Games 45-48 Sox and Twins with Split

Monday- May 25

With about 30% of the season behind us it is a bit baffling that the Red Sox are in first place in the AL East even if by only a half a game. If you knew that David Ortiz would have only one home run and be mired in a season long slump, if you knew that Dice-K would have 0 wins, if you knew that Jon Lester’s ERA would be 6.07, if you knew that the Sox defense would be 12th of 14 teams in the AL, if you knew that the SS position would be up for grabs with no stability – well you’d say I’ll take that 28-20 record. Today Brad Penny pitched into the 6th inning with 3R, 6H and 7K’s. With RBIs from Bay (2), Youkilis (2) and Lowell the solo homer by Jeff Bailey in the 8th didn’t seem like that big a deal in a 5-3 game. But that proved to be the winning run as Papelbon gave up a two run pinch hit homer to Joe Mauer in the bottom of the 9th. Sox hung on for the one run win.

Final Score: Red Sox 6 Twins 5
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with a run, a CS and a Pickoff at first.

Red Sox and all MLers wore special caps in honor of Memorial Day

Tuesday – May 26

The story of this game was Jon Lester and his typical ‘one bad inning’. With the Sox up a run in the 5th Lester gave up 5 runs with the big blow a three-run homer by 2006
MVP Justin Morneau. Twins starter Nick Blackburn yielded 8 hits but only two runs over 7 effective innings. Sox were 1 for 11 with RISP and had 8 LOB. David Ortiz returned to the line-up and was dropped to #6 in the order going 1 for 3 with a BB. Jacoby Ellsbury continues his hitting streak which is now at 21 games.

Final Score: Twins 5 Red Sox 2
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with 2R and a SB

Wednesday – May 27

It is painful to watch Daisuke Matsuzaka, known as the “nibbler”, pitch as today in 5innings he threw 102 pitches with 3R, 9H, 3BB, 1HBP and a whopping 4 wild pitches. So much for the MVP of the WBC who began the year injured and spent time on the DL. Twins hurler, Kevin Slowey, had 6 innings of 2R ball. The bullpen gave the Twins three scoreless innings with Joe Nathan getting the save. Jason Bay had his 14th homer the first solo shot in his last 11 homers. David Ortiz was 0 for 4 with a K and Jacoby Ellsbury continues his hitting streak which is now at 22 games.

Final Score: Twins 4 Red Sox 2
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 with his 21st stolen base.

Thursday – May 28

Some of the positive developments so far in the Red Sox season include Jason Varitek with 10 home runs (two solo shots today), Jacoby Ellsbury hitting .302 and playing a great centerfield, Jason Bay with 14 homers and 48 RBIs, Tim Wakefield with a 6-2 record and a 3.99 ERA , George Kottaras and his ability to catch Wake, and most importantly the best bullpen in MLB with an ERA of 2.99. Josh Beckett was excellent today going 7 innings with 1R, 3H and 8K’s. Beckett didn’t like a non-strike call in the 7th by the AAA fill-in umpire, Todd Tichener, so Tek started arguing to protect Beckett and was tossed along with Tito. With the game tied in the top of the 7th Tek hit his second homer and Sox went up 2-1. Jeff Bailey doubled and came in to score on a SF by Dustin Pedroia. Twin’s catcher and manager both argued the safe at home call and were tossed. The replay was inconclusive as the throw beat Bailey but he appeared to get his hand around the tag. We’ll take it. Okijima had a scoreless 8th and Papelbon got his 13th save. So there you have it both managers and both catchers were ejected from this game.

Final Score: Red Sox 3 Twins 1
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 3 with a HBP as his hitting streak ends at 22 games

During his 22 game hitting streak Ellsbury hit .340 with 4RBIs, 16RS and 11SB

Games 42, 43 and 44 - Sox Avoid Getting Swept by NY Mets

Friday – May 22, 2009

Dice-K returns after a stint on the DL. He pitched OK and deserved a better fate. The game was lost in the 4th inning when Lugo failed to turn what would have been an inning ending DP and the Mets scored two more runs. Pedey even said after the game, “We have to make that play.” Johan Santana and the Mets pen keep the Sox at bay as the team was 0 for 10 with RISP.

