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Big Papi strikes again! by Jared Carrabis
The King of Clutch hits another walk-off in thrilling Red Sox victory
After suffering one of the most devastating losses in recent memory, leave it to David Ortiz to turn that frown upside down.
Similar to how the Red Sox had performed the night before, the Boston offense got off to a painfully slow start, as the Tigers’ offense built a respectable lead early.
With Daisuke Matsuzaka on the mound, the major league RBI leader looked to add to his impressive total. Second in the American League in homers, Miguel Cabrera annihilated a Matsuzaka fastball offering that ended up somewhere in Kenmore Square.
Allowing RBI hits in with second and fourth inning, the Red Sox quickly found themselves in a 4-0 hole. Tigers’ starter Max Scherzer held the Red Sox scoreless into the sixth inning, as he came out for the seventh with a four-run lead.
With Adrian Beltre on base with a single, Bill Hall became desperate to get something going for the Red Sox, as he tried to stretch his base hit into a double, but was unsuccessful in doing so.
Making his majo...READ MORE!
Published on July 31, 2010 See Comment(s)
Red Sox acquire Jarrod Saltalamacchia by Jared Carrabis
Wheelin' and dealin', Theo gets his man
(Dan Roche on Twitter) -- Source: Sox acquire C Jarrod Saltalamacchia #redsox #mlb #wbztv #wbz
According to multiple reports on Twitter, the Red Sox have finally dealt for long sought-after catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Drafted out of high school by the Atlanta Braves, Saltalamacchia later found himself as the centerpiece of the deal that sent Mark Teixeira from the Texas Rangers to the Atlanta Braves.
The 25-year-old has experienced some injuries in recent years that has hurt his development into a premiere catcher, but in 240 major league games, Saltalamacchia hits at .251/.313/.388, all numbers that could be worked on.
Defensively, he has thrown out 21% of base runners in his career, which is right in the same ballpark as Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek at this stage of their careers.
The cost of acquiring Saltalamacchia were Roman Mendez, Chris McGuinness, a player to be named later, and cash....READ MORE!
Published on July 31, 2010 See Comment(s)
Frustration Nation by Jared Carrabis
Picking apart every detail of Friday's failure
If I had to put all of my emotions into one word following Friday night’s loss, I wouldn’t be able to do it.
I honestly don’t know where to start my attempt to vent all of my frustrations to whomever chooses to read this. It’s literally to the point where I could write everything down on paper that pissed me off tonight, put them in a hat, and select in draft lottery fashion which topics to blog about here.
Jon Lester’s outing: I don’t know what was on Jon Lester’s mind on Friday night, but it couldn’t have been baseball. The guy is just flat out too good to give up a career-high eleven hits to a team that’s one game over .500, who just so happen to have a ridiculous amount of injured position players as well. It just doesn’t happen. So my frustrations start there.
Jhonny Peralta? Really?: Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen hit the disabled list for Detroit, which forced their hand to minor league pitcher Giovanni Soto to the Indians, in exchange for Jhonny Peralt...READ MORE!
Published on July 31, 2010 See Comment(s)
Grand finale by Jared Carrabis
Four homers power Sox to sweep over Angels
Eyeing their first win over the Red Sox in seven tries this season, the Angels suffered a loss before a pitch had even been thrown.
Angels’ starter Joel Pineiro suffered an oblique injury just before his scheduled start, which forced right-handed reliever Scot Shields to make an emergency start in his place. Having not made a major league start since 2003, things got messy rather quickly for Shields.
With one away in the top of the second, Adrian Beltre clobbered a 1-0 fastball into the bleachers in left-center for a solo blast.
Two batters later, Bill Hall battled for seven pitches before getting all of a 3-2 fastball, and wrapping it around the left field foul pole for a solo homer of his own.
Josh Beckett, making his second start since coming off the DL, would invite the Angels back into the game in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and runners at first and second, Bobby Wilson hooked a base hit into left that brought home Hideki Matsui.
The next batter, Reggi...READ MORE!
Published on July 29, 2010 See Comment(s)
Lack-attack by Jared Carrabis
John Lackey shuts down former team in bulldog effort
Returning to his roots for the first time since the 2009 American League Championship Series, John Lackey reminded Angels’ fans what they were missing out on.
Matched up against the majors’ strikeout leader, Jered Weaver, Lackey went inning-for-inning in terms of shutting down the Angels’ offense, the same way that the Halos’ righty was shutting down Boston’s offense.
Since his arrival to the American League from the Phillies to the Yankees in 2006, Bobby Abreu has been a thorn in the Red Sox’ side. On Tuesday night, he would continue that trend.
Taking the mound to what sounded like mostly boos in the bottom of the first, Lackey punched out Abreu looking, but would not be so fortunate the next time the two would meet.
With a runner aboard in the bottom of the third, Abreu hit a rocket of a double that hit high off the wall in right to drive in the game’s first run.
Silencing the Red Sox’ offense for nearly his entire outing was Weaver, who struck out eight batters on ...READ MORE!
Published on July 28, 2010 See Comment(s)
Papi power by Jared Carrabis
David Ortiz homers twice in Red Sox win
It’s like the home run derby never ended.
Having not homered since winning the Home Run Derby in Anaheim over the All Star break, David Ortiz belted his nineteenth home run of the season in the series finale out in Seattle.
There had been some chatter that Ortiz screwed up his swing in the derby, and that’s why he wasn’t hitting home runs. Well, I think Ortiz put it best when he said (and I’m paraphrasing here), “How can I screw up my swing in a Home Run Derby when all I try to do is hit home runs?” Valid point made.
With Clay Buchholz on the mound for his second start since returning from injury, 2005 Home Run Derby-winner Bobby Abreu got a 1-1 changeup from the right-hander and hammered it over the wall in right-center for a solo shot.
Trailing by a run in the top of the second, Victor Martinez came to the plate for Boston for the first time since being placed on the disabled list, after suffering a broken thumb in the series finale at San Francisco. Facing the newly ac...READ MORE!
Published on July 26, 2010 See Comment(s)
Health is on the way by Jared Carrabis
Victor Martinez returns to Red Sox tonight in Anaheim
(Scott Lauber on Twitter) -- As expected, Victor Martinez will be activated from disabled list before tonight's game. Dusty Brown optioned to Pawtucket. #RedSox
If you haven't heard, ratings on NESN are down 36%.
Apparently nobody wants to dedicated three hours a night to watching a makeshift baseball team. It's almost as if you're a NASCAR fan. Would you still watch your favorite driver if he was out there competing against the best in a go-cart held together by duct tape and crazy glue?
I'm sure the diehards would remain, but that could shake the on-the-fence fans off pretty quickly.
With the return of Josh Beckett in a winning effort in Seattle, Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek working vigorously to get back to full health, and now the return of Victor Martinez, this team may not have to make the big splash that fans are begging for.
After torturing ourselves over the weekend by watching the Red ...READ MORE!
Published on July 26, 2010 See Comment(s)
Remember me? by Jared Carrabis
Josh Beckett refreshes Red Sox fans’ memories
Having been out of action since May 18, the number-two overall pick in the 1999 amateur draft made his return to the mound.
A well-rested Josh Beckett toed the rubber in the second game of a four-game set against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. At first, the right-hander appeared to be a tad bit rusty, as Ichiro Suzuki reached first on an infield single in the bottom of the first. After the twenty-third stolen base of the year by Suzuki, the Japanese-born right fielder came home with Seattle’s first run on an RBI ground-rule double off the bat of Jose Lopez.
After the 25-pitch first inning for Beckett, the right-hander was locked in, as he did not allow a run for the remainder of his outing.
In the top of the fourth with two outs, Kevin Youkilis knocked a base hit into left field to keep the inning alive. The next batter, Adrian Beltre, cranked an RBI double out towards the gap in left-center to tie the game at one.
The double for Beltre was his team-leading 28th tw...READ MORE!
Published on July 24, 2010 See Comment(s)
A win's a win by Jared Carrabis
Near no-hitter turns into bullpen meltdown, then a win in extras
Just when you thought you had seen it all from this Red Sox team, BOOM! They hit you with something like this.
The unlikeliest of no-hit candidates, entering the night with the highest WHIP in the Red Sox’ rotation (1.58), John Lackey wowed us all with a remarkable performance on Thursday night in Seattle.
The burly right-hander did, however, allow a second-inning run when Milton Bradley made a unique trip around the bases. Reaching first after a five-pitch walk, Bradley swiped second base for his seventh steal of the season, advanced to third on a ground out, and crossing home on a passed ball charged to Kevin Cash.
The unearned run would be the only blemish to Lackey’s near-perfect outing. While Lackey was busy putting up zeros, the Red Sox bats were busy doing work against Seattle starter Ryan Rowland-Smith.
With Mike Cameron aboard with a leadoff double, Bill Hall ripped an 0-1 changeup over the wall in center for a two-run blast. Later in the inning, David Ort...READ MORE!
Published on July 23, 2010 See Comment(s)
SoxSpace Book Review: by Jared Carrabis
Born to Play: My Life in the Game by Dustin Pedroia
I’m going to try out a new feature on SoxSpace and start doing book reviews.
I graduated high school three years ago, and made it all the way through all four years without ever reading a book. I guess that’s because forcing students to read something that they don’t want to read is never going to end well.
Anyway, since I graduated, I picked up reading baseball books as a hobby during the off-season to keep me from going insane when there was no baseball to be watched or played. I’ve enjoyed it so much that, despite a busy schedule, I’ve continued to read baseball books during the regular season.
I liked this most recent book that I read so much that it inspired me to start doing book reviews here on SoxSpace. Who would have thought!
The book is called Born To Play: My Life In the Game, by Dustin Pedroia, with Edward J. Delaney.
When had first gotten word that Pedroia was coming out with a book, I immediately preordered a copy, and had it in my hands on the fir...READ MORE!
Published on July 22, 2010 See Comment(s)
For Scott by Guest Blog
A special tribute to a great Sox fan
Most of you remember the line from Fever Pitch when one of Ben's students asks, "You love the Red Sox, but have they ever loved you back?"
Well, I will let you be the judge.
On Father’s Day weekend, thirty members of The Triangle Red Sox Nation (from North Carolina) made the trip up to Fenway to catch a couple of games. The trip had been planned weeks in advance by Sean Bunn, the state’s RSN Governor, and was highly anticipated by us all. Unfortunately, a couple of days before departing for Boston, we all found out that one of our members, Scott Davenport, who had been battling cancer for over three years, could no longer make the trip up due to a sudden decline in health.
Sean, one of Scott's close friends, was sharing this whole story with someone on the plane when an individual with NESN connections seated close to him overheard the conversation, and offered to help.
That night, as Manny Ramirez made his return to the Fens, Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy gave a gre...READ MORE!
