“A Road and Home Show”

“Southside Shuffle”

The Sox broke up their lengthy homestand with a weekend trip to the Southside and a series with the White Sox.

Game 104 at Chicago (7/29/11):

In the opener, Tim Wakefield (6-3, 5.15) started against Gavin Floyd (8-9, 4.11), who always seems to pitch well against Boston. Adrian Gonzalez was scratched from the lineup with a stiff neck and Youkilis started at first with Drew Sutton penciled in at third. Saltalamacchia hit a long homer to right leading off the third. The Sox loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth but Youkilis struck out looking. In the bottom of the sixth, Pierre reached on a bunt single, moved to second on a sacrifice and to third on a wild pitch. Konerko then hit a sacrifice fly to left and Pierre came across with the tying run. Quentin walked leading off the seventh and Pierzynski homered to make it 3-1 Chicago. Wake was finished after seven and had a very good outing (7IP, 3H, 3ER, 2BB, 5K). Aceves entered in the bottom of the eighth and retired the side in order. Sergio Santos entered in the top of the ninth and retired the side in order. The game was played in a very crisp 2:10. Pedroia went 0-4, ending his hitting streak at 25 games.

Prior to Saturday night’s game, the Sox announced that they had acquired IF Mike Aviles from Kansas City in exchange for Yamaico Navarro and minor league pitcher Kendal Volz. Aviles hits lefthanders well and can play several positions.

Game 105 at Chicago (7/30/11):

Looking to rebound from last night’s bitter loss, the Sox sent Jon Lester (10-4, 3.23) to the mound against Philip Humber (8-6, 3.27). The Sox have lost 10 out of their last 11 to the White Sox, who really seem to have Boston’s number. Adrian Gonzalez was back in the starting lineup. Morel made two nice fielding plays on Youkilis and Ortiz in the top of the second. Pierzynski doubled to left with two outs in the bottom of the second but Lester was able to get Rios on a grounder to third. Youkilis made a very nice barehanded stab and throw out of Morel’s bunt down the third base line in the bottom of the third. Crawford singled to right leading off the fifth, stole second and moved to third on a bad throw. Saltalamacchia then doubled to the gap in right center and Crawford came in with the first run of the game. Reddick then reached on an infield bunt single putting runners on the corners. Scutaro then hit a twisting sacrifice fly to right and Salty came in to make it 2-0 Sox. Ellsbury followed with a hard single to right and then stole second. Pedroia then poked a sacrifice fly to right and Reddick came across with the Sox’ third run. After A-Gon received a free pass, Youkilis flared a base hit over Morel’s reach and Ellsbury scored. On that note, Ozzie came out looking for the baseball from Humber. Lefty Will Ohman entered in relief to face Ortiz and retired him on a grounder to second. Pedroia and Gonzalez hit back-to-back singles with one out in the top of the seventh. Ohman was then relieved by Jason Frasor, who retired the next two batters. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Konerko put Chicago on the board with a long homer to left center. With two outs in the eighth, Reddick walked and scored on Scutaro’s long base hit to center. Gordon Beckham made it 5-2 with a solo homer with one out in the bottom of the eighth. In the ninth, Pedroia singled and Gonzalez smacked a homer to right and the Sox were up 7-2. Youkilis went back-to-back and the Sox were cruising. Crawford followed with a single and Salty doubled to right to make it 9-2. Scutaro then singled in Salty as Chicago’s Brian Bruney was really struggling to get anybody out. Lester was finished after eight and had an outstanding night (8IP, 4H, 2ER, 1BB, 8K). Wheeler came on in the bottom of the ninth and allowed a walk and a hit, but the Sox walked off with a 10-2 laugher.

…After the game the Sox announced that they acquired (the oft-injured) Rich Harden from Oakland in exchange for Pawtucket’s Lars Anderson and the proverbial PTBNL. Let’s hope that Theo is not finished wheeling and dealing because Aviles and Harden aren’t exactly game-changing players.

…Scratch that Harden trade. Apparently, after taking a look at Harden’s medicals the Sox looked to renegotiate the deal. Billy Beane purportedly said “no way”, so the deal fell through.

The Sox did end up acquiring Seattle’s Erik Bedard at the trade deadline. According to a report in the 7/31 Globe,

“The club first sent minor league right-handers Stephen Fife and Juan Rodriguez and catcher Tim Federowicz to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Trayvon Robinson and then traded Robinson to Seattle with minor league outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang in exchange for Bedard and Fields. To make room for Bedard on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox transferred right-handed pitcher Clay Buchholz to the 60-day disabled list.”

