Game 127: Sox 0 Walker 4

Not a good start. Rangers really have our number this year. We obviously didn't send our best lineup out there but the difference in this game was that the Rangers' offense was efficient and ours wasn't. If you're gonna hit a home run, it better be of the three-run variety type. If the ump blows a call and everyone is safe, you better take advantage. The Rangers did it and we didn't.

Bedard pitched another game where it seemed like he was good enough to win but just couldn't get the run support. His only mistake was a 3 run shot by Napoli with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the 6th. Albers looked shaky again loading the bases before weaseling his way out of it. Morales did a good job of throwing strikes, getting 2 Ks.

At the dish, the Sox were missing punch. Only four hits on the game (Gonzalez, Pedroia, Lowrie, and Crawford) and they were all singles. Lavarnway did a great job of being patient working two walks. Nice to see from the rookie. But we've got to do better tomorrow. Hopefully good Lackey shows up. I have my doubts though.

Game 126: Sox 6 Royales 1

Sox win the series with an all around constant hammering away at the Royals. Sox piled up 10 hits and 3 walks on the game while Lester, Bard, and Wheeler held the Royals to just 3 hits and 4 walks. McDonald and Crawford each hit solo home runs and McDonald had a three hit game. Lavarnway had another 2 hit game too. In fact, Pedroia and Reddick were the only starters that went hitless. All joking aside, Crawford really has start to look like a different player lately. He's still swinging at some bad pitches and is behind on some fastballs but he's really squaring up the breaking balls well. Hopefully good things are coming up.

Lester looked fantastic getting 1-2-3 innings while the Sox chipped away against the Royals' pitching. Bard pitched 2 innings. I'm really surprised with how much work he's had all season already. Tito's gotta get him so rest so he's fresh in October. Sox got three runs in the top of the 8th so that would have seemed like the ideal time to send someone besides Bard back out there. Someone like Wheeler who came in the 9th.

Good thing we got the series win as we've got 4 against the Rangers in Texas next. It's gonna be hot. Maybe even hotter than it was here today (my car thermometer said 94)!

Game 125: Sox 4 Royales 9

Dang it! Wakefield must be snakebitten. Sox have the three run lead going into the bottom of the 6th and still have a one run lead when Wakefield gets pulled with one out but Albers gives up 5 runs in 1/3 of an inning to get the loss and blow Wakefield's win. Wakefield didn't look great (5.1 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 3 K) but it should have been enough. It's tough winning when you give up an 8 spot in any inning. Morales and Wheeler teamed up to finish the game.

Ellsbury didn't play today after getting hit in the back yesterday by a pitch. So the offense was really missing the punch you'd expect to see. Scutaro led off and McDonald batted 2nd. Still, the offense did okay with what they had. Everyone got a hit except Scutaro and Gonzalez. Lavarnway got 2 hits and his first RBI of his career. Overall though, a quite night at the plate.

There goes the sweep but Lester's on the mound next so we gotta win the series.

Game 124: Sox 7 Royales 1

Sox jumped all over Royals starter Jeff Francis in this game piling up 11 hits and 5 runs before chasing him after 5 innings. Aviles, Gonzalez, and Lowrie led the charge with 8 hits between them. Saltalamacchia hit his 12th home run of the season, a 3 run shot in the 5th that blew the game open. Even Crawford looked good today! Pedroia was the only starter without a hot today although he was intentionally walked twice. Sox rookie Ryan Lavarnway got his first hit in the bigs.

Miller got the start today and I'm not sure why. I guess it has to do with the day night doubleheader against the Rays and no days off since then meaning someone would have had to pitch on 3 days rest. He pitched really well in the spot start going 5 1/3 while giving up only 1 run on 3 hits, 2 walks, and 3 Ks. He deservedly got the win. Aceves pitched a shutout for the remainder of the game to earn the old school save.

Two games won, two more to go. Wakefield going for #200 yet again.