Published on July 22, 2010 See Comment(s)
No beisbol, more mango trees for Pedro by Jared Carrabis
Pedro Martinez says he won't be pitching in 2010
(MLB.com) -- It turns out Pedro Martinez will not be pitching in the Major Leagues this year. But the potential Hall of Famer isn't calling it a career just yet, either. Martinez's agent, Fernando Cuza, told ESPNDeportes.com Wednesday -- less than two weeks before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline -- that his client has opted to sit out the 2010 season, in order to spend more time with his family.
Call me crazy, but I really thought there was a decent chance that the Red Sox would bring back Pedro for one last hurrah.
Have you ever wanted something to happen, but you’re so superstitious that you think that if you think about it, it won’t come true? That’s how I was handling the Pedro situation in 2010.
I knew that he was out there. I knew that the man could still pitch, and with his appearance on Opening Night back on April 4, I also knew that the b...READ MORE!
Published on July 21, 2010 See Comment(s)
Ya done good, kid by Jared Carrabis
Daniel Nava optioned back to Pawtucket, Hermida activated
(WEEI.com) -- Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava told reporters in Oakland that he had been optioned back to Triple-A Pawtucket following his club's loss to the Athletics on Wednesday. The outfielder, who became the second player in baseball history to hit a grand slam on the first pitch he saw in his big league career, was sent back to the PawSox in order to clear a roster spot for Jeremy Hermida.
See that handsome guy in the white shorts? That’s me. That ball that Manny Delcarmen is about leap into the air and catch; that’s Daniel Nava’s first major league hit, a grand slam on the first pitch he ever saw in the major leagues.
I was sitting in the bleachers that day with the DeFrino family. If you read my book, it’s the same family that took me to the old Yankee Stadium for the first time. They spoil me; I know.
Anyway, it was a really gross day that day. It was rain...READ MORE!
Published on July 21, 2010 See Comment(s)
Remy to stay with NESN by Jared Carrabis
Jerry Remy agrees to multi-year extension with NESN
(ESPNBoston) -- Red Sox color analyst Jerry Remy, who has been in the post for 23 years and will broadcast his 3,000th game on Sunday, has agreed to a multiyear contract extension with NESN, according to the network.
With the recent struggles of the local nine, this is some of the best news to hit Red Sox Nation since Papi took home the Home Run Derby!
On a serious note, I was really happy when I heard this news. For many Red Sox fans, we either never knew, or couldn’t remember what a Red Sox regular season broadcast sounded like without the voice of Jerry Remy until last year.
After battling lung cancer in 2008, and depression in 2009, for most of the 2009 season, Remy was not in the booth that he had occupied for more than two decades.
Despite his bout with depression, Remy still found the time to write the foreword to my bookREAD MORE!
Published on July 21, 2010 See Comment(s)
Buch Nasty by Jared Carrabis
Sloppy outing for Buchholz cost Sox the game, series
Less than 24 hours after having a walk-off win rubbed in their face in extra innings, the Red Sox took another blow courtesy of the Oakland A’s.
Clay Buchholz, who was making his first start since June 26 in San Francisco, showed signs of being a little rusty on the mound. Buchholz entered his start on Wednesday with a mark of 3.7 walks per nine innings. The Boston right-hander walked two of the first four batters he faced in the first inning.
Luckily, none of the runs would cross home, as Buchholz pitched his way out of the inning with a 1-0 lead.
Boston’s first inning run was pushed across when Adrian Beltre knocked one of his three hits on the evening into centerfield to drive in Jed Lowrie, who made his season debut on Wednesday.
Just like the night before, the Red Sox would get out to an early lead, give it up, and not get it back.
The first major league home run of Matt Watson’s career in the second inning tied the score at one, as Jack Cust’s two-run bomb to cen...READ MORE!
Published on July 21, 2010 See Comment(s)
He's no Billy Mays, but... by Jared Carrabis
SoxSpace's Jared Carrabis stars in Sully's 30-second spot
Jared’s Bucket list: Star in a commercial, check.
If you’ve been following SoxSpace since we first entered the blogosphere back on New Years Day 2006, you know that our relationship with Sully’s Brand had connected not long after the first blog post.
When I first started SoxSpace, I was a 16-year-old kid that wanted nothing to do with anything that didn’t have to do with baseball. My first job was at Bob’s Store in Saugus, and the only reason I worked there was for the 20% discount on Red Sox shirts.
While employed at Bob’s, SoxSpace’s relationship consisted of a little contest you may remember, the “SoxSpace Fan of the Week,” which since has turned into the fan of the past year and-a-half because I haven’t updated it.
Anyway, the SoxSpace Fan of the Week ranged from boys to girls, men to women of all ages and location within the world.
I took a night class at North Shore Community College, and somehow it was mentioned that I ran a Red Sox website. A mot...READ MORE!
Published on July 20, 2010 See Comment(s)
West coast swing by Jared Carrabis
Adrian Beltre's homer proves to be game-winner
Staring a ten-game road trip in the face, the Red Sox started their marathon of road games off on the right foot.
Making his first start of the second half, Daisuke Matsuzaka looked to keep his habit of issuing free passes under control. Why? Because entering Monday night, when Matsuzaka two batters or less this season, he’s 4-0 in four starts. When he walks three or more, he’s 2-3 in eight starts.
Pitching in a scoreless game in the bottom of the third, Matsuzaka hung a 2-2 slider to Rajai Davis that the New England native drilled far enough to be dubbed a round-tripper.
In the top half of the fourth, former Oakland A Eric Patterson stung his old club with a leadoff triple into the gap in right-center. Patterson would stroll in from third on a sacrifice fly by David Ortiz to tie the game at one.
Two batters later, Adrian Beltre swung at a first-pitch changeup from Ben Sheets and mashed it into the seats in left-center field. The homer for Beltre was his fifteenth of the ...READ MORE!
Published on July 20, 2010 See Comment(s)
Are you serious, RSN? by Jared Carrabis
More than half of Sox fans don't think Boston will see October
(Screenshot from Boston.com)
For the record, the question was, "Will the Red Sox make the playoffs?"
What the heck is wrong with this picture? Did I accidentally log on to the site of the Rays' or Yankees' news outlets?
Since when did 5.5 games back become such an overwhelming deficit when there are still 73 games left to play? I mean, really. Have we learned nothing from this year alone?
The Red Sox were 8.5 back on May 23. On June 18, they were a game back of first place, and it only took them 24 games to get there. That's less than a month. The Red Sox still have half of this month, and two whole months after that to gain ground and overtake both the Yankees and the Rays, who let me remind you, have not had anywhere near the same injury problems that the Red Sox have.
The Red Sox were hit with the most injuries in all of baseball, and they're still only 5.5 back of the team with the best record...READ MORE!
Published on July 16, 2010 See Comment(s)
Duquette Vs. Clemens Round II by Jared Carrabis
Dan Duquette expects more evidence to prove Clemens' PED use
(WEEI.com) -- Former Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette, during a conversation Thursday morning on "Sports Buzz" with Butch Stearns, said that he expects more information to come out linking Roger Clemens to performance-enhancing drugs.
This is a topic in baseball that has been beaten to death by ESPN, local news outlets and tabloids.
I, myself, had found that my mind would subconsciously ignore anything Roger Clemens-related on the TV or in the newspaper. We were being fed the same information over and over again, just reworded.
My interest level concerning Clemens’ steroid scandal was at an all-time low. That was until two weeks ago, when I was looking for some new reading material. Naturally, when I'm looking for a new book to read, I put my blinders on and walk straight to the baseball section. That’s when I came across READ MORE!
Published on July 15, 2010 See Comment(s)
No mourning from Space by Jared Carrabis
Bill Lee on Steinbrenner: 'If hell freezes over, he'll be skating'
This is just a guess, but I don't think former Red Sox left-hander Bill Lee likes George Steinbrenner very much.
When asked for his thoughts on the death of the legendary Yankee owner, Lee responded by saying, "As far as Steinbrenner's passing...good."
Lee, known for his crazy antics long before the days of Manny Ramirez and Julian Tavarez, continued to say, "I used to have nightmares about him. I was hallucinating one time, and I thought he came into my hotel room window, and then I realized I didn't have any windows. And I was on, like, the 38th floor."
Hallucinating on what, Bill? I'm sure that's a question for another day.
The 119-game winner went on to justify his disliking of the Boss. "Steinbrenner tried to have me banned from baseball," Lee said. "He said I was incompetent, and that I was bad for the game of baseball. Well, I'm not a convicted felon like George Steinbrenner, and he'll take that with him to his grave."
After he had made the comments above, he wa...READ MORE!
Published on July 14, 2010 See Comment(s)
Yes they McCann by Jared Carrabis
McCann's 3-run double gives NL first win in 14 years
I guess this means the Red Sox will just have to win the World Series at home this year.
After fourteen long years, the National League finally defeated the American League Not since the NL boasted a lineup with names like Barry Larkin, Barry Bonds, Fred McGriff and Ozzie Smith has the American League been out-played in an All Star Game.
When you bring the best of the best to the table, certainly you’re going to see one hell of a game. After fourteen consecutive All Star Games without a victory, it only took one big hit to bring an end to the drought.
Trailing 1-0 in the seventh, after a Robinson Cano sacrifice fly represented the game’s lone run, the Atlanta Braves’ Brian McCann stepped in the box with the bases loaded to face the Chicago White Sox’ Matt Thornton.
Thornton, who leads all American League relievers with 49 strikeouts in 36.2 innings, pumped an 0-1 fastball at 98 MPH that McCann ripped down the right field line. When McCann cruised into second base with a d...READ MORE!
Published on July 14, 2010 See Comment(s)
Ortiz: 'I don't want one year' by Jared Carrabis
David Ortiz wants a multi-year extension
(ESPNBoston.com) -- David Ortiz insisted he has not talked about his contract with the Red Sox, but on Monday, Boston's All-Star DH sounded like a man certain of his future. Never mind the option the Red Sox hold on his 2011 contract. Ortiz wants an extension.
What’s that line by George Thorogood? One drink ain't enough, Jack, you better make it three.
Let me be the first to say that this “hot topic” is making headlines about a year and a half too soon. The 4-year, $52 million contract that David Ortiz signed back in April of 2006, which paid Boston’s lefty slugger $12.5 million annually, includes a $12.5 million option for the 2011 season.
The chances of the Red Sox extending Ortiz this winter, which would void his option for 2011, are very unlikely.
The going rate for designated hitters isn’t what it was when Ortiz inked his current four-year deal. This past winter, World Series MVP Hideki ...READ MORE!
Published on July 13, 2010 See Comment(s)
Rest in peace, Boss by Jared Carrabis
George Steinbrenner passes away at the age of 80
I'm going to take you back to the year 1999.
I was just a ten-year-old Red Sox fan, living ten minutes outside of Boston. Behind the masterful pitching of Pedro Martinez, tossing six no-hit innings in the clinching game of the American League Division Series, my Red Sox were playing for the chance to go to the World Series.
