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Fade to black by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox lose their third straight game, fall further out of contention
I’ve got some good news, and I’ve got some bad news.
The good news is that Josh Beckett turned in a quality start – against the Orioles, so don’t get too excited – hurling seven innings, allowing three runs, two earned, while walking one and striking out five. Well, if he allowed just three runs to the Orioles, then there can’t be any bad news, right?
Well, the bad news is that after the game, Beckett stormed out of the clubhouse without speaking to the media, which is a rarity, and never a good sign.
Simply put, the offense was a no-show against Brian Matusz. Felix Doubront allowed back-to-back homers to Luke Scott and Felix Pie – as shown above – and even without the two long balls, the three runs allowed by Beckett would have been enough to sink the Sox that are seemingly going home after the final game of the regular season.
Jed Lowrie’s two-run blast that traveled 388 feet was the only swing that kept the Red Sox from being shut out. In all, the Red Sox were just 1-f...READ MORE!
Published on August 31, 2010 View Comment(s)
Farewell, Manny by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox trade Manny Delcarmen to Colorado Rockies
He was the hometown kid turned Red Sox reliever.
Not quite the same legacy as Tony Conigliaro, but Manny Delcarmen leaves behind a positive legacy nonetheless. The Pride of Hyde Park, and a graduate of West Roxbury High School, Delcarmen has called Boston his home for his entire life.
Taken by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2000 amateur baseball draft, Delcarmen pitched his way to a respectable 3.89 ERA in 284.1 innings over six seasons with the team he grew up watching.
Over the years, Delcarmen has grown to be an ambassador of sorts to the Red Sox organization. The right-hander resides in Boston in the off-season, and after the Red Sox' 2007 World Series championship, Delcarmen would often travel with the World Series trophies throughout New England.
As Red Sox Nation Governor of Massachusetts, I have the privilege of attending fan friendly events such as Christmas at Fenway among others, and more often than not, Delcarmen was in attendance.
On Tuesday, the R...READ MORE!
Published on August 31, 2010 View Comment(s)
Well, that's that by Jared Carrabis
The Red Sox lose game, series, playoff hopes to Rays
The Red Sox' 2008 season ended in Tampa Bay with Jed Lowrie at the plate; I think you get what I’m saying.
On a night where the Red Sox needed John Lackey to come up big, he did everything but. With the season hanging in the balance, the man that the Red Sox dished out $82.5 million for could not hold up his end of the bargain.
A series that started out with so much promise after Victor Martinez powered the Red Sox to a victory in the opener, ended in utter disappointment on Sunday night when the Boston offense couldn’t bail out yet another garbage start by Lackey.
This was a make-or-break series for Boston’s playoff chances, and after losing the series after taking one of three from the Rays, although not mathematically eliminated, the Red Sox may have realistically eliminated themselves from October on Sunday.
If Boston were in any other division in baseball, their chances of making a comeback would be more than realistic. Hell, if they were in any other division, they’...READ MORE!
Published on August 30, 2010 View Comment(s)
SoxSpace pregame notes: by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox lineup, probable starters, and player to watch
Sunday's lineups:
Red Sox: 1.) Marco Scutaro, SS; 2.) JD Drew, RF; 3.) Victor Martinez, C; 4.) David Ortiz, DH; 5.) Adrian Beltre, 3B; 6.) Mike Lowell, 1B; 7.) Daniel Nava, LF; 8.) Darnell McDonald, CF; 9.) Yamaico Navarro, 2B.
Rays: 1.) John Jaso, C; 2.) Ben Zobrist, 2B; 3.) Carl Crawford, LF; 4.) Evan Longoria, 3B; 5.) Carlos Pena, 1B; 6.) Matt Joyce, RF; 7.) Dan Johnson, DH; 8.) B.J. Upton, CF; 9.) Jason Bartlett, SS.
Starting pitchers:
John Lackey (12-7, 4.51 ERA)
James Shields (11-11, 4.82 ERA)
First pitch Vs. TB at 8:00pm on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball
Pregame notes: Sunday night's game is the wild card game of this series. A complete toss-up. John Lackey will square off against "Big Game" James Shields in the rubber match following a devastating loss at the hands of the Rays on Saturday night.
Are the Red Sox going to get the eight-inning shutout Lackey, or are they going to get the nine-hit, five-walk, eight-earned Lackey? ...READ MORE!
Published on August 29, 2010 View Comment(s)
Source: Red Sox claim Napoli off waivers by Jared Carrabis
Could Red Sox-killer Mike Napoli be headed for Boston?
(Joe McDonald / Twitter) -- Source: Red Sox claim Mike Napoli off waivers. Have until Monday to work out deal
After letting their closer, Brian Fuentes, walk to the Minnesota Twins for next to nothing, it is evident that the Angels have called it a season.
ESPNBoston's Joe McDonald that the Red Sox have been awarded a waiver claim of Angels' catcher, Mike Napoli. You may remember Napoli as the right-handed catcher who took Josh Beckett twice in one postseason game at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox have until Monday to complete a trade with the Angels, or the Halos can either hand over Napoli's contract to Boston, but the most likely option seems to be that the Angels with withdraw Napoli from waivers.
In limited playing time, Napoli has batted .249/.317/.478 with 21 home runs and 60 RBI in 119 games. Not known for his defensive prowess behind the plate, Napoli has seen 49 games at first base this season to k...READ MORE!
Published on August 29, 2010 View Comment(s)
Tough luck Buch by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox squander Buchholz' gem in walk-off loss to Rays
Instead of throwing the idea around of a potential sweep into playoff fever, the Boston sports talk radio phone lines will surely be burning up tomorrow to play the blame game.
Some will blame Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz, some will blame Red Sox manager Terry Francona, and quite possibly, some will even blame J.D. Drew. Before you place your calls, start your conversations and type out your texts; grab some information before you place your blame.
Before any blame is placed anywhere, let me first commend Buchholz on his efforts on Saturday night. As always, Buchholz pitched more than well enough to win, but Matt Garza kept the Red Sox offense in check throughout the night.
If it weren’t for one pitch, this game could have, and more than likely would have, had an entirely different outcome.
In the top of the seventh, pitching with a one-run lead, Buchholz allowed Carlos Pena to reach on a fielder’s choice. Once aboard, Buchholz was paying a curious amount of interest to ...READ MORE!
Published on August 29, 2010 View Comment(s)
So nice, make it twice, Price by Jared Carrabis
Victor Martinez homers twice in crucial game for Red Sox
Before first pitch on Friday night, Red Sox manager said, "If you're a fan, this is the game you want to see."
Fortunately for Red Sox fans, Francona’s hype lived up to the bill in their favor. However, before the Red Sox could hop into the win column, they had the daunting task of going through the first fifteen-game winner in Rays’ history.
In the SoxSpace series preview, I wrote, "My guy to watch on Friday is Victor Martinez." I guess that makes me 1-for-1.
On Friday night, Martinez put on a show for the annoying, cowbell-ringing fans of St. Petersburg. In the top of the first inning, the Boston catcher threw the head of the bat out at a 1-0, 96mph fastball and clocked it into the seats in left field for a solo blast.
The round-tripper for Martinez may not have sparked the offense to follow his lead, but it certainly brought life into the Red Sox.
Locked in a pitcher’s duel, as advertised, Jed Lowrie interrupted ...READ MORE!
Published on August 28, 2010 View Comment(s)
Summoning the spirit of Trot Nixon by Jared Carrabis
A complete Red Sox vs. Rays series preview
With their backs against the wall, a postseason spot still in the realm of possibility, the Red Sox will look to summon the spirit of Trot Nixon this weekend.
Although a sweep would be the best case scenario, taking two out of three would still keep the Red Sox' heads above water. While the Red Sox and Rays go to battle this weekend, the Yankees will have their hands full against the playoff hopeful Chicago White Sox.
After being pushed back from his slated start against Felix Hernandez for Wednesday night's nightcap, Jon Lester will take the ball on Friday night. 2-1 in his last three starts, Lester's ERA (4.96) is a bit skewed after giving up nine earned runs over two innings to the Toronto Blue Jays on August 20.
In 84 career innings against Tampa Bay, Lester is 7-3 with a 4.18 ERA.
The match-up to watch will be Lester versus Carlos Pena, who is a career .296 hitter against the left-hander with four home runs and 10 RBI. In 29 at-bats against Lester, BJ Upton is a care...READ MORE!
Published on August 27, 2010 View Comment(s)
Word around the majors by Jared Carrabis
From Manny on the move, to chasing Yaz
I’m in a writing mood, and it’s an off-day here in Red Sox Nation. With that being said, let’s go around the league with some news and notes.
The hot topic today is that our old pal, Manny Ramirez, has been placed on waivers by the Dodgers, and could be headed back to the American League to help a postseason contender.
Over the past couple of days, I’ve gotten some messages and emails from readers who asked of a possible Ramirez return to Boston – no chance. The way that waiver deals work, is that once a player is placed on waivers, the team with the worst record within the same league as the team that placed the player on waivers gets first dibs.
If every National League team passes on Ramirez, which seems to be likely, then, and only then, can Ramirez be dealt to an American League team, but the chance to place a claim, again, starts with the team with the worst record. It’s only logical, seeing that Ramirez is a free agent after this year, that a team who is vying for a p...READ MORE!
Published on August 26, 2010 View Comment(s)
All lasered out by Jared Carrabis
Pedroia 'will likely shut it down' for rest of the season
(Boston.com) -- Nothing is official yet, but according to major league source Dustin Pedroia will likely shut it down for the remainder of the season. Pedroia is expected to spend the next 10 days back in a boot to stabilize the left foot that got sore again after two games.
We've almost become numb to news like this, right?
I mean, we’ve gotten news about a serious injury, or a season-ending injury to several key contributors all year long, so by now we’re basically pros. Of all the injury news to trickle out this season, this is by far the least surprising. The second that I heard Dustin Pedroia was headed back to the disabled list, I had to think to myself, He’s not coming back.
If there is a positive to come out of all of this ridiculousness, it’s the fact that no injury has been enough to slow this team down. They knew going into this that the Rays and Yanke...READ MORE!
Published on August 26, 2010 View Comment(s)
Damon: 'I'm not going' by Jared Carrabis
The real story on why Damon won't come home
I guess Johnny Damon really is an 'Idiot'.
Depending on how you look at it, this can either make no sense at all to some, or plenty of sense to the rest. You mean to tell me that Damon would rather stay with a team that’s a game under .500 heading into the final month of the season, and ten games back of first place?
Not only that, but Damon only signed a one-year deal. It’s not like he’s choosing to stay with Detroit so that he can help give them a shot next season. Of course, he could re-sign with them this winter, but that’s assuming they even want him back. Also, he could have accepted the trade to be a part of a pennant race, then went back to the Tigers this winter, anyway.
Apparently his feelings suffered irreparable damage when those who stood and booed a man who gave it his all for four seasons in a Red Sox uniform.
Even though I had a strong feeling that Damon wasn’t coming here, I still felt the need that I had to defend him against the people who called him a ...READ MORE!
Published on August 24, 2010 View Comment(s)
Scoot over, Seattle by Jared Carrabis
10 K's from Lackey, 4 RBI night from Scutaro combine for win
With rumors of perhaps a new lead-off hitter on his way to Boston, Marco Scutaro says, Not so fast.
John Lackey took to the mound on a rainy Monday night at Fenway with success against the Mariners in the past. In his most recent outing against Seattle, Lackey tossed eight shutout innings against the M’s almost a month to the day of Monday’s start.
Throughout Lackey’s night, the right-hander was striking out batters at an alarming rate, for Lackey’s standards anyway.
Striking out the first batter of the game, Lackey went on to punch out a total of ten Mariners, a new season high. Lackey commanded all of his pitches in his 119-pitch effort in yet another eight-inning effort. The right-hander kept the ball low, which resulted in nine groundball outs, and just three outs being recorded in the air.
Lackey allowed just two earned runs, three in all, while scattering six hits – all singles.
In the bottom of the fifth, Scutaro came to the dish with the bases loaded, a situati...READ MORE!
Published on August 24, 2010 View Comment(s)
Johnny Damon to return to Red Sox? by Jared Carrabis
The Red Sox have claimed Johnny Damon off waivers
By now, you've probably already heard that the Red Sox have claimed outfielder Johnny Damon off of waivers.
The waiver process is a confusing one, so pay attention. Now that the Red Sox have claimed Damon, it does not mean that he is back with Boston, yet. The Red Sox now have two days (48 hours) to either complete a trade with the Tigers for Damon, the Tigers can hand over Damon and the money remaining on his deal, or the Tigers can pull Damon back from waivers.
Here's the catch: Damon has a limited no-trade clause, which means that the former Boston outfielder can only veto a trade if he is dealt to any team on that isn't on his list of eight approved clubs. Interestingly enough, the Red Sox are not on his list of eight that do not require his approval prior to a trade becoming official.
Now, what is also interesting is that the way the waiver wire works, is that the player goes to the team with the worst record out of all teams who place a claim.
Could the Red Sox have...READ MORE!
Published on August 23, 2010 View Comment(s)
Lowell: 'It will be fun enjoying my kids' by Jared Carrabis
Mike Lowell 'pretty much set in knowing' what he'll do after this season
Other than Manny Ramirez, the only thing that has been more forgotten here in the city of Boston is the fact that Mike Lowell still plans to retire after this season.
Earlier in the year, Lowell indicated that he was on the fence, but hinted at a possible retirement. After Sunday’s win over the Toronto Blue Jays, Lowell was a little more forward with his feelings towards his future.
"I'm pretty much set in knowing what I'm going to do after this year," Lowell told reporters. "It will be fun. It will be fun enjoying my kids."
One would assume that Lowell doesn’t plan on bringing his kids on the road with him next season, so I think it’s fair to say that October 3, 2010, a 1:35pm start against the Yankees, will be your last opportunity to see Mike Lowell in a Red Sox uniform, or any uniform for that matter.
This season has been a roller coaster ride for Lowell, and as fans, we have been along for the ride the whole way.
I was among the 37,440 in attendance at Fenway Park...READ MORE!
Published on August 23, 2010 View Comment(s)
Cy of relief by Jared Carrabis
Bill Hall muscles Clay Buchholz to victory in series finale
After almost two hours worth of combined rain delays, it was Bill Hall who was making it rain on the Blue Jays.
A three-run fifth, which was ignited by David Ortiz’s first triple of the season (not a typo), broke a scoreless tie between the two teams.
A second rain delay that was called for in the top of the third was not enough to keep the two slated starters from returning to the ballgame, as it was Shaun Marcum who was on the receiving end of a barrage of Boston offense in the fifth.
With a panting Ortiz standing at third, Adrian Beltre reached out and hooked a first-pitch fastball from Marcum into the left field corner. Beltre’s double drove in Ortiz for the first run of the evening to give Boston’s third baseman his 86th RBI of the season.
Later in the inning with two outs and Beltre still standing at second, Hall came to the dish with quite an impressive track record against Marcum. With a 2-1 count, Hall annihilated a 2-1 fastball that rocketed over the Green Monst...READ MORE!
Published on August 22, 2010 View Comment(s)
From mono to moon shot by Jared Carrabis
Jed Lowrie cranks walk-off homer in the eleventh
Just when you got fitted for a new black suit made for a funeral, the Red Sox show some signs of life.
Just twenty-four hours after getting embarrassed on their home diamond, suffering a 16-2 loss at the hands of the Blue Jays, Boston turned around and rejuvenated the spirits of Red Sox fans far and wide.
Daisuke Matsuzaka got the ball on Saturday night, and he’s had his fair share of success against the blue birds. In his career, Matsuzaka entered his start with a 6-1 record against Toronto with a 3.71 ERA, his lowest mark among A.L. East teams.
Pitching with a two-run lead following a two-run single by Victor Martinez in the third, Matsuzaka served up a double to John McDonald that brought in a run. If it were not for an excellent relay to home and tremendous block of home plate by Martinez, the game would have been tied, and we may have had a different outcome at the end of the day.
In the bottom of the fifth, a pair of RBI singles by Martinez and Adrian Beltre provide...READ MORE!
Published on August 22, 2010 View Comment(s)
White flag Friday by Jared Carrabis
Sox hit rock bottom in fourteen-run embarrassment
I know that getting pounded by fourteen runs from a team that is fourth in your division is pretty devastating, but given the circumstances, worse things have happened this season.
Over the next twenty-four hours, you’re going to read and hear a lot of nonsense that the Red Sox’ 2010 season officially died on August 20, 2010, but I would not agree with that statement.
Do I think that the Red Sox are going to win the World Series this year? No, probably not. However, I do think that they will be a team worth watching until game 162 has had its final out recorded. With Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Cameron and possibly Dustin Pedroia done for the year, nobody can say with a sane mind that this team will make a run in the postseason, but that’s not to say that they can’t still finish the season on a positive note.
Fans who attended Friday night’s game did not get to see their money’s worth. In fact, they probably saw the worst home loss in recent memory. Their fourteen-...READ MORE!
Published on August 21, 2010 View Comment(s)
The straw that broke the camel's back by Jared Carrabis
Dustin Pedroia to return to 15-day disabled list
I have the unfortunate duty of relaying this news to you.
According to multiple reports on Twitter, Dustin Pedroia will be headed back to the 15-day disabled list as a result of the broken bone in his foot clearly not 100% healed yet, causing enough pain to keep him out of action.
"I've never been through anything like this. Sure it's frustrating," Pedroia told the media after news broke about his latest DL stint.
I have a feeling that the Red Sox may choose to shut down Pedroia for the season, as the injuries this team has endured in 2010 have been too much to overcome.
Kevin Youkilis was shut down for the rest of the season, alongside Mike Cameron, and Jacoby Ellsbury will be out "at least six more weeks," but we all speculate that he'll be done for the rest of the season.
"I just don't want to do anything that will require surgery. Scan shows only half healing," Pedroia said.
With the Red Sox 6.5 games behind the Yankees and 5.5 back of Tampa Bay, it may be wise ...READ MORE!
Published on August 20, 2010 View Comment(s)
Help the Jimmy Fund! by Jared Carrabis
Jimmy Fund's ninth annual telethon ends today, aims for $5 million
Good afternoon SoxSpace readers,
The reason I write to you today is because there are children in need of your help. While the Red Sox belong to Boston, Red Sox Nation spreads wide across the planet. As a result, SoxSpace is read in every American state, and in over twenty different countries.
The Jimmy Fund set a goal for their ninth annual Jimmy Fund Telethon, and that goal was set at $5 million.
As of nine o’clock this morning, the total had been announced at $1,189,033. As you can see, the Jimmy Fund is behind the pace in which they were at this past year. With our help from all across the world, we can help them reach their goal of $5 million.
The enthusiasm and support that the fans down in Texas showed for the Jimmy Fund was inspiring. The work that Red Sox Nation Governor Johnny Matthews does in his home state in support of the Jimmy Fund is commendable.
In that one weekend that I was in Arlington, fans from all over the state of Texas, Mississippi, Georgia and...READ MORE!
Published on August 20, 2010 View Comment(s)
Just another day on Twitter by Jared Carrabis
From Roger Clemens tweets to national television
I had the strangest Twitter day of my entire tweeting life on Thursday.
First, let it be noted that I haven’t gotten the chance to catch up on my sleep in about a week. I haven’t slept more than four hours in a night since last Wednesday. I had to be at Logan Airpot to catch my flight to Dallas for the Sox versus Rangers series at 4:30am on Friday morning.
From Dallas, my flight was supposed to take off at 7pm central time, and didn’t take off until 11pm, then we didn’t get back home in Boston until after 3am. After waiting for my bags, I didn’t get to sleep until about 5am, and I had to be up at 8am to be at Fenway Park for a test run for the Red Sox Listening Tour Webcast.
The Red Sox Listening Tour Webcast debuted on Wednesday, and if you can imagine, I barely got any sleep on Tuesday night, and woke up around 8am on Wednesday morning to be at Fenway for my big day.
This morn...READ MORE!
Published on August 20, 2010 View Comment(s)
Not your 3-year-old brother’s Beckett by Jared Carrabis
Josh Beckett continues to struggle in his lost 2010 season
In a time where the Red Sox’ margin for error is smaller than Dustin Pedroia himself, Josh Beckett has not held up his end of the bargain.
The right-hander, who hasn’t seen the word ‘ace’ be associated with his name as of late, entered Thursday night having allowed thirteen earned runs in his last nine and-two-thirds innings, with opposing hitters scorching him for a .429 average. Beckett was unsuccessful in his quest to turn things around.
Beckett appeared to be in control through the first five frames, hitting as high as 96 with his four-seamer and adding a lot of late break to his two-seamer to hold the Angels scoreless into the sixth.
However, in that sixth inning, the wheels fell off. Beckett allowed back-to-back one-out doubles, followed by a base hit off the bat of Torii Hunter. With two men on, former Yankee foe Hideki Matsui clocked a first-pitch fastball off of Beckett and off the back wall of the bullpen for a three-run bomb.
Beckett returned to the mound in th...READ MORE!
Published on August 20, 2010 View Comment(s)
Save by Nava! by Jared Carrabis
Daniel Nava gets hit, then takes away a hit to give Red Sox a win
It’s hard to imagine that the Red Sox were swept by the Angels last October, as Boston improved to 9-0 against the Halos this season on Wednesday night.
With the Yankees and Rays already claiming victory in ballparks far from Fenway before the final out had been recorded, the Red Sox were fighting to stay five and-a-half games back of a playoff spot.
John Lackey toed the rubber for Boston against his former team for the third time this season, having gone 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA against the Angels in 2010. On Wednesday, Mike Scioscia’s club was prepared for what Lackey had coming for them.
Provided with a 1-0 lead after an RBI single by Adrian Beltre in the bottom of the first, Lackey got touched up for a solo shot by his former batterymate, Mike Napoli, in the third.
In the next frame, Howie Kendrick lined a base hit to right to give the Halos a one-run lead.
Trailing by one in the bottom of the fourth, Bill Hall did what he does best – hit bombs. With the count even at o...READ MORE!
Published on August 18, 2010 View Comment(s)
See you next year, Cammy by Jared Carrabis
Mike Cameron will have season-ending surgery
(ESPNBoston.com) -- Boston Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron, who has played in only 48 of the team's 120 games this season because of an abdominal tear and additional complications, said Tuesday night that he does not expect to play again the rest of the season.
Terry Francona met with the Boston media today, and spoke about two banged up centerfielders.
"He'd be out there in 7th inning (at times) and he wasnt sure if he could do it. It would be an uphill battle for him," said Francona of Mike Cameron, who will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle.
"We're in a position now where we need all of the healthy -- physically and mentally -- guys possible playing in the field," Cameron told ESPNBoston. "Me trying to play 65 percent is probably not beneficial to the ballclub at the moment.
With all hopes, Cameron hopes to be healthy by spring training 2011. "I don't know what's in store for next year. Who knows? But I'll be here next y...READ MORE!
Published on August 18, 2010 View Comment(s)
Better call 1-800-54-GIANT! by Jared Carrabis
D-Smash and K-Slam power Buchholz to victory
Who do you call when your windshield’s busted? Check Darnell McDonald’s recent calls.
Giant Glass president, Dennis Drinkwater, saw dollar signs on Tuesday night when McDonald squared up a Jered Weaver inside fastball and crushed it over the Monster, over Lansdowne street and through the back window of a car with Rhode Island plates that was parked in the parking garage across the street.
Saying that the Red Sox have had their way against the Halos this season has to be the biggest understatement since “Dustin Pedroia can’t wait to get back on the field.”
Defeating the Angels in all of their meetings both at Fenway Park and back on the west coast, the Red Sox continued their trend of dominance.
Ahead by just a run against the top strikeout pitcher in the majors, rookie Ryan Kalish came to the plate with the bags jammed. It was Kalish’s third time coming to the plate with the bases loaded, as he was in search of his first hit in that situation.
With the count even at on...READ MORE!
Published on August 18, 2010 View Comment(s)
Buzzer beater by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox sign Anthony Ranaudo to $2.55 million deal
(WEEI.com) -- The Red Sox signed supplemental first-round pick (No. 39 overall) Anthony Ranaudo to a $2.55 million deal just before the midnight deadline to strike deals with 2010 selections. Until the last moment, Ranaudo had been prepared to return to Louisiana State University.
I better hear nothing but silence on the phone lines tomorrow on WEEI.
All I’ve been hearing since April was how Theo Epstein is having a terrible year, yada yada and some other garbage. Did you predict that Adrian Beltre was going to hit .328/.366/.566 with 22 homers and 80 RBI? How about Darnell McDonald and Scott Atchison? Had you ever even heard of either of the two before the season started?
How about Bill Hall? Letting Jason Bay go? Bill Hall hitting 15 H-bombs and Bay being lower on the production chain than both Hall and McDonald?
It’s time to give Theo the prais...READ MORE!
Published on August 17, 2010 View Comment(s)
SoxSpace Book Review: by Jared Carrabis
Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength To Come Back
Last month, I started a new segment here on SoxSpace doing book reviews, and the response from the first review was very positive.
In July, I read and reviewed Dustin Pedroia’s Born To Play: My Life In The Game. There were a handful of SoxSpace readers who had either read the book already and shared the same satisfaction as me, or they liked the review so much that they went out and purchased a copy, which is my goal with these reviews.
It’s all about sharing the wealth.
It may be a little soon since Josh Hamilton just dominated the Red Sox this past weekend, as he’s been doing to the entire baseball world since 2007, but I’ve spent the past month reading Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength To Come Back by Josh Hamilton, with Tim Keown.
After my trip to Arlington to visit Rangers Ballpark for the first time, I finished reading this book due to the many hours it took to fly there and back. Thanks, American...READ MORE!
Published on August 17, 2010 View Comment(s)
Thanks for a good time, Texas! by Jared Carrabis
A look back at my trip down to the Lone Star State
If traveling weren’t such a miserable experience, I’d go to Texas every weekend.
I finally got some time to write, as I had been in a groove of throwing up three posts a day, but between the friendly Red Sox fans of Texas buying me beers, the hours of travel and delayed flights, combined with having to be at Fenway Park at 10am this morning after getting in to Logan Airport after 3am, there was just no time.
First and foremost, I’ve got to thank the Red Sox Nation Governor of Texas once again, Mr. Johnny Matthews. The man flew me down to Dallas, posted me up on his couch for the weekend and threw together an impressive watch party at Humperdink’s, where nearly a hundred Red Sox fans traveled from all over the great state of Texas.
Despite the loss on Friday night, I was glad to at least have seen a great game. Saturday was even better, as Jon Lester hurled eight shutout innings in a winning effort, but the Texas sun kept me away from Rangers Ballpark on Sunday.
If you hav...READ MORE!
Published on August 16, 2010 View Comment(s)
Francona: 'It's very concerning' by Jared Carrabis
Ellsbury to return to Boston for MRI at Mass General
I think it’s time to call it a season, Jacoby.
Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was lifted the game in the fourth inning of Friday night’s crushing loss as a result of his collision with Rangers’ starter Tommy Hunter at first base.
"I just landed on my side and back and got that sharp pain in there. I tried to play through it. I didn't want to come out of the game. That was the biggest thing. Tito and I talked, and he took me out. We'll get it looked at tomorrow.”
Instead of getting it looked at in Texas, Ellsbury will fly back to Boston today and get an MRI at Mass General Hospital.
"Unfortunately he managed to fall right on the same spot," manager Terry Francona told reporters last night. "It's very concerning. The exam that he [athletic trainer Mike Reinold] did, it was very concerning. We'll get him looked as as quickly as we can so we can try and make a decision going forward. He's pretty sore, we'll see."
Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe speculates that Mike ...READ MORE!
Published on August 14, 2010 View Comment(s)
I just want to go to sleep by Jared Carrabis
First-hand account of Sox losing six-run lead to Rangers in walk-off
Following a heart-breaking loss at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays in walk-off fashion on Thursday, Daniel Bard was asked what the Red Sox needed to do to put such a crushing loss behind them.
His response, “Sweep Texas.” Oh, the irony, for it was Bard who was charged with the blown save in Boston’s eventual implosion down in Arlington, Texas.
I was on hand among the 47,000-plus, after traveling over eight hours, being assigned to five different flights, and even brushing shoulders with the Boston Globe’s Amalie Benjamin at five in the morning. After the Red Sox Nation Governor of Texas, Johnny Matthews, took me to find my lost bags, it was on to Humperdinks, where Red Sox fans from all over Texas gathered for some pre-game beers.
As a baseball fan, it was a great night. If you follow me on Twitter, you already know that Josh Hamilton is my favorite baseball player. As a Red Sox fan, I wanted to bury myself.
Josh Beckett...READ MORE!
Published on August 14, 2010 View Comment(s)
Lack, Papel and loss by Jared Carrabis
Sox, Papelbon squander three-run lead in ninth, lose via walk-off
Everything was going great; it really was.
For the first time in his Red Sox tenure, John Lackey found himself pitching in the ninth inning with a chance to hurl a complete game in winning fashion. However, the majors’ home run leader had other plans.
Starting the inning at just 91 pitches, Lackey dealt pitch number 98 to Jose Bautista that the right fielder uncorked into the seats in left for a solo blast, bringing the Toronto Blue Jays within two runs of the Red Sox in the bottom of the ninth.
Before the game could get to that situation, the Red Sox first had to get to spot-starter, Brad Mills, who if you were curious, is not related to former Red Sox’ bench coach and current Astros’ manager, Brad Mills.
Falling to 0-2 in the count, David Ortiz was swinging on the 0-2 fastball from Mills, and ripped a base hit through the shift to drive in Jed Lowrie, who was 1-for-3 with a pair of walks.
In the top of the fifth with a one-run lead, Lowrie provided his starter with a...READ MORE!
Published on August 12, 2010 View Comment(s)
'It's our time to strike if we're going to strike' by Jared Carrabis
Bill Hall ignites Sox' offense with two-homer night, as Buchholz shines
An A-Bomb from A-Rod? How about two H-Bombs from Bill Hall.
This series had been advertised as a team that hit home runs like crazy going up against a team that was struggling to score runs. I guess, technically, they were right, but then again, so wrong. So very wrong.
Speaking of being so wrong, and I won’t mention any names here, but there are more than a few SoxSpace readers who moan and groan every time I post the lineup just a few hours before the first pitch, and Hall’s name appears somewhere among the starting nine.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I’m not saying that you’re wrong for doing it, but what gives? Never mind. I guess I am saying that you’re wrong for doing it.
This may have sounded like a silly thing to say at the start of spring training, but where would this team be without Bill Hall? The offensive boost that he has given this team in the absence of Dustin Pedroia, and even before that, has been nothing short of tremendous.
If you want ...READ MORE!
Published on August 12, 2010 View Comment(s)
Called up to the big leagues by Jared Carrabis
SoxSpace's Jared Carrabis to host webcast on RedSox.com
(RedSox.com) -- As an extension of the 2010 Listening Tour, the Red Sox have created an online opportunity to hear from those fans who cannot attend the Listening Tour event in each New England state. Red Sox Nation Governor of Massachusetts Jared Carrabis will sit down with a Red Sox personality periodically to field questions and take suggestions live from fans. During each webcast, Jared and his guest will reply to questions that fans have posted on this site beforehand, as well as respond to live comments and questions posted on Facebook and Twitter.
First thing's first; a big thank you goes out to Rafe Anderson, without whom, none of this would be possible.
Rafe devised a plan to allow Red Sox fans to interact with front office members and players alike. The Red Sox are always looking for new ways to enh...READ MORE!
Published on August 11, 2010 View Comment(s)
Let the Saltalamacchia era begin by Jared Carrabis
Jarrod Saltalamacchia to join Red Sox tonight in Toronto, Kevin Cash to DL
(ESPNBoston.com) -- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, acquired in a trade deadline deal with Texas, has been called up to the Red Sox, according to a team source, and is expected to be in uniform for Wednesday night's game here against the Blue Jays.
The question of when Jarrod Saltalamacchia will join the Red Sox has finally been answered: today.
As a result of back-up catcher, Kevin Cash, "tweaking his left hammy" according to Red Sox manager Terry Francona on WEEI's Dale and Holley show, Boston has opted to call up their trade deadline acquisition, switch-hitting catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
With four years of big league experience, Saltalamacchia hits at .251/.313/.388, and would average 16 homers and 63 RBI over 162 games.
Saltalamacchia has just one hit in five major league at bats this season, and is hitting .243 between Texas' triple-A affiliate, Oklahoma City, and Boston's triple-A squad down in Pawtucket. Between the two minor league clubs, Saltala...READ MORE!
Published on August 11, 2010 View Comment(s)
A taste of their own medicine by Jared Carrabis
Sox, Lowell beat homer-happy Jays with long ball in eighth
The Blue Jays may have won the Home Run Derby, but the Red Sox won the war.
As advertised, Toronto came out swingin’ for the fences against Red Sox’ starter, Daisuke Matsuzaka. Before Matsuzaka had been touched up at all, it was the Red Sox who struck first against left-hander Ricky Romero, as Daisuke struck out the side in order in the first.
In Romero’s last start, the lefty hurled a complete game victory against the Yankees, retiring the last 26 of 27 batters he faced. On Tuesday, he would not be as fortunate.
David Ortiz entered the night as a .500 hitter (6-for-12) with a homer against Romero, and Boston’s DH would continue to have his way. In the top of the second, even through he has struggled mightily against left-handers this season, Ortiz rocked a double out to center.
Adrian Beltre followed suit by hammering a double of his own into the gap in left-center to drive in Ortiz.
Later in the inning with two outs, Jed Lowrie, batting from the right side, shot a Ro...READ MORE!
Published on August 11, 2010 View Comment(s)
Laser show's intermission comes to close by Jared Carrabis
Dustin Pedroia to return on Tuesday
(WEEI.com) -- Barring any setbacks, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is on pace to return to the Red Sox when they return to Fenway Park on Aug. 17, both Pedroia and Sox manager Terry Francona told reporters. Pedroia had an aggressive day of running in spikes prior to his team's series opener against the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
With all hopes of the Red Sox and their fans, Dustin Pedroia will return to action on Tuesday, just after blowing out twenty-seven candles for his birthday.
Pedroia last suited up for the Red Sox on June 25 in San Francisco. If he returns to action on the targeted Tuesday of August 17, he will have missed 53 days, or seven weeks and four days.
According to the report by Alex Speier, "[Pedroia] will run the bases on both Wednesday and Thursday and then visit with Dr. George Theodore in Boston on Friday."
When Pedroia returns, he will reclaim a ....READ MORE!
Published on August 10, 2010 View Comment(s)
Delgado: 'They're gonna fight to win' by Jared Carrabis
Carlos Delgado discusses why he chose Red Sox
I don't know why, but I have a strong feeling that the risk that the Red Sox took when signing Carlos Delgado will pay dividends.
On Monday, Delgado played in his first professional baseball game in 456 days. After undergoing two surgeries to repair a hip injury, the former A.L. East foe with the Toronto Blue Jays for twelve major league seasons went 0-for-3, batting out of the clean-up spot.
The Paw Sox’ designated hitter put some good swings on the ball, despite not having a hit to show for it. In his first at bat in the second inning, Delgado put a charge into one and drove one out to deep right-center that took an against-the-wall grab to record the out.
Delgado went on to ground out to third in the fifth inning, and punched out in the following frame.
A day prior to his Paw Sox debut, Delgado met with the Boston media, who didn’t beat around the bush. "For starters, why Boston?" a reporter asked.
"Well, you know, this is a team with a huge tradition for baseball,"...READ MORE!
Published on August 10, 2010 View Comment(s)
Blue Jay Way by Jared Carrabis
Complete Red Sox series preview against red-hot Blue Jays
It's not often that a fourth place team in any division can pose such a big threat, or a threat at all for that matter.
Welcome to the American League East.
Fourth place team or not, the Toronto Blue Jays are not to be taken lightly. Since the All Star break, nobody has been hotter than Major League Baseball’s lone team from our neighbors to the north.
Their 11-7 record since the break isn’t opening very many eyes, but when you consider the fact that the Jays have played twelve games against the American League East, and have gone 11-1 over that span, Cito Gaston’s club commands respect, and is certainly not to be underestimated.
Of the three divisions in the American League, the A.L. East is the only division with more than two teams with an over .500 record, never mind four teams being over .500.
Since the All Star break, the Blue Jays have averaged 5.6 runs per game, hitting at .291 as a team, and have blasted a 38 home runs in their 18 post-All Star break games.
...READ MORE!
Published on August 10, 2010 View Comment(s)
Bard: 'They got a pissed off Jon Lester' by Jared Carrabis
Luck finally falls Red Sox' way in series finale victory
After feeling the wrath of the Baseball Gods for a majority of the 2010 season, the Red Sox finally had some luck fall their way in Monday’s matinee game against the Yankees.
In search of his first win since the All Star break, Jon Lester once again brought no-hit stuff to the table in his fifth start of the second half. Opposing Lester on Monday was Phil Hughes, who was only making his fifth start since July 9, in the Yankees’ attempt to limit the number of innings tossed by the 24-year-old.
Lester had everything working in the early going, as the left-hander did not allow a hit until giving up a hit to Austin Kearns with one away in the fifth.
Hughes wasn’t at his best on Monday, but he did, however, pitch well enough to win. In the bottom of the second, rookie Ryan Kalish singled to right field with one out. With Bill Hall at the dish, Kalish took off for second base, then advanced to third after Jorge Posada’s toss sailed into center field for an error.
With Kalish ju...READ MORE!
Published on August 09, 2010 View Comment(s)
At least Bill Hall wants to win by Jared Carrabis
Hall's three-hit night not enough to bail out Beckett
As Pedro Martinez would say, who are you, Dustin Moseley? Who are you?
Aside from Bill Hall, who was not impressed by Moseley in the least bit, the right-hander who took the place of A.J. Burnett inexplicably silenced the Red Sox’ offense into the seventh inning. Why is his success against the Red Sox inexplicable? Because this 28-year-old has only made 25 starts since 2006, and as a starter, he is 6-5 in his career with a 5.52 ERA, as opponents have hit at a .323 clip against him entering Sunday night.
Moseley retired the first seven Red Sox batters he faced, until Hall had something to say about it. Boston’s second baseman singled into left for Boston’s first hit.
From the time Hall singled, until the time he came up again, the Red Sox managed just one hit. In Hall’s second at bat, the right-hander massacred a 1-1 curveball to deep left field, providing the Red Sox with their first run.
By that time, the Red Sox were trailing 2-0, but Hall’s solo blast cut the Y...READ MORE!
Published on August 08, 2010 View Comment(s)
Pedro Martinez, a career summed up by Jared Carrabis
Barstool NY sits down with Pedro Martinez to reflect on HOF career
You know me; any chance I get to write about Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez or Pedro Martinez, I'm banging that blog out as soon as possible.
An avid reader of Barstool Sports, as I shared with the Phoenix at Blogapalooza, the New York branch of the Barstool brand had the privilege of sitting down with legendary Red Sox pitcher, Pedro Martinez.
From his performance in the 1999 All Star Game that will forever live in baseball lore, to his six no-hit innings of relief against the Tribe in the ’99 AL Division Series, throwing Don Zimmer to the ground, drilling Karim Garcia, his return to Fenway Park for the first time as a Met, and his infamous “Daddy” comment, the folks over at Barstool New York pick Pedro’s brain for over 15 minutes of Red Sox fan gold in their one-on-one video.
Back in July of 2009 when Nomar...READ MORE!
Published on August 08, 2010 View Comment(s)
$18 million doesn't go as far as it used to by Jared Carrabis
John Lackey gets roughed up for 5 ER in Sox loss
Financially, baseball has come a long way in the past decade.
Ten years ago, the $18.7 million that the Red Sox are dishing out this year for John Lackey would have made him the highest paid player in the entire game of baseball. In 2010, $18.7 million will get you six innings, five earned runs and a loss against the team with the best record baseball.
The highest-paid pitcher in Red Sox history took the mound in a much-needed win for Boston, as Tampa Bay had lost yet another game, and the Yankees are amidst one of their weaker points of this 2010 season.
Before the game, All Star Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez took a batting practice liner off the shin from newly acquired Lance Berkman, which led to his being scratched from the lineup.
Throughout the entire FOX broadcast, the ever-annoying Joe Buck made a point to inform the viewing audience every 35 seconds that the reason A-Rod was caught off-guard by Berkman’s liner was because Rodriguez had been talking to him.
...READ MORE!
Published on August 08, 2010 View Comment(s)
Party like it's 1999 by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox sign Carlos Delgado to minor league deal
(Ken Rosenthal on Twitter) -- Source: Carlos Delgado agrees to minor-league deal with #RedSox. Must be in majors by Sept. 1 or he can become free agent.
In search of a lefty bat to compliment Mike Lowell at first base, the Red Sox have apparently signed yet another over-the-hump first baseman coming off of hip surgery.
One of my earliest memories of baseball at Fenway Park was with my dad during a day game against the Toronto Blue Jays in the late 90's.
Carlos Delgado was matched up against Pedro Martinez, and I remember him taking one of the hardest uppercut swings I had ever seen in my life.
"Can you even do that, Dad?" I asked. "He doesn't hit 40 a year swinging like a girl," my dad told me.
His days of blasting 40-plus homers may be behind him, but we are talking about a guy who hit 38 home runs just two years ago, prior to having surgery performed to repair a torn labrum in his hip.
...READ MORE!
Published on August 07, 2010 View Comment(s)
Getting Looney with Wake by Jared Carrabis
Tim Wakefield, Looney Tunes partner up to help kids
I remember watching the episode of Looney Tunes featured below when I was a little kid, and it totally screwed up what I thought the rules of baseball were.
I have memories of 1999 when Pedro Martinez was making even the most roided-up juice-heads in baseball history look like they were batting with a blindfold on, waiving at Pedro’s changeup helplessly.
You know what players called Pedro’s changeup? A Bugs Bunny changeup. Why? Because compared to his fastball, his changeup came in and dropped off in a way that you felt like you could swing at it three times before it got to home plate.
Bugs Bunny had more than just that correlation to the Red Sox. When asked who his idol was growing up, Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra said, "Back then, my idol was Bugs Bunny, because I saw a cartoon of him playing ball - you know, the one where he plays every position himself with nobody else on the field but him? Now that I think of it, Bugs is still my idol. You have to love a ballp...READ MORE!
Published on August 07, 2010 View Comment(s)
Ellsbury: 'I'm just happy I made the catch' by Jared Carrabis
Jacoby Ellsbury feeling OK after diving grab in 8th
When Lance Berkman lined a Daniel Bard fastball into shallow center field, I immediately saw where the ball was going to land, and where Jacoby Ellsbury was standing.
If the calculations in my brain were accurate, this was not going to end well for a player just coming off of the disabled list with broken ribs.
Ellsbury came charging in towards the ball before leaving his feet, making a diving catch, face-planting into the grass, then getting right back up to his feet to toss the ball back into the infield. (Click for video)
After the Boston outfielder’s highlight reel snag had been completed, every Red Sox fan began to wonder the same thing, “When is he going to wind up back on the disabled list after that one?”
Boston fans winced at the sight of seeing Ellsbury hit the ground with such force, getting up, walking back to his position, and reaching for his ribs, as shown in the p...READ MORE!
Published on August 07, 2010 View Comment(s)
Bombers away by Jared Carrabis
Homers by Ortiz, Kalish enough to sink Yanks in opener
In situations where the Red Sox’ backs have been against the wall under Terry Francona’s managerial reign, more often than not, Boston has come out on top.
This four-game series in the Bronx is one of those times.
Facing the right-hander that brings back delightful memories of Red Sox/Yankees past, Javier Vazquez was up to his old ways: giving up home runs to the Red Sox. In the top of the first, David Ortiz strolled to the plate with two outs. With a full count, Ortiz connected with an 87 MPH fastball and lifted it to dead center for a solo blast.
Taking the mound for the first time since becoming a father, Clay Buchholz struggled in the first inning, where batters have been hitting .301 against the right-hander all season.
After allowing a lead-off single to Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira came to the plate with one away. Teixeira only had five career at bats against Buchholz, but had two singles and a home run to show for it. After taking a first-pitch strike, Teixeira hamm...READ MORE!
Published on August 07, 2010 View Comment(s)
Join the party! by Jared Carrabis
Hideki Okajima the latest to cross velvet rope to Club Disabled, Doubront called up
According to multiple reports on Twitter, Hideki Okajima will become the 87th Red Sox player to be placed on the disabled list this season.
The left-handed reliever's injury is being described as a "calf strain."
Okajima complained of some discomfort after being lifted from Thursday night's game in the ninth. The lefty allowed two singles and a walk, facing four batters and causing Jonathan Papelbon to be called into the game.
It seems as if Okajima's fall from grace has hit its low point, as the All Star in 2007 has seen his workload nearly cut in half from previous seasons.
In his first three major league seasons, Okajima averaged 64 innings per year. In 2010, he has logged 32.1 innings and is two earned runs away from tying a career high, which was set last season.
His 5.85 ERA is a career worst, and his 1.979 WHIP is third worst in the American League, and a far cry from the 0.971 that it was in 2007....READ MORE!
Published on August 06, 2010 View Comment(s)
Get to October, or die trying by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox' season hangs in the balance of four-game series in Bronx
Win and live to fight another day. Lose and, well, you probably don’t want to hear about that scenario.
The Red Sox pack their bags at Fenway Park and head to Yankee Stadium for a four-game series that very well could determine the outcome of their season, a that has been a roller coaster ride with more downs than ups.
To their credit, despite having their number of players on the DL end up in double digits, the Red Sox have hung in there all season long, and have a golden opportunity to gain major ground on their divisional foes, the New York Yankees.
With the best record in baseball, the Yankees and other teams who have played well this season have not been the issue for Boston. The teams who the Red Sox should be clobbering have been the problem.
After their win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night to earn a four-game split, the Red Sox improved to 16-15 against the Indians, Orioles, Royals and Mariners. If Boston had gone 21-10 over those 31 games against the ...READ MORE!
Published on August 06, 2010 View Comment(s)
You got Beltre'd by Jared Carrabis
Grand slam by Beltre backs masterful outing by Matsuzaka
Just hours after Red Sox Nation was devastated by news of Kevin Youkilis being out for the remainder of the season, Adrian Beltre lifted the spirits of Boston with one swing.
Trying to earn a split in their four-game set against the Tribe, the Red Sox sent Daisuke Matsuzaka to the mound. Despite being a better pitcher on the road than at Fenway Park, Matsuzaka was brilliant on Thursday night.
For the third time this season, Matsuzaka pitched his way into the eighth inning. In his previous two starts in which he logged eight innings, the right-hander walked a total of six batters. On Thursday, Matsuzaka was touched for just one earned run on a solo blast by Shin-Soo Choo, while punching out six batters and walking two.
Making his second big league start, Indians’ starter Josh Tomlin had some control problems in the fourth when he walked Victor Martinez on four pitches, and later walked JD Drew to load the bases for Beltre.
Tomlin didn’t have any problem finding the strike ...READ MORE!
Published on August 05, 2010 View Comment(s)
Report: Youkilis done for the season by Jared Carrabis
Kevin Youkilis will have season-ending surgery on Friday
Well, that's that. The possibility that Red Sox Nation feared most since Monday night has become a reality.
Kevin Youkilis' season has come to an abrupt halt, as the torn muscle at the base of his thumb must be operated on. The Red Sox have disclosed that regardless of if the team makes the postseason or not, Youkilis will not be returning at any point in 2010.
Youkilis had been hitting .307 with 19 homers and 62 RBI in 102 games. At .975, Youkilis' OPS ranked fifth in the American League, as his .411 OBP was good for third in the AL. Boston’s first baseman had also scored 77 runs, with two tied with 78 and Mark Teixeira leading the league with 79, Youkilis was a force on the base paths.
His bat will sorely be missed in the heart of the Red Sox’ lineup, as the team has already been struggling to beat the cellar dwellers of the AL Central.
As the Red Sox take a huge blow to their offense, they will once again need others to step it up in the absence of yet another injured ...READ MORE!
Published on August 05, 2010 View Comment(s)
Unsolved Mysteries: Jon Lester by Jared Carrabis
Lester drops to 0-4 since All Star break in Sox' loss
Who are you, and what have you done with Jon Lester?
Prior to the All Star break, Lester had pitched his way to an 11-3 record, with an ERA of 2.78. In 120 innings, the left-hander had punched out 124 batters and held opposing hitters to a .203 average.
Now before we delve into Lester’s post-All Star break numbers, let it be known that there has been plenty of factors in the left-handers recent skid.
In Lester’s first start since tossing an inning in his first career All Star Game, he held the Texas Rangers to three runs over eight frames in a losing effort. His next time out, he carried a perfect game into the sixth inning before an Eric Patterson fumble in the outfield led to Lester’s subsequent unraveling.
In his outing previous to Wednesday night’s, Lester allowed a career high eleven hits. It would be unfair to make excuses for Jon, but his wife Farrah gave birth to their first child the next day. Perhaps his mind was elsewhere, although he would never admit it if th...READ MORE!
Published on August 05, 2010 View Comment(s)
Here's to you, Red Sox Nation by Jared Carrabis
Forbes.com says Red Sox have best fans in sports
(Forbes.com) -- Just look at the fans all over the country who follow every pitch of their beloved Boston Red Sox. They pack Fenway when the team is in town, and fill other stadiums when they’re on the road. They stayed true throughout an epic dry spell, when the Sox went 86 years without winning a World Series--and when the team finally broke that drought in 2004, they grew even more fanatic. Today, the team is No. 2 in MLB merchandise sales (behind their hated rivals, the New York Yankees). And members of "Red Sox Nation" are so devoted, they top our list of "America's Best Sports Fans."
If all I wrote for this blog was "obviously," it would be a good enough blog post by my standards, but I'll expand.
You want proof that the Red Sox are the best fans in sports? Look no further than last night. Mike Lowell, who has been shoved aside by the team that he took less years and a disco...READ MORE!
Published on August 04, 2010 View Comment(s)
Ellsbury: 'You know I'm ready' by Jared Carrabis
Jacoby Ellsbury to return on Wednesday night
Here it is, the moment we’ve all been whining for. Jacoby Ellsbury is returning to the Red Sox.
Between the moans on talk radio shows, the groans on late-night sports TV, and the complaining on sports blogs, finally, our whines have been answered.
After going 3-for-5 for the Pawtucket Red Sox on Tuesday, Ellsbury upped his average to .500 (7-for-14) in his three rehab starts down in triple-A. He’s ready. We’re ready. Let’s win some ballgames.
Now, the question that we have to ask here is quite simple. Is Ellsbury’s return too late? Can he even be that much of a difference-maker to help the Red Sox make a final push for the postseason?
Simply put, yes.
"We're just going to continue to do the best with what you have," said Red Sox general manager, Theo Epstein. "I still feel we put a good team on field. I feel like we have enough talent to get as hot as we're going to need to get to do damage in this division."
El...READ MORE!
Published on August 04, 2010 View Comment(s)
Still think they don't care? by Jared Carrabis
Breaking down the benches-clearing incident
So many things to dissect here, but I’ll start with the obvious.
Jensen Lewis…dude, really? Do you have any idea who you just threw at? That was Adrian Beltre, AKA the destroyer of human bone fragments. The absolute last guy you wanted to throw at was Beltre. In the one situation where Beltre should have gone out and crushed some ribs, he spared you. Thank your lucky stars that you can cough without crying tonight.
The two benches clearing can be traced back to the top of the first inning. Whether it was intentional or not, we’ll probably never know, but Shelley Duncan’s elbow got in the way of a 95 MPH heater from Josh Beckett.
Was it intentional? Duncan had been 4-for-5 with a pair of RBIs the night before, but that’s no reason to peg a guy the next day.
Two innings later in the third, Beckett caught Shin-Soo Choo right in the knee with a 95 MPH 4-seamer. The fastball ricocheted off the knee of Choo, who hit the deck immediately.
I suppose it’s worth noting that Choo...READ MORE!
Published on August 04, 2010 View Comment(s)
It was his night by Jared Carrabis
Mike Lowell shines in return to Fenway Park
Another day, another blow. The odds are stacked against them, but haven’t they always been?
When is the last time that the Red Sox had success without facing a great deal of adversity first? Sure, this adversity is in a different form than what we’re used to, but an obstacle is an obstacle as far as I’m concerned.
In 2004, the Red Sox faced a three games to none deficit. In 2005, their pitching staff was held together by duct tape, but they fought for all 162 games and ended up with an identical record to the Yankees. In 2007, the Red Sox were down 3-1 to the Cleveland Indians and fought all the way back.
The point here is that you play every game, every inning, every pitch for a reason. With 55 games remaining on the schedule, this season is far from over. The Rays have proven that the team that they have is capable of getting so cold that they can lose several games in the standings in a short period of time. On the other hand, this Red Sox team, when healthy, has shown th...READ MORE!
Published on August 04, 2010 View Comment(s)
One thumb down by Jared Carrabis
Youk's thumb lands him on DL, Mike Lowell activated
(WEEI.com) -- At long last, Mike Lowell has been activated by the Red Sox and will make the start at first base in Tuesday night's matchup with the Indians. In a corresponding move, Kevin Youkilis was put on the 15-day disabled list after injuring his hand in at-bat during Monday's loss.
In the bottom of the first Kevin Youkilis lined out to short against Fausto Carmona.
In the process, Boston's first baseman jammed his thumb, as his pain was visible in his trip up the first baseline. Youkilis waved his hand in pain, as trainers attended to him immediately.
He remained in the game, but was later removed in the third inning, as Victor Martinez came out from behind the plate in favor of Kevin Cash, who was uncharacteristically inserted into the three-hole in the Red Sox' lineup as a .150 hitter.
X-rays after the game showed there was no break, but Youkilis was schedul...READ MORE!
Published on August 03, 2010 View Comment(s)
Enough is enough by Jared Carrabis
The Jacoby Ellsbury situation has gotten out of hand
From inside the Red Sox’ dugout, Jacoby Ellsbury watched two base runners get gunned down at home plate.
The next day, Ellsbury went down to the Pawtucket Red Sox and went 3-for-3 by the fourth inning, after having at least two hits in each of his last three games for the Paw Sox. After recording his third hit of the day, Ellsbury upped his average to .533 during his rehab assignment. Do you see something wrong with this picture? I certainly do.
With Mike Cameron hitting the disabled list, Jeremy Hermida being designated for assignment, and JD Drew’s hamstring leading to his sporadic playing time, Ellsbury is needed with the big club getting three-hit games, because he’s not being paid to do that for Pawtucket.
When asked about a potential rehab assignment when healthy enough, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia said, "The Red Sox need me more than the Paw Sox."
If only Ellsbury believed in that same philosophy, he could have been a difference-maker in Monday night’s on...READ MORE!
Published on August 03, 2010 View Comment(s)
Can't do it on his own by Jared Carrabis
Despite two homer, 5 RBI from Beltre, Sox drop series opener to Tribe
Just another frustrating night at Fenway Park, the story of the 2010 season.
With a 1.61 ERA since the All Star break, John Lackey looked to build on his strong second half. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, the weak-hitting Indians had other plans.
Not known for striking a ton of batters out, Lackey whiffed five Indians in the first three frames. However, Lackey’s smooth sailing would hit a storm that the right-hander could not weather. After having pinpoint command in the early going, complete with a sharp breaking ball, Lackey’s command began to wander.
After getting the first two outs of the fourth, Lackey allowed three straight hits, two for extra bases, as outfielder Ryan Kalish prevented further damage by hosing Shelley Duncan at the plate, which could have been Cleveland’s third run of the inning.
Lackey allowed a double and a single to open the fifth, making it seven consecutive Indians to reach base against the burly right-hander. A 4-6-3 twin killing brought home ...READ MORE!
Published on August 03, 2010 View Comment(s)
Keep on walkin' by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox, Scutaro walk off for second straight game
From brilliance, to agony, to ecstasy, the Red Sox are alive.
Refusing to lay down in the AL East, the Red Sox walked off with a win on a bases-clearing double by David Ortiz on Saturday. In a Sunday day game, the Red Sox sent Clay Buchholz and his flowing hair to the mound in hopes of taking the series against the Tigers at home.
The Red Sox faced a daunting task, as Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander stood in their way, but working in their favor was the fact that the flame-throwing right-hander has not pitched well on the road this season, entering his start on Sunday with a 5-4 record to go with a 4.80 ERA away from Comerica Park.
Eric Patterson came to the plate in the bottom of the second with runners at the corners. Batting from the left side, the centerfielder sliced a first-pitch fastball into shallow left that Ryan Raburn was unable to come up with in his diving attempt.
The RBI base hit for Patterson brought home Adrian Beltre, who singled to lead off the inning, giv...READ MORE!
Published on August 02, 2010 View Comment(s)
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Red Sox lose their third straight game, fall further out of contention
I’ve got some good news, and I’ve got some bad news.
The good news is that Josh Beckett turned in a quality start – against the Orioles, so don’t get too excited – hurling seven innings, allowing three runs, two earned, while walking one and striking out five. Well, if he allowed just three runs to the Orioles, then there can’t be any bad news, right?
Well, the bad news is that after the game, Beckett stormed out of the clubhouse without speaking to the media, which is a rarity, and never a good sign.
Simply put, the offense was a no-show against Brian Matusz. Felix Doubront allowed back-to-back homers to Luke Scott and Felix Pie – as shown above – and even without the two long balls, the three runs allowed by Beckett would have been enough to sink the Sox that are seemingly going home after the final game of the regular season.
Jed Lowrie’s two-run blast that traveled 388 feet was the only swing that kept the Red Sox from being shut out. In all, the Red Sox were just 1-f...READ MORE!
Published on August 31, 2010 View Comment(s)
Farewell, Manny by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox trade Manny Delcarmen to Colorado Rockies
He was the hometown kid turned Red Sox reliever.
Not quite the same legacy as Tony Conigliaro, but Manny Delcarmen leaves behind a positive legacy nonetheless. The Pride of Hyde Park, and a graduate of West Roxbury High School, Delcarmen has called Boston his home for his entire life.
Taken by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2000 amateur baseball draft, Delcarmen pitched his way to a respectable 3.89 ERA in 284.1 innings over six seasons with the team he grew up watching.
Over the years, Delcarmen has grown to be an ambassador of sorts to the Red Sox organization. The right-hander resides in Boston in the off-season, and after the Red Sox' 2007 World Series championship, Delcarmen would often travel with the World Series trophies throughout New England.
As Red Sox Nation Governor of Massachusetts, I have the privilege of attending fan friendly events such as Christmas at Fenway among others, and more often than not, Delcarmen was in attendance.
On Tuesday, the R...READ MORE!
Published on August 31, 2010 View Comment(s)
Well, that's that by Jared Carrabis
The Red Sox lose game, series, playoff hopes to Rays
The Red Sox' 2008 season ended in Tampa Bay with Jed Lowrie at the plate; I think you get what I’m saying.
On a night where the Red Sox needed John Lackey to come up big, he did everything but. With the season hanging in the balance, the man that the Red Sox dished out $82.5 million for could not hold up his end of the bargain.
A series that started out with so much promise after Victor Martinez powered the Red Sox to a victory in the opener, ended in utter disappointment on Sunday night when the Boston offense couldn’t bail out yet another garbage start by Lackey.
This was a make-or-break series for Boston’s playoff chances, and after losing the series after taking one of three from the Rays, although not mathematically eliminated, the Red Sox may have realistically eliminated themselves from October on Sunday.
If Boston were in any other division in baseball, their chances of making a comeback would be more than realistic. Hell, if they were in any other division, they’...READ MORE!
Published on August 30, 2010 View Comment(s)
SoxSpace pregame notes: by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox lineup, probable starters, and player to watch
Sunday's lineups:
Red Sox: 1.) Marco Scutaro, SS; 2.) JD Drew, RF; 3.) Victor Martinez, C; 4.) David Ortiz, DH; 5.) Adrian Beltre, 3B; 6.) Mike Lowell, 1B; 7.) Daniel Nava, LF; 8.) Darnell McDonald, CF; 9.) Yamaico Navarro, 2B.
Rays: 1.) John Jaso, C; 2.) Ben Zobrist, 2B; 3.) Carl Crawford, LF; 4.) Evan Longoria, 3B; 5.) Carlos Pena, 1B; 6.) Matt Joyce, RF; 7.) Dan Johnson, DH; 8.) B.J. Upton, CF; 9.) Jason Bartlett, SS.
Starting pitchers:
John Lackey (12-7, 4.51 ERA)
James Shields (11-11, 4.82 ERA)
First pitch Vs. TB at 8:00pm on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball
Pregame notes: Sunday night's game is the wild card game of this series. A complete toss-up. John Lackey will square off against "Big Game" James Shields in the rubber match following a devastating loss at the hands of the Rays on Saturday night.
Are the Red Sox going to get the eight-inning shutout Lackey, or are they going to get the nine-hit, five-walk, eight-earned Lackey? ...READ MORE!
Published on August 29, 2010 View Comment(s)
Source: Red Sox claim Napoli off waivers by Jared Carrabis
Could Red Sox-killer Mike Napoli be headed for Boston?
(Joe McDonald / Twitter) -- Source: Red Sox claim Mike Napoli off waivers. Have until Monday to work out deal
After letting their closer, Brian Fuentes, walk to the Minnesota Twins for next to nothing, it is evident that the Angels have called it a season.
ESPNBoston's Joe McDonald that the Red Sox have been awarded a waiver claim of Angels' catcher, Mike Napoli. You may remember Napoli as the right-handed catcher who took Josh Beckett twice in one postseason game at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox have until Monday to complete a trade with the Angels, or the Halos can either hand over Napoli's contract to Boston, but the most likely option seems to be that the Angels with withdraw Napoli from waivers.
In limited playing time, Napoli has batted .249/.317/.478 with 21 home runs and 60 RBI in 119 games. Not known for his defensive prowess behind the plate, Napoli has seen 49 games at first base this season to k...READ MORE!
Published on August 29, 2010 View Comment(s)
Tough luck Buch by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox squander Buchholz' gem in walk-off loss to Rays
Instead of throwing the idea around of a potential sweep into playoff fever, the Boston sports talk radio phone lines will surely be burning up tomorrow to play the blame game.
Some will blame Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz, some will blame Red Sox manager Terry Francona, and quite possibly, some will even blame J.D. Drew. Before you place your calls, start your conversations and type out your texts; grab some information before you place your blame.
Before any blame is placed anywhere, let me first commend Buchholz on his efforts on Saturday night. As always, Buchholz pitched more than well enough to win, but Matt Garza kept the Red Sox offense in check throughout the night.
If it weren’t for one pitch, this game could have, and more than likely would have, had an entirely different outcome.
In the top of the seventh, pitching with a one-run lead, Buchholz allowed Carlos Pena to reach on a fielder’s choice. Once aboard, Buchholz was paying a curious amount of interest to ...READ MORE!
Published on August 29, 2010 View Comment(s)
So nice, make it twice, Price by Jared Carrabis
Victor Martinez homers twice in crucial game for Red Sox
Before first pitch on Friday night, Red Sox manager said, "If you're a fan, this is the game you want to see."
Fortunately for Red Sox fans, Francona’s hype lived up to the bill in their favor. However, before the Red Sox could hop into the win column, they had the daunting task of going through the first fifteen-game winner in Rays’ history.
In the SoxSpace series preview, I wrote, "My guy to watch on Friday is Victor Martinez." I guess that makes me 1-for-1.
On Friday night, Martinez put on a show for the annoying, cowbell-ringing fans of St. Petersburg. In the top of the first inning, the Boston catcher threw the head of the bat out at a 1-0, 96mph fastball and clocked it into the seats in left field for a solo blast.
The round-tripper for Martinez may not have sparked the offense to follow his lead, but it certainly brought life into the Red Sox.
Locked in a pitcher’s duel, as advertised, Jed Lowrie interrupted ...READ MORE!
Published on August 28, 2010 View Comment(s)
Summoning the spirit of Trot Nixon by Jared Carrabis
A complete Red Sox vs. Rays series preview
With their backs against the wall, a postseason spot still in the realm of possibility, the Red Sox will look to summon the spirit of Trot Nixon this weekend.
Although a sweep would be the best case scenario, taking two out of three would still keep the Red Sox' heads above water. While the Red Sox and Rays go to battle this weekend, the Yankees will have their hands full against the playoff hopeful Chicago White Sox.
After being pushed back from his slated start against Felix Hernandez for Wednesday night's nightcap, Jon Lester will take the ball on Friday night. 2-1 in his last three starts, Lester's ERA (4.96) is a bit skewed after giving up nine earned runs over two innings to the Toronto Blue Jays on August 20.
In 84 career innings against Tampa Bay, Lester is 7-3 with a 4.18 ERA.
The match-up to watch will be Lester versus Carlos Pena, who is a career .296 hitter against the left-hander with four home runs and 10 RBI. In 29 at-bats against Lester, BJ Upton is a care...READ MORE!
Published on August 27, 2010 View Comment(s)
Word around the majors by Jared Carrabis
From Manny on the move, to chasing Yaz
I’m in a writing mood, and it’s an off-day here in Red Sox Nation. With that being said, let’s go around the league with some news and notes.
The hot topic today is that our old pal, Manny Ramirez, has been placed on waivers by the Dodgers, and could be headed back to the American League to help a postseason contender.
Over the past couple of days, I’ve gotten some messages and emails from readers who asked of a possible Ramirez return to Boston – no chance. The way that waiver deals work, is that once a player is placed on waivers, the team with the worst record within the same league as the team that placed the player on waivers gets first dibs.
If every National League team passes on Ramirez, which seems to be likely, then, and only then, can Ramirez be dealt to an American League team, but the chance to place a claim, again, starts with the team with the worst record. It’s only logical, seeing that Ramirez is a free agent after this year, that a team who is vying for a p...READ MORE!
Published on August 26, 2010 View Comment(s)
All lasered out by Jared Carrabis
Pedroia 'will likely shut it down' for rest of the season
(Boston.com) -- Nothing is official yet, but according to major league source Dustin Pedroia will likely shut it down for the remainder of the season. Pedroia is expected to spend the next 10 days back in a boot to stabilize the left foot that got sore again after two games.
We've almost become numb to news like this, right?
I mean, we’ve gotten news about a serious injury, or a season-ending injury to several key contributors all year long, so by now we’re basically pros. Of all the injury news to trickle out this season, this is by far the least surprising. The second that I heard Dustin Pedroia was headed back to the disabled list, I had to think to myself, He’s not coming back.
If there is a positive to come out of all of this ridiculousness, it’s the fact that no injury has been enough to slow this team down. They knew going into this that the Rays and Yanke...READ MORE!
Published on August 26, 2010 View Comment(s)
Damon: 'I'm not going' by Jared Carrabis
The real story on why Damon won't come home
I guess Johnny Damon really is an 'Idiot'.
Depending on how you look at it, this can either make no sense at all to some, or plenty of sense to the rest. You mean to tell me that Damon would rather stay with a team that’s a game under .500 heading into the final month of the season, and ten games back of first place?
Not only that, but Damon only signed a one-year deal. It’s not like he’s choosing to stay with Detroit so that he can help give them a shot next season. Of course, he could re-sign with them this winter, but that’s assuming they even want him back. Also, he could have accepted the trade to be a part of a pennant race, then went back to the Tigers this winter, anyway.
Apparently his feelings suffered irreparable damage when those who stood and booed a man who gave it his all for four seasons in a Red Sox uniform.
Even though I had a strong feeling that Damon wasn’t coming here, I still felt the need that I had to defend him against the people who called him a ...READ MORE!
Published on August 24, 2010 View Comment(s)
Scoot over, Seattle by Jared Carrabis
10 K's from Lackey, 4 RBI night from Scutaro combine for win
With rumors of perhaps a new lead-off hitter on his way to Boston, Marco Scutaro says, Not so fast.
John Lackey took to the mound on a rainy Monday night at Fenway with success against the Mariners in the past. In his most recent outing against Seattle, Lackey tossed eight shutout innings against the M’s almost a month to the day of Monday’s start.
Throughout Lackey’s night, the right-hander was striking out batters at an alarming rate, for Lackey’s standards anyway.
Striking out the first batter of the game, Lackey went on to punch out a total of ten Mariners, a new season high. Lackey commanded all of his pitches in his 119-pitch effort in yet another eight-inning effort. The right-hander kept the ball low, which resulted in nine groundball outs, and just three outs being recorded in the air.
Lackey allowed just two earned runs, three in all, while scattering six hits – all singles.
In the bottom of the fifth, Scutaro came to the dish with the bases loaded, a situati...READ MORE!
Published on August 24, 2010 View Comment(s)
Johnny Damon to return to Red Sox? by Jared Carrabis
The Red Sox have claimed Johnny Damon off waivers
By now, you've probably already heard that the Red Sox have claimed outfielder Johnny Damon off of waivers.
The waiver process is a confusing one, so pay attention. Now that the Red Sox have claimed Damon, it does not mean that he is back with Boston, yet. The Red Sox now have two days (48 hours) to either complete a trade with the Tigers for Damon, the Tigers can hand over Damon and the money remaining on his deal, or the Tigers can pull Damon back from waivers.
Here's the catch: Damon has a limited no-trade clause, which means that the former Boston outfielder can only veto a trade if he is dealt to any team on that isn't on his list of eight approved clubs. Interestingly enough, the Red Sox are not on his list of eight that do not require his approval prior to a trade becoming official.
Now, what is also interesting is that the way the waiver wire works, is that the player goes to the team with the worst record out of all teams who place a claim.
Could the Red Sox have...READ MORE!
Published on August 23, 2010 View Comment(s)
Lowell: 'It will be fun enjoying my kids' by Jared Carrabis
Mike Lowell 'pretty much set in knowing' what he'll do after this season
Other than Manny Ramirez, the only thing that has been more forgotten here in the city of Boston is the fact that Mike Lowell still plans to retire after this season.
Earlier in the year, Lowell indicated that he was on the fence, but hinted at a possible retirement. After Sunday’s win over the Toronto Blue Jays, Lowell was a little more forward with his feelings towards his future.
"I'm pretty much set in knowing what I'm going to do after this year," Lowell told reporters. "It will be fun. It will be fun enjoying my kids."
One would assume that Lowell doesn’t plan on bringing his kids on the road with him next season, so I think it’s fair to say that October 3, 2010, a 1:35pm start against the Yankees, will be your last opportunity to see Mike Lowell in a Red Sox uniform, or any uniform for that matter.
This season has been a roller coaster ride for Lowell, and as fans, we have been along for the ride the whole way.
I was among the 37,440 in attendance at Fenway Park...READ MORE!
Published on August 23, 2010 View Comment(s)
Cy of relief by Jared Carrabis
Bill Hall muscles Clay Buchholz to victory in series finale
After almost two hours worth of combined rain delays, it was Bill Hall who was making it rain on the Blue Jays.
A three-run fifth, which was ignited by David Ortiz’s first triple of the season (not a typo), broke a scoreless tie between the two teams.
A second rain delay that was called for in the top of the third was not enough to keep the two slated starters from returning to the ballgame, as it was Shaun Marcum who was on the receiving end of a barrage of Boston offense in the fifth.
With a panting Ortiz standing at third, Adrian Beltre reached out and hooked a first-pitch fastball from Marcum into the left field corner. Beltre’s double drove in Ortiz for the first run of the evening to give Boston’s third baseman his 86th RBI of the season.
Later in the inning with two outs and Beltre still standing at second, Hall came to the dish with quite an impressive track record against Marcum. With a 2-1 count, Hall annihilated a 2-1 fastball that rocketed over the Green Monst...READ MORE!
Published on August 22, 2010 View Comment(s)
From mono to moon shot by Jared Carrabis
Jed Lowrie cranks walk-off homer in the eleventh
Just when you got fitted for a new black suit made for a funeral, the Red Sox show some signs of life.
Just twenty-four hours after getting embarrassed on their home diamond, suffering a 16-2 loss at the hands of the Blue Jays, Boston turned around and rejuvenated the spirits of Red Sox fans far and wide.
Daisuke Matsuzaka got the ball on Saturday night, and he’s had his fair share of success against the blue birds. In his career, Matsuzaka entered his start with a 6-1 record against Toronto with a 3.71 ERA, his lowest mark among A.L. East teams.
Pitching with a two-run lead following a two-run single by Victor Martinez in the third, Matsuzaka served up a double to John McDonald that brought in a run. If it were not for an excellent relay to home and tremendous block of home plate by Martinez, the game would have been tied, and we may have had a different outcome at the end of the day.
In the bottom of the fifth, a pair of RBI singles by Martinez and Adrian Beltre provide...READ MORE!
Published on August 22, 2010 View Comment(s)
White flag Friday by Jared Carrabis
Sox hit rock bottom in fourteen-run embarrassment
I know that getting pounded by fourteen runs from a team that is fourth in your division is pretty devastating, but given the circumstances, worse things have happened this season.
Over the next twenty-four hours, you’re going to read and hear a lot of nonsense that the Red Sox’ 2010 season officially died on August 20, 2010, but I would not agree with that statement.
Do I think that the Red Sox are going to win the World Series this year? No, probably not. However, I do think that they will be a team worth watching until game 162 has had its final out recorded. With Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Cameron and possibly Dustin Pedroia done for the year, nobody can say with a sane mind that this team will make a run in the postseason, but that’s not to say that they can’t still finish the season on a positive note.
Fans who attended Friday night’s game did not get to see their money’s worth. In fact, they probably saw the worst home loss in recent memory. Their fourteen-...READ MORE!
Published on August 21, 2010 View Comment(s)
The straw that broke the camel's back by Jared Carrabis
Dustin Pedroia to return to 15-day disabled list
I have the unfortunate duty of relaying this news to you.
According to multiple reports on Twitter, Dustin Pedroia will be headed back to the 15-day disabled list as a result of the broken bone in his foot clearly not 100% healed yet, causing enough pain to keep him out of action.
"I've never been through anything like this. Sure it's frustrating," Pedroia told the media after news broke about his latest DL stint.
I have a feeling that the Red Sox may choose to shut down Pedroia for the season, as the injuries this team has endured in 2010 have been too much to overcome.
Kevin Youkilis was shut down for the rest of the season, alongside Mike Cameron, and Jacoby Ellsbury will be out "at least six more weeks," but we all speculate that he'll be done for the rest of the season.
"I just don't want to do anything that will require surgery. Scan shows only half healing," Pedroia said.
With the Red Sox 6.5 games behind the Yankees and 5.5 back of Tampa Bay, it may be wise ...READ MORE!
Published on August 20, 2010 View Comment(s)
Help the Jimmy Fund! by Jared Carrabis
Jimmy Fund's ninth annual telethon ends today, aims for $5 million
Good afternoon SoxSpace readers,
The reason I write to you today is because there are children in need of your help. While the Red Sox belong to Boston, Red Sox Nation spreads wide across the planet. As a result, SoxSpace is read in every American state, and in over twenty different countries.
The Jimmy Fund set a goal for their ninth annual Jimmy Fund Telethon, and that goal was set at $5 million.
As of nine o’clock this morning, the total had been announced at $1,189,033. As you can see, the Jimmy Fund is behind the pace in which they were at this past year. With our help from all across the world, we can help them reach their goal of $5 million.
The enthusiasm and support that the fans down in Texas showed for the Jimmy Fund was inspiring. The work that Red Sox Nation Governor Johnny Matthews does in his home state in support of the Jimmy Fund is commendable.
In that one weekend that I was in Arlington, fans from all over the state of Texas, Mississippi, Georgia and...READ MORE!
Published on August 20, 2010 View Comment(s)
Just another day on Twitter by Jared Carrabis
From Roger Clemens tweets to national television
I had the strangest Twitter day of my entire tweeting life on Thursday.
First, let it be noted that I haven’t gotten the chance to catch up on my sleep in about a week. I haven’t slept more than four hours in a night since last Wednesday. I had to be at Logan Airpot to catch my flight to Dallas for the Sox versus Rangers series at 4:30am on Friday morning.
From Dallas, my flight was supposed to take off at 7pm central time, and didn’t take off until 11pm, then we didn’t get back home in Boston until after 3am. After waiting for my bags, I didn’t get to sleep until about 5am, and I had to be up at 8am to be at Fenway Park for a test run for the Red Sox Listening Tour Webcast.
The Red Sox Listening Tour Webcast debuted on Wednesday, and if you can imagine, I barely got any sleep on Tuesday night, and woke up around 8am on Wednesday morning to be at Fenway for my big day.
This morn...READ MORE!
Published on August 20, 2010 View Comment(s)
Not your 3-year-old brother’s Beckett by Jared Carrabis
Josh Beckett continues to struggle in his lost 2010 season
In a time where the Red Sox’ margin for error is smaller than Dustin Pedroia himself, Josh Beckett has not held up his end of the bargain.
The right-hander, who hasn’t seen the word ‘ace’ be associated with his name as of late, entered Thursday night having allowed thirteen earned runs in his last nine and-two-thirds innings, with opposing hitters scorching him for a .429 average. Beckett was unsuccessful in his quest to turn things around.
Beckett appeared to be in control through the first five frames, hitting as high as 96 with his four-seamer and adding a lot of late break to his two-seamer to hold the Angels scoreless into the sixth.
However, in that sixth inning, the wheels fell off. Beckett allowed back-to-back one-out doubles, followed by a base hit off the bat of Torii Hunter. With two men on, former Yankee foe Hideki Matsui clocked a first-pitch fastball off of Beckett and off the back wall of the bullpen for a three-run bomb.
Beckett returned to the mound in th...READ MORE!
Published on August 20, 2010 View Comment(s)
Save by Nava! by Jared Carrabis
Daniel Nava gets hit, then takes away a hit to give Red Sox a win
It’s hard to imagine that the Red Sox were swept by the Angels last October, as Boston improved to 9-0 against the Halos this season on Wednesday night.
With the Yankees and Rays already claiming victory in ballparks far from Fenway before the final out had been recorded, the Red Sox were fighting to stay five and-a-half games back of a playoff spot.
John Lackey toed the rubber for Boston against his former team for the third time this season, having gone 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA against the Angels in 2010. On Wednesday, Mike Scioscia’s club was prepared for what Lackey had coming for them.
Provided with a 1-0 lead after an RBI single by Adrian Beltre in the bottom of the first, Lackey got touched up for a solo shot by his former batterymate, Mike Napoli, in the third.
In the next frame, Howie Kendrick lined a base hit to right to give the Halos a one-run lead.
Trailing by one in the bottom of the fourth, Bill Hall did what he does best – hit bombs. With the count even at o...READ MORE!
Published on August 18, 2010 View Comment(s)
See you next year, Cammy by Jared Carrabis
Mike Cameron will have season-ending surgery
(ESPNBoston.com) -- Boston Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron, who has played in only 48 of the team's 120 games this season because of an abdominal tear and additional complications, said Tuesday night that he does not expect to play again the rest of the season.
Terry Francona met with the Boston media today, and spoke about two banged up centerfielders.
"He'd be out there in 7th inning (at times) and he wasnt sure if he could do it. It would be an uphill battle for him," said Francona of Mike Cameron, who will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle.
"We're in a position now where we need all of the healthy -- physically and mentally -- guys possible playing in the field," Cameron told ESPNBoston. "Me trying to play 65 percent is probably not beneficial to the ballclub at the moment.
With all hopes, Cameron hopes to be healthy by spring training 2011. "I don't know what's in store for next year. Who knows? But I'll be here next y...READ MORE!
Published on August 18, 2010 View Comment(s)
Better call 1-800-54-GIANT! by Jared Carrabis
D-Smash and K-Slam power Buchholz to victory
Who do you call when your windshield’s busted? Check Darnell McDonald’s recent calls.
Giant Glass president, Dennis Drinkwater, saw dollar signs on Tuesday night when McDonald squared up a Jered Weaver inside fastball and crushed it over the Monster, over Lansdowne street and through the back window of a car with Rhode Island plates that was parked in the parking garage across the street.
Saying that the Red Sox have had their way against the Halos this season has to be the biggest understatement since “Dustin Pedroia can’t wait to get back on the field.”
Defeating the Angels in all of their meetings both at Fenway Park and back on the west coast, the Red Sox continued their trend of dominance.
Ahead by just a run against the top strikeout pitcher in the majors, rookie Ryan Kalish came to the plate with the bags jammed. It was Kalish’s third time coming to the plate with the bases loaded, as he was in search of his first hit in that situation.
With the count even at on...READ MORE!
Published on August 18, 2010 View Comment(s)
Buzzer beater by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox sign Anthony Ranaudo to $2.55 million deal
(WEEI.com) -- The Red Sox signed supplemental first-round pick (No. 39 overall) Anthony Ranaudo to a $2.55 million deal just before the midnight deadline to strike deals with 2010 selections. Until the last moment, Ranaudo had been prepared to return to Louisiana State University.
I better hear nothing but silence on the phone lines tomorrow on WEEI.
All I’ve been hearing since April was how Theo Epstein is having a terrible year, yada yada and some other garbage. Did you predict that Adrian Beltre was going to hit .328/.366/.566 with 22 homers and 80 RBI? How about Darnell McDonald and Scott Atchison? Had you ever even heard of either of the two before the season started?
How about Bill Hall? Letting Jason Bay go? Bill Hall hitting 15 H-bombs and Bay being lower on the production chain than both Hall and McDonald?
It’s time to give Theo the prais...READ MORE!
Published on August 17, 2010 View Comment(s)
SoxSpace Book Review: by Jared Carrabis
Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength To Come Back
Last month, I started a new segment here on SoxSpace doing book reviews, and the response from the first review was very positive.
In July, I read and reviewed Dustin Pedroia’s Born To Play: My Life In The Game. There were a handful of SoxSpace readers who had either read the book already and shared the same satisfaction as me, or they liked the review so much that they went out and purchased a copy, which is my goal with these reviews.
It’s all about sharing the wealth.
It may be a little soon since Josh Hamilton just dominated the Red Sox this past weekend, as he’s been doing to the entire baseball world since 2007, but I’ve spent the past month reading Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength To Come Back by Josh Hamilton, with Tim Keown.
After my trip to Arlington to visit Rangers Ballpark for the first time, I finished reading this book due to the many hours it took to fly there and back. Thanks, American...READ MORE!
Published on August 17, 2010 View Comment(s)
Thanks for a good time, Texas! by Jared Carrabis
A look back at my trip down to the Lone Star State
If traveling weren’t such a miserable experience, I’d go to Texas every weekend.
I finally got some time to write, as I had been in a groove of throwing up three posts a day, but between the friendly Red Sox fans of Texas buying me beers, the hours of travel and delayed flights, combined with having to be at Fenway Park at 10am this morning after getting in to Logan Airport after 3am, there was just no time.
First and foremost, I’ve got to thank the Red Sox Nation Governor of Texas once again, Mr. Johnny Matthews. The man flew me down to Dallas, posted me up on his couch for the weekend and threw together an impressive watch party at Humperdink’s, where nearly a hundred Red Sox fans traveled from all over the great state of Texas.
Despite the loss on Friday night, I was glad to at least have seen a great game. Saturday was even better, as Jon Lester hurled eight shutout innings in a winning effort, but the Texas sun kept me away from Rangers Ballpark on Sunday.
If you hav...READ MORE!
Published on August 16, 2010 View Comment(s)
Francona: 'It's very concerning' by Jared Carrabis
Ellsbury to return to Boston for MRI at Mass General
I think it’s time to call it a season, Jacoby.
Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was lifted the game in the fourth inning of Friday night’s crushing loss as a result of his collision with Rangers’ starter Tommy Hunter at first base.
"I just landed on my side and back and got that sharp pain in there. I tried to play through it. I didn't want to come out of the game. That was the biggest thing. Tito and I talked, and he took me out. We'll get it looked at tomorrow.”
Instead of getting it looked at in Texas, Ellsbury will fly back to Boston today and get an MRI at Mass General Hospital.
"Unfortunately he managed to fall right on the same spot," manager Terry Francona told reporters last night. "It's very concerning. The exam that he [athletic trainer Mike Reinold] did, it was very concerning. We'll get him looked as as quickly as we can so we can try and make a decision going forward. He's pretty sore, we'll see."
Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe speculates that Mike ...READ MORE!
Published on August 14, 2010 View Comment(s)
I just want to go to sleep by Jared Carrabis
First-hand account of Sox losing six-run lead to Rangers in walk-off
Following a heart-breaking loss at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays in walk-off fashion on Thursday, Daniel Bard was asked what the Red Sox needed to do to put such a crushing loss behind them.
His response, “Sweep Texas.” Oh, the irony, for it was Bard who was charged with the blown save in Boston’s eventual implosion down in Arlington, Texas.
I was on hand among the 47,000-plus, after traveling over eight hours, being assigned to five different flights, and even brushing shoulders with the Boston Globe’s Amalie Benjamin at five in the morning. After the Red Sox Nation Governor of Texas, Johnny Matthews, took me to find my lost bags, it was on to Humperdinks, where Red Sox fans from all over Texas gathered for some pre-game beers.
As a baseball fan, it was a great night. If you follow me on Twitter, you already know that Josh Hamilton is my favorite baseball player. As a Red Sox fan, I wanted to bury myself.
Josh Beckett...READ MORE!
Published on August 14, 2010 View Comment(s)
Lack, Papel and loss by Jared Carrabis
Sox, Papelbon squander three-run lead in ninth, lose via walk-off
Everything was going great; it really was.
For the first time in his Red Sox tenure, John Lackey found himself pitching in the ninth inning with a chance to hurl a complete game in winning fashion. However, the majors’ home run leader had other plans.
Starting the inning at just 91 pitches, Lackey dealt pitch number 98 to Jose Bautista that the right fielder uncorked into the seats in left for a solo blast, bringing the Toronto Blue Jays within two runs of the Red Sox in the bottom of the ninth.
Before the game could get to that situation, the Red Sox first had to get to spot-starter, Brad Mills, who if you were curious, is not related to former Red Sox’ bench coach and current Astros’ manager, Brad Mills.
Falling to 0-2 in the count, David Ortiz was swinging on the 0-2 fastball from Mills, and ripped a base hit through the shift to drive in Jed Lowrie, who was 1-for-3 with a pair of walks.
In the top of the fifth with a one-run lead, Lowrie provided his starter with a...READ MORE!
Published on August 12, 2010 View Comment(s)
'It's our time to strike if we're going to strike' by Jared Carrabis
Bill Hall ignites Sox' offense with two-homer night, as Buchholz shines
An A-Bomb from A-Rod? How about two H-Bombs from Bill Hall.
This series had been advertised as a team that hit home runs like crazy going up against a team that was struggling to score runs. I guess, technically, they were right, but then again, so wrong. So very wrong.
Speaking of being so wrong, and I won’t mention any names here, but there are more than a few SoxSpace readers who moan and groan every time I post the lineup just a few hours before the first pitch, and Hall’s name appears somewhere among the starting nine.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I’m not saying that you’re wrong for doing it, but what gives? Never mind. I guess I am saying that you’re wrong for doing it.
This may have sounded like a silly thing to say at the start of spring training, but where would this team be without Bill Hall? The offensive boost that he has given this team in the absence of Dustin Pedroia, and even before that, has been nothing short of tremendous.
If you want ...READ MORE!
Published on August 12, 2010 View Comment(s)
Called up to the big leagues by Jared Carrabis
SoxSpace's Jared Carrabis to host webcast on RedSox.com
(RedSox.com) -- As an extension of the 2010 Listening Tour, the Red Sox have created an online opportunity to hear from those fans who cannot attend the Listening Tour event in each New England state. Red Sox Nation Governor of Massachusetts Jared Carrabis will sit down with a Red Sox personality periodically to field questions and take suggestions live from fans. During each webcast, Jared and his guest will reply to questions that fans have posted on this site beforehand, as well as respond to live comments and questions posted on Facebook and Twitter.
First thing's first; a big thank you goes out to Rafe Anderson, without whom, none of this would be possible.
Rafe devised a plan to allow Red Sox fans to interact with front office members and players alike. The Red Sox are always looking for new ways to enh...READ MORE!
Published on August 11, 2010 View Comment(s)
Let the Saltalamacchia era begin by Jared Carrabis
Jarrod Saltalamacchia to join Red Sox tonight in Toronto, Kevin Cash to DL
(ESPNBoston.com) -- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, acquired in a trade deadline deal with Texas, has been called up to the Red Sox, according to a team source, and is expected to be in uniform for Wednesday night's game here against the Blue Jays.
The question of when Jarrod Saltalamacchia will join the Red Sox has finally been answered: today.
As a result of back-up catcher, Kevin Cash, "tweaking his left hammy" according to Red Sox manager Terry Francona on WEEI's Dale and Holley show, Boston has opted to call up their trade deadline acquisition, switch-hitting catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
With four years of big league experience, Saltalamacchia hits at .251/.313/.388, and would average 16 homers and 63 RBI over 162 games.
Saltalamacchia has just one hit in five major league at bats this season, and is hitting .243 between Texas' triple-A affiliate, Oklahoma City, and Boston's triple-A squad down in Pawtucket. Between the two minor league clubs, Saltala...READ MORE!
Published on August 11, 2010 View Comment(s)
A taste of their own medicine by Jared Carrabis
Sox, Lowell beat homer-happy Jays with long ball in eighth
The Blue Jays may have won the Home Run Derby, but the Red Sox won the war.
As advertised, Toronto came out swingin’ for the fences against Red Sox’ starter, Daisuke Matsuzaka. Before Matsuzaka had been touched up at all, it was the Red Sox who struck first against left-hander Ricky Romero, as Daisuke struck out the side in order in the first.
In Romero’s last start, the lefty hurled a complete game victory against the Yankees, retiring the last 26 of 27 batters he faced. On Tuesday, he would not be as fortunate.
David Ortiz entered the night as a .500 hitter (6-for-12) with a homer against Romero, and Boston’s DH would continue to have his way. In the top of the second, even through he has struggled mightily against left-handers this season, Ortiz rocked a double out to center.
Adrian Beltre followed suit by hammering a double of his own into the gap in left-center to drive in Ortiz.
Later in the inning with two outs, Jed Lowrie, batting from the right side, shot a Ro...READ MORE!
Published on August 11, 2010 View Comment(s)
Laser show's intermission comes to close by Jared Carrabis
Dustin Pedroia to return on Tuesday
(WEEI.com) -- Barring any setbacks, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is on pace to return to the Red Sox when they return to Fenway Park on Aug. 17, both Pedroia and Sox manager Terry Francona told reporters. Pedroia had an aggressive day of running in spikes prior to his team's series opener against the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
With all hopes of the Red Sox and their fans, Dustin Pedroia will return to action on Tuesday, just after blowing out twenty-seven candles for his birthday.
Pedroia last suited up for the Red Sox on June 25 in San Francisco. If he returns to action on the targeted Tuesday of August 17, he will have missed 53 days, or seven weeks and four days.
According to the report by Alex Speier, "[Pedroia] will run the bases on both Wednesday and Thursday and then visit with Dr. George Theodore in Boston on Friday."
When Pedroia returns, he will reclaim a ....READ MORE!
Published on August 10, 2010 View Comment(s)
Delgado: 'They're gonna fight to win' by Jared Carrabis
Carlos Delgado discusses why he chose Red Sox
I don't know why, but I have a strong feeling that the risk that the Red Sox took when signing Carlos Delgado will pay dividends.
On Monday, Delgado played in his first professional baseball game in 456 days. After undergoing two surgeries to repair a hip injury, the former A.L. East foe with the Toronto Blue Jays for twelve major league seasons went 0-for-3, batting out of the clean-up spot.
The Paw Sox’ designated hitter put some good swings on the ball, despite not having a hit to show for it. In his first at bat in the second inning, Delgado put a charge into one and drove one out to deep right-center that took an against-the-wall grab to record the out.
Delgado went on to ground out to third in the fifth inning, and punched out in the following frame.
A day prior to his Paw Sox debut, Delgado met with the Boston media, who didn’t beat around the bush. "For starters, why Boston?" a reporter asked.
"Well, you know, this is a team with a huge tradition for baseball,"...READ MORE!
Published on August 10, 2010 View Comment(s)
Blue Jay Way by Jared Carrabis
Complete Red Sox series preview against red-hot Blue Jays
It's not often that a fourth place team in any division can pose such a big threat, or a threat at all for that matter.
Welcome to the American League East.
Fourth place team or not, the Toronto Blue Jays are not to be taken lightly. Since the All Star break, nobody has been hotter than Major League Baseball’s lone team from our neighbors to the north.
Their 11-7 record since the break isn’t opening very many eyes, but when you consider the fact that the Jays have played twelve games against the American League East, and have gone 11-1 over that span, Cito Gaston’s club commands respect, and is certainly not to be underestimated.
Of the three divisions in the American League, the A.L. East is the only division with more than two teams with an over .500 record, never mind four teams being over .500.
Since the All Star break, the Blue Jays have averaged 5.6 runs per game, hitting at .291 as a team, and have blasted a 38 home runs in their 18 post-All Star break games.
...READ MORE!
Published on August 10, 2010 View Comment(s)
Bard: 'They got a pissed off Jon Lester' by Jared Carrabis
Luck finally falls Red Sox' way in series finale victory
After feeling the wrath of the Baseball Gods for a majority of the 2010 season, the Red Sox finally had some luck fall their way in Monday’s matinee game against the Yankees.
In search of his first win since the All Star break, Jon Lester once again brought no-hit stuff to the table in his fifth start of the second half. Opposing Lester on Monday was Phil Hughes, who was only making his fifth start since July 9, in the Yankees’ attempt to limit the number of innings tossed by the 24-year-old.
Lester had everything working in the early going, as the left-hander did not allow a hit until giving up a hit to Austin Kearns with one away in the fifth.
Hughes wasn’t at his best on Monday, but he did, however, pitch well enough to win. In the bottom of the second, rookie Ryan Kalish singled to right field with one out. With Bill Hall at the dish, Kalish took off for second base, then advanced to third after Jorge Posada’s toss sailed into center field for an error.
With Kalish ju...READ MORE!
Published on August 09, 2010 View Comment(s)
At least Bill Hall wants to win by Jared Carrabis
Hall's three-hit night not enough to bail out Beckett
As Pedro Martinez would say, who are you, Dustin Moseley? Who are you?
Aside from Bill Hall, who was not impressed by Moseley in the least bit, the right-hander who took the place of A.J. Burnett inexplicably silenced the Red Sox’ offense into the seventh inning. Why is his success against the Red Sox inexplicable? Because this 28-year-old has only made 25 starts since 2006, and as a starter, he is 6-5 in his career with a 5.52 ERA, as opponents have hit at a .323 clip against him entering Sunday night.
Moseley retired the first seven Red Sox batters he faced, until Hall had something to say about it. Boston’s second baseman singled into left for Boston’s first hit.
From the time Hall singled, until the time he came up again, the Red Sox managed just one hit. In Hall’s second at bat, the right-hander massacred a 1-1 curveball to deep left field, providing the Red Sox with their first run.
By that time, the Red Sox were trailing 2-0, but Hall’s solo blast cut the Y...READ MORE!
Published on August 08, 2010 View Comment(s)
Pedro Martinez, a career summed up by Jared Carrabis
Barstool NY sits down with Pedro Martinez to reflect on HOF career
You know me; any chance I get to write about Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez or Pedro Martinez, I'm banging that blog out as soon as possible.
An avid reader of Barstool Sports, as I shared with the Phoenix at Blogapalooza, the New York branch of the Barstool brand had the privilege of sitting down with legendary Red Sox pitcher, Pedro Martinez.
From his performance in the 1999 All Star Game that will forever live in baseball lore, to his six no-hit innings of relief against the Tribe in the ’99 AL Division Series, throwing Don Zimmer to the ground, drilling Karim Garcia, his return to Fenway Park for the first time as a Met, and his infamous “Daddy” comment, the folks over at Barstool New York pick Pedro’s brain for over 15 minutes of Red Sox fan gold in their one-on-one video.
Back in July of 2009 when Nomar...READ MORE!
Published on August 08, 2010 View Comment(s)
$18 million doesn't go as far as it used to by Jared Carrabis
John Lackey gets roughed up for 5 ER in Sox loss
Financially, baseball has come a long way in the past decade.
Ten years ago, the $18.7 million that the Red Sox are dishing out this year for John Lackey would have made him the highest paid player in the entire game of baseball. In 2010, $18.7 million will get you six innings, five earned runs and a loss against the team with the best record baseball.
The highest-paid pitcher in Red Sox history took the mound in a much-needed win for Boston, as Tampa Bay had lost yet another game, and the Yankees are amidst one of their weaker points of this 2010 season.
Before the game, All Star Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez took a batting practice liner off the shin from newly acquired Lance Berkman, which led to his being scratched from the lineup.
Throughout the entire FOX broadcast, the ever-annoying Joe Buck made a point to inform the viewing audience every 35 seconds that the reason A-Rod was caught off-guard by Berkman’s liner was because Rodriguez had been talking to him.
...READ MORE!
Published on August 08, 2010 View Comment(s)
Party like it's 1999 by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox sign Carlos Delgado to minor league deal
(Ken Rosenthal on Twitter) -- Source: Carlos Delgado agrees to minor-league deal with #RedSox. Must be in majors by Sept. 1 or he can become free agent.
In search of a lefty bat to compliment Mike Lowell at first base, the Red Sox have apparently signed yet another over-the-hump first baseman coming off of hip surgery.
One of my earliest memories of baseball at Fenway Park was with my dad during a day game against the Toronto Blue Jays in the late 90's.
Carlos Delgado was matched up against Pedro Martinez, and I remember him taking one of the hardest uppercut swings I had ever seen in my life.
"Can you even do that, Dad?" I asked. "He doesn't hit 40 a year swinging like a girl," my dad told me.
His days of blasting 40-plus homers may be behind him, but we are talking about a guy who hit 38 home runs just two years ago, prior to having surgery performed to repair a torn labrum in his hip.
...READ MORE!
Published on August 07, 2010 View Comment(s)
Getting Looney with Wake by Jared Carrabis
Tim Wakefield, Looney Tunes partner up to help kids
I remember watching the episode of Looney Tunes featured below when I was a little kid, and it totally screwed up what I thought the rules of baseball were.
I have memories of 1999 when Pedro Martinez was making even the most roided-up juice-heads in baseball history look like they were batting with a blindfold on, waiving at Pedro’s changeup helplessly.
You know what players called Pedro’s changeup? A Bugs Bunny changeup. Why? Because compared to his fastball, his changeup came in and dropped off in a way that you felt like you could swing at it three times before it got to home plate.
Bugs Bunny had more than just that correlation to the Red Sox. When asked who his idol was growing up, Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra said, "Back then, my idol was Bugs Bunny, because I saw a cartoon of him playing ball - you know, the one where he plays every position himself with nobody else on the field but him? Now that I think of it, Bugs is still my idol. You have to love a ballp...READ MORE!
Published on August 07, 2010 View Comment(s)
Ellsbury: 'I'm just happy I made the catch' by Jared Carrabis
Jacoby Ellsbury feeling OK after diving grab in 8th
When Lance Berkman lined a Daniel Bard fastball into shallow center field, I immediately saw where the ball was going to land, and where Jacoby Ellsbury was standing.
If the calculations in my brain were accurate, this was not going to end well for a player just coming off of the disabled list with broken ribs.
Ellsbury came charging in towards the ball before leaving his feet, making a diving catch, face-planting into the grass, then getting right back up to his feet to toss the ball back into the infield. (Click for video)
After the Boston outfielder’s highlight reel snag had been completed, every Red Sox fan began to wonder the same thing, “When is he going to wind up back on the disabled list after that one?”
Boston fans winced at the sight of seeing Ellsbury hit the ground with such force, getting up, walking back to his position, and reaching for his ribs, as shown in the p...READ MORE!
Published on August 07, 2010 View Comment(s)
Bombers away by Jared Carrabis
Homers by Ortiz, Kalish enough to sink Yanks in opener
In situations where the Red Sox’ backs have been against the wall under Terry Francona’s managerial reign, more often than not, Boston has come out on top.
This four-game series in the Bronx is one of those times.
Facing the right-hander that brings back delightful memories of Red Sox/Yankees past, Javier Vazquez was up to his old ways: giving up home runs to the Red Sox. In the top of the first, David Ortiz strolled to the plate with two outs. With a full count, Ortiz connected with an 87 MPH fastball and lifted it to dead center for a solo blast.
Taking the mound for the first time since becoming a father, Clay Buchholz struggled in the first inning, where batters have been hitting .301 against the right-hander all season.
After allowing a lead-off single to Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira came to the plate with one away. Teixeira only had five career at bats against Buchholz, but had two singles and a home run to show for it. After taking a first-pitch strike, Teixeira hamm...READ MORE!
Published on August 07, 2010 View Comment(s)
Join the party! by Jared Carrabis
Hideki Okajima the latest to cross velvet rope to Club Disabled, Doubront called up
According to multiple reports on Twitter, Hideki Okajima will become the 87th Red Sox player to be placed on the disabled list this season.
The left-handed reliever's injury is being described as a "calf strain."
Okajima complained of some discomfort after being lifted from Thursday night's game in the ninth. The lefty allowed two singles and a walk, facing four batters and causing Jonathan Papelbon to be called into the game.
It seems as if Okajima's fall from grace has hit its low point, as the All Star in 2007 has seen his workload nearly cut in half from previous seasons.
In his first three major league seasons, Okajima averaged 64 innings per year. In 2010, he has logged 32.1 innings and is two earned runs away from tying a career high, which was set last season.
His 5.85 ERA is a career worst, and his 1.979 WHIP is third worst in the American League, and a far cry from the 0.971 that it was in 2007....READ MORE!
Published on August 06, 2010 View Comment(s)
Get to October, or die trying by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox' season hangs in the balance of four-game series in Bronx
Win and live to fight another day. Lose and, well, you probably don’t want to hear about that scenario.
The Red Sox pack their bags at Fenway Park and head to Yankee Stadium for a four-game series that very well could determine the outcome of their season, a that has been a roller coaster ride with more downs than ups.
To their credit, despite having their number of players on the DL end up in double digits, the Red Sox have hung in there all season long, and have a golden opportunity to gain major ground on their divisional foes, the New York Yankees.
With the best record in baseball, the Yankees and other teams who have played well this season have not been the issue for Boston. The teams who the Red Sox should be clobbering have been the problem.
After their win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night to earn a four-game split, the Red Sox improved to 16-15 against the Indians, Orioles, Royals and Mariners. If Boston had gone 21-10 over those 31 games against the ...READ MORE!
Published on August 06, 2010 View Comment(s)
You got Beltre'd by Jared Carrabis
Grand slam by Beltre backs masterful outing by Matsuzaka
Just hours after Red Sox Nation was devastated by news of Kevin Youkilis being out for the remainder of the season, Adrian Beltre lifted the spirits of Boston with one swing.
Trying to earn a split in their four-game set against the Tribe, the Red Sox sent Daisuke Matsuzaka to the mound. Despite being a better pitcher on the road than at Fenway Park, Matsuzaka was brilliant on Thursday night.
For the third time this season, Matsuzaka pitched his way into the eighth inning. In his previous two starts in which he logged eight innings, the right-hander walked a total of six batters. On Thursday, Matsuzaka was touched for just one earned run on a solo blast by Shin-Soo Choo, while punching out six batters and walking two.
Making his second big league start, Indians’ starter Josh Tomlin had some control problems in the fourth when he walked Victor Martinez on four pitches, and later walked JD Drew to load the bases for Beltre.
Tomlin didn’t have any problem finding the strike ...READ MORE!
Published on August 05, 2010 View Comment(s)
Report: Youkilis done for the season by Jared Carrabis
Kevin Youkilis will have season-ending surgery on Friday
Well, that's that. The possibility that Red Sox Nation feared most since Monday night has become a reality.
Kevin Youkilis' season has come to an abrupt halt, as the torn muscle at the base of his thumb must be operated on. The Red Sox have disclosed that regardless of if the team makes the postseason or not, Youkilis will not be returning at any point in 2010.
Youkilis had been hitting .307 with 19 homers and 62 RBI in 102 games. At .975, Youkilis' OPS ranked fifth in the American League, as his .411 OBP was good for third in the AL. Boston’s first baseman had also scored 77 runs, with two tied with 78 and Mark Teixeira leading the league with 79, Youkilis was a force on the base paths.
His bat will sorely be missed in the heart of the Red Sox’ lineup, as the team has already been struggling to beat the cellar dwellers of the AL Central.
As the Red Sox take a huge blow to their offense, they will once again need others to step it up in the absence of yet another injured ...READ MORE!
Published on August 05, 2010 View Comment(s)
Unsolved Mysteries: Jon Lester by Jared Carrabis
Lester drops to 0-4 since All Star break in Sox' loss
Who are you, and what have you done with Jon Lester?
Prior to the All Star break, Lester had pitched his way to an 11-3 record, with an ERA of 2.78. In 120 innings, the left-hander had punched out 124 batters and held opposing hitters to a .203 average.
Now before we delve into Lester’s post-All Star break numbers, let it be known that there has been plenty of factors in the left-handers recent skid.
In Lester’s first start since tossing an inning in his first career All Star Game, he held the Texas Rangers to three runs over eight frames in a losing effort. His next time out, he carried a perfect game into the sixth inning before an Eric Patterson fumble in the outfield led to Lester’s subsequent unraveling.
In his outing previous to Wednesday night’s, Lester allowed a career high eleven hits. It would be unfair to make excuses for Jon, but his wife Farrah gave birth to their first child the next day. Perhaps his mind was elsewhere, although he would never admit it if th...READ MORE!
Published on August 05, 2010 View Comment(s)
Here's to you, Red Sox Nation by Jared Carrabis
Forbes.com says Red Sox have best fans in sports
(Forbes.com) -- Just look at the fans all over the country who follow every pitch of their beloved Boston Red Sox. They pack Fenway when the team is in town, and fill other stadiums when they’re on the road. They stayed true throughout an epic dry spell, when the Sox went 86 years without winning a World Series--and when the team finally broke that drought in 2004, they grew even more fanatic. Today, the team is No. 2 in MLB merchandise sales (behind their hated rivals, the New York Yankees). And members of "Red Sox Nation" are so devoted, they top our list of "America's Best Sports Fans."
If all I wrote for this blog was "obviously," it would be a good enough blog post by my standards, but I'll expand.
You want proof that the Red Sox are the best fans in sports? Look no further than last night. Mike Lowell, who has been shoved aside by the team that he took less years and a disco...READ MORE!
Published on August 04, 2010 View Comment(s)
Ellsbury: 'You know I'm ready' by Jared Carrabis
Jacoby Ellsbury to return on Wednesday night
Here it is, the moment we’ve all been whining for. Jacoby Ellsbury is returning to the Red Sox.
Between the moans on talk radio shows, the groans on late-night sports TV, and the complaining on sports blogs, finally, our whines have been answered.
After going 3-for-5 for the Pawtucket Red Sox on Tuesday, Ellsbury upped his average to .500 (7-for-14) in his three rehab starts down in triple-A. He’s ready. We’re ready. Let’s win some ballgames.
Now, the question that we have to ask here is quite simple. Is Ellsbury’s return too late? Can he even be that much of a difference-maker to help the Red Sox make a final push for the postseason?
Simply put, yes.
"We're just going to continue to do the best with what you have," said Red Sox general manager, Theo Epstein. "I still feel we put a good team on field. I feel like we have enough talent to get as hot as we're going to need to get to do damage in this division."
El...READ MORE!
Published on August 04, 2010 View Comment(s)
Still think they don't care? by Jared Carrabis
Breaking down the benches-clearing incident
So many things to dissect here, but I’ll start with the obvious.
Jensen Lewis…dude, really? Do you have any idea who you just threw at? That was Adrian Beltre, AKA the destroyer of human bone fragments. The absolute last guy you wanted to throw at was Beltre. In the one situation where Beltre should have gone out and crushed some ribs, he spared you. Thank your lucky stars that you can cough without crying tonight.
The two benches clearing can be traced back to the top of the first inning. Whether it was intentional or not, we’ll probably never know, but Shelley Duncan’s elbow got in the way of a 95 MPH heater from Josh Beckett.
Was it intentional? Duncan had been 4-for-5 with a pair of RBIs the night before, but that’s no reason to peg a guy the next day.
Two innings later in the third, Beckett caught Shin-Soo Choo right in the knee with a 95 MPH 4-seamer. The fastball ricocheted off the knee of Choo, who hit the deck immediately.
I suppose it’s worth noting that Choo...READ MORE!
Published on August 04, 2010 View Comment(s)
It was his night by Jared Carrabis
Mike Lowell shines in return to Fenway Park
Another day, another blow. The odds are stacked against them, but haven’t they always been?
When is the last time that the Red Sox had success without facing a great deal of adversity first? Sure, this adversity is in a different form than what we’re used to, but an obstacle is an obstacle as far as I’m concerned.
In 2004, the Red Sox faced a three games to none deficit. In 2005, their pitching staff was held together by duct tape, but they fought for all 162 games and ended up with an identical record to the Yankees. In 2007, the Red Sox were down 3-1 to the Cleveland Indians and fought all the way back.
The point here is that you play every game, every inning, every pitch for a reason. With 55 games remaining on the schedule, this season is far from over. The Rays have proven that the team that they have is capable of getting so cold that they can lose several games in the standings in a short period of time. On the other hand, this Red Sox team, when healthy, has shown th...READ MORE!
Published on August 04, 2010 View Comment(s)
One thumb down by Jared Carrabis
Youk's thumb lands him on DL, Mike Lowell activated
(WEEI.com) -- At long last, Mike Lowell has been activated by the Red Sox and will make the start at first base in Tuesday night's matchup with the Indians. In a corresponding move, Kevin Youkilis was put on the 15-day disabled list after injuring his hand in at-bat during Monday's loss.
In the bottom of the first Kevin Youkilis lined out to short against Fausto Carmona.
In the process, Boston's first baseman jammed his thumb, as his pain was visible in his trip up the first baseline. Youkilis waved his hand in pain, as trainers attended to him immediately.
He remained in the game, but was later removed in the third inning, as Victor Martinez came out from behind the plate in favor of Kevin Cash, who was uncharacteristically inserted into the three-hole in the Red Sox' lineup as a .150 hitter.
X-rays after the game showed there was no break, but Youkilis was schedul...READ MORE!
Published on August 03, 2010 View Comment(s)
Enough is enough by Jared Carrabis
The Jacoby Ellsbury situation has gotten out of hand
From inside the Red Sox’ dugout, Jacoby Ellsbury watched two base runners get gunned down at home plate.
The next day, Ellsbury went down to the Pawtucket Red Sox and went 3-for-3 by the fourth inning, after having at least two hits in each of his last three games for the Paw Sox. After recording his third hit of the day, Ellsbury upped his average to .533 during his rehab assignment. Do you see something wrong with this picture? I certainly do.
With Mike Cameron hitting the disabled list, Jeremy Hermida being designated for assignment, and JD Drew’s hamstring leading to his sporadic playing time, Ellsbury is needed with the big club getting three-hit games, because he’s not being paid to do that for Pawtucket.
When asked about a potential rehab assignment when healthy enough, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia said, "The Red Sox need me more than the Paw Sox."
If only Ellsbury believed in that same philosophy, he could have been a difference-maker in Monday night’s on...READ MORE!
Published on August 03, 2010 View Comment(s)
Can't do it on his own by Jared Carrabis
Despite two homer, 5 RBI from Beltre, Sox drop series opener to Tribe
Just another frustrating night at Fenway Park, the story of the 2010 season.
With a 1.61 ERA since the All Star break, John Lackey looked to build on his strong second half. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, the weak-hitting Indians had other plans.
Not known for striking a ton of batters out, Lackey whiffed five Indians in the first three frames. However, Lackey’s smooth sailing would hit a storm that the right-hander could not weather. After having pinpoint command in the early going, complete with a sharp breaking ball, Lackey’s command began to wander.
After getting the first two outs of the fourth, Lackey allowed three straight hits, two for extra bases, as outfielder Ryan Kalish prevented further damage by hosing Shelley Duncan at the plate, which could have been Cleveland’s third run of the inning.
Lackey allowed a double and a single to open the fifth, making it seven consecutive Indians to reach base against the burly right-hander. A 4-6-3 twin killing brought home ...READ MORE!
Published on August 03, 2010 View Comment(s)
Keep on walkin' by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox, Scutaro walk off for second straight game
From brilliance, to agony, to ecstasy, the Red Sox are alive.
Refusing to lay down in the AL East, the Red Sox walked off with a win on a bases-clearing double by David Ortiz on Saturday. In a Sunday day game, the Red Sox sent Clay Buchholz and his flowing hair to the mound in hopes of taking the series against the Tigers at home.
The Red Sox faced a daunting task, as Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander stood in their way, but working in their favor was the fact that the flame-throwing right-hander has not pitched well on the road this season, entering his start on Sunday with a 5-4 record to go with a 4.80 ERA away from Comerica Park.
Eric Patterson came to the plate in the bottom of the second with runners at the corners. Batting from the left side, the centerfielder sliced a first-pitch fastball into shallow left that Ryan Raburn was unable to come up with in his diving attempt.
The RBI base hit for Patterson brought home Adrian Beltre, who singled to lead off the inning, giv...READ MORE!
Published on August 02, 2010 View Comment(s)
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