Crawford, Beckett, Gonzalez Gone In Huge Blockbuster

After tons of trade rumors last night involving the possibility of Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, and Carl Crawford going to Los Angeles, the deal is going to be finally made official today. Also included in this major blockbuster is Nick Punto as the Red Sox have freed up nearly $250 million in payroll space over the next several years and will take about $60 million off of 2013's guaranteed contracts. In return, the Red Sox will acquire first baseman James Loney (.254/4/33), who will probably fill in for Gonzalez for the rest of 2012. Along with Loney, the Red Sox acquired four prospects in the deal; #2 Dodgers' prospect Allen Webster plus Rubby De La Rosa, Ivan DeJesus, and Jerry Sands. Webster and De La Rosa are each highly ranked Dodgers' pitching prospects who are each close to major-league ready. Webster is 6-8 with a 3.55 ERA in Double-A Chattanooga and De La Rosa is coming off Tommy John Surgery but was 4-5 with a 3.71 ERA in 13 games in MLB last year. Sands (.303/24/101) and DeJesus (.295/3/33) have each had success in Triple-A, but haven't quite figured it out yet at the major league level-- .174/0/1 and .273/0/4 respectively. However, a change of scenery could help them out and Webster and De La Rosa should be elite pitching talent very soon. This deal is huge financially for the Red Sox as much as I hate to see Gonzalez go, it may be the right move.

Kuroda Stymies Sox As Yanks Win Series (59-63)

This game didn't look great from the pitching matchup with Josh Beckett (5-10, 5.09) and Hiroki Kuroda (11-8, 3.07). As it turned out, I was right as the Yankees coasted to a relatively easy win over the Red Sox here tonight. The Yankees got off to a predictably fast start tonight against Josh Beckett (5-10, 5.09), who has allowed 22 runs in the first inning. The Yankees got going with a leadoff double by Derek Jeter, who scored later on an RBI double by Curtis Granderson to give the Yankees an early 1-0 lead. It took them until the third, but the Yankees would get another rally going as they put two men on with one out. Just two bad pitches later, it was 2-0 as the Yankees put on a double steal, then Derek Jeter scored on a wild pitch.

The Yankees kept on trucking in the fourth inning when Ichiro Suzuki crushed on into the second deck in right field. It would be Ichiro again, pounding a home run to right, in the sixth inning to give the Yankees a 4-0 lead. That would be Josh Beckett's last inning as he exited after a somewhat rough outing that saw him go 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 6 K. He would eventually be tagged with the loss and sink to 5-11, 5.23 on the season. Adrian Gonzalez got one of those runs back in the seventh by hitting a bomb over the short porch in right. However, that only made a small dent in a fantastic outing by Kuroda-- who went 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K. He was relieved by Rafael Soriano, who recorded his 31st save in a 4-1 win.

Bright Spots:
Andrew Miller- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
Adrian Gonzalez- 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Dull Spots:
Josh Beckett- 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 6 K, L (5-11)
Jacoby Ellsbury- 0-4, 1 K, 1 LOB
Dustin Pedroia- 0-4, 1 LOB
Scott Podsednik- 0-3, 2 LOB
Pedro Ciriaco- 0-3, 1 K, 1 LOB

Player of the Game:
Adrian Gonzalez- Gonzalez's 1-4 night was not huge, but his solo home run provided the Red Sox with their only run in a tough game-- he is now .307/15/85.

Beckett Unravels As Orioles Take Opener (57-60)

Beckett allowed 6 runs in 5.1 innings

If the Red Sox have any plans of even coming close to contending this year, this was a series that they probably had to sweep. Well, that plan's over as the Red Sox fell in a blowout in Baltimore tonight. After a couple of scoreless innings to start the game, the Orioles finally got on the board in the bottom of the third. On the first pitch of the inning, light-hitting Omar Quintanilla jacked one onto Eutaw Street in right field to make it 1-0. The Red Sox would answer in the top of the fourth, though, starting on a leadoff double by Cody Ross. Two batters later, Ross would score on a single up the middle by Carl Crawford. It stayed tied for a bit, but the Orioles took another lead in the fifth inning when Mark Reynolds went the other way to right field for a solo home run to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead. However, things got very ugly in the sixth inning.

Pedroia went 2-4 with a triple

A single and a walk would put runners at first and second with one out in the inning. That was when things imploded for the Red Sox as Matt Wieters hit a high bouncer over the pitcher's mound for an infield single to score a runner and make it 3-1. Chris Davis followed him up with a hard single up the middle to make it 4-1 and keep runners at first and second, still with one out, for Mark Reynolds. At this point, Josh Beckett was taken out of the game with a line that still resembled respectability. However, a couple of batters later and his final line on the night looked like 5.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K. Those additional two runs added onto Beckett's total came when Mark Reynolds hit his second homer of the game-- a shot to deep left to make it 7-1. The Red Sox were never able to approach a comeback and lost by that score.

