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 138-139 Red Sox Sweep Orioles in Brief Series

Tuesday – September 8

Clay Buchholz was the story of this game as he was terrific. He gave the Sox 7 innings of 3H shutout baseball. The Red Sox scored 8 runs in the first three innings. Pedroia had a two run shot in the 1st and a solo homer in the 3rd. It was his first career two homer game. Sox also had solo homers from Youkilis, Gonzalez and Ortiz. J.D. Drew had a big three run home run in the 3rd. Again manager Teri Francona emptied his bench substituting for all the starters except Ortiz.

Final Score: Red Sox 10 Orioles 0
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with 1R and 1BB

Wednesday – September 9

Starter Paul Byrd went 5 innings as the O’s got 2R and 6H. Manny Delcarmen was again ineffective giving up 2R in his 0.1 innings. With the score tied 4 all in the 7th Victor Martinez contributed a three-run double coming off the bench. Billy Wagner pitched a scoreless 7th and gained his first AL win. The save went to Papelbon his 35th.

Final Score: Red Sox 7 Orioles 5
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 3 with 1R and 2BB

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 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 58, 59 and 60 – Red Sox With Sweet Sweep of the Yankees

Tuesday June 9

Josh Beckett came up huge in the opening game of another series with the rival New York Yankees. There was a mist throughout the game as Beckett pitched six shutout innings with only one infield hit, two BB and 8 K’s. The Sox put up 4 big runs as Yankee starter A.J. Burnett struggled in the 2nd inning. Big Papi homered after Mike Lowell walked; J.D. Drew contributed a two-run double and the Sox were on the board. Nick Green had a good game with a solo homer and an RBI double. The bullpen gave up only a single in three shutout innings. I was at Fenway for this game and the atmosphere was electric – good times.

Final Score: Red Sox 7 Yankees o
Ellsbury Watch: DNP due to shoulder injury after spectacular catch Sunday.

Wednesday June 10

Tim Wakefield had lots of base runners but managed 6 IP with 3R 8H and 3BB as the Yankees had 9 LOB and were 3 for 11 with RISP. Jorge Posada had a solo home run to tie the game in the 2nd. Chien-Ming Wang lasted only 2.2 innings as he was wild and gave up 3 BB with 4 R on 6 H, including a Lowell HR. Kevin Youkilis blasted a two-run homer off Phil Hughes in the 4th as the Sox scored 6 runs in the first 4 innings. Wake’s catcher, George Kottaras, contributed two doubles and an RBI as all the Sox were getting it done. The Yankees had back to back homers in the 7th innings off Ramon Ramirez as they closed the gap to 6-5. But Hideki Okajima shut the door striking out his former teammate Hideki Matsui to end the 7th. Then in the 8th with the tieing run at 2nd base he struck out both Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon. Oki was the star of the game. Papilbon got the save when he struck out Robinson Cano with the tieing run again on 2nd in the 9th.

Final Score: Red Sox 6 Yankees 5
Ellsbury Watch: DNP with that injury

Thursday June 11

This game was the most fun as Brad Penny exceeded all expectations by giving the Sox 6 shutout innings with 6 H and 5 K’s. Big Papi homered off CC Sabathia in the 2nd and that run held up until Manny Delcarmen gave the Yankees 3R on 3H in the 7th inning. The big blow was a two-run double by Alex Rodriguez his only hit of the series. The Sox now down 3-1 came roaring back in the 8th as Sabathia seemed to tire allowing a single to Nick Green, a 10 pitch walk to Pedroia and an RBI single to Drew before he was replaced by Aceves who allowed the two inherited runners to score with an RBI single for Jason Bay and a SF for Lowell. Jonathan Papelbon got the save as he retired the top of the Yankees order one, two, three in the 9th. Come from behind wins in the late innings are always exciting and this one was no exception.
The Red Sox are now in first place in the AL East with a two game lead over the Yankeees.

Final Score: Red Sox 4 Yankees 3
Ellsbury Watch: DNP again with the injured shoulder

Games 42, 43 and 44 - Sox Avoid Getting Swept by NY Mets

Friday – May 22, 2009

Dice-K returns after a stint on the DL. He pitched OK and deserved a better fate. The game was lost in the 4th inning when Lugo failed to turn what would have been an inning ending DP and the Mets scored two more runs. Pedey even said after the game, “We have to make that play.” Johan Santana and the Mets pen keep the Sox at bay as the team was 0 for 10 with RISP.

