It’s Interleague Time Again…

Game 69 v. Milwaukee (6/17/11):

After going 8-1 on the road the Sox returned home for a weekend series with the Brewers. Back in the day when the Brewers were in the American League, they occasionally had some powerhouse clubs that were predicated on a big offensive attack. They had a couple of Hall of Famers in Robin Yount and Paul Molitor who were real cogs as well as complimentary stars in Cecil Cooper, Ben Oglivie and Gorman Thomas.

Prior to the game, the brittle Jed Lowrie hit the DL (again) with a shoulder injury and Drew Sutton was recalled to fill his spot on the roster. Papelbon’s suspension was also lowered to two games and he immediately began serving it. In the opener, John Lackey (4-5, 7.41) got the start against former Toronto righty Shaun Marcum (7-2, 2.68). The Brewers pushed across a pair of runs in the top of the first as Nyjer Morgan hit a bloop single to center with one out, Prince Fielder muscled a ground rule double to left and Casey McGehee drove in both runners with a line drive single to center. Jacoby Ellsbury led off the bottom of the first with a homer into the bullpen. With one out, A-Gon singled to left and Ortiz followed with an RBI double that rattled around the corner in right. Crawford then legged out a base hit but came up lame after he crossed the bag. Crawford had to leave the ballgame as it looked as if he may have pulled a hamstring. Darnell McDonald came on to run for Crawford and stayed in at leftfield. Scutaro followed with a walk as Marcum was nearing 40 pitches already. Marcum was finished after only one inning’s work as it appeared as if he pulled a groin or leg muscle while running to the first base bag on Drew’s grounder. Marco Estrada entered in relief. In the bottom of the second, Pedroia walked with two outs and Gonzalez doubled off the wall. Youkilis followed with a line drive base hit to right, scoring both runners. Rickie Weeks and Morgan opened the third with back-to-back singles. Braun then reached out and tapped a single to short right, loading the bases. Fielder then lined a base hit to right and Weeks came across to make it 4-3. McGehee grounded into a 4-6-3 double play and Morgan came in the back door with the tying run. Youkilis left the game in the fifth with a stomach illness and Drew Sutton replaced him at third. Gonzalez led off the bottom of the fifth with a homer that just made it into the Monster Seats to put the Sox back on top. Lefthander Denny Herrera came on to pitch the bottom of the sixth and Drew walked leading off. Varitek followed with a double high off the wall and Drew scored from first to put the Sox ahead, 6-4. With one out, Pedroia singled up the middle and Varitek scored from third. Sutton doubled to the gap in right leading off the bottom of the seventh. Ortiz followed with a base hit to center, and that was the evening for Herrera. McDonald then bounced one to short that went over Counsell’s glove and Sutton came in to score. Scutaro followed with a sacrifice bunt that moved both runners into scoring position. Drew then singled in Ortiz and McDonald to make it 10-4. Lackey was finished after eight good innings of work (8IP, 8H, 4ER, 0BB, 5K, 111P) and turned things over to Matt Albers, who easily retired the side in order. The Brewers made a game of it in the early innings before getting overpowered by the Sox attack.

Game 70 v. Milwaukee (6/18/11):