Bright Spots:
Mark Melancon- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 K
Jacoby Ellsbury- 2-5
Dustin Pedroia- 2-4, 1 BB, 1 2B, 1 3B
Cody Ross- 2-4, 1 R, 1 2B
Carl Crawford- 2-4, 1 RBI

Dull Spots:
Josh Beckett- 5.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K, L (5-10)
Mike Aviles- 0-4, 3 K, 4 LOB

Player of the Game:
Dustin Pedroia- On a different night, Pedroia could've been a major catalyst as he reached base three times, including a double and triple-- he is now .280/9/43.

Red Sox Come All The Way Back Only To Fall To Rangers (55-57)

Beckett was rocked by the Rangers

This game was a disappointing game for the Red Sox as it started out bad, then they came back only to fall in the end. Things started off rough as the Rangers led off the game by putting runners at the corners. Both runners scored when Josh Hamilton tripled on a high fly ball that rattled around in the triangle in center field. Hamilton scored on an Adrian Beltre sacrifice fly to give the Rangers an early 3-0 cushion. However, the Red Sox came storming back in the bottom of the first-- starting with just a man on first and two outs. That man, Dustin Pedroia, scored on a double by Adrian Gonzalez-- who would score on a single by Cody Ross to cut it to 3-2 in just the first inning. After a scoreless second inning, the Red Sox tied the game up in the third on a solo shot to left for Cody Ross. It took them until the fifth, but the Rangers got some homers of their own-- a solo shot to center for Mitch Moreland and a two-run shot to right to make it 6-3.

Middlebrooks hit his 15th
home run

However, the Red Sox came right back in the bottom of the fifth-- starting on a leadoff triple by Carl Crawford. Crawford scored on a double by Adrian Gonzalez, who eventually scored on a passed ball to cut it to 6-5. That was when things got rough for the Red Sox-- starting on a leadoff single in the sixth. That would be followed up by a two-run homer for Geovany Soto, crushed to left to make it 8-5. The Rangers tacked on another run in the seventh when Nelson Cruz went deep over the monster. However, that seventh was when things turned for the Red Sox-- starting with a leadoff single for Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia scored on a double by Adrian Gonzalez, who was followed with a walk to put men at first and second. Will Middlebrooks came up and promptly tied the game with a three-run homer to make it 9-9. Unfortunately, the Rangers got the go-ahead run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Adrian Beltre and won 10-9. 

Bright Spots:

Alfredo Aceves- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Dustin Pedroia- 2-5, 2 R

Adrian Gonzalez- 3-5, 3 R, 3 2B, 3 RBI

Cody Ross- 3-4, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Will Middlebrooks- 1-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 3 RBI

Dull Spots:

Josh Beckett- 5 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Jacoby Ellsbury- 0-5, 2 K, 2 LOB

Player of the Game:

Adrian Gonzalez- Gonzalez was a doubles machine today, hitting three doubles to go with three runs and three RBIs-- he is now .310/11/72. 

Red Sox Beat Verlander In Rain Shortened Game (53-51)

Beckett was taken out due to injury

Last night was a weird game in many ways for the Red Sox-- it was raining all night, and they finally decided to call the game in the sixth inning, giving the Red Sox a cheap win. Heading into the ballgame, though, it didn't look as though they'd be able to get anything cheap with reigning MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander (11-6, 2.54) set to pitch against Josh Beckett (5-9, 4.57). But the Red Sox started the game off in a big way, they did not score any runs-- they wound up stranding the bases loaded-- but were still able to make Verlander throw 35 pitches in the first inning. It would ultimately be the Tigers that scored first, as they loaded the bases on two walks and a hit for Miguel Cabrera. Beckett walked him on a 3-1 count to drive in a run, then motioned to the trainer and was taken out of the game due to some weird injury.

Ciriaco continued his fantastic start

Clayton Mortensen, who had been recalled that day, entered the game and got Prince Fielder to fly out to end the inning. It took the Red Sox until the fourth inning, but eventually they showed their support for Mortensen by loading the bases on two singles and a walk. Pedro Ciriaco promptly drove a low line drive into right field to score one and leave the bases loaded for Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury worked a walk off the Tigers ace and suddenly the Red Sox had a 2-1 lead, and no signs of stopping. Next came a very weird play as Carl Crawford hit a very slow bouncer to the right side of the pitcher's mound. Verlander went after it but couldn't rein it in and Omar Infante's view must have been blocked because the ball got by him and two runs scored to make it 4-1. It stayed there until the sixth, when the umpires finally decided to call the game and give the Red Sox their fourth straight win.

Bright Spots:
Josh Beckett- 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Clayton Mortensen- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K
Jacoby Ellsbury- 1-2, 1 BB, 1 RBI
Carl Crawford- 1-3, 1 RBI
Cody Ross- 1-2, 1 R, 1 BB
Pedro Ciriaco- 1-2, 1 R, 1 RBI

Dull Spots:
Dustin Pedroia- 0-3, 1 K, 3 LOB

Player of the Game:
Clayton Mortensen- When it seemed that this game would be over due to Beckett's injury and a tough situation, Mortensen came in and tossed 2.1 scoreless innings-- he is now 1-0/1.17/17 this year.

