did have the solo home run, and is now .312/8/34. Adrian Gonzalez (left) had a great game, going 3-4, and scoring 3 runs along with a solo home run, as he is now .352/15/62. Kevin Youkilis went 1-2 with 2 RBIs before he was taken out in the 5th due to illness. Drew Sutton relieved him and went 2-3, scoring a run. David Ortiz had a very good game, going 3-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Carl Crawford went 1-1 before he was taken out in the 1st for a hamstring strain. Darnell McDonald, his replacement, went 0-3 with an RBI and a run. J.D. Drew had a good game as well, going 1-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Tonight, Jon Lester (9-2/3.73/87) and Randy Wolf (4-4/3.20/65) will start against one another.

Bright Spots:

John Lackey- he really settled down after a rough first few, going 8 innings

Matt Albers- a scoreless inning of relief

Adrian Gonzalez- 3-4 with 3 runs scored and a solo home run

Kevin Youkilis/Drew Sutton- 3-5 with a run and 2 RBIs between the two of them

David Ortiz- 3-5 with a run and an RBI

J.D. Drew- 1-3 with a run and 2 RBIs

Dull Spots:

Nobody!

The Red Sox really fired on all cylinders today, as they've been doing for most of June, and it really shows.

Beat Down In Toronto, Red Sox Slaughter Blue Jays (38-26)

Well, today was a really close game where the Sox just barely edged the Blue Jays by a very close score of 16-4. The scoring started in the 3rd inning for the Red Sox, when they put runners on first and third with no outs. Adrian Gonzalez promptly doubled to put the score at 1-0. After David Ortiz was walked to load the bases, Jed Lowrie was hit, scoring Dustin Pedroia and pushing it to 2-0. Adrian Gonzalez soon came in on a sacrifice fly by Carl Crawford, making it 3-0. David Ortiz then came in on an RBI single by Marco Scutaro to make it 4-0. In the 4th inning, Jason Varitek came home on a single by Dustin Pedroia to make it 5-0. In the bottom of the 4th, the Blue Jays cracked through with a 2-run double by Rajai David to make it 5-2. In the 5th, the Sox put runners at first and second with 1 out. J.D. Drew singled to right field, scoring one of them and making it 6-2. In the next at bat, Jason Varitek launched a line drive to right field that made it over the wall and made it a 9-2 game. Later in the inning, David Ortiz launched a sharp line drive that made it over the wall for another 3-run homer, making it 12-2 Red Sox. In the 6th, the Sox came through again Jason Varitek singled in Marco Scutaro to make it 13-2. In the bottom of the 6th, a 2-run home run by Edwin Encarnacion put the Jays right back into the game at 13-4. In the 8th, an RBI groundout by Jacoby Ellsbury and a 2-run double for Dustin Pedroia made it 16-4.

John Lackey was not great, allowing 4 runs in 6 innings, but it didn't really matter as he still won the game and is now 4-5/7.41/29. Dan Wheeler, Tommy Hottovy, and Michael Bowden each threw a scoreless inning of relief. Jacoby Ellsbury went 2-6 with a run scored and an RBI in a good game. Dustin Pedroia, however, had a fantastic game, going 3-5 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs, as he is now .263/4/26. Adrian Gonzalez went 1-3 with 2 runs and an RBI. David Ortiz went 2-3 with 2 runs scored and that great 3-run homer, as he is now .325/16/39. Marco Scutaro did a very good job of what he's good at, going 4-6 with 3 runs scored and an RBI. J.D. Drew went 2-5 with 2 runs scored and an RBI in a good game for him. Jason Varitek (top left) had a rare great game, going 2-3 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBIs, including that big 3-run homer, as he is now .234/3/13. Tomorrow, in the series finale, the Sox will trot out Jon Lester (8-2/3.98/79) as the Blue Jays will with Kyle Drabek (4-4/4.98/43).

