SoxSpace News

This Laser Show will have a Part II by Jared Carrabis
Ortiz looks to build on prolific May

A lot can change in a month. For example: Every Boston media member's opinion of David Ortiz's "demise."

Just a month ago today, the Red Sox were in Baltimore, losing game one of an eventual sweep at the hands of the worst team in baseball. Ortiz, who had everyone calling for his head after starting the season hitless after just two games, was batting .143, with just one home run and 21 strikeouts in 16 games.

Things couldn't possibly have gotten any worse. But then, Ortiz's notoriously vocal teammate, Dustin Pedroia came to his side to defend him against the relentless Boston media.

The poll question on NESN.com for May 4 was asking if Mike Lowell should take over as the full-time DH for the Red Sox. On that same date, Ortiz had himself an 0-for-4 performance with two strikeouts in a 5-1 win over the Angels. The NESN.com voters relayed their opinion as followed: 74% wanted Mike Lowell in there every day, 16% were content with Ortiz batting against right-handers and Lowell b...READ MORE!

Published on May 31, 2010 See Comment(s)

Back on the shelf by Jared Carrabis
Ellsbury heads back to the DL

Extra Bases: Jacoby Ellsbury was seen by a thoracic specialist today who agreed with the diagnosis of four cracked ribs.

"I tried to play with some level of discomfort, knowing I wasn't 100 percent. In doing so, it worsened my condition," Ellsbury said.

He was returned to the 15-day disabled list. RHP Scott Atchison was recalled.

This certainly isn't comforting news, as the Red Sox are about to play game number fifty of the 2010 season, and their offensive igniter has only started in nine games thus far.

Ellsbury, who was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, could only give the Red Sox fifteen plate appearances after being activated, before heading back on the shelf.

The Boston outfielder was just 1-for-14 with a walk in his three games since returning to the club. He saw his average plummet from the .333 mark he left it back on April 11, to the .2...READ MORE!

Published on May 28, 2010 See Comment(s)

Just kidding! by Jared Carrabis
It's Scott Atchison, not Darnell McDonald, who gets DFA'd

ProJo.com: Darnell McDonald, who never left Florida on Tuesday just for this reason, has new life. After Jacoby Ellsbury experienced some pain in his left side before the game -- pain that seems unrelated to his cracked ribs -- a Red Sox spokesperson said the team chose to designated relief pitcher Scott Atchison for assignment and bring McDonald back to the stadium to be active for the game.

Sike! We gotcha, Darnell.

After Monday night's victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, it was reported by just about every Red Sox writer in existence that McDonald was out, and Mike Cameron was in.

Well, as it turns out, Jacoby Ellsbury is experiencing a relapse of sorts, and McDonald's services are needed once again. It wasn't an easy choice for Terry Francona to make the decision to designate the outfielder for assignment, but it sure as hell was an easy decision to keep him on the active roster, so that's where he is...READ MORE!

Published on May 25, 2010 See Comment(s)

Center of attention by Jared Carrabis
Cammy activated, D-Mac DFA'd, Ellsbury returning to CF?

ESPNBoston.com: Jacoby Ellsbury shifted from center field to left at the start of the season to accommodate new acquisition Mike Cameron, but now it appears Ellsbury could be headed back to center on a more regular basis.

Ellsbury, who came off the disabled list over the weekend after a rib injury sidelined him for more than a month, told WEEI.com on Monday night that he was making the move back to center when Cameron is activated off the DL on Tuesday

Multiple reports flooded in after Monday night's victory that the Red Sox had designated outfielder Darnell McDonald for assignment in order to make room for Mike Cameron, who has been out of action since April 18.

The Red Sox now have a ten-day window in which to trade, release or sit back and wait for McDonald to clear waivers, a scenario that mana...READ MORE!

Published on May 25, 2010 See Comment(s)

Laser show by Jared Carrabis
Papi and Youk continue their month of madness

While the Boston media was collectively busy picking up the roses that they left in front of a grave that read, "David Ortiz's career," Big Papi was occupied, crushing his ninth home run of the season in Tampa Bay.

It may only be the second month of the season, but there has been a lot of doubt as to whether or not this 2010 Red Sox team has what it takes to tangle with teams who are considered to be destined for October baseball.