Red Sox Fall Below .500 With Heartbreaking Loss (49-50)

Beckett took the loss

This game was a real heartbreaker for the Red Sox as they fought so hard to take the lead and eventually to tie it back up but were paid back with just more bad pitching. They got off to a very fast start as Jacoby Ellsbury led off the game with a walk and Pedro Ciriaco knocked a single to right that advanced Ellsbury to third. The Red Sox were in a fantastic position to score some runs, but Dustin Pedroia promptly grounded into a 6-4-3 double play-- allowing the run to score, but nothing else to culminate in the inning. Believe it or not, Josh Beckett actually threw a scoreless first inning, and kept it at 1-0 until the fourth inning. With two outs in the fourth, the Red Sox tacked on another run as Will Middlebrooks got ahold of one and sent it into the bleachers in left. However, the bottom of the fourth brought disappointment as Michael Young led off the inning with a double. He would score on a double to left-center by David Murphy. 

Pedroia had a game-tying blast

However, the inning wasn't done as Yorbit Torrealba advanced Murphy with a single; Murphy would score when Craig Gentry laid down a perfect suicide squeeze to tie the game. It didn't stay tied for long, though, as Ian Kinsler singled on a blooper that just evaded Cody Ross to make it 3-2. The Rangers would only keep that lead for about an inning, until Dustin Pedroia crushed a long home run to left-center to knot things up at 3-3. Josh Beckett pitched a scoreless sixth and was left in for the seventh, a choice Bobby Valentine immediately regretted as the Rangers put runners at the corners with two away. They took the lead on the cheapest way possible-- a wild pitch by Beckett. However, they would've scored anyways as they picked up some insurance with a homer by Nelson Cruz. They would lose by a score on 5-3 in a very disappointing game. 

Bright Spots:

Pedro Ciriaco- 2-4

Dustin Pedroia- 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Will Middlebrooks- 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Dull Spots:

Matt Albers- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R

Adrian Gonzalez- 0-3

Cody Ross- 0-4, 1 K, 1 LOB

Carl Crawford- 0-3, 2 K, 1 LOB

Kelly Shoppach- 0-3, 3 K, 1 LOB

Mike Aviles- 0-3, 1 LOB

Player of the Game:

Will Middlebrooks- Middlebrooks continued to tear up the Rangers in the series as he went 2-4 with a solo home run-- he is now .297/12/43.

A Night Of Sloppy Play Leads To Loss To Jays (48-46)

Beckett allowed five runs

Last night's game was just an all around disappointment for the Red Sox and their fans alike. Things started out bad, as Colby Rasmus knocked a one out triple in the very first inning. On the next play, Edwin Encarnacion hit a slow dribbler to Will Middlebrooks at third base. Middlebrooks did the smart thing and went home, seeing that he had a chance, the throw was good and Kelly Shoppach blocked the plate well enough that Rasmus was out. But he was called safe on a brutally wrong call by the home plate umpire. One thing led to another and back-to-back singles by Adam Lind and J.P. Arencibia ensured that the Jays scored one more in the inning as they left the first with a 2-0 lead. They started the second just how they ended the first, putting runners at the corners with two outs for Colby Rasmus. Rasmus hit a line drive into left-center, scoring both runs and giving the Blue Jays a 4-0 lead in just the second inning.

The offense couldn't handle Laffey

After a couple of strong innings by Beckett, the bloodbath continued in the fifth inning. Edwin Encarnacion reached first on an infield single, but a throwing error by Will Middlebrooks put him in scoring position with one away. He would score when Adam Lind singled on a sinking line drive to center field to make it 5-0. Beckett would eventually be taken out of the ballgame with a line of 6 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K. Andrew Miller came in and tossed a scoreless frame then Mark Melancon did the same-- but Melancon ran into some trouble in his second inning of work. Back-to-back doubles by Yan Gomes and Travis Snider netted the Jays another run to make it 6-0. The Red Sox took one of their own on a forceout in the ninth, but it wasn't nearly enough as they fell 6-1.

Bright Spots:
Andrew Miller- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
Will Middlebrooks- 2-4, 1 R
Kelly Shoppach- 2-3
Mike Aviles- 1-4, 1 RBI

Dull Spots:
Josh Beckett- 6 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, L (5-8)
Adrian Gonzalez- 0-4, 1 K, 2 LOB
Pedro Ciriaco- 0-3, 1 K, 4 LOB

Player of the Game:
Will Middlebrooks- On a different night, Middlebrooks may have scored a couple of runs but a 2-4, one run game is pretty good any day-- he is now .291/11/42 this season.

