The 2006 Red Sox Game Thread

[SoxSon]

Not to be presumptuous, Annie and Flash, but I'd love it if we could sticky this thread for the season. I've noticed that a lot of forums on BBF do this, and it seems to be a great way to keep an ongoing discussion about in-game observations, rather than clutter up the forum with lots of odds and ends about gameplay. I think that posters are more likely to contribute to this, rather than start an individual thread for every trivial observation. This thread should not include posts about contracts, trades, management, player profiles, predictions for the season, theories, Barry Bonds (;) ), Fenway Franks, tickets, Red Sox history, etc.. It should only deal with notes about gameplay from current games.

Annie, I know we had talked about this, so again, I hope I'm not being too pushy. I'm sure I'm not the only one who watches nearly every game, so I'm looking forward to sharing thoughts about those many games to come with my fellow BBF'rs! :)

SoxSon

[VTSoxFan]

Not to be presumptuous, Annie and Flash, but I'd love it if we could sticky this thread for the season. I've noticed that a lot of forums on BBF do this, and it seems to be a great way to keep an ongoing discussion about in-game observations, rather than clutter up the forum with lots of odds and ends about gameplay. I think that posters are more likely to contribute to this, rather than start an individual thread for every trivial observation. This thread should not include posts about contracts, trades, management, player profiles, predictions for the season, theories, Barry Bonds (;) ), Fenway Franks, tickets, Red Sox history, etc.. It should only deal with notes about gameplay from current games.

Annie, I know we had talked about this, so again, I hope I'm not being too pushy. I'm sure I'm not the only one who watches nearly every game, so I'm looking forward to sharing thoughts about those many games to come with my fellow BBF'rs! :)

SoxSon

No problem, my friend. In fact, I was going to ask you about this kind of thing.

Consider it stuck, and let's have fun! :gt Go Sox!!

[VTSoxFan]

Barajas just homered... it's 10-1. Wake was ... ahem... not "on" tonight, and Bard seems to have a bit of trouble behind the plate.

Ugh.

[SoxSon]

I hope that being Mirabelli-less isn't going to hurt more than we anticipated. Catching Wake is really hard. Was that 3 passed balls on Bard?

Beckett tonight. Cross your fingers.

[Boston Boxer]

Interesting

[Boston Boxer]

strike out...one down

[Boston Boxer]

pop out...two down

[Boston Boxer]

strike out...ball game. Is Paplebon the new closer???? stay tuned

[SwissRedSoxFan]

I think Papelbon as a closer would be too bad, because he can throw much more good innings in one game...

[Kdub Red Sox Fan 4Life]

While it's only the 3rd game of the season, obviously, every game is important. The division and or wild card could easily come down to a single game.

I think the decision to use Papelbon in the 9th speaks volumes about Franconas', if not the organizations' confidence, or lack thereof in Keith Foulke.

While I agree with the move, I was a little surprised by it. I thought they would wait a little longer to make a change. I guess maybe they've seen enough to know that Foulke,(while seemingly healthy), can't be trusted with the game on the line anymore.

Papelbon seems very capable of closing until Hansen is ready to take over, and allow Papelbon to slide into the rotation where he ultimately belongs.

I wouldn't be shocked if they start shopping Foulke, if the already haven't.

[YOUgodofwalks]

I think they want to give Foulke some more innings in non pressure situations to gauge whats going on with him, especially after his first shaky outing. If he shows he can handle it, he'll be closer, for now the Sox are just unsure.

[Sean Casey]

I'm definitely happy Francona didn't use Foulke in a 1-run game, but I hope Papelbon as the closer doesn't become a regular occurance. He definitely deserves to be a starter, so my guess is that by the All-Star break one of the Sox starters will be on the DL, Papelbon will be starting, Hansen will be closing, and Foulke will be flipping burgers at the Burger King across the street from Boston Common.

[Jager]

Nah. I think a rookie just stole Foulke's job. They obviously don't trust Foulke, and Papelbon is too good a pitcher not to capitolize. Even if foulke started pitching well again I think it will be too late. Papelbon Has looked fantastic, and thats what you need your closer to do. Timlin however almost gave me a damn heart attack. That was a great game though. I think Papelbon will be our closer at least until we need him in the rotation (if that happens).

[RedSoxVT92]

Beckett pitched really well. Giving up only one run through 7 innings. And Nixion hit the decider, a 2 run homer in the 7th. But what I thought was real impressive was Paplebon striking out 2 and getting the save. Except that shows that theres not alot of cofindence in Foulke now. It was a good game.

[MudvilleMike]

I'm definitely happy Francona didn't use Foulke in a 1-run game, but I hope Papelbon as the closer doesn't become a regular occurance. He definitely deserves to be a starter, so my guess is that by the All-Star break one of the Sox starters will be on the DL, Papelbon will be starting, Hansen will be closing, and Foulke will be flipping burgers at the Burger King across the street from Boston Common.

Heh heh. Actually, I still greatly appreciate how Foulke helped us get to the promised land, but his time may be up.

[Jager]

Yep I'm all for letting foulke close cames, but he should have to prove in real games that he's fully healthy and can pitch well.

[RedSoxVT92]

Papelbon was very impressive closing the door on the game. Except I really want to see how he would do in the starting rotation. Jonathon has alot of promise and very good stuff. But this also shows that Foulke is on a very tight leash. And although im glad we didnt use Foulke in the 9th I wonder what that did to his physce. He has lost alot of cofindence from last year and he didnt have a good game in the season opener. And I dont think that showing he couldnt be trusted yesterday helped him any. Hopefully he gets back to how he physically and mentally was in 2004.

[Jager]

I want Pap in the rotation too, but we have 5 very good starters already, so the next best place for him is closing the games. About Foulke's confidence I don't care about that. It wouldn't help him any to put him in there and have him blow the game either. Let him prove during blowouts that he can pitch an inning without giving up a bunch of hits and runs. His knees are still bothering him, and he's not pitching well. We can't afford to give away games trying to put Foulke back in there.

[SoxSon]

I am sooooo happy that Francona went with Pap rather than Foulke.
I can't be the only one who was nervous when the move was coming. Hate to say it, but I was sure Francona was going to do the same thing I felt he did repeatedly last year, and I felt that Foulke didn't have a chance of holding that save. Let's give him more time before he's put into a pressure cooker like that! :D

[Jager]

Thats exactly what I was thinking. When Trot hit the homer I was very happy, but then my next thought was Foulke is going to blow it. Then when I saw that Timlin was coming in the 8th, I just knew Foulke was next. I'm glad Francona went with Pap. We need to make sure Foulke still has it before we put him in the closers role.

[SoxSon]

Thats exactly what I was thinking. When Trot hit the homer I was very happy, but then my next thought was Foulke is going to blow it. Then when I saw that Timlin was coming in the 8th, I just knew Foulke was next. I'm glad Francona went with Pap. We need to make sure Foulke still has it before we put him in the closers role.

I don't mind admitting when I'm wrong, and I was positive that Francona was going to Foulke. What a relief.

[RedSoxVT92]

I hope Papelbon doesnt become the regular closer though. I would much rather see him as a starter.

[SoxSon]

I hope Papelbon doesnt become the regular closer though. I would much rather see him as a starter.


Well, he's destined to be a starting pitcher. But I can't say I mind him as a Band-Aid in the meantime. :)

[Jager]

I hope Papelbon doesnt become the regular closer though. I would much rather see him as a starter.

Even if Papelbon closes this year, He will be in the rotation come next year, if not sooner. Hansen will be our closer. He's looked very good, but he's in AAA along with Lester.

[RedSoxVT92]

Even if Papelbon closes this year, He will be in the rotation come next year, if not sooner. Hansen will be our closer. He's looked very good, but he's in AAA along with Lester.

Im not so sure about a rookie being our closer. I know Hansen is good but im not sure how he would fair closing out games. Thats alot of presure for a rookie. It would be prefferable for Foulke to get healthy meantally and physically and get back to 04 shape. But im not sure if he will be the same anytime soon. So if there are no other options hansen could close it out but im still a bit unsure of how he'd do. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Jager]

Im not so sure about a rookie being our closer. I know Hansen is good but im not sure how he would fair closing out games. Thats alot of presure for a rookie. It would be prefferable for Foulke to get healthy meantally and physically and get back to 04 shape. But im not sure if he will be the same anytime soon. So if there are no other options hansen could close it out but im still a bit unsure of how he'd do. We'll just have to wait and see.

Hansen is a good pitcher. The only reason he's not in the pen right now is because we stacked up over the offseason. Hansen will be a good closer for us. This year if someone goes down in the rotation I can see Papelbon moving to the rotation, then put Timlin in the closer's role, and we would still have Riske, Seanez, and Tavarez for veteran setup guys. We have good depth in the pitching department. I'm very happy with our team all around this year.

[VTSoxFan]

If Timlin doesn't do any better this year than he did last in allowing inherited runners to score, then If he should becoime the closer, I hope he's reserved strictly for 9th inning work. He's usually lights-out when no one's on, but it seemed as if every time he came on with runners on, he allowed at least one to score.

I too think Papelbon's bound eventually for the rotation, but it sure was nice seeing a strikeout guy in there to close it out.

[Jager]

If Timlin doesn't do any better this year than he did last in allowing inherited runners to score, then If he should becoime the closer, I hope he's reserved strictly for 9th inning work. He's usually lights-out when no one's on, but it seemed as if every time he came on with runners on, he allowed at least one to score.

I too think Papelbon's bound eventually for the rotation, but it sure was nice seeing a strikeout guy in there to close it out.

Yes that's what I was saying use Timlin as the closer only, and let Riske, Seanez, and Tavarez fight over the setup role (that's if Pap needs to go to the rotation this year). Hansen is a good strike out pitcher too. It's already been decided by management that Hansen is going to close games, and Pap will be in the rotation definetely next year, and maybe sooner. Lester will also be up when the rosters are made larger this year, and will start the year in the bullpen next season. Lester will make some spot starts, and then be in the rotation come 08.

[Boston Boxer]

sorry, never really saw the sticky at the top of the page. Can we move this thread into it? Also, i perfer an individual thread for each game...like a thread (7 Apr 06 v. Baltimore game thread) and another one the next day (8 Apr 06 v. Baltimore game thread) etc. But that is my preference and i will go with whatever. I do not get to see any off the games unless they are one ESPN, so this is all i have to follow the games. It makes it easier to follow than a long season thread. My 3 cents (inflation)

[VTSoxFan]

sorry, never really saw the sticky at the top of the page. Can we move this thread into it?

Consider it done! :)

[SoxSon]

sorry, never really saw the sticky at the top of the page. Can we move this thread into it? Also, i perfer an individual thread for each game...like a thread (7 Apr 06 v. Baltimore game thread) and another one the next day (8 Apr 06 v. Baltimore game thread) etc. But that is my preference and i will go with whatever. I do not get to see any off the games unless they are one ESPN, so this is all i have to follow the games. It makes it easier to follow than a long season thread. My 3 cents (inflation)


BB--
If you browse around, many of the other forums have an ongoing game thread for the season. I think it makes sense, only because this is a season-long discussion (as long as people don't post a lot of non-gameplay posts in it). The other problem with individual threads is they become "lost." There is no losing this thread, and there's less loading and reloading, too, as it's continuous. :)

[SoxSon]

Annie--
Are we un-stickied now? :confused:

[RedSoxVT92]

This game is a Blow out. 10-0 bosox and its only the 4th. Baltimores starting pitcher gave up 7 walks in 1.1 innigns. In the first we scored 4 on 1 hit. And Trot who has been hitting the ball hard hit a 2-run homer off a lefty. Hopefully we can add some more runs. Also this game will proabbly give Foulke a chance to pitch too.

[runningshoes]

I'm watching the Dodgers-Phillies game.

I saw the score on the outfield wall when it was 4-0...in the first? :clapping

Funny..you guys end your day with a ball game when I'm just starting mine.

