Redsox lose in Disappointment

The Redsox dropped game 2 last night in the worst possible way. The Redsox walked in the winning run to lose game 2 in Detroit. Even more than that, the Rays, Yankees, and Bluejays still won, to move Boston back another game.

Lester did well, going 7 full innings allowing 4 earned runs on 4 hits and striking out 10. Manny Delcarmen received the loss last night in the game, due to him owning Magglio Ordonez who walked home on the 3-0 pitch from Ramon Rameriez. Ramon walked home the winning run on a 4-0 count.

I am not quite sure who to blame, weather its the offense for not producing against the pitching staff of the Tigers, or the Bullpen for not holding onto the tie. The offense had more than enough chances to gain runs, I.E. had runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs, when there was a pop out, and JD Drew grounded into a double play to end the inning.

David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre were the only sox players with multiple hits. Ortiz who went 3 for 6 with 2 RBI's and a run scored, and Beltre went 2 for 5 with a run scored. Redsox had a total of 9 hits in 12 innings of play.

Boston will play an afternoon game tomorrow in Detroit before flying to the Bronx. Boston will have John Lackey(4-1) against Armando Galaragga(0-0). Galaragga had just been called up from AAA after Detroit put Scott Sizemore and Max Scherzer to AAA.

Redsox take game 1 in Motown

With Boston struggling through the first couple weeks of baseball, it is noted Boston needs to pick up the pace. Boston had young right hander Clay Buchholz on the mound lastnight and did exceptionally well against the powerful offense of Detroit who has put up great run totals so far this season.

Buchholz pitched 6-1/3 innings allowing only 3 hits and 1 earned run. This out was another great one for Buchholz who has had successful consecutive outings. His ERA has dropped to a 3.46 one of the lowest in the starting rotation. Bostons bullpen has been on game the past couple of times, Daniel Bard, and Okajima pitched 2-2/3 innings, while only allowing 2 combined hits and 3 strikeouts and no earned runs.

David Ortiz once again battled to keep his spot on the roster, and perhaps on the team for the remander of the season. Ortiz hit a multi homerun game again making that 6 on the year. Victor Martinez has been slumping in the 3 hole, and it may be time for Francona to think about moving him down in the order.

Boston will play game 2 tonight with Jon Lester(3-2) against Dontrelle Willis(1-1). Boston should play well against the Tigers, Dontrelle is now what he use to be like he was in Florida.

Day Off Comments

The Redsox will take a 3 game series to visit Motown this weekend. Boston who is still 6.5 games out of first place will need to win, once again another series against a strong offensive opponent.

The matchups are as follows:
Game1: Clay Buchholz(3-3) vs. Max Scherzer(1-3)
Game2: Jon Lester(3-2) vs. Dontrelle Willis(1-1)
Game3: John Lackey(4-1) vs. TBD

As far as I can see matchups look very favorable to lean towards Boston, however, you never know in this game. Boston will face the Yankees after the Detroit series, this is a must win situation.

New York will take on the Minnesota Twins for a 3 game series and Tampa Bay will host the west coast Seattle Mariners for series. Toronto can be scary at times with their performance on the field, however, I do not think they will be competition in the long run of the season. With only 4.5 games separating 2nd place New York from 4th place Boston.

There has been a lot of talk going on about the free agents coming up for Boston. Two names that have been very frequent are Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek. I would not mind moving Martinez as long as we get a production player who is younger in return. We have signed older players this past offseason and I hope experience plays a part in this division, as it is by far probably the toughest.

July tradeline could pay off huge for Boston. I have read some things about Albert Puljos having interest in the Yankees, of course who does not. If the Yankees some how manage to pull him, or Prince Feilder or Adrian Gonzalez, there must be a bid for a Salary cap. Boston has to purchase players for huge contracts because that's what they have to do to compete in the division.

Redsox main concentration is bullpen for a shot at the playoffs, with the health of Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury berrying any set backs. Cameron should return this week, and Ellsbury hopefully within the next 2 weeks.

Tough One

This afternoon was quite a ballgame. A quiet one, and a slow but steady pace game as well. Tim Wakefeild took the mound after being sent to be done of bullpen duties, due to Josh Beckett having back spasms and will probably miss his next start.

Starting Wakefeild was a smart move by Francona and a very easy one. Beckett will miss his next start, and it seems as if nothing has happened to the rotation in Boston.

Redsox lose a tough one 3-2 after trailing 3-0 going into the bottom of the 9th inning, with the home plate umpire have a strike zone as big as a bat. The strike zone carried all the way into the right handers batting box on JD Drew and David Ortiz. Bad strike zones happen, but ones where you can literally see the catcher framing it, is uncalled for.

Redsox player of the game goes to David Ortiz for his 2 hits in the game, the only Redsox player to do so. The Redsox only allowed 6 hits, although, that's all they earned in their efforts as well. The redsox did win the series which was a plus, however, the Yankees did split there double header against Detroit and the Rays walked home again with another win as they continue to dominate.