Red Sox Finish Strong To Win Series Over Rays (45-44)

Beckett settled down after the
first inning

The Red Sox continued their run of staying around .500 but yet in the thick of things as they moved within a game of the Rays today. They scored first in the first inning after a pair of one out walks. Adrian Gonzalez would deliver with a line drive into left for an RBI single to make it 1-0. However, the Rays answered in a big way in the bottom of the first-- putting runners at the corners with no outs. Ben Zobrist hit a hard liner off of Josh Beckett's glove and hustled out an infield hit to tie it at one. The Rays weren't done scoring though, as a few batters later a soft single to center by Desmond Jennings would give the Rays a 3-1 lead and it wasn't looking like Josh Beckett's best day. Luckily, Beckett didn't even have to work with a deficit for all that long as the Red Sox got right back to business in the second. After a one out single by Will Middlebrooks, Mike Aviles had the big blow with a two-run homer to center to make it 3-3.

Nava had the go-ahead home run

Both Josh Beckett and James Shields settled down from that point on, but neither was really good. That finally caught up to Shields in the fifth as Daniel Nava got ahold of an outside pitch, pulling it to right for a go ahead home run to make it 4-3. The Red Sox kept rolling right along in the fifth and proceeded to load the bases on two hits and a walk, with just one out. This time it was Will Middlebrooks with the big hit, as he singled hard up the middle to bring in two runs and give the Red Sox a comfortable 6-3 lead. After loading the bases with one out in the sixth, the Red Sox got some more insurance on a sacrifice fly by Cody Ross to make it 7-3. Beckett left after the sixth with a decent 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 7 K. The bullpen would hold the Rays and give the Red Sox a comfortable 7-3 win and a series win.

Bright Spots:
Josh Beckett- 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 7 K, W (5-7)
Mark Melancon- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
Jacoby Ellsbury- 3-5, 1 R, 1 2B
Daniel Nava- 1-3, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HR, 1 RBI
David Ortiz- 2-4, 1 BB
Adrian Gonzalez- 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
Cody Ross- 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI
Will Middlebrooks- 3-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI
Mike Aviles- 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Dull Spots:
Pedro Ciriaco- 0-4, 2 K, 4 LOB

Player of the Game:
Will Middlebrooks- Middlebrooks made more case for the Youkilis trade as he went 3-4 with a double, a run, and two RBIs-- he improved to .301/11/41 on the season.

Red Sox Drop Pitching Duel In Extras (41-37)

Middlebrooks scored on a passed ball

I guess that this series is just a pitching kind of series-- as after a 1-0 loss in the opener in 5-0 win in the second, there was yet another pitching duel last night. Josh Beckett was squaring off against Erasmo Ramirez and both did well until the third. In the third, Ramirez was forced to leave the game on a problem with his right elbow. However, former starter Charlie Furbush entered the game and continued to dominate the Red Sox' offense. Only in the sixth inning was the scoreless tie finally broken as the Mariners got a rally going. With one out in the inning, Ichiro singled to left and stole second base. He was followed up on a walk by Casper Wells and a single by Kyle Seager to load the bases with one out. John Jaso came up and lined a ball hard off the wall in right and just over the outstretched glove of Cody Ross to score two and make it 2-0 Mariners.

The Red Sox offense was stymied

Josh Beckett was taken out of the ballgame after that inning; his final line was a relatively impressive 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K-- however, he was set for the loss. The Red Sox answered in the seventh to completely erase all thoughts of a Beckett loss though. Three straight singles by Adrian Gonzalez, Will Middlebrooks, and Cody Ross started off the inning. Ryan Kalish grounded into a potential double play but beat out the back end, putting runners at the corners and cutting the Mariners' lead to 2-1. It quickly became 2-2 though, as Miguel Olivo let a ball get by him and Will Middlebrooks raced home from third base to tie the game. The score stayed knotted at two all the way until the eleventh inning. One out singles by Dustin Ackley and Miguel Olivo put runners at the corners for Chone Figgins. Figgins hit a liner to right on another where Ross made a good throw home but Saltalamacchia let it pass him for a 3-2 Mariners win.

Bright Spots:
Josh Beckett- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K
Andrew Miller- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K
Adrian Gonzalez- 3-5, 1 R
Cody Ross- 2-4, 1 BB
Ryan Kalish- 1-5, 1 RBI

Dull Spots:
Daniel Nava- 0-4, 1 BB, 1 K, 4 LOB

Player of the Game:
Josh Beckett- Beckett pitched very well in his first start back from shoulder inflammation, he went six strong innings and is now 4-7/4.06/60 this season.

Morales Set To Start Today After Beckett's DL Trip

A couple of days ago, Josh Beckett was scratched from today's start with shoulder inflammation. Yesterday he was moved to the 15-day DL, leaving an apparent hole in the Red Sox' pitching rotation. Filling it for tonight's game against the Cubs will be Franklin Morales. Morales has been one of the better relievers for the Red Sox this year-- he currently stands at 0-2/3.04/20 in 22 games and 23.2 innings out of the bullpen. He was once a starter in Colorado, as he was a highly rated prospect in their system and actually started Game 3 of the 2007 World Series against the Red Sox. Morales made 8 starts in 2007 and 5 in 2008 but showed some serious control issues there. In 2009, the Rockies finally turned Morales into a reliever where he became a fairly successful lefty reliever. However, he'll be going back to his roots tonight when he looks to subdue Chicago. It looks unlikely that he'd be able to go much more than 5 innings, though, as he hasn't been stretched out as a starter this season. Still, it'll be an interesting sight and perhaps Morales could return to his former role.

