This Time, Swept at Home

We were swept by the Angels and really, none of the games were even that close. We are in a big time slump and need to do something quick or we could miss the playoffs entirely.

The first game we lost 7-5 and DiceK got ripped for 6 runs in 5+ innings. He pitched to 5 batters in the 6th and couldn't get anyone out. It always seems he runs into one trouble inning per game. Only this time he couldn't get out of it. Manny did hit a solo home run with 2 out in the ninth but it wasn't enough.

The second game we lost 6-2. Lackey had a no hitter going into the 9th until little Dustin came up and got a base hit. Then Youk hit a home run to put us on the board. Buchholz didn't have it tonight as he went 6.1 innings and gave up 5 earned runs.

We lost the last game of the series 9-2 as Beckett looks horrible only going 5.1 innings and giving up 7 earned runs. Manny went 0-3 in what could be his last game in a sox jersey. I watched his final at bat and told everyone this could be his last time with us. The trade deadline is tomorrow, we will see how it unfolds...

Return of Papi

We were only able to take 1 game from the Yanks over the weekend.

We lost the first game 1-0. Beckett pitched all he could but our bats could do nothing against Joba and Manny sat the game out with a sore knee for the second straight game. The biggest news of the game though was the return of Big Papi. He went 1-4 but is was nice to see him back in the lineup. What is up with Joba (the Hutt) and Youk? Joba (the Hutt) threw another one at Youk that was right at his head and Youk had to be restrained by the home plate umpire and both sides received warnings. Now normally, that is not a big deal, but last August at Yankee Stadium, Joba threw back-to-back pitches that went behind Youkilis. Joba was suspended for two games. Three weeks ago at Yankee Stadium, Chamberlain threw one up and in on Youkilis. There is clearly a history here of Joba going after Youk. Varitek said after the game that Joba's pitches to Youk bothered the team. You know the Yanks are always talking about the type of command Chamberlain has, isn't strange that all of his overly inside pitches against Boston seem to occur with Youkilis at the plate. Even Francona stated, "He has great command until Youk gets in there. I don't know [if there was intent]. I would not have that answer." Something needs to be done to Joba the Hutt. We need to bring in a pitcher for the sole purpose of hitting Jeter and Arod. It is getting hard to put up with Joba anymore. I can't stand him.

On Saturday we lost 10-3 and Wakefield got shelled for 6 runs in 5.1 innings. It was good to see Papi and Manny in the same lineup again even though Manny went 0-4. From what the reports are saying, something is going on with Manny - they are calling it "some kind of disconnect between the player and the club". Evidently, his injured knee wasn't injured and he has been unhappy about the ownership not doing something about his contract. The part that mad me sad was that in the first inning when they announced Manny to the crowd, there were more boos than cheers. I heard that if Manny made himself unavailable for this game, he would be disciplined or even suspended. Something is going on with Manny and I sure hope they can work out whatever it is. Maybe the Manny era is coming to an end. Oh - and about the game, the only thing good I can see from this game was Arod getting hit. It was about time.

Game 3 we won 9-2 as both Papi and Manny had big games. Combined, they went 5-9 with 4 runs and 5 rbi's. The big news though was the comments Manny made about wanting to be traded and that he would waive his no trade clause. He said, "I am tired of them and they are tired of me". Manny said he doesn't think we will trade him because, "they know what they have in me." It was almost like he was daring us to trade him. I have now done a 180 and will have to say that Manny has to go. Once he thinks he is bigger than the team, he's got to go. I will miss him if he does, but I am now beginning to think it will be better for the team.

Now three at home against the Angels and then the trade deadline. Something might be brewing...

Sweeping the Mariners

Coming off our 3 game losing streak to the Angels, it was nice to finally get back on track against the Mariners. We swept the M's in Seattle and kept pace with Tampa.

The first game we won 4-0 on the strong pitching of Lester and Paps got his 29th save. Manny got 3 hits and Tek is coming back with 2 rbi's as well.

The second game we won 4-2 on the pitching of DiceK and Paps got his 30th save. JD Drew hit a home run and had 2 rbi's as he continues to fill in for Papi. I can't wait for Papi to come back and from what the reports are saying, he should be back in a week or so.

The third game we won 6-3 in 12 innings. Manny sat this one out with a sore knee so Youk had to step up and bat clean up. He did just that going 2-6 and scoring twice with an rbi. Papelbon ran into trouble in the 11th but got out of the jam and got the win. Now an off day then a three game homestand against the Yankees. We can really put them out of this thing if we take care of business over the weekend.

