Games 19 to 21 - Sox Take 2 of 3 from the Tribe

Monday April 27th

Boston opens a three game series in Cleveland and wins its 11th game in a row. This was a real pitchers’ duel between Tim Wakefield (7 innings of 1 hit shutout ball) and Cliff Lee, the 2008 Cy Young winner. After Lee turned in eight scoreless innings Jason Bay came to the plate with one out and two on in the 9th. He hammered a Kerry Wood fast ball for the three run game winning homer. Manny Delcarmen pitched a clean 8th and has yet to surrender a run this year. Jonathan Papelbon got the save while giving up 3 hits and 1 run. He did have 2 K’s.

Final Score: Red Sox 3 Indians 1
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 including a GIDP

Tuesday April 28th

Red Sox streak comes to an end in heart-breaking fashion. An uncharacteristic three errors led to four unearned runs for the Indians. The hardest to take was by Javier Lopez who dropped a perfect toss at first while the winning run scored in the bottom of the 9th inning. Brad Penny coughed up four run leads twice (5-1 and 7-4). In just 2.2 innings pitched his byline read 7H and 7R. Sox left 11 runners on base in what was a frustrating game.

Final Score: Cleveland 9 Boston 8
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5 including a solo homer and a SF

Wednesday April 29th

Red Sox pull off a fairly improbable win coming from 5 runs down after 4 innings. Jon Lester was ineffective with control issues while giving up 5R on 7H with 7K’s in 6 innings. He did pick two runners off first and after Kelly Shoppach's two run bomb in the 4th managed to settle down a bit retiring the final 9 batters he faced. The star of the game was Jonathan Van Every in RF for the hobbled J.D. Drew. Van Every had 2 RBIs including the game winning homer in the 10th inning. Plus he made two excellent plays in the field. Interesting to note that Van Every spent seven years in the Indian farm system and even roomed with Jensen Lewis who surrendered that homer. Now it’s on to Tampa Bay.

Final Score: Boston 6 Cleveland 5
Jacoby Watch: 3 for 5 with an RBI.

Photo shows Jonathan Van Every watching the game winning homer.

Games 16 to 18 - Make It Ten in a Row for the Sox

Friday – April 24th

For a Red Sox fan it does not get any more exciting than a come from behind win featuring an extra inning walk-off homer and against their arch rivals the Yankees to boot. Starting pitchers, Lester and Chamberlain each yielded two runs. After the Yankees pushed two runs across against Okajima and with a 4-2 lead and two outs in the bottom of the 9th the legendary Mariano Rivera gave up the tying homer to Jason Bay – a rare blown save for Rivera. Enter Kevin Youkillis in the 11th for the walk-off win off Marte.

Final Score: Boston 5 New York 4
Ellsbury Watch: 2 for 6 with a run scored and a steal of 3rd.

Saturday – April 25th

The Fox game started late afternoon and took 4 hours and 21 minutes for the Red Sox improbable 16-11 win. I say improbable because with AJ Burnett on the mound and with the Yankees giving him a six run lead you think game over. Burnett has previously absolutely owned the Sox. The incredible come back featured a grand slam by Tek with 6 RBIs for Lowell and 3 for Bay. It was a slug fest with the lead going back and forth. In the end the Sox prevailed with 4 runs in the 8th. Of concern is the 8 runs given up by ace starter Beckett.

Final Score: Boston 16 New York 11
Ellsbury Watch: 2 for 4 including his first home run, 2 R and a stolen base

Sunday – April 26th

This Sunday Night ESPN game was a gem. Justin Masterson pitched 5.1 giving up only one run. You can not say enough about the bullpen with rookies Hunter Jones and Michael Bowden retiring all 8 Yankees they faced. Meanwhile the Sox came up with 3 runs off Andy Pettitte in the 5th highlighted by Jacoby Ellsbury’s straight steal of home. The steal of home plate is relatively rare and when the fans kept applauding Ellsbury acknowledged them with a tip of his cap from the dugout step. Saito recorded his second save with the Sox. All in all a memorable weekend and a great confidence booster for Sox fans.

Final Score: Boston 4 New York 1
Ellsbury Watch: 1 for 3 with 2 R and the thrilling steal of home - his 10th SB

Games 14 and 15 – Make That Seven in a Row

Wednesday April 22 at Fenway Park
Game 14

In the middle of the 7th inning the afternoon game was called due to the rain. Wake with another strong outing gave up only 1 R with 5 H and 4 K’s while completing seven innings. Sox had two run homers in each of the first three innings thanks to Youk, Nick Green and Mike Lowell. J.D. was 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Sox had 4 runs in with runners on 2nd and 3rd when the game was called in the home 7th. You have to love baseball records. How about this one! The last time a game 1 was rain shortened and a game 2 was completed was July 4, 1913 – yikes.