Red Sox Can't Overcome Early Deficit By Marlins (29-32)

Beckett was making his
first start against Miami

The Red Sox and Marlins were each struggling entering into yesterday's ballgame but very early it was confirmed which team would end their struggles. After the Red Sox stranded two runners in a frustrating first inning, the Marlins came right back and led off the bottom half with a triple by Jose Reyes. Light-hitting Donavan Solano knew his role and simply lifted a fly ball into right-center to score Reyes and give the Marlins an early 1-0. However, the Marlins were not done as Giancarlo Stanton knocked a one out bloop single into center field. With Stanton on first, Logan Morrison almost knocked one out of the park-- but it clanged high off the wall in right field for a double that would have put two in scoring position. Unfortunately, Adrian Gonzalez-- obviously not a natural right fielder-- bobbled the ball, allowing Stanton to come all the way around from first to score the Marlins' second run. He probably would've scored anyway, though, as Gaby Sanchez blooped a ball into right to score Morrison from second and give the Marlins an early 3-0 lead.

He improved as he went
along 

The Marlins put it right back together in the second inning-- starting things off with a single by John Buck. In the National League style, pitcher Josh Johnson bunted him over to second base with one out. Jose Reyes then grounded out to David Ortiz at first base to push Buck over to third base. It was Donovan Solano again with the clutch RBI-- singling up the middle to score Buck and make it 4-0. It stayed like that for a long time until the sixth inning, when a Scott Podsednik single and Dustin Pedroia double put the Sox in business with one out. Adrian Gonzalez hit a long fly ball to deep left center, but it would be caught on the run by Logan Morrison-- allowing Podsednik to score, but that was all. After a few more scoreless innings, Josh Beckett was taken out of the game with a line of 7 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K. For the first time in over two months, Mark Melancon-- recently called up from AAA-- came in and threw a scoreless inning. However, the offensive woes continued and the game would finish with a score of 4-1.

Bright Spots:
Mark Melancon- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Scott Podsednik- 3-4, 1 R, 1 SB
Dustin Pedroia- 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB

Dull Spots:
David Ortiz- 0-4, 1 K, 4 LOB
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 0-4, 1 K, 3 LOB
Kevin Youkilis- 0-4, 1 K, 1 LOB
Mike Aviles- 0-3, 1 K

Player of the Game:
Scott Podsednik- As the leadoff hitter, Podsednik certainly did his job-- reaching base three times and stealing a base-- he is now .405/1/5 this season.

Red Sox Fall To .500 While Stranding Sixteen (28-28)

Beckett had a very strong
outing last night

After a brief stint over the .500 mark (and even out of last for some time), the Red Sox fell back to .500 and the cellar after a loss to Baltimore last night. Neither team scored until the third inning-- Beckett actually started off the game with three perfect innings-- but the Red Sox finally got started in the bottom of the third. The inning started after Darnell McDonald doubled off the green monster in left-center to start the inning off. McDonald advanced to third on a bloop single into right by Marlon Byrd to put the Red Sox in a great position to start a rally. Mike Aviles hit a fly ball to left field and McDonald hustled home to score. However, in a sense that sacrifice fly, while scoring a run, killed the rally-- as the Red Sox did not score again in the inning. Beckett's perfect game was broken up in the fourth on a leadoff single by Endy Chavez, but Chavez was quickly erased on a J.J. Hardy double play. Things were cruising along with a 1-0 lead all the way until the sixth inning, when the Orioles finally broke things up.

                                     

Two ground ball singles woke the Orioles' offense up, as they now had runners at the corners with no outs off Josh Beckett. Robert Andino knocked a bloop single into right field to score one of those runs and tie things up at 1-1. It wouldn't stay 1-1 for long, however, as Endy Chavez hit a slow bouncer to second base. Dustin Pedroia went for the double play, but only got one out and the run scored (it would've scored anyway). That run made the difference as the Orioles took a 2-1 lead. Josh Beckett exited the game after the eighth after a pretty good outing that saw him go 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 5 K-- however, he earned the loss as the Red Sox offense sucked tonight. 

Bright Spots:

Vicente Padilla- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R

Kevin Youkilis- 1-3, 1 BB

Will Middlebrooks- 2-4

Adrian Gonzalez- 1-3

Darnell McDonald- 1-2, 1 R, 1 2B

Marlon Byrd- 1-3

Dull Spots:

Dustin Pedroia- 0-4, 2 K, 1 LOB

Player of the Game:

Josh Beckett- Despite being tagged with the loss, Beckett pitched very well last night, allowing two runs and walking none in eight innings-- he is now 4-6/4.04/51 this year. 