We've heard all about how Boston can't compete against elite pitching, but I think Roy Halladay would tell you otherwise. Then we heard that the Yankees were in the Red Sox' heads. Why don't you give Mariano Rivera a call.

After sweeping Boston in a four-game set at Fenway Park earlier this season, it was set in stone that the Rays were the superior. I, as well as the rest of Red Sox Nation, say, "not so fast."

24-year-old Wade Davis toed the rubber for the Rays on Monday night, looking to keep Boston even further away from the top of the AL Eas...READ MORE!

Published on May 25, 2010 See Comment(s)

No dice by Jared Carrabis
Matsuzaka falls just four outs shy of no-hitter in Sox win

Four outs; just four more outs.

That's all that separated Daisuke Matsuzaka from history. Matsuzaka had baffled the defending National League Champions thought seven-and-a-third innings, having not surrendered a hit all evening.

Entering Saturday night's start, Matsuzaka had given up five earned runs in three of his first four starts of the season. In his four starts, Matsuzaka was averaging just over five-and-a-third innings per start, while having an average of 99.5 pitches per start.

Matsuzaka's best start came against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 11, a night in which the right-hander struck out nine batters through seven innings, yielding just one run. Before and after that start, Matsuzaka hasn't given up less than five runs, hasn't struck out more than four batters, hasn't walked less than three batters, and hasn't pitched more than 5.1 innings.

Saturday night in Philadelphia would be a start that would break all the rules for the dice man.

If you're pessimistic,...READ MORE!

Published on May 23, 2010 See Comment(s)

Lackey-luster performance by Jared Carrabis
Lackey's no Lester, as Sox lose opener to Phils

The first game of what the 2008 World Series should have been did not go so well.

Just 24 hours after Jon Lester needed just 103 pitches to shut down the Minnesota Twins in a complete game effort, John Lackey couldn't come close to mirroring his teammates performance.

Just to compare, Lester entered the ninth inning on Thursday night with just 84 pitches under his belt. When Lackey threw his 84th pitch on Friday, he was trying to work his way out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth inning.

Not everyone can be as dominating of a pitcher as Lester, who through his first 100 career starts, has the highest winning percentage to in baseball history, but for Lackey's sake, when the Red Sox are paying you the highest salary for a pitcher in team history, 15 earned in your last 18 innings is not acceptable.

In his last three starts, including Friday night's loss to the Phillies, Lackey is 1-2 with a 7.50 ERA, and opponents are hitting .307 against the right-hander. H...READ MORE!

Published on May 22, 2010 See Comment(s)

Saved by the Bellsbury? by Jared Carrabis
Ellsbury's return could ignite streaky Sox

Boston.com -- Terry Francona said after the game tonight that Jacoby Ellsbury will join the Red Sox in Philadelphia and "probably" be activated on Saturday.

If you've got 'em in fantasy, it's time to activate him. If you're just a diehard Red Sox fan like myself, it's time to watch this team really take off.

You may be sitting there thinking, "He's not going to make that much of a difference," but that's where you are mistaken.

Since Jacoby Ellsbury collided with Adrian Beltre on April 11, Marco Scutaro, JD Drew and Darnell McDonald have all shared the leadoff spot. The return of Ellsbury brings stability back to the Red Sox' lineup, as the speedy outfielder retains his thrown atop Terry Francona's lineup card.

In his brief six-game start to the 2010 season before finding himself on the disabled list, Ellsbury put together a seven-hit series against the...READ MORE!

Published on May 21, 2010 See Comment(s)

Lefty ace and a bearded face by Jared Carrabis
Youk's monster May continues, as Lester hurls CG for win

I wanted so bad for the headline to be about Kevin Youkilis tonight; I really did.

I'm at Fenway for this one, and I'm saying to myself after Youk's third inning home run, "The only thing that will keep Youk from being the headline of this game is a complete game shutout from Lester."

Well, since Jon Lester kept half of his end of the bargain, and Youkilis continued to tattoo the ball, 50/50 headline treatment tonight on SoxSpace.