Final Score: Mets 5 Sox 3
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5

Saturday - May 23, 2009

This was the most heart-breaking loss of the year. Papelbon was one out away from saving a brilliant performance by Josh Beckett. Instead Paps has his first blown save of the year as he surrenders a two run homer to Mets catcher Santos – this after literally blowing away Wright and Reed on blistering fast balls. Instant replay was used at Fenway for the first time as Santos’s hit was originally ruled a double before the reversal – clearly it was a home run. The run off Beckett in the 1st inning was unearned as he gave the Sox 8 innings of 5H ball. Youk drove in both Sox runs in the 1st inning as Pelfrey and the Mets bullpen kept the Sox offense quiet the rest of the way.

Final Score Mets 3 Sox 2
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with a run scored

Sunday – May 24, 2009

Red Sox look to Tim Wakefield to avoid a sweep by the NY Mets in the first interleague play of 2009. Even though he didn’t have his best knuckler he kept them in the game until the offense could get untracked. Mike Lowell gave the Sox a temporary two run lead with a three run homer in the 2nd inning. Mets were ahead 5-3 when the Sox scored 3 runs as a clutch two out single by Nick Green pushed across 2R. Sox continued to add on, something they failed to do the last two games, with a 3 run homer by Youkilis being the big blow. It should be noted that for the second time in two days instant replay was used as an earlier bid by Youk for a homer was ruled foul. Sox got two impressive scoreless innings from Manny Delcarmen. Saito pitched a scoreless ninth. Ellsbury’s hitting streak is now at 19 games. Every Sox batter had at least one hit except David Ortiz who was 0 for 5. Papi was 0 for 12 in the series as his year long slump continues.

Final Score: Sox 12 Mets 5
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with a run scored

Games 39-41 - Red Sox Sweet Sweep of Blue Jays

Tuesday May 19, 2009

The Boston Red Sox certainly enjoy ‘home cooking’ after limping home from another losing road trip. Their record at Fenway Park so far this year is 16 wins 4 losses. After completing a sweep of the first-place Jays, the Sox are now within a half-game of the top spot. Tonight’s game belonged to Tim Wakefield as he really had it going on baffling the Jay’s hitters with the knuckler. The only run off him in eight innings came in the 5th on a home run by old friend, Kevin Millar. Sox scored twice in the 2nd inning on a big single by Jeff Bailey and a sac-fly by George Kotteras. Jonathan Papelbon recorded his 11th save.

Final Score: Sox 2 Jays 1
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 including a double

Wednesday May 20, 2009

Brad Penny pitched just well enough to win as the Blue Jays seemed to be hitting him hard all night. To his credit he got the outs when he needed them and had a very respectable 6.2 IP with 2R and 9H. Oki and Delcarmen each recorded an out while fire-baller Daniel Bard gave up 3H and 1R in 0.2 IP. Saito finished up pitching the 9th. But the big story of the game was David Ortiz. Big Papi finally hit one out of the park (dead center in the photographers’ well) ending a drought of 149 plate appearances in 2009. The crowd went crazy and his teammates gave him the ‘silent treatment’ in the dugout before mobbing him with congratulations!!! Papi even said the monkey is off his back. Here’s hoping his season long slump is over. Tek had two solo homers. One came in the 5th inning, followed by two-run bombs from Ortiz and Jason Bay and a solo shot from Mike Lowell as the Sox scored 6 runs on four home runs. Notably Jacoby Ellsbury tied the ML record for 9 innings with 12 put outs in CF. It has been done twice before both in Boston - the Braves in 1929 and the Twins vs Boston in 1977.

Final Score: Sox 8 Jays 3
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with a BB


Thursday May 21, 2009

The Sox got off to a fast start in this game with 3 runs in the 1st including a two-run homer by who else, Jason Bay. He leads the team in homers with 13. But the story of this game was the bounce-back performance from Jon Lester. He has really struggled this year with an ERA of 6+. After 6.1 IP only 1R along with 8H Lester’s ERA is now 5.91. Still a long way from last year but heading in the right direction. The Jays had 12 LOB going 1 for 7 with RISP. Jacoby Ellsbury continues to be hot and has now extended his hitting streak to 16 games. His average is .302 and he has 17 SB. Before the season started I was convinced that Elllsbury was the key to the Sox offense. If he gets on base good things happen and may it continue!