Game 123: Sox 4 Royales 3

This was an exciting game right until the end. Sox and Royals went back and forth for awhile until Pedroia gives the Sox the win. He was the star of the game with 3 hits and 3 RBI. Sox were without Ortiz (injured heel) and Youkilis (on the DL) so they took a much more aggressive approach on the base paths, stealing 4 bases. Carl Crawford had two of those and was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a fly ball. It was a close play but the ball clearly beat him at the plate.

Beckett looked pretty good but not dominating. Seven innings and three runs isn't the best Beckett we've seen this year but was still very good. He only struck out 4 which was indicative of his lack of dominance. But still, that's win 10 of the year for him. Bard got the hold in the 8th and Papelbon closed out the game for the save.

Good start of a 4 game series against the Royals. We haven't been taking care of business against teams we should be beating lately. So it'll be especially important to beat up on the Royals while we're in KC.

Game 122: Rays 4 Sox 0

Yep, it was ugly. Lackey actually pitched a lot better than he has in previous starts that he's won. But Prices had the Sox's number in this one. Eight innings and only 3 hots and 3 walks. Sox didn't even do a good job working counts to get Price out of the game. Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Youkilis were the only batters with a hit. Ellsbury had the biggest, a leadoff triple in the 6th, but he got caught trying to come home on a hard hit ground ball by Gonzalez. That was really the only legitimate scoring threat all day.

Lackey went 6 2/3 and gave up all 4 runs the Rays scored. They scored an unearned run in the first but took care of business in the 4th and 5th with solo home runs. Lackey was chased in the 7th with two outs by a run scoring double. All in all, he really looked quite good. Six hits, 3 walks, and 7 Ks isn't too shabby. Aceves and Wheeler finished the game.

You'd really like to win these series against the Rays but their pitching is pretty good. We'll have to hope for better matchups next time.

Game 121: Rays 6 Sox 2

Yup, Niemann had our number again. Second half of the double header had the same number of hits as the first but turned into only 2 runs (solo shots by Ellsbury and Varitek). Unfortunately, Bedard could not hold down the Rays the way Lester did. Bedard gave up 3 runs in 6 innings but only one was earned. He actually looked really good, striking out 6 but was victimized by poor defense.

Lowrie struck in the second not being able to make the play on Zobrist's bunt to start the inning (no error though). He then skipped a ball into home trying to get Zobrist out as he tried to score on a ground ball (scored an error). In the 4th he was positioned perfectly, starting the 5-4-3 triple play, the first by the Red Sox since Valentin had an unassisted triple play in 1994. But he went back to being a defensive liability in the 8th. He couldn't get the tag down in time to get Zobrist stealing third despite the throw easily beating him. Then the Sox caught Upton in a run down trying to steal second when Zobrist got caught too far off third. Lowrie muffed the throw home however and Zobrist scored. So I'm pinning three of the Rays runs on Lowrie. Sheesh.

No Ortiz or Scutaro today. Scutaro apparently has stiffness in his back but NESN was not very clear on what was keeping Ortiz out of the lineup. I didn't realize how much of an impact Ortiz has on our lineup until I saw Crawford batting 5th in game 1 and batting as a DH in game 2. What about this season does Francona not see that makes him think Crawford deserves to bat anywhere beside 9th? There are no starters on this team that I would like to have fewer at bats than Crawford so bat him 9th!

Rubber game tomorrow featuring Price v Lackey. Could be ugly.

Game 120: Rays 1 Sox 3

Quick game and a pitcher's duel to start the double header. It wasn't looking good for Lester after the first inning. Two doubles in the inning and the Rays looked like they were all over Lester. Fortunately, he got out of the inning with only the one run. Two more baserunners in the 2nd inning but after that only one baserunner in the last 5 innings. His final line was 7 IP, 1 ER on 3 Hs and 1 BB with 8 Ks. Bard and Papelbon pitched perfect innings to finish the game.

Lester was nearly matched by Shields who had a complete game loss and only gave up 3 hits and 1 walk. Unfortunately for him, those three hits all came in the 3rd inning. Reddick and Aviles both singled before Ellsbury hit his 21st home run of the season. That was all the Sox needed and that was all they got.

