Games 156-158 – Swept Again This Time by the Toronto Blue Jays

Monday September 28

No excuses for this stinker even though Josh Beckett was scratched due to back spasms. Michael Bowden got the start and was knocked around for 7R in just 3IP. Hunter Jones was not any better as in 1.2IP he gave up 4R on 5H. Kevin Youkilis had two home runs good for 3 RBIs and David Ortiz had a solo shot in a losing cause.

Final Score: Blue Jays 11 Red Sox 5
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 2 with 2BB

Tuesday September 29

Clay Buchholz unfortunately put up a real stinker. He had been pitching so well - not today. His line reads 5IP, 7R on 8H. But here is the worst part he gave up five home runs. Toronto DH Adam Lind had three home runs two off Buchholz and one off Saito good for four RBIs. The Red Sox were down 8-2 after 7 innings and came up with 5 runs in the 8th inning. The big blow was a three-run homer by J.D. Drew. I really thought they would pull this one out but with two on and two out in the bottom of the 9th Youkilis uncharacteristically took a call third strike and the comeback came up short.

Final Score: Blue Jays 8 Red Sox 7
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with 1R and 1SB his 67th

Wednesday September 30

Can you say blow out!?! The injured but ever the gamer, Tim Wakefield, had nothing as he gave up 5R and 7H including two home runs in just 3IP. An assortment of Sox pitchers, Cabrera, Richardson, Delcarmen, Jones, Okajima and even catcher Dusty Brown pitched an inning apiece as the Jays added another 7 runs. Doc Halladay was his brilliant self as he allowed only 3 singles in his complete game shut out of the Red Sox. His ERA is now 2.79 - amazing in the AL. The only Sox regulars who played were Gonzo and Big Papi. Ortiz was hit by a pitch. Perhaps Halladay retaliated since Lind, he of the three home runs, was hit by Papelbon in the 9th inning yesterday.

Final Score: Blue Jays 12 Red Sox 0
Jacoby Watch: Ellsbury was given the day off and was a manager’s DNP

Games 149-152 Red Sox Can Only Split in Series With Royals

Monday September 21

This one hurt as the Red Sox blew six run leads twice. Tim Wakefield was spotted a 6-0 lead and left after 5IP and 5 runs allowed. Manny Delcarmen’s woes continue as he allowed 4R in only 0.2IP. Daniel Bard and Billy Wagner gave up another 3R combined in 1.1IP. This loss effectively kills any chance the Sox may have had to catch the Yankees for the division lead as they open a three game series in New York this coming weekend. Now the focus is on securing the wild card, lining up the rotation and resting players before the playoffs begin.

Final Score: KC 12 Bos 9
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5 with 1R and 2RBIs

Tuesday September 22

The Red Sox bats were anemic facing Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke as he went 6 innings allowing no runs and only 2H. One of those hits was a single by Victor Martinez which extended his hitting streak to 21 games and drove in the only run the Sox would score in the 8th inning. Paul Byrd took the Sox out of the game in the 1st inning as he was wild, for him, and the Royals scored 5 times.

Final Score: KC 5 Bos 1
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 3 with a BB, a run scored and his 64th SB

Wednesday September 23

Josh Beckett’s line was interesting with 2R, 12H and 7SO. He managed to keep the Royals from getting that big hit as they had 12 LOB. Okajima, Wagner and Paps each contributed a scoreless inning. Meanwhile after being down 2-0 to start the 6th the Red Sox scored 6 times. Alex Gonzalez had 3 RBIs and Dustin Pedroia had 2. With two outs David Ortiz blasted a three run homer in the 9th inning.

Final Score: Bos 9 KC 2
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5, 1R, 2RBIs and 2SO

Thursday September 24

The Red Sox managed to split the series with a win today. Clay Buchholz was dominant as he gave the Sox 6.2 innings of 5H shutout baseball while striking out 8 batters. Ramon Ramirez had a tough time out of the pen yielding 3R in only 0.2IP. David Ortiz had 3RBIs including a solo home run. The Royals committed 5 errors leading to 6 unearned runs.

Final Score: Bos 10 KC 3
Jacoby Watch: 3 for 6, 2R, 1RBI and 2SBs

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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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