Final Score: Sox 5 Jays 1
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with 2R and 1SB

Games 36-38 Series - Lost in Seattle

Friday May 15

This Red Sox loss to the Seattle Mariners was the maddening kind. Jon Lester was spotted a four run lead but after being touched for four runs in the 6th managed to cough it up. Now with a 2-4 record and an ERA of 6.51 Lester is far from the pitcher once thought of as ‘ace material’. Ichiro Suzuki got Seattle on the board with a solo homer in the 5th then put them ahead 5-4 with a two run shot in the fateful sixth. Jacoby Ellsbury was a home run short of the cycle and continues his hot hitting. The previously unheralded Mariners pen had three scoreless innings with former Sox, David Aardsma, getting the save.

Final Score: Mariners 5 Sox 4
Jacoby Watch 3 for 5 with 6TB, a run scored and an RBI

Saturday May 16

Josh Beckett was also spotted a four run lead but managed to go 7 innings with 4H, 3R including 2ER and 120 pitches thrown. Jason B and Jason V each had two run homers. Jeff Bailey chipped in with a solo shot in the 5th as Sox scored all their runs on homers. Oki, Martinez and Papelbon did what the pen does and the Sox had a win. On the plus side the Red Sox bull pen has the best ERA in the AL. On the down side the Sox starters have the worst ERA in the AL. How did that happen!?! What was supposed to be the Sox strength going into the season (starting pitching) has been anything but!

Final Score: Sox 5 Mariners 3
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5

Sunday May 17


Justin Masterson had a fine outing – perhaps his last one before returning to the pen as Dice-K is due back off the DL. Masterson had 6.1 IP with 9H and only 2R while striking out 6. This is another of those one run losses. Sox had three on this road trip as they lost both series and return home after a 2-4 trip out West. Good thing they don’t have to return there again in the regular season. With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 9th a Nick Green error at SS his 8th in only 23 games led to the Mariners pushing across a run on a single by Gutierrez. Ramon Martinez absorbs his first loss and is now 4-1. J.D. Drew had a solo homer as old friend David Aardsma gets the win. Jacoby Ellsbury’s single has his hitting streak at 13 games. During this span he has gone 21 for 56 and raised his BA to an even .300.

Final Score: Mariners 3 Sox 2
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5 with 5 LOB

Games 33, 34 and 35 – Angels Take Another Series from the Sox

Tuesday May 12

Red Sox with a nice come from behind win. Down two runs in the 8th Sox tied the game when with the bases loaded Ortiz was HBP and Bay grounded out. The go ahead run scored in the 9th when Drew, who also had a solo homer, came around from first on a clutch double by Tek. Masterson was a bit erratic but had a good line 6IP 2R 5H. Papelbon with the save as he fanned Torii Hunter with the tying run on second in the 9th.

Final Score: Sox 4 Angels 3

Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with a run scored

Wednesday May 13

Red Sox spotted Tim Wakefield a four run lead into the 3rd inning. When Angels erupted for five runs as the knuckler wasn’t dancing and Mike Napoli hit a three run homer. After a shaky start 30 year old rookie pitcher Matt Palmer shut down the Sox at one point retiring 20 consecutive batters.

Final Score: Angels 8 Sox 4

Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with an RBI

Thursday May 14

No question this was the most frustrating loss of the year to date. Red Sox had 17 LOB and were 3 for 22 with runners in scoring position. David Ortiz was the main culprit as he left the bases loaded twice and had a total of 12 LOB. This is the low point of the year for ‘Big Papi’ as he has yet to hit a home run in 130 at bats. The lead went back and forth until the Sox tied the game 4-4 in the 8th on three singles Pedey with the RBI. Dustin returning to the lineup was 4 for 6 with a BB, a run scored and an RBI. Julio Lugo was 5 for 6 with a run scored and an RBI. All to no avail as the Angels pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the 12th inning on a single by no.9 hitter, Jeff Mathis. It was that kind of a forgettable day!