:gt

[SwissRedSoxFan]

Do you see Clement? He looks veeery sharp tonight.
We should have just kept Renteria and we would be a lot better than last year, altough Gonzalez can also be good...So we are a better team than last year.

But do you remember? The FO wanted to trade Clement and Ramirez for Tejada...

This idea was just insane!:evil

[Evangelion]

Don't we remember that Clement was a very good pitcher during the first half last year and he has had a habit of being a very good first half during his career. I can see him doing very well during the first half of the season. I'm only worried about him after the All-Star break.

If we kept Renteria, we would not have Crisp, Swiss. ;)

[SwissRedSoxFan]

Don't we remember that Clement was a very good pitcher during the first half last year and he has had a habit of being a very good first half during his career. I can see him doing very well during the first half of the season. I'm only worried about him after the All-Star break.

If we kept Renteria, we would not have Crisp, Swiss. ;)

Well maybe we would have send an other prospect...
But besides Renteria has a good start in Atlanta, I'm pretty sure, Gonzalez will have better powernumbers than Renterror. The green Wall will do it and last year Gonzalez had just a bad season...

[SoxSon]

This game is a Blow out. 10-0 bosox and its only the 4th. Baltimores starting pitcher gave up 7 walks in 1.1 innigns. In the first we scored 4 on 1 hit. And Trot who has been hitting the ball hard hit a 2-run homer off a lefty. Hopefully we can add some more runs. Also this game will proabbly give Foulke a chance to pitch too.

It's such a blowout that it almost has gotten to be no fun to watch.................NAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great to see our boys hammerin' away! :clapping :D

[RedSoxVT92]

Well maybe we would have send an other prospect...
But besides Renteria has a good start in Atlanta, I'm pretty sure, Gonzalez will have better powernumbers than Renterror. The green Wall will do it and last year Gonzalez had just a bad season...

I dont think we could have sent another prospect because Marte is a very good power htting 3rd baseman with alot of potentiol. Also Gonzalez is not here for the offense but for the defense and can pop a few out of here. And Crisp is much more valuable then Renteria. Crisp is a very speedy leadoff man with good stuff and has the potential and could become alot better than Damon. So I dont mind letting go of Renteria for Crisp at all.

[VTSoxFan]

Annie--
Are we un-stickied now? :confused:

Somebody unstuck it. I stickied it again. :confused:

[VTSoxFan]

It was kind of a dull game until the 8th, when Seanez allowed 4 runs before getting an out, and luckily stranded 2 runners. The score was deceptive at that point, the Sox having the 6-run lead, but had Seanez allowed another homer, it would have turned the blowout into a save situation.

I was glad to see Papelbon warming at that point.... but also glad, once the 6-run margin was assured, to see Foulke have a good 9th, helped along by that nifty double play to end the game.

[Jager]

Yeah we're only 4 games in, but I think Francona has made all the right choices. I love our team this year. Crisp and Loretta have been great, i'm just waiting for Ortiz and Manny to be hitting in the same game, and maybe we can push for 20 runs in a game. lol. I LOVE our defense. we have 1 error in the first 4 games, and that error was when Youk moved to 3B and had to barehand a ball when it was raining. But our starters in their position have yet to make an error. Go Team!

[RedSoxVT92]

Clement also pitched really good for the first 6 innings until he gave up 4 runs. It was good to see him like he pitched first half of last year. Boy did Cabrea have control problems. 7 walks, 6 in the first. Overall the Orioles gave up 14 walks. Also good to see Nixon hitting the cover off the ball with a homer off a lefty. And Foulke didnt give up any runs only 1 hit. So the BoSox have gotten off to a fast start and hopefully we can keep on winning. Of course we still have 158 games left but I think we have a good team as long as theres not alot of injury.

[FlashGordon]

Clement also pitched really good for the first 6 innings until he gave up 4 runs. It was good to see him like he pitched first half of last year. Boy did Cabrea have control problems. 7 walks, 6 in the first. Overall the Orioles gave up 14 walks. Also good to see Nixon hitting the cover off the ball with a homer off a lefty. And Foulke didnt give up any runs only 1 hit. So the BoSox have gotten off to a fast start and hopefully we can keep on winning. Of course we still have 158 games left but I think we have a good team as long as theres not alot of injury.To cut Clement a little slack, it was the 7th of a game that went very long for a 9-inning matchup. He waited on that bench quite a while as his teammates were building a cushion for him. I'm surprised they brought him out for the 7th rather than giving the relievers a little warmup too.

And to make a general statement about concerns that Clement will start strong only to fold down the stretch, I'd like to remind everyone of that horrible come-backer that rang his bell last year. Believe me, I'm more of the hopeful pessimist when it comes to the Sox and still have yet to be convinced that Clement can produce consistently for 30 starts, but even I have to allow that getting back on the mound couldn't have been easy for him.

[SoxSon]

I LOVE our defense. we have 1 error in the first 4 games, and that error was when Youk moved to 3B and had to barehand a ball when it was raining. But our starters in their position have yet to make an error. Go Team!

I agree. The offense (which was my worry, with the new infield) is clicking and the defense has been fun to watch. Nice double play yesterday. Isn't it a thing of beauty when 3 guys in the infield work together that flawlessly on a double play? :D

[Jager]

I agree. The offense (which was my worry, with the new infield) is clicking and the defense has been fun to watch. Nice double play yesterday. Isn't it a thing of beauty when 3 guys in the infield work together that flawlessly on a double play? :D

Yes. The best part is that your not as nervous if you need a double play. lol. Past years even if the pitcher got a ground ball we'd find a way to screw it up sometimes. Now if the pitcher gets the ground ball your going to get the DP most of the time. Youk has even looked pretty good over at 1B. He still has some learning to do, but very good for being a 3baseman. Although Gonzalez doesn't have a great average he gets big hits. He did it alot with the Marlins. Plus his Defense makes up for what his bat lacks. Wily Mo Pena should be getting the start in RF tonight against the lefty Chen. I'm excited to see him, and how he does.

[RedSoxVT92]

awww rain delay.....I hate rain delays...:ughh

[SoxSon]

Watching Pena swing at Chen is really watching an exercise in futility.

[SoxSon]

Anyone else think Schilling has been more than lucky on a number of pitches today? I think the Baltimore lineup has helped him a few times so far. He threw an 89 mph fastball straight down the middle to Tejada, for example, that should've been promptly removed from Camden Yards.

[SoxSon]

Varitek's knee into the wall make anyone else cringe? You don't usually see him stay down for even a second. I can't imagine if we lost him for any length of time.

[RedSoxVT92]

Varitek's knee into the wall make anyone else cringe? You don't usually see him stay down for even a second. I can't imagine if we lost him for any length of time.

That would have been disastourous if we had lost him. V-tek goes out there and plays his hardest everyday. It was scary seeing down like that even though it was for a few seconds. Schilling is pitching really well so far hopefully he can keep it up. It seems like he is back to his healthy self for his first two starts.

[SoxSon]

Agh! :eek:
Bases loaded...nuttin' showing for it.

[SoxSon]

Another win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :dance :gt

We're on a roll!!!!!!!!!!!! :clapping

[RedSoxVT92]

BoSox win again 2-1. Schilling had another good game only giving up that homerun. And Papelbon came in and closed the door striking out Millar. Papelbon is a real good closer and it seems as if he is going to be in the postion for a bit until one of our starters go down. Good game. hopefully we can keep on winning.

[VTSoxFan]

Varitek's knee into the wall make anyone else cringe? You don't usually see him stay down for even a second. I can't imagine if we lost him for any length of time.

I almost had a heart attack, seeing him smack the wall, then kind of roll on his side, and get up real slow (well, real slow for him), and Don Orsillo said "Varitek's hurt himself..." :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Then the grin he gave the ump... holy holy holy yikes. If we had lost him... It's be bad enough if we'd lost him with Mirabelli as a backup, but... no to knock Bard, but it would be a disaster.

[VTSoxFan]

BoSox win again 2-1. Schilling had another good game only giving up that homerun. And Papelbon came in and closed the door striking out Millar. Papelbon is a real good closer and it seems as if he is going to be in the postion for a bit until one of our starters go down. Good game. hopefully we can keep on winning.

Great win. I like these tight games so much better than a blowout.

I mean... I like these tight games as long as we have a closer who can close. :rolleyes: Papelbon was bringing it today -- 97mph to Millar at one point.

[efin98]

I almost had a heart attack, seeing him smack the wall, then kind of roll on his side, and get up real slow (well, real slow for him), and Don Orsillo said "Varitek's hurt himself..." :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Then the grin he gave the ump... holy holy holy yikes. If we had lost him... It's be bad enough if we'd lost him with Mirabelli as a backup, but... no to knock Bard, but it would be a disaster.

Bard wasn't good against Wakefield but that doesn't make having him forced to catch a disaster. A headache yes, but far from a disaster. He could handle catching for a few days while Tek rests.

That said, I think Varitek will get a day or two off to keep his knee in OK shape. He will surely have some swelling and bruising on his knee, best to send him right to Boston and prepare for the home opener on Tuesday(coincidently, Wakefield's next game:D )

[VTSoxFan]

Bard wasn't good against Wakefield but that doesn't make having him forced to catch a disaster. A headache yes, but far from a disaster. He could handle catching for a few days while Tek rests.

That said, I think Varitek will get a day or two off to keep his knee in OK shape. He will surely have some swelling and bruising on his knee, best to send him right to Boston and prepare for the home opener on Tuesday(coincidently, Wakefield's next game:D )

What I meant was, if we lost Tek to a long spell on the DL, THAT would be a disaster. If he had to take a few days to rest and get over a minor injury, that'd be okay.

My panicked reaction to seeing him bash into those bricks today is post-traumatic reaction to having seen him break his elbow in '01. Every time he goes back and dives or slides for a popup, I get flashbacks. :eek:

I thought Wake was going tomorrow v. Rodrigo Lopez. Man, that guy gives the Sox absolute fits!

[Kdub Red Sox Fan 4Life]

Schilling looked great again. 2-0 14 innings 3BB 9K ERA of 1.93 :D And Papelbon.......Lights out!

Looking Good.:dance

I know this team is vastly changed from the '04 edition, yet I really like it.

Should be a great year.:D

[efin98]

What I meant was, if we lost Tek to a long spell on the DL, THAT would be a disaster. If he had to take a few days to rest and get over a minor injury, that'd be okay.

My panicked reaction to seeing him bash into those bricks today is post-traumatic reaction to having seen him break his elbow in '01. Every time he goes back and dives or slides for a popup, I get flashbacks. :eek:

I thought Wake was going tomorrow v. Rodrigo Lopez. Man, that guy gives the Sox absolute fits!

If it was more than a simple bruise on the knee I think he would have been out of the game and enroute to the hospital, but that's just my fumbling experience. I've had bad accidents like that and come away with just a scrape, bruises and a swollen knee so I think it looked much worse than it actually was.

That's good though, I'll take a bruise over a cracked kneecap or broken leg!!!


And is Wake going tomorrow? I must have my schedule mixed up already.

Ignore this idiot(me) lol:laugh

[MudvilleMike]

I know this team is vastly changed from the '04 edition, yet I really like it.

Should be a great year.:D

We're already 3 up over the Yankees :laugh

[FlashGordon]

Great win. I like these tight games so much better than a blowout.

I mean... I like these tight games as long as we have a closer who can close. :rolleyes: Papelbon was bringing it today -- 97mph to Millar at one point.I hope we don't get tooooo many of these low-scoring one run games, but it is certainly a confidence booster to see the Sox hold one. I'm regaining my faith in Schilling and I'm liking what I see in Papelbon. Clement and (especially) Wakefield are going to need run support, but I'm hopeful that won't be a problem either.