Final Score: Sox 10 Twins 1
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 with both a SB his 6th and a CS his 2nd

Game 15

Happy 50th birthday to the Red Sox esteemed manager, Terry Francona. The two Sox wins made Tito’s birthday even more enjoyable. Brad Penny started the nightcap and improved on his first start. He had 6 IP with 2 of the 3 runs being earned and 6 hits allowed. The pen in the person of Ramon Martinez, Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon each turned in a scoreless, hitless inning. They have been lights out and may it last. On the offensive side Jeff Bailey (called up from Pawtucket when Rocco Baldelli went on the 15 day DL) drove a three run homer into the monster seats in the 2nd inning. David Ortiz knocked in 2 runs in the third. Then after Minnesota came back with two runs in the 4th the Sox answered with 2 of their own. Sox are 6-0 so far on the homestand and have a weekend series scheduled with that team from the Bronx. The Red Sox wore green in the second game in honor of Earth Day.

Final Score: Sox 7 Twins 3
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 3 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI

Game 13 - Sox Win 5th in a Row

On this Patriots Day Justin Masterson had his first start of the year while Dice-K gets healthy. He pitched very well and the Sox had a 3-1 lead before the bats erupted with 3 runs in the 6th and 6 runs in the 7th. Once again the bullpen was not scored on turning in 3.2 innings of relief. Pedey was 4 for 6 with 3R and 3RBIs. Big Papi came alive with two extra base hits and 2RBIs as part of the Red Sox 15 hit attack.

Final Score: Red Sox 12 Orioles 1
Jacoby Watch: 3 for 6 with 3 runs and 1 RBI

Games 10, 11 and 12 - Three Wins at Friendly Fenway

Friday April 17th:
Brad Penny’s second start did not go well and the Sox were down by seven runs in the 2nd inning. Led by a two-run Jason Bay homer, a solo shot by J.D. Drew and two RBIs from newcomer Nick Green Boston came all the way back to defeat the Orioles. Kudos to the bullpen for providing six shutout innings with Paps getting the save.

Final Score: Red Sox 10 Orioles 8
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with an RBI

Saturday April 18th
Red Sox had six runs by the 4th inning and then held on to win when Josh Beckett gave up four runs in the 5th inning. Once again the bullpen would shine with three scoreless innings and another save for Paps. Youks was the offensive hero going 4 for 5 with 4 RBIs and 9 TB.

Final Score: Red Sox 6 Orioles 4
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5 with a run scored.

Sunday April 19th
Jon Lester pitched a gem giving up only 4 hits and 0 runs in 7 IP while striking out 9. Ramon Ramirez continues to impress with another scoreless inning. Takashi Saito did give up one run in the 9th but managed his first save with the Sox. Mikey and Petey both had two out RBIs as the Sox won their fourth in a row.

Final Score: Red Sox 2 Orioles 1
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 including his first double of the year.

Game 9 – Dismal Road Trip Ends on Positive Note

What can you say but that the knuckleball worked its dancing magic. Tim Wakefield gave his team a much needed boost with a complete game allowing the weary bullpen to rest. Sox got on the board first when Mike Lowell smashed a two run homer in the 2nd inning. After six perfect innings an error by Lowell gave the A’s their first base runner. Sox put up six runs in the top of the 8th highlighted by a J.D.Drew three run homer. Then in the 8th inning with one out Wake lost his bid for a no-hitter when the Oakland catcher, Suzuki, lined a clean single to left. A’s got a single run in both the 8th and 9th innings.

Final Score: Boston 8 Oakland 2

Jacoby Watch: a single in 5 AB with 2 RBI

Game 8 - What Can You Say?

After giving up five runs in the first inning Dice K was removed from the game and subsequently put on the DL. So much for being the MVP of the WBC!!! The pen was brilliant with over 10 innings of scoreless ball. In the 12th the A’s won the game on an infield hit - tough loss for the Sox after battling back to tie the game.

Final Score: Oakland 6 Boston 5

Jacoby Watch: a single in 6 at bats with a BB

Game 7 - Sox Roundly Defeated

Red Sox off to their worst start through seven games since 1996. Jon Lester was hammered giving up six runs in six IP leaving the Sox with a 2-5 record. In a disturbing stat Sox again failed to deliver the big hit leaving ten runners stranded. Nomar facing his former team for the first time hit a solo home run as did Youks as the Sox went down in defeat.

Final Score: Athletics 8 Red Sox 2

Jacoby Watch: Ellsbury struck out as a PH - Rocco Baldelli started in CF.

Late Breaking News: Pitcher Josh Beckett was suspended by MLB for six games due to the 'Abreu incident' of yesterday. Beckett will appeal.

Photo: Lester looking dejected

Games 5 and 6 - Split Decision

Saturday - April 11

What with a game tonight suffice to say it was a split decision this Easter weekend in Anaheim. Saturday Brad Penny made his encouraging Sox debut pitching 6 innings of 3 R 5 H ball. Paps was very shaky in the ninth inning and nearly blew the two-run save.