Final Score: Angels 5 Sox 4

Jacoby Watch: 2 for 6 including an RBI

Photo: From Boston Dirt Dogs: The Ghost of David Ortiz

Games 30, 31 and 32 – Red Sox Finally Take a Series from Tampa Bay

Friday May 8

Brad Penny had a decent outing giving up 8H and 3R in 6.1 innings pitched. The Rays got single runs in the 1st, 3rd and 4th innings. The Sox erupted for 5 runs in the home half of the 6th. Jason Bay, who else, hit a 3 run homer and J.D. Drew chipped in with a 2 run homer - all this off Sox nemesis James ‘Big Game” Shields. Dustin Pedroia was 4 for 5 with and RBI. The bullpen contributed 2.2 innings of scoreless 1 hit relief. Feels good to take the first game.

Final Score: Red Sox 7 Rays 3
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 including a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Saturday May 9

Boston was blown out and this one was ugly. Tampa was on top 2-1 entering the 5th inning when they exploded for 6 runs. They did it with the help of one double and 7 singles including some well placed grounders. Rays added 5 more runs in the 6th and there was never any doubt how this would end. Jon Lester’s line read 4.1 IP, 8R 10H. The Sox had solo homers from Rocco Baldelli and Julio Lugo. They were 2 for 12 with RISP and stranded 10 runners. Scott Kazmir left after 100 pitches thrown and 5 IP.

Final Score: Rays 14 Sox 5
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with a BB and a run scored

Sunday May 10

The ESPN Sunday Night game was a pitcher’s duel with Josh Beckett and Matt Garza. The game tied 1-1 in the 4th the Sox scored 2 runs after 2 were out on doubles by Jeff Bailey and Tek along with a Nick Green single. The latter was thrown out at second trying to stretch it. The Rays tied the game 3-3 with single runs in the 5th and 6th innings. Worth noting is that Beckett did get the third out in the 6th with men on second and third by striking out Dioner Navarro. Beckett left the game after 6 innings and 116 pitches. Back to back wall doubles by Ortiz and Bay pushed across a run in the 8th for the Sox. There was lots of drama in the 9th as Papelbon came on to get the save. A walk, an errant throw to first by Paps, a single and a steal of second and you have second and third no outs. What followed was a thing of beauty as Paps reached back (even hit 97 mph on the radar gun) and struck out pinch hitter Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford to preserve the win. The Sox finally took a series from the Rays and now head for the West Coast. Angels up next on Tuesday.

Games 28 and 29 – Lose One; Win One

Wednesday May 6

Red Sox back at Fenway for a brief series with the Cleveland Indians. This one belongs to Carl Pavano as the Sox could do little with his off speed stuff and the Indians got three scoreless innings from their much maligned pen. Justin Masterson was touched for 6 runs in 6.1 innings. Javier Lopez continues to struggle out of the pen giving up 2 runs in one inning and seeing his ERA balloon to 10.38. Not a good night for the home team.

Final Score: Cleveland 9 Boston 2
Jacoby Watch: DNP - injury


Thursday May 7

The game was close with the Indians holding on to a one run lead, 2-1, until the incredible home half of the 6th inning. Yes, it was historic as the Sox scored 12 runs before a single out was recorded and now have the AL record. The Brooklyn Dodgers of 1953 accomplished this feat and hold the NL record. No Youk, no Ellsbury, no Ortiz, no problem as the offense exploded. Julio Lugo batting lead-off was 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored. Jason Bay had the only home run of the game and drove in 4 runs. Rocco Baldelli back from the DL had 2 RBIs and a great catch in CF. Wake with a solid outing 6 innings 4 hits 2 runs. All in all a fun game for a Sox fan.