Lester started the 2010 season off 0-2 with with an 8.44 ERA in three starts. The left-hander entered his Thursday night start against the Twins with a 3-0 record, 1.82 ERA and 40 strikeouts in the 34.2 innings since his April 18th loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Opponents were hitting .157 against Lester since his last loss entering Thursday night, and wouldn't get any easier for opposing batters. Through the first five frames, Lester was averaging exactly 10 pitches per inning, an inning in which the lefty held a healthy 5-0 lead.

The road tha...READ MORE!

Published on May 21, 2010 See Comment(s)

NESN Cowboy's up! by Jared Carrabis
NESN adds Kevin Millar to lineup of analysts

NESN.com -- NESN, New England’s most-watched sports network, announced on Thursday that former Red Sox first baseman and postseason hero, Kevin Millar, has joined NESN to serve as a Red Sox studio analyst for select games.

Millar will make his NESN debut on Thursday, May 27 at 6 p.m. on Olympia Sports presents Red Sox GameDay Live before the Red Sox host the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park. He will join host Tom Caron and Jim Rice on the NESN Yawkey Way stage.

Well, that's one way to make my day. You can tell me he's just an analyst if you want, but I don't buy it. Kevin Millar was hired by the Red Sox to come to Boston and bring some of that 2004 mojo back into that clubhouse. Basically, the Red Sox will benefit from Millar's clubhouse presence, without having to pay him millions and he won't take up a roster spot. It's a win/win!

"We are thrilled to have Kevin ...READ MORE!

Published on May 20, 2010 See Comment(s)

We wish you well, Scott by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox DFA Scott Schoeneweis, call up Angel Sanchez

Some sad news to report, the Red Sox have designated lefty reliever Scott Schoeneweis for assignment.

Schoeneweis posted a 7.90 ERA, allowing 12 earned runs in 13.2 innings for Boston. I file this under sad news because Thursday is the one-year anniversary of his wife's passing.

"Tomorrow's a tough day for me and my family anyway but everything is for a reason so I'll get to be home for them and for me," said Schoeneweis.

After the passing of Gabrielle Dawn Schoeneweis, who was 39, last season, Schoeneweis considered retirement, but his love of the game made him decide against it.

"I think I will be OK," he said when he returned to the Diamondbacks on June 9 of last season. "It's time for Daddy to go back to work."

Two months later, Schoeneweis landed on the disabled list to cope with the loss of his wife, and the depression that he was suffering from.

Although the Schoeneweis experiment didn't work out here in Boston, Red Sox Nation's heart goes out to Schoeneweis,...READ MORE!

Published on May 20, 2010 See Comment(s)

Bang for your Buch by Jared Carrabis
Buchholz goes 8+ in win, saves pen

After a rainy night at Fenway, the Red Sox are back over .500, and I'm feelin' pretty damn good about it.

Remember that offense that everyone was talking about this past winter. You know, the one that wasn't going to score any runs? Currently, the Red Sox are fourth in the American League with a .270 team batting average.

Their 56 home runs trail only the Toronto Blue Jays and prior to the Tampa Bay Rays putting up a 10-spot on New York, the Red Sox' 213 runs were good for second-best in the American League.

As it currently stands, the Yankees have scored 231 runs in 2010. 60 of those 231 runs have been scored against the Red Sox. Had Boston's starting pitching lived up to their potential, not only would the Red Sox be the leading run scorer in the American League, but they'd have plenty more wins to show for their offensive efforts.

Back in December, we had hopes of the offense stepping it up in order to support the pitching and defense. Here on May 20, we stand here, a ...READ MORE!

Published on May 20, 2010 See Comment(s)

Redemption by Jared Carrabis
Sox scratch and claw their way back to .500

I don't want to sound like Mr. Big Shot and say that I knew that this would happen but--alright, I knew that this would happen.

Before Tuesday night's finale in the Bronx, I tweeted Christine Yandow of the Lester Project and said, "I'm hoping for a Papelbon redemption game tonight."

Well, let's just say that the road to redemption did not come easy. The Red Sox may have won this battle, but there were casualties in the war that is a 162-game baseball season.