The Redsox have Thursday off and will head to Detroit for a series in Motown. After the conclusion in Motown it gets no easier, as the sox head into the Bronx to face once again the hated Yankees.

Dice Dominates

Dice-K took the mound for the game 2 series against the Jays at Fenway. Dice-K was very good against the tough offensive team. The Jays were 4 games above .500 before the game putting them 3 games up on the Redsox.

Boston took an early lead in the bottom of the 1st inning with Scutaro and Pedroia earning the runs and JD Drew and Kevin Youkilis earning the RBI's. Redsox earned another run with the Captain, Jason Varitek connecting for his 6th home run of the season.

Dice-K took Boston's offense into the bottom of the 5th with only allowing the Jays with 1 hit through 5 innings of work and striking out 7. Dice-K and the offense were still looking great through 5-1/2 leading 6 to 1. Dice did give up a leadoff double to John Buck, then Fred Lewis earned the RBI with a double of his own.

Matsuzaka finished the game going 7 innings, giving up just 1 earned run on 3 hits, while striking out 9. This win gives Matsuzaka a record of 2-1. Each outing this season has been much improved after his first horrendous outing.

Lots of odd ball names in the lineup tonight as Jason Varitek replaced Victor Martinez, Mike Lowell took over as DH and Bill Hall filled in for Jeremy Hermida. those 3 players combined going 2 for 10 all hits with Jason Varitek.

Ramon Ramirez came into pitch the 8th innning, Ramirez who has an ERA over 5 this season pitched a 1 hit 8th, while walking 1. Ramierez has been one of the bullpen personal who has struggled to say the least this season. Okajima came into the 9th inning to pitch with Boston still on top 6-1 and pitched a perfect 9th inning to give Boston the win.

Tomorrows Boston game is an afternoon game with Tim Wakefeild(0-1) taking on Shaun Marcum(1-0). Boston has already won the series, however, tomorrow with a win can be another sweep against the Bluejays.

Redsox Hold Strong

The Boston Redsox held off the hard charging Toronto Bluejays for a 4th straight win against the division rival. Boston won 7-6 in old fashion, while holding Toronto off. John Lackey earned the win in lastnights game as Brandon Morrow took the loss.

Both teams earned 8 hits together. Scoring for both teams were completed in the 4th inning alone, where they scored a combined 8 runs. The redsox top 3 batters did most of the work lastnight, which should be done anyways. The top 3 in order, Scutaro, Pedroia and Martinez went 4 for 12, 4 runs and 5 RBI's.

Bostons bullpen came in to work the 7th through 9th innnings of work with Okajima, Daniel Bard both pitching scoreless innings in innings 7 and 8 and Jonathan Papelbon earned the save with a hit less 9th. Bostons bullpen worked together and it looked like a great time to earn a win if you were in a Boston uniform. I would not have had a lot of confidence, however, last night showed me how much work the pen has given

Tonight Boston will pitch Daiskue Matsuzaka(1-1) against Dana Eveland(3-1). Matsuzaka had a decent outing last time out giving up 4 runs in the 1st and none after that. Tonight will hold another test for him and the redsox as well.

Wow that was close

The Redsox avoided being swept yet again at Fenway Park last night with a final 3rd game win against the hated Yankees. The bats came out of the closet against AJ Burnett who to say the least hates to pitch in Fenway with the Yankees, shows his numbers.

Boston jumped on Burnett early which was all they needed as young lefty Jon Lester continued to stay hot yet again. Lester completed 7 full innings allowing only 2 runs, which were solo home runs, 4 hits and struck out 7 Yankees. I have always believed Lester was Bostons number 1 starter, and it showed tonight.

The offense combined for 10 hits on 9 runs. JD Drew and Adrian Beltre continued there hot beat with the bat, as they both had 2 hits, along with a combined 3 RBI's.
Adrian Beltre will be Boston's player of the game tonight. Beltre is carrying the offense with a .333avg, not huge power numbers but in order to score, you need players on base, which is what Beltre gives Boston.

Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury are due back from the DL very soon, Cameron sooner than Ellsbury though. Jonathan Van Every will likely be sent back down to AAA Pawtucket. Darnell MCDonald is where Boston needs to make a wise decision. McDonald is out of options, and his hitting decently from his call up from Pawtucket. Bill Hall would be available for AAA but he is capable of being in multiple positions in the outfield and infield.

The good things about Sunday night:Redsox won, Yankees, Orioles and Rays lost. Granderson, Johnson, Pettite all hurt. Rays were a no hit ball club.

The Tampa Rays still lead MLB in record of 22-9, however, they are being caught by the Twins and Yankees in the AL. Boston is still 6 games back of the Rays and in 4th place, 3.5 games serperate the sox and the jays. The next 3 games against Toronto are very important. You cannot say must win, cause you never know, however, they need to win.

The Redsox will invite Toronto to Fenway for another 3 game series. The last visit took place in Canada and it was not pretty for the Canadiens. The redsox will have John Lackey(3-1) take game 1 against Torontos Brandon Morrow(2-2).