Farrell's Return A Happy One!

Well, tonight was John Farrell's return to Toronto, where he managed for a year while waiting for his chance to run the Red Sox, for whom he'd spent a number of years as Terry's pitching coach and heir apparent. While it had some hairy moments, overall it was a success, as the Hose took the game, 6-4. Dubront as a starter was just good enough to keep the Sox in the game, actually leading when he finished, 4-3. Tazawa looked good again, although he did get a blown save on a HR he gave up, and got the win. The finishers were shutout--both of them, as had Uehara before Tazawa's appearance. Hanrahan got his 2d save in two tries in the young season.
Offensively, it was nicely spread across the lineup, led by three doubles and the first two Sox shots to the cheaps of the year, one each by Napoli and Middlebrooks. The two-baggers were from the Dustman, Middlebrooks and Ciriaco, the last coming in after Iglesias left in the 4th with soreness in the elbow that got clipped by a pitch earlier in the game. Sox also swiped their first three of the year, the thieves being Jake (who else), Jackie Bradley and Ciriaco. Bradley keeps showing why he's in the Show and not back in AA or AAA ball. He's not quite matching his spring, but everything he does shows why he had that spring and what's very possibly hanging within reach ready to erupt soon. Here's hoping the season continues as it has gone so far.

Close But No Cigar!

Well, the Sox were going for their first season start sweep against the Stripes since 1912, when the Evil Empire had yet to even contend for a championship, was called the Highlanders and played in a place called the Hilltop Stadium. Anyway, the Sox nemesis of all Stripes starters, Pettite, was on the mound, and even though he is 40, he showed he still has it. He barely cleared 90 pitches for 8 innings, leaving with a 4-1 lead. Big Mo relieved him, and although he did get his 609th save, gave up a hit, a freebie and a run to make it close at the end. Sox out hit the Stripes by one hit, getting a pair of two-baggers in the process. However, the Yanks matched those and added a pair of solo shots, which, in the end, were the difference.
Dempster made his first start for the Bosox, getting 8 K's. However, he also gave up five hits, one of them a HR, and four walks in 5 innings. The Sox relievers looked very good (Tazawa) to just OK (Mortenson: 2 hits in 2 innings, one of those the other HR by the Stripes). Offensively, Bradley got another hit, a double, and another RBI. Middlebrooks and Iglesias each had 2 hits and Gomes picked up a double while DH'ing tonight. A win would have been better, but, given the Hose' overall performance this week, we're at least better off than last year, and things look good from here.

Now It's Two In A Row Over Stripes!

Well, what a difference a year--and a much better manager--makes! Sox took the Stripes again today in Yankee Stadium, this time 7-4. Farrell's looking great as manager, as we always knew he would, and the blend of old and new players is looking just fine, thank you. With today's win, it's the first time in 14 years the Hose have opened a season by winning at least the first two. In 1999, the last time it happened, they opened 5-0. Hell, they didn't even open with wins in the first two games in either World Series Championship year! Bucky looked real good in his first start, going seven and gibing up a single run on a Hafner solo shot. He allowed 8 hits and kept them well scattered. On the few occasions he had multiple base runners, he pitched and got out of it unscathed. Farrell's apparently got him taking less time between pitches than he formerly did, and it's resulting in better results. He's looking (all spring and after one regular game) more like the guy who came up a few years ago. He also picked four K's and threw only 92 pitches. The first two relievers who succeeded looked a bit shaky and gave up a total of three runs between them, Aceves allowing a 3-run shot by long time Sox thorn, Vernon Wells (one of those runs was Youk, now wearing Stripes and getting a pair of singles tonight). But the new Sox closer, shut things down before they got out of hand, throwing an inning of shutout ball. Jake had two ribbies again tonight, while Nava, the Dustman, Victorino, Salty and Iglesias each picked up a pair of base hits. Jackie Bradley, Jr. also had another great catch in the field, got his first major league hit, scored two runs and added another ribbie. Tomorrow it's Ryan Dempster for the Sox against the old Yankee starter, Pettite. Should be a good one--even better if we get the same result as the first two games of the series.

