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 131-133 Red Sox Finally Take a Series vs Tampa Bay

Tuesday September 1

This is an important divisional series which has Boston with a 5 game lead over Tampa Bay in the wild card. The Red Sox jumped all over Andy Sonnanstine for 5R in 4IP. Both Drew and Youk had two-run homers and Bay contributed a solo shot. The Rays used seven pitchers out of the pen good for three more Sox runs. Jon Lester went 6 innings and gave up 2R on 7H. Billy Wagner had another scoreless frame but Okajima could not retire anyone and gave up 4H and 2R in the 8th before Papelbon was called on for a six out save – his first in the regular season. Jacoby Ellsbury made an outstanding diving do or die catch in CF in that 8th inning to help preserve the lead (see photo).

Final Score: Red Sox 8 Rays 4
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 6 with 1R and 2RBIs


Wednesday September 2

Josh Beckett’s recent struggles continued as he gave up solo homers in the 1st to Carl Crawford and in the 2nd to Pat Burrell. Beckett’s line read 6IP 5R (4ER) 7H and 9 K’s. The Sox managed to get back in the game by tying the score 5-5 in the 8th. But after a scoreless 7th Ramon Ramirez was ineffective in the 8th and Sox killer, Evan Longoria, hit a two-run homer off Manny Delcarmen. The Red Sox had lots of chances in this game but were 3 for 16 with RISP and Dustin Pedroia is 0 for 9 so far in the series. Tomorrow is the all important rubber game.

Final Score: Rays 8 Red Sox 5
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 with 2 K’s and a SB


Thursday September 3

The Red Sox got a much needed quality start from Clay Buchholz who gave them 6 innings of 3R 6H ball. The bullpen delivered as Wagner, Bard and Papelbon each contributed a scoreless inning. For Paps it was his 34th save of the year. For the Rays David Price went 5.1 innings giving up 4R on 6H. Jason Bay delivered a big two-out two-run double in the 1st and Rocco Baldelli had a solo home run in the 2nd The Sox remember well how Price had a win and a save helping to defeat them in last year’s ALCS. So that made this game all the more satisfying as Boston picked up a game and is now 6 games up in the wild card race. It was the first series win for the Red Sox over Tampa Bay since September 2007.

Final Score: Red Sox 6 Rays 3
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with 1R, 1BB and 2SB. He now has 58 thiefs

Games 128-130 – Red Sox in Sweep of Blue Jays

Friday August 28

The Boston Red Sox completed their home-stand with a very satisfying record of 7-3. Josh Beckett was ineffective for the third start in a row as he gave up 5R with 5BB in only 5IP. He continues the disturbing trend of giving up home runs – 12 in the month of August with the ML record being 13, ugh! The Red Sox came from 3 runs down to tie the game in the 4th inning and then when down by 2 in the 5th inning Jason Bay slammed a two run homer to again tie the game. The Sox scored the game winning run in the 8th as the win went to Okajima (5-0) and the save to Papelbon his 31st of the year.

Final Score: Boston 6 Toronto 5
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 3 with an RBI and 2BB

Saturday August 29

Clay Buchholz was the story of this game. He gave the Red Sox 8.1 innings of 1R, 3H ball including 9 K’s. It was by far his best outing in some time. Ellsbury had 5TB and Martinez had a huge 2-out RBI as he walked with the bases loaded for what turned out to be the winning run. Alex Gonzalez and Dustin Pedroia, 3 for 4, also had RBIs. Jonathan Papelbon recorded his 32nd save.

Final Score: Boston 3 Toronto 2
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with 1R scored

Sunday August 30

Going for the series sweep the Red Sox sent Paul Byrd to the mound for his first start since September ’08. Not only that but he faced Toronto ace, Roy Halliday – a match in which few would have predicted the results. As Byrd gave the Sox 6 shutout innings with only 3H allowed, Boston managed single runs in each of the first four innings off Halliday, including a solo homer from Rocco Baldelli in the 2nd . The Red Sox added 3R in the 7th off reliever Shawn Camp and won handily as the pen, Delcarmen, Wagner and Saito, contributed three scoreless innings. It was former closer Billy Wagner’s, he of 385 saves, Sox debut. Wagner is coming off ‘Tommy John surgery’ and has not pitched in over a year. He struck out the side while giving up a single in the 8th inning. It was an impressive outing.

Final Score: Boston 7 Toronto 0
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with 1R scored

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 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

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

Games 67-69 Boston Red Sox take 2 of 3 from Atlanta Braves

Friday - June 19

Interleague play continues as the Sox welcome the Braves to Fenway. John Smoltz had a chance to catch up with former teammates after spending 20 years with Atlanta. Smoltz is almost finished rehabilitation and is due to start next Thursday in DC. Not a minute too soon as Daisuke Matsuzaka was really hammered in this game. He only lasted 4 innings giving up 6 R 8 H 4BB and only 2SO. Soon after this performance, his ERA is now 8.23, he was given an MRI and placed on the DL. The only offense the Sox could muster in this game was a two-run homer by J-Bay who also had a double for the only Sox hits in this one.

Final Score: Atlanta 8 Boston 2
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 2 with a BB - Ellsbury continues to bat 7th in the order

Saturday – June 20

This game belonged completely to Josh Beckett as he threw an absolute gem. He commanded all his pitches allowing no runs and only five singles while striking out 7and walking none. Beckett finished the complete game shut out with only 94 pitches. The bottom of the order was getting it done with Tek having 2 doubles and scoring 2 runs and Nick Green getting 2 hits and an RBI.

Final Score: Boston 3 Atlanta 0
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 3 with a SO

Sunday - June 21

It was a Happy Father’s Day, first day of summer as the Red Sox won today in dramatic fashion. The weather was wet and very windy. Tim Wakefield gave the team 6.2innings of 4 R 9 H ball. After Wake gave up 2 runs in the 1st the Sox came back with 3 of their own. The big blow was a two-run homer by Papi as he drove it into the monster seats through a strong wind. Sox were up by two in the 7th but the Braves tied the game as Ramon Ramirez allowed an inherited runner to score. The Sox managed to go up by a run in the home half of the 7th. J. D. Drew was apparently called out on strikes but the home plate umpire didn’t think so. On the next pitch Drew hit one off the left field wall scoring George Kotteras who had doubled. Braves pitcher, Eric O’Flaherty, was thrown out for arguing the non-strike call by the home plate umpire as was manager, Bobby Cox and 3rd baseman Chipper Jones. Atlanta tied the game again with a run off Okajima in the 8th. After Jonathan Papilbon pitched out of a bases loaded situation in the top of the 9th, Nick Green first pitch swinging in the home 9th hit a ball down the 3rd base line which stayed fair and wrapped around the Pesky Pole. Green with the walk-off homer and the Sox win another series!

Final Score: Boston 6 Atlanta 5
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4

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.

Games 28 and 29 – Lose One; Win One

Wednesday May 6

Red Sox back at Fenway for a brief series with the Cleveland Indians. This one belongs to Carl Pavano as the Sox could do little with his off speed stuff and the Indians got three scoreless innings from their much maligned pen. Justin Masterson was touched for 6 runs in 6.1 innings. Javier Lopez continues to struggle out of the pen giving up 2 runs in one inning and seeing his ERA balloon to 10.38. Not a good night for the home team.

Final Score: Cleveland 9 Boston 2
Jacoby Watch: DNP - injury


Thursday May 7

The game was close with the Indians holding on to a one run lead, 2-1, until the incredible home half of the 6th inning. Yes, it was historic as the Sox scored 12 runs before a single out was recorded and now have the AL record. The Brooklyn Dodgers of 1953 accomplished this feat and hold the NL record. No Youk, no Ellsbury, no Ortiz, no problem as the offense exploded. Julio Lugo batting lead-off was 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored. Jason Bay had the only home run of the game and drove in 4 runs. Rocco Baldelli back from the DL had 2 RBIs and a great catch in CF. Wake with a solid outing 6 innings 4 hits 2 runs. All in all a fun game for a Sox fan.

Final Score : Red Sox 13 Indians 3
Jacoby Watch: DNP - injury

Games 26-27 Red Sox First in the New Yankee Stadium

Monday – May 4, 2009

Red Sox and Yankees endured a two hours+ rain delay before this game started. Sox scored single runs in the first four innings off Phil Hughes. David Ortiz with two hard doubles and an RBI finally showing signs of life. Solo homer from Mike Lowell and a two run blast in the 7th inning by Jason Bay proved to be enough runs. Jon Lester had a rough 5th inning with back to back homers by Damon good for two runs and a solo blast from Teixeira. Still Lester managed to last 7 innings with 10K’s and 111 pitches thrown. Ramon Ramirez yielded his first run of the season on another Teixeira solo homer in the 8th. Papelbon with a rare five out save had a shaky 9th but did get a big K of Robinson Cano with the bases loaded to end the game. Worth noting is that the Sox had 13 LOB.

Final Score: Red Sox 6 Yankees 4
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with a run scored, a BB


Tuesday – May 5, 2009

I’m not one to gloat and I don’t enjoy it when others do it. That said it was very satisfying to see the Red Sox do the little things so necessary for a winning effort. The fact that they did this in the new, rain soaked Yankee Stadium was all the more satisfying. Examples that come to mind are Tek down on the count, continues to battle and manages a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the 8th for an important insurance run. Then Nick Green follows with a bloop to right and now we are three runs up. Green also made a heck of a play in the SS hole with a wet ball throwing out slow-footed Molina with Yankee runners on second and third in the bottom of the 6th. Don’t forget Drew and Pedroia throwing out Cabrera at third trying to stretch a double. Pedey was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored. Sox are being fundamentally sound with timely hitting, good defense, adequate starting pitching and some great work from the bullpen.