Game 2 of the doubleheader features Bedard and Niemann. Niemann is one of those guys who doesn't look very good ( 4.05 career ERA, 1.31 WHIP) but somehow always seems to beat the Sox. Let's get some runs and give Bedard his first W as a Sox!

Game 119: Sox 3 M’s 5

Day game after a night game meant no BP this game either. It was a poor BP showing from us this weekend. We had awesome seats about 7 rows up from the Red Sox dugout, on the home plate side no less. I bought them at our company’s charity auction and it was well worth the money. A co-worker of mine joined us as well as a friend of mine I know through frisbee.

Unfortunately, the Sox play was not as awesome as the seats. Wakefield was going for his 200^th win yet again and the Mariner’s countered with new acquisition Charlie Furbush (from the Fister trade with Detroit). I decided to score the game just in case history was made while we were at the ballpark.

For the first 2 ½ innings we got the pitcher’s duel we thought we’d get the day before. But then a series of unfortunate events unfolded for Wakefield. He walked Wells to start the inning, who then stole 2^nd and went to 3^rd on a throwing error by Salty. Wilson plated the run on an infield hit and went to second on a single by Seager. Ichiro grounded into what should have been a double play but everyone ended up being safe after the ump said Lowrie missed the bag on the transfer and didn’t get the ball to Wakefield in time to get Ichiro. Again, no replay at the ballpark. Gutierrez hit a sac fly for the first out of the inning. Ackley walked and Carp singled to score the 3^rd and final run of the inning.

Sox could only counter with one run the next inning on a sac fly with one out and the bases loaded. Crawford killed the rally with an infield pop out. In the 5^th, the Mariners got another run with three consecutive singles from Ichiro, Gutierrez, and Ackley. The Mariners got their final run of the game on another home run from Wells in the 6^th. Sox looked like they were going to go pretty quietly until Youkilis hit a two out, two run home run in the 8^th to make it a 2 run game. But League pitched another perfect ninth for the win.

Too bad for Wakefield as he pitched the complete game loss. I don’t know why the Sox always seem to struggle when they play in Seattle, no matter how well they’re playing and how poorly the Mariners are playing. Dad thinks it must be the nice weather distracting them. Either that or it’s his replica Yastrzemski jersey.

Well, that catches me all up. Sox have a doubleheader against Tampa Bay tomorrow which should put right behind schedule again. It’s getting tougher and tougher to stay motivated and watch the games. Hopefully being able to see the finish line will keep me interested.

Game 118: Sox 4 M’s 5

We missed the top half of the first inning of this game. I was playing in a big tournament up in Burlington during the day and by the time we got back home, showered, and parked near the ball park we were about 15 minutes late. We had seats in the 2^nd level (terrace club level) along the 1^st base line. We got to the stadium just in time to see Beckett blow up. Ichiro hit a home run just as we walked into the stadium and the Mariners followed up with three more hits and two more runs before Beckett got his first out. He gave up a 2-run home run to Caspar Wells before getting out of the inning. So much for a pitcher’s duel between Beckett and Felix!

Felix cruised through his innings and Beckett settled down. In the top of the 4^th there was a strange play at the plate. Ellsbury was on third after walking, taking 2^nd on an error, and Crawford’s infield single. With one out, Pedroia flied out to middle to shallow right field and despite Ichiro’s arm, Ellsbury decided to test him. The ball beat him to the plate but the slide essentially put Ellsbury’s knee into catcher Bard’s chin. The ump looked for the ball and called Ellsbury safe even though Bard was holding the ball in his hand. The umps convened and reversed the call drawing Tito’s ire and getting him thrown out of the game. Once again, no replay meant everyone in the ballpark was completely clueless about what happened and what the ruling is. Thanks for making coming to the ballpark less attractive Mariners.

