Games 73-75 Red Sox Fail to Sweep Atlanta

Friday – June 26

The Interleague play is now complete. Sox record of 11-7 could have been better. I’m thinking of the rain shortened 2-1 home game and the Papelbon blown save (his only one of the year) against the Mets. But I digress. This game was another gem by Josh Beckett. He threw 7 shut-out innings to gain his 9th win of the year. Big Papi contributed a solo homer with J.D. Drew and Dustin Pedroia each having an RBI. Oki and Paps closed out the game.

Final Score: Red Sox 4 Braves 1
Jacoby Watch: He entered the game when Ortiz left for defensive purposes and was 0 for 1

Saturday – June 27

This game was a classic pitcher’s duel. Tim Wakefield had 6IP with 0R and 3H. Delcarmen 1.1IP, Masterson 0.2IP and Papelbon with the 9th inning continued to keep the Braves scoreless. The Braves pitcher Javier Vazquez had 7.2 IP with 1R, 6H and 8K’s. The Red Sox managed to scratch out a run in the 6th as Mark Kotsay got the two out RBI.

Final Score Red Sox 1 Braves 0
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 with 4 LOB

Sunday – June 28

Brad Penny pitched a good game with 6IP, 2R 6H on 106 pitches. He gave up two solo homers. In the meantime Braves rookie, Tommy Hansen, who was battling the flu pitched brilliantly with 2H through 6 innings. The Sox pushed across a run in the 9th inning in Varitek’s two out RBI. But it wasn’t enough and now it’s back to the DH and AL baseball.

Final Score: Braves 2 Red Sox 1
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 with 4 LOB

Games 70-72 – Red Sox are Now 9-6 in Interleague Play

Tuesday June 23

The Boston Red Sox with the best record in the AL East and the Washington Nationals with the worst record in baseball squared off in DC. Brad Penny went 5.2 innings, threw 112 pitches and gave up 3R on 6H as the Sox bullpen was not scored on. John Lannon pitched well with a line of 6.1 IP 3R 9H. The Sox broke a 4-3 game wide open with 6R in the 8th. Some of the hitting stars were Ellsbury 4 for4, Bay 4 for 6 and Pedroia 3 for 6 as the Sox banged out 17 hits and scored 8R off the Nationals pen.

Final Score: Sox 11 Nats 3
Jacoby Watch: 4 for 4 with 1R, 3RBI’s and a BB

Wednesday June 24

This game saw Jon Lester vs Greg Lannon who had shut out the Yankees for 6.1 innings in his previous start. David Ortiz hit a three-run homer in the 4th inning as the Sox went up 3-1. Tek chipped in with a two-run homer which put the Sox ahead 6-1. Lester went 6 innings and yielded 3R on 6H with 6K’s.

Final Score Sox 6 Nats 4
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 with a K

Thursday June 25

Boston was looking for the sweep as they sent John Smoltz to the mound for his first start as a Red Sox. Smoltz had a shaky 1st inning giving up 4 runs while hitting a batter. He did settle down and gave up only 1R in the next 4 innings. Meanwhile Nats pitcher Jordan Zimmerman was very effective giving up only 1R on 5H in 7IP. Both Daniel Bard and Takashi Saito were touched up for 2R as the Nats won this one going away. Rocco Baldelli had a meaningless two-run homer in the 9th.

Final Score: Nats 9 Sox 3
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with a SB, his 31st of the year – Ellsbury banged his arm making a catch against the fence and won’t start tomorrow’s game.

Games 67-69 Boston Red Sox take 2 of 3 from Atlanta Braves

Friday - June 19

Interleague play continues as the Sox welcome the Braves to Fenway. John Smoltz had a chance to catch up with former teammates after spending 20 years with Atlanta. Smoltz is almost finished rehabilitation and is due to start next Thursday in DC. Not a minute too soon as Daisuke Matsuzaka was really hammered in this game. He only lasted 4 innings giving up 6 R 8 H 4BB and only 2SO. Soon after this performance, his ERA is now 8.23, he was given an MRI and placed on the DL. The only offense the Sox could muster in this game was a two-run homer by J-Bay who also had a double for the only Sox hits in this one.

Final Score: Atlanta 8 Boston 2
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 2 with a BB - Ellsbury continues to bat 7th in the order

Saturday – June 20

This game belonged completely to Josh Beckett as he threw an absolute gem. He commanded all his pitches allowing no runs and only five singles while striking out 7and walking none. Beckett finished the complete game shut out with only 94 pitches. The bottom of the order was getting it done with Tek having 2 doubles and scoring 2 runs and Nick Green getting 2 hits and an RBI.