[runningshoes]

http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/278.jpg

[RedSoxVT92]

The game should be intresting today. We'll get to see bard, part 2 and see if he has improved. Hopefully that first start he could of learned off of and change some things to catch wake more effectivley. Also Coco isnt going to be in the line up because he jammed his thumb when he caught his cleet sliding into 3rd. Thank god it was only a jammed thumb because he could have rolled his ankle on that play. Coco may come into the game later though. So Adam Stern will be taking his place, batting lead off. He doesnt have a whole lot of time on the roster, as most likley willie harris will probably be called up once Sterns time is up because of the rule V draft. Adam Stern is going to try to prove that he belongs on the big leaugue roster this game. And hopefully Wakefield can have a better game this time and the Bosox can improve to 5-1. :gt

[YOUgodofwalks]

Adam Stern just singled in a run, and Gonzalez before him bunted 2 runners over, a little small ball being played, and I like it.

[RedSoxVT92]

Nice to see some small ball by the Sox. Usaully a very stationary team. Also Stern has performed well driving in 2 RBI's this game. Wakefield has been pitching better this game only giving up that one run which was unearned. Bard has improved tremendously from the last game making the adjustments and has no passed balls. Although our defense was shoddy in the first few innnings having 2 errors one by Loretta and one by Gonzalez. But the defense has settled down now performing well again. game is 4-1 right now bottom of 6th.

[RedSoxVT92]

BoSox win 4-1! Wakefield pitched well giving up one run but it was unearned through 6 innings, much better than his first start. In the 5 wins so far the red sox starters have pitched very good going 5-0 with a 2.12 era. Foulke pitched great in the 8th, striking out 2 in a 1, 2, 3 inning. Papelbon had his first troubles this year though. Gave up a leadoff double and hit a batter. Also was behind in the count with almost all the batters but he got the job done none the less getting the save. Its always good to get off to a fast start being 5-1.

[efin98]

I hope we don't get tooooo many of these low-scoring one run games, but it is certainly a confidence booster to see the Sox hold one. I'm regaining my faith in Schilling and I'm liking what I see in Papelbon. Clement and (especially) Wakefield are going to need run support, but I'm hopeful that won't be a problem either.

It brings to mind what could have been going on last year if not for injuries.

Frankly things can only get better for the pitching staff from here- Wells will be back from his injury, Tavarez will be back from his suspension, and they will have themselves an old fasioned showdown for the key reliever roles!!!!

Frankly, life is good right now. Everyone is contributing, everyone is on the same page. It's a good time.

[ESPNFan]

Actually I think this could be the deepest Sox team overall in their recent incarnations, not only at the majorleague level but in terms of the farm as well. 2006 is off to a great start and the future beyond this season only looks better.

[SoxSon]

Actually I think this could be the deepest Sox team overall in their recent incarnations, not only at the majorleague level but in terms of the farm as well. 2006 is off to a great start and the future beyond this season only looks better.


I still say, though, that I'd like to see someone on the bench primarily for speed in the late innings. Do we have that guy?

Another great win today! :D :gt

[runningshoes]

http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/283.jpg

[Mariano_Rivera]

Boston has more depth in the position players but less with SP. Crisp is hurt by the way. The Arroyo trade look very good right now. Shilling has regained my trust or rather the lack of it (see signature). I think Papelbon has made a very good closer lately as well. Wakefield is questionable with the catcher situation. The other pitchers I know nothing about, I haven`t been paying much attention to them.

[Boston Boxer]

What catcher situation...Bard had a fine game with the glove. I think we have depth at SP. Papelbon is so versitile, that he can start as well. I think you are grasping at straws here. It is a long season and anything can happen, but we are really playing well right now. With the Yankees being a bit old, it will take them a while to get going...but i am sure it will come down to late September to sort this out as usual.

[Jager]

I agree I don't see how we have a lack in the SP department. we have 6 very good starters. Wells our #5 starter could be an Ace on most clubs. Papelbon was a starter all throughout the minors. We've been grooming Hansen to be our Closer, and if it weren't for the log jam with our pitchers he and Lester would be in the bullpen right now. They are both about ready anyways. BTW Timlin did a fine job last year closing, and Foulke can go either way, so i'm not worried at all. Personally I hope that Papelbon finds his way into the rotation soon anyways. He's too good to pitch one inning per game. He has the potential to go out there and dominate every 5th day. He has to prove it, but he can certainly do it.

[runningshoes]

http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/284.jpg

[CuriousBoston]

As close as I can get...Game On, if posssible..
WS gray tshirt, blue jeans, Nantucket Red bag, red sweatshirt, red visorWally and dark chocolate in the bag. White shoes. MOJO....LOTS OF MOJO...maybe someone will drop their ticket...if I avoid their seat...

[Kdub Red Sox Fan 4Life]

Gonna need the bullpen today. 36 pitches in the 1st inning, and a run walked in. one of 3 walks in the inning. Not a good start:ughh

Luckily he got an inning ending double play, otherwise it could have been a really short stay on the mound today. Hopefully he'll settle down and throw strikes.

[RedSoxVT92]

Stern has been playing very good in hit first two starts. He got two RBI's on sunday and just hit a 2 RBI double and stole third. He is stepping it up and showing it should stay on the roster. The opener is starting pretty good being 3-1 in the 2nd.

[Kdub Red Sox Fan 4Life]

The bats come to life:clapping 3 runs in and no outs. The Sox continue to own Mr. Towers.

Now maybe with some run support, Beckett can bear down.

[FlashGordon]

I hope NESN rebroadcasts this evening. It sounds like Beckett had a rough 1st, then settled down nicely. I am surprised he only had 2Ks over 7 IP, but he also gave up only 3 hits. Toronto's lineup isn't nearly potent as the Rangers', but they aren't creampuffs, either. I suppose the only question mark in the near future is how Wells will fare when it's his turn. I don't think there's any question about Foulke; he stays in the middle relief slot.

[SoxSon]

Another great win, guys. Let's keep cranking them out!!! :gt :D

[Jager]

Yes its very promising that Beckett can screw up a first inning, then limit it to 1 run, and be lights out after that. The only reason they got any was because he walked a couple guys. In fact he walked in the run with 1 out, then went and they turned the DP. I read somewhere that Beckett's ERA is the highest in the first inning. Higher than any other inning. So apparently he starts slow like Pedro did. Beckett has looked outstanding so far though. These weren't even two of his better games, but still has 14IP 2ER thats great. Hopefully he can keep it up. I'm torn about Wells doing good, because part of me wants him to pitch well, and part of me wants him to get rocked so that Papelbon can get in the rotation.

[VTSoxFan]

The defense (except for that in right field) made this game as much as the pitching. If not for that DP in the 1st, I don't think Beckett would have lasted much longer, And how about that freak DP in the 4th! I almost fell out of my chair.

[EvanAparra]

6-1....Great start to the season

Nixon : The ultimate red sox misplays a fly ball for the 1st time in a while (as far as i remember)...and gets hurt...trot is not injury prone, just unlucky.

Manny: Please, lets get an RBI

Beckett: Not as impressive as his first start, but his numbers were

Wily Mo: That was horrible, this is why he should not take playing time away from trot..right field in fenway isnt as easy as he may think. Swings at anything thrown within 10 feet of him...when they said raw, they meant it.

Pap and foulke look like they will be a good 8th/9th inning combo. or at least i hope so.

These guys look like they can win a lot of ballgames, Mike Lowell looks like he can still swing the bat, A-Gon cant, but did we real expect him to?

GO SOX!

[Jager]

For me it is perfectly acceptible for Gonzo not to hit very well. He plays such incredible defense that it makes up for it. I LOVE our defense. I too would love to see Manny get some hits. He hasn't looked very good thusfar. The funny thing is that we still haven't had a problem winning, and once Manny's bat comes around we will be that much better. I love it that we're winning the close games. The announcers were saying earlier that last year we were something like 6 -29 in 1 run games. Our defense also makes our pitchers look that much more impressive. There probably aren't a handful of SS that make that double play where Loretta jumped and hit the ball down toward second base. That was crazy. I really like our team, but does anyone else have the feeling that Wells is going to suck this year for us? Hopefully he will do well, but I'm not counting on it. The only reason he won 15 games last year was because he was second in the AL for run support. I have the feeling that he's going to have a big drop off. I just hope they will sit him and put in Papelbon if Wells is sucking.

[Boston Boxer]

6-1....Great start to the season

Nixon : The ultimate red sox misplays a fly ball for the 1st time in a while (as far as i remember)...and gets hurt...trot is not injury prone, just unlucky.

Manny: Please, lets get an RBI

Beckett: Not as impressive as his first start, but his numbers were

Wily Mo: That was horrible, this is why he should not take playing time away from trot..right field in fenway isnt as easy as he may think. Swings at anything thrown within 10 feet of him...when they said raw, they meant it.

Pap and foulke look like they will be a good 8th/9th inning combo. or at least i hope so.

These guys look like they can win a lot of ballgames, Mike Lowell looks like he can still swing the bat, A-Gon cant, but did we real expect him to?

GO SOX!

Nixon is injury prone and the reason he does not get 100% of the playing time is he cannot hit left handed pitching. Unfortunately, Willy Mo is not the answer either in RF

[CuriousBoston]

Nervous:
1. Clement walking...
2. Clement shaking off Tek too often
3. Timlin warming
4. Foulke walking on field
Good spots
1. The steal
2. Two double plays; the split stretch at first was great...I bet that got iced down.
3. Lowell's hitting...
4. Papelbon

Meanwhile, Arroyo pitched again, another HR?
Somebody wake up Manny. Trot needs to be dipped in rabbit feet. Defense saved every pitcher. Very nice to see. Their home run was very close to being a caught ball, too. Now if they stay healthy...except Wells, I wanna see Papelbon. And Decarmen.

My Wally has now been to Game On, and his mojo is increasing.

[Mattingly]

So how's Foulke and Paps doing? I'm trying to find out how effective both have been.

Thx. :)

[Jager]

Papelbon has been lights out. His stuff has looked just nasty too. He's pitching great. Foulke on the other hand hasn't been stellar. Today wasn't really his fault. He gave up a 2run homer, but Pena should have caught it. Instead it bounced off his glove and over the fence. But Foulke doesn't look terrible right now, but we don't trust him in a 1run game either.

[Eugenious]

Red Sox fans are the Best fans, no doubt! Love reading your guys posts.

Check out this site, I gather data for them, and whatever else they want - funny **** on here...

www.bravesoxtalk.com

[RedSoxVT92]

Wells is on the mound today. Im not so sure how he will do as he was roughed up in his Pawtuckett start (7 runs in 5 innnings). Also he may not do as well as he will probably have less run support but hopefully he will pitch well. Youklilis is batting leadoff again were he did good in the Fenway opener. Mohr will be getting the start in centerfield and bats 7th. Had 17 homers last year (although he did play in colorodo) and had a good in spring training. Although I would rather see Stern as Stern has been doing good in the last two games. Also Pena hopefully has a better game because he was shaky in rightfield yesterday and in 5 AB's he has struckout 3 times. Should be an intresting game and hoprfully the Sox can win there first 7 out of 8 games.

[RedSoxVT92]

eek. A 3 run 1st, Wells does not look good at all. He allowed a 2 run home run, a solo homerun and a single off the moster. Not a good start to the game. But hopefully he will settle down. The bullpen may have alot of work to do if Wells pitches like he did in the 1st.

[RedSoxVT92]

The BoSox drop one 8-4. 2nd loss of the season. Wells gave up 7 runs 10 hits(3 of which were home runs) in 4 IP. From the very start of the game he did not do well giving up a 2 run home run to the second batter and then another home run in that inning. Has not done well in spring training, his Pawsox start and had two knee surgerys but hopefully he can bounce back. Although there was some good things in this game. Dustan Mohr left the yard in the 4th with a 2 run home run in only his second AB this year. Willy Mo Pena had a good game getting 2 hits and a homer. The Red Sox will be putting Matt Clement on the mound to face Ted Lilly today and hopefully continue the way weve been playing(minus Wakes first start and Wells first start)

[Boston Boxer]

that was a pounding. on a bright note, Willy Mo Pena is the strongest player i have seen in a while. What a bullet of a HR last night. If he can get consistant, watch out. I really like our depth with Pena, Mohr, and Stern to name a few.