In the 6^th, the Sox finally made their comeback. Scutaro lead off the inning with a triple into the left field gap. Ellsbury brought him home with a home run a few rows into the right field seats. Crawford flied out to deep center but with the shift on, Gonzalez laid down the perfect bunt right down the third base line, easily walking to first base. Stupid shift. Pedroia then made them pay with a home run that just barely cleared the fence in right. Ortiz singled against the shift but unfortunately, that’s all we would get. Reddick struck out, Aviles singled, and Varitek lined out to kill the rally.

The rest of the game was pretty quite. In the 8^th, McDonald pinch ran for Ortiz after he singled but got called out stealing on a very close play. Only after seeing the replay (at home of course) did I believe that the ump got the call right. League pitched a perfect 9^th to get the save for the Mariners.

A tough loss but not unexpected with Felix on the mound, even if we were throwing Beckett.

Game 117: Sox 6 M’s 4

Dad drove up this Friday for the start of the Sox-M’s series here in Seattle. We got to the game in time to see the very end of the Sox batting practice. So no stories of, ‘Player X was really crushing it in BP today! He should have a good game today.” We were sitting up in the upper deck, behind home plate, a little on the third base side.

Seattle got off to an early start on Lackey, putting up two runs before getting the first out of the game. Seemed like everything Lackey threw got torched. Ortiz answered in the top of the 2^nd with a deep home run to straight away center. Of course, both Dad and I had gotten up so we both missed it! There was a scary play two batters later. Crawford was on second after hitting a single and stealing second. Saltalamacchia hit a grounder to first baseman Justin Smoak who took the big bounce off the face and fractured his nose. Crawford nearly got thrown out rounding third as the third base coach was waving him in (Bogar!). Smoak came out of the game and was put on the DL. Scary moment. Of course the Mariners’ arcane practice of refusing to show any replays at the ballpark meant nobody in the upper deck knew exactly what happened. More on the replay policy later. Aviles hit a sac fly for one run but that’s all we got.

Lackey’s troubles continued in the 2^nd giving up a run on 3 hits and a walk. The third inning was better but in the 4^th he gave up another run on a single, SB, and a double. Sox answered in the top of the 5th with a deep home run from Lowrie into the right field seats. Lackey pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 5^th and 6^th and the Sox took the lead in the top of the 6^th after Saltalamacchia singled and Reddick hit a monster home run off the Hit It Here Café. In the 7^th the Sox got some insurance after Gonzalez hit a double, went to third on a bunt from Pedroia, and Ortiz singled him in.

Lackey pitched to one batter in the 7^th before getting pulled. I swear Tito does that intentionally just to mess with him. I don’t notice him pulling any other pitcher in the middle of an inning nearly as much as he does with Lackey. Morales gave up a single and a sacrifice before getting a K and letting Bard finish the inning with a K of his own. Bard also pitched the 8^th before Papelbon came in the 9^th for the save. We watched the 9^th from the scoreboard bar and outside of an infield single, Papelbon coasted through the inning.

Somehow Lackey ekes his way into another win despite pitching pretty poorly. The streak continues although it just goes to show the wins are a stupid statistic.

Game 116: Sox 2 Twinkies 5

Sox work all the way back to a tie in the top of the 8^th only to blow 3 runs in the bottom half of the inning and lose the game. Lester went back out in the eighth despite the high pitch count and the game being tied and promptly gave up a walk and a double sandwiching a ground out before getting the hook. Normally surefooted Aceves then allowed 3 hits and a IBB before getting pulled himself. Miller walked one more before finishing a messy inning and game for the Sox.

Sox could only manage 2 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks for the game. One of those hits was even a solo home run from Big Papi, his 23^rd of the season. That comes with only two innings going 1-2-3 for the Sox. Sometimes this team seems like the model for inefficiency. They’ll get their hits and sometimes they’ll score a ton of runs but it seems like their squandering opportunities left and right almost every game. Oh well. At least their getting opportunities.

I finished this game just in time for the start of the Mariners series. I didn’t want to watch the games out of order so it was fortunate I was able to catch up before we started going to all three games here in Seattle this weekend.