Final Score: Mets 5 Sox 3
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5

Saturday - May 23, 2009

This was the most heart-breaking loss of the year. Papelbon was one out away from saving a brilliant performance by Josh Beckett. Instead Paps has his first blown save of the year as he surrenders a two run homer to Mets catcher Santos – this after literally blowing away Wright and Reed on blistering fast balls. Instant replay was used at Fenway for the first time as Santos’s hit was originally ruled a double before the reversal – clearly it was a home run. The run off Beckett in the 1st inning was unearned as he gave the Sox 8 innings of 5H ball. Youk drove in both Sox runs in the 1st inning as Pelfrey and the Mets bullpen kept the Sox offense quiet the rest of the way.

Final Score Mets 3 Sox 2
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 with a run scored

Sunday – May 24, 2009

Red Sox look to Tim Wakefield to avoid a sweep by the NY Mets in the first interleague play of 2009. Even though he didn’t have his best knuckler he kept them in the game until the offense could get untracked. Mike Lowell gave the Sox a temporary two run lead with a three run homer in the 2nd inning. Mets were ahead 5-3 when the Sox scored 3 runs as a clutch two out single by Nick Green pushed across 2R. Sox continued to add on, something they failed to do the last two games, with a 3 run homer by Youkilis being the big blow. It should be noted that for the second time in two days instant replay was used as an earlier bid by Youk for a homer was ruled foul. Sox got two impressive scoreless innings from Manny Delcarmen. Saito pitched a scoreless ninth. Ellsbury’s hitting streak is now at 19 games. Every Sox batter had at least one hit except David Ortiz who was 0 for 5. Papi was 0 for 12 in the series as his year long slump continues.

Final Score: Sox 12 Mets 5
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 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 5 and 6 - Split Decision

Saturday - April 11

What with a game tonight suffice to say it was a split decision this Easter weekend in Anaheim. Saturday Brad Penny made his encouraging Sox debut pitching 6 innings of 3 R 5 H ball. Paps was very shaky in the ninth inning and nearly blew the two-run save.

Final Score: Red Sox 5 Angels 4
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 4 a single with a SB, a grounded into a DP and 3 LOB

Sunday - April 12


Sunday’s game had Josh Beckett at less than his best. It appeared he may have thrown at Bobby Abreu after the batter was granted a very late TO by the home plate umpire. Benches emptied and four Angels were ejected including manager, Mike Scioscia. Abreu had the final say however as his two run single helped the Angels win when a ninth inning rally by the Sox fell short. Sox off to a 2 and 4 start and looking to right the ship in Oakland. We shall see…

Final Score: Sox 5 Angels 4
Jacoby Watch: 0 for 3 with a BB and was PH for by Rocco Baldelli in the 9th inning




Late Breaking News: Jed Lowrie to the 15 day DL with left wrist injury, ugh!

Photo of 'Dust-Up" between Beckett and Abreu

Boston Red Sox Opening Game 2009

Opening Day
April 7, 2009

There is something both reassuring and thrilling about the start of the 2009 baseball season. It’s the comfort of a continuing tradition and the excitement of the 30 MLB teams all starting on equal footing. As much as I love the season opener it is often over-hyped and given too much importance. It is after all only one game with 161 to go. That being said those first impressions of your home team can linger.

So, it was with great joy that I watched the Boston Red Sox and their workman like victory over the Tampa Bay Rays today. From Petey’s first inning blast into the Monster Seats to Beckett’s yielding only a single run, and a mere two hits while striking out 10 batters over seven innings. Tek even hit a home run and yes, Paps recorded his first save of the year. So for now all is well in Red Sox Nation after the 5-3 win.

I intent to watch Jacoby Ellsbury in particular as I think it is key for him to have a good year at the plate. The Sox are just a different team when he gets on base and bothers the opposing pitchers with his base running prowess. Today’s stats 0 for 4 with a SO – the only member of the line-up who failed to get a hit.

Photo is of Josh Beckett delivering the first pitch of the 2009 season.