Red Sox Swept by the Angels in ALDS

After 165 games it is past time for the final entry of this Boston Red Sox season of 2009. With the World Series underway and the Yankees holding a 2 games to 1 lead over the Phillies I’m finally ready to ponder how the Red Sox were unceremoniously eliminated from the playoffs in the opening round American League Division Series. As Terri Francona, Sox manager, indicated the season came to a “crashing halt”. After some reflection it’s now time to bid adieu to the 2009 Red Sox.
Their final games of the year were against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim a team they have owned in post season. Not this time as we saw the Sox offense go into hibernation much as it had done off and on in the regular season. Case in point Game 1 was a 4 hit shut-out for John Lackey and game 2 was a 4 hit 1 run game for Jared Weaver. Each starter had 7.1 IP as the much maligned Angels bull pen yielded nothing in the final 1.2 innings of each game.

Now for our perceived ‘superior pitching’. In the opening game Jon Lester gave the team 6 innings but was not sharp walking 4 and giving up his only runs on a three-run home run off the bat of Torri Hunter in the 5th inning. Game Over as the Red Sox bats could muster only 4 singles one each for Pedroia, Bay, Gonzalez and Drew. Game 2 saw ace Josh Beckett take a 1-1 tie into the bottom of the 7th where he managed to get only 2 outs before being lifted as the Angels scored 3 runs. The big blow was Erick Aybar’s two-out triple scoring 2 runs. As Beckett headed for an early shower Billy Wagner got the final out of the inning. Bobby Abreu was a key contributor as he was 5 for 9 at the plate.

The teams headed to Boston for Game 3 with Clay Buchholz and Scott Kazmir as the starting pitchers. The Red Sox broke on top with 3 runs in the 3rd inning as Dustin Pedroia had a 2 run double and Victor Martinez a 1 run single. A Kendry Morales solo homer put the Angels on the board in the 4th but the Sox tacked on two more runs in their half of the inning as J.D. Drew slammed a two run homer. When Buchholz loaded the bases to start the 6th inning he was pulled in favor of Daniel Bard. Another Angel’s run score on a double play. Going into the 8th inning things looked good as the home team led 5-2. But what many regarded as the finest bull pen in the Majors really let the team down. Billy Wagner got two outs in the 8th but was pulled with men on 2nd and 3rd as Francona looked to Jonathan Papelbon for a 4 out save. But he promptly allowed both inherited runners to score on a two run single by Juan Rivera. The Sox got a run back in their half of the 8th on an RBI single by Mike Lowell.

Boston had a two run lead entering the fateful 9th inning when after getting the first two outs easily Papelbon absolutely implodes. A single, a walk, a two run double by Abreu and the game is tied. Then Guerrero singled in Abreu and the Angels took the lead 7-6. Okajima got the final out of the inning as Papelbon was charged with his first playoff runs after a record streak of 26 scoreless innings. How it unfolded was stunning especially with two outs and the bases clear.

Despite the fact that Angels spark plug and lead off hitter Chone Figgins was 0 for 12 in the series with only a BB the Red Sox went down with three straight losses. A season in which the Sox had 95 wins ended abruptly in disappointing fashion. Theo Epstein and the front office have a lot of work to do with Jason Bay a free agent, the need for another big bat and the uncertain shortstop situation to name a few concerns.

It was rewarding to follow Jacoby Ellsbury in particular this year and to see him develop as a player and become the lead-off hitter the Red Sox envisioned. His stats below tell the story of a very successful year:

AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS
.301 153 624 94 188 27 10 8 60 70 12

BB SO OBP SLG
49 74 .355 .415

Ellsbury’s stolen base stat will surely jump out at you as he led MLB with 70.

Before we know it Spring Training will be upon us along with high hopes for the 2010 season of Boston Red Sox baseball.

**Photos: Dustin Pedroia making the final out of the 2009 season as Victor Martinez looks disconsolate in the dugout

Games 160-162 Red Sox End Season With Four Game Sweep of Indians

Thursday – October 1

My final regular season Red Sox game summary is being written as the Twins and the Tigers play a tiebreaker, game 163, with the winner facing the Yankees in the ALDS (Presently Tigers ahead 3-1 in the 4th inning.) Today was a very important start for Jon Lester, his first since taking a line drive off the leg. Red Sox Nation breathed a sigh of relief as Lester gave them 6.1 innings of 2H shut out baseball. Bard, Wagner and Papelbon also pitched shut out ball. Youkilis, Ortiz and Bay each had an RBI.

*Tie breaker update: Twins prevail over the Tigers in the 12th inning 6-5

Final Score: Red Sox 3 Indians 0
Jacoby Watch: 3 for 5 with 1R with 1SB and 1CS


Friday – October 2

Today the Red Sox gave Daisuke Matsuzaka a four run lead after 3 innings. Dice-K went 6 innings allowing 2R and 5H with 7SO in a good outing. Out of the bullpen Billy Wagner pitched back to back days for the first time this year as he had 2SO in 0.2IP. Ramirez, Bard and Saito finished the game in scoreless fashion. Two out RBIs were important in this game as Youk had two and Bay one. Pedey and Martinez each had an RBI as the Sox prevailed in game two of the final series of the year.

