Games 95-101 – Ho-Hum 4-3 Home Stand for Red Sox vs Last Place Teams

Friday July 24

Baltimore is in town for the weekend. Brad Penny had a good outing. He went 6.1 innings with 1R and 5H. The bullpen was strong with Delcarmen, Oki and Paps yielding no runs. Sox had RBI’s from Tek, Lowrie and Drew as the home stand gets off to a good start.

Final Score: Sox 3 O’s 1
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 with a SB while batting lead-off


Saturday July 25

Again today Sox pitching was strong as Jon Lester went 7.1 innings with 2R and 9 K’s. David Ortiz had a big three run homer in the 1st inning. Newly acquired Adam LaRoche contributed a two run homer in the 8th. Daniel Bard continues to shine out of the pen. Overall a good day for both the offense and the pitching.

Final Score: Sox 7 O’s 2
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with 2 RBI’s and a SB as the lead-off hitter

Sunday July 26

With a chance to sweep the lowly Orioles John Smoltz laid another egg as he gave up 6R 9H and only went 5 innings. Sox bats were also quiet as they could muster only 5H. Oakland up next.

Final Score: O’s 6 Sox 2
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 with a SB as he seems to be settling into his lead-off role

Monday July 27

The ‘weak hitting’ Oakland Athletics team was anything but as they averaged 6+ runs per game and gained a split of the four game series with the home team. Red Sox take the opener as Josh Beckett continues his ace-like pitching with 7 IP 3R and 8H while striking out 10. Pedey homered in the 1st inning and Jacoby Ellsbury continues his hot hitting with 5TB as finally the Sox have a true lead-off hitter.

Final Score: Boston 8 Oakland
Jacoby Watch: 3 for 5 with 1R and 1 RBI


Tuesday July 28

Clay Buchholtz had a very good outing with only 2R on 9H. His inability to go deep into the game hurt as the bullpen had a melt down. The Red Sox had a three run lead in the 9th inning with 2 outs when all hell broke loose. Nick Green committed two throwing errors while Papelbon blew the save giving up three runs on three hits and was hurt by a BB as the A’s tied the game 7-7. Delcarmen gave up 2 runs in the 11th while the Sox could only get back one run and thus absorbed a tough loss.

Final Score: Oakland 9 Boston 8
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 6, 1R, 1 RBI and his 45th stolen base.

Wednesday July 29

This game was seemingly over before the Sox came to bat as Brad Penny gave up 5 runs in the 1st and put the Sox into a real hole. There was some hope when Mike Lowell answered with a three run homer in the bottom of the 1st. But A’s starter Anderson would give up no more runs through the 6th while Penny gave up two more runs for his worst Sox outing. Sox managed single runs in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings but it wasn’t enough as they drop their second in a row to the last place A’s.

Final Score: Oakland 8 Boston 6
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 with 3R and another SB

Thursday July 30

This was a watermark day in Boston Red Sox history as word came from the NY Times just an hour before game time that both Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz tested positive for PEDs back in 2003. What a bombshell about Big Papi as he has been so out spoken about drug use and is such a well loved icon in Sox baseball. He was so clutch and had so many game winning hits while also being named MVP of the 2004 ALCS. Jon Lester was not as sharp as he has been in recent outings and could manage only 5.2 IP with 4R, 7H and a low 2 K’s. Now for an amazing dramatic moment with the Sox down 5-3 in the 7th inning Ortiz hammered a three run homer into the RC field bleachers putting the Sox up by a run. Daniel Bard has emerged as a dependable 8th inning set-up man as he and Paps were not scored on. This was a big win as a loss would have meant a losing home stand with the Sox heading for a tough road trip with nine games against the Baltimore, Tampa Bay and NY. As they leave the second place Red Sox trail the NY Yankees by 2 ½ games.

Final Score: Boston 8 Oakland 5
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 2 with 2BB and an RBI. He was CS for the 8th time.

Games 88-94 – A 1-5 Road Trip vs Toronto and Texas

Friday July 17

Post All Star Break the Red Sox are back . Returning to action after a four day lay-off the Sox would record their only win of this 6 game road trip. Clay Buchholz, called up from Pawtucket, got his first start of the year. He went 5.2 innings of 1R 4H ball while throwing 103 pitches. Youk’s two run homer in the 1st was all the offense the Sox would need as Bard, Okajima and Papelbon didn’t allow any runs.

