Games 124-127 - Red Sox Take 3 of 4 from White Sox

Monday – August 24

The Boston Red Sox overcame a horrific start by Clay Buchholtz. The Sox pitcher did not get out of the 5th inning and gave up 7 runs including two home runs good for 5 of the 7 runs. The Red Sox scored 6 runs in the third inning as White Sox hurler Jose Contreras with a 4-1 lead imploded. He committed an error in that inning as did second baseman, Nix, so that all six runs were unearned. The highlight of the inning was a three run homer by Mike Lowell. The Red Sox scored five more runs including a solo homer by J.D. Drew and won the game handily. It was my pleasure to be at Fenway Park for this exciting game.

Final Score: Boston 12 Chicago 8
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with 2R, and an RBI

Tuesday – August 25

This was a nice come from behind win for the Red Sox. Jon Lester pitched into the 7th inning giving up 3R on just 4H. Trailing by a run in the 7th the Sox tied the game when Tek doubled with one out, Nick Green ran for him and scored on a pinch hit single by Victor Martinez. A Jason Bay solo home run in the 8th inning put the Sox ahead. They added two more runs on an RBI double by Martinez and a single by Ellsbury scoring Martinez. Jonathan Papelbon recorded his 30th save with a scoreless 9th.

Final Score: Boston 6 Chicago 3
Jacoby Watch: 3 for 5 with 1R and an RBI

Wednesday – August 26

Tim Wakefield fresh off the DL was outstanding. In seven innings the White Sox could score only one run on 6 hits as Wake had the knuckler dancing. When he left the game the Red Sox were up 2-1 but Ramon Ramirez gave up the tying homer to pinch hitter Scott Podsednik. David Ortiz had his first walk-off home run since 2007. It was his second solo shot of the day. Daniel Bard was the winning pitcher with 1.1 innings of scoreless ball. Tomorrow the Red Sox go for the sweep of this four game series. Amazingly enough this is the first time these teams have played each other this season.

Final Score: Boston 3 Chicago 2
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4


Thursday – August 27

The Red Sox failed to sweep as Junichi Tazawa simply did not have it today. He went only 4 innings of 9R, 10H ball. As a result the Red Sox were down 9-0 in the 5th when they broke through for two runs on solo homers by Drew and Gonzalez. They added 2 in the 8th and 1 in the 9th but it wasn’t enough. On the plus side the bullpen gave the Sox 5 innings of scoreless baseball. Toronto comes in for the weekend and to close out the homestand. So far the Red Sox are 4 and 3.

Final Score: Chicago 9 Boston 5

Jacoby Watch: 2 for 3 Ellsbury left the game in 6th with a high ankle sprain after sliding into home plate in the 5th. He was out at home and is day to day.

*The photo shows the August 26th pregame taps and moment of silence in honor of Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy who died August 25th.

Games 121-123 Red Sox Lose 2 of 3 to Yankees – 58 runs score!!!

Friday August 21

Brad Penny gets rocked again and is sent to the bullpen after this game. Penny allowed 8R on 10H in only 4IP. He is a one-man bullpen wrecking crew! Michael Bowden called up from AAA was also hit hard – 7R on 8H in 2IP. To the Red Sox credit there is no quit in them. They were down 12-1 in the 5th inning and scored 3 runs off Andy Pettitte in both the 5th and the 6th innings along with 4 in the 9th off Mitre. Matsui had two home runs and 7 RBIs for New York. The game was a slug-fest.

Final Score: New York 20 Boston 11
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4, 2R, 2 RBIs and a SB # 54 to tie Tommy Harper’s club record

Saturday August 22

Red Sox turn the tables and manage to score 9R on 9H off Yankee starter, AJ Burnett. Meanwhile Sox rookie, Junichi Tazawa, in only his third ML appearance shut out the Yankees on 8H with 6IP. New York was 0 for 9 with RISP with a team LOB of 13. It was a very gutsy performance from Tazawa who last year was pitching in the Industrial League, the Japanese minors. Nick Swisher homered off reliever Daniel Bard as the Yankees avoided a shut-out. Kevin Youkilis was the hitting star with two home runs and 6 RBIs. Sox also got homers from Alex Gonzalez and David Ortiz The Red Sox were 7 for 11 with RISP. Amazingly 13 of their 14 runs scored after two were out.