Bright Spots:

Dan Wheeler, Tommy Hottovy, and Michael Bowden- scoreless innings each of relief

Jacoby Ellsbury- 2-6 with a run and an RBI

Dustin Pedroia- 3-5 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI

Adrian Gonzalez- 1-3 with 2 runs and an RBI

David Ortiz- 2-3 with 2 runs scored and that big 3-run homer

Marco Scutaro- 4-6 with 3 runs scored and an RBI

J.D. Drew- 2-5 with 2 runs and an RBI

Jason Varitek- 2-3 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBI, including a 3-run shot

Dull Spots:

Nobody!

This was a great win for the Sox, I mean, wow!

Red Sox Wake Up, Take First Place From Yankees (35-26)

Last night, the Red Sox put themselves in sole possession of first place with an 11-6 win over the Yankees. With Jacoby Ellsbury on third with 1 out in the 1st inning, Adrian Gonzalez groundout put the Sox up 1-0. However, it dramatically changed once again on a stroke by David Ortiz as his 15th homer was good enough to put the Sox up 3-0. In the 2nd inning, Marco Scutaro came around to score on a sacrifice fly by J.D. Drew. With the bases loaded in the 4th, Jason Varitek grounded out to second, but he just escaped the double play to make it 5-0. Jacoby Ellsbury promptly delivered with a double to make it 6-0 before a Dustin Pedroia single made it 7-0. In the bottom of the 4th, the Yankees got on the board with a solo home run by Alex Rodriguez. In the 5th, a Francisco Cervelli single to score Eduardo Nunez made it 7-2 Red Sox. Then a long double to center field by Derek Jeter made it 7-3. Later in the inning, Jeter came in on a sacrifice fly by Mark Teixeira to cut the score to 7-4 in the 5th. With the bases loaded in the 6th, Adrian Gonzalez walked, and a run came in to make it 8-4. In the bottom of the 6th, Francisco Cervelli singled through the left side, scoring Robinson Cano and making it 8-5. In the 9th, a solo home run by Carl Crawford and a 2-run shot from J.D. Drew made it 11-5 late. The Yankees cut it a little when Mark Teixeira singled in Francisco Cervelli to make it 11-6 but that was it.

Tim Wakefield (top right) was not too sharp, allowing 5 runs in 5 1/3 innings. However, he earned the win, and is now 3-1/4.84/23 this year. Alfredo Aceves earned a save with 3 2/3 innings of relief, allowing just 1 run, as he has been a great acquisition this year. Jacoby Ellsbury had a good game, going 3-5, scoring a run and having an RBI. Dustin Pedroia went 1-3 with an RBI and 2 walks. David Ortiz (left) went 1-4 with 2 runs scored and that 2-run homer, as he is now .323/15/34. Carl Crawford went 2-5 with 2 runs scored and that solo home run, as he is now .247/6/30. Marco Scutaro had a very good game, going 2-5 with 2 runs scored. J.D. Drew went 1-3 with 3 RBIs and that 2-run homer, he is now .229/4/15 this year. The series finale tonight will be good, as Josh Beckett (4-2/2.01/67) and C.C. Sabathia (7-3/2.80/70) will go head to head.

Bright Spots:

Alfredo Aceves- the save with 3 2/3 innings of one-run relief

Jacoby Ellsbury- 3-5 with a run and an RBI

Dustin Pedroia- 1-3 with an RBI

David Ortiz- 1-4 with 2 runs scored and a 2-run homer

Carl Crawford- 2-5 with 2 runs and a solo shot

Marco Scutaro- 2-5 with 2 runs scored

J.D. Drew- 1-3 with a run and 3 RBIs on the 2-run homer

Dull Spots:

Tim Wakefield- he earned the win despite 5 runs in 5 1/3 innings

Well, we are in first place now, finally, living up to expectations.