Game 115: Sox 4 Twinkies 3

This was a close game mostly due to home plate umpire Tim McClelland’s tight zone in the first inning. Bedard got squeezed in the first walking 4 and giving up 2 runs. The rest of the game McClelland’s zone seemed pretty fair but that first inning he was giving the hitters anything on the edge of the strike zone. Sox had gotten 2 walks in their half of the inning too but couldn’t push anyone across.

After that inning Bedard went 4 more scoreless innings giving up 2 hits and striking out 4. It was a good start for him and hopefully as he builds up his arm strength he’ll be able to go further and further into games. Albers gave up another run in an inning pitched on a single and a double. Morales went 2/3 of an inning and Bard went 1 1/3 to get to Papelbon, who had a 1-2-3 ninth to get the save.

The offense was pretty meager, limited to a 2-4 night from Gonzalez with a double and a 2-3 night from McDonald with his 4^th HR of the season. Pedroia showed some impressive plate discipline working 3 walks. In fact, the Twins gave up 9 walks on the night; only McDonald and Ellsbury went walkless. Yes, even Crawford got a walk.

The winning run came on the rare infield single from Ortiz. Sox loaded the bases on two walks and Gonzalez’s double. Ortiz hit a tapper back to the mound and the pitcher went to toss it home to get the force out but ended up not getting anyone. It’s a game of inches sometimes.

Sox go for the sweep next with Lester on the mound.

Game 114: Sox 8 Twinkies 6

This was the first time I had ever seen the Twins’ new ballpark. Looks great! I especially liked the dead-on center view for the at bats. They look a little far away but you can really see the ball move and where it flies in respect to the strike zone.

Sox won this one but Wakefield still couldn’t get his 200^th win of his career despite going 7 innings and only giving up 3 ER. Sox played small ball in the 7^th and 8^th trying to push across one run to take the lead and give Wakes the win. They got their run in the 8^th but Aceves promptly coughed up a run in the bottom half of the inning. With the Sox plating 2 in the 9^th, Aceves ended up getting his 8^th win of the season instead. Sheesh.

The offense was led by Ortiz who was 4-5 with a double, a home run, 3 runs, and 3 RBI. Saltalamacchia went deep right after Ortiz in the sixth for his 11^th HR of the season. Crawford got a three bagger hitting out of the number 2 slot (a mistake if you ask me). He was hitting there as Youkilis got the night off with Lowrie coming off the DL. Scutaro had three hits too; he’s been really hitting well as Lowrie’s gotten closer to coming back. Coincidence?

Liriano v Bedard in the next game. A matchup of formerly very promising looking lefties who are trying to stay healthy and in the game.

Game 113: Yanks 2 Sox 3

Woo hoo! Walkoff to win the series and give the Sox the 1 game division lead. It wasn’t looking good as the Sox were down 2-1 going into the bottom of the ninth with Rivera coming into the game. Sox had struggled to get anything going all game against Garcia. They only got one run in the 2^nd despite loading the bases with nobody out. Scutaro hit a single with one out to save face but an opportunity was missed nonetheless.

Beckett had the Yankees under wraps most of the game but gave the lead back on a solo home run in the 5^th. His line ended up being 6 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks. Albers coughed up the lead in the 7^th on another solo home run in 2/3 of an inning. Morales cleaned up the mess he left behind. Wheeler, Papelbon, and Bard each pitched a clean inning to give the batters a chance.

In the ninth, down by one, Scutaro lead off with a wall ball that was nearly a home run to get on 2^nd. Ellsbury sacrificed him to third and Pedroia hit a sac fly to score the run. One inning, one hit, one run, game tied. In the 10^th, Ortiz hit a double and McDonald pinch ran for him. Crawford was intentionally walked to put the force on. That didn’t matter though because Reddick hit a single to left to score McDonald and win the game.

And the crowd goes wild.