Final Score: Boston 14 New York 1
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 5

Sunday August 23

This game was ghastly and a huge disappointment for Red Sox fans as Josh Beckett allowed 5 home runs for the first time in his stellar career. Derek Jeter hit the first pitch Beckett threw for a homer to right field. Matsui had two solo homers, Cano had one and Rodriguez had a two run homer. The advertised pitcher’s duel between two 14 game winners never materialized as CC Sabathia did not have his best stuff. Sox had 4R on 8H in Sabathia’s 6.2IP. As the Yankees return to NY they are now 7 1/2 games ahead of the Sox who are in second place with 39 games remaining in the regular season.

Final Score: New York 8 Boston 4
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 5 with 3 K’s

Games 118-120 – Red Sox Sweep Toronto

Tuesday August 18

Since the debacle in the Bronx the Red Sox are 4-3. Tonight Josh Beckett had his first rough outing in some time. Some will say that he missed Jason Varitek (neck injury) behind the plate. But hey, Victor Martinez caught two Cy Young winners in Cleveland, CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee. Beckett was staked to leads of 4-1, 5-2 and 7-3. All of which he coughed up. The Blue Jays tied the game in the 6th inning 7-7. The Sox broke through with 3 runs in the 8th and Daniel Bard gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the inning. Jonathan Papelbon got his 29th save with 1.1 innings of scoreless ball. Big Papi, 3 RBIs, homered as did Jason Bay.

Final Score: Boston 10 Toronto 9
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs

Wednesday August 19

It is a rarity when Doc Halliday only lasts 5 innings. His line was 103 pitches with 5R, 4ER, 8H and 7SO. In the meantime Clay Buchholz had his best outing of the year. In 6 innings he gave up only 1 run on 6 hits. Oki, Ramirez and Saito each contributed a scoreless, hitless inning including 6SO. Jason Bay had a two-run homer while Ortiz and Martinez had solo shots. It was a very satisfying and not so expected win.

Final Score: Boston 6 Toronto 1
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with a triple, an RBI and a BB

Thursday August 20

The Red Sox go for the sweep with Jon Lester taking the mound. Off to a bit of a shaky start in the 1st inning Lester had the bases loaded with no outs on a single, double and walk. He induced Ron Barajas to hit into a double play and then struck out Kevin Millar. The damage was limited to one run scored. At one point Lester retired 11 in a row. He gave up only 3 hits in 8IP and faced only 27 batters. J.D. Drew had two home runs driving in 3 runs while Victor Martinez had a solo homer. It’s now back to Fenway Park for a three game series with the league leading NY Yankees. Red Sox are 6 ½ games off the pace.

Final Score: Boston 8 Toronto 1
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5

Games 115-117 Red Sox Lose Another Series vs Texas

Friday August 14

After losing two of three games in Arlington, TX the Red Sox find themselves ½ game behind the Rangers in the wild card race. At the wrong time the Red Sox are going in the wrong direction. They managed to take the opener when down 4-3 in the 9th inning and one strike away from defeat, Victor Martinez ripped a double to right scoring two runs. Red Sox went on to score a total of six runs in a rare show of offense. Ortiz had a two run homer in the 6th and Drew did likewise in the 9th. Jon Lester was not as sharp as usual and with a high pitch count could only give the Sox 6 innings of 3 run ball.

Final score: Boston 8 Texas 4
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 2 with a R - He was given the day off but pinch hit for Nick Green in the 7th inning and stayed in the game.

