Another Series Win--Another Win Streak Begins

Well, this was a bit tenser than recent Sox wins, and briefly was beginning to look late in the game as if the Hose might sustain their second loss in a row. However, after Uehara gave up a game tying HR to Bautista, the slugger's third against the Hose in two days, the Sox combined a single, a freebie and a fielding error to gain the win in their half of the 9th. Uehara got the W. The game began with the Hose building a three zip lead in the 2d by following a pair of singles with successive doubles by Lavernway and new Sox callup Snyder. After the Jays closed things to 3-2, Sox, the Sox immediately opened it to 4-2 in the 5th on Gomes' two bagger to plate Jake, a lead the team held into the 7th. At that point, the Jays again climbed back to within a run, setting up the 9th inning heroics for both teams.
Statistically, this was only the second game in the last nine that the Bosox have failed to get at least ten hits. In this skein, they've accounted for well over 100 hits, and, although the usual suspects, to quote Inspector Renault for you Casablanca fans out there, have certainly had a hand, there have also been regular contributions from a variety of other team members. Today, the guys fell just a hit shy of the dime. Having said that, the Hose' nine hits included the three aforementioned two baggers, all at very timely points in the game. As for pitching, Dempster had a creditable five and a third allowing a pair of runs, while the contribution from Wilson and Miller covered a pair of shutout innings to pass things along for the finish to Uehara, albeit a bit differently than planned.
With the O's sweep of the Stripes, the Sox lead the Division by 2.5 over said Birds and 5.5 (not a typo) over Mr. Hankie's Yankees.

A Touch of The Old Lester--Sox Win Third Straight

Well, John Farrell's most recent 'old' team showed up at the Fens tonight, and his original 'Old' team (and current team) immediately put them in their place. With Lester pitching seven quality innings, the first four and a third without any hits allowed, the Sox quickly took it to the Jays. Facing former long time nemesis (when he was with the Stripes) Chien Ming Wang, the Sox sent eleven men to the plate in the 2d and collected seven hits, two of them for extra bases, while running up a seven tab for the inning. The barrage was topped off by The Dustman's fifth shot of the season, getting him to 47 ribbies so far and keeping him alive for a shot at a ribbie century for the year. Turned out that the seven was all they'd need for the evening. Lester finally ran out of gas in the 8th, loading the bases with nobody retired, and was then replaced by Tazawa. When he left, Lester knew that as long as the Sox held a lead through game's end, he had his eighth W of the year. So, when Tazawa replaced him and allowed a sacfly for one run, and then wild pitched what became the second run of the inning to third, eventually to score on a ground out, both charged to JL, Lester still could breathe fairly easily. Tazawa closed out that inning, and then gave way to Uehara for the save in the 9th, his second consecutive two-K perfect inning save.
Stats-wise, the Hose had at least one hit from every starter except Carp, with Salty getting a pair and Dusty getting the aforementioned HR.
As the Evil Empire, Yankees to you, lost, the Sox lead over them increased to 4.5. Baltimore, at this moment is leading but rain delayed against Tito and company, so if that holds up, the Hose will still lead them by 3.5. With tomorrow's game, the season is officially half over.

Sox Stone Rox Again

Well, in the next to last game of the first half of the 2013 season, the Sox took a quick 3-1 lead out of the 1st and had it up to five by the end of the 3d--looking briefly like a replay of the prior evening. However, things settled down after that and they eventually won, 5-3, the last two Rox runs on a pair of solo shots by the Rockies' Cuddyer. Those were the Rockies' high points for the evening. As for the Hose, the win was a team effort. Offensively, Papi and Nap each added an RBI to their totals, while Vic went 3-4 and the Dustman added a 2-4 contribution. The Sox, leading the league in doubles for the season so far added three more to the total, as well as Drew's second triple in two games.
Defensively, Lackey continues his inspiring comeback from last year's Tommy John surgery. He went seven, allowing just two runs, while picking up a dozen K's. Uehara, in his recently assigned role as closer, picked up his second save in as many tries, tossing a perfect 9th, including a pair of K's.
With both the Stripes and O's losing, the Sox lead in the Division increased to 3.5 games.

Rockin' the Rockies!