Game 112: Yanks 4 Sox 10

This game was much more rewarding. In a game everyone assumed we were going to lose (Sabathia v. Lackey?), Sox continued their streak of pounding CC, getting 7 runs in 6 innings on the perennial Cy Young candidate. Crawford finally had a game to feel good about, going 4-4 with a double and three runs. Ellsbury was also huge getting his 19^th home run of the season in the 4^th inning and knocking in 6 batters on the day. Ortiz and Saltalamacchia were the only starters to go hitless, although Salty was walked twice.

On the mound, Lackey worked his magic again. Six hits and 2 walks over 6 innings were somehow turned into 3 ER and a win. Aceves, Bard, and Wheeler held the game although having a 4 run lead most of the game made that relatively easy. Lackey must have made a deal with the devil because he has not looked any worse in the last few starts than he did when he was getting shelled. He just seems to work his way out of it now.

Oh well. A win is a win and the series is up for grabs next game.

Game 111: Yanks 3 Sox 2

Wow, I’ve gotten way behind on posting after watching games. The last two weeks have been super busy. The weekend of this series I was down in Portland playing in a tournament so I was slowly catching up after the weekend. It didn’t help that it was a Yankee-Sox series; 3 ½ hours felt like a quick game. Feels a little silly writing these recaps this much later but here’s to trying to catch up.

Sox and Yankees came into this game tied for the AL East lead so no matter how you sliced it, someone was going to take the lead after these three games. Yankees started off with the W in a game the Sox really wanted to win: Lester on the mound facing Colon. Sox got out to the early lead with a double from Ellsbury in the third and a solo shot from Ortiz in the 4^th. But the wheels came off for Lester in the sixth. He had been cruising but suddenly lost control, giving up 3 hits and two walks in the inning, plating three.

After that the game was over. In the last three frames, the Yankees only got 2 baserunners and the Sox only got 1. Crawford and Reddick led the team with 2 hits a piece but overall the Yankees did a good job of spreading 8 hits and a walk over the game. The Yankees on the other hand crowded their 5 hits and 6 walks (6!) to win the game.

Game 110: Tribe 7 Sox 3

Sox couldn't quite do it this game as this one slipped away from them. Bedard made his first start as a Red Sox and pitched well but left the game tied and the bullpen couldn't keep the Indians off the board. Bedard was on a pitch count limit and left after 70 pitches in 5 innings. He gave up 3 runs on 7 hits with 5 Ks and no BBs. More impressively, his stuff looked amazing. It seemed like he needed to throw more strikes but you could easily see why when he pitches, he's a great player. We've just got to keep him healthy.

Morales gave up a 2 run home run in a third of an inning to take the loss. Aceves finished the inning for him. Miller pitched in long relief with Bedard on the pitch count limit and gave up another 2 runs in 2 2/3 innings on 4 hits and 2 walks. He's obviously not built for the bullpen. Wheeler had to come in to finish the game for him.

Ellsbury lead the batters going 2-3 with a walk. Reddick hit his 5th home run in the 4th, something sinkerballer Masterson does not give up very often. Otherwise it was a very quite night with the Sox batters only mustering 5 hits all game. Fortunately, 3 of those came in the first inning to plate 2 runs.

Well, with the Sox loss and the Yankees win, the Yankees series will start with both teams tied. The Yankees have been on an absolute tear lately but I'm honestly very surprised. They have good batters but their pitching seems very, very suspect. But they've managed to be successful and as always, the series will be exciting. Lester squares off against Colon in the first game, one we should really take.

Game 109: Tribe 3 Sox 4

Another walkoff from Ellsbury! Sox struggled all game to push people across the plate but Ellsbury saved the day by hitting a solo shot with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, his 18th HR of the season. Sox had managed to collect 9 hits and 3 walks in 7 innings against the Indians' starter but could only get three runs out of it. Pedroia and Gonzalez had multi-hit games again and Reddick continues to hit well going 2-2 with a walk.

Wakefield started but still couldn't find win no. 200. He went 6 2/3 innings but ran into trouble in the 7th inning. Jason Kipnis hit another home run for the Indians in the 4th; I swear he's hit a home run in every game this series. Randy Williams somehow managed to pitch well in relief to finish the 7th and 8th. Papelbon pitched a perfect 9th and got his 2nd win in a row.