Saturday August 15

The Red Sox could only muster two runs on solo shots by Jason Bay and Victor Martinez. Meanwhile Brad Penny gave up 4R on 8H in 5.2 innings. The embarrassing thing about this outing was the 8 stolen bases by the Rangers. The combination of Penny being slow to the plate and Varitek’s arm made it happen. Varitek could not even throw the runner out on a pitch-out! This is the second time this year that these battery mates have given up 8 SB. The other was to the Rays. No other MLB team has given up 8 in a game. Fernando Cabrera was touched up for 3 runs late in the game as the Rangers piled it on.

Final Score: Texas 7 Boston 2
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 3 with a BB and a SB his 53rd of the year

Sunday August 16

David Ortiz gave the Red Sox an early lead with a solo homer in the 2nd inning but Ian Kinsler answered with one of his own in the home half of the inning. Sox pitcher Junichi Tazawa was not as effective as previously and was knocked around. He went 5 innings giving up 10H and 4R. Once again the Sox offense was anemic leaving 10 runners on base and going 1 for 8 with RISP. Dustin Pedroia hit his 10th home run of the year a solo shot in the 7th. It’s on to Toronto for a three game series before returning to Fenway.

Final Score: Texas 4 Boston 3
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 5

Games 111-114 – Red Sox take 3 of 4 from the Tigers

Monday – August 10

The Red Sox were off to a good start in this one when Dustin Pedroia hit a two run home run in the bottom of the 1st inning off Zach Miner. Later Nick Green and Jason Bay had solo homers. Sox got a good effort from Brad Penny as he gave up 3R and 6H through 6IP. The Sox went on to take the opener of this four game series.

Final Score: Sox 6 Tigers 5
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5, 2R and a SB (his 51st of the season)

Tuesday- August 11

With rookie Junichi Tazama pitching for the Red Sox a throwing error in the 1st inning by Nick Green led to two of the three Tiger runs scored being unearned. Tiger starter tried to hit Victor Martinez as retaliation for Miguel Carbrera being hit on the hand. He missed and then hit Kevin Youkilis in the back to start the next inning. Since it was a real purpose pitch Youk charged the mound, threw his helmet at Tiger starter Rick Porcello and they both went down. The benches emptied both players were ejected and the next day Youkilis and Porcello were each suspended for five days. Jason Bay greeted new pitcher Chris Lambert with a three run homer which tied the game. Tazama finished the 5th inning without giving up any more runs. Mike Lowell had two home runs and drove in 3 runs as the Sox went on to win the game. Papelbon did give up a two run homer in the 9th of a non-save situation. Tito Francona was ejected in the 2nd inning for arguing Drew CS at 2nd bas.e

Final Score: Sox 7 Tigers 5
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 1R and a SB

Wednesday – August 12

The Red Sox broke the game open in the 5th as they scored five runs adding to the three runs Mike Lowell’s solo shot and Jason Bay’s two run blast accounted for earlier in the game. Josh Beckett went 7 innings with 2R (on solo homers by Guillen and Thames) 3H and 6SO. Oki and Ramirez closed out the Sox third straight win over Detroit. Of great interest was that Jerry Remy appeared in the booth as a visitor in the 2nd inning. He hopes to be back soon and Red Sox Nation will rejoice when he does return as analyst.

Final Score: Sox 8 Tigers 2
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 with a SO and 2 LOB

Thursday – August 13

Today Clay Buchholz pitched very well with only 2R (1ER) and 5H over 7IP. But Justin Verlander was better as he shut out the Sox through 8 innings. He was at 123 pitches and throwing 100 mph in the bottom of the 8th when he struck out Bay with Ellsbury on 2nd to end the 8th. Closer Fernando Rodney finished the 9th and the Tigers won the final game of the four game set.