Game 106 at Chicago (7/31/11):

It was a warm and beautiful day on the South Side as the Sox sent Andrew Miller (4-1, 5.45) against the very tough Mark Buehrle (8-5, 3.22) in a battle of lefthanders. Prior to the game, the White Sox unveiled a statue of Frank “Big Hurt” Thomas in the outfield concourse and he was given a ride around the park in a vintage automobile. The Big Hurt could certainly punish the baseball.

Jason Varitek put the Sox ahead in the top of the second with a two-run shot to left center after McDonald walked. In the bottom of the second, Tyler Flowers singled and scored on Brent Morel’s double with two outs. The ChiSox tied the score in the bottom of the third when Quentin and Dunn hit back-to-back singles off Miller with two outs. Rios then singled to left and Quentin came across to make it 2-2. The White Sox went ahead in the bottom of the fourth after Beckham and Morel singled and advanced on Lillebridge’s sacrifice bunt. Alexei Ramirez then singled up the middle to make it 3-2. Miller then hit Konerko on the leg with a pitch and Konerko didn’t come out for the fifth. Miller pitched into the sixth and was just so-so today (5⅔IP, 11H, 3ER, 1BB, 8K). While the walks were down the hits were way up, and he was lucky to have departed with a one-run deficit. Buehrle held onto the lead but was finished after six. The Red Sox struck for a pair of runs against Jesse Crain in the top of the seventh. With one out, Scutaro and Ellsbury both reached on singles. Pedroia then ripped a base hit up the middle, scoring both runners and giving the Sox a 4-3 lead. Ramirez doubled off of Bard in the bottom of the eighth but Pierre grounded out to third to end that threat. In the ninth, Ellsbury singled with one out and scored an insurance run when Gonzalez doubled to right. Papelbon entered in the bottom of the ninth and struck out the side. The Sox took the brief swing to Chicago and then returned to Fenway to start an important week with Cleveland and the Yanks. The Sox went 20-6 for July, being the team’s best July in history.

Home For The Week

The Tribe For Four

Game 107 v. Cleveland (8/1/11):

It was a warm night at Fenway to start things. In the opener, John Lackey (9-8, 6.20) started against Josh Tomlin (11-5, 4.01), who pitched very well against Boston in April.

Lackey struck out Michael Brantley to open the game. Lackey retired the side in order in the first inning for the first time all season. Saltalamacchia hit a ground-rule double with one out in the second. Reddick followed with a base hit up the middle but Carrera gunned a throw to the plate and Salty was wisely held at third. Scutaro reached out and tapped a single to right and the Sox scored the first run of the game. Ezequiel Carrera singled with two outs in the third and advanced to second on Reddick’s throwing error. Michael Brantley followed with a long double to right and Carrera came in with the tying run. Gonzalez led off the bottom of the third with a base hit to left. Youkilis followed with a long fly to deep center that took a high bounce off the wall. Gonzalez scored from first but Youkilis was thrown out at the plate trying for the inside-the-park home run. With two outs, Crawford popped a fastball into the bullpen and the Sox had a 3-1 lead. With one out in the fourth, Cabrera and Santana each singled. Fukudome just beat out a 4-6 force with Cabrera coming in the back door with the Tribe’s second run. Fukudome was then gunned down by Salty trying to steal second. In the bottom of the fourth, Mike Aviles pinch hit for Scutaro (who left with dizziness) and struck out. Lackey and Gonzalez each made nice plays to record the final out of the fifth as Gonzalez picked a tricky grounder in between first and the mound. Lackey raced to the bag and grabbed the throw while diving awkwardly. He was able to get his foot on the bag a half step in front of the runner. Jason Kipnis doubled to right with one out in the sixth and then Asdrubal Cabrera took Lackey deep to right and out of the yard, making it 4-3 Tribe. Hafner then went back-to-back into the bullpen. Lackey then came back to strike out Santana and Fukudome. In the bottom of the sixth, Crawford doubled high off the wall with one out and Salty wrapped one around the pole in right to tie the score at five. Lackey was pulled with two outs in the seventh and pitched very well but for those gopher balls in the sixth (6⅔IP, 8H, 5ER, 0BB, 5K). Franklin Morales entered in relief and struck out Brantley swinging. In the top of the eighth with Bard pitching, Kipnis led off with a single and Cabrera appeared to have hit a homer that bounced off the top of the low wall in right and bounced back onto the field. It was originally ruled a double, and then after video review was determined to be a homer. The ball actually bounced off a lady’s knee in the front row (ouch!!!) and left an ugly bruise. After Bard walked Santana, he was relieved by Randy Williams. Fukudome followed with a base hit into the hole at short. Matt LaPorta then doubled off the wall scoring Santana, making it 8-5 Tribe. Kipnis homered into the bullpen with one out in the ninth. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Aviles singled to right and then Ellsbury bounced a ground rule double to left, scoring Aviles. But Pedroia grounded out to third and it was game over. Indians win, 9-6.