The only thing standing in the Red Sox' way of a trip to the Fall Classic were the defending World Series Champions, the New York Yankees.
To the displeasure of Red Sox fans, the Boston's run in the American League Championship Series was short-lived, as Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera stomped out the Sox' World Series dreams.
With a broken heart and tears in my eyes, I watched the Yankees celebrate on the field at Fenway. Devastated that baseball had been taken away from me for six long months, I looked up at my dad and said, "I can't wait until the day George Steinbrenner dies."
I felt cheated. I felt robbed, and I had been so...READ MORE!
Published on July 13, 2010 See Comment(s)
The King of Swing by Jared Carrabis
David Ortiz claims his first Home Run Derby crown
He’s too old; his bat speed is gone; he’s washed up; his power has diminished.
Now his critics have one more thing to add to their list: 2010 Home Run Derby Champion.
Competing among the likes of some of the premiere power hitters in the game such as Miguel Cabrera, Matt Holliday, and Hanley Ramirez, David Ortiz stood the tallest. Bringing his booming bat with him to Anaheim to compete in his fourth Home Run Derby, Ortiz sank his doubters lower and lower into their chairs with each mighty swing that he took.
After blasting 18 homers in the first half, Ortiz wowed the crowd at Angel Stadium, ripping eight long balls in the first round, punching his ticket to the second round.
Joining Ortiz in round number two were the likeliest of candidates, Miguel Cabrera, Cory Hart and former Red Sox farmhand, Hanley Ramirez. After a weak showing from Hart – no homers, after hitting 12 in the first round – and Miguel Cabrera, who mustered five homers on top of his seven first-round shot...READ MORE!
Published on July 12, 2010 See Comment(s)
All Star Lame? by Jared Carrabis
Should the All Star Game count?
The most non-steroid related question of the Bud Selig era: Should the All Star Game count?
It's a simple question, really. But it comes with several responses and poses more questions, rather than resolving any major issues. In my opinion, the All Star Game should not determine home field advantage in the World Series. From a marketing standpoint, does it get more people to watch the game? Possibly. Does it get players to try harder? Perhaps.
Despite all that, most think that the All Star Game shouldn't need that stipulation for the game's best to step their game up, and for the fans of baseball to tune in.
Had it not been for the ninth inning clutch hitting of Michael Young, who knocked a two-out triple in the last inning of the 2006 mid-summer Classic, the 83-win St. Louis Cardinals would have had home field advantage over the 95-win Detroit Tigers.
A team with 83 wins has no business making the playoffs, never mind getting home field advantage in the World Series.
...READ MORE!
Published on July 12, 2010 See Comment(s)
Snap, crackle and pop! by Jared Carrabis
Everybody's favorite SoxSpace segment: the injury blog!
(ESPNBoston.com) -- Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre is confident he’ll be fine, but said it’s too early to tell whether or not he’ll be able to play in the All-Star game after he strained his left hamstring on Sunday at Rogers Centre.
Snap! goes the ribs of Jacoby Ellsbury and Jeremy Hermida. Crack! goes the feet of Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek, and Pop! goes the thumb of Victor Martinez and the hamstring of Adrian Beltre.
Running out a grounder to short the same way he always does -- hard -- Beltre felt a "pop" in his hamstring before stepping on first base.
"I wasn’t going to come out if the game was 0-0. It was a little easier when we got the lead," Beltre said. "It's tough to tell because I thought it was going to be worse. It felt like something was going to pop and every time I curled my legs I got a cramp on it. Hopefully tomorrow it feel...READ MORE!
Published on July 12, 2010 See Comment(s)
All Star broke by Jared Carrabis
Bruised, broken and battered Sox hobble to AS break with win
Seems like just yesterday I was sitting in the bleachers for Opening Day.
Before the Red Sox could reach the mid-way point, they first had to deal with the Toronto Blue Jays one last time. Though it was nine inning until the break, the Sox’ bats seemed to have already been on break for the first six frames of the series finale.
Jays starter Jesse Litsch was making just his sixth start of the season when he held the Red Sox hitless through the first five and-two-thirds innings.
With two outs in the fifth, former Blue Jay, Marco Scutaro rocked a double out to center field for Boston’s first hit of the ballgame. A batter later, Darnell McDonald squared up a 3-1 changeup and cranked it over the wall in left for a two-run homer.
Batting behind McDonald, David Ortiz fell behind in the count 1-2, before smashing a slider deep into the right field corner. Getting his work in before Monday night’s Home Run Derby, Ortiz’s home run was his eighteenth of the season.
In the shadow ...READ MORE!
Published on July 12, 2010 See Comment(s)
Hall Monitor by Jared Carrabis
It's time for Bill Hall to get some credit around here
At no point this season has Bill Hall’s batting average been higher than .253.
To get to his peak average of .253, Hall had to have a monster day at the plate on June 3, when the right-hander went 4-for-5 with a pair of singles, a double and a long home run to center in the ninth inning.
I remember that day perfectly, because that was the day that I met Bill Hall.
While some Red Sox – that will go unnamed – blew some fans off, and ignored the calls of many, Hall made an effort to shake every extended hand, and stop for a picture with every enthusiastic fan.
That day, Hall was nothing more than a bench player for the Red Sox. Today, he joins the likes of Darnell McDonald, Daniel Nava and Kevin Cash as the players who are responsible for keeping this team within striking distance of a playoff spot, while the every-day starters heal their slew of injuries.
It’s been a rocky road to this point for Hall, as his spent parts of 2009 with the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate in Nas...READ MORE!
Published on July 10, 2010 See Comment(s)
Boston Patriots by Jared Carrabis
Sox score two TDs, hold Toronto to a field goal in win
I know I wasn’t the first and won’t be the last to use this line, but where were all these runs in the Tampa series?
On paper, despite the lack of offense that the Red Sox walked into Toronto with, the advantage goes to the team with Jon Lester on the mound, no matter who is batting behind him.
After scoring eleven runs all series, suffering a three-game sweep to the Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox offense came out in full force on Friday night at the Rogers Centre. An RBI base hit by Mike Cameron opened up the scoring in the to of the second, followed by a two-run blast to right-center field off the bat of Bill Hall.
In the next inning, the first six out of seven batters would reach base, thanks to three walks, two singles, and an E3. After the second out had been recorded – eight batters into the inning – Kevin Cash worked a six-pitch walk, as back-to-back singles by Marco Scutaro and Darnell McDonald, who were both 2-for-2 in the inning, brought home two more runs.
In the ...READ MORE!
Published on July 09, 2010 See Comment(s)
Paging Mr. Ellsbury by Jared Carrabis
Kevin Youkilis calls out Jacoby Ellsbury
(NESN.com) -- Fans and Boston media have made a big deal about Jacoby Ellsbury's extended absence from the Red Sox as he recovers from rib injuries, but no players commented on the situation. Until Friday. Speaking to reporters in Toronto, Kevin Youkilis -- who clearly played hurt Wednesday night in Tampa Bay -- said he and his teammates wish Ellsbury was with them. "The one thing I say," Youkilis said, "is there's a lot of guys here that are hurt and supporting the team, and we wish Jacoby was here supporting us, too."
I have a feeling that Youk's words are going to be taken out of context.
If you have the impression that Kevin Youkilis wants Jacoby Ellsbury to "suck it up" and play injured, then you've got this one all wrong. The way I interpreted this one was that Youkilis simply wants Ellsbury to be around with the team.
If you look at guys like ...READ MORE!
Published on July 09, 2010 See Comment(s)
Yankees are 'livid' by Jared Carrabis
Cliff Lee traded to Rangers, not Yankees
(MLBTradeRumors) -- 4:47pm: The Yankees, not surprisingly, are livid with the Mariners, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The Yanks thought they had a deal, but the Mariners told the Rangers they could have Lee if they included Smoak and there went the Yankees' hopes of getting Lee.
What a turn of events!
In light of Lebron James joining D-Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami last night, and the news that a Cliff Lee to New York trade was "imminent," I was in the middle of writing a post about how super teams are bad for their respective sports.
Then, BAM! The Yankees lost out of their coveted lefty starter -- that they're more than likely just going to sign this winter when Lee hits free agency -- and all is well in the world again, because I could care less about basketball.
Nothing put a smile on my face more than reading this tweet:
READ MORE!
Published on July 09, 2010 See Comment(s)
Perhaps, a blessing in disguise by Jared Carrabis
Nick Swisher named to All Star team over Kevin Youkilis
(Image courtesy of Sully's Brand)
As if we needed to see another pinstriped player on the All Star team, Nick Swisher was voted in over Kevin Youkilis to participate in his first ever All Star Game.
It took 9.8 million votes for Swisher to top Youkilis in what was the closest margin of victory in the nine years that the Final Vote has been held for the last spot on the All Star team's roster.
Red Sox fans could consider this to be a blessing in disguise, as Youkilis' recent injury scare nearly had half of Red Sox Nation lining up on the Tobin. The All Star break could provide Youkilis, as well as many other banged up Red Sox, with some much-needed rest before the second half.
"I just wanted to thank all of Red Sox Nation out there that voted," Youkilis said on WEEI. "Even if I fall short, it was still fun."
Regardless, first thing's first: Youkilis deserved this spot over Swisher, without question. It may seem b...READ MORE!
Published on July 08, 2010 See Comment(s)
A plead for Ortiz by Jared Carrabis
Ortiz wants to retire in Boston. What do you think?
(BostonHerald.com) -- "Hopefully, we'll talk," Ortiz told Herald colleague John Tomase before last night’s game. "They know what my feelings are about staying around and playing here and hanging them up with the Red Sox. It’s not like I'm planning to retire right now, but you know what I’m saying. This is home to me. I’ve been in this organization for years and I’ve been well known here. I understand when you’ve got to go somewhere else. This is about producing. That’s why I’ve been here all these years. That’s what I do. We'll see."
At the end of April, David Ortiz was hitting .143 with 21 strikeouts in 56 at-bats, meaning that Boston’s mighty slugger struck out 38% of the time in the first month of the season.
In what was arguably one of the most depressing things I’ve ever seen on a baseball field during a major league game, Ortiz h...READ MORE!
Published on July 08, 2010 See Comment(s)
Youk-an't stop him by Jared Carrabis
Youkilis expects to play Wednesday, despite injuring ankle
(WEEI.com) -- Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis said after his team's 3-2 loss to the Rays Tuesday night that despite having to leave the game in the top of the fourth inning with what the team classified as a "right ankle pain" he expects to be ready to play in the series finale Wednesday night.
He's no Carl Pavano; that's for sure.
After being removed from the action on Tuesday night, leaving Red Sox Nation in disbelief yet again, Kevin Youkilis announced after the game that he fully expects to see his name on the lineup card on Wednesday night.
The injury didn’t look all too good to those who have injured their Achilles tendon before, as Youkilis appeared to be reaching for that region of his ankle. Fortunately for him, as well as the whole team for that matter, Youkilis described his “injury” as a “severe cramp.”