Final Score: Sox 4 Jays 1
Jacoby Watch: DNP due to “intestinal turmoil”

Saturday July 18

With the offense sputtering the Red Sox were 1 for 12 with RISP. SS Jed Lowrie returned to the line-up and had a solo homer in the 7th while Rocco Baldelli had an RBI back in the 2nd. In the meantime Toronto was teeing off on Brad Penny who allowed 6R on 8H in 5IP. On the plus side Masterson with 2IP and Ramirez with 1IP allowed no hits or runs working out of the pen.

Final Score : Jays 6 Sox 2
Jacoby Watch: DNP due to “intestinal turmoil”

Sunday July 19

The Red Sox looked to Jon Lester to help them win the rubber game and their 7th straight series on the road. But Doc Halladay had a lot to say about that as he pitched a complete game allowing 1R and 6H. Lester pitched well but was not as sharp as he has been allowing 4BB along with 3R and 5H in 7IP.

Final Score: Jays 3 Sox 1
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 with a SO while batting 6th in the order

Monday July 20

John Smoltz took the mound and was hoping to build on the last outing when he recorded his first victory. He allowed only 1R through the first 5 innings but then imploded in the 6th allowing 5 runs including three home runs. Rangers starter Kevin Millwood allowed only two runs and the Sox could get only one run in three innings off the Jays bullpen. All this added up to the third loss in a row for the Bosox.

Final Score: Texas 6 Boston 3
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with 1R, 2SO and a SB while batting lead off

Tuesday July 21

The Red Sox offense continues to struggle as Rangers rookie Tommy Hunter befuddled the Sox with 6 innings of 1R 4H ball. Josh Beckett completed the game with a line of 8IP 4R, 7H and 7SO. At one point he retired 14 in a row and certainly pitched well enough to win on most days. The Sox were 1 for 7 with RISP and had 6 LOB. The Sox did have a three game lead in first place when the ‘second half’ of the season began. But their fourth loss in a row combined with the NY Yankees fifth consecutive win dropped the Red Sox out of first place for the first time since early June.

Final Score: Texas 4 Boston 2
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 batting lead off

Wednesday July 22

Boston’s anemic offense continues to be front and center. Their only run today came on a solo home run by Nick Green in the 3rd inning. For the Rangers Nippert and Mathis allowed only 6H along with the 1R. Clay Buchholtz was called upon to pitch today as Tim Wakefield was sent to the DL with back pains. Buchholtz would last only 4 innings as he threw 90 pitches while yielding 3R on 6H. The Sox pen was not scored on as Delcarmen, Bard, Okajima and Papelbon each pitched an inning.

Final Score: Texas 3 Boston 1
Jacoby Watch: Another 0 for 4 as no one seems to get the job done in the lead off position

Games 85-88 Red Sox Take 3 of 4 from Royals

Thursday – July 9

The final series before the All Star break had an auspicious beginning. Brad Penny left after five innings and a 97 pitch count with a two run lead. Delcarmen and Masterson each gave up 2 runs in the 6th and the Sox found themselves down 7-5. The bullpen, a major plus all season has been a bit shaky of late. Perhaps some time off will help – let’s hope. Pedroia had 3 hits including a homer and continues his hot hitting. Ortiz had a two run homer in the 1st and continues to try to make his slump a thing of the past.

Final Score: KC 8 Boston 6
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 with a K and 3 LOB while batting 6th in the lineup

Friday – July 10

This game was the polar opposite of yesterday’s as Jon Lester dominated the Royals with 0R, 4H, and 8K’s over eight innings and 115 pitches. Brian Bannister pitched brilliantly through 7 innings until the Sox finally broke through for a run in the 8th. Mark Kotsay led off with a single; Nick Green laid down a sacrifice bunt with two strikes on him and the bunt sign off – gutsy. Dustin Pedroia’s two out double brought in what was ultimately the only run of the game. Jonathan Papelbon had a 1,2,3 ninth for his 23rd save.

Final Score: Boston 1 KC 0

Jacoby Watch: 1 for 2 with a SB - Ellsbury was ejected by the HP ump in the 5th inning after being called out at home on a play in which he appeared safe on the replay.

Saturday – July 11

This game was a serious slug-fest. It started off one-sided as the Sox jumped to a 9-1 lead after five innings. Youk led the way with two homers and 4 RBI’s , Tek had a solo homer and Big Papi a two run homer. John Smoltz left after the 5th and watched as the Sox pen gave up 5 runs in the 6th, another in the 7th and two more in the 8th. It was shades of the O’s game in which they overcame a nine run Sox lead and won 11-10 on June 30th. This time the Sox managed to add on with three runs in both the 7th and 8th innings. Daniel Bard did restore some order as he pitched two innings gave up one run and had 3 SO. Saito had a scoreless 9th.

Final Score: Boston 15 KC 9
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with 2R, 1 RBI and a BB

Sunday – July 12

The Red Sox ended this homestand with a 6-4 record as they recorded a win today. Josh Beckett was dominant as he pitched a complete game shutout giving KC only 3 hits and striking out 7 . His ERA is now 3.35. This game featured Beckett’s 100th win and 1st baseman Aaron Bates’s first ML hit. He had 3 hits today along with 1R and 1 RBI. This win was a great way to end the ‘first half’ of the season as five Red Sox players, Youk, Bay, Paps, Beckett and Wake head for the All Star game. Pedey was voted by the fans as the 2nd base starter but he declined opting to stay with his pregnant wife who is hospitalized – very understandable and not a decision taken lightly. Pedey has a great deal of respect for the game but knew his place was with his wife.

Final Score: Boston 6 KC 0
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 with 1R and 4 LOB while batting lead off

Here are Ellsbury’s stats as we head for the second half of the season:
83 G, 333 AB, .297 Avg, 99 H, 13 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 23 BB, 33 SO, 40 SB and an OBP of .347

Games 82-84 – Red Sox Take Another Series as Nomar Returns

Monday – July 6

This was John Smoltz’s third start for the Red Sox and it did not go well. Smoltz’s line 6IP, 5R and 10H. Rookie leftie Brett Anderson pitched a complete game two-hit shutout as the Sox bats were quiet. Not to make excuses but the Sox line-up was far from potent with Lugo, Green slumping, Youk slumping, rookie Aaron Bates in his first ML game playing first base and no Pedey whose 7 months pregnant wife was taken to the hospital . Meanwhile this game was Nomar Garciaparra first return to Fenway since being traded before the deadline in 2004. Nomar received a 70 second standing ovation his first trip to the plate and was 2 for 4 with an RBI single. Nomar did soak it all in and was very emotional, near tears. This is the second time the Red Sox have been shutout this year.

Final Score: Oakland 6 Boston 0
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 batting lead-off


Tuesday – July 7

Jason Bay is starting to come out of his slump with a solo homer and a double. Jason Varitek had a huge two out two-run single. Josh Beckett went 6.2 innings with 2R and 6H. Oki, Masterson and Paps finished up with 1H and 4 K’s. Nomar DNP.

Final Score: Boston 5 Oakland 2
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 3 with 1R a BB and batting 7th


Wednesday – July 8

The Red Sox managed to take the rubber game of the series. Down 1-0 in the 6th inning the Sox put up four runs. J. D. Drew had a solo homer and Big Papi a big three run bomb. Tim Wakefield went 6 innings giving up 3R, 10H and striking out 8 A’s. He now has 11 wins the most in the AL. Dustin Pedroia had a huge RBI double in the 7th as Papelbon gave up a run in the 9th. Nomar was a PH and he popped out in the 8th. Sox are now 3 and 3 on this homestand.

Final Score: Boston 5 Oakland 4
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with 5 LOB and batting 6th

Games 79-81 Red Sox Avoid being Swept by Mariners

Friday - July 3

The Red Sox absorbed a tough extra innings loss as they began a ten game home stand. Sox scored twice in the 1st but with three runs in the 4th the Mariners were ahead 4-2. A solo homer by J.D. Drew in the 7th brought them within a run. Seattle tacked on a run in the 8th but the Red Sox scored two times in their half of the 8th to tie the game. Tim Wakefield went 8 full innings giving up the 5R on 10H. Delcarmen and Papelbon had scoreless innings and the Ramirez gave up two runs in the 11th. Kottaras’s solo shot in the bottom of the inning wasn’t enough as the Sox lost the opener.