Game 108 v. Cleveland (8/2/11):

Prior to the game, Erik Bedard was added to the roster and Drew Sutton was optioned to Pawtucket. In Tuesday night’s game, Josh Beckett (9-4, 2.17) started against lefty David Huff (1-1, 0.71). There were nasty thunderstorms that passed through the Boston area prior to the game which delayed the start until 8:45. Beckett struck out Brantley looking to start the game. Jason Kipnis quickly answered by driving a homer into the Sox’ bullpen. Gonzalez doubled off the wall with two outs in the bottom of the first but Huff struck out Youkilis. In the bottom of the second, Ortiz led off with a walk and then Crawford reached on Kipnis’ fielding error. Mike Aviles singled to left and Ortiz scored on a wild pitch. In the third, Asdrubal Cabrera doubled down the line in right with two outs but Beckett struck out Hafner swinging. With two outs in the fourth, Lonnie Chisenhall put the Tribe ahead with a solo shot to right. Rafael Perez replaced Huff in the bottom of the sixth and Youkilis immediately greeted him by tagging a bomb into the Monster Seats to tie the score. Beckett was also finished after six (6IP, 6H, 2ER, 0BB, 7K) and turned things over to Franklin Morales, who promptly gave up a double to Carrera. In the bottom of the eighth, Youkilis was ejected from the game for arguing a called third strike. Papelbon entered in the top of the ninth and retired the side in order, concluding with a swinging strike three by Chisenhall. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Varitek singled up the middle. Saltalamacchia came on to run for Varitek. Reddick followed with a bloop single to short right. Ellsbury then lined a base hit to center and Salty came in from second with the winning run, sliding head first just ahead of Santana’s sweep tag. Ellsbury was mobbed by his teammates as the Sox celebrated a sweet walkoff win.

…prior to Wednesday night’s game, Dustin Pedroia was honored as AL Player of the Month for July.

Game 109 v. Cleveland (8/3/11):

On Wednesday night, Tim Wakefield (6-4, 5.06) resumed his quest for his 200th career win against Carlos Carrasco (8-9, 4.67). Wake pitched quite well in Chicago last Friday but the offense provided him with no support. It was considerably cooler at the ballpark for this game than the sticky conditions on Tuesday. In the bottom of the first, the Sox put up a pair of runs after two were out. Gonzalez singled up the middle and then Youkilis hit a bloop double to short right. Ortiz followed by lining a base hit to left and both runners came in to score. After Wakefield allowed no hits over the first three, Kipnis homered (again) to right leading off the fourth. Asdrubal Cabrera then singled and scored the tying run on Hafner’s double to right. Ortiz walked leading off the bottom of the fourth and then Crawford doubled off the wall in left. With one out, Reddick walked to load the bases. Scutaro bounced into a 6-4 force and Ortiz came in the back door to make it 3-2. In the bottom of the fifth, Pedroia and Gonzalez started things off with back-to-back singles. But Youkilis hit into a double play. Chisenhall doubled to deep left leading off the seventh and, with two outs, Cabrera hit a game-tying ground rule double to right. That was all for Wake (6⅔IP, 5H, 3ER, 2BB, 6K) as Randy Williams took over in relief. Papelbon entered in the ninth and set down the side in order. The game stayed 3-3 until there were two outs in the bottom of the ninth when Jacoby Ellsbury ripped a fastball deep into the night and into the centerfield grandstands for the walkoff homer. Yes!

Game 110 v. Cleveland (8/4/11):

In the series finale Erik Bedard (4-7, 3.45) made his Red Sox debut against former Sox pitcher Justin Masterson (8-7, 2.56). The big question for tonight’s game is how effective Bedard will be. Since he’s continuing to rehab a knee injury that kept him out of the Mariners’ rotation for a month, his pitch count will be curtailed. Hopefully, the manager can get at least five innings of work from Bedard. Masterson has already pitched quite well against the Sox, most recently going eight strong innings on May 23rd. It was a shame to have traded Masterson as part of the Victor Martinez trade two years ago because Masterson has developed quite well for the Indians.