Final Score: Boston 3 Atlanta 0
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 3 with a SO

Sunday - June 21

It was a Happy Father’s Day, first day of summer as the Red Sox won today in dramatic fashion. The weather was wet and very windy. Tim Wakefield gave the team 6.2innings of 4 R 9 H ball. After Wake gave up 2 runs in the 1st the Sox came back with 3 of their own. The big blow was a two-run homer by Papi as he drove it into the monster seats through a strong wind. Sox were up by two in the 7th but the Braves tied the game as Ramon Ramirez allowed an inherited runner to score. The Sox managed to go up by a run in the home half of the 7th. J. D. Drew was apparently called out on strikes but the home plate umpire didn’t think so. On the next pitch Drew hit one off the left field wall scoring George Kotteras who had doubled. Braves pitcher, Eric O’Flaherty, was thrown out for arguing the non-strike call by the home plate umpire as was manager, Bobby Cox and 3rd baseman Chipper Jones. Atlanta tied the game again with a run off Okajima in the 8th. After Jonathan Papilbon pitched out of a bases loaded situation in the top of the 9th, Nick Green first pitch swinging in the home 9th hit a ball down the 3rd base line which stayed fair and wrapped around the Pesky Pole. Green with the walk-off homer and the Sox win another series!

Final Score: Boston 6 Atlanta 5
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4

Games 64-66 - Sox take 2 of 3 from the Fish

Tuesday June 16

Tim Wakefield continues on a positive roll. Tonight he went 6 innings giving up only 2 R on 6 H. The Sox offense contributed with a big 4th inning. David Ortiz led off with a home run and he would later have a two run single as he drove in 3 of the 6 runs scored that inning. Jason Bay had 2 RBI as did Nick Green. The Sox won easily with the bullpen contributing 3 scoreless innings and Wake’s personal catcher, George Katteras, getting two hits.

Final Score: Red Sox 8 Marlins 2
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 with 2 R, 2 SB and batting 7th


Wednesday June 17

Brad Penny although a bit wild with 4 BB pitched 5 innings of 1 R 3 H ball. Some MLB scouts were on hand as there is much interest in trading for Penny with John Smoltz almost ready to start and Clay Buchholtz burning through AAA for the Red Sox. But so far the Sox have not had an offer they could entertain. Dustin Pedroia had a big night with 3 hits and 3 RBI’s. Rocco Baldelli was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Jacoby Ellsbury had a solo home run in the 7th inning and once again the bullpen was perfect. Masterson, Okajima, Ramirez and Papelbon each pitched a scoreless inning. The Red Sox are now 3 games up on the Yankees who lost to the Nationals.

Final Score : Red Sox 6 Marins 1
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with a R, an RBI,2 BB, 2 SB and hitting 2nd


Thursday June 18

This was a rain shortened game with Jon Lester facing one batter in the 6th inning before the umpires called for the tarp. After a two hour delay the game was called. Kevin Youkilis had a solo home run in the 1st to give the Sox a fast 1-0 lead. That ended up being their only hit. Uggla and Paulino had solo home runs for the Marlins in the 2nd inning to give them a 2-1 lead which held up for the Florida win. Jon Lester was not as sharp as he has been giving up 8 H to go with the 2 R.

Final Score after 5 innings: Marlins 2 Red Sox 1
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 2 with his 29th SB and batting 7th

Games 61-63 Sox Take 2 of 3 from the 2008 Champion Phillies

Friday June 12

Jon Lester spun a gem of a game giving up only 1 R and 2 H in 7 IP. He struck out 11 and was dominant. When he left the game the Sox had a 2-1 lead but Ramon Ramirez gave up the tying homer to Ryan Howard in the 9th. Papelbon was not available to close as he had pitched the two previous nights. On to extra innings as Masterson, Saito and Bard shut down the Phillies offense and the Sox pushed across 3 runs in the 13th inning for a very satisfying win.

Final Score: Sox 5 Phillies 2
Jacoby Watch: Back after missing 3 games he was 2 for 6 with an RBI

Saturday June 13

The Red Sox got off to a fast start scoring 5 runs in the 1st inning. After that inning an hour and 35 minute rain delay occurred. The Phillies starter was replaced but Dice-K went 4 innings with 91 pitches 4 R and 7 H as his problems continue. When he left the game the score was 5-4. The bullpen pitched 5 innings of 2 R 5 H ball. In the meantime the Red Sox tacked on another 6 runs as they won handily. Papelbon got his 16th save.