Prior to Saturday night’s game, Carl Crawford was placed on the DL with a strained left hamstring and Josh Reddick was recalled from Pawtucket, so we’ll be seeing an awful lot of Darnell McDonald over the next couple of weeks. For this one, Jon Lester (9-2, 3.73) took the hill against lefthander Randy Wolf (4-4, 3.20). You could not have asked for better weather for this game as it was 77° with a light wind blowing out to center. The Brew Crew came out with their dark blue tops with the “Milwaukee” script, sharp looking unis. Weeks hit a foul pop to first that Gonzalez muffed (usually a bad sign) and sure enough, Weeks deposited Lester’s next pitch over the wall in left. Corey Hart then took Lester’s next pitch into the bullpen, and it was 2-0 before folks had a chance to get into their seats. Ryan Braun then ripped a double to left. That’s five pitches, two homers and a double for Lester. Fielder hit a broken bat fly out to center and McGehee lined out into a 5-4 double play, the last two batters hitting loud outs. Lester was fortunate to escape the inning with only two runs. Ellsbury led off the bottom of the first with a hard single to left. But Pedroia struck out and Gonzalez hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Youkilis doubled off the wall in left leading off the bottom of the second. After Ortiz walked, Saltalamacchia singled in Youkilis to make it 2-1. Cameron followed with a base hit to center and Ortiz came in with the tying run. Former Red Sox catcher George Kottaras homered leading off the top of the third. With two outs, Lester walked Braun and Fielder. McGehee then singled to left and Braun came in to make it 4-2. Through seven innings, the Sox touched Wolf for eight hits, but were unable to break through. Lester was still in there through eight and had rebounded from his early struggles to keep the Brewers from scoring over the next five innings. Wolf was through after seven and turned things over to former Ranger Kameron Loe. Lester was done after eight and turned things over to Dan Wheeler. With one out, Josh Wilson doubled and Wheeler was relieved by Hottovy, who retired Nyjer Morgan on a ground out with Wilson taking third. Hottovy was then relieved by Michael Bowden, who got Lucroy on a pop to first. John Axford entered in the bottom of the ninth to close things out for the Brewers and set down the side in order. From the dropped ball that led to a home run in the first to the double play balls, it simply wasn’t the Sox’ night. Turn the page and keep movin’.

Game 71 v. Milwaukee (6/19/11):

On a spectacular Father’s Day at Fenway, the Sox honored the B’s prior to the game as the duck boats circled the out field and then the B’s disembarked and carried the Cup onto the field to the roar of the Fenway Faithful. Big Z planted the Cup on the mound and all of the B’s and Sox players took part in the ceremonial first pitch. It was a beautiful moment.

Turning to baseball matters, the Sox placed Clay Buchholz on the DL with back stiffness and recalled LHP Andrew Miller from Pawtucket. Miller is a former high pick of the Tigers who has kicked around a couple of organizations with control issues that the Sox took a minor league “opt-out” flier on during the off season. If the Sox didn’t promote Miller by the 15th, he would’ve been a free agent. Based on his success with the Paw Sox, he would’ve been snapped up in a heartbeat. So, he’s penciled in to start on Monday night.

In the finale of this series, Tim Wakefield (3-2, 4.39) got the start against the Brewers’ ace, Yovani Gallardo (8-3, 3.76). The Sox hung a big, ugly crooked number on the board in the bottom of the first as Gallardo got into an intractable hole early. Ellsbury and Pedroia each singled. After a wild pitch moved both runners up, Gonzalez hit a grounder to first but Gallardo muffed Fielder’s transfer and Ellsbury scored. Youkilis then popped a three-run shot into the Monster Seats and the Sox were ahead 4-0. Ortiz followed with a base hit and Drew singled to right. With two outs, Josh Reddick walked and then Ellsbury hit a ground rule double to right, scoring two more runs. Nyjer Morgan hit a two-run homer to right in the second to make it 6-2. In the bottom of the fourth, Pedroia led off with a homer to center. Gonzalez then tripled to right and scored on Ortiz’ 4-6 force. The Sox made it 9-2 in the fifth when Reddick hit a ground-rule double and scored on Pedroia’s sacrifice fly to center. In the sixth, Ortiz walked and Scutaro homered to make it 11-2. Prince Fielder hit a solo homer in the seventh but the Sox came back to score another run in the bottom half as Pedroia doubled to right and came in on A-Gon’s base hit up the middle. Wake was finished after eight and had a great day (8IP, 3H, 3ER, 1BB, 6K). Matt Albers mopped up in the ninth and left a couple of runners aboard but the Sox prevailed in a 12-3 laugher. Between the pregame ceremonies and the team’s performance on the field, no one could’ve asked for anything better.

…It was a tough break for Albert Pujols today as he suffered a fractured wrist and will be out of the Cards’ lineup for 4-6 weeks.

Bring On The Padres:

Game 72 v. San Diego (6/20/11):

It was a perfect night for baseball at Fenway on Monday night. In the opener, Andrew Miller made his Sox debut against lefthander Wade LeBlanc (0-2, 4.26). Miller took Buchholz’ spot in the rotation and hopefully would give the Sox some quality innings. The big story coming into this series was Adrian Gonzalez playing against his old mates. Anthony Rizzo (one of the prize prospects sent to San Diego in last winter’s trade) is in the lineup at first base. Dave Roberts is also back with the Padres as first base coach and is certain to receive a warm welcome from the Fenway Faithful. Roberts is now cancer-free and it’s great to see him back in baseball.