Sox Start Season w/Win Over Yankees!

Well, it's now not only Spring; it's BASEBALL!! SOX BASEBALL!! The Hose opened the 2013 campaign today in Steinbrenner's replication of the House That Ruth Built, and won going away against the Stripes' ace, Sabathia! Final score was 8-2, although the Sox sent CC to an early shower after just five innings, having already gotten more than they needed to win. The win was crafted by a well oiled combination of Sox vets, new free agents and one very good rookie. The Hose had a total of 13 hits, of which five players each had multihit days, starting at the top of the order with Jake (3 hits including a ringing triple and a pair of ribbies), and continuing down the lineup. Free agent signee Shane Victorino had a pair of hits and three ribbies; the Dustman had a pair of hits, as did Gomer, while Iglesias had a trey. Finally, we get to the sensation of the Spring. Jackie Bradley, JR., who before today never played above Double A ball, didn't get a hit, but showed excellent plate discipline by working three walks and picking up what it is hoped will be just the first of a very many RBI's. He also made a great catch early in the game, going back on a well hit drive ball to rob the Stripes of at least one run, possibly more.
The Sox pitching also looked a lot different from a year ago's start with Lester pitching a sharp five innings, getting 7 K's, while only surrendering a pair of runs on 5 hits. The pen took over from there, shutting down the Evil Empire for just a lone hit and a pair of freebies over the final four innings.
Most experts are picking the Sox to finish in the lower reaches of the division, but, if today's effort indicates anything, it points to a possible solid season with who knows what results in September or, wouldn't it be nice, October?
Papi didn't play as his achilles is still sore, but he said he's feeling well enough to try running in the next few days, and, if that works out, possibly a rehab assignment in a week. Great start! GO SOX!!

It's Spring!
OK, maybe not for over a month on the calendar, but it IS spring where it counts--in BASEBALL!  Sox now at their spring training location and Opening Day is about six weeks away. Can hardly wait. Various pre-season rankings have the Sox anywhere from a contender in their division to last. If they avoid the injury bug, and play to capabilities and the free agents match hopes, I definitely can see a shot at the division. Go SOX!

PEDRO'S BACK!!

Not to get too excited, but the news just came out! Pedro Martinez, the Sox top ace in the mid to late 90's and on into the 2004 Championship year as a major supporting piece of the team is rejoining the team. Not as a pitcher--he's retired from playing, but as a special assistant to the Sox GM, Cherrington. Terms and details have yet to be announced. In the opinion of this observer, he could really help the Sox in evaluating pitchers, present or possible additions, and also can be a major force in getting an inside lead on top prospects coming out of his home--the Dominica. Stay tuned--just a few weeks until Spring Training!

Beefing up!
Well, the Hose are going on a Theo-like buying plunge! In the past few days, we have added three new players, at least one of whom was a major pain in the ass for the Sox over the last couple of years. That individual is the now-former Rangers catcher, Mike Napoli. He signed a 3 yr deal, subject to passing a physical, which should not be a problem. Sox also signed a three year deal with Shane Victorino, an outfielder previously with the Phillies and last season with the Dodgers. His time with the Phils showed some pretty decent numbers, but last year with the Bums was less than stellar. Hopefully, he returns to his Phillies form while patrolling beside Jake in the Sox outfield. The last guy the Hose picked upo was a cog in last season's surprise AL West Division championship winning A's team. Johnny Gomes is fairly young and this is his first free agent year. While he won't lead the team in any offensive stats, he is the type of solid player to support a good offensive lineup, shows some power and is a very good table setter for the heavier bats in the Hose lineup such as Papi and Napoli, not to mention Jake, if he comes back from last year's season destroying injury.
Welcome, guys! Looking forward to February!