Final Score: Sox 11 Phillies 6
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBI’s, 3 BB and a SB

Sunday June 14

Turnabout is fair play as the saying goes. The Phillies pounded Red Sox pitching and won by that 11-6 score. This game was a huge disappointment as Josh Beckett, who has not lost a game since late April, was staked to a three run lead in the 2nd inning helped by back to back homers from Baldelli and Green. But the 5th inning was ugly as Beckett gave up 4 runs. With the Sox down a run in the 6th Josh tied the game with a home run – good for him. It would have been a great story but Beckett couldn’t get anyone out in the 7th and two of his inherited runners scored when Daniel Bard came in the game. Beckett’s line after 6 IP was 7 R 6 ER 11 H and 5 K’s. It should be noted that Julio Lugo played both Saturday and Sunday going 5 for 7 with 3 RBI’s. He did have a bad throw to 1st base allowing an inning to continue instead of getting the DP. Dustin Pedroia in a slump was rested today. Needless to say the Red Sox 5 game winning streak ended and now it’s back to Fenway for 6 games against NL teams – Florida and Atlanta.

Final Score: Phillies 11 Sox 6
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with an RBI and a SB

Games 58, 59 and 60 – Red Sox With Sweet Sweep of the Yankees

Tuesday June 9

Josh Beckett came up huge in the opening game of another series with the rival New York Yankees. There was a mist throughout the game as Beckett pitched six shutout innings with only one infield hit, two BB and 8 K’s. The Sox put up 4 big runs as Yankee starter A.J. Burnett struggled in the 2nd inning. Big Papi homered after Mike Lowell walked; J.D. Drew contributed a two-run double and the Sox were on the board. Nick Green had a good game with a solo homer and an RBI double. The bullpen gave up only a single in three shutout innings. I was at Fenway for this game and the atmosphere was electric – good times.

Final Score: Red Sox 7 Yankees o
Ellsbury Watch: DNP due to shoulder injury after spectacular catch Sunday.

Wednesday June 10

Tim Wakefield had lots of base runners but managed 6 IP with 3R 8H and 3BB as the Yankees had 9 LOB and were 3 for 11 with RISP. Jorge Posada had a solo home run to tie the game in the 2nd. Chien-Ming Wang lasted only 2.2 innings as he was wild and gave up 3 BB with 4 R on 6 H, including a Lowell HR. Kevin Youkilis blasted a two-run homer off Phil Hughes in the 4th as the Sox scored 6 runs in the first 4 innings. Wake’s catcher, George Kottaras, contributed two doubles and an RBI as all the Sox were getting it done. The Yankees had back to back homers in the 7th innings off Ramon Ramirez as they closed the gap to 6-5. But Hideki Okajima shut the door striking out his former teammate Hideki Matsui to end the 7th. Then in the 8th with the tieing run at 2nd base he struck out both Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon. Oki was the star of the game. Papilbon got the save when he struck out Robinson Cano with the tieing run again on 2nd in the 9th.

Final Score: Red Sox 6 Yankees 5
Ellsbury Watch: DNP with that injury

Thursday June 11

This game was the most fun as Brad Penny exceeded all expectations by giving the Sox 6 shutout innings with 6 H and 5 K’s. Big Papi homered off CC Sabathia in the 2nd and that run held up until Manny Delcarmen gave the Yankees 3R on 3H in the 7th inning. The big blow was a two-run double by Alex Rodriguez his only hit of the series. The Sox now down 3-1 came roaring back in the 8th as Sabathia seemed to tire allowing a single to Nick Green, a 10 pitch walk to Pedroia and an RBI single to Drew before he was replaced by Aceves who allowed the two inherited runners to score with an RBI single for Jason Bay and a SF for Lowell. Jonathan Papelbon got the save as he retired the top of the Yankees order one, two, three in the 9th. Come from behind wins in the late innings are always exciting and this one was no exception.
The Red Sox are now in first place in the AL East with a two game lead over the Yankeees.

Final Score: Red Sox 4 Yankees 3
Ellsbury Watch: DNP again with the injured shoulder

Games 55-57 – Texas Wins first Series vs Boston in 12 Years

Friday – June 5

Brad Penny and Kevin Millwood were locked in a pitcher’s duel until Penny gave up 4 runs in the 5th. Julio Lugo’s limited range at SS did not help in this inning as Penny seemed to glare at him when Lugo failed to keep the ball in the infield allowing a run to score. Penny then gave up a three-run homer to Ian Kinsler. That was all the Rangers would need as this was another of those 1 for 12 with RISP and 13 LOB for the Sox. David Ortiz drove in the only Boston run.

Final Score: Texas 5 Boston 1
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with 4 LOB

Saturday - June 6

Jon Lester pitched a complete game two-hitter and he was dominant. With a perfect game going after 6.1 innings Michael Young hit a solid double to left center. Lester did surrender a run in the 9th on a SF; he recorded 11 K’s and 2 BB in a brilliant effort. Pedroia and Bay each had 2 RBI’s; Ortiz and Lowell had solo homers as the Sox evened the series.