[SoxSon]

that was a pounding. on a bright note, Willy Mo Pena is the strongest player i have seen in a while. What a bullet of a HR last night. If he can get consistant, watch out. I really like our depth with Pena, Mohr, and Stern to name a few.

Boy, Pena really can drive that ball, can't he? Even his foul ball was impressive. His fielding leaves me wondering, however...do we now have 3 DH's on this team?! ;)

As far as Wells goes, let's give him another few starts. He actually had 4 or 5 lousy starts in April and May last season, but settled things down pretty much after that.

(Oh, also, I suppose Stern could be considered the guy with speed on the bench.)

[Jager]

Boy, Pena really can drive that ball, can't he? Even his foul ball was impressive. His fielding leaves me wondering, however...do we now have 3 DH's on this team?! ;)

As far as Wells goes, let's give him another few starts. He actually had 4 or 5 lousy starts in April and May last season, but settled things down pretty much after that.

(Oh, also, I suppose Stern could be considered the guy with speed on the bench.)

Yeah Pena's a beast if he can get the bat on it. Those were some laser shots yesterday. He actually had a good game. HE EVEN HAD A WALK! WTF? Anyways hopefully he can keep it up especially since Manny isn't doing anything. I hope to see Manny wake up and start swinging the bat soon. Go Sox!

[FlashGordon]

Anyways hopefully he can keep it up especially since Manny isn't doing anything. I hope to see Manny wake up and start swinging the bat soon. Go Sox!That's Manny's M.O. The last several seasons he's been cold getting started, but when (not if) he catches fire, all is quickly forgiven.

[SoxSon]

That's Manny's M.O. The last several seasons he's been cold getting started, but when (not if) he catches fire, all is quickly forgiven.


Manny is one player on the team that I'm not worried about. :)

[RedSoxVT92]

Pitching troubles continue tonight. Clement has giving up 6 runs in the 2nd. Clement gave up a grand slam to Vernon Wells :ughh Although Lowell stopped one run from scoring by decideing to throw home and get the out and stop a run instead of the double play but now it seems like it would have been a better idea just to go with the DP. Mohr also showed his lack of experiance by misplaying a ball of the monster. The Red Sox look to be in for another long one unless we can claw back and Clement can settle down.

[Jager]

When does Manny get back from vacation?

[CuriousBoston]

Get rid of Wells now. Send him down, until he shows he can deal with AAA hitting. Young, healthy, go for it attitude, not an overweight, out of shape, recovering from surgery, and barfly to boot.

That was pitiful. His attitude after the game was pitiful. There is pitching depth at AAA, use it.

[FlashGordon]

I missed most of tonight's 8-6 loss, but I did catch the 9th. At least the top of the order tried to make a game out of it. A couple of walks and 2 RBI from Youkilis made the game much closer on paper than it really was. That shot that Papi hit to right is most likely gone on a clear, warm night. I can't say I liked the cuts Wily Mo was taking. He's much too tentative on the ball. I hope he breaks out soon. He needs a little more confidence out there.

[Jager]

The weird thing with Pena is that one game he will look completely lost out there, then the next game he goes 2-3 with a HR , a walk, and an opposite field single. At least the potential is there. Hopefully he can pull it together.

[RedSoxVT92]

Red Sox win another 2-1 game. Schilling once again pitched flawlessley. He only gave up one run an struckout 7. It looks as if he is completley back from last year starting the year with a 3-0 record and a 1.64 era. Gonzalez had his best night offensivley in a Red Sox uniform also driving in the only sox runs with a two run double. went 3-4 with 2 doubles. Manny still hasnt got an extra base hit all year but its still early in the season. Papelbon closed the door with his 5th save in 5 chances. Gave up only 1 hit, the second hit for him this year. Struck out Ichiro with a 95 miles per hour fastball(Ichiro struck out twice) Red Sox record is 7-3 good to get back to a good start by a starting pitcher after back to back bad starts by Wells and Clement. Wakefiled will face Pinero tommorow.

[MudvilleMike]

If Schilling can stay healthy the entire season (a big if at his age), I really like our chances. He's totally back to being THE MAN.

[FlashGordon]

Manny still hasnt got an extra base hit all year but its still early in the season.Not to pick on RSVT, but that drives me nuts when barely two weeks into the season the phrase "all year" gets tossed around. Manny didn't have a stellar spring training, but he certainly had a few extra base hits. It's like watching a new game show and hearing that an amount won is the most in the history of the program. Technically, I suppose that's right, but history is supposed to have the added weight of time passed.

A better way of phrasing this would have been, "Manny hasn't had his first extra-base hit of the season, but it is still quite early." Talking in terms of "all year" feeds into the standard fan phobia that we're already tanking and can kiss the season good bye. Just check out the way some are already trying to scuttle David Wells after only one start. In 2004 Pedro Martinez had only one win in his first three starts and had one dog of an outing against Baltimore in which he coughed up 7 earned over 5 innings. True, the Sox lost the division, but I seem to remember they did manage to come home with some shiny new hardware in October.

Schilling is looking very sharp after 3 starts and is reason for optimism. Beckett and Papelbon also look like they're in mid-season form, although Clement is still something of a question mark. Wakefield is, well, Wakefield. He can look masterful in one outing and ready to be put to pasture in another. He'll still be good for at least 10 wins, but it's a crap shoot as to whether he'll finish with a winning record. And Wells? Let's just say that his spot in the rotation is the most tenuous of the five, but that's only in part due to his catastrophe of an outing.

The hitting has me a little concerned at the moment, but that will probably turn around soon enough. I like the infield defense I'm seeing so far. All in all, we've seen a really good start to the season. I hope Wakefield can bounce back a little today. He needs the confidence booster.

[Kdub Red Sox Fan 4Life]

Tough loss for Wake. That was a nice complete game. If only they had a catcher that could handle him.:ughh

[SoxSon]

Sorry, KDub. I couldn't disagree with you more. Bard is fine. It's our offense that's walking a very thin line. Today's game was a great example of how a few tweaks and a couple of players having an off day leads to an abysmal Red Sox lineup. Today's offense was unforgivable. Pinero was not that good.

[FlashGordon]

Sorry, KDub. I couldn't disagree with you more. Bard is fine. It's our offense that's walking a very thin line. Today's game was a great example of how a few tweaks and a couple of players having an off day leads to an abysmal Red Sox lineup. Today's offense was unforgivable. Pinero was not that good.I didn't realize today's game was a 1:00 start. Looking at the box score, I'm thankful. It's too bad that Wakefield gets tagged with the loss. A complete game featuring 6 Ks, that's just tough luck. The ugly part was the 9 Ks for Sox hitters--3 of them from Adam Stern. From what I read, they were all swinging. I really hope this is just early season enthusiasm and not a sign of poor plate discipline. We've got some aggressive hitters who are very prone to strikeouts. I'll take Crisp's healthy OBP over the sporadic long ball any day.

[SoxSon]

I didn't realize today's game was a 1:00 start. Looking at the box score, I'm thankful. It's too bad that Wakefield gets tagged with the loss. A complete game featuring 6 Ks, that's just tough luck. The ugly part was the 9 Ks for Sox hitters--3 of them from Adam Stern. From what I read, they were all swinging. I really hope this is just early season enthusiasm and not a sign of poor plate discipline. We've got some aggressive hitters who are very prone to strikeouts. I'll take Crisp's healthy OBP over the sporadic long ball any day.

We're currently leading the AL in men left on base, I believe. That can be looked at as good, too, if you consider that we got them on base. But we've also scored 4 or less runs in 7 out of our 11 outings so far. That actually is unusual for us. Beckett and Schilling have made that a non-issue to this point, but it's going to sneak up on us eventually (as in today), particularly on days when our lineup is full of reserves.

Wakefield pitched a great game, and Bard struggled for an inning, true. But when you consider all things, our young, impatient hitters pretty much blew this afternoon. With Ramirez starting slow and Tek having a seat, that spells trouble.

[Mattingly]

Lacking a better place to put this, and if you'll pardon my timing, but I was curious, how often has Boston been shut out at home? It seems very rare, and I can't seem to remember the last time.

Thanks. :)

[Jager]

The last time Bostone was shut out was September last year. I don't know if that was at home or not though.

What bothers me is that Francona rests guys on the same day Varitek is out. Why not wait until Tek is in, and at least you don't have 4 guys that usually don't start. It would help out a little. BTW why the hell would you move Youk out of the leadoff spot (until Crisp returns) He's done very well there.

[SoxSon]

The last time Bostone was shut out was September last year. I don't know if that was at home or not though..

On September 8, 2005, we were shut out 3-0 by the Angels in Fenway. That was the last time. You're right, Mattingly...it doesn't happen often.



What bothers me is that Francona rests guys on the same day Varitek is out. Why not wait until Tek is in, and at least you don't have 4 guys that usually don't start. It would help out a little.

With some of the offensive sacrifices we've made for defense, I think you may be right. Francona may need to rethink his gameplan concerning rest days.

[ESPNFan]

First off I feel bad for Timah! a complete game three run effort is solid work for Wake. If he keeps up that effort he'll get his share of wins.

Second off Who am I going to see start for the Sox on monday? Is it Lenny Dinardo time? Anyway it will hopefully be a great day to be at the ballpark!

[pesky6]

Well, at least Rivera blew the save and took the loss against the Twins tonight.

[Mattingly]

Well, at least Rivera blew the save and took the loss against the Twins tonight.
Not directly related to Boston, but it was 5 outs after Farnsworth walked a guy. He went through 4 outs, but with 2 RISP, that last guy hit a single to RF.

Ouch! :o :(

[Jager]

First off I feel bad for Timah! a complete game three run effort is solid work for Wake. If he keeps up that effort he'll get his share of wins.

Second off Who am I going to see start for the Sox on monday? Is it Lenny Dinardo time? Anyway it will hopefully be a great day to be at the ballpark!


Yep DiNardo is starting. I think he'll do just fine. He's done pretty good this year, and he did pretty good in AAA last year. Can't be much worse than Wells was anyways.

[Kdub Red Sox Fan 4Life]

As I recall, DiNardo made a start last year as well. I think he went 5 and pitched pretty well. I think he'll be OK. (fingers crossed).

[Mattingly]

On September 8, 2005, we were shut out 3-0 by the Angels in Fenway. That was the last time. You're right, Mattingly...it doesn't happen often.
Thanks. I'll share that with a few others elsewhere, who'd wondered about the same.

Here's the writeup and box score of that game: Angels blank Red Sox, move one game up over idle A's (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250908102)

[Rennie Stennett]

Lacking a better place to put this, and if you'll pardon my timing, but I was curious, how often has Boston been shut out at home? It seems very rare, and I can't seem to remember the last time.

Thanks. :)

When was the last time Wake beat the M's ?

[SoxSon]

When was the last time Wake beat the M's ?


He has three career wins against Seattle. I know he hasn't had one of 'em at least for the past 5 years.

[Johnnybegood]

Papelbon is awesome .......Look out Yankee's here we come......:crazy

[FlashGordon]

When was the last time Wake beat the M's ?
This was in today's Hartford Courant's Red Sox Almanac (http://www.courant.com/sports/baseball/redsox/hc-soxnotes0416.artapr16,0,1779002.story?coll=hc-redsox-headlines). "Wakefield has not beaten the Mariners since July 29, 1997. The stretch includes seven starts and 10 relief appearances."

[FlashGordon]

Papelbon is awesome .......Look out Yankee's here we come......:crazyJBG: You win the award for the oddest Avatar I've seen. Welcome aboard.

[Johnnybegood]

JBG: You win the award for the oddest Avatar I've seen. Welcome aboard.Thanks do you like my Red Sox Clam Chowda Head?:crazy

[FlashGordon]

Thanks do you like my Red Sox Clam Chowda Head?:crazyI love it. I figured it had something to do with Chowda.

[Kdub Red Sox Fan 4Life]

Holy Cr*p! Mark Loretta with the walk off homer with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th!!!!!! :clapping :clapping What an unlikely hero, but I'll take it. Wow what a game.!!!! :dance

That was some gritty determination by the Sox to come back and tie it 4 different times and then win with a walk off after Seattle scratched out the go ahead in the top of the 9th.

That's a great win to say the least. And how about Lenny DiNardo making a spot start and turning in 5 good innings, coupled with really clutch hitting. Not the least of which was Ortiz' 2 bombs to tie the game, and just missing a 3rd that would have tied it. Luckily Trot and Tek got it done with 2 out.

Again.....WOW.:clapping :clapping

[Jager]

I loved Youkilis' hustle there. That would have been the final out. Then Loretta hit the bomb. That was a very good game. With that said how long is it going to take for Francona to figure out that he can't trust Seanez? He gives up at least one every inning he pitches. Anyways that was a very good game, and a great win for us. Tampa Bay is up next for 3 games, then looking ahead an interesting matchup will be the first game of the Blue Jays series Beckett against Burnett. That should be a fun one to watch.

[ESPNFan]

Just snuck back into work!!!! What a GAME!!! After Youkilis' beat out that single I turned to my buddy and said "watch out lorretta is going to go yard here." :laugh He didn't even hae time to look at me funny before Marky Mrk hit it out of the Parky Park. Word.

[CuriousBoston]

Thanks do you like my Red Sox Clam Chowda Head?:crazy

Chowda is discussed here; there are some barbarians that put red stuff in their chowda, others use thyme! Now, do you start yours with salt pork?

[SoxSon]

Well, guys, that's the kind of win that fires up a ballclub! It pumps up the fans and the players, and leaves us all with the feeling we had in 2004...we can do anything!!! :clapping :gt


(Sorry for the unbridled optimism...I'll try to settle down tonight. :D)

[Jager]

The best part of it was that Manny seemed to hit the ball hard a couple times during the game. He just missed a home run today. I hadn't seen him smile all season. When Loretta hit that homer he was up there smiling and having fun. I think this game was the beginning of Manny waking up and hitting this year.

[VTSoxFan]

WOOHOO! I know I'm coming late into the celebration, but I just finished watching the tape of the game, because I had to work, of all stoopid things.

Great hustle by Youk, taters by Papi, good pitching from DiNardo. Good pitching from Koulke, too, in the 8th. A great gritty game all the way around. Loretta! Wow... I'm still smiling. :) :dance :clapping

Now, did anyone else's heart almost stop to see Tek limping down the basepath in the 2nd? I guess he might have had a cramp or something, because it didn't seem to bother him after that.

Yes, it's good to see Manny get the bat on the ball. I think he'll hit his stride pretty soon.

What a game! :gt

[FlashGordon]

I liked the way Cora took advantage of the hesitation in CF and stretched his RBI single into a double. The Sox need more of that kind of aggression among the younger players.

[SoxSon]

I liked the way Cora took advantage of the hesitation in CF and stretched his RBI single into a double. The Sox need more of that kind of aggression among the younger players.


Cora was a highlight for me, too, Flash. It's that kind of baserunning that can be the difference in a game. I really enjoyed that.

Also, yes, Annie. You know I flinch at every sign of possible injury to Tek. That limp made me squirm for a minute. Our primary catcher is not a position we can afford to lose for any length of time.

[RedSoxVT92]

That game was wicked exciting. Everyone was hitting the cover off the ball. Manny hit one hard off the scoreboard and hit one of the top of the wall which would of have been a homerun in any other park. I think this may be a sign that Manny is about to catch on fire. Big Papi made a bid for his first three home run game but in his last at bat he came just short. Nixon played like he never was out of the lineup. Great hustle in the game all around(Youk,Cora) and I was not expecting Loretta for a walk off. His first Walk off as he said at any level. I was very suprised though that they didnt take Foulke out of the game in the top of the 9th(even though he has been pitching better) And then put Timlin in who is horrible at letting inherited runners score. But oh well we won the game and thats all that counts(and in exciting fashion too).

[VTSoxFan]

Also, yes, Annie. You know I flinch at every sign of possible injury to Tek. That limp made me squirm for a minute. Our primary catcher is not a position we can afford to lose for any length of time.

Turns out that Tek has a genuine pain in the butt:

Backstop's Backside an Issue (http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/04/18/backstops_backside_an_issue/)

[SoxSon]

Turns out that Tek has a genuine pain in the butt:

Backstop's Backside an Issue (http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/04/18/backstops_backside_an_issue/)


Well...that's embarrassing!
(As long as it doesn't keep him out of games.)

[RedSoxVT92]

Red Sox win 7-4! It was pretty much a pitching duel through the first 6 between Clement and Fossum. Only the Red Sox scored one until the 7th. Then after that it went back and forth. Ortiz played another good game get two doubles to left and Ramirez got his first extra base hit. Papelbon struck out 2 but got a bit shaky losing a bit of control eventually making the bases loaded(although Lee and Cantu made him work pretty hard). And then Stern makes a tremoundous catch for the last out. If that ball gets by Tampa Bay probably could of tied it up. Paplebon with that save sets a Red Sox Rookie record for saves in the month of April with 7. Good Game.

[SoxSon]

A fun game to watch. Papelbon's human after all, huh? Great catch by Stern! :gt

[VTSoxFan]

Good game, great pitching through six, anyway. Papelbon looked a little wrung out there at the end -- I hope the Sox win in a blowout tomorrow to give him a day off. Excellent grab by Stern to save the day.

I am once again irked by the method of deciding which pitcher wins the game. Timlin came on with one on and a 2-run lead, and blew it, but was awarded the win. Sheesh.

How good is it to see Manny getting the bat on the ball, huh? :) :D

[Jager]

I have to object. Papelbon wasn't wild at all. The Rays just did a very good job of fouling the pitches off. He's K'ed the first two, then they got a single. Followed by two long AB's that eventually ended in walks. One AB was 11 pitches. Pap made good pitches, but they did a good job of fouling them off. Eventually you can work a count to get a walk if you keep fouling off the strikes. That wasn't bad pitching it was a few very good AB's. Even the pitch that they singled on was a nasty splitter that that he barely got, and it bounced down 2 feet in front of the plate, then over pap and through the middle. Not one hard hit ball. It kinda pissed me off though that Francona #1 let Clement go back out, and #2 after a man was on put Timlin in the game. Timlin should have started the inning and I don't think any of that happens. For whatever reason if a man is on when Timlin comes in that guy scores. He's just bad with inherited runners for whatever reason. Anyways another solid win with the bats finally starting to wake up. Schilling up tomorrow and hopefully he maintains his great start.

[SoxSon]

I have to object. Papelbon wasn't wild at all. The Rays just did a very good job of fouling the pitches off. He's K'ed the first two, then they got a single. Followed by two long AB's that eventually ended in walks. One AB was 11 pitches. Pap made good pitches, but they did a good job of fouling them off. Eventually you can work a count to get a walk if you keep fouling off the strikes. That wasn't bad pitching it was a few very good AB's. Even the pitch that they singled on was a nasty splitter that that he barely got, and it bounced down 2 feet in front of the plate, then over pap and through the middle. Not one hard hit ball. It kinda pissed me off though that Francona #1 let Clement go back out, and #2 after a man was on put Timlin in the game. Timlin should have started the inning and I don't think any of that happens. For whatever reason if a man is on when Timlin comes in that guy scores. He's just bad with inherited runners for whatever reason. Anyways another solid win with the bats finally starting to wake up. Schilling up tomorrow and hopefully he maintains his great start.

I looked back and didn't see anyone use the term "wild."
While Pap threw some nasty splitters (as Remy said on NESN) which were fouled off by some persistent Tampa Bay hitters, he also clearly had control problems on a few. He has had such pinpoint accuracy up 'til now...it was a little odd to see him miss the corners. That being said, Pap's "control problems" yesterday would probably still add up to great pitching for many other guys. :)

[SoxSon]

Disregard, please!

[Jager]

Youk just led off for the sox and hammered one waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of the yard. 1-0 Sox.

[Jager]

Sox are killing them. 8-0 after 3 innings. That means we should get to see Jermaine Van Buren tonight. sweet.

[VTSoxFan]

How about Stern hitting the scoreboard like a bug hitting a windshield, in making that catch? I thought, when he landed face-first on the warning track, that he'd knocked himself silly, but was greatly relieved to see he was okay.

A laugher; Don and Jerry got silly by the 5th inning. Good to see the pitching holding firm, pitching as if it had been tight throughout.

[efin98]

An FYI from ESPN: This is the only time in his long career that Curt Schilling has started a season off 4-0.


Looks like the Red Sox found their bats tonight, too bad it was mostly singles, doubles, and walks...But a win is a win is a win and it was pretty darn comical there in the 3rd!!!!

[RedSoxVT92]

Another good win. Although this of the blow out kind, 9-1. Youk Had a good game with a homer and 2 singles, he has really been playing good. His defense at first has been very good too. Nixon is also swinging the bat hard like he hasnt been out of the line up. Overall good game from the offense. Schilling goes 6 only allowing one run. He was blowing it by those tampa bay hitters with his fastball. Schilling starts the season 4-0 something he has never done before in his first 4 games. Theres no question that he is back. Wakefield is going tommorow and he does really good against the Rays.

[YOUgodofwalks]

Youk 2-3 with a HR and 2 RBI Lowell hit another double, Stern is bringing his glove to the park and of course Schilling is 4-0 to start the season. It's all been clicking recently.

[Jager]

Youk 2-3 with a HR and 2 RBI Lowell hit another double, Stern is bringing his glove to the park and of course Schilling is 4-0 to start the season. It's all been clicking recently.

Actually Youk was 3-4 he had the HR and two singles, and a walk. Good game. I wish they would have let the rookie Van Buren pitch. It would have been the perfect game for it. If not in a blowout when?

[YOUgodofwalks]

Actually Youk was 3-4 he had the HR and two singles, and a walk.

Good call, don't know where my mind was last night, imagine, me trying to minimize Youk's stats. :crazy

[FlashGordon]

Okay, not much to be excited about tonight. But, I really dug that 9-2-5 DP. Don't see those too often.

[efin98]

The highlight for tonight may be Mohr's play in the field and at bat.

[SoxSon]

Is it acceptable simply to say blah?

[FlashGordon]

Is it acceptable simply to say blah?Yeah, I'm inclined to say that right now. At least Papelbon looked sharp and Manny sent two long. Oh, and there was Varitek's first of the season. I don't know that pulling Foulke was that necessary, but I'm basing that on numbers. I was out of the room for most his part of the 12th.

[Sean Casey]

As I've said many times before, Francona is an idiot :grouchy

I'm not even going to ask what he was possibly thinking when he pulled Foulke for an obviously struggling Rudy Seanez to face Lyle Overbay in a tie game with the winning run on first. Chances are, his answer would probably inspire even less confidence in his on the field decisions.

I am eagerly awaiting the day that Terry's contract runs out.

[VTSoxFan]

Foulke did pretty darned well, and he had Glaus struck out, but for the umpire Kellogg's weird inconsistent zone. The pitch that was called ball four was more of a strike than the one called a strike. (The same thing happened in reverse to Lowell, who had a strike called on him on a pitch WAAAY outside. Dangit. :grouchy )

I also have a gripe with the ump for warning Beckett in the 8th, when only a total idiot would bean the leadoff hitter. Beckett may be intense, but I don't think he's an idiot. I think the warning, on top of the hit batsman, threw Beckett off his stride.

I knew, seeing Seanez up in the pen, that this one was going in the wrong column. :(

However, it was nice to see Manny and Tek get off the schneid. (Whatever that means.)

[RedSoxVT92]

It was a bit dissapointing. The game seems like its done in the 8th and then in the bottom of the 8th theres a two run home run, another homerun to get within one. Then they pull Beckett and put Timlin who proceeds to let up another one to tie it. But the good thing about it was Manny hit his first 2 homers and V-Tek hit his first. Lowell's dive for the ball and then basicly rolling the ball to first sitting down. Beckett also pitched well untill the 8th. No idea why they got Foulke out of there. But whats done is done, Red Sox lose 7-6 in 12 innings.