Final Score: Red Sox 5 Angels 4
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 a single with a SB, a grounded into a DP and 3 LOB

Sunday - April 12


Sunday’s game had Josh Beckett at less than his best. It appeared he may have thrown at Bobby Abreu after the batter was granted a very late TO by the home plate umpire. Benches emptied and four Angels were ejected including manager, Mike Scioscia. Abreu had the final say however as his two run single helped the Angels win when a ninth inning rally by the Sox fell short. Sox off to a 2 and 4 start and looking to right the ship in Oakland. We shall see…

Final Score: Sox 5 Angels 4
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 3 with a BB and was PH for by Rocco Baldelli in the 9th inning




Late Breaking News: Jed Lowrie to the 15 day DL with left wrist injury, ugh!

Photo of 'Dust-Up" between Beckett and Abreu

Game 4 - Third Loss in a Row for the Sox

Friday April 10th at Angel Stadium of Anaheim

There was a beautiful video remembrance of 22 year old Angels rookie pitcher, Nick Adenhart, killed by a hit and run driver early Thursday. This was followed by an intense moment of silence with the Angels and Red Sox players standing along the first and third base lines. The game seemed so secondary but the Angels, who all wore number 34, honored their fallen teammate defeating the Sox 6-3. Winning pitcher, Jered Weaver, allowed just 4 hits and 1 unearned run in 6.2 IP. Wakefield was touched for 3 runs in the 2nd and Masterson allowed another 3 runs in the 7th. Sox managed a couple of meaningless runs in the 8th. Angels with the emotional win.

Final Score: Angels 6 Red Sox 3
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 with 2 singles and 2 stolen bases

Game 3 - Sox Lose Rubber Game

Matt Garza, annoying hyperactive actions aside, is a puzzlement to the Red Sox. This includes today’s performance - seven innings of 4 H and 1 R baseball. On the other hand Dice-K wasn’t sharp yielding three homers and giving up 4 runs on 9 hits in only 5.1 IP as the Rays took the rubber game. Failing to get the big hit Sox had 10 runners LOB. On the plus side Tek homered again.

Rays 4 Sox 3

Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 – a bunt single, SB, W and 2K’s

Photo is of Jed Lowrie striking out in the 8th inning with runners on 2nd and 3rd.

Red Sox Game 2 of 2009 Season

Some disheartening statistics with regard to Red Sox lefty Jon Lester and the Tampa Bay Rays. After the 2008 regular season of 3 wins and no losses with an ERA of 0.90. The 2008 ALCS stats were:

12.2 IP 14 H 8 R 7 ER and ERA of 5.47 Which brings us to tonight's game in which Lester went 5 IP giving up 5 R on 8 hits for an ERA of 9.00 - ugly stuff!

Final Score

Rays 7 Sox 2

Rubber game coming up tomorrow afternoon: Dice-K vs Garza

Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5 with an infield hit.

Boston Red Sox Opening Game 2009

Opening Day
April 7, 2009

There is something both reassuring and thrilling about the start of the 2009 baseball season. It’s the comfort of a continuing tradition and the excitement of the 30 MLB teams all starting on equal footing. As much as I love the season opener it is often over-hyped and given too much importance. It is after all only one game with 161 to go. That being said those first impressions of your home team can linger.

So, it was with great joy that I watched the Boston Red Sox and their workman like victory over the Tampa Bay Rays today. From Petey’s first inning blast into the Monster Seats to Beckett’s yielding only a single run, and a mere two hits while striking out 10 batters over seven innings. Tek even hit a home run and yes, Paps recorded his first save of the year. So for now all is well in Red Sox Nation after the 5-3 win.

I intent to watch Jacoby Ellsbury in particular as I think it is key for him to have a good year at the plate. The Sox are just a different team when he gets on base and bothers the opposing pitchers with his base running prowess. Today’s stats 0 for 4 with a SO – the only member of the line-up who failed to get a hit.

Photo is of Josh Beckett delivering the first pitch of the 2009 season.

Baseball is Almost Back

Yes, I am ready for some baseball. No more WBC and mercifully today was the final spring training game. Soon my questions will start to be answered. Included among them:

Will Youk continue to hit for power?
Will Petey be as mighty as he was last year?
Will Jed really end up being the answer at shortstop?
Can Mikey bounce back from surgery?
Will Jason prove worthy of patrolling that storied Fenway left-field?
(I’m thinking fondly of the Splendid Splinter, Yaz, Jim Ed and even Manny.)
Will this be Ellsbury’s break out year?
Will J.D. stay away from the DL?
Will Tek ever hit like a major leaguer again?
Will Big Papi return to form after an injury plagued 2008?

No surprise, I expect pitching and defense to carry the day(s). Getting healthy (Penny and Smoltz) staying healthy (Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, and Wake) is crucial. Having Buchholz and Bowden at the ready is exciting. The pen looks good on paper but I realize that’s not where games are won. Still I’ll take Paps, Masterson, Okie, Delcarmen, and Lopez. Am anxious to see what Rocco and Saito are able to contribute.

I’d like to give special recognition to Tito, our esteemed manager, and his indefatigable pitching coach, John Farrell. Sending all good wishes to the Olde Town Team for a very successful 2009 season – Go Sox!!!