During this series, we’ve been able to see all of the bright young talents that are being integrated into the Tribe’s everyday lineup. Kids like Kipnis, Chisenhall and Carrera have been worth watching this week and, combined with Santana and Cabrera provide a really bright future for the Indians as an organization. They may not win the AL Central crown this year, but moving forward – watch out.

Bedard struck out Carrera to open the ball game, and got through the first inning with no difficulties. The Sox picked up a pair in the bottom of the first as Ellsbury singled leading off and scored on Gonzalez’ double to the gap in left center. Ortiz then singled to right and Gonzalez came in to score. The Tribe tied the score in the second as Santana and Fukudome each singled with one out. LaPorta singled in Santana and Kearns grounded out with Fukudome coming in the back door. Jason Donald then singled to left and LaPorta tried to score from second but Crawford’s throw home was on the money and LaPorta was out on a close play at the plate. Masterson struck out four batters in the bottom of the second with Reddick reaching on a passed ball. Kipnis singled up the middle with one out in the third and Hafner singled to right with two outs, putting runners on the corners. Santana then blooped a single to short right and Cabrera came in to give the Indians a 3-2 lead. Josh Reddick tied the score in the bottom of the fourth when he launched a fastball into the bullpen after two were out. Bedard was finished after five (5IP, 7H, 3ER, 0BB, 6K) and turned things over to Franklin Morales, who gave up a long double off the wall in center to Hafner. Santana followed with a two-run bomb that landed above the camera well in center, giving the Tribe a 5-3 lead. With one out, Morales gave way to Aceves. LaPorta greeted Aceves with a double off the wall. Ortiz walked with one out in the sixth and then Crawford reached when Kipnis botched the transfer on a tailor-made double play ball. It didn’t matter as Masterson was able to retire the next two batters. Andrew Miller came on to pitch the seventh. Cabrera singled with two outs and Hafner followed with another long double off the wall in left, scoring Cabrera. Vinnie Pestano took over for Masterson in the bottom of the seventh and easily retired the side in order. In the ninth, Miller walked a pair of batters after two were out. Fukudome then smacked a double off the wall and another run came across. That was all for Miller as Dan Wheeler was brought in to stop the bleeding. The Red Sox bats fell silent in the bottom of the ninth and the Tribe came away with the 7-3 victory. With this defeat and the Yanks’ four-game sweep in Chicago, both the Sox and Yanks are now tied for the AL East division lead heading into this weekend’s series…

Here Come The Yanks:

Game 111 v. NY Yankees (8/5/11):

The Yanks swept in Chicago and pulled even with the Sox in the AL East. Both teams are now 68-42 and the Yanks have won seven in a row. In the opener, Jon Lester (11-4, 3.17) took the mound against Bartolo Colon (8-6, 3.30). Jeter has batted .370 over this recent winning streak. A-Rod is still out of the lineup while recovering from minor knee surgery.

Lester struck out Granderson and Teixeira to close out the top of the first. With one out in the top of the second, Swisher singled to center and Andruw Jones walked. Lester struck out Posada to get out of the inning unscathed. Nunez bunted his way aboard to open the third. Jeter then reached on a fielder’s choice (close play) but was thrown out by Saltalamacchia trying to steal second. Crawford then made a nice diving catch off of Cano’s twisting liner to left. In the bottom of the third, Scutaro reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on Ellsbury’s double off the wall. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Big Papi launched a bomb over the bullpens to give the Sox a 2-0 lead. The Sox loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth with two outs, and that was all for Colon as he was replaced by Boone Logan to face Gonzalez, who struck out. Nunez walked leading off the sixth and Jeter followed with a single up the middle. Granderson singled to left and Nunez came in with the Yanks’ first run. Teixeira walked to load the bases and then Cano grounded into a double play with Jeter coming in the back door. Swisher then lined a ground-rule double to left and Granderson came in to give the Yanks a 3-2 lead. Crawford doubled to center after two were out in the bottom of the sixth and Logan was relieved by Cory Wade, who retired Salty on a grounder to first. Lester was finished after six (6IP, 5H, 3ER, 4BB, 7K), and but for that one bad inning, had a very good outing. Matt Albers came on to pitch in the seventh and allowed a walk, though Nunez was thrown out trying to steal second. Rafael Soriano entered in the bottom of the seventh and retired the side in order. Mariano Rivera entered in the bottom of the ninth, allowed a single to Crawford but came back to strike out Salty and Reddick to end it. Yanks are now in sole possession of first place.