Drew Comes Through With Walk-Off Single In 14th (32-26)

Yesterday, the Red Sox played one of the quickest games in history, haha just kidding, they won 9-8 in 14 innings against the A's. They got off to an early lead in the 1st on a solo home run by Adrian Gonzalez. In the 5th inning, with Carl Crawford on third base, J.D. Drew drove him in with an RBI single to make it 2-0. In th tp of the 6th, a Josh Willingham single scored David DeJesus and Ryan Sweeney to tie the game. In the bottom of the 6th, Jacoby Ellsbury reached second base to start the inning, setting up for an RBI single by Dustin Pedroia, an RBI double by Kevin Youkilis, and an RBI single by Carl Crawford that would leave it at 5-2. In the 7th, Daric Barton came in on a sacrifice fly by Cliff Pennington to make it 5-3. In the bottom of the 8th, Carl Crawford gave the Sox some insurance with a 2-run double scoring Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Reddick to make it 7-3. They would need the insurance, as in the top of the 9th, the A's went wild capitalizing on an error by Dustin Pedroia and singles by Cliff Pennington and Conor Jackson to tie the game at 7-7. In the 11th inning, Cliff Pennington came in on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Sweeney to give the A's an 8-7 lead. However, an RBI ground-rule double by Jacoby Ellsbury, scoring Jarrod Saltalamacchia tied it at 8-8. It was the 14th, however, when J.D. Drew came through with an RBI single into the gap, scoring Carl Crawford and winning it 9-8 for the Red Sox.

Josh Beckett (top right) had a pretty good game, allowing 3 earned runs in 6 innings, earning a no-decision and making him 4-2/2.01/67. A bunch of relievers pitched before a 4 inning relief appearance by Alfredo Aceves, who earned the win and is now 3-1/3.38/20. Jacoby Ellsbury had a great game, going 4-7 with a run scored and an RBI, he is now .300/6/29. Dustin Pedroia only went 1-5 but he had an RBI and scored a run. Adrian Gonzalez went 3-5 with 2 runs scored and an RBI on the home run, he is now .340/11/48. Kevin Youkilis went 2-5 with a run and an RBI in a good day. Carl Crawford (left) had a great day, going 4-7 with 2 runs and 3 RBIs, as he is now .246/4/26. J.D. Drew went 2-7 with 2 RBIs on two very important hits, he is now .228/3/12. Today at 1:35, John Lackey (2-5/8.01/19) will go for a series sweep against Brett Anderson (3-5/3.68/59).

Bright Spots:

Josh Beckett- 3 runs in 6 innings in a good start

Alfredo Aceves- 1 run in 4 innings to earn the win in relief

Jacoby Ellsbury- 4-7 with 1 run and 1 RBI

Adrian Gonzalez- 3-5 with 2 runs and a solo homer

Kevin Youkilis- 2-5 with a run and an RBI

Carl Crawford- 4-7 with 2 runs and 3 RBI

J.D. Drew- 2-7 with 2 very big RBI singles

Dull Spots:

Jonathan Papelbon- 4 runs, 3 earned in just 1/3 of an inning

Jed Lowrie- 0-6 with 2 strikeouts

Jason Varitek- 0-3 with 2 strikeouts

I am glad they won, somehow.

Red Sox Unable To Hit, Can't Sweep Tigers (30-23)

Last night, the Red Sox' offense was unable to get going off Justin Verlander in a 3-0 loss to the Tigers. In the first inning, the Tigers put a runner on first with one out to set up an RBI double by Brennan Boesch to make it 1-0 Tigers. Right after that, Miguel Cabrera singled to the right side, bringing in Boesch and giving the Tigers an early 2-0 lead. Neither team scored again until the 8th inning, when, with a runner on second and two outs, Don Kelly singled right back up the middle to make it 3-0 Tigers.