"The whole time in the field I was just ...READ MORE!
Published on July 07, 2010 See Comment(s)
Futures at T-Bay by Jared Carrabis
Paw Sox lose one-run battle to Rays
Less than a week ago, Jon Lester said that things couldn’t possibly get any worse for the Red Sox.
When will we ever learn not to provoke the Baseball Gods?
At the conclusion of the third inning, Kevin Youkilis headed towards the Red Sox dugout with an apparent limp. Before Youkilis could begin his at-bat to start the fourth, the first baseman appeared to be in some pain, took a knee and started to favor his right ankle.
An image all too familiar to Red Sox fans, a former All Star on the ground with Terry Francona and trainers hovering, followed by a removal from the game.
At the time of Youkilis’ injury, the game was in a scoreless tie, but an RBI base hit by Jason Bartlett in the bottom of the third would change that.
Getting the call up from Pawtucket, Felix Doubront pitched well enough to win, but lacked the necessary run support. Doubront pitched his way into the sixth, recording the first two outs but departed with a one-run game leaning in favor of the Rays.
...READ MORE!
Published on July 07, 2010 See Comment(s)
Demolition Derby by Jared Carrabis
David Ortiz returns to Home Run Derby on Monday
(ESPNBoston.com) -- Six All-Star players have committed to participate in the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday. Representing the American League are the Red Sox's David Ortiz, the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera, the Yankees' Robinson Cano and the Jays' Vernon Wells.
What's an All Star Game without Stan Musial, and what's a Home Run Derby without David Ortiz?
Ortiz, who will be returning to the State Farm Home Run Derby for the first time since 2006, has 17 home runs in 2010. One of his seventeen homers just so happens to be the only ball that has been crushed into McCovey Cove all year long, and it’s worth noting that it was off of back-to-back Cy Young Award-winner, Tim Lincecum.
The big lefty slugger made his Home Run Derby debut in 2004, but in disappointing fashion. Ortiz was one-and-done,...READ MORE!
Published on July 06, 2010 See Comment(s)
The view from behind by Jared Carrabis
Sox squander four-run lead in loss to Rays, slip back into third place
David Ortiz has a saying, "It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish."
With Daisuke Matsuzaka, it has been, “We know how you’ll start, but no idea how you’ll finish.
Many believe that there has to be something wrong with the way that Matsuzaka prepares for his starts. The evidence is right there in his numbers. Entering Monday night, Matsuzaka had an ERA of 12.60 in the first inning this season. That’s 10 innings, 56 plate appearances, 14 walks, 15 hits and 14 earned runs.
Opponents were hitting .366, getting on base at a .518 clip and slugging .537 heading into Monday night’s start, and the numbers would only rise against the Rays.
The first batter that Matsuzaka faced, Ben Zobrist, walked on seven pitches to open the right-hander’s outing. Matsuzaka would allow an RBI double and another walk before the inning came to a close.
If you remove his numbers in the first inning and calculate his ERA from innings two through eight, as he has not yet pitched into the ninth ...READ MORE!
Published on July 06, 2010 See Comment(s)
All Stars, but no starts by Jared Carrabis
The Red Sox will be heavily represented at ASG
(NESN.com) -- Six players will represent the Red Sox in the 2010 All-Star Game, though none of them earned a spot in the starting lineup, determined by fan votes.
Despite the fact that six members of the Red Sox are All Star bound, none of them will on the field in the top of the first when the best of the best in the American League takes the field.
Bias aside, I think the fans voted quite fairly, but there are some snubs that I’d like to pick at.
Joe Mauer is a no-brainer behind the plate, batting .303 to lead all AL catchers, and his teammate Justin Morneau has a slight edge over at first base, batting .344 with 17 HR and 51 RBI. As much as I like Miguel Cabrera (.339, 20 HR, 59 RBI), I voted Morneau, with Miggy as a close second. Regardless of Morneau getting the start, Cabrera is my pick for All Star Game MVP.
At second base, although it pains me to say, Robinso...READ MORE!
Published on July 05, 2010 See Comment(s)
No hits when it Matusz by Jared Carrabis
Sox go 0-for-6 with RISP in losing effort
With a chance to break out the brooms on America’s birthday, the Red Sox sent nine-game winner John Lackey to the mound.
Lackey pitched well, but he was certainly upstaged by the young Baltimore lefty, Brian Matusz. Regardless of only having two victories on the season, 23-year-old Matusz took it to the Red Sox on Sunday. Having not won since April 18, Matusz looked like he easily could have been gunning for his tenth win as well.
For seven innings, Matusz held the Red Sox to just two hits over seven scoreless frames. The left-hander also punched out eight Boston batters en route to his third win of the season.
The Orioles broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth, when Lackey fired a wild pitch in the dirt, allowing Nick Markakis to come in from third. Baltimore later added a second run on an RBI single by Scott Moore.
In a 2-0 ballgame, Lackey headed out to the mound in the top of the eighth. A lead-off double by Miguel Tejada, a single by Markakis and an E6 charge...READ MORE!
Published on July 04, 2010 See Comment(s)
O's worst enemy by Jared Carrabis
Jon Lester improves to 12-0 vs. O's, 10-3 on season
Domination (n.) -- Control or power over another or others. See: Jon Lester versus the Baltimore Orioles.
Unbeaten at 11-0 lifetime against the birds of Baltimore, Jon Lester took to the mound on Saturday night, looking to make it an even dozen. With Lester on the bump, this game was essentially over after the first.
A single, a walk and three doubles by Kevin Youkilis, JD Drew and Daniel Nava had four runs on the board in the first go-around.
After a lead-off single by David Ortiz in the fifth, Youkilis, again, came to the plate, looking to do some damage. With the count even at two, Youkilis got the slider from O’s starter Jeremy Guthrie and knocked it over the wall in left for a two-run homer.
The Red Sox went on to add three more runs in the eighth, capped by an RBI double by Ortiz, as the nine runs that Boston pushed across were plenty for Lester.
Hurling 100 pitches even, the left-hander carved through the Orioles’ lineup for seven innings, allowing just one run...READ MORE!
Published on July 03, 2010 See Comment(s)
Better late than Nava by Jared Carrabis
Daniel Nava enters game as pinch hitter, delivers game-winning RBI in 8th
Thank God for the Baltimore Orioles.
Less than 24 hours before first pitch, the Red Sox had lost two more players to the black hole that has been the disabled list this season. With Jason Varitek and Manny Delcarmen joining the likes of Dustin Pedroia and Victor Martinez, the Red Sox once again had to step it up in all areas of the game to compensate for the absences of key players.
Tim Wakefield’s 2-5 record may not have struck fear into the hearts of the Orioles, but on any given night, the veteran knuckleballer can give you more than just a quality outing. On Friday night, he did just that.
With Kevin Cash behind the plate with the Red Sox for the first time since September 28, 2008, Wakefield took to the mound at Fenway in the top of the first for the 201st time in his career.
Entering Friday, Cash had caught Wakefield 35 times in his career, with Wakefield logging an ERA of 4.35 in 204.2 innings. After retiring the side in order in the first, their relationship had b...READ MORE!
Published on July 03, 2010 See Comment(s)
The Red Sox DL Fantasy Team by Jared Carrabis
Having fun, where there's not much fun to be had
All right, so since the injury situation here in Boston has been so ridiculous, it's time for a ridiculous blog post...because I have lost my mind.
There are so many Red Sox players on the disabled list, that you can literally field an entire team, and a good one at that.
Catcher: The latest acquisition made by the Red Sox DL Fantasy Team is none other than the team captain, Jason Varitek. Fouling a pitch off his foot, Varitek joins the DL squad for 4-6 weeks. After hitting .209 this past season, Varitek has adjusted to becoming Boston’s backup catcher quite nicely, getting off to a .263/.324/.547 start with 7 HR and 16 RBI in 34 games.
First base: Coming out of the crouch position, Victor Martinez gets the start at first. Martinez makes this team after fracturing his thumb in the series finale against the San Francisco Giants. He is expected to be out of action ‘til after the All Star break, and luckily, his injury will not require surgery. Martinez was puttin...READ MORE!
Published on July 02, 2010 See Comment(s)
Down goes the Captain by Jared Carrabis
Jason Varitek pulls a Pedey, breaks foot, out 4-6 weeks
(WBZTV.com) -- A major league source tells WBZ-TV's Dan Roche Thursday night that Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek could miss 4-6 weeks due to a leg injury. It's believed that it may be a broken foot.
Originally reported by Dan Roche over at WBZ, Jason Varitek will miss six weeks with a broken foot.
At this point, things have gotten a little ridiculous. Varitek will join list, longer than Manny’s hair, of Red Sox who are currently on the disabled list.
They’ve won without Josh Beckett. They’ve won without Dustin Pedroia and Victor Martinez, but it has been a very small sample size of games to promise that this team can grind out the rest of the first half, without a third of their starting lineup and half of their bench.
Varitek, who fouled a pitch off of his foot during Wednesday’s loss to the Rays, was an injury that some Red Sox fans deemed impossible. There were some Red Sox fans who witnesse...READ MORE!
Published on July 02, 2010 See Comment(s)
That explains a lot... by Jared Carrabis
Manny Delcarmen heads to DL with forearm strain
(ESPNBoston.com) -- The Red Sox aren't waiting for Manny Delcarmen to be examined by team doctor Thomas Gill. They informed the pitcher that he is being placed on the 15-day disabled list with what they're calling a forearm strain.
24 hours after being knocked around the yard by the Tampa Bay Rays, and failing to record an out after facing five batters, Manny Delcarmen is the latest member of the Red Sox to wind up on the infamous 15-day disabled list.
It's hard to believe that just one month ago, Delcarmen led all American League relievers with a .128 opponents batting average.
In the right-hander's last three appearances, he has faced fourteen batters and has only recorded three outs. With opponents hitting a whopping .750 against Delcarmen in his last three outings, his ERA has ballooned from the 2.23 that it was on June 22, to the 4.59 that it currently sits at.
That's what happens when yo...READ MORE!
Published on July 01, 2010 See Comment(s)
Sox Cash in by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox re-acquire Kevin Cash from Astros
(WEEI.com) -- The Red Sox announced that they have re-acquired catcher Kevin Cash from the Astros in exchange for infielder Angel Sanchez. Cash was knuckleballer Tim Wakefield’s catcher for all of the 2008 season.
In 73 games, spanning the 2007 and 2008 season, Kevin Cash hit .207 with 3 homer and 19 RBI in his last stint with the Red Sox.
Not known for his offensive prowess, Cash was designated for assignment this past week by the Houston Astros. Before being DFA'd, Cash had been hitting .204 in 20 games for Houston.
Cash has thrown out 21% of base runners this season, and 31% for his career....READ MORE!
