Games 143-145 Sox Fail to Sweep Angels

Tuesday – September 15

The Red Sox had a golden opportunity to sweep the Angels but another wild pitch/passed ball on strike three hurt again allowing the tying run and ending the Sox seven game winning streak. But back to tonight’s game which I was fortunate to attend. Dice-K with his first start since June pitched better than could be expected going for 6 shutout innings on 3H with 5SO. Ramirez, Wagner and Bard combined for 2 scoreless innings as Papelbon gave up the lone run in the 9th. The Angels were 1 for 11 with RISP. John Lackey pitched well for the Angels and was not scored on until the 6th. David Ortiz had 2 RBIs including a solo home run in the 8th.

Final Score: Red Sox 4 Angels 1
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 with 1R and his 10th CS

Wednesday – September 16

This game was a see-saw affair. The Red Sox were down 3-0 in the 6th inning when they scored 5 times off Joe Saunders. The Angels came right back in the 7th with 4 runs to go ahead 7-5. Sox tied it in the 8th; Angels go up 1R in the 9th before the dramatic Sox 9th. After two outs were recorded a walk and two singles off Angels closer, Brian Fuentes, followed by pinch hitter Nick Green’s walk on a questionable call tied the game. Alex Gonzalez then singled softly to left as J.D. Drew scored the winning run in walk-off fashion. It was a most improbable Sox win. Sox starter Paul Byrd went 5.1 innings giving up 3R on 9H. The bullpen surrendered 5 runs including 3 off Ramon Ramirez. But as the saying goes, “All’s well that ends well.”

Final Score: Red Sox 9 Angels 8
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 with 1R, 1RBI, and 1BB

Thursday – September 17

The Red Sox seemed to be primed for a sweep when with two outs in the 7th Josh Beckett struck out Chone Figgins as the ball eluded Jason Varitek and the tying run scored. The Angels then pushed across a run in the 9th off Billy Wagner. Beckett gave the Sox 8 innings of 3R, 7H ball with 7SO. The Sox runs came in the 4th off Ervin Santana as Jacoby Ellsbury had a solo homer and Jason Bay a two-run blast. It has to be satisfying for the Red Sox to have taken 2 of 3 from the Angels especially with Kevin Youkilis, injured, and Victor Martinez, family business, both missing the first two games of the series.

Final Score: Angels 4 Red Sox 3
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with 1R and 1RBI

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 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

Game 8 - What Can You Say?

After giving up five runs in the first inning Dice K was removed from the game and subsequently put on the DL. So much for being the MVP of the WBC!!! The pen was brilliant with over 10 innings of scoreless ball. In the 12th the A’s won the game on an infield hit - tough loss for the Sox after battling back to tie the game.

Final Score: Oakland 6 Boston 5

Jacoby Watch: a single in 6 at bats with a BB

Game 3 - Sox Lose Rubber Game

Matt Garza, annoying hyperactive actions aside, is a puzzlement to the Red Sox. This includes today’s performance - seven innings of 4 H and 1 R baseball. On the other hand Dice-K wasn’t sharp yielding three homers and giving up 4 runs on 9 hits in only 5.1 IP as the Rays took the rubber game. Failing to get the big hit Sox had 10 runners LOB. On the plus side Tek homered again.

Rays 4 Sox 3

Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 – a bunt single, SB, W and 2K’s

Photo is of Jed Lowrie striking out in the 8th inning with runners on 2nd and 3rd.