Chase Headley reached on an infield hit with two outs as Scutaro’s throw from the hole went awry but Miller got Ryan Ludwick to ground out to second on the next pitch. Pedroia lined a double off the wall with one out in the bottom of the first. Gonzalez followed with a line drive single to left and Pedroia was held at third. LeBlanc then walked Youkilis and, after a seven-minute at bat, Ortiz blooped an RBI single to left. In the third, Bartlett walked with one out and Headley singled to left. But Ludwick grounded into a 4-6-3 double play and Miller escaped. With two outs in the bottom of the third, Youkilis singled and scored on Ortiz’ double to right. Jesus Guzman led off the fourth with a triple off the wall in center. Miller came back to retire the next three batters and Guzman failed to score. Scutaro and Varitek opened the bottom of the fourth with singles. Cameron followed with a walk and that was the evening for LeBlanc. Cory Luebke entered in relief with the bases loaded. Ellsbury grounded into a double play but Scutaro came in the back door to make it 3-0. In the top of the sixth, Headley singled to right and Ludwick walked. Miller then struck out Guzman but Orlando “The O-Dog” Hudson lined a bullet into the Monster Seats and in a blink the score was tied. Rizzo then drove a double off the wall at the triangle (420 feet) and that was all for Miller (5⅔IP, 7H, 3ER, 3BB, 6K). Matt Albers entered in relief and was able to keep Rizzo from scoring. Since entering the game, Luebke struck out six batters. In the bottom of the seventh, Pedroia reached on a fielder’s choice and scored when A-Gon launched a double off the wall in left. On that note, Luebke was relieved by Ernesto Frieri. After Ortiz received a free pass, Drew entered as a pinch hitter and walked to load the bases. Scutaro was hit by a pitch with a full count and Gonzalez came across to make it 5-3. Varitek was then hit on the back with a pitch and Ortiz scored. Frieri was relieved by Evan Scribner at that point. Reddick then lined a single to center and two more runs scored. After Ellsbury singled, Pedroia walked and Varitek came across to score. Gonzalez singled to right and Reddick and Ellsbury scored to make it 11-3. The Padres’ manager should’ve left Luebke out there since Frieri and Scribner couldn’t get anyone out. Youkilis then doubled in Pedroia and Gonzalez and it was 13-3, a ten run inning, wow! Scribner was relieved by former Twin Pat Neshek, who struck out Ortiz to bring that inning to a merciful end. Michael Bowden entered in the top of the eighth in relief of Albers. The Padres scrapped a run on three singles. In the bottom of the eighth, Drew and Scutaro each singled to start things off. With one out, Neshek issued back-to-back walks to Reddick and Ellsbury and Drew scored to make it 14-4. Tommy Hottovy came on to pitch the ninth and Headley doubled to right leading off. Guzman then singled in Headley with a single up the middle. Andrew Miller had a pretty good night in his debut but it was the seventh inning explosion that was the story of the night.

Game 73 v. San Diego (6/21/11):

Prior to Tuesday night’s game, Josh Beckett was scratched after coming down with a stomach bug. Alfredo Aceves (3-1, 3.30) started in his place. Mat Latos (4-8, 4.06) got the call for the Padres. It was yet another perfect night for baseball at Fenway. Aceves struck out Chris Denorfia to start the ballgame. Jason Bartlett followed with a bloop single to center and then Aceves hit Headley with a pitch. Aceves came back to retire the next two batters to avoid further trouble. The Sox on the board with two outs in the bottom of the first as Gonzalez reached on a fielder’s choice and scored when Youkilis smacked a double off the wall. The ball took a long bounce off the wall enabling the slow-footed Gonzalez to score all the way from first. Aceves allowed back-to-back walks with two outs in the second, and then walked Denorfia on four straight pitches as all of his pitches were above the strike zone. Bartlett then walked and Maybin came across with the tying run. Aceves then walked Headley and Hundley came across with the go-ahead run. With two outs in the third, Anthony Rizzo doubled off the wall in left and scored on Maybin’s single up the middle. Maybin then stole second and scored on Hundley’s double to left. Josh Reddick led off the bottom of the third with a triple to right. Ellsbury then hit a line drive single up the middle and Reddick came in to make it 4-2. Latos then walked Pedroia. Gonzalez then bounced into a 1-5-4 double play as Latos had the presence of mind to throw to third to force Ellsbury. Aceves walked Bartlett to open the fourth and things began to heat up in earnest in the Sox’ bullpen. Aceves then easily retired the next three batters. In the bottom half, Saltalamacchia walked and Scutaro followed with a base hit. Reddick doubled off the wall in center and Salty came in to make it 4-3. After Pedroia walked to load the bases, Gonzalez struck out looking. Aagh!