Published on July 01, 2010 See Comment(s)
The King of Clutch hits another walk-off in thrilling Red Sox victory
After suffering one of the most devastating losses in recent memory, leave it to David Ortiz to turn that frown upside down.
Similar to how the Red Sox had performed the night before, the Boston offense got off to a painfully slow start, as the Tigers’ offense built a respectable lead early.
With Daisuke Matsuzaka on the mound, the major league RBI leader looked to add to his impressive total. Second in the American League in homers, Miguel Cabrera annihilated a Matsuzaka fastball offering that ended up somewhere in Kenmore Square.
Allowing RBI hits in with second and fourth inning, the Red Sox quickly found themselves in a 4-0 hole. Tigers’ starter Max Scherzer held the Red Sox scoreless into the sixth inning, as he came out for the seventh with a four-run lead.
With Adrian Beltre on base with a single, Bill Hall became desperate to get something going for the Red Sox, as he tried to stretch his base hit into a double, but was unsuccessful in doing so.
Making his majo...READ MORE!
Published on July 31, 2010 See Comment(s)
Red Sox acquire Jarrod Saltalamacchia by Jared Carrabis
Wheelin' and dealin', Theo gets his man
(Dan Roche on Twitter) -- Source: Sox acquire C Jarrod Saltalamacchia #redsox #mlb #wbztv #wbz
According to multiple reports on Twitter, the Red Sox have finally dealt for long sought-after catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Drafted out of high school by the Atlanta Braves, Saltalamacchia later found himself as the centerpiece of the deal that sent Mark Teixeira from the Texas Rangers to the Atlanta Braves.
The 25-year-old has experienced some injuries in recent years that has hurt his development into a premiere catcher, but in 240 major league games, Saltalamacchia hits at .251/.313/.388, all numbers that could be worked on.
Defensively, he has thrown out 21% of base runners in his career, which is right in the same ballpark as Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek at this stage of their careers.
The cost of acquiring Saltalamacchia were Roman Mendez, Chris McGuinness, a player to be named later, and cash....READ MORE!
Published on July 31, 2010 See Comment(s)
Frustration Nation by Jared Carrabis
Picking apart every detail of Friday's failure
If I had to put all of my emotions into one word following Friday night’s loss, I wouldn’t be able to do it.
I honestly don’t know where to start my attempt to vent all of my frustrations to whomever chooses to read this. It’s literally to the point where I could write everything down on paper that pissed me off tonight, put them in a hat, and select in draft lottery fashion which topics to blog about here.
Jon Lester’s outing: I don’t know what was on Jon Lester’s mind on Friday night, but it couldn’t have been baseball. The guy is just flat out too good to give up a career-high eleven hits to a team that’s one game over .500, who just so happen to have a ridiculous amount of injured position players as well. It just doesn’t happen. So my frustrations start there.
Jhonny Peralta? Really?: Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen hit the disabled list for Detroit, which forced their hand to minor league pitcher Giovanni Soto to the Indians, in exchange for Jhonny Peralt...READ MORE!
Published on July 31, 2010 See Comment(s)
Grand finale by Jared Carrabis
Four homers power Sox to sweep over Angels
Eyeing their first win over the Red Sox in seven tries this season, the Angels suffered a loss before a pitch had even been thrown.
Angels’ starter Joel Pineiro suffered an oblique injury just before his scheduled start, which forced right-handed reliever Scot Shields to make an emergency start in his place. Having not made a major league start since 2003, things got messy rather quickly for Shields.
With one away in the top of the second, Adrian Beltre clobbered a 1-0 fastball into the bleachers in left-center for a solo blast.
Two batters later, Bill Hall battled for seven pitches before getting all of a 3-2 fastball, and wrapping it around the left field foul pole for a solo homer of his own.
Josh Beckett, making his second start since coming off the DL, would invite the Angels back into the game in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and runners at first and second, Bobby Wilson hooked a base hit into left that brought home Hideki Matsui.
The next batter, Reggi...READ MORE!
Published on July 29, 2010 See Comment(s)
Lack-attack by Jared Carrabis
John Lackey shuts down former team in bulldog effort
Returning to his roots for the first time since the 2009 American League Championship Series, John Lackey reminded Angels’ fans what they were missing out on.
Matched up against the majors’ strikeout leader, Jered Weaver, Lackey went inning-for-inning in terms of shutting down the Angels’ offense, the same way that the Halos’ righty was shutting down Boston’s offense.
Since his arrival to the American League from the Phillies to the Yankees in 2006, Bobby Abreu has been a thorn in the Red Sox’ side. On Tuesday night, he would continue that trend.
Taking the mound to what sounded like mostly boos in the bottom of the first, Lackey punched out Abreu looking, but would not be so fortunate the next time the two would meet.
With a runner aboard in the bottom of the third, Abreu hit a rocket of a double that hit high off the wall in right to drive in the game’s first run.
Silencing the Red Sox’ offense for nearly his entire outing was Weaver, who struck out eight batters on ...READ MORE!
Published on July 28, 2010 See Comment(s)
Papi power by Jared Carrabis
David Ortiz homers twice in Red Sox win
It’s like the home run derby never ended.
Having not homered since winning the Home Run Derby in Anaheim over the All Star break, David Ortiz belted his nineteenth home run of the season in the series finale out in Seattle.
There had been some chatter that Ortiz screwed up his swing in the derby, and that’s why he wasn’t hitting home runs. Well, I think Ortiz put it best when he said (and I’m paraphrasing here), “How can I screw up my swing in a Home Run Derby when all I try to do is hit home runs?” Valid point made.
With Clay Buchholz on the mound for his second start since returning from injury, 2005 Home Run Derby-winner Bobby Abreu got a 1-1 changeup from the right-hander and hammered it over the wall in right-center for a solo shot.
Trailing by a run in the top of the second, Victor Martinez came to the plate for Boston for the first time since being placed on the disabled list, after suffering a broken thumb in the series finale at San Francisco. Facing the newly ac...READ MORE!
Published on July 26, 2010 See Comment(s)
Health is on the way by Jared Carrabis
Victor Martinez returns to Red Sox tonight in Anaheim
(Scott Lauber on Twitter) -- As expected, Victor Martinez will be activated from disabled list before tonight's game. Dusty Brown optioned to Pawtucket. #RedSox
If you haven't heard, ratings on NESN are down 36%.
Apparently nobody wants to dedicated three hours a night to watching a makeshift baseball team. It's almost as if you're a NASCAR fan. Would you still watch your favorite driver if he was out there competing against the best in a go-cart held together by duct tape and crazy glue?
I'm sure the diehards would remain, but that could shake the on-the-fence fans off pretty quickly.
With the return of Josh Beckett in a winning effort in Seattle, Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek working vigorously to get back to full health, and now the return of Victor Martinez, this team may not have to make the big splash that fans are begging for.
After torturing ourselves over the weekend by watching the Red ...READ MORE!
Published on July 26, 2010 See Comment(s)
Remember me? by Jared Carrabis
Josh Beckett refreshes Red Sox fans’ memories
Having been out of action since May 18, the number-two overall pick in the 1999 amateur draft made his return to the mound.
A well-rested Josh Beckett toed the rubber in the second game of a four-game set against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. At first, the right-hander appeared to be a tad bit rusty, as Ichiro Suzuki reached first on an infield single in the bottom of the first. After the twenty-third stolen base of the year by Suzuki, the Japanese-born right fielder came home with Seattle’s first run on an RBI ground-rule double off the bat of Jose Lopez.
After the 25-pitch first inning for Beckett, the right-hander was locked in, as he did not allow a run for the remainder of his outing.
In the top of the fourth with two outs, Kevin Youkilis knocked a base hit into left field to keep the inning alive. The next batter, Adrian Beltre, cranked an RBI double out towards the gap in left-center to tie the game at one.
The double for Beltre was his team-leading 28th tw...READ MORE!
Published on July 24, 2010 See Comment(s)
A win's a win by Jared Carrabis
Near no-hitter turns into bullpen meltdown, then a win in extras
Just when you thought you had seen it all from this Red Sox team, BOOM! They hit you with something like this.
The unlikeliest of no-hit candidates, entering the night with the highest WHIP in the Red Sox’ rotation (1.58), John Lackey wowed us all with a remarkable performance on Thursday night in Seattle.
The burly right-hander did, however, allow a second-inning run when Milton Bradley made a unique trip around the bases. Reaching first after a five-pitch walk, Bradley swiped second base for his seventh steal of the season, advanced to third on a ground out, and crossing home on a passed ball charged to Kevin Cash.
The unearned run would be the only blemish to Lackey’s near-perfect outing. While Lackey was busy putting up zeros, the Red Sox bats were busy doing work against Seattle starter Ryan Rowland-Smith.
With Mike Cameron aboard with a leadoff double, Bill Hall ripped an 0-1 changeup over the wall in center for a two-run blast. Later in the inning, David Ort...READ MORE!
Published on July 23, 2010 See Comment(s)
SoxSpace Book Review: by Jared Carrabis
Born to Play: My Life in the Game by Dustin Pedroia
I’m going to try out a new feature on SoxSpace and start doing book reviews.
I graduated high school three years ago, and made it all the way through all four years without ever reading a book. I guess that’s because forcing students to read something that they don’t want to read is never going to end well.
Anyway, since I graduated, I picked up reading baseball books as a hobby during the off-season to keep me from going insane when there was no baseball to be watched or played. I’ve enjoyed it so much that, despite a busy schedule, I’ve continued to read baseball books during the regular season.
I liked this most recent book that I read so much that it inspired me to start doing book reviews here on SoxSpace. Who would have thought!
The book is called Born To Play: My Life In the Game, by Dustin Pedroia, with Edward J. Delaney.
When had first gotten word that Pedroia was coming out with a book, I immediately preordered a copy, and had it in my hands on the fir...READ MORE!
Published on July 22, 2010 See Comment(s)
For Scott by Guest Blog
A special tribute to a great Sox fan
Most of you remember the line from Fever Pitch when one of Ben's students asks, "You love the Red Sox, but have they ever loved you back?"
Well, I will let you be the judge.
On Father’s Day weekend, thirty members of The Triangle Red Sox Nation (from North Carolina) made the trip up to Fenway to catch a couple of games. The trip had been planned weeks in advance by Sean Bunn, the state’s RSN Governor, and was highly anticipated by us all. Unfortunately, a couple of days before departing for Boston, we all found out that one of our members, Scott Davenport, who had been battling cancer for over three years, could no longer make the trip up due to a sudden decline in health.
Sean, one of Scott's close friends, was sharing this whole story with someone on the plane when an individual with NESN connections seated close to him overheard the conversation, and offered to help.
That night, as Manny Ramirez made his return to the Fens, Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy gave a gre...READ MORE!