Ellsbury's really turned it on this year. He's been a real star in CF and gives the Sox so much depth. Sox try to win the series next before hosting the Yankees this weekend.

Game 108: Tribe 2 Sox 3

Walk off! Actually, it was a lot closer than that. Saltalamacchia scores from second on a frozen rope single by Ellsbury. He had no business trying to score on that hit but third base coach Bogar sent him despite all reason and only an awful throw up the first base line combined with a picture perfect slide by Salty scored the run. Bogar has made some awful choices so far this year. I miss DeMarlo Hale who is now Tito's bench coach; he always seemed to make the right decision. Hopefully Bogar can learn when to put up the stop sign and when to send 'em in.

Beckett didn't get the win despite pitching well. I was surprised he only went 6 innings as he had only thrown 85 pitches. I didn't hear anything about an injury. He gave up 2 runs, both on solo home runs. There were only 4 other hits allowed, no walks, and 7 Ks. Typical odd year Beckett. Morales looked good going 2 innings in relief. Papelbon got the save after pitching a clean ninth.

Sox struggled offensively collecting only 5 hits in the first 8 innings. They scored one run on a wild pitch strikeout with the bases loaded. The other came on a solo home run from Youkilis. Pedroia was the only batter to get more than one hit, going 2-4. He continues to be hot and Crawford continues to look bad.

Wakefield going for win number 200 next!

Game 107: Tribe 9 Sox 6

Well, this was a back and forth game until Orsillo worked his magic again. With the game tied at 5 and Bard coming in, Orsillo comments on how long it's been since Bard gave up a run and they go to an interview with Tito on Bard. Like clockwork, Bard gives up a two run home run to Cabrera as well as the lead. Williams comes in to finish the inning and is terrible per his usual and gives up his one inherited runner. Then, as if he hadn't had enough, Orsillo comments on Albers scoreless innings streak and Albers gives up a home run to the next batter. Sheesh.

Lackey pitched okay, not great, again, going 6 2/3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits on 5 Ks. He kept the Sox in the game which is all you can ask for with this offense. Morales finished the 7th inning but the rest of the bullpen couldn't hold the lead. Thanks Don!

Crawford finally got some good hits, going 2-4 with a double and a home run. Saltalamacchia also went 2-4 with a double and a home run. Aviles got some action the 2nd half of the game, made some good defensive plays, and got his first hit as a Red Sox. He ended up scoring the Sox final run on a bloop ground rule double by Ellsbury.

Difficult loss to take especially from the bullpen which had been so good this season (thanks Don!). Bounce back tomorrow with Beckett pitching.

Game 106: BOS 5 CHI 3

Sox win the rubber series as Miller does just enough to keep the Sox in the game. On the trade deadline, the Sox trade for Erik Bedard sending prospects to the Dodgers and the Mariners to make it happen. Bedard is poised to take Miller's spot in the rotation as Buchholz appears to be more injured than was first thought. Rumor has it he may be done for the season.

Miller pitched okay in this game trying to hold onto his job. He only gave up 3 runs and struck out 8 but he gave up 10 hits and a walk over 5 2/3 innings, walking a tightrope the entire time. He left down by one. Aceves finished the sixth and, as the Sox took the lead in the top of the 7th, walked away with the win. Bard and Papelbon finished the game with Papelbon striking out all three batters he faced to get the save.

The nine through three hitters (Scutaro, Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Gonzalez) each had two hits a piece to drive the offense and Varitek hit a 2 run home run in the 2nd. Crawford went 0-4 and continues to disappoint this year. I just can't figure out how someone goes from consistent .300 hitter and 50 SBs to the total lack of any offensive contribution in just one season. I sure hope the Sox signing Crawford is not the second coming of the Mariners signing Chone Figgins.

Great to win the series against a team we've struggled against. The Indians are next, in Boston. I'm looking forward to seeing Bedard in a Red Sox uniform. Hopefully he'll look better than he did when I saw him last Friday.