After a mostly dismal showing in Motown (the Sox did win one of three), the team returned to the Fens yesterday still leading the Division by 2.5. The Rockies, their 2007 opponents in the Series showed up to try for some small revenge of the Sox four zip '07 sweep. They ran, I'm pleased to report, into a huge buzzsaw! Topping their 2013 season record for hits in a game of 19 a few weeks ago, the Hose dent 20 hits spraying around the yard. Every starter had a t least one and four players had three apiece: Jake, Nava, the Dustman and Iglesias. The twenty hits included five doubs and a trip, with Papi getting his 56th ribbie and Nap picking up #'s 51 & 52--all before the halfway point of the season (in two more games). At this pace, at least two Sox players, the aforementioned ones, will have century ribbie years, and Dusty, now at 45 after his four for the game, has an outside shot sat the magic 100 as well.
As for pitching, Dempster got the W with a solid six innings, allowing just a pair of runs. All three relievers surrendered no earned runs. Off the field, Middlebrooks was sent down largely due to his subpar BA. He has shown power, but when you're a more or less regular and hitting below Mendoza, something's gotta' give, and usually it's your presence in the ML's.

When A Closer Doesn't

Well, while last night's loss to the Rays wasn't what anyone who follows the Sox wanted, it was marginally acceptable as the Hose had won the other two games in the series. So, off to the Motor City to face the Bengals. The Sox starter, Lackey did a good job for his seven innings, allowing a pair of runs, while getting 5 K's and having a game WHIP of 1.14 He left as the pitcher of record for a possible W because the Hose, who had finished his last inning tied at 2, had picked up the lead run on a Papi base hit at the top of the next inning; score 3-2, Sox. He'd also provided the game's first run on his 15th bomb of the season on the first pitch of that at bat. Enter the Hose pen. Uehara did an excellent job, tossing a perfect 8th on just ten pitches, picking up a K along the way. That got us to the 9th, still holding that same 3-2 lead. This is when you bring in your closer. All he has to do is slam the door on the other team. Unfortunately, in what's becoming an all too common occurrence, he couldn't. In April and May, Bailey was virtually untouchable. In June, even when he has gotten a save or win, he's been all too touchable--in the extreme! Tonight, unfortunately, was no different. Victor Martinez (remember him?) walks on five pitches as the leadoff batter. Jhonny (that's actually the way he "spells" his name) Peralta, who often has been a real pain in the Sox collective ass, comes up, works the count to 1-2 and then positively launches the ball into the cheaps in left. Game over. Another BS (blown save) for Bailey, and a loss to boot. This closer's ERA is now over 4--not exactly what you expect from a closer. Since Hanrahan is gone for the season with Tommy John surgery, Bailey is the man.  At least he's supposed to be. We're still in first, but that margin is now down to a single game. Farrell's coming to a point where he has to seriously consider whether to stay much longer with Bailey or slide someone into the slot, Tazawa, perhaps.
To make matters worse, tonight was the perfect game for the Hose to win. The league's best hitter, Miggy Cabrera, was K'd three times! That's not a typo. It also happens about once a decade. His running mate, Prince Fielder, managed a solitary single in four AB's. And, to make your evening (as well as the Bosox') that much worse, the Sox left nine on base (to the Tigers' five), including three in the 8th and a man on third in the 9th. A solid hit in either situation very well might have turned things completely around! Very frustrating--and now all I can do for the balance of the evening is watch the NBA game 7--and the Celtics aren't even in it. I;m rooting for SA simply because Tim Duncan was to have been drafted by the C's, but, somehow, he ended up with the Spurs instead. See ya' in Motown again tomorrow.

What A Difference A Night Can Make

Might also add in that title "A Pitcher". Night before last, one of the Sox' unquestioned aces, John Lester, made a start that was one of the worst in his career. Lasting just a few innings, he gave up seven walks--SEVEN--and eight hits on the way to a loss to the Rays. Final in the game was 9-5, Rays, but it was Lester's fifth consecutive, if my count is correct, start without a win, and by far his worst of the season. Hopefully, it will get turned around as a reliable quality pitching effort from Lester will be an imperative as the season progresses through the remaining now less than 100 games.

Change the setting to last night, still at the Trop and we have Aceves, recalled from Pawtucket just hours before game time, getting the start. He goes six innings, allowing a single run, Longoria's third HR in three games, a solo shot, and gets the win 2-1. He gave up four hits and walks apiece, but also kept them from any damage by mixing in three K's.  The pen was awesome in making the lead stand up, picking up a total; of 7 K's while handing out zero freebies and just a pair of hits over the final three innings.
Offensively, the hero of the night was Danny Nava, who drove a pitch deep into the cheaps for both Sox runs. Jake continued his recent run on the bases, adding his league leading 28th and 29th swipes of the season to the single one of the prior evening.
Coupled with losses by every other Division team, the Hose' lead increased to three over the Stripes and accordingly over each other rival.