Published on July 22, 2010 See Comment(s)
No beisbol, more mango trees for Pedro by Jared Carrabis
Pedro Martinez says he won't be pitching in 2010
(MLB.com) -- It turns out Pedro Martinez will not be pitching in the Major Leagues this year. But the potential Hall of Famer isn't calling it a career just yet, either. Martinez's agent, Fernando Cuza, told ESPNDeportes.com Wednesday -- less than two weeks before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline -- that his client has opted to sit out the 2010 season, in order to spend more time with his family.
Call me crazy, but I really thought there was a decent chance that the Red Sox would bring back Pedro for one last hurrah.
Have you ever wanted something to happen, but you’re so superstitious that you think that if you think about it, it won’t come true? That’s how I was handling the Pedro situation in 2010.
I knew that he was out there. I knew that the man could still pitch, and with his appearance on Opening Night back on April 4, I also knew that the b...READ MORE!
Published on July 21, 2010 See Comment(s)
Ya done good, kid by Jared Carrabis
Daniel Nava optioned back to Pawtucket, Hermida activated
(WEEI.com) -- Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava told reporters in Oakland that he had been optioned back to Triple-A Pawtucket following his club's loss to the Athletics on Wednesday. The outfielder, who became the second player in baseball history to hit a grand slam on the first pitch he saw in his big league career, was sent back to the PawSox in order to clear a roster spot for Jeremy Hermida.
See that handsome guy in the white shorts? That’s me. That ball that Manny Delcarmen is about leap into the air and catch; that’s Daniel Nava’s first major league hit, a grand slam on the first pitch he ever saw in the major leagues.
I was sitting in the bleachers that day with the DeFrino family. If you read my book, it’s the same family that took me to the old Yankee Stadium for the first time. They spoil me; I know.
Anyway, it was a really gross day that day. It was rain...READ MORE!
Published on July 21, 2010 See Comment(s)
Remy to stay with NESN by Jared Carrabis
Jerry Remy agrees to multi-year extension with NESN
(ESPNBoston) -- Red Sox color analyst Jerry Remy, who has been in the post for 23 years and will broadcast his 3,000th game on Sunday, has agreed to a multiyear contract extension with NESN, according to the network.
With the recent struggles of the local nine, this is some of the best news to hit Red Sox Nation since Papi took home the Home Run Derby!
On a serious note, I was really happy when I heard this news. For many Red Sox fans, we either never knew, or couldn’t remember what a Red Sox regular season broadcast sounded like without the voice of Jerry Remy until last year.
After battling lung cancer in 2008, and depression in 2009, for most of the 2009 season, Remy was not in the booth that he had occupied for more than two decades.
Despite his bout with depression, Remy still found the time to write the foreword to my bookREAD MORE!
Published on July 21, 2010 See Comment(s)
Buch Nasty by Jared Carrabis
Sloppy outing for Buchholz cost Sox the game, series
Less than 24 hours after having a walk-off win rubbed in their face in extra innings, the Red Sox took another blow courtesy of the Oakland A’s.
Clay Buchholz, who was making his first start since June 26 in San Francisco, showed signs of being a little rusty on the mound. Buchholz entered his start on Wednesday with a mark of 3.7 walks per nine innings. The Boston right-hander walked two of the first four batters he faced in the first inning.
Luckily, none of the runs would cross home, as Buchholz pitched his way out of the inning with a 1-0 lead.
Boston’s first inning run was pushed across when Adrian Beltre knocked one of his three hits on the evening into centerfield to drive in Jed Lowrie, who made his season debut on Wednesday.
Just like the night before, the Red Sox would get out to an early lead, give it up, and not get it back.
The first major league home run of Matt Watson’s career in the second inning tied the score at one, as Jack Cust’s two-run bomb to cen...READ MORE!
Published on July 21, 2010 See Comment(s)
He's no Billy Mays, but... by Jared Carrabis
SoxSpace's Jared Carrabis stars in Sully's 30-second spot
Jared’s Bucket list: Star in a commercial, check.
If you’ve been following SoxSpace since we first entered the blogosphere back on New Years Day 2006, you know that our relationship with Sully’s Brand had connected not long after the first blog post.
When I first started SoxSpace, I was a 16-year-old kid that wanted nothing to do with anything that didn’t have to do with baseball. My first job was at Bob’s Store in Saugus, and the only reason I worked there was for the 20% discount on Red Sox shirts.
While employed at Bob’s, SoxSpace’s relationship consisted of a little contest you may remember, the “SoxSpace Fan of the Week,” which since has turned into the fan of the past year and-a-half because I haven’t updated it.
Anyway, the SoxSpace Fan of the Week ranged from boys to girls, men to women of all ages and location within the world.
I took a night class at North Shore Community College, and somehow it was mentioned that I ran a Red Sox website. A mot...READ MORE!
Published on July 20, 2010 See Comment(s)
West coast swing by Jared Carrabis
Adrian Beltre's homer proves to be game-winner
Staring a ten-game road trip in the face, the Red Sox started their marathon of road games off on the right foot.
Making his first start of the second half, Daisuke Matsuzaka looked to keep his habit of issuing free passes under control. Why? Because entering Monday night, when Matsuzaka two batters or less this season, he’s 4-0 in four starts. When he walks three or more, he’s 2-3 in eight starts.
Pitching in a scoreless game in the bottom of the third, Matsuzaka hung a 2-2 slider to Rajai Davis that the New England native drilled far enough to be dubbed a round-tripper.
In the top half of the fourth, former Oakland A Eric Patterson stung his old club with a leadoff triple into the gap in right-center. Patterson would stroll in from third on a sacrifice fly by David Ortiz to tie the game at one.
Two batters later, Adrian Beltre swung at a first-pitch changeup from Ben Sheets and mashed it into the seats in left-center field. The homer for Beltre was his fifteenth of the ...READ MORE!
Published on July 20, 2010 See Comment(s)
Are you serious, RSN? by Jared Carrabis
More than half of Sox fans don't think Boston will see October
For the record, the question was, "Will the Red Sox make the playoffs?"
What the heck is wrong with this picture? Did I accidentally log on to the site of the Rays' or Yankees' news outlets?
Since when did 5.5 games back become such an overwhelming deficit when there are still 73 games left to play? I mean, really. Have we learned nothing from this year alone?
The Red Sox were 8.5 back on May 23. On June 18, they were a game back of first place, and it only took them 24 games to get there. That's less than a month. The Red Sox still have half of this month, and two whole months after that to gain ground and overtake both the Yankees and the Rays, who let me remind you, have not had anywhere near the same injury problems that the Red Sox have.
The Red Sox were hit with the most injuries in all of baseball, and they're still only 5.5 back of the team with the best record...READ MORE!
Published on July 16, 2010 See Comment(s)
Duquette Vs. Clemens Round II by Jared Carrabis
Dan Duquette expects more evidence to prove Clemens' PED use
(WEEI.com) -- Former Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette, during a conversation Thursday morning on "Sports Buzz" with Butch Stearns, said that he expects more information to come out linking Roger Clemens to performance-enhancing drugs.
This is a topic in baseball that has been beaten to death by ESPN, local news outlets and tabloids.
I, myself, had found that my mind would subconsciously ignore anything Roger Clemens-related on the TV or in the newspaper. We were being fed the same information over and over again, just reworded.
My interest level concerning Clemens’ steroid scandal was at an all-time low. That was until two weeks ago, when I was looking for some new reading material. Naturally, when I'm looking for a new book to read, I put my blinders on and walk straight to the baseball section. That’s when I came across READ MORE!
Published on July 15, 2010 See Comment(s)
No mourning from Space by Jared Carrabis
Bill Lee on Steinbrenner: 'If hell freezes over, he'll be skating'
This is just a guess, but I don't think former Red Sox left-hander Bill Lee likes George Steinbrenner very much.
When asked for his thoughts on the death of the legendary Yankee owner, Lee responded by saying, "As far as Steinbrenner's passing...good."
Lee, known for his crazy antics long before the days of Manny Ramirez and Julian Tavarez, continued to say, "I used to have nightmares about him. I was hallucinating one time, and I thought he came into my hotel room window, and then I realized I didn't have any windows. And I was on, like, the 38th floor."
Hallucinating on what, Bill? I'm sure that's a question for another day.
The 119-game winner went on to justify his disliking of the Boss. "Steinbrenner tried to have me banned from baseball," Lee said. "He said I was incompetent, and that I was bad for the game of baseball. Well, I'm not a convicted felon like George Steinbrenner, and he'll take that with him to his grave."
After he had made the comments above, he wa...READ MORE!
Published on July 14, 2010 See Comment(s)
Yes they McCann by Jared Carrabis
McCann's 3-run double gives NL first win in 14 years
I guess this means the Red Sox will just have to win the World Series at home this year.
After fourteen long years, the National League finally defeated the American League Not since the NL boasted a lineup with names like Barry Larkin, Barry Bonds, Fred McGriff and Ozzie Smith has the American League been out-played in an All Star Game.
When you bring the best of the best to the table, certainly you’re going to see one hell of a game. After fourteen consecutive All Star Games without a victory, it only took one big hit to bring an end to the drought.
Trailing 1-0 in the seventh, after a Robinson Cano sacrifice fly represented the game’s lone run, the Atlanta Braves’ Brian McCann stepped in the box with the bases loaded to face the Chicago White Sox’ Matt Thornton.
Thornton, who leads all American League relievers with 49 strikeouts in 36.2 innings, pumped an 0-1 fastball at 98 MPH that McCann ripped down the right field line. When McCann cruised into second base with a d...READ MORE!
Published on July 14, 2010 See Comment(s)
Ortiz: 'I don't want one year' by Jared Carrabis
David Ortiz wants a multi-year extension
(ESPNBoston.com) -- David Ortiz insisted he has not talked about his contract with the Red Sox, but on Monday, Boston's All-Star DH sounded like a man certain of his future. Never mind the option the Red Sox hold on his 2011 contract. Ortiz wants an extension.
What’s that line by George Thorogood? One drink ain't enough, Jack, you better make it three.
Let me be the first to say that this “hot topic” is making headlines about a year and a half too soon. The 4-year, $52 million contract that David Ortiz signed back in April of 2006, which paid Boston’s lefty slugger $12.5 million annually, includes a $12.5 million option for the 2011 season.
The chances of the Red Sox extending Ortiz this winter, which would void his option for 2011, are very unlikely.
The going rate for designated hitters isn’t what it was when Ortiz inked his current four-year deal. This past winter, World Series MVP Hideki ...READ MORE!
Published on July 13, 2010 See Comment(s)
Rest in peace, Boss by Jared Carrabis
George Steinbrenner passes away at the age of 80
I'm going to take you back to the year 1999.
I was just a ten-year-old Red Sox fan, living ten minutes outside of Boston. Behind the masterful pitching of Pedro Martinez, tossing six no-hit innings in the clinching game of the American League Division Series, my Red Sox were playing for the chance to go to the World Series.