Josh Beckett (right) was pretty sharp last night, only allowing 2 runs in 6 innings, but he earned the loss and is now a great 4-2/1.80/63. Rich Hill pitched a scoreless inning of relief, and Scott Atchison allowed a run in an inning of relief, but that was all either team would need. Jacoby Ellsbury had a good game from the leadoff position, going 1-3 with a walk. J.D. Drew had a very good game, going 2-3, and raising his average up to a measly .240 mark. Jason Varitek went 1-3 with a double as it appears maybe he is settling into his groove. Tonight, the Red Sox will travel back to Fenway to face the White Sox and will send Jon Lester (7-1/3.36/70) to challenge Jake Peavy (1-0/3.00/14).

Bright Spots:

Josh Beckett- Beckett pithed very well with just 2 runs in 6 innings, but he had no run support

Rich Hill- a scoreless inning of relief

Jacoby Ellsbury- 1-3 with a walk

J.D. Drew- 2-3

Jason Varitek- 1-3 with a double

Dull Spots:

Dustin Pedroia- 0-4 with 4 runners left on base

Adrian Gonzalez- 0-3 with a strikeout

Kevin Youkilis- 0-4 with a strikeout

David Ortiz- 0-4

Carl Crawford- 0-3

Drew Sutton- 0-3

Well, this is what happens you face Justin Verlander.

Crawford Shows Tigers His Tricks; Red Sox Make It Six (23-20)

Last night lived up to expectations as a pitcher's duel and a thriller, as the Red Sox came out on top at 4-3 with a walk off single by Carl Crawford, as he is coming around. In the second inning, with runners on first and third, rookieAndy Dirks singled in Miguel Cabrera to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage. In the bottom of the same inning, with runners on first and third, J.D. Drew knocked Kevin Youkilis in with a sacrifice fly to left field, tying the game at 1-1. In the bottom of the fourth, J.D. Drew ripped a liner into deep right field for a home run to make it 2-1 Red Sox. In the bottom of the 7th, David Ortiz led off the inning with a home run to deep right field, giving the Sox a 3-1 lead. However, things changed in the top of the eighth, as once Daniel Bard came in, Brennan Boesch and Miguel Cabrera had back-to-back home runs off the flamethrower, to tie the game up at 3-3. In the bottom of the 9th, with 2 outs, and runners on first and second, Carl Crawford delivered, with his 3rd walk-off hit of May to win the game at 4-3.

Josh Beckett (top right) was fabulous, allowing just a run and 5 hits through 6 innings. He did not earn the win, but he did become a still great, 3-1/1.73/52, as that ERA is so low. Matt Albers and Jonathan Papelbon sandwiched Daniel Bard's two runs with a scoreless inning each. Kevin Youkilis had a pretty good day, going 1-3 and scoring a run. David Ortiz, though, had a great day, going 3-4 with that solo home run, as he is now .293/8/20. J.D. Drew went 1-2 with a walk, 2 RBIs, and a solo home run, as he is now .248/3/10. Carl Crawford (left) went 2-4 with a run and an RBI on his 3rd walk-off this month, as he is now .212/1/11. Tonight, the Cubs will travel to Fenway for the first time since the 1918 World Series, and the Sox will send Jon Lester (5-1/3.28/58) out to face Doug Davis (0-1/1.80/6).

Bright Spots:

Josh Beckett- a run in 6 innings, with 5 hits, and 3 strikeouts

Matt Albers- a scoreless inning of relief

Jonathan Papelbon- the win in a scoreless inning of relief

Kevin Youkilis- 1-3 with a run scored

David Ortiz- 3-4 with a solo home run

J.D. Drew- 1-2 with a solo home run and 2 RBIs

Carl Crawford- 2-4 with a walk-off single

Dull Spots:

Daniel Bard- 2 solo home runs to tie the game off him in the eighth

Jacoby Ellsbury- 0-4 with a strikeout

Dustin Pedroia- ditto

Adrian Gonzalez- ditto

Jed Lowrie- 0-4 with 2 strikeouts and 4 runners left on base

I am happy that the Sox won, and it is now a 6 game winning streak!