Swept again on the Road

After the all star break, we were on the road in Anaheim and got swept again. We just can't find a way to win on the road.

Game 1 we lost 11-3 as none of our pitchers could find a way to stop the Angels from hitting. Clay went 4.2 innings and gave up 8 runs. Our relievers came in and gave up more runs and we could never come back to even make it close. With this loss, we fell back out of first place behind Tampa.

Game 2 we lost 4-2 as Beckett pitched a complete game loss. He gave up all four runs in the 8th inning. I think Francona is now a little gun shy to bring in any of our relievers in a close game. Beckett went the full game striking out 6 but fell to 9-6 on the season with the loss.

Game 3 we lost 5-3 allowing 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th once again. Leading 3-2 in the bottom of the 8th, I was shocked to still see Wake coming out to pitch. By the time Delcarmen came in, I just knew he was going to allow the inherited runners to score which he did and Wake took the loss. We have got to find a way to start winning on the road. Maybe what we need is a series against Seattle on the road to get us back on track which is exactly what we have coming up. The Yankees are now winning every game and are catching us and Tampa, it is just not looking good. Coming up this weekend, we have a three game set against the Yanks too. We need to sweep Seattle and then do some damage this weekend against the Yanks.

Also, it was nice to see JD Drew be the All Star game MVP. Wasn't it nice to see a Red Sox manager and 7 Red Sox players in the All Star game being played at Yankee Stadium? If we can make it to the world series this year, we will have home field advantage again. I would like to see us win one in Fenway which would mean we would have to win the series in 6 or 7 games. I don't think I could handle a 7th game of a world series so hopefully we could be up 3-2 and win it in 6. We need to celebrate one in Fenway.

Back in First Place

We took 2 of 3 from the O's and regained the lead in the AL East at the break. Tampa Bay is starting their fall but I still think they will make it close at the end of the year. The Yanks will also be there so it is shaping up to be a three team race this year. But at least for now, we are on top.

Game 1 we lost 7-3 but it was nice to see Clay back on the mound. The walks killed us as he allowed 5 walks in 5 innings. Delcarmen and Timlin came in and gave 3 runs over the 2 innings they pitched. I still think Timlin is done. Hopefully, Masterson will be back up soon and pitching out of the bullpen to help out in the middle innings.

Game 2 we won 12-1. The game was basically over by the 3rd inning. Youk hit his first ever grand slam and we scored 7 runs in the 3rd inning. Wake again pitched extremely well going 7 innings and giving up only 2 hits.

Game 3 we won 2-1 on DiceK's strong performance. He went 6 innings of shut out baseball, only allowing 4 hits but once again he walked another 5 batters. Papelbon came in and got the save but once again he gave up another 3 hits and allowed a run in getting his save. We were lucky in this win but with Tampa losing, we now have a 1/2 game lead at the break. We are back in first!

No Problems at Home

Home Sweet Home! We swept the Twins at Fenway and continue winning ways at home. We just can't seem to win many games on the road. To win in the playoffs, we have to solve this problem away from home. Anyway, it was a good series and we have another one coming up at home against Baltimore so hopefully we can wrap up the first half back in first.

Game 1 we won 1-0 on Manny's rbi single in the 8th. DiceK pitched well and only walked 3 batters and he lasted until the 8th inning going 7.1 innings. Papelbon came in and got the save easily. We are just a different team at home. Things just seem to always go our way at Fenway.

Game 2 we won 6-5 scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th. Manny tied the game up with a 2 run home run in the bottom of the 8th and we later scored the go ahead run on a Brandon Moss base hit. I love watching this type of game. Come from behind in the late innings and get the win. Watching this game, I just seemed to know what was going to happen. Even down 5-2 in the bottom of the 8th, something just felt right about it. It was a good win.

Game 3 we won 18-5. Of all the games I couldn't watch, it had to be this one. Unfortunately, this was a day game and I was busy at work and didn't even have time to check on the computer to get an update until after the game was over. Beckett started off shaky again giving up another 3 first inning runs. But our offense came alive with 23 hits including 7 doubles, a triple and 2 home runs.

Now it is an off day then three at home against the O's.

