The Rays Are Really Beginning To Scare Me (86-63)

Last night was a bad game, as the Sox fell to the Rays in a game that was just not fun at all. With runners at 1st and 2nd in the 3rd inning for the Rays, B.J. Upton hit a soft ground ball to shortstop. The only problem was that he broke his bat, and part of it flew and almost hit Marco Scutaro so he dodged the bat... and the ball... and a run came in to score. The next batter, Evan Longoria, would lock up the game right there by hitting a 3-run homer to right-center to make it 4-0. In the bottom of the 3rd, the Sox loaded the bases with 1 out, and Adrian Gonzalez grounded to first base to score a run and make it 4-1. Two batters after Johnny Damon was hit by a pitch in the 6th inning, Casey Kotchman belted a 2-run homer to right center to make it 6-1. Then in the next inning, B.J. Upton knocked a 2-run shot over the green monster to make it 8-1. Later in the inning, after a walk and a single, Casey Kotchman drove another run in with a single. With runners at 1st and 3rd and two outs (Jose Iglesias had his first major league hit!), Darnell McDonald drove in a run to make it 9-2.
        Kyle Weiland was very good for the first two innings, but then he totally lost it and was only able to go 3 innings, allowing 4 runs. Then came a pair of good innings by Trever Miller and Scott Atchison. However, then Franklin Morales allowed 2 runs in an inning and Matt Albers allowed 3 in 1/3 of an inning. Andrew Miller relieved them with 1 2/3 scoreless innings and Michael Bowden threw a scoreless inning. David Ortiz was more or less our only offensive bright spot, as he went 2-2 before he was taken out to give him a break. Marco Scutaro was also decent, going 2-3. Tonight, the Sox will look to maybe.... beat the Rays? With Josh Beckett (12-5/2.49/155) going against James Shields (15-10/2.70/210).

Bright Spots:
Trever Miller- a scoreless inning, getting the Sox out of a jam
Scott Atchison- a scoreless inning
Andrew Miller- 1 2/3 scoreless inning
Michael Bowden- a scoreless inning
David Ortiz- 2-2
Marco Scutaro- 2-3

Dull Spots:
Kyle Weiland- 4 runs in 3 innings
Franklin Morales- 2 runs in an inning
Matt Albers- 3 runs in 1/3 of an inning
Jacoby Ellsbury- 0-4 with a strikeout and 3 LOB
Dustin Pedroia- 0-3 with a strikeout and an LOB
Kevin Youkilis- 0-3 with 2 strikeouts and 5 LOB

Not a good game, and I'm beginning to panic.

Red Sox Sign Lefty Trever Miller

A few days ago, the Red Sox made several moves. They traded for Conor Jackson, then they signed Joey Gathright and Trever Miller (right). Of the three, there is a good chance that Miller may be the most effective. Miller brings a veteran arm as well as a lefty to the bullpen, and he is also a pretty decent pitcher. This will be Miller's third team this year, as he started with the Cardinals, then briefly went to the Blue Jays in the Colby Rasmus deal. Between the two teams, he has had a decent season, going 0-1/4.19/11 in 45 outings and 19 1/3 innings. However, he has not been nearly as sharp as in past seasons, as he is allowing a .321 opposing average this season, and has been unsettlingly ineffective against lefties (.308 average). However, other than the batting average, he is pretty much in line with his career averages. Miller could be a welcome addition for the stretch run for the Sox.