Despite Wins, Red Sox Lose Ground on Rays

The Red Sox continue to play good baseball, winning both series this week over the Yankees and White Sox, to extend their series win streak to four.  However, the Rays continue to find ways to win, gutting out victory after victory (in front of an embarrassing 10,000 fans) and extended their division lead to 5.5 over the Red Sox with their five-game win streak. 

The Red Sox did extend their wild card lead to 2.5 over the Twins and the series victory over the Yankees appears to have demoralized them and put them out of the race.  The Red Sox face a favorable schedule this week in hopes of extending the wild card lead and make up distance on the Rays.

Red Sox at Yankees

The final Red Sox series at Yankee Stadium opened with Tim Wakefield returning from the disabled list to face Andy Pettitte.  Wakefield threw 80 pitches over five innings and gave up three runs in a solid return start.  The bullpen came up huge for the Red Sox to preserve the lead and secure the victory.  Javier Lopez (1.0 IP), Manny Delcarmen (0.1 IP), Justin Masterson (0.2 IP), Hideki Okajima (0.2 IP), and Jonathan Papelbon (1.1 IP) combined on four scoreless innings, getting Wakefield the win. 

The Yankees got two solo home runs from Johnny Damon, but the story on their side was Alex Rodriguez‘ 0-5, including grounding into two double plays, striking out twice, and leaving seven runners stranded.  Damon, Derek Jeter, and Bobby Abreu had two hits apiece, but A-Rod and Jason Giambi could not get a single hit, let alone plate any baserunners. 

The Red Sox pounded the Yankees in the second game, putting a close contest away with a seven-run eighth inning.  Each Red Sox starter had at least one hit in the 13-hit barrage with the exception of Alex Cora.  Dustin Pedroia led the way with three including his eighth inning grand slam.  Jason Bay also drove in four. Paul Byrd continued to throw solid innings, going six while allowing only two runs with five strikeouts to record the win.  A-Rod was the only Yankee with a multi-hit game in the losing effort. 

Jon Lester and Mike Mussina staged a superb pitcher’s duel as the Yankees ultimately salvaged a win in the series.  Lester allowed only a single run over 6.2 innings and struck out eight.  Mussina struck out six through seven and allowed only two runs.  Despite their great outings, neither figured in the decision as Okajima and Masterson could not hold the 2-1 edge they inherited. 

Giambi tied the game with a pinch hit home run and won the game with a walkoff single off Papelbon.  A-Rod was held hitless for the second game in the series.  Despite losing a game they should have won, the Sox took two of three in the Bronx to all but eliminate the Yankees, who subsequently dropped two of three to the Blue Jays and face the Rays in a big series this week.

Red Sox vs. White Sox

The White Sox came to town as the Central Division leader, locked in a tight race with the Twins and in the mix for the Wild Card should they lose the lead.  However, the Red Sox offense continued their hot hitting as they cruised to an 8-0 victory, pounding out 15 more hits (amazingly without a home run). 

Pedroia is building a case for the American League MVP award with another multi-hit game, going 4-4, scoring three runs, and swiping two bases.  David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, Cora, and Jason Varitek also had multiple hits. 

Daisuke Matsuzaka went eight strong innings and struck out seven, walking only two.  With his control intact, Dice-K was able to keep his pitch count down, allowing him to last the eight innings and record his sixteenth win. 

The Sox opened Game 2 right where they left off, scoring three in the first on their way to another 15-hit effort in the 8-2 win.  Pedroia had another 4-4 effort and also walked once, reaching all five times he came to the plate.  Pedroia’s effort outshined the three-hit games of Jacoby Ellsbury and Mark Kotsay. Michael Bowden posted a good effort in his major league debut, going five innings, striking out three, and allowing two runs, which was good enough to record the win. 

The White Sox series ended just as the Yankees series did, with the Sox dropping a close game (though they never led in the game).  Wakefield allowed three runs over six innings, throwing 82 pitches, as the Red Sox seem a bit conservative with his arm at this point. 

Gavin Floyd got the White Sox into the seventh with a 3-1 lead with a great effort, striking out five.  The Red Sox got to Bobby Jenks in the ninth for a run and had the tying run in scoring position, but Pedroia’s slice down the left field line was caught, ending the game.  Because of the Rays hot play, the Red Sox need to focus on maintaining the wild card lead and getting healthy.  Beating a team in the running like the White Sox 2-1 was a crucial series win.

Red Sox vs. Orioles

The Red Sox get a visit from a scuffling Orioles team, losers of 10 of their last 12 and coming off a sweep in Tampa.  They have dropped into last place in the East, seven games back of Toronto.  The Sox offense should not be slowed down by this pitching staff. 

Garrett Olson (6.38 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) opens the series against Paul Byrd and is 0-1 in two starts against the Red Sox this season.  He pitched well in the second start, allowing only two runs over five, but the Orioles lost the game. 

In the second game, Jon Lester draws Radhames Liz (6.95, 1.79), who the Red Sox shelled in the one game he started against them. 

Dice-K goes for win #17 against Jeremy Guthrie (3.57, 1.22), who is 1-2 this season against the Sox (the Orioles are 2-2 in his starts against Boston).  Guthrie has been Baltomore’s best starter all season (despite his 10-11 mark) and he would pose the biggest threat to preventing the Red Sox possible sweep. 

With Lester and Matsuzaka pitching and the offense clicking, the Sox should take no less than two and the brooms are likely to come out.

Red Sox vs. Rangers

The Sox finish this week in what could be a fun series as they head to Texas, home of one of the most offense-friendly ballparks and the pitching-deprived Rangers.  Josh Beckett is slated to return in the opener, facing Scott Feldman (5.05 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). 

Wakefield opposes Rangers ace Kevin Millwood (4.84, 1.60) and Byrd would look to get the call against Matt Harrison (5.67, 1.59).  The Rangers possess one of the worst pitching staffs in the majors from front to back.  They have even been through three closers now as C. J. Wilson suffered a season ending injury and Eddie Guardado was just traded to the Twins, opening the door for Frank Francisco. 

The Rangers can score runs themselves with a lineup including Josh Hamilton (.294 BA, 30 HR, 117 RBI), Ian Kinsler (.319 BA, 102 R, 18 HR, 26 SB though injured and will miss the series), Milton Bradley (.322 BA, 22 HR, 73 RBI), and Michael Young (.285, 12, 72).  The Red Sox should have plenty of baserunners for the middle-of-the-order guys to drive home in this series, so they should win at least two of these games. 

A 5-1 week is pretty realistic and should mean the Sox should make up some ground as the Rays have a tougher week with the Yankees and Blue Jays on their schedule.

Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Red Sox, Texas Rangers, View from the Monster

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