Final Score: Tigers 2 Sox 0
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 a double to lead off the 8th

Game 110 Sox Swept Away - Fail to Salvage a Win in NY

Sunday August 9

The Red Sox could not have played any worse as they lost their sixth straight game on the road and to Tampa Bay and New York – their closest AL East rivals. Jon Lester was again brilliant going seven innings and giving up only a solo home run to Alex Rodriquez. It was his first homer in over 63 innings of pitching. Sadly the Red Sox offense could not muster anything until Victor Martinez’s dramatic 8th inning two run homer off reliever Phil Coke. That broke the string of 31+ scoreless innings by the home town team. With the Sox up 2-1 in the 8th and Daniel Bard pitching with two outs Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira went back to back for the 6th time this season. Hideki Okajima came on in relief and surrendered two more runs. That was all she wrote as closer Mariano Rivera got his 32nd save of the season and the Sox limped home going 3-6 on such an important road trip. We’ll see what Boston is made of with the Yankees and most of baseball believing that the division race is over as New York goes up 6 ½ games over the Sox with Texas tied with them for the wild card and Tampa Bay breathing down their necks.

Final Score: Yankees 5 Red Sox 2
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 including a SO and a GIDP

Games 104-109 - Red Sox Lose Five Games to AL East Competition

Tuesday August 4

After sweeping three games in Baltimore to start this road trip the Red Sox proceeded to lose two games to Tampa Bay and so far three games to New York. The Sox hope to salvage a game in the Bronx tomorrow. We shall see as Andy Petitte goes against Jon Lester. Back to the first game with the Rays. Lester was brilliant 1R 3H and 10 K’s through 6 innings. The bullpen then checked in with 1R in the next 6 innings. Unfortunately that one run tied the game for the Rays in the 8th as Longoria homered off Bard. In the 13th inning Tampa Bay broke the 2-2 tie with another Longoria homer a two run shot off Saito. Sox offense was provided by solo homers from Youk and Pedey. The extra innings loss really stung and also burned the pen.

Final Score: Rays 4 Sox 2
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 6

Wednesday August 5

This game saw Brad Penny give up his usual 5 runs in 6 innings. All the runs scored on homers two run shots by both Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford plus a solo one by Pat Burrell. Then Jason Bartlett had a solo homer off Delcarmen. Victor Martinez and Jason Bay both had solo homers for Boston as the Sox came up short in this one as they were 0 for 11 as a team with RISP. They continue to lose at the Trop and it feels like the Rays continue to own them.

Final Score: Rays 6 Sox 4
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5

Thursday August 6

As the Red Sox open their most important series of the year they could not be in more disarray as the Yankees are playing their best ball of the year. Bay is out injured and Lowrie left injured after two at bats tonight. He was later placed on the DL. Also on the DL we have Dice-K, Wake, and Baldelli. Rocco injured his foot in BP and Kevin Youlkilis started the game in LF. Enough said about that unlikely probability. This game was never in doubt as the Yankees win for the first time this year against the Sox. John Smoltz was hammered as he left after 3.1 innings with a line that read 8R, 9H 4BB, 3K’s and 2HR. Smoltz was designated for assignment the next day and his career is likely over. He worked very hard to come back from shoulder surgery but this ‘project’ just did not have a happy ending – sad indeed. Chamberlain was very shaky for NY as he went only 5 innings with 4R and 7BB but he was the winning pitcher. Pedey and Kotchman both homered off the hard throwing rightie. Billy Traber followed Smoltz into the game and he took one for the team. As he went 3.2 innings giving up 5R, 9H including 2 homers. Saito pitched a scoreless 8th. Sox had their lunch handed to them in this blow-out as their team RISP was 3 for 21 with 15 LOB.

Final Score: Yankees 13 Red Sox 6
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 6 with an RBI, 3 K’s and 4 LOB

Friday August 7

This was a true pitchers’ duel between former teammates Josh Beckett and AJ Burnett. Beckett 7IP with no runs, 4 hits, 2BB and 7 K’s/Burnett 7.2IP with no runs 1H 6BB and 6 K’s. Oki, Bard, Ramirez, Papelbon, Delcarmen, Saito and Junichi Tazawa, making his major league debut, were not scored on through the 14th inning. Yankee relievers performed similarly as the game was scoreless until the 15th inning when Alex Rodriguez homered off Tazawa. Another crushing, heart-breaking extra innings loss for the Sox - their second in three days. Red Sox bats are incredibly quiet as they managed only 4 singles today. Speaking of quiet we will hear from David Ortiz as he has a press conference scheduled to address his inclusion on the list of players testing positive for PEDs. It has been over a week since this news was leaked and it has been a major distraction for David and the team.

Final Score: Yankees 2 Red Sox 0 in 15 innings
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with 1BB and 2SB

Saturday August 8

Today the Red Sox were dominated by CC Sabathia as he shut them out for 7.2 innings. He even had a no hitter into the 6th inning. Today all the Sox offense could muster was 4 singles as they have failed to score in the last 24 innings. Clay Buchholz had a good outing of 6IP, 2R, 6H, 5BB and 3 K’s. After 0.1 innings of relief Ramon Ramirez was tossed from the game when he hit A-Rod in the shoulder. No Warnings had been given. Hard to think it was deliberate with the Sox down 2 runs and the Yankees with a runner on 1st. Apparently home plate umpire thought otherwise. Remember Pedroia was hit in the shoulder by Melancon after he first threw one over his head on Thursday. Of course Melancon was not ejected . Even FOX announcers Buck and McCarver were amazed at the ejection of Ramirez. Yankees teed off on Enrique Gonzalez for another 3 runs. In his meeting with the press Big Papi said he never bought or used steroids. He took over the counter supplements and vitamins legal at the time. He seemed credible.

Final Score: Yankees 5 Red Sox 0
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 as he has 4 of the Sox 8 singles in the last two games

Games 102 -104 – Weekend Sweep in Baltimore

Friday July 31

The Red Sox gave John Smoltz a three run lead which he gave back in the 3rd inning. Sox go up one in the fifth but the Orioles get two more runs off Smoltz in the 6th inning on an Aubrey Huff two run homer. In the Red Sox 7th Youk answered with a two run shot. Ramirez, Okajima and Papelbon contributed three scoreless innings as the Sox take the opener. John Smoltz has not impressed as his ERA is 7.12 and he is not locating his fast ball. Patience may be getting thin in Red Sox Nation.

Final Score: Sox 6 O’s 5
Jacoby Watch: 3 for 5 with 2R , an RBI and a SB

Saturday August 1

This game belonged to Josh Beckett as he was brilliant. Through seven shutout innings he allowed 6H and had 5 K’s. The Orioles were 0 for 7 with RISP. Pedey and Youk both had solo homers with Youk going 4 for 4 as he is out of his recent slump. Victor Martinez had his first game as a Red Sox and contributed an RBI. He came to Boston at the trading deadline from Cleveland for Justin Masterson and two minor leaguers. Rookie Josh Reddick up from AA ball started the game in RF and moved to LF when Jason Bay left with an injury. He had two doubles in four at bats. Okajima and Bard each had a scoreless inning as the bullpen continues to shine.

Final Score: Sox 4 O’s 0
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with 1R, 1BB and a SB his 48th of the year


Sunday August 2

Today’s game was a major slugfest as the Sox scored a season high 18 runs including seven over the first three innings. J.D. Drew had a bases clearing double in the 1st innings driving in three runs. After he scored on a single by Mike Lowell he left the game with a groin injury. The news for Clay Buchholz was not pretty as he gave the Orioles six runs in the 3rd inning to bring them within a run. The Sox then scored a whopping seven runs in the 4th inning with Josh Reddick and Victor Martinez both contributing run scoring hits. In fact Martinez was 5 for 6 with 1R and 4 RBI’s as he is off to a great start for the Sox. Buchholtz now with an eight run lead could not survive the 5th inning as Adam Jones led off with a homer and Buch was lifted with two on and none out. Among the 23 hits for the Sox Youk was 3 for 4, Pedey and Lowell were both 3 for 5. Ortiz 0 for 5 was the only one to go hitless.

Final Score: Sox 18 O’s 10
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with 4R and 2BB