Final Score : Red Sox 13 Indians 3
Jacoby Watch: DNP - injury

Games 26-27 Red Sox First in the New Yankee Stadium

Monday – May 4, 2009

Red Sox and Yankees endured a two hours+ rain delay before this game started. Sox scored single runs in the first four innings off Phil Hughes. David Ortiz with two hard doubles and an RBI finally showing signs of life. Solo homer from Mike Lowell and a two run blast in the 7th inning by Jason Bay proved to be enough runs. Jon Lester had a rough 5th inning with back to back homers by Damon good for two runs and a solo blast from Teixeira. Still Lester managed to last 7 innings with 10K’s and 111 pitches thrown. Ramon Ramirez yielded his first run of the season on another Teixeira solo homer in the 8th. Papelbon with a rare five out save had a shaky 9th but did get a big K of Robinson Cano with the bases loaded to end the game. Worth noting is that the Sox had 13 LOB.

Final Score: Red Sox 6 Yankees 4
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with a run scored, a BB


Tuesday – May 5, 2009

I’m not one to gloat and I don’t enjoy it when others do it. That said it was very satisfying to see the Red Sox do the little things so necessary for a winning effort. The fact that they did this in the new, rain soaked Yankee Stadium was all the more satisfying. Examples that come to mind are Tek down on the count, continues to battle and manages a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the 8th for an important insurance run. Then Nick Green follows with a bloop to right and now we are three runs up. Green also made a heck of a play in the SS hole with a wet ball throwing out slow-footed Molina with Yankee runners on second and third in the bottom of the 6th. Don’t forget Drew and Pedroia throwing out Cabrera at third trying to stretch a double. Pedey was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored. Sox are being fundamentally sound with timely hitting, good defense, adequate starting pitching and some great work from the bullpen.

After Beckett had given up a three run homer to Damon he was tough when he needed to be. Oki with a clutch 6 up and 6 down in the 7th and 8th innings, followed by Saito retiring the side in order in the 9th. Granted Joba Chamberlain dominated after the first inning with 12K’s. But back in the 1st the Sox took advantage of his slow start with five straight hits to open the game. The big blow was Jason Bay’s three-run homer as the Sox scored four times in the inning. Amazingly these runs would hold up. Youkilis, oblique and sore side, did not play. Boston has now won the first five games against New York. Hard to say what it means, if anything, as it is a long season with lots of baseball left to play.

Final Score: Red Sox 7 Yankees 3

Jacoby Watch: 1 for 2 with a run scored and a SB, his 15th. Unfortunately Ellsbury had to leave the game with a hamstring injury and is day to day.

Games 22 to 25 - Rays Rule Sox

Thursday April 30, 2009

Although the Red Sox had a good April it ended on a sour note. Josh Beckett was shelled for 7 runs in less than 5 innings, as the Rays Matt Garza flirted with perfection and ended up with a 1 hitter in 7.2 innings. The only Sox hit was an infield single by Jacoby Ellsbury.

Final Score: Rays 13 Sox 0
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4

Boston Red Sox Record in April: 14 Wins 8 Losses

Friday May 1, 2009

Red Sox had a 2-0 lead when in the bottom of the 5th inning Justin Masterson was touched up for back to back homers by Evan Longoria, a 3 run shot and Carlos Pena, a solo homer. Tropicana Field continues to be a ‘house of horrors’ for Boston. They have now lost 11 of their last 12 games there.

Final Score: Rays 6 Sox 2
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 5

Saturday May 2, 2009

After scoring only two runs in the first two games Boston bats erupted for 10 runs on 13 hits. Nick Green had 3 hits and 3 RBIs. J.D.Drew’s two out double drove in 2 runs and Mike Lowell hit a solo home run. Tim Wakefield was not sharp with that knuckler giving up 5 runs in 5 innings. Okajima, Ramirez and Saito contributed 4 innings of 1 run ball as the pen continues to be strong.

Final Score: Sox 10 Rays 6
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 6 with 2 runs scored

Sunday May 3, 2009

Brad Penny pitched well with 6 innings and 3 runs given but the Sox could not solve James Shields after getting a first inning run and leaving the bases loaded. Youk contributed a 2 run homer off Howell in the 8th bringing the Sox within 1 run but that’s as close as they would get. Rays now lead season series 5-2.

Final Score: Rays 5 Sox 3
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5

Photo: Brad Penny's befuddled expression sums up this losing series.