Game 112 v. NY Yankees (8/6/11):

In Saturday afternoon’s game, John Lackey (9-8, 6.23) started against CC Sabathia (16-5, 2.55). Lackey got through the first three innings allowing only a single and a walk. Sabathia ran into trouble in the bottom of the third as Crawford doubled to left leading off and Saltalamacchia walked. Scutaro bunted both runners over. Ellsbury hit a sacrifice fly to right and Crawford came in with the game’s first run. Pedroia hit a double to deep left and Salty came in to make it 2-0 Sox. In the top of the fourth, Granderson singled, stole second and advanced to third on Saltalamacchia’s throwing error. Teixeira then walked. Lackey then hit Cano on the foot to load the bases. Swisher grounded into a 4-6-3 double play with Granderson coming in the back door to make it 2-1. Chavez then singled off the wall and Teixeira came across with the tying run. Lackey was already up to 86 pitches through four innings. Youkilis doubled off the wall in left leading off the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Aviles blooped a single to right putting runners on the corners. Crawford singled to left and Youk came in to make it 3-2 Sox. Scutaro then singled up the middle and Aviles scored from second. Ellsbury followed with a long three-run homer to right and the Sox were ahead, 7-2. Cervelli opened the fifth with a line drive single to left. Lackey then hit Gardner on the foot and Jeter followed with an RBI single to center. In the sixth, Youkilis made a nice diving stab off of Chavez’ screaming line drive to third. Lackey was done after six (6IP, 6H, 3ER, 2BB, 5K) and (by his standards) had a decent outing. He labored, throwing 115 pitches but buckled down in the fifth and sixth. Crawford had his third hit off of Sabathia, a single with one out in the sixth. Alfredo Aceves came on in the seventh to face his former team and got out of the inning on a double play ball. Luis Ayala replaced Sabathia in the bottom of the seventh and retired the side in order. Bard came on to pitch the eighth and allowed a solo homer to Teixeira to make it 7-4. In the bottom of the eighth, Hector Noesi came on to pitch for the Yanks and gave up a walk to Reddick and a single to Crawford (his fourth hit on the day). Crawford then stole second. After Salty walked, Ellsbury lined a base hit up the middle scoring Reddick and Crawford to make it 9-4 Sox. Pedroia then hit a sacrifice fly to center and Salty came across with the Sox’ tenth run. Dan Wheeler entered in the top of the ninth and Cervelli doubled down the corner in right. Granderson walked with two outs but Teixeira flew out to center to end the ballgame and put the Sox back into a tie with the Yanks for first place in the division.

Game 113 v. NY Yankees (8/7/11):

In Sunday night’s finale, Josh Beckett (9-4, 2.20) started against Freddy Garcia (10-7, 3.22). Eric Chavez replaced Jorge Posada as the DH in the Yanks’ starting lineup. Youkilis walked leading off the second and Ortiz followed with a single to right. Crawford then beat out an infield hit to load the bases. With two outs, Scutaro singled to right, scoring Youkilis. In the fifth, Martin was gunned down trying to stretch a single into a double. But Eduardo Nunez followed that up with a towering homer into the Monster Seats to tie the score. Gardner then lined a single off of Beckett’s right ankle but Beckett was able to continue. Pedroia reached on an infield hit leading off the bottom of the fifth, but was thrown out trying to steal second on a perfect throw by Martin. Garcia was finished after five and lefty Boone Logan took over for the Yanks. Ortiz walked leading off and Crawford singled to left. With two outs, Cory Wade replaced Boone. Scutaro reached on an infield single to load the bases but Ellsbury popped out to left and the Yanks escaped unscathed. Beckett was also done after six (6IP, 6H, 1ER, 2BB, 5K) and turned things over to Matt Albers. With two outs, Gardner homered over the bullpen to give the Yanks a 2-1 lead. After Albers hit Jeter with a pitch, he was replaced by Morales. Granderson and Teixeira both walked and the bases were loaded. Cano then grounded out to second but the Yanks now had the lead. The Yanks held the 2-1 lead until the bottom of the ninth when, with Rivera pitching, Scutaro hit a long double to left. Ellsbury bunted Scutaro over to third and then Pedroia hit a sacrifice fly to left. Bard entered in the top of the 10th and struck out two of the three batters he faced. Philip Hughes came on to pitch the bottom of the tenth and Ortiz hit a ground-rule double to right with one out. McDonald came on to run for Ortiz and Crawford received a free pass. Reddick then laced a base hit to left and McDonald came across with the winning run. It was the third walkoff win of the homestand. Back in first place, the Sox hit the road for Minnesota and Seattle.