A Split in the Bronx

We were able to scrape away a split in the Bronx over the weekend in a big 4 game series with the hated Yankees. The Yanks are still hanging in there which makes me nervous. It seems they are always just lurking over our shoulders just waiting for their chance to jump out ahead.

The first game we won 7-0 to end our 5 game losing streak. Lester pitched well pitching a complete game, 5 hit shutout. Pedroia extended his hitting streak to 11 games. I really like him, can't wait to see him in the all star game coming up.

The second game we won 6-4. Beckett started off a little shaky giving up 3 runs in the first inning, but we came back with 3 in the third and then Lowell put us on top for good with a three run home run in the 5th. Okajima loaded the bases in the 7th and caused me to lose another couple years off my life expectancy but Delcarman came in and shut the door. Paps gave up a run in the ninth but he still got the save. Hopefully we can keep winning and maybe take at least 3 of 4 from them.

Game 3 we lost 2-1. We had the bases loaded in the ninth against Mariano but couldn't push another run across. This is a game we should have won. Pedroia again had 2 hits, it seems that every day he raises hit batting average another point or two. Masterson pitched well for us, but it looks like he is going to be sent down and he will be back as a middle reliever, which is probably good as we need bullpen help. Clay will be back soon and hopefully Colon will be with us again quickly. Big Papi should be back by the end of the month too, so things are still looking good.

Game 4 we lost 5-4 in 10 innings. Once again our bullpen couldn't hold a lead. We were up 4-2 in the bottom of the 7th and gave up 2 runs. Then, in the 10th, Paps came in and gave up the winning run on a single. Pedroia hit a 2 run single off of Joba in the 5th to put us up at the time as he continues his hitting streak. Wake pitched well once again, but as it always seems to happen with him, we can't get him the win as our bullpen seems to always lose it for us when Wake makes a start.

Now back home where we can start on another winning streak. Now its the Twins.

Swept Away at the Trop

After watching these three games against Tampa Bay, I have realized Tampa Bay is for real this year. They have the pitching to really contend to be a playoff team. I don't know if they can manage it for the rest of the season and the fact that they are in the AL East doesn't help them but I think they will be right there when the season ends. If they were in any other division, they would be a lock to win the division. They remind me of the White Sox a couple of years ago. Coco was serving his suspension so he sat this series out and Tek continues to do nothing at the plate. Our bullpen is starting to look shaky, maybe Theo will make a move for some bullpen help before the trade deadline. I hope so.

Game 1 we lost 5-4 in a game where our pitchers walked a total of 8 batters. We came back to make the game close in the ninth scoring 2 runs but came up a little short. Tek went 0-3 tonight and dropped his average to .222.

Game 2 we lost 3-1. Wakefield went 7 innings giving up just one earned run, but his two wild pitches cost him as they both lead to runs. We had no offense and could only get 6 hits all night. Tek went 0-2 and both at bats were strike outs.

Game 3 we lost again as this time our bullpen blew the lead in the 7th. We gave up 6 runs in the 7th inning and lost 7-6. Pedroia had a huge night and went 4-5 including a home run, triple and two doubles. On the other hand, Tek went 0-4 and struck out 3 times. His average is now down to .216. Okajima came in and pitched the 6th which I think is a sign that we have lost our confidence in him pitching the 8th setting up for Paps. He pitched well, but that left us Delcarmen and Hansen to pitch the 7th and 8th. They never got that far as neither one of them could get anyone out. Between the two of them, they allowed 4 hits, 6 runs and 2 walks and not getting a single out. Aardsma then came in and walked in a run too. We made it close scoring a run in the 8th and 9th, but we lost the game when they had Lowell in a hit and run play with Tek at the plate. Tek, who swung and missed, left Lowell running between first and second and he was out by 10 feet. Then Tek struck out to end the game.

We are now 3.5 games out of first place behind Tampa and only 4 games ahead of third place New York. This is our biggest deficit of the year. We now have 4 games in the Bronx against the Yankees. Our bullpen is shaky and our offense has fallen apart. Maybe we just need a dose of Yankee pitching to get our bats in order again. This is probably the biggest series of the year for us. We can get back into the division race with Tampa and at the same time put New York further behind, or we could let the Yankees catch us and make it a three team race for the East. Huge series over the weekend - a lot of fireworks - and I hope at the end of it, we find ourselves closer to the Rays and further in front of the Yanks. I really hate the Yankees, but the Rays are climbing up my hate list too.



Just Beat the Yankees



Slappy showing his true colors.