In the bottom of the fifth, Ortiz reached on a fielder’s choice and then stole second for the first time in three years. Aceves was through after five (5IP, 4H, 4ER, 6BB, 4K) and turned things over to Dan Wheeler. Aceves had terrible control at certain points (especially the second) but later rebounded to pitch effectively to keep the game close. Reddick made a splendid diving catch of Bartlett’s line drive to left to end the top of the sixth. Scutaro led off the bottom of the sixth with a base hit up the middle. With one out, Ellsbury reached on an infield single with Scutaro taking third on Headley’s bad throw to first. Ellsbury was thrown out at second trying to steal. After Pedroia walked, Latos was relieved after having thrown 120 pitches. Chad Qualls entered in relief to face A-Gon, who singled to right and Scutaro came in with the tying run. Headley singled leading off the seventh and Jesus Guzman ripped a ground rule double into the bullpen with one out. After Hudson received a free pass, Wheeler was relieved by Bard. Rizzo grounded out 3-1 with Headley coming in the back door to give the Padres a 5-4 lead. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Drew walked and Salty lined a single to left. But Qualls retired the next two batters to get out of that jam. The Padres left runners on second and third in the top of the eighth but Bard was able to get out of trouble when Ludwick popped out to second. Mike Adams came on to pitch the bottom of the eighth and struck out Ellsbury after a lengthy at-bat. In the top of the ninth, Ellsbury made a nice running catch of Rizzo’s long drive into the triangle to end the inning. Heath Bell came on in the bottom of the ninth to close things out and Youkilis singled to left leading off. Drew Sutton was sent in to pinch run. But Ortiz grounded into a tailor-made double play and Drew struck out.

Game 74 v. San Diego (6/22/11):

There was a brief rain delay to start the game as John Lackey (5-5, 7.02) started against Clayton Richard (2-9, 4.35). Richard is one of the prize prospects the Padres received from the White Sox in the Jake Peavy trade. Will Venable led off the ballgame with a long homer to the rightfield grandstand. In the bottom of the first, the Sox loaded the bases on three straight singles by Pedroia, Youkilis and Gonzalez before Ortiz grounded into a double play (arrgh!). Lackey got out of a small jam in the second when he allowed a single and a walk, but Hundley flied out to deep left to end it. Heavy rains returned in the top of the third with Bartlett on second and two outs, so the tarp came back on the field and another delay occurred. After a forty-minute delay, Lackey returned to the mound and struck out Guzman. In the top of the fourth, Hudson led off with a walk and then Lackey hit Rizzo off the knee with a pitch. Maybin followed with a bunt single to left. Venable walked with the bases loaded and Hudson came in to make it 2-0. Lackey then hit Bartlett on the back with a pitch and Rizzo came across. Two more runs scored on a wild pitch and a single, and that was the day for Lackey (another poor performance). Michael Bowden entered in relief and he nearly hit Ludwick with his first pitch. It beagn to rain hard in the fifth as water began to accumulate on the warning track and infield areas. In between innings, the umpires decided to put the tarp back on the field and the Padres’ manager was none too pleased with the decision. After another half-hour delay, Cameron opened the bottom of the fifth with a single. Cameron was then picked off at first. Ellsbury and Pedroia walked and Gonzalez knocked in the Sox first run with a base hit up the middle. Youkilis grounded into a double play with two runners aboard in the seventh. In the bottom of the eighth, the tarp came back out on the field. After a delay of about a half an hour, the rain continued and the umpires pulled the plug on this one. It was a disappointing end to the homestand as the Sox hit the road for a nine-game interleague road trip through Pittsburgh, Philly and Houston.