Red Sox Drop Series Finale To Tigers (26-25)

Beckett was tagged with
the loss last night

In one game that, if the Red Sox won, they could have been tied for fourth with the Blue Jays and two games out of first place-- however, they decided to lose. This game was different from the rest, as the Red Sox actually scored first but lost. They got that first run when Jarrod Saltalamacchia crushed one to right-center for his 10th home run of the year. Ryan Sweeney singled after him, but the next two hitters got out so it was up to Scott Podsednik to drive in that run. He would deliver with a line drive just over center fielder Quintin Berry's head that would result in an RBI double to make it 2-0. However, the Tigers put together a rally of their own in the third, putting runners at second and third to begin the inning. A Quintin Berry single and a Brennan Boesch sacrifice fly would tie things up at 2-2. Later in the inning, the Tigers took the lead when Prince Fielder singled up the middle to score a run and make it 3-2. The Red Sox put together a two-out rally in the third, though, as Kevin Youkilis doubled to left with two outs. Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove him in with a line drive to center field to net things up at 3-3.

Saltalamacchia had a good
game, with two RBIs

From that point on, it was all Tigers, as they put Quintin Berry on first to start the fifth. Berry stole second and advanced to third on a shaky throw by Saltalamacchia-- all of this with one out. Miguel Cabrera promptly singled up the middle to score Berry and make it 4-3. The score stayed there until the eighth-- Beckett was taken out of the game with a 7 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 1 K line and Franklin Morales entered. Delmon Young welcomed Morales into the game by shooting a home run to left field-- his fourth of the season-- to make it 5-3. After a two-out single by Miguel Cabrera, he stole second and advanced to third on another bad throw by Saltalamacchia. As it turned out, he wouldn't need those steals when Prince Fielder hit a triple on a fly ball that ricocheted off Ryan Sweeney's glove and into the triangle. Fielder would come in to score on a line drive single into right by Delmon Young to make it 7-3. The Red Sox offense wouldn't step up at all and that would be the final score.

Bright Spots:
Scott Podsednik- 1-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Dull Spots:
Franklin Morales- 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB
Rich Hill- 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R
Adrian Gonzalez- 0-4, 2 LOB

Player of the Game:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- Salty had a nice night at the plate, going 2-4 with a solo home run and an RBI single to make him .281/10/24 on the year.

Weekly News

The Red Sox played a decent week this week-- winning a series against the Orioles and losing one against the Rays in a 3-3 week. For the first time of his Sox.Rox career, and hopefully one of many to come, the Player of the Week is Will Middlebrooks (right), who went .421/0/3 this week. This pushes him to .307/5/18 on the year-- as it wouldn't at all surprise me if he contends for Rookie of the Year. For his team-leading third time of the year, the Pitcher of the Week is Josh Beckett. Beckett went seven innings and allowed just two runs in yesterday's 3-2 win over the Rays-- this moves Beckett to 4-4/4.15/45 in what is shaping up to be a strong season. The Performance of the Week goes to Dustin Pedroia in Monday's 8-6 win over Baltimore. Pedroia went 2-4 with a double, two RBIs, and a run scored as he certainly was a big part of that victory. The Game of the Week is really no contest as last night's walk-off 3-2 win on Salty's homer easily takes the cake for arguably the greatest game of the season. Next week, the Red Sox will stay at home to face the Tigers for four games before shipping up to Toronto to take on the Jays for three.

Red Sox Add Salt At Just The Right Time (23-23)

Josh Beckett pitched a great game

This is getting ridiculous as the Red Sox continue to sway between .500 and below-- with last night's clutch win they moved above, but it's only for now probably. Well, last night's game was a fantastic one from the pitching department as Josh Beckett and David Price matched each other pitch for pitch to start the game. This ballgame was still scoreless up until the bottom of the sixth. That was when the Red Sox had runners at first and second with two outs in the inning. The scoreless tie was broken when Will Middlebrooks knocked a single up the middle to score David Ortiz and give the Sox a 1-0 lead.

Saltalamacchia had a pinch-hit
walk-off homer

However, the Rays proceeded to jump on off of Josh Beckett in the next inning. They would put runners at the corners with no outs to start the inning. A sacrifice fly by Ben Zobrist and an RBI single by Luke Scott would change the tie to give the Rays a 2-1 lead. The bottom of the seventh was scoreless and Josh Beckett would be taken out with a 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 5 K line-- yet he was set to lose the game. Andrew Miller and Rich Hill respectively pitched strong eighth and ninth innings to set the Red Sox up for their last chance. Daniel Nava walked to lead off the inning, and Scott Podsednik bunted him over. This put a man on second with one out for pinch-hitter Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Salty made the Rays pay by crushing a pitch into the bullpens to win it 3-2 for the Red Sox.

Bright Spots:
Josh Beckett- 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 5 K
Andrew Miller- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
Rich Hill- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, W(1-0)
Dustin Pedroia- 2-3, 1 BB
Will Middlebrooks- 2-4, 1 RBI
Daniel Nava- 0-2, 1 R, 2 BB
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 1-1, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Dull Spots:
Marlon Byrd- 0-3, 2 K

Player of the Game:
Josh Beckett- Even when his team wasn't scoring runs, Beckett put the Sox in a great position to win by only allowing two runs in seven strong-- he is now 4-4/4.15/45.

