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 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

Games 10, 11 and 12 - Three Wins at Friendly Fenway

Friday April 17th:
Brad Penny’s second start did not go well and the Sox were down by seven runs in the 2nd inning. Led by a two-run Jason Bay homer, a solo shot by J.D. Drew and two RBIs from newcomer Nick Green Boston came all the way back to defeat the Orioles. Kudos to the bullpen for providing six shutout innings with Paps getting the save.

Final Score: Red Sox 10 Orioles 8
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 5 with an RBI

Saturday April 18th
Red Sox had six runs by the 4th inning and then held on to win when Josh Beckett gave up four runs in the 5th inning. Once again the bullpen would shine with three scoreless innings and another save for Paps. Youks was the offensive hero going 4 for 5 with 4 RBIs and 9 TB.

Final Score: Red Sox 6 Orioles 4
Jacoby Watch: 1 for 5 with a run scored.

Sunday April 19th
Jon Lester pitched a gem giving up only 4 hits and 0 runs in 7 IP while striking out 9. Ramon Ramirez continues to impress with another scoreless inning. Takashi Saito did give up one run in the 9th but managed his first save with the Sox. Mikey and Petey both had two out RBIs as the Sox won their fourth in a row.

Final Score: Red Sox 2 Orioles 1
Jacoby Watch: 2 for 4 including his first double of the year.