Final Score: Mariners 7 Sox 6
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5 with a SB

Saturday – July 4

Sox with another one run loss are now 1-4 against the Mariners this year. Brad Penny deserved better even though Youk’s two run homer in the 2nd gave him the early lead. Single runs in the 3rd and 5th by the Mariners tied the game. In the meantime the Boston was held to just 4H by Garrett Olson. With the game tied in the 9th Saito walked the first three batters and a flair fell in behind the drawn in infield putting the Mariners up one. Former Sox, David Aardsma recorded his 17th save and that was all she wrote for this one.

Final Score: Mariners 3 Sox 2
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with 3 LOB

Sunday – July 5

Red Sox managed to avoid the sweep with a big 5R seventh. In the 1st inning Pedroia and Ortiz both had solo homers and the Sox next scored on Ellsbury’s solo shot. While the Mariners had 4R (1 earned ) and 8H off Jon Lester in 6.2IP with 9K’s. In the 4th after a dropped throw at second by Pedey and with two outs Cedeno had a three run triple. When the Sox came to bat in the 7th a run down Miguel Batista replaced starter Brandon Morrow. A walk to Drew and a single by Pedey gave David Ortiz a chance to tie the game with a two out single which he did. Mark Lowe replaces Batista and walks Bay and Ellsbury as the go ahead run scores. Mark Kotsay brings in two more runs with a clutch single while another scored on a passed ball. The first half of the season ends with a nice come from behind win. The Red Sox are in first place with a record of 49-32 and are one game ahead of the second place New York Yankees.

Final Score: Sox 8 Mariners 4
Jacoby Watch: Batting 6th 1 for 2 with 2R, 2RBI, a S and a BB

Games 76-78 Red Sox Win Another Series vs Orioles

Monday – June 29

I had the pleasure of being at this game at the beautiful Camden Yards. Jon Lester was dominant as he went 7 innings allowed 5 singles and had 8K’s. J.D. Drew had a two run homer and was a double short of hitting for the cycle. Pedey and Tek each had an RBI.

Final Score: Sox 4 O’s 0
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with 1R and 2 SB

Tuesday – June 30

The weather had a huge impact on this game. I was among the rain soaked fans. The Sox had a 9-1 lead when the game was delayed after the completion of the top of the 5th. Youk had a two run homer, Ellsbury a solo shot, Pedey had 3 RBI’s and the Sox were rolling. It was John Smoltz second start and he looked good after 4 IP with 1R and 3H. After play resumed Masterson pitched two scoreless innings. No one could imagine what would happen next. Masterson was roughed up in the 7th inning giving up a three-run homer to PH Salazar. In all he was charged with 5R as Delcarmen allowed an inherited runner to score. Then in the 8th Okajima could not get an out and was charged with 4 runs. Saito faired no better giving up 1R. The absolute end of the bullpen ‘meltdown’ featured Markakis getting a two-run double off Papelbon who entered the game with the tying and winning runs on base and allowed both inherited runners to score. An embarrassment of epic proportions as the Orioles completed the biggest comeback in their history after being down 10-1 entering the 7th inning. The Sox bullpen was the best in baseball with an ERA of 2.89 – not any more. Hope they work their way back.

Final Score: O’s 11 Sox 10
Jacoby Watch: 3 for 5, 1R, and 2 RBI

Wednesday – July 1

This game also featured a comeback – this time by the Red Sox. The Orioles were cruising behind rookie starter Bergesen. He gave them 8 innings of 1R 4H ball. In the meantime Josh Beckett was touched for 5 runs in the first four innings with Scott and Wigginton getting solo homers and Markakis getting another two run double. Then Beckett seemed to settle down and retired the last 12 batters in a row after the lead off homer by Wigginton in the 4th. The Sox had a little magic of their own in the 9th down 5-1 Youk blasted a two run homer off Johnson after Pedey had walked. Enter the closer George Sherrill who had the save yesterday. Well he struck out both Bay and Ortiz. Down 2 with 2 outs Ellsbury singled, both Bailey and Tek walked bases loaded as PH Rocco Baldelli singled scoring Ellsbury and Bailey to tie the game. Bard was superb retiring all 6 batters he faced as Ramirez had a scoreless inning. In the 11th Julio Lugo singled to score Ellsbury who led off with a double. Then Paps had a clean bottom of the 11th to get the save and preserve a very exciting come from behind victory. Sox pitchers retired the last 24 Orioles in a row – amazing! On the down side Jason Bay is struggling. He went 0 for 15 in the series and struck out 5 times today. Nevertheless an incredible series!

Final Score. Sox 6 O’s 5

Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with 2R