After Beckett had given up a three run homer to Damon he was tough when he needed to be. Oki with a clutch 6 up and 6 down in the 7th and 8th innings, followed by Saito retiring the side in order in the 9th. Granted Joba Chamberlain dominated after the first inning with 12K’s. But back in the 1st the Sox took advantage of his slow start with five straight hits to open the game. The big blow was Jason Bay’s three-run homer as the Sox scored four times in the inning. Amazingly these runs would hold up. Youkilis, oblique and sore side, did not play. Boston has now won the first five games against New York. Hard to say what it means, if anything, as it is a long season with lots of baseball left to play.

Final Score: Red Sox 7 Yankees 3

Jacoby Watch: 1 for 2 with a run scored and a SB, his 15th. Unfortunately Ellsbury had to leave the game with a hamstring injury and is day to day.

Games 19 to 21 - Sox Take 2 of 3 from the Tribe

Monday April 27th

Boston opens a three game series in Cleveland and wins its 11th game in a row. This was a real pitchers’ duel between Tim Wakefield (7 innings of 1 hit shutout ball) and Cliff Lee, the 2008 Cy Young winner. After Lee turned in eight scoreless innings Jason Bay came to the plate with one out and two on in the 9th. He hammered a Kerry Wood fast ball for the three run game winning homer. Manny Delcarmen pitched a clean 8th and has yet to surrender a run this year. Jonathan Papelbon got the save while giving up 3 hits and 1 run. He did have 2 K’s.

Final Score: Red Sox 3 Indians 1
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 4 including a GIDP

Tuesday April 28th

Red Sox streak comes to an end in heart-breaking fashion. An uncharacteristic three errors led to four unearned runs for the Indians. The hardest to take was by Javier Lopez who dropped a perfect toss at first while the winning run scored in the bottom of the 9th inning. Brad Penny coughed up four run leads twice (5-1 and 7-4). In just 2.2 innings pitched his byline read 7H and 7R. Sox left 11 runners on base in what was a frustrating game.

Final Score: Cleveland 9 Boston 8
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5 including a solo homer and a SF

Wednesday April 29th

Red Sox pull off a fairly improbable win coming from 5 runs down after 4 innings. Jon Lester was ineffective with control issues while giving up 5R on 7H with 7K’s in 6 innings. He did pick two runners off first and after Kelly Shoppach's two run bomb in the 4th managed to settle down a bit retiring the final 9 batters he faced. The star of the game was Jonathan Van Every in RF for the hobbled J.D. Drew. Van Every had 2 RBIs including the game winning homer in the 10th inning. Plus he made two excellent plays in the field. Interesting to note that Van Every spent seven years in the Indian farm system and even roomed with Jensen Lewis who surrendered that homer. Now it’s on to Tampa Bay.

Final Score: Boston 6 Cleveland 5
Jacoby Watch: 3 for 5 with an RBI.

Photo shows Jonathan Van Every watching the game winning homer.

Games 16 to 18 - Make It Ten in a Row for the Sox

Friday – April 24th

For a Red Sox fan it does not get any more exciting than a come from behind win featuring an extra inning walk-off homer and against their arch rivals the Yankees to boot. Starting pitchers, Lester and Chamberlain each yielded two runs. After the Yankees pushed two runs across against Okajima and with a 4-2 lead and two outs in the bottom of the 9th the legendary Mariano Rivera gave up the tying homer to Jason Bay – a rare blown save for Rivera. Enter Kevin Youkillis in the 11th for the walk-off win off Marte.

Final Score: Boston 5 New York 4
Ellsbury Watch: 2 for 6 with a run scored and a steal of 3rd.

Saturday – April 25th

The Fox game started late afternoon and took 4 hours and 21 minutes for the Red Sox improbable 16-11 win. I say improbable because with AJ Burnett on the mound and with the Yankees giving him a six run lead you think game over. Burnett has previously absolutely owned the Sox. The incredible come back featured a grand slam by Tek with 6 RBIs for Lowell and 3 for Bay. It was a slug fest with the lead going back and forth. In the end the Sox prevailed with 4 runs in the 8th. Of concern is the 8 runs given up by ace starter Beckett.

Final Score: Boston 16 New York 11
Ellsbury Watch: 2 for 4 including his first home run, 2 R and a stolen base

Sunday – April 26th

This Sunday Night ESPN game was a gem. Justin Masterson pitched 5.1 giving up only one run. You can not say enough about the bullpen with rookies Hunter Jones and Michael Bowden retiring all 8 Yankees they faced. Meanwhile the Sox came up with 3 runs off Andy Pettitte in the 5th highlighted by Jacoby Ellsbury’s straight steal of home. The steal of home plate is relatively rare and when the fans kept applauding Ellsbury acknowledged them with a tip of his cap from the dugout step. Saito recorded his second save with the Sox. All in all a memorable weekend and a great confidence booster for Sox fans.

Final Score: Boston 4 New York 1
Ellsbury Watch: 1 for 3 with 2 R and the thrilling steal of home - his 10th SB