14 Innings--Proving That What Happens in First Inning May mean Nothing!

Well, last night's game against the Rays at the Trop looked to be a laugher by the time the Sox were finished batting in the 1st. The first eight batters reached base, seven of them by hits. When the smoke had cleared, the Sox were up six-zip. Even after the Rays countered with a pair of their own in the bottom of the inning, it still seemed as if the Sox were on their way to an easy win. N o t   s o  f a s t! While the Hose were getting no additional runs and few hits, while they were for the balance of the nine innings striking our 10 times, the Rays were chipping away--a run here, another there, yet another a few innings later, and finally, an 8th inning tying run on a Tazawa wild pitch.  The Sox couldn't get anything in the 9th and they held the Rays scoreless in the bottom half, so extra innings. The Sox picked up a pair of runs in the 10th off Rays reliever Rodney, the second consecutive meltdown he's had this season against the Bosox. The runs came complements of Salty's base hit, at the end of which he gleefully flexed for the cameras while standing on first base. Up now, 8-6, one would think that with their closer, Bailey, coming on the Sox should hold on and win. One would think that, but, as noted above, N o t  S o  F a s t! First man he faces drives a no-doubter into the right center field cheaps and the lead is now just a paper thin run. Still, anyone can give up a shot now and then and still be OK. Not this time. Bailey proceeds to load the bases  and give up another run by allowing another hit and three free passes. All with no outs! It looked that the game was going to end right there with a Rays win, but the Sox pulled it out leaving the 10th tied at eight.
The final out of the inning came on The Dustman's second highlight reel defensive play of the game--in fact, of the then most recent three innings. Sensing a bunt on the bases loaded situation, he broke toward the right side of the plate even before the Rays batter had swung. The ball came right to him with just enough velocity to allow him to pick it up and flip to Carp at first for the inning ending out. The only play more spectacular in the game than this one was the one he pulled off to end the 8th when the Rays, tying run already in and a man on second, got a pop just to the right of the mound. Exploding from his position on the fringe of the outfield grass, he ran past three other Sox fielders and, glove extended, made a sliding, backhanded catch inches off the ground to end that inning. Had he not, it's likely the game would have ended in regulation with the Rays a 7-6 victor.
As ESPN broadcaster Rick Sutcliffe commented, Pedroia's fingerprints were all over this game. In addition to the two aforementioned sparklers, The Dustman also had a two run hit and stole a base. Just another day at the office for him. All of this, before I forget, with a torn thumb ligament that would have most players in surgery and out for at least 2-3 months. Cooperstown! Are you paying attention? Finally, in the 14th Nava came through with what turned out to be the winning hit, driving home a pair that the Hose pen made stand up this time. Morales pitched the final two innings and got the win, allowing just a single hit and a like number of freebies. Manager Farrell was hoping to avoid using him as he's scheduled for a spot start tomorrow, but, as the entire pen was now depleted, he had no choice. We'll worry about Wednesday on Wednesday.
Two other players also have much of the credit for this victory. Salty went 4 for 7, including three ribbies, two of them previously mentioned. Jake was 2 for 6 with a pair of stolen bases in the final inning to simultaneously expand his league lead to 26 in the category and set up the winning run. With the Stripes not playing, the Sox division lead grew to two games.

Taking the Devil Out of Angels--Sox Split; End Loss Streak

Well, yesterday became a day/night doubleheader when Tropical Storm Andrea paid a quick wet visit on Friday to the Boston area. Friday's game was postponed almost a half day before the first drops even arrived. That's how heavy a rain was expected. So, come Saturday morning at the Fens, the Angels picked up right where they were when last facing the Hub Hose--they won, extending a team streak over the home heroes to seven. It's not that the Hose weren't in the 9-5 loss; they had their chances. It's just that even though they had double digits in the LOB category, they couldn't seem to get the timely hit that would have made the difference. On the plus, Jake had a good game, including a pair of swipes to up his league leading total to 23. The Dustman also had a solid game, but the one extra needed hit, delivered at the right time never came.
On to the night game. Totally different situation and outcome. Leading three zip after just two innings, and well covered by Bucky's always excellent pitching, the Hose found themselves up 4-2 after the Halos' half of the 6th. It's a lead, but with a lineup including Trout, Pujols and Hamilton, a two run lead, especially at Fenway, is never something comfortable. Starting their half of the 6th, the Hose quickly scored a run, leaving a man on and Papi quickly settled the issue. One swing, cheap seats, and the lead was a more than comfortable 7-2. It's not out of reach, but for any long time followers of this site, you all know my theory--if you lead by at least five runs, you can never be caught by a single swing of the bat. That score became the final and the various stats rose accordingly. Bucky now leads the AL in W-L at 9-0, tied for the MLB lead, and has a 1.72 ERA. the pen was also admirable in holding things to that score. Papi's HR was his dozenth of the season, and he increased his RBI total to 45, having earlier added a run with his 13th two bagger of the year. That leaves him two behind team leader Nap in that category. With his pair of hits, Dusty is 4th in the AL batting race. All in all, a good game, and heading for the home stand finale this morning before the Sox take flight for Florida and the Rays.

Talk About Crushing!

Talk about crushing--look at these numbers! As those of you who regularly follow this blog are aware, just two games ago, I talked about our heroes, the SOX, crushing the Stripes. It was 11-1, and it was a total shellacking by the Hose, including 18 hits. Well, after a rain shortened followup win against Mr. Hankie's Yankees, three zip, the Sox came to the friendly confines of the Fens to host the always troublesome Rangers. When the shouting stopped and the smoke cleared, the numbers on the board read: Sox 17, Texas 5. Not a typo--those are the numbers. And, if that's not enough, the supporting digits are even more awesome! The Sox got their season high hits for a game, 19, of which 13 were for extra bases and four of those were last seen on the other side of the wall or in the cheaps. It began in the 1st, exploded in the 2d, when the Hose upped their lead to eight zip, and continued through the 7th. The 8th inning was the only inning they didn't score, when an outfielder took the hill for the besieged Rangers and avoided any moire carnage after Nava's leadoff double. The Sox were so on tonight, in fact, that they hit for the cycle AS A TEAM in the second inning alone!
Nap was the only starter who failed to get a hit, and even he managed to drive in another run in spite of that.  Four players had at least three hits, with Drew getting four, and three of the Sox each drove in three ribs. The latter trio was Carp, Papi and Bradley, who, in the last few games is starting to show signs of his hitting prowess that initially got attention at Spring Training. Tonight his first pair of ribbies came in the 2d on his first MLB homer. Papi got his three on a double and triple.
Defensively, Dempster had a good outing, allowing just three runs on five hits while K'ing a half dozen. The rest of the Rangers' runs came in the 8th off of Mortenson. The bloodletting stopped as soon as Miller took over from him and turned off the switch.
If there was a negative in the evening, it was not at Fenway. It was only that the Stripes and O's kept pace with the Hose, each winning their own game. The Rays lost to the Bengals and dropped a game further off the pace.

Sox Use N & N's to Crush Stripes!

Well, you've all heard of M & M's. The Sox have their own special treat--N & N's! That's N & N as in Napoli & Nava. Tonight, the pair each single handedly outdid the Evil Empire--at Yankee Stadium! Top of the 1st and the Sox already have one run in. There are two men on base and the Stripes' hurler, Hughes, intentionally walks Papi. No sense tempting fate this early in the game, he's thinking. So, up next comes Nap, and after the count ruins to 2-2, Hughes has a conference on the mound to decide what next. Can't do another free pass, as that will score the Hose' second run of the inning. So, what to do? Pitch to Nap and hope for the best. The best this time was the Sox. Nap swings and the ball rockets to a resting place deep in the right center cheapies--five-zip, Sox. The score stays that way for exactly an inning and a half, when Mr. Hankie's Yankees pick up what will be their only run of the evening. After that sac fly score, the score remains unchanged through the seventh. Then, Sox 8th and they basically break things open. Iglesias and Jackie Bradley, Jr. both start the inning with hits and the other N comes to the dish. After taking two strikes, Nava drills a shot into the right field seats and suddenly it's 8-1, Sox. Basically, if the game hadn't been over before, it, for all practical purposes, is now. Except that there's still a 9th inning to play. So, for an exclamation point, the Bosox sent seven to the plate in their half of the 9th. After Nap led off with a K, Drew drove the ball deep into the right field stands, followed by a ringing two bagger from Salty. Next up: Iglesias, who singles in another run, followed by Jackie Bradley, Jr., who doubles Iggy to third. This sets the table for Nava's final contribution of the night, a run scoring grounder for the Sox' eleventh and final run of the evening. Pleasant dreams for all involved, although this one likely will be bouncing around Yankee slumbers as a nightmare.
Overall, the Sox had 18 hits, of which seven were for extra bases, three of those for homers. Nava was 4 for 6, while both Nap and Bradley were 3 for 5, and both members of the N & N team picked up four ribbies.
As for the pitching, Dubront went six innings, allowing that lone Yankee run, while allowing six hits and countering that with a half dozen K's. The Sox pen was perfect for the remaining three frames, Tazawa, Uehara and Breslow each taking care of an inning.
The W for tonight allowed the Sox to pick up a game each on the Stripes, the Rays, the O's and the Jays. Can't get any better than that. Tomorrow, Bucky gets the ball for the ESPN Game of the Week, and gets the honor of facing the returned from the DL Pettite. Should be a good matchup, with both pitchers coming off tweaks or injuries. Go Sox!