Josh Beckett, who was pushed back due to tweaking his back, while taking batting practice, toed the rubber for the first time since allowing nine earned runs against the Yankees on May 7. Shamefully hauling the steepest ERA among Boston starters, Beckett saw his earned run average drop from 7.46 to 7.29; baby steps.

Two singles, a walk and an E6 in the bottom of t...READ MORE!

Published on May 19, 2010 See Comment(s)

A Bronx Fail by Jared Carrabis
Papelbon, Red Sox lose heart-breaker, fall back under .500

I don't even know where to start.

I could easily come out and say that the Red Sox "should have" won this game, but I won't do that. In fact, I'll never do that. That's what makes this game so great. When you step in between the lines, things can happen that may make you want to rip your hair out, but that's baseball.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes it rains.

Now, I can sit here and say that the Red Sox very well "could have" won this game, sure. So many opportunities came the Red Sox' way to close this one out, but hasn't that been the story of this team all season and not just tonight?

However, if you can muster the energy after a crushing loss such as this one, then tip your cap to this team for coming back after trailing by five runs to a pitcher who had not allowed more than two runs in a start all season long. For that, we can take a positive out of this disaster.

The offense's efforts were commendable, but just about everything else was far ...READ MORE!

Published on May 18, 2010 See Comment(s)

Papi 2, Critics 0 by Jared Carrabis
Ortiz homers twice, as Sox top Tigers

People who had a ticket to get into the Museum of Science were also admitted into Friday night's game at Comerica Park.

Why, you ask? "Laser show, like Pedey said," claimed David Ortiz after blasting two homers in a winning effort.

On May 14 of last season, Ortiz was hitting .208 with 0 HR and 15 RBI through 34 games. In nine games in the month of May in 2010, Ortiz is hitting .333 with 5 HR and 11 RBI.

Since Dustin Pedroia told Red Sox fans, Ortiz critics and the Boston media to "relax" and enjoy the "laser show," Ortiz has done nothing but back up the words of his bite-size buddy.

When asked to take us through the two at bats in which Ortiz clobbered two mammoth home runs, Papi's explanation was quick and to the point: "Fastball. Gone."

When asked to broaden his response, Ortiz said, "Yeah, I'm feeling good. Swinging the bat, seeing the ball and hit it, my man. There's people that know a lot about the game, they think they have everything figured out. You tell them t...READ MORE!

Published on May 15, 2010 See Comment(s)

Benedict Lackey by Jared Carrabis
Lackey switches dugouts, defeats former club

It was a picture perfect night for Boston sports fans, especially those of the Red Sox.

It was Nomar Night at Fenway Park, and among the most excited people in the entire world was yours truly. I'll spare you the emotional blabbing about Nomar, his life and career with the Boston Red Sox, but if you are in fact interested, you can read all about his trials and tribulations with the Red Sox by clicking here.

Right-hander John Lackey got the nod on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and his career numbers against the Halos were non-existent. Why? Because the Angels were the only organization that Lackey had ever known, prior to donning a Red Sox jersey this past offseason.

Looking to live up the expectations of being the highest-paid pitcher in Red Sox history, Lackey made great strides against his former club.

The big right-hander hurled 102 pitches over seven innings, holding the Angels to just ...READ MORE!

Published on May 06, 2010 See Comment(s)

Finally! by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox give fans something to cheer about

Off to their worst start since 1996, the Red Sox finally showed some life.

After a weekend that had the makings of being a sure series win, somehow turned into a series sweep at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles, who just so happen to be the worst team in baseball.

The Red Sox had not beaten a team by more than two runs since they defeated the Kansas City Royals by a score of 8-3 back on April 10. It seemed as if though even when the Red Sox were winning, it was a struggle. Red Sox manager Terry Francona called for a closed-door, players only meeting prior to the game.

How did the Red Sox respond? 17 runs, 20 hits, 4 home runs, 11 extra-base hits and an 8-for-14 showing with runners in scoring position.

It was a feel-good win all around. Everyone in the Red Sox' starting lineup had a hit. In fact, Dustin Pedroia and Marco Scutaro were the only players who didn't have a multi-hit game.

A bulk of the offense was provided by the Red Sox' five and six hitters, JD D...READ MORE!

Published on May 04, 2010 See Comment(s)