Jon Lester entered Wednesday night’s start a perfect 12-0 against the Baltimore Orioles, so it looked like the Red Sox would be able to end their three-game losing streak and keep pace with the Yankees and Rays in an increasingly impossible push to the playoffs. But suddenly, Lester gave up a 1-0 lead by allowing four first inning runs, and after two innings the Red Sox were down 5-2.

Without Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, and Jacoby Ellsbury, the Red Sox lineup was dead in the water. Listening to the game on WEEI on the way home from work, I was thinking of clever ways to write the Red Sox season obituary. I was ready to dub this game the official nail in the coffin, with the Rays and Yankees both winning in their games (both teams did eventually win one-run decisions).

Much to my pleasant surprise, the Red Sox offense showed sudden life, pounding in six runs in the seventh inning to take a 9-5 lead. Marco Scutaro homered to tie the game at 5-5, Victor Martinez knocked in J.D. Drew with an RBI double to give the Sox the lead, and Adrian Beltre blasted a three-run shot to put the game out of reach. The Red Sox allowed a run in the eighth, but beat Baltimore 9-6 to end their losing streak.

In the end, Lester allowed five runs in six gutsy innings. He allowed eight hits and struck out 10 to earn his 13th win against zero defeats vs. the Orioles.

Despite the win, the Red Sox remained eight games behind the Yankees in the AL East and seven games behind the Rays in the Wild Card.

Sox Stud of the Game: Marco Scutaro

Scutaro made up for yet another error at short, and hit the game-tying two-run HR in the seventh inning. He was also the only Sox batter with two hits.

Sox Dud of the Game: Bill Hall

Hall pinch hit for Ryan Kalish, and finished 0-2 with two strikeouts.

Game Notes:

W: Jon Lester (15-8)
L: Mark Hendrickson (1-5)

• Daniel Bard allowed one run in two innings of work.
• J.D. Drew hit a solo HR in the fifth inning.
• The Orioles scored their four runs in the first on four hits, a HBP, and a wild pitch.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Red Sox, Top Story.

Marco Scutaro’s throw sailed into right field. Boston’s playoff hopes may have sailed away with it. Scutaro’s two-base error on a throw to second base in the third inning allowed the winning run to come home in the Baltimore Orioles’ 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Tuesday night at Camden Yards, the Orioles struck first. In the first inning, Nick Markakis hit a one-out double off Red Sox starter Josh Beckett, who came into the game 4-3 with a 6.50 ERA. In his previous start, Beckett pitched 6.1 innings against the Seattle Mariners, allowing three earned runs while striking out seven in a 5-3 win. Two batters after Markakis’s double, Luke Scott singled to right, driving him home. Beckