Premier Edition.
As Sparky Anderson once said, "No matter what, you'll win 60, you'll lose 60, it's what you do with the other 40 that makes all the difference."

Welcome! In this, our first edition of “Mudville Bugle”, we take our first look at the 2007 Red Sox. The Sox started the year with six on the road; three in KC and three in Texas. The Sox went .500 to open things, which is perfectly all right. Of the first six three were of the “throw away” variety, and the Sox taking two out of the three that mattered.

Week 1:
Game 1 (Mon. Aft. 4/2/07): It was a perfect day for baseball in KC, 82˚, and sunny. Schilling got the call on Opening Day and unfortunately had no command at all. Can’t blame this one on the home plate ump, Schill was plain awful. The Sox got an early run off of Gil Meche, their questionable off-season free agent acquisition. However, after the first inning, Meche was every bit the ace. By the time Schilling was done, the Royals were ahead 5-1, and cruised along to a 7-1 win. Tony Pena, Jr. (who was just cut loose by the Braves) hit two triples and make a couple of nice plays at short. Hideki “Ace” Okajima served up a meatball to Jason Buck on his very first pitch, and Buck hit it a mile. Pedroia went 2-3, Lugo struck out three times, and JD Drew went 1-2 with a walk. The Sox have now lost seven times in the last ten years on Opening Day.

Game 2 (Wed. N. 4/4/07): After a day off, the Sox came back in game two and turned the tables on the Royals, beating them 7-1. The game time temperature dropped approximately 40 degrees from Monday’s opener. Josh Beckett was the story, going five, striking out five and allowing one run. His stuff was ee-lectric, mixing heat with off speed pitches. The bullpen chipped in with four innings of shutout ball. The only low point was Mike Lowell’s three errors at third (which is practically a statistical impossibility). It was a bad day for KC’s Odalis Perez, who went six and was tagged for five runs. Boston scored three times in the first and never looked back. Youkilis homered, Drew and Lowell doubled as the Sox pounded out eight hits.

Game 3 (Thurs. Aft 4/5/07): In the most anticipated debut in many a moon, Daisuke Matsuzaka was well worth the wait for Red Sox fans worldwide. His line for the afternoon was:

IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST
7.0 6 1 1 1 10 1 108-74

Could anyone have asked for more? Not to be outdone, Zack Greinke made his first start after having come back from personal problems and likewise pitched brilliantly. The Sox won in a thriller, 4-1, but it was close until the eighth.

The Sox scratched out single runs in the first and the fifth off of Greinke and Matsuzaka’s only blemish was a sixth inning home run by DeJesus. The Sox had doubles from Lugo, Ortiz, Ramirez, Drew and Lowell. Romero allowed one hit in the eighth and Papelbon blew away the Royals in the ninth (2K’s) to earn his first save. The story of the day was Matsuzaka, who was brilliant, striking out 10 and emphatically serving notice to the baseball world of his arrival.

Game 4 (Fri. N 4/6/07): On to Arlington, Texas where the frigid weather followed the Sox. Robinson Tejeda got the start for the Rangers and pitched a gem, allowing two hits over seven innings. Texas got solo runs in the first two innings, and that would be all they needed as they silenced Boston’s bats 2-0 in 2:14. Tim Wakefield started for Boston and also pitched very well, allowing one earned run over six, striking out four and walking two. Slammin’ Sammy drove in a run on a bloop single in the first, and next inning, Gerald Laird drove in Brad Wilkerson who reached on Pedroia’s error. That was it. Whether it was a matter of the cold temperature or Tejada’s hot hand, this was a night the Sox wished they never went out doors.

Game 5 (Sat. N 4/7/07): Julian Tavarez got the call and the Sox did him no favors as they were humbled by the Rangers, 8-4. The Sox scored single runs in the first two innings, before Texas scoring four times in the third. Michael Young doubled down the rightfield line with Wilkerson on first. Drew booted the ball in the corner and both runners scored. The Rangers then loaded the bases with two out (two singles and a walk) and Nelson Cruz drove in two with a bloop hit. Tavarez was through after four innings. Varitek doubled in a run in the sixth to make it 4-3. In the bottom of the inning, Texas blew it wide open, scoring four more times. The low point of the night for Boston was Sammy Sosa’s two-run homer off of JC Romero. Francona emptied the bullpen to stop the bleeding, but it was to no avail. The Sox fell below .500, which in the first week matters little.

Game 6 (Sun. N 4/8/07): Looking to avoid a sweep, Curt Schilling got the call before a national television audience and stymied the Rangers’ bats 3-2. Due to the drivel gushing forth from a the broadcast booth, this game was “played” with the mute button locked n’ loaded. Despite the cold, Schilling was at the top of his game, going seven strong innings, allowing only one run, a second inning solo shot by All-Time Sox Killer Frank Catalanotto. Big Papi whacked his first two homers of the year off of Vicente Padilla and provided all the runs Boston needed.

Things got quite interesting in the eighth when Piñiero entered. He walked the first two batters and Kenny Lofton reached on a bunt single. Javier Lopez came in and recorded an out, then the task of finishing Texas off fell to Papelbon. He struck out Young and got Texeira to pop out. In the ninth, he struck out two to pick up his second save and the Red Sox finished Week 1 in grand style.
Week 2:

Game 7 (Tue. Aft. 4/10/07): The home opener in Boston is always a joyous occasion; one of the first true signs of spring in New England. This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the “Impossible Dream” team that was directly responsible for the re-birth of baseball in Boston. Many of the ’67 Champions returned and were greeted with thunderous applause by the sellout throng.

After the opening festivities, the Red Sox treated their fans to a 14-3 thrashing of the Seattle Mariners. Josh Beckett turned in his second straight tremendous outing, going seven strong innings, allowing one earned run, striking out eight and walking none.

Coming into the opener, Seattle had been idled following the cancellation of their four game series in Cleveland after a snow storm.

The story of Opening Day was the offense, and the terrible Seattle pitching. The M’s shelled out big bucks to Jeff Weaver, whose career to date has been rather disappointing but for having pitched well for the Cardinals in last year’s World Series. His experience in the American League heretofore has been that of a highly overpaid and largely ineffective starter.

The Sox scored four times in the first after Weaver loaded the bases (a walk, two singles). sacrifice flies by Manny and Drew plated the first two runs, then Coco Crisp followed with a ground rule double driving in two more. In the second, Youkilis doubled in another run and JD Drew whacked a two run homer into the centerfield bleachers. Lugo drove in the eighth run in the third, Lowell doubled in the ninth run in fourth, and Varitek drove in two more to put the Sox up 11-1. Lowell knocked in another and Varitek followed with a double to make it 13-1. Lowell’s sacrifice fly made it 14-1 in the seventh.

The only drama of the afternoon occurred in the eighth when Brendan Donnelly entered in relief and struck out Jose Guillen. These two were former teammates, between whom no love was lost. Donnelly struck out Guillen, who took offense to something that was said or done (allegedly Donnelly grabbed his crotch). Guillen, a well-known hothead, approached the mound, the benches emptied, but it was of no consequence. Guillen was tossed, and so was Donnelly (together with his manager) after hitting the next batter with a pitch. Mike Timlin, having been recalled from the DL earlier in the day, made his first appearance of the year, but struggled allowing a two run double. However, when the home crew pummels the opposition 14-3 on Opening Day, pretty much everyone in New England is smiling.

Game 8 (Wed. N. 4/11/07): It may be Thursday morning in Tokyo, meanwhile it’s a cold Wednesday night in Boston, and just about everyone in between will be tuned in to witness Matsuzaka-san’s first appearance at home. None other than Ichiro will be first in the batter’s box to greet him. Scriptwriters could not have dreamed it better.

At 7:11, Matsuzaka-san’s first pitch was a called strike. His second, a foul tip, followed a breaking ball low then a fastball inside. On his fifth pitch, Ichiro grounded back to the pitcher. He allowed a harmless two out single but escaped further trouble.

20 year old King Felix Hernandez is on the hill for Seattle, and retired the Sox 1-2-3. On to the second: With one out, Guillen drilled one off the Monster that ricocheted so fast he was held to a single. Johjima followed with a double into the left field corner. Betancourt lined one to left. Manny caught the ball and fired a bullet to the plate. In a close play at home, Guillen slid and knocked the ball loose from Varitek’s mitt. Matsuzaka-san escaped further difficulty by getting a ground out to third. After 1 ½ , it’s Seattle 1, Boston 0. In the bottom of the inning, Manny hit a nasty line drive that struck Hernandez’ leg. The ball caromed to the third baseman who easily threw the runner out. King Felix was ok. Drew was caught looking on a curveball that dropped in from outer space and Lowell grounded to short. Six up, six down.

Ichiro led off the third by popping out to center. Beltre popped to short and Ibañez struck out to end the Seattle third. In the bottom half, Varitek and Crisp struck out swinging. Pedroia worked a walk and Lugo grounded to third.

Ibañez got caught looking on a 3-2 count to open the fourth. Sexson struck out on a hanging curve ball (seven times out of ten Sexson will drive that pitch a mile high and two miles deep). Matsuzaka drilled Guillen on the arm, but there were no incidents as occurred the day before. Johjima grounded 5-4 to end the inning. Youkilis led off the bottom of the inning with a walk, Ortiz grounded into a 4-6-3 double play and Manny grounded to short.

Betancourt lined out to short to open the fifth. Jose Lopez lined a base hit into short right field. Ichiro stepped in for the third time struck him out swinging on a split-finger fastball. Beltre took Daisuke’s next pitch off the wall, scoring Lopez from first. Vidro followed with a first pitch liner up the middle, scoring Beltre with Seattle’s third run. With the exception of one lucky pitch to Sexson, the Mariners have capitalized on the handful of bad pitches Matsuzaka has thrown. Drew lined one up the middle, Lopez made a diving stab and threw him out. Lowell grounded one up the middle, Lopez went to his right, made a nice backhanded stab and threw him out. Varitek grounded out to the pitcher. Dare we suggest that there’s a no-no in the offing?

Sexson popped to first to open the sixth inning. Guillen lined out to Drew in right. Johjima (Tonight’s #1 star in Japan) lined another double to left but Betancourt popped to centerfield to end it. King Felix struck out Crisp swinging, Pedroia and Lugo both grounded out to short. After six, the no-hitter remains in tact.

Lopez started the seventh with a line drive single to left. Ichiro followed and Matsuzaka put a fastball directly under Ichiro’s chin, sending Ichiro to the deck in a hurry. Ichiro grounded into a 4-6 force, there was no way Lugo’s throw could beat his speed coming down the line. Beltre walked on four pitches. After 100+ pitches, Daisuke was laboring. Vidro grounded into a 3-6-3 double play to bail him out of the inning. Youkilis lead off the bottom half with a sinking line drive that was twisting away from Ibañez in left. Ibañez reversed direction and made a diving, backhanded grab. Ortiz flied to left and Manny took a called third strike. After seven, Hernandez’ no-hitter remains intact.

JC Romero entered in the eighth for Boston. Daisuke’s line for the night was 7IP 8H 3ER 1BB 4K. Ibañez flied deep to right, Sexson grounded out 3-1. Romero was lifted in favor of former Mariner Joel Piñiero. Guillen hit a rocket that bounced off the third base grandstand wall for a single. The season is barely a week old, however, there is a sinking feeling that Piñiero is the 2007 version of Rudy “♫” Seanez. After walking Johjima, Betancourt flied out to center.

There goes the no hitter: JD Drew led off the inning with a clean base hit up the middle. The Fenway crowd gave King Felix a warm ovation. Lowell flied to Ichiro in center. Varitek (who had a rough night at the dish) nearly grounded into a double play but the ball popped out of Sexson’s glove; it didn’t matter as Crisp grounded out on a force play.

Piñiero hung around for the ninth. Lopez grounded out to short, Ichiro (0-5) popped to center and (what promises to be the first of many) Lugo picked Beltre’s grounder in the hole and threw the ball over Youkilis’ head. On the next play, Lugo made a nice grab and perfect throw to end the inning. In the bottom of the ninth, Hernandez got two quick ground outs and struck out Youkilis swinging to wrap up the night in a tidy 2:22. People tuned in hoping to catch a historic moment, and they almost did.

The media coverage of the game was over the top, between the media presence from Japan and stateside, those in attendance at the game were packed like sardines in the ball park. Matsuzaka didn’t pitch poorly, he simply faced one of the game’s elite prospects at the top of his game. Daisuke’s going to be a terrific pitcher, but all should still remember he’s still learning his way around the League.

Thursday afternoon’s game was rained out, to be made up in early May.

On Friday, the Angels of Anaheim, Azuza and Cucamonga came to Fenway for four games. Game 9 (Fri. N. 4/13/07): This was, believe it or not, a ballgame for most of the evening, despite the final score. Tim Wakefield (1-1) got the call for Boston, and his knuckleball was a’knuckin’ all night as he went seven, allowing one run, striking out three and walking two.

The game was scoreless until the Angels’ fourth, when they pushed across their only run when OC walked, stole second and came home on Vladdie’s single to right. The Sox came back to tie in the fifth on Mirabelli’s shot into the Boston bullpen.

Things got testy in the Angels’ eighth. Izturis singled and went to second on Lowell`s throwing error. Brendan Donnelly came on in relief and got Matthews to ground out to second, advancing Izturis to third. Cabrera was plunked putting runners on the corners. The call went out for Jonathan Papelbon to snuff the potential rally, and he responded accordingly. Guerrero struck out swinging and Garret Anderson lined out to left.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Sox blew the game wide open, scoring six times. With one out Pedroia walked. Lugo and Youkilis singled to load ‘em. Ortiz followed with a ground-rule double to right driving in Pedroia and Lugo. Manny walked. JD Drew singled to left scoring Youkilis and Ortiz (Wily Mo and Hinske entered as pinch runners). Lowell doubled to left scoring both runners, to make it 10-1 Red Sox. Timlin entered and got the Angels 1-2-3 to put an end to it.

A very satisfying way to start the series, and a nice way of putting more distance between themselves and King Felix.

Game 10 (Sat. Aft. 4/14/07): The Sox torrid hitting continued as they scored eight runs en route to a whitewash of Anaheim in the “Fox Game of the Week”. Curt Schilling, making his third start, pitched a gem, going eight innings, allowing only four hits. It was his second straight dominant outing. The Sox got things started in the third. Eric Hinske (starting in place of Youkilis) led off with a triple. Drew and Mike Lowell both walked to load the bases. With two out, Varitek hit a fly ball that twisted away from Matthews, who dropped the ball. In the fourth, the Sox went up 3-0 when Pedroia walked to lead off, Hinske singled and Pedroia came home on Bootcheck’s wild pitch. The Sox plated two more in the sixth when Lugo walked, stole second, Hinske walked. Both runners came home on back-to-back base hits by Ortiz and Manny. The Sox put the game out of reach in the eighth when Lugo led off with a single, Hinske walked and Ortiz blasted a three-run shot into center field. Final score, Red Sox 8, Angels 0. Winning is always sweet, but never more so than having McCarver in the house to witness it.

Sunday afternoon’s game was rained out, as a powerful nor’easter deluged the east coast.

Game 11 (Mon. Aft. 4/16/07): The traditional Patriots’ Day morning game was pushed back a couple of hours because of the weather. By 12:00, the rain had stopped and the field was ready for baseball. Although the game was a “sellout”, the stands were more empty than full, a reminder of the “good old days” of Boston Baseball.

Josh Beckett (3-0) turned in his third straight dominant outing on this gloomy, damp April day, going six, allowing one run, striking out five and walking one as the Sox once more easily handled the Angels, this time by a score of 7-2.

With one out in the first, Cabrera homered to give LAA an early lead. There was a scary moment when the Angels’ Vladimir Guerrero was struck on the right arm by an errant (?) Beckett fastball. Vladdie was in pain as he was lifted from the lineup for x-rays (negative). Both benches were “warned” by the umpire and the game continued.

Ervin Santana got the start for the Angels, and the Red Sox teed off on his pitches from the get-go, hanging a big crooked number on the scoreboard. Lugo led off with a double and scored on Youkilis’ single. Ortiz followed with a double and Manny drove in both runners on a single to right. Manny scored on a throwing error following Drew’s fielder’s choice. Lowell followed with a double, scoring Drew. With two out, Cora doubled to right scoring Lowell. In the time it took to eat a hot dog, the Sox had a 6-1 lead.

Ortiz hit his fourth homer in the fourth inning to cap off the Red Sox scoring. Okajima and Romero pitched scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, and Kyle Snyder, seeing his first action in quite awhile, allowed a ninth inning home run to Howie Kendrick (who first inning error opened the floodgates). The Sox won 7-2 in a tidy 2:32, and now hit the road for three in Toronto.

After two weeks:
Boston is 7-4, with a ½ game lead over Toronto in the AL East. Standings really don’t mean a great deal at this stage of the year. It’s a matter of staying healthy and getting the team to play consistently well. The team did incur two rainouts during the homestand which really is not all that bad. They’ve gotten three quality starts from Beckett, two from Schilling, and one each from Matsuzaka and Wakefield. The bullpen has been slightly better than OK (C+). The starting lineup has been productive, despite slow starts from Manny, Varitek and Coco Crisp. Again, it really takes around six weeks to obtain a reasonably clear picture of a ballclub’s development. So far, so good.