Weekly News

The Red Sox have been playing much better of late after a 5-2 week puts them at just one game below .500 at 20-21. For his third time of the season, the Player of the Week is Mike Aviles. Aviles played very well this entire week, batting at a .345/3/6 and homering in every game of the Phillies series-- he is now .275/8/27 this season as he is making Marco Scutaro seem much less missed. The Red Sox had an equally strong week on the mound as the Pitcher of the Week goes to Josh Beckett. Beckett had a fantastic week, going 2-0/0.61/14, winning both of starts to become 4-4/4.38/40 on the year. The Performance of the Week goes to Cody Ross on Thursday's 5-3 win over the Rays. Ross went 2-3 with a home run and four RBIs-- as he is now a solid .271/8/28 on the season. The Game of the Week belongs on Monday's 6-1 win over the Mariners. It's just such a rare feat to watch a Red Sox pitcher toss a complete game, but Jon Lester was flat out dominant on his start that night. In the upcoming week, the Red Sox will play three in Camden Yards against the O's, take a much needed off day, and play three back in Fenway against the Rays.

Red Sox Beat Phillies Behind Stellar Beckett (20-21)

Beckett pitched very well today

After a long hiatus from good baseball, the Red Sox are finally back to just one game below the .500 mark. The Red Sox started off this game in exactly the same way as they started the last one when Mike Aviles whacked a home run to left to lead off the game. The Red Sox got right back into scoring position in the second inning when they put runners at first and second with two outs. Once again, it was Mike Aviles who delivered when he lined a ball into left field to score a run and give the Red Sox a 2-0 lead. After a pair of 1-2-3 innings for Josh Beckett, the Red Sox continued to produce off of Cliff Lee in the third inning. The inning started off when David Ortiz lined a ball directly into the shift. However, the Red Sox continued to hit the ball hard in the inning and it paid off when an Adrian Gonzalez single and Will Middlebrooks double put two runners in scoring position with one out.

He allowed a run in 7.2 innings

Jarrod Saltalamacchia immediately hit the biggest blow of the day when he crushed a high fly ball into center field for a three-run homer. Several scoreless innings ensued until the Red Sox got a little shock from Josh Beckett in the top of the seventh. On a pitch from Cliff Lee, he drove a ball off the wall in left-center field. It would only be a single, but it's always nice to see an American League Pitcher hitting balls hard off of one of the best pitchers in baseball. The Red Sox didn't score in the inning, or for the rest of the game. Beckett continued to pitch well but the Phillies finally got to him in the bottom of the eighth. They put runners at second and third before a sacrifice fly by Juan Pierre netted them their first run of the game. That made it 5-1, and Josh Beckett would be taken out of the game with a line of 7.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K-- he would earn the win and the Sox won 5-1.

Bright Spots:
Josh Beckett- 7.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K, W (4-4)
Alfredo Aceves- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
Mike Aviles- 2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Adrian Gonzalez- 2-4, 1 R
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Dull Spots:
David Ortiz- 0-4, 1 K, 1 LOB

Player of the Game:
Josh Beckett- Beckett pitched a fantastic ballgame today, earning the win after allowing just a run in 7.2 strong innings as he becomes 4-4/4.38/40 on the season.

Beckett Dominates As Sox Shut Out Mariners (17-19)

Beckett struck out nine in
seven shutout innings

The Red Sox continue to play well of late as they extended their winning streak to a season high five games. The first pair of innings were scoreless for both sides as both Josh Beckett and Blake Beavan were pitching very well. However, the Sox finally got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when David Ortiz took a 3-2 fastball down the middle and hammered it to right for a home run-- his eighth of the year-- to make it 1-0 Red Sox. Once the momentum was in their favor, the Red Sox just kept right on going in the fourth inning. After a Jarrod Saltalamacchia flyout to start the inning, a Cody Ross walk and Daniel Nava single put runners at the corners with one away. Mike Aviles came up and, on the first pitch, lined the ball over second baseman Dustin Ackley's head and into the gap for a double that would score Ross, and put a pair of runners in scoring position. Ryan Sweeney then grounded out to make it two outs, and score the runs-- but that would be the last the Sox would score in the inning, leaving with a 3-0 lead.

David Ortiz had his eighth home run
of the season yesterday

As things turned out, the fourth inning was also Beavan's last as the Sox chased him from the game with a 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K line. Charlie Furbush came into the game, and David Ortiz welcomed him with a leadoff single. Adrian Gonzalez advanced him to second on a ground ball to first, and a wild pitch would put Papi at third with one out for Will Middlebrooks. Middlebrooks took a low slider and belted it off the bottom of the monster for an RBI single to make it 4-0. The next several innings were scoreless, and it was still 4-0 when Josh Beckett was removed from the game with a 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K. The Red Sox got another run in the eighth on Mike Aviles' second RBI double of the game, but it was meaningless as the Sox won 5-0.