[Sean Casey]

Foulke did pretty darned well, and he had Glaus struck out, but for the umpire Kellogg's weird inconsistent zone. The pitch that was called ball four was more of a strike than the one called a strike. (The same thing happened in reverse to Lowell, who had a strike called on him on a pitch WAAAY outside. Dangit. :grouchy )

I noticed a similar trend in yesterday's game; the umpire was very incosistent in calling balls and strikes. Probably the two most inconsistent strike zones i've seen in a while. Is it just me, or has the quality of umpiring gone down lately? Between the 2005 postseason and a seemingly unusually high number of blown calls throughout the majors, it's worse than I seem to remember in prior years.

[Sberl]

Waiting for the first pitch of Cardinals' game, I'm watching Boston at Toronto, 5-0 after two innings. Not good outing by Di Nardo, hard job for him facing one of the most dominating pitchers in the league (Halladay).

[SoxSon]

Waiting for the first pitch of Cardinals' game, I'm watching Boston at Toronto, 5-0 after two innings. Not good outing by Di Nardo, hard job for him facing one of the most dominating pitchers in the league (Halladay).

Well, we just got one back, on a Nixon RBI.
4 more to tie.

[Sberl]

Yes...I know when the Sox play, nothing is impossible!

[SoxSon]

Ah...well...
It's 8-1 now. :ughh

[VTSoxFan]

Well, that was sad. I sorta figured the Jays would have the edge, with Halladay on the mound, but I didn't know it was going to be that stupid a game. :ughh

[SoxSon]

Well, that was sad. I sorta figured the Jays would have the edge, with Halladay on the mound, but I didn't know it was going to be that stupid a game. :ughh


That's one of those games that we just pretend didn't happen.

[Sean Casey]

This is what happens when you let Lenny DiNardo start because you want to keep Papelbon in the bullpen. Hopefully, Terry will learn from this, but I know he won't.

[efin98]

This is what happens when you let Lenny DiNardo start because you want to keep Papelbon in the bullpen. Hopefully, Terry will learn from this, but I know he won't.

No. This is what happens when Pawtucket doesn't have anyone ready to be called up in a pinch YET:grouchy

I'll defer to the Hall of Fame reliever on this: you don't screw around with one of your best pitchers, especially if he has gone 7/7 with 10.1 scoreless innings...

[FlashGordon]

No. This is what happens when Pawtucket doesn't have anyone ready to be called up in a pinch YET:grouchy No. This is what you get when you make a marginal trade and don't consider just how precarious your pitching situation is. He's not Roger Clemens, but I think it wouldn't be too long before people to start wishing they could re-swap Pena and Arroyo. Especially in a week where we had to send a promising outfileder back to Pawtucket.

[efin98]

No. This is what you get when you make a marginal trade and don't consider just how precarious your pitching situation is. He's not Roger Clemens, but I think it wouldn't be too long before people to start wishing they could re-swap Pena and Arroyo. Especially in a week where we had to send a promising outfileder back to Pawtucket.

Yeah, it's Theo's fault Foulke can't do his job. It's Theo's fault that Terry chose to put Papelbon into the closer role over Timlin. It's Theo's fault Papelbon is doing great as the team's defacto closer when he was supposed to be their 5th starter.

Hindsight is funny, they are more than justified in making the trade and still get chewed out for doing it. Goes to show they should NEVER EVER EVER trade away someone who all fans love regardless of how much the trade will help the team and how forward thinking the trade is:rolleyes:





Pawtucket dropped the ball. They should have had someone ready to go after DiNardo's last start. Abe Alvarez or Matt Ginter should have been in there today, not DiNardo. He's at best a last resort starter and for the most part a three inning reliever. One of the not quite ready starters should have made the trip, if only for the day. They didn't. The only reason that they didn't was Pawtucket hadn't prepared them yet for doing that. I hope this doesn't happen again because if it does Ron Johnson and or Mike Griffin should be reassigned to a job that won't harm the big club next year...

And frankly I doubt even Curt Schilling could have done well today. It really started last night when they gave Beckett a hard time in 8th, Toronto was in a groove. They could have beaten anyone the Sox threw up there, even Schilling. Just so happens it was the emergency starter who got thrown to the wolves.

[Jager]

I'm still mad about yesterday when Francona put in Seanez in in the 12th. He always gives up at least a run. I don't know why, but he just can't pitch good for us. Tito should have left Foulke in. He had looked good, and there was already 2 outs and he walked the guy, but it should have been a strike. He should have left Foulke in there.

[MudvilleMike]

Hindsight is funny, they are more than justified in making the trade and still get chewed out for doing it. Goes to show they should NEVER EVER EVER trade away someone who all fans love regardless of how much the trade will help the team and how forward thinking the trade is:rolleyes:

Maybe the trade will work out, but it doesn't require any hindsight to appreciate that there aren't that many competent starting pitchers.

[CuriousBoston]

1. I have just seen Papelbons' haircut; that's gonna be veryitchy growing out! Wonder who designed the haircut?

2. Manny Delcarmen, from West Roxbury High School, living in Hyde Park, is up from Pawtucket.:D

3.Francona is not making the right choices. I counted the game as lost when Schilling was not starting against Halladay. I think Theo did the best he could, Francona? Did he give up the game before it started? So just put in anyone? Comments, please.:confused:

[Jager]

1: Kevin Youkilis. KYouk bet Pap that Pap would go 10 scoreless innings to start the season.
2: I like that Manny is up. He should have been up to start the season. Its time for some of the young arms to get their chance. They can't pitch much worse than Seanez anyways.
3: Just bad managing. If you want to give those guys some playing time that's fine, but its not a good idea to do it with all of them on the same day. If for some reason you do, you should do it when your best pitcher is pitching. Not your worst. DiNardo is ok, but he needs run support.

[FlashGordon]

Yeah, it's Theo's fault Foulke can't do his job. It's Theo's fault that Terry chose to put Papelbon into the closer role over Timlin. It's Theo's fault Papelbon is doing great as the team's defacto closer when he was supposed to be their 5th starter.

Hindsight is funny, they are more than justified in making the trade and still get chewed out for doing it. Goes to show they should NEVER EVER EVER trade away someone who all fans love regardless of how much the trade will help the team and how forward thinking the trade is:rolleyes: I would call it hindsight if it hadn't been for the fact that I was against the trade from the start and for the very reasons I just indicated. No one knew for sure that Schilling would be as good as he has been, nor that Wells would definitely be out of the rotation for so long. But there were enough concerns, not only about Schilling and Wells, but about Clement, Foulke, and even Beckett. The only people crying "hindsight is 20/20" are those who thought this trade was much less risky than it really was.

Papelbon has a history closing games and Foulke was never really himself after the 2004 season. Considering how many people were calling for Foulke to be dumped, there was enough reason to believe that Papelbon would have to fill that role, even if temporarily. The only surprise is the feast or famine of Red Sox offense, something Pena was supposed to offset. Maybe he will one day, maybe he won't, but even before the season started we knew that players like Adam Stern were waiting in the wings.

And as I've said before, I didn't consider Arroyo to be untradeable, only that doing so before we really knew what the rotation was going to look like, especially with Wells starting the season on the DL, was leaping before looking. I, and many others, had stated as much in foresight.

But trying to lay the blame at Pawtucket's feet is a cop-out. These pitchers are minor leaguers who generally get brought in for spot starts over the season and a chance for a tryout in September when the rosters go to 40 men. That's how Papelbon landed his roster spot. Now the Sox are in a position where they need to rely more on whomever Pawtucket with its own personell concerns can supply and (the really risky part) hope that one of them pans out well enough to step in long term. This was not nearly the remote possibility some wanted to think, with Wells coming off surgery, tipping the scales once again, and turning 42. The only unpredictable part was the degree to which Wells would be willing to rehab and miss some starts in what could be his last season. We've already seen one of his tantrums; don't put it past him if he has to miss a month to simply take his ball and go home, should Wells decide to retire mid-season.

[TheKingofKings]

Ortiz just Homered , Sox leading 3-0 against the Jays .

[FlashGordon]

Ortiz just Homered , Sox leading 3-0 against the Jays .That was some nice aggressive base-running by Harris. Not only did he score, but he helped turn Youkilis' single into a double.

[pesky6]

Well, it looks like the Sox are giving this one away--Keith Foulke on in the 6th with two on and one out. :mad:

At least Ortiz beat the shift in the top half with a bunt to third.

[pesky6]

OK, so I was wrong about Foulke. . . :) Let's just say that my confidence in him isn't that great.

[FlashGordon]

OK, so I was wrong about Foulke. . . :) Let's just say that my confidence in him isn't that great.I hear you. Still, he looked about as sharp today as I've seen him in a long time. I hope it's a sign of better things to come, but I'm not ready to reslot him as closer.

[efin98]

That was some nice aggressive base-running by Harris. Not only did he score, but he helped turn Youkilis' single into a double.

Harris is one of the best baserunning threats when he gets on, probably one of the few on the team that scare pitchers on the basepaths :D

[efin98]

I hear you. Still, he looked about as sharp today as I've seen him in a long time. I hope it's a sign of better things to come, but I'm not ready to reslot him as closer.

I doubt he will get back to that slot for a while, I think he and Timlin will battle for the setup job soon.

[RedSoxVT92]

Red Sox avoid the sweep and end a 3 game losing streak. Clement went 5 and a third striking out 4. Gave up The three run home run to Zaun. Zaun also hit one which off the bat look like it was going to be a grad slam but thankfully it stayed in the ball park. We mainly shut down Vernon Wells who struck out twice and only got one hit. He has been a Red Sox killer this year. Also we ended the hot bat of Rios ending his 9 game hitting streak. I was a bit skeptical when they put Foulke on. But it turned into a good thing. He gave up no hits in 1 and 1/3 innings striking out Torontos heavy hitters Wells and Glaus back to back, striking out 3 overall. On an Offensive note the Red Sox left the bases loaded twice in back to back innings. We lead the leaugue with runners left on. Ortiz also had a bunt single and a two run home run in the 1st. Papelbon shut the door in the 9th(with his new "wild thing" hairdo). He gave up two consecutive hits when he first came on and I wondered if changing the hair was a bad thing(im superstious) but none the less he gave up no runs earning his 8th save.

[SoxSon]

We mainly shut down Vernon Wells who struck out twice and only got one hit. He has been a Red Sox killer this year.

Gah, hasn't he been? Wells is the only Toronto hitter who truly makes me nervous when he comes to bat.

[FlashGordon]

Gah, hasn't he been? Wells is the only Toronto hitter who truly makes me nervous when he comes to bat.Wells is one of a handful of CF'ers who come to mind when I suggest that Coco Crisp could easily become trade bait if a better option became available through free agency. That isn't so much a slight against Coco as it is admiration for Vernon Wells.

[SoxSon]

Wells is one of a handful of CF'ers who come to mind when I suggest that Coco Crisp could easily become trade bait if a better option became available through free agency. That isn't so much a slight against Coco as it is admiration for Vernon Wells.


Agreed. 'Nuff said.

[efin98]

Wells is one of a handful of CF'ers who come to mind when I suggest that Coco Crisp could easily become trade bait if a better option became available through free agency. That isn't so much a slight against Coco as it is admiration for Vernon Wells.

Better that Boston gets him than New York or another AL team.

Whoever gets him will surely be a contender, he's probably the only reason that Toronto has been in contention the last few years

[FlashGordon]

Better that Boston gets him than New York or another AL team.

Whoever gets him will surely be a contender, he's probably the only reason that Toronto has been in contention the last few yearsI think Halladay has a little something to do with it, too. :D

Seriously though, the Jays have enough offense and hints of great potential in their rotation to be real contenders. In some ways they remind me of the Red Sox before they acquired Curt Schilling. Lots of hitting and a rotation featuring a Cy Young ace and a series of pitchers capable of lifting their game, but inconsistent in doing so. I think the Yankees made a real mistake letting Lily go, but thank heaven for little miracles.

[efin98]

Curse those bad baserunning blunders on Manny and Varitek!!!