Final Score: Boston 8 Texas 1
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 from the two-hole

Sunday – June 7

Daisuke Matsuzaka had a rough outing. He was pounded for 5 runs on 10 hits as the Rangers took the rubber game and won their first series against the Sox in 12 years. On the plus side he didn’t walk anyone and struck out 8 as he lasted 5.2 innings. An error by 2nd baseman Kinsler allowed the Sox to score two runs in the 3rd as their offense was inept again today. Mark Kotsay in for the injured Drew had a solo homer and a single. Jacoby Ellbury made a spectacular catch in right center to end the 3rd. He was taken out of the game in the 6th with a shoulder injury. Hopefully with a day off Monday he won’t miss any games.

Final Score: Texas 6 Boston 3
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 3 with an RBI

Games 52-54 – Sox Sweep Tigers in Detroit

Tuesday June 2nd

With the score tied 1-1 in the 3rd Jason Bay blasted a two-run homer which held up for a Red Sox victory. Sox did add 2 more runs in the 6th. Daisuke Matsuzaka went 5 innings with a pitch count of 96. He gave up only 1 run and had 6 K’s. The pen did what it does masterfully with four shut out innings. Worth noting is that closer Jonathan Papelbon again made it ‘interesting’ in the 9th. He gave up three quick singles and then with the bases loaded struck out the side. Congratulations go to Terry Francona

Final Score: Sox 5 Tigers 1
Jacoby Watch: Continuing to bat out of the eight hole Ellsbury was 3 for 3 with a BB

Wednesday June 3rd

This game belonged to Josh Beckett as the Sox ace was dominant. He went 6.2 innings without allowing a hit until Curtis Granderson had a clean single to right. The Sox scored 6 runs in the 8th to blow the game open as Tek and Ortiz contributed two-run doubles. With the Sox up 10-0 the Tigers managed to score 5 times in the bottom of the 8th and it was ugly. All five runs were unearned as Lowell, Green and Pedroia each committed an error. Granderson’s bases loaded triple off Daniel Bard was the key hit. J. D. Drew had his 200th home run in the 8th with one aboard.

Final Score: Sox 10 Tigers 5
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 with a run scored

Thursday June 4th

Tim Wakefield gave up three runs in the 3rd but then settled down the rest of the way as he went 6.2 innings. Masterson, Okajima and Papelbon finished up. Sox scored a big 6 runs in the 3rd as Dontrelle Willis had a melt-down which was sad to witness. He gave up four walks and a hit batsman allowing two runs to score. Zach Miner relieved Willis and allowed all three inherited runners to score as well as one of his own. The Red Sox have now won four in a row, since Tito changed the line-up and they finished the long road trip with a 6-4 record

Final Score: Sox 6 Tigers 3
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Games 49-51 - Sox Avoid the Sweep in Toronto

Friday May 29

Tim Wakefield is in one of his ‘bad streaks’ with 4.2 IP, 6R and 9H. The Red Sox with 11 hits had one more than the Blue Jays but 3 less runs. Toronto broke a 9 game losing skid with this victory. One bright spot was the relief pitching of Daniel Bard with 2.1 IP 0R, 0H and 5K’s – impressive.

Final Score: Jays 6 Sox 3
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with 2RBI’s

Saturday May 30

Brad Penny continues to be a very serviceable pitcher for the Sox. Today he went 6 innings giving up 2ER and recording 5K’s. With the score tied 3-3 in the 7th inning Ramon Ramirez in relief of Penny had his first bad outing as these stats attest - 0.2IP 2R and 3H enabling Toronto to grab the lead. Rocco Baldelli had a two-run homer but had to leave later in the game with a contusion on his knee as he slid hard into the stands along right field trying in vain to record an out. Baldelli’s luck seems to be all bad since as soon as he returns to the line-up he’s out again. Sox hitting woes on the road continue. David Ortiz’s slump hits epic proportions as today he was 0 for 4 with 2K’s and his BA is now .185 – dreadful!

Final Score: Jays 5 Sox 3
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 as his 22 game hitting streak comes to an end


Sunday May 31

The Boston bats woke up as the Sox had 8R on 11H. The big blow was a three-run homer in the 4th off the bat of Dustin Pedroia, his first since opening day. Youkilis had two solo homers going back to back with Jason Bay in the 8th inning. Red Sox manager, Terry Francona, shook up the line-up with Pedey batting lead off followed by Drew, Youk, Bay, Lowell, Ortiz, Tek, Ellsbury and Green. Sox starter Jon Lester had a dominating performance and is hopefully back to his ‘old self’. He pitched 6 innings of 1R 3H ball while recording 12K’s as all his pitches were working especially the curve ball. While avoiding getting swept in Toronto the Sox are now 3 and 4 on this road trip as they head for Detroit where the Tigers are playing good ball. Worth noting is the fact that the Red Sox sacrificed twice in this game, their first successful sacrifices of the year, as they were the last MLB team to execute a sacrifice.

Final Score: Sox 8 Jays 2
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with a BB

Photo is after Rocco Baldelli's second home run in a Red Sox uniform.