Bright Spots:
Josh Beckett- 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K, W (3-4)
Rich Hill- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Alfredo Aceves- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
David Ortiz- 2-3, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Will Middlebrooks- 1-4, 1 RBI
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 2-4, 1 R
Daniel Nava- 1-3, 1 R
Mike Aviles- 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI

Dull Spots:
Ryan Sweeney- 0-5, 2 K, 4 LOB, 1 RBI

Player of the Game:
Josh Beckett- Beckett pitched a fantastic ballgame yesterday, striking out nine in seven shutout innings-- he is now 3-4/4.97/35 on the season.

Red Sox Fall To Tribe In Series Opener (12-19)

Beckett only lasted 2.1 innings 

I really don't know how to right the Red Sox' ship right now-- they were 11-11 before losing eight of their next nine. As has become typical, the Sox were working from behind as they allowed a pair of runners in scoring position with one out in the second. Casey Kotchman knocked a sacrifice fly before Jack Hannahan hit one a bit harder which went into the seats to make it 3-0 Indians. Adrian Gonzalez doubled to lead off the third, but the next two batters got out and the Sox were held to an RBI single for Mike Aviles. Things got rough in the third for the Indians as Jason Kipnis led off with a homer. A single and a walk, then a pair of RBI doubles for Shin-Soo Choo and Michael Brantley netted the Indians a 7-1 lead.

He was not good to say the least

As you may imagine, Josh Beckett was quickly pulled after this-- leaving the game with a line of 2.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 2 BB, 2 K. The Sox began to chip away at the lead a bit by putting a pair of runners on base with two outs. Daniel Nava proceeded to line a ball into the gap, which would result in an RBI double to give the Indians a 7-2 lead. In the seventh inning, Dustin Pedroia led off the inning with a homer to right-center off reliever Tony Sipp-- Pedroia's fifth of the year. A multitude of relievers pitched for the Sox after Beckett's downfall, but it was Alfredo Aceves who allowed the last run of the game. This made it 8-3 on a sacrifice fly for Carlos Santana but by then it didn't even matter.

Bright Spots:
Andrew Miller- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K
Rich Hill- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
Scott Atchison- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 K
Franklin Morales- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Dustin Pedroia- 1-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Adrian Gonzalez- 2-5, 2 R, 2B
Daniel Nava- 1-2, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 BB

Dull Spots:
Josh Beckett- 2.1 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 2 BB, 2 K
Alfredo Aceves- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB

Player of the Game:
Daniel Nava- In his first game since September 2010, Nava had a solid game-- going 1-2 with an RBI double and a pair of walks.

Floyd Stymies Sox In Series Finale (10-11)

Beckett had a shaky first

The Red Sox were looking pretty good entering this game; they were on a six game winning streak and had just hit the .500 mark, but things didn't go quite as planned in today's game. After a 1-2-3 inning to begin the ballgame, Josh Beckett and the Sox got into a spot of trouble in the bottom of the first. Alejandro De Aza singled to left to start the game and, after being bunted to second by Brent Lillibridge, scored on a single by Alex Rios. Adam Dunn came up after Rios, and worked a nice, long at bat off of Beckett before Beckett left a fastball up and Dunn crushed a two-run homer to give the White Sox a 3-0 lead early. Both teams essentially flew along after that, Beckett tossed 1-2-3 innings in three of the next four-- the only baserunner being Brent Lillibridge, who reached base on a third inning single. However, the man being called to attention at the time was not Josh Beckett, but Gavin Floyd of the White Sox.

But overall he pitched well

When the fifth inning dawned, Floyd had not even allowed a baserunner. Cody Ross would walk with one out in the fifth, but the no hit bid was still intact for Floyd. A 1-2-3 sixth inning kept those hopes alive but a one-out single in the seventh by Dustin Pedroia snapped it. Adrian Gonzalez struck out after Pedroia but David Ortiz doubled on a hard liner into right to put two in scoring position with two outs. Cody Ross cashed in on the opportunity, sending a low line drive into left field to score Pedroia and make it a 3-1 ballgame. In the bottom of the seventh, Josh Beckett would allow the bases to load on a single by Eduardo Escobar and walks to Alejandro De Aza and Brent Lillibridge. He would be lifted (with a line of 6.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 8 K) in favor of Scott Atchison, who quickly disposed of Alex Rios on a first pitch flyout. The White Sox would score in the eighth, however, on an RBI single into left for Dayan Viciedo-- the last run of a 4-1 win for Chicago.

Bright Spots:
Josh Beckett- 6.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 8 K, L (2-3)
Cody Ross- 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB

Dull Spots:
Ryan Sweeney- 0-3, 2 K
Adrian Gonzalez- 0-4, 3 K
Nick Punto- 0-3, 2 K, 3 LOB
Marlon Byrd- 0-2, 1 K
Kelly Shoppach- 0-2

Player of the Game:
Josh Beckett- Beckett pitched well after a shaky first inning, allowing no runs after a three-run first inning in a tough loss.