The only thing standing in the Red Sox' way of a trip to the Fall Classic were the defending World Series Champions, the New York Yankees.
To the displeasure of Red Sox fans, the Boston's run in the American League Championship Series was short-lived, as Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera stomped out the Sox' World Series dreams.
With a broken heart and tears in my eyes, I watched the Yankees celebrate on the field at Fenway. Devastated that baseball had been taken away from me for six long months, I looked up at my dad and said, "I can't wait until the day George Steinbrenner dies."
I felt cheated. I felt robbed, and I had been so...READ MORE!
Published on July 13, 2010 See Comment(s)
The King of Swing by Jared Carrabis
David Ortiz claims his first Home Run Derby crown
He’s too old; his bat speed is gone; he’s washed up; his power has diminished.
Now his critics have one more thing to add to their list: 2010 Home Run Derby Champion.
Competing among the likes of some of the premiere power hitters in the game such as Miguel Cabrera, Matt Holliday, and Hanley Ramirez, David Ortiz stood the tallest. Bringing his booming bat with him to Anaheim to compete in his fourth Home Run Derby, Ortiz sank his doubters lower and lower into their chairs with each mighty swing that he took.
After blasting 18 homers in the first half, Ortiz wowed the crowd at Angel Stadium, ripping eight long balls in the first round, punching his ticket to the second round.
Joining Ortiz in round number two were the likeliest of candidates, Miguel Cabrera, Cory Hart and former Red Sox farmhand, Hanley Ramirez. After a weak showing from Hart – no homers, after hitting 12 in the first round – and Miguel Cabrera, who mustered five homers on top of his seven first-round shot...READ MORE!
Published on July 12, 2010 See Comment(s)
All Star Lame? by Jared Carrabis
Should the All Star Game count?
The most non-steroid related question of the Bud Selig era: Should the All Star Game count?
It's a simple question, really. But it comes with several responses and poses more questions, rather than resolving any major issues. In my opinion, the All Star Game should not determine home field advantage in the World Series. From a marketing standpoint, does it get more people to watch the game? Possibly. Does it get players to try harder? Perhaps.
Despite all that, most think that the All Star Game shouldn't need that stipulation for the game's best to step their game up, and for the fans of baseball to tune in.
Had it not been for the ninth inning clutch hitting of Michael Young, who knocked a two-out triple in the last inning of the 2006 mid-summer Classic, the 83-win St. Louis Cardinals would have had home field advantage over the 95-win Detroit Tigers.
A team with 83 wins has no business making the playoffs, never mind getting home field advantage in the World Series.
...READ MORE!
Published on July 12, 2010 See Comment(s)
Snap, crackle and pop! by Jared Carrabis
Everybody's favorite SoxSpace segment: the injury blog!
(ESPNBoston.com) -- Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre is confident he’ll be fine, but said it’s too early to tell whether or not he’ll be able to play in the All-Star game after he strained his left hamstring on Sunday at Rogers Centre.
Snap! goes the ribs of Jacoby Ellsbury and Jeremy Hermida. Crack! goes the feet of Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek, and Pop! goes the thumb of Victor Martinez and the hamstring of Adrian Beltre.
Running out a grounder to short the same way he always does -- hard -- Beltre felt a "pop" in his hamstring before stepping on first base.
"I wasn’t going to come out if the game was 0-0. It was a little easier when we got the lead," Beltre said. "It's tough to tell because I thought it was going to be worse. It felt like something was going to pop and every time I curled my legs I got a cramp on it. Hopefully tomorrow it feel...READ MORE!
Published on July 12, 2010 See Comment(s)
All Star broke by Jared Carrabis
Bruised, broken and battered Sox hobble to AS break with win
Seems like just yesterday I was sitting in the bleachers for Opening Day.
Before the Red Sox could reach the mid-way point, they first had to deal with the Toronto Blue Jays one last time. Though it was nine inning until the break, the Sox’ bats seemed to have already been on break for the first six frames of the series finale.
Jays starter Jesse Litsch was making just his sixth start of the season when he held the Red Sox hitless through the first five and-two-thirds innings.
With two outs in the fifth, former Blue Jay, Marco Scutaro rocked a double out to center field for Boston’s first hit of the ballgame. A batter later, Darnell McDonald squared up a 3-1 changeup and cranked it over the wall in left for a two-run homer.
Batting behind McDonald, David Ortiz fell behind in the count 1-2, before smashing a slider deep into the right field corner. Getting his work in before Monday night’s Home Run Derby, Ortiz’s home run was his eighteenth of the season.
In the shadow ...READ MORE!
Published on July 12, 2010 See Comment(s)
Hall Monitor by Jared Carrabis
It's time for Bill Hall to get some credit around here
At no point this season has Bill Hall’s batting average been higher than .253.
To get to his peak average of .253, Hall had to have a monster day at the plate on June 3, when the right-hander went 4-for-5 with a pair of singles, a double and a long home run to center in the ninth inning.
I remember that day perfectly, because that was the day that I met Bill Hall.
While some Red Sox – that will go unnamed – blew some fans off, and ignored the calls of many, Hall made an effort to shake every extended hand, and stop for a picture with every enthusiastic fan.
That day, Hall was nothing more than a bench player for the Red Sox. Today, he joins the likes of Darnell McDonald, Daniel Nava and Kevin Cash as the players who are responsible for keeping this team within striking distance of a playoff spot, while the every-day starters heal their slew of injuries.
It’s been a rocky road to this point for Hall, as his spent parts of 2009 with the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate in Nas...READ MORE!
Published on July 10, 2010 See Comment(s)
Boston Patriots by Jared Carrabis
Sox score two TDs, hold Toronto to a field goal in win
I know I wasn’t the first and won’t be the last to use this line, but where were all these runs in the Tampa series?
On paper, despite the lack of offense that the Red Sox walked into Toronto with, the advantage goes to the team with Jon Lester on the mound, no matter who is batting behind him.
After scoring eleven runs all series, suffering a three-game sweep to the Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox offense came out in full force on Friday night at the Rogers Centre. An RBI base hit by Mike Cameron opened up the scoring in the to of the second, followed by a two-run blast to right-center field off the bat of Bill Hall.
In the next inning, the first six out of seven batters would reach base, thanks to three walks, two singles, and an E3. After the second out had been recorded – eight batters into the inning – Kevin Cash worked a six-pitch walk, as back-to-back singles by Marco Scutaro and Darnell McDonald, who were both 2-for-2 in the inning, brought home two more runs.
In the ...READ MORE!
Published on July 09, 2010 See Comment(s)
Paging Mr. Ellsbury by Jared Carrabis
Kevin Youkilis calls out Jacoby Ellsbury
(NESN.com) -- Fans and Boston media have made a big deal about Jacoby Ellsbury's extended absence from the Red Sox as he recovers from rib injuries, but no players commented on the situation. Until Friday. Speaking to reporters in Toronto, Kevin Youkilis -- who clearly played hurt Wednesday night in Tampa Bay -- said he and his teammates wish Ellsbury was with them. "The one thing I say," Youkilis said, "is there's a lot of guys here that are hurt and supporting the team, and we wish Jacoby was here supporting us, too."
I have a feeling that Youk's words are going to be taken out of context.
If you have the impression that Kevin Youkilis wants Jacoby Ellsbury to "suck it up" and play injured, then you've got this one all wrong. The way I interpreted this one was that Youkilis simply wants Ellsbury to be around with the team.
If you look at guys like ...READ MORE!
Published on July 09, 2010 See Comment(s)
Yankees are 'livid' by Jared Carrabis
Cliff Lee traded to Rangers, not Yankees
(MLBTradeRumors) -- 4:47pm: The Yankees, not surprisingly, are livid with the Mariners, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The Yanks thought they had a deal, but the Mariners told the Rangers they could have Lee if they included Smoak and there went the Yankees' hopes of getting Lee.
What a turn of events!
In light of Lebron James joining D-Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami last night, and the news that a Cliff Lee to New York trade was "imminent," I was in the middle of writing a post about how super teams are bad for their respective sports.
Then, BAM! The Yankees lost out of their coveted lefty starter -- that they're more than likely just going to sign this winter when Lee hits free agency -- and all is well in the world again, because I could care less about basketball.
Nothing put a smile on my face more than reading this tweet:
READ MORE!
Published on July 09, 2010 See Comment(s)
Perhaps, a blessing in disguise by Jared Carrabis
Nick Swisher named to All Star team over Kevin Youkilis
As if we needed to see another pinstriped player on the All Star team, Nick Swisher was voted in over Kevin Youkilis to participate in his first ever All Star Game.
It took 9.8 million votes for Swisher to top Youkilis in what was the closest margin of victory in the nine years that the Final Vote has been held for the last spot on the All Star team's roster.
Red Sox fans could consider this to be a blessing in disguise, as Youkilis' recent injury scare nearly had half of Red Sox Nation lining up on the Tobin. The All Star break could provide Youkilis, as well as many other banged up Red Sox, with some much-needed rest before the second half.
"I just wanted to thank all of Red Sox Nation out there that voted," Youkilis said on WEEI. "Even if I fall short, it was still fun."
Regardless, first thing's first: Youkilis deserved this spot over Swisher, without question. It may seem b...READ MORE!
Published on July 08, 2010 See Comment(s)
A plead for Ortiz by Jared Carrabis
Ortiz wants to retire in Boston. What do you think?
(BostonHerald.com) -- "Hopefully, we'll talk," Ortiz told Herald colleague John Tomase before last night’s game. "They know what my feelings are about staying around and playing here and hanging them up with the Red Sox. It’s not like I'm planning to retire right now, but you know what I’m saying. This is home to me. I’ve been in this organization for years and I’ve been well known here. I understand when you’ve got to go somewhere else. This is about producing. That’s why I’ve been here all these years. That’s what I do. We'll see."
At the end of April, David Ortiz was hitting .143 with 21 strikeouts in 56 at-bats, meaning that Boston’s mighty slugger struck out 38% of the time in the first month of the season.
In what was arguably one of the most depressing things I’ve ever seen on a baseball field during a major league game, Ortiz h...READ MORE!
Published on July 08, 2010 See Comment(s)
Youk-an't stop him by Jared Carrabis
Youkilis expects to play Wednesday, despite injuring ankle
(WEEI.com) -- Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis said after his team's 3-2 loss to the Rays Tuesday night that despite having to leave the game in the top of the fourth inning with what the team classified as a "right ankle pain" he expects to be ready to play in the series finale Wednesday night.
He's no Carl Pavano; that's for sure.
After being removed from the action on Tuesday night, leaving Red Sox Nation in disbelief yet again, Kevin Youkilis announced after the game that he fully expects to see his name on the lineup card on Wednesday night.
The injury didn’t look all too good to those who have injured their Achilles tendon before, as Youkilis appeared to be reaching for that region of his ankle. Fortunately for him, as well as the whole team for that matter, Youkilis described his “injury” as a “severe cramp.”
"The whole time in the field I was just ...READ MORE!
Published on July 07, 2010 See Comment(s)
Futures at T-Bay by Jared Carrabis
Paw Sox lose one-run battle to Rays
Less than a week ago, Jon Lester said that things couldn’t possibly get any worse for the Red Sox.
When will we ever learn not to provoke the Baseball Gods?
At the conclusion of the third inning, Kevin Youkilis headed towards the Red Sox dugout with an apparent limp. Before Youkilis could begin his at-bat to start the fourth, the first baseman appeared to be in some pain, took a knee and started to favor his right ankle.
An image all too familiar to Red Sox fans, a former All Star on the ground with Terry Francona and trainers hovering, followed by a removal from the game.
At the time of Youkilis’ injury, the game was in a scoreless tie, but an RBI base hit by Jason Bartlett in the bottom of the third would change that.
Getting the call up from Pawtucket, Felix Doubront pitched well enough to win, but lacked the necessary run support. Doubront pitched his way into the sixth, recording the first two outs but departed with a one-run game leaning in favor of the Rays.
...READ MORE!
Published on July 07, 2010 See Comment(s)
Demolition Derby by Jared Carrabis
David Ortiz returns to Home Run Derby on Monday
(ESPNBoston.com) -- Six All-Star players have committed to participate in the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby, Major League Baseball announced Tuesday. Representing the American League are the Red Sox's David Ortiz, the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera, the Yankees' Robinson Cano and the Jays' Vernon Wells.
What's an All Star Game without Stan Musial, and what's a Home Run Derby without David Ortiz?
Ortiz, who will be returning to the State Farm Home Run Derby for the first time since 2006, has 17 home runs in 2010. One of his seventeen homers just so happens to be the only ball that has been crushed into McCovey Cove all year long, and it’s worth noting that it was off of back-to-back Cy Young Award-winner, Tim Lincecum.
The big lefty slugger made his Home Run Derby debut in 2004, but in disappointing fashion. Ortiz was one-and-done,...READ MORE!
Published on July 06, 2010 See Comment(s)
The view from behind by Jared Carrabis
Sox squander four-run lead in loss to Rays, slip back into third place
David Ortiz has a saying, "It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish."
With Daisuke Matsuzaka, it has been, “We know how you’ll start, but no idea how you’ll finish.
Many believe that there has to be something wrong with the way that Matsuzaka prepares for his starts. The evidence is right there in his numbers. Entering Monday night, Matsuzaka had an ERA of 12.60 in the first inning this season. That’s 10 innings, 56 plate appearances, 14 walks, 15 hits and 14 earned runs.
Opponents were hitting .366, getting on base at a .518 clip and slugging .537 heading into Monday night’s start, and the numbers would only rise against the Rays.
The first batter that Matsuzaka faced, Ben Zobrist, walked on seven pitches to open the right-hander’s outing. Matsuzaka would allow an RBI double and another walk before the inning came to a close.
If you remove his numbers in the first inning and calculate his ERA from innings two through eight, as he has not yet pitched into the ninth ...READ MORE!
Published on July 06, 2010 See Comment(s)
All Stars, but no starts by Jared Carrabis
The Red Sox will be heavily represented at ASG
(NESN.com) -- Six players will represent the Red Sox in the 2010 All-Star Game, though none of them earned a spot in the starting lineup, determined by fan votes.
Despite the fact that six members of the Red Sox are All Star bound, none of them will on the field in the top of the first when the best of the best in the American League takes the field.
Bias aside, I think the fans voted quite fairly, but there are some snubs that I’d like to pick at.
Joe Mauer is a no-brainer behind the plate, batting .303 to lead all AL catchers, and his teammate Justin Morneau has a slight edge over at first base, batting .344 with 17 HR and 51 RBI. As much as I like Miguel Cabrera (.339, 20 HR, 59 RBI), I voted Morneau, with Miggy as a close second. Regardless of Morneau getting the start, Cabrera is my pick for All Star Game MVP.
At second base, although it pains me to say, Robinso...READ MORE!
Published on July 05, 2010 See Comment(s)
No hits when it Matusz by Jared Carrabis
Sox go 0-for-6 with RISP in losing effort
With a chance to break out the brooms on America’s birthday, the Red Sox sent nine-game winner John Lackey to the mound.
Lackey pitched well, but he was certainly upstaged by the young Baltimore lefty, Brian Matusz. Regardless of only having two victories on the season, 23-year-old Matusz took it to the Red Sox on Sunday. Having not won since April 18, Matusz looked like he easily could have been gunning for his tenth win as well.
For seven innings, Matusz held the Red Sox to just two hits over seven scoreless frames. The left-hander also punched out eight Boston batters en route to his third win of the season.
The Orioles broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth, when Lackey fired a wild pitch in the dirt, allowing Nick Markakis to come in from third. Baltimore later added a second run on an RBI single by Scott Moore.
In a 2-0 ballgame, Lackey headed out to the mound in the top of the eighth. A lead-off double by Miguel Tejada, a single by Markakis and an E6 charge...READ MORE!
Published on July 04, 2010 See Comment(s)
O's worst enemy by Jared Carrabis
Jon Lester improves to 12-0 vs. O's, 10-3 on season
Domination (n.) -- Control or power over another or others. See: Jon Lester versus the Baltimore Orioles.
Unbeaten at 11-0 lifetime against the birds of Baltimore, Jon Lester took to the mound on Saturday night, looking to make it an even dozen. With Lester on the bump, this game was essentially over after the first.
A single, a walk and three doubles by Kevin Youkilis, JD Drew and Daniel Nava had four runs on the board in the first go-around.
After a lead-off single by David Ortiz in the fifth, Youkilis, again, came to the plate, looking to do some damage. With the count even at two, Youkilis got the slider from O’s starter Jeremy Guthrie and knocked it over the wall in left for a two-run homer.
The Red Sox went on to add three more runs in the eighth, capped by an RBI double by Ortiz, as the nine runs that Boston pushed across were plenty for Lester.
Hurling 100 pitches even, the left-hander carved through the Orioles’ lineup for seven innings, allowing just one run...READ MORE!
Published on July 03, 2010 See Comment(s)
Better late than Nava by Jared Carrabis
Daniel Nava enters game as pinch hitter, delivers game-winning RBI in 8th
Thank God for the Baltimore Orioles.
Less than 24 hours before first pitch, the Red Sox had lost two more players to the black hole that has been the disabled list this season. With Jason Varitek and Manny Delcarmen joining the likes of Dustin Pedroia and Victor Martinez, the Red Sox once again had to step it up in all areas of the game to compensate for the absences of key players.
Tim Wakefield’s 2-5 record may not have struck fear into the hearts of the Orioles, but on any given night, the veteran knuckleballer can give you more than just a quality outing. On Friday night, he did just that.
With Kevin Cash behind the plate with the Red Sox for the first time since September 28, 2008, Wakefield took to the mound at Fenway in the top of the first for the 201st time in his career.
Entering Friday, Cash had caught Wakefield 35 times in his career, with Wakefield logging an ERA of 4.35 in 204.2 innings. After retiring the side in order in the first, their relationship had b...READ MORE!
Published on July 03, 2010 See Comment(s)
The Red Sox DL Fantasy Team by Jared Carrabis
Having fun, where there's not much fun to be had
All right, so since the injury situation here in Boston has been so ridiculous, it's time for a ridiculous blog post...because I have lost my mind.
There are so many Red Sox players on the disabled list, that you can literally field an entire team, and a good one at that.
Catcher: The latest acquisition made by the Red Sox DL Fantasy Team is none other than the team captain, Jason Varitek. Fouling a pitch off his foot, Varitek joins the DL squad for 4-6 weeks. After hitting .209 this past season, Varitek has adjusted to becoming Boston’s backup catcher quite nicely, getting off to a .263/.324/.547 start with 7 HR and 16 RBI in 34 games.
First base: Coming out of the crouch position, Victor Martinez gets the start at first. Martinez makes this team after fracturing his thumb in the series finale against the San Francisco Giants. He is expected to be out of action ‘til after the All Star break, and luckily, his injury will not require surgery. Martinez was puttin...READ MORE!
Published on July 02, 2010 See Comment(s)
Down goes the Captain by Jared Carrabis
Jason Varitek pulls a Pedey, breaks foot, out 4-6 weeks
(WBZTV.com) -- A major league source tells WBZ-TV's Dan Roche Thursday night that Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek could miss 4-6 weeks due to a leg injury. It's believed that it may be a broken foot.
Originally reported by Dan Roche over at WBZ, Jason Varitek will miss six weeks with a broken foot.
At this point, things have gotten a little ridiculous. Varitek will join list, longer than Manny’s hair, of Red Sox who are currently on the disabled list.
They’ve won without Josh Beckett. They’ve won without Dustin Pedroia and Victor Martinez, but it has been a very small sample size of games to promise that this team can grind out the rest of the first half, without a third of their starting lineup and half of their bench.
Varitek, who fouled a pitch off of his foot during Wednesday’s loss to the Rays, was an injury that some Red Sox fans deemed impossible. There were some Red Sox fans who witnesse...READ MORE!
Published on July 02, 2010 See Comment(s)
That explains a lot... by Jared Carrabis
Manny Delcarmen heads to DL with forearm strain
(ESPNBoston.com) -- The Red Sox aren't waiting for Manny Delcarmen to be examined by team doctor Thomas Gill. They informed the pitcher that he is being placed on the 15-day disabled list with what they're calling a forearm strain.
24 hours after being knocked around the yard by the Tampa Bay Rays, and failing to record an out after facing five batters, Manny Delcarmen is the latest member of the Red Sox to wind up on the infamous 15-day disabled list.
It's hard to believe that just one month ago, Delcarmen led all American League relievers with a .128 opponents batting average.
In the right-hander's last three appearances, he has faced fourteen batters and has only recorded three outs. With opponents hitting a whopping .750 against Delcarmen in his last three outings, his ERA has ballooned from the 2.23 that it was on June 22, to the 4.59 that it currently sits at.
That's what happens when yo...READ MORE!
Published on July 01, 2010 See Comment(s)
Sox Cash in by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox re-acquire Kevin Cash from Astros
(WEEI.com) -- The Red Sox announced that they have re-acquired catcher Kevin Cash from the Astros in exchange for infielder Angel Sanchez. Cash was knuckleballer Tim Wakefield’s catcher for all of the 2008 season.
In 73 games, spanning the 2007 and 2008 season, Kevin Cash hit .207 with 3 homer and 19 RBI in his last stint with the Red Sox.
Not known for his offensive prowess, Cash was designated for assignment this past week by the Houston Astros. Before being DFA'd, Cash had been hitting .204 in 20 games for Houston.
Cash has thrown out 21% of base runners this season, and 31% for his career....READ MORE!
Published on July 01, 2010 See Comment(s)
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