Final Score: Red Sox 6 Indians 2
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with 2R, 2BB, 1SB (his 69th) and 1CS


Saturday – October 3

Josh Beckett has been receiving shots for back spasms and missed his last start. So this outing was a big one for him. He got off to a rocky start giving up 2R in both the 1st and 2nd innings. He then seemed to settle down as he went 5 innings with 4R on 7H. Paul Byrd took over for the next 3 innings and gave up a two run homer to complete the Indians scoring as Dustin Richardson pitched a scoreless 9th. In the meantime Dustin Pedroia led off the 1st inning with a home run and the Red Sox had a 7R 2nd inning including a three run homer by Victor Martinez. Brian Anderson had a two-run homer in the 3rd and Dusty Baker a solo shot in the 8th. It was his first major league hit. It feels good to see the Sox putting up some runs - 20 so far in the series.

Final Score: Red Sox 11 Indians 6
Jacoby Watch: Ellsbury was given the day off

Sunday - October 4

Clay Buchholz started the final game of the regular season and it was his second poor outing in a row after eight or so high quality starts. Buchholz lasted only 3 innings and gave up 5R on 6H. After giving up five home runs in his last start he gave up one today a solo shot from Luis Valbuena to lead off the game. The Sox were down 6-5 in the 5th when they scored 2R to take the lead. After getting 5R in the 6th inning the Sox would coast to victory and the sweep of the series. The Red Sox would belt 5 home runs including two solo shots from J.D. Drew, one from Alex Gonzalez and a two run homer from Dustin Pedroia. Without a doubt the big blow was a grand slam home run by Jed Lowrie his first in that 5R 6th. The Red Sox are hitting well going into the playoffs and have won the last four games of the year. But as the saying goes momentum is only as good as the next day’s starting pitcher.

Final Score: Red Sox 12 Indians 7
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with 1R and his ML leading 70th stolen base.

*Photo shows Jacoby Ellsbury greeting the fans on opening day April 6, 2009

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 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

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 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 30, 31 and 32 – Red Sox Finally Take a Series from Tampa Bay

Friday May 8

Brad Penny had a decent outing giving up 8H and 3R in 6.1 innings pitched. The Rays got single runs in the 1st, 3rd and 4th innings. The Sox erupted for 5 runs in the home half of the 6th. Jason Bay, who else, hit a 3 run homer and J.D. Drew chipped in with a 2 run homer - all this off Sox nemesis James ‘Big Game” Shields. Dustin Pedroia was 4 for 5 with and RBI. The bullpen contributed 2.2 innings of scoreless 1 hit relief. Feels good to take the first game.

Final Score: Red Sox 7 Rays 3
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 including a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Saturday May 9

Boston was blown out and this one was ugly. Tampa was on top 2-1 entering the 5th inning when they exploded for 6 runs. They did it with the help of one double and 7 singles including some well placed grounders. Rays added 5 more runs in the 6th and there was never any doubt how this would end. Jon Lester’s line read 4.1 IP, 8R 10H. The Sox had solo homers from Rocco Baldelli and Julio Lugo. They were 2 for 12 with RISP and stranded 10 runners. Scott Kazmir left after 100 pitches thrown and 5 IP.

Final Score: Rays 14 Sox 5
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with a BB and a run scored

Sunday May 10

The ESPN Sunday Night game was a pitcher’s duel with Josh Beckett and Matt Garza. The game tied 1-1 in the 4th the Sox scored 2 runs after 2 were out on doubles by Jeff Bailey and Tek along with a Nick Green single. The latter was thrown out at second trying to stretch it. The Rays tied the game 3-3 with single runs in the 5th and 6th innings. Worth noting is that Beckett did get the third out in the 6th with men on second and third by striking out Dioner Navarro. Beckett left the game after 6 innings and 116 pitches. Back to back wall doubles by Ortiz and Bay pushed across a run in the 8th for the Sox. There was lots of drama in the 9th as Papelbon came on to get the save. A walk, an errant throw to first by Paps, a single and a steal of second and you have second and third no outs. What followed was a thing of beauty as Paps reached back (even hit 97 mph on the radar gun) and struck out pinch hitter Carlos Pena, B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford to preserve the win. The Sox finally took a series from the Rays and now head for the West Coast. Angels up next on Tuesday.

Game 9 – Dismal Road Trip Ends on Positive Note

What can you say but that the knuckleball worked its dancing magic. Tim Wakefield gave his team a much needed boost with a complete game allowing the weary bullpen to rest. Sox got on the board first when Mike Lowell smashed a two run homer in the 2nd inning. After six perfect innings an error by Lowell gave the A’s their first base runner. Sox put up six runs in the top of the 8th highlighted by a J.D.Drew three run homer. Then in the 8th inning with one out Wake lost his bid for a no-hitter when the Oakland catcher, Suzuki, lined a clean single to left. A’s got a single run in both the 8th and 9th innings.

Final Score: Boston 8 Oakland 2

Jacoby Watch: a single in 5 AB with 2 RBI