Someone needs to work on their communication skills- they just cost themselves a run or two that could be the difference in the game!!!!

[TonyK]

I stand by my comment you can never have too much pitching that I had made when I learned they had traded Arroyo. Like FlashGordon said, we still didn't have a set rotation and we went and gave up a young decent starter.

P.S. You really can never have too much pitching.

[efin98]

Ortiz homered to tie the score on one pitch and Manny got the Sox the lead back on a great heads-up play at the plate.

Hopefully that can make up for screwing up earlier in the game!


EDIT: Varitek out at the plate on anohter double play:grouchy

Not really his fault this time, Cleveland just barely got him on a close play...all that matters is that they got the lead back heading into the bottom of the 7th...

[RedSoxVT92]

Some questionable baserunning plays tonight. First there was Manny who left early and was in no mans land, then V-tek runs to 2nd and gets out and so does manny. Also Manny got waved around on a ball to left field and he wasnt even at 3rd base when the outfielder had it in his hands. If Martinez had held on to the ball he would of been out. And V-tek getting out at the plate on a DP because he hesitated. Schilling will get a no decicion after going 6.2 innings. Schillings pitch count got up to 133 and still didnt want to leave when Francona pulled him. Hopefully we can take the lead in this 5-5 game.

[efin98]

8-5 now after a 3-run home run by Manny that barely made it out of the ballpark and would have scored two runs even if it didn't go out!!!!

No better way to make ammends than to get a go ahead home run!

But he still needs to work on his baserunning blunders...

[efin98]

It's over. 8-6 win with Papelbon getting the save and Foulke getting the win.

[pesky6]

8-5 now after a 3-run home run by Manny that barely made it out of the ballpark and would have scored two runs even if it didn't go out!!!!

No better way to make ammends than to get a go ahead home run!

But he still needs to work on his baserunning blunders...

I had flashbacks of the 1999 ALDS when they walked Ortiz to get to Manny. Reminded me of when the Tribe walked Nomar--not once, but twice--which led to homeruns by Troy O'Leary. Ironically, now Manny's BA is higher than Ortiz :D

[FlashGordon]

I had flashbacks of the 1999 ALDS when they walked Ortiz to get to Manny. Reminded me of when the Tribe walked Nomar--not once, but twice--which led to homeruns by Troy O'Leary. Ironically, now Manny's BA is higher than Ortiz :DIf we can ever shake this chilly weather, Manny should start swinging free again. It's just a matter of time before Manny restores his part of the dual threat. That's when the Sox are likely to score lots of runs again.

[Jager]

If we can ever shake this chilly weather, Manny should start swinging free again. It's just a matter of time before Manny restores his part of the dual threat. That's when the Sox are likely to score lots of runs again.

Manny is swinging free right now, cold weather or not. It took him a little to get there, but he's doing well now. He has 3HR is hitting .300, and has 12 RBI's (only 5 less than Ortiz). He's hitting now, but since he gave everyone else a head start he just has to catch up.

[FlashGordon]

Manny is swinging free right now, cold weather or not. It took him a little to get there, but he's doing well now. He has 3HR is hitting .300, and has 12 RBI's (only 5 less than Ortiz). He's hitting now, but since he gave everyone else a head start he just has to catch up.I'm expecting more from him. I'm not saying that what he's doing isn't good enough as it is, I'm saying my gut says he still has yet to really catch fire...and I'm confident he will.

[Jager]

Manny's just yet to go on his HR tear, but he can't catch up to everyone else in a day, so I'm perfectly happy with him right now, I am however very excited to get Coco back. Hopefully it will be mid-May like they are expecting. Coco add's alot to our lineup. I'm getting very tired of watching Harris/Mohr play CF. They are fine defensively, but they can't hit for anything. Somehow Harris, who is a small speedy guy, can't even bunt right.:noidea

[Boston Boxer]

oh my...Josh Bard needs to go. Not his best effort in his young career as Wake's catcher. Almost painful to watch

[Jager]

At least he's been hitting his last couple games. Games that Wake starts are almost unwatchable simply because Bard needs to improve, but he's trying, and you keep saying he needs to go, but there aren't any better options. Look on the bright side Bard is young, so seemingly once Bard really learns how to catch it well he should be here for the remainder of Wake's career.

[YOUgodofwalks]

4 passed balls tonight, i just don't think he's up to the knuckleball. It's been a few starts, he's been given time and he is consistently letting them go by and it's costing runs. I only wish there was another option, but like jager said theres nothing better currently available.

[Jager]

4 passed balls tonight, i just don't think he's up to the knuckleball. It's been a few starts, he's been given time and he is consistently letting them go by and it's costing runs. I only wish there was another option, but like jager said theres nothing better currently available.

I don't think its fair to say that Bard has been given time to learn. A hand full of games isn't enough time to get acclimated to catching a knuckler. Even great catchers can't catch it. Heck, Varitek can't catch it well. This is just going to be one of those years where Bard is going to look bad. The only good thing is that Bard is 26, so he is a good option once he becomes good with the knuckler, because Wake is expecting to pitch for probably around 5 more years (at least). Since the Sox have a annual option for Wake him and Bard should be mates for a while. Just give him time. Get used to it for the year. This is going to happen. I hate it myself, but it just makes you appreciate Mirabelli more, but Bard will eventually come along.

[Jager]

Delcarmen just pitched an inning giving up 2 runs, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it seemed. The two run scoring hits were lazy fly balls that dropped in. Delcarmen's curve is pure nasty! Once he gets the hang of things he's going to be tough to hit. With his mid-high 90's fastball, and that nasty curve. He's definetely going to be good for us. I wouldn't be surprised if they send him back down and recall Van Buren.

[SoxSon]

I don't think its fair to say that Bard has been given time to learn. A hand full of games isn't enough time to get acclimated to catching a knuckler. Even great catchers can't catch it.

I think you're exactly right here, Jager.
I hate watching passed balls, too, but there are other, more important issues we should be acknowledging with this team: the potential gap in our rotation and our impotent secondary lineup.

[VTSoxFan]

Um.... anyone watching this farce tonight?

So, any theories about what's wrong with Beckett?

[RedSoxVT92]

Um.... anyone watching this farce tonight?

So, any theories about what's wrong with Beckett?

I think it started in the 1st when he gave up the two walks and couldnt really get alot of strike calls. and then the grand slam. That probaly hurt his physce and gave him a large pitch count to start out the game and things began to snowball from there. Usaully its hard to get back on track when you give up the grand slam to start the first. Also it seems like he couldnt really get his pitches to where he wanted them to go leading to the 3 homers. And Byrd on the other side has primarley shut us down.

[Jager]

I think it started in the 1st when he gave up the two walks and couldnt really get alot of strike calls. and then the grand slam. That probaly hurt his physce and gave him a large pitch count to start out the game and things began to snowball from there. Usaully its hard to get back on track when you give up the grand slam to start the first. Also it seems like he couldnt really get his pitches to where he wanted them to go leading to the 3 homers. And Byrd on the other side has primarley shut us down.

Beckett just had a bad game. It happens to everyone. Especially if you are walking guys in that potent of a lineup. IMO the more pressing matter is why aren't we scoring???? Paul Byrd? Not exactly Cy Young. There isn't any reason why we can't knock him around. Coco being out is really hurting our offense at this point. On a side note Wily Mo Pena actually looked better playing center field than RF as weird as that sounds, plus it gave us some more offense since Harris is hitting somewhere around .075 and Mohr is only around .179 they aren't getting it done. The funniest part is that Pena who was said to be a strikeout king that either homered or K'ed is hitting .286 with an OBP of .375. I really like Pena, he still has a ways to go, but I love all the potential, and I don't see any reason why he can't be a great hitter for us in years to come.

[SoxSon]

IMO the more pressing matter is why aren't we scoring???? Paul Byrd? Not exactly Cy Young. There isn't any reason why we can't knock him around.

I'm starting to echo you, but there it is. That about sums it up.

[RedSoxVT92]

We cant pull out late inning heroics today. We lose 4-5, losing our 3 straight series on the road trip. The dormant offense errupted yesterday scoring 9 runs, with a 9th inning rally scoring 4 runs. Almost the same today. Down 2-0 Ortiz hit a towering shot to right making it 2-1. His 10th homer this year a new record for homers by a Red Sox player in the month of April. But that hasnt been the only record broken this April. Yesterday Papelbon struck out the side to earn his 10th save, a major leauge rookie record for saves in the month of April. Schilling pitched pretty good, getting 9 ks ans only giving up 3 earned runs but is another example of the lack of run support. In the 9th Lowell and Pena hit back to back homers pulling us in to with in one. Nixon then walked and is was pinch runned by Harris. He steals 2nd and gets to 3rd because the ball goes to center field. JT Snow who was at bat gets hit in the shin, and if he had not been hit the tieing run would have come across. But no such luck and the BoSox cannot come back for the second night in a row. Crawfords 2 run homer really was the defining play. Hopefully we can shape up when we come home and start winning again. Wakefield will face Wang.

[SoxSon]

Well...we're tied up with those Yanks in the standings. All-in-all, the division has remained pretty tight so far this season.

[MudvilleMike]

Well...we're tied up with those Yanks in the standings. All-in-all, the division has remained pretty tight so far this season.


We're tied with the Yankees, but I can't help but feel that it's just because we've been really lucky.

We've scored only 117 runs and allowed 127 runs! The Yankees have scored 144 runs and only allowed 91. I can guarantee if those ratios hold up for the rest of the season, we'll be crushed.

[Kdub Red Sox Fan 4Life]

Ortiz goes Boooom! It's 7-3 Sox. :dance

[RedSoxVT92]

The game has been an intresting one, with Damons return and Mirribelli barley making it here. It was a pretty mixed reaction when Damon came up to bat but mainly boo's. He went 0-4. Wakefield pitched well only alowing 3 runs and getting some run support. Mirribelli didnt seem to have any problems catching him, even without warming up or nothing and had some good defensive plays. The wind has had a huge effect on the game tonight. Shoulda been a much higher scoring game but the wind blowing inward, knocked alot of the balls down. Ortiz had to abousultly obliterate the ball to even get in the bull pen for a 3 run homer of the lefty specialist, Mike Myers. Papelbon didnt get a save but he struck out two as the Red Sox win the first out of 19 games with the Yankees, 7-3.

[RedSoxVT92]

The game got rained out. The Beckett/Yankee rematch will have to happen another day.

[efin98]

The game got rained out. The Beckett/Yankee rematch will have to happen another day.

The good news from that rainout is the bullpen got a day off and Beckett faces Toronto's ace.

A guy who has had some trouble at Fenway vs. a guy who is 2-0 at Fenway this year. I like the odds here:cool:

[Mattingly]

The game got rained out. The Beckett/Yankee rematch will have to happen another day.
Yanks-Red Sox rained out in Boston
Game to be made up in August; Wright to start Wednesday (http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060502&content_id=1430421&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy)

* * *

Tuesday's game has been tentatively rescheduled for Aug. 18 as part of a day-night doubleheader at Fenway Park. The Yankees and Red Sox are scheduled to play a four-game series that weekend, but that may now become a five-game set. An official decision on the schedule is expected later this week.

[Mattingly]

Figured I'd share this cutie from NY Daily News cartoonist Bill Gallo.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ips_rich_content/341-gallo03.gif

[efin98]

It would be funnier if it wasn't the honest truth!

[Eugenious]

Hey Guys,
i dont mean to post off topic, but I wanted to get this guys story out to you all. He's a Sox fan, so its sort of related:)

After 5 years of investment banking, Evan Meagher decided to try his luck at playing professional baseball in France. His blog is awesome and pretty inspiring.

There is a piece about it here (http://www.bravesoxtalk.com/Out_of_the_Box.html)

And the link to his website is here (http://www.havebatwilltravel.com/)

[RedSoxVT92]

Red Sox win 9-3. A good offensive night getting 11 hits. Wakefield pitched well going 6.0 innings giving up a 2 run homer, allowing 3 earned runs. Manny crushed the ball hitting one up and over the monster, his first homerun at Fenway this year. Mirribelli got into the action picking up his first hit this year(with BoSox) hitting a RBI double. Also Gonzalez is starting to hit. Hasnt really hit at all this season(isnt really expected too) but he has a 3 game hit streak going. He had 2 RBI's and 2 hits today. Pena is really playing good at center. He has been playing there good defensivley and has been hot with the bat. He gets another multi hit game with 2 hits and 2 RBI's. His average has shot up to .328 although I dont know when Coco is going to take over center once again. Red Sox are tied with the Yankees in the A.L. east standings

[RedSoxVT92]

V-Tek hits a letter high fast ball for a Grand Slam in the first. His second career Grand Slam and 2nd homer of the year. A very, very good way to get the game started.

[Kdub Red Sox Fan 4Life]

Tek! :clapping :dance

[RedSoxVT92]

Red Sox win 10-3. Dinardo went 5 innings earning his first career win. V-Tek hit the grand slam in the first and the sox never looked back. The bases got loaded in the fifth and Nixon hit a double to left. Then Lowell(or Mr. Double) with the bases loaded hit a double. His last 6 hits have all been doubles and leads the Majors with 17. Red Sox loaded the bases alot today. Ortiz had another 0 for day. Only 1 for his last 21. He is in a definant slump missing pitches he usaully crushes. All in all it was a pretty good game. We head to New York to play the Yankees in a 3 game series that starts on Monday.

[SoxSon]

All right, so here we go. Early in the season, but an important series. Tonight we have Beckett vs. Johnson.

When Josh Beckett last took the mound at Yankee Stadium, he pitched a five-hit shutout on three days' rest to win the 2003 World Series for the Florida Marlins. Randy Johnson, who was 5-0 against the Red Sox last year, was a key factor in New York's eighth straight AL East title. He beat Boston in the season opener at Yankee Stadium and defeated the Red Sox on the next-to-last day of the regular season at Fenway Park to clinch the division. (taken from Yahoo Sports)

Looking at the next two matchups, it seems to me that tonight's game could set a particularly strong tone for the games to come in this series. Mussina vs. Schilling and Chacon vs. Wakefield are both matchups which will depend heavily on momentum. I think tonight is key for us. Our team average this season against lefties is .244, so that's not good; our team average in away games this season is .260, so that's not good; Beckett has a 7.00 ERA in away games so far this season, so that's not good, either. Our offense, however, seems to be finally clicking to some degree, and Johnson has definitely been inconsistent this season, to say the least.

In other words, let's all cross our fingers and hope our boys can cause some havoc down in that pit of hellish nightmares they call Yankee Stadium, what do you say? Let's do it and do it right!!! :clapping :gt :)

[SwissRedSoxFan]

This is a very good game, very good at-bats, long ab for Manny, Gonzalez, Youk etc. And the hr for Gonzalez. Loretta is hitting, Mohr. This is really a very good game for the guys who haven't so far...10-3 Red Sox

[RedSoxVT92]

Red Sox are swinging the bats and capatilizing on mistakes. In the first Giambi hit a 2 run homer and the game didnt get off to a great start. Beckett has had his troubles in first inning the first inning this year giving up 8 runs in 7 games in the 1st. Red Sox scored 3 in the 3rd and everything took off from there. Lorretta has 3 hits and 2 RBIs and has extended a 5 game hitting streak. Has been hitting a hot bat. Gonzalez hit his first homer has 2 hits 3 RBI's and 3 Runs. A very good game for Gonzalez who has struggled offensivley. Manny has also got in on the action with a homer in the 6th. And of course Mr. Double(Lowell) hit 2 doubles. Now his last 8 hits have all been doubles. Im not sure if he is approaching a record of consecutive doubles. Beckett has had a good game after he settled down after the 1st. He only allowed one more run and struck out 7. Pitch count is now over 100 though. Johnson who hasnt pitched partically well this season but run support has given him wins would not be the case today. Of course he did allow 7 runs but only 2 of them earned as A-Rod has had 2 errors and Melky Cabrea has had 1 error. So pretty much a blow out in the first game at New
York. 13-3 in the top of the 9th.

[TonyK]

Gonzalez' home run was Bondsian!

It should be interesting to see if the Yankees do better against Schilling tomorrow. Beckett was throwing 96 and 97, and I don't think Schilling can throw as hard now.

[Johnnybegood]

Oh My...............

[RedSoxVT92]

Argh. We have been robbed twice of a homerun. Mr. Double(Lowell) hit one but Bubba Crosby made a tremendous catch and Mirribelli hit one to straight away center but Damon robbed him of one. At least it is not a large deficit. 2-1 in the 4th.

[SwissRedSoxFan]

This is a massiv deserved lead. and should be a deserved win...4-3

[pesky6]

Nice win for the Good Guys. Timlin, Fouke, and Papelbon--OH MY :eek:

I feel bad for Matsui, but not for the Yankees. How can you feel badly for a lineup that still includes, ARod, Damon, Jeter, Giambi, Cano, Williams, etc. (not to mention Sheffield back in a week or two)?

[RedSoxVT92]

Man this is getting ridiculous. They should have cancled the game awhile ago but this is just horrible conditions for the players with this pouring rain. The field is getting slippery and could be a dangerous spot for injury. Clement hurt his ankle a couple times on the pitching mound already. 6-0 Rangers in the bottom of the 6th.

[SoxSon]

Oh, well. Looks like we're rained out today. A day without the Sox is like a day without food or water. After last night's spectacle, though, it's probably for the best. :(

[TonyK]

Josh Beckett must have pitched quite a game today. He faced only 22 batters in 7 innings, and gave up only 2 hits.

[Jager]

Yes he pitched great. he was consistently hitting 97 - 98 on the gun with his fastballs, and only gave up 2 hits (one a homer to Tejada).

[RedSoxVT92]

Yes Beckett gave a very impressive pitching performance and on his birthday too. But one of the most notable things is that this could be the game were V-Tek breaks out of his slump this year. He went 2 for 2 with a homer and 3 walks. Also had career high 4 runs in one game. He was seeing the ball well and being patient at the plate. Hopefully V-Tek will go on a tear now. Pena also hit the ball hard giving the Red Sox the lead(in which they never surrenderd) with a 2 run blast. Ended up with 4 RBI's. Lowell also hit a homer with his first triple of the year. BoSox crush the O's 11-1. Tonight Curt Schilling(5-2, 3.76 era) who is sitting on on 197 wins will face Bruce Chen (0-4, 8.42) at 7:00.

[SoxSon]

But one of the most notable things is that this could be the game were V-Tek breaks out of his slump this year. He went 2 for 2 with a homer and 3 walks. Also had career high 4 runs in one game. He was seeing the ball well and being patient at the plate. Hopefully V-Tek will go on a tear now.


This is exactly what I'm hoping. Tek is 6-for-12 career against Chen, with 2 homers. Hopefully, he'll continue his climb in tonight's game. :clapping

[SoxSon]

This is exactly what I'm hoping. Tek is 6-for-12 career against Chen, with 2 homers. Hopefully, he'll continue his climb in tonight's game. :clapping

Ah..err..well...that didn't happen. Tek was 0-5. :ughh

[SoxSon]

Well, I know there are conflicting opinions on interleague play, but I actually really enjoy it. Nice win tonight over the Phillies, and it's always a treat to be able to see our guys playing in some different ballparks.

Clement only gave up three earned runs over 6.2 innings (though I thought that early shot by Abreu was going...anyone else?). Solid outing for Matt, and our guys hit a few dingers to help him out. Hopefully, we can enjoy the same interleague success this year as last year! :gt

[VTSoxFan]

Am I right in thinking that the runners Foulke allowed to score were the first inherited runners he's let score all season? (I was dozing...)

It was a good game. Lowell's homer surprised me; I didn't think he'd hit it hard enough.

Papelbon's really impressive, isn't he? Amazing. :)

[Kdub Red Sox Fan 4Life]

Papelbon's really impressive, isn't he? Amazing. :)

Yes he's been lights out so far this season. :D

It's been great to know that if the Sox get to the 9th with a lead, even if it's only 1 run, that the game is pretty much over. He's been that good.

I've been waiting for a situation to happen,(not sure what that would be), that would allow Papelbon to return to the starting rotation. Now it looks as though that may not happen anytime soon, if ever. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/05/19/hansen_starting_to_hone_his_skills/

Papelbon seems very happy in the closers role, and Hansen appears to have the talent to be a good starter. I knew he threw hard, but a 98mph fastball? :eek:

A role reversal for Papelbon and Hansen may not be what most of RSN had foreseen or wanted for the future of the Sox pitching staff, but who knows, it may be for the best.

[VTSoxFan]

So. who among us expected Beckett to take one out of the park? Not I, that's for sure.

It was pretty comical to see him trying not to GRIN :D as he went back to the dugout after his homer. :clapping

It's a shame he tired out in the 8th; he was pitching so well -- not as well as his brilliant outing v. Baltimore, but still pretty fine work.

[Jager]

Yes he's been lights out so far this season. :D

It's been great to know that if the Sox get to the 9th with a lead, even if it's only 1 run, that the game is pretty much over. He's been that good.

I've been waiting for a situation to happen,(not sure what that would be), that would allow Papelbon to return to the starting rotation. Now it looks as though that may not happen anytime soon, if ever. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/05/19/hansen_starting_to_hone_his_skills/

Papelbon seems very happy in the closers role, and Hansen appears to have the talent to be a good starter. I knew he threw hard, but a 98mph fastball? :eek:

A role reversal for Papelbon and Hansen may not be what most of RSN had foreseen or wanted for the future of the Sox pitching staff, but who knows, it may be for the best.

In his scouting report it says that he consistently hits the high 90s on the gun, and I think he's thrown 100 a couple times. It should be fun watching our young pitchers develop. We have alot of talent in the minors, and I can't wait until we can use them, and get rid of guys like Seanez.

[SoxSon]

So. who among us expected Beckett to take one out of the park? Not I, that's for sure.

It was pretty comical to see him trying not to GRIN :D as he went back to the dugout after his homer. :clapping

It's a shame he tired out in the 8th; he was pitching so well -- not as well as his brilliant outing v. Baltimore, but still pretty fine work.

I'd be grinning, too, if I could hit one out, never mind pitch the way he does. I love it when the team plays that dugout game of ignoring him for a while when he gets back...funny stuff. We're on a nice roll in Philadelphia. Let's keep it up today aginst Lidle. He has a career ERA against us of 6.75, so let's hope that's an indication of things to come! :clapping :gt

[TonyK]

Maybe they will have to settle for Hansen and Papelbon as late inning relievers since Timlin and Foulke may not be around much longer? Like I said, you can never have too much relief pitching. ;-)

[Jager]

Maybe they will have to settle for Hansen and Papelbon as late inning relievers since Timlin and Foulke may not be around much longer? Like I said, you can never have too much relief pitching. ;-)

There is no way both Papelbon and Hansen end up in the bullpen. With that said I can't wait for the next couple years. Here's a possibly rotation, if no one gets injured, or no trades.
Beckett
Wakefield
Papelbon
Lester
Clement(?) he'll be gone once his contract is up.

But Beckett is 26, Pap is 25, and Lester is 22, so we should have those guys for quite a while. The really great thing is that Beckett is a veteran pitcher with awards to show even though he's so young. Just incredible. I'd love to get Zito too, but I have a feeling the Yankees will pay whatever it takes for him.

[SoxSon]

Here's a possibly rotation, if no one gets injured, or no trades.
Beckett
Wakefield
Papelbon
Lester
Clement(?) he'll be gone once his contract is up.




I'm a little confused, Jager. I can't seem to find the name Wells in your rotation...? ;) :D

[Johnnybegood]

There is nothing like a win against the dreaded Yankees.........:waving

[Boston Boxer]

Clement needs to quit being a sissy and start pitching. He complained that the rotation way moved around so he would miss the Yank last week...well he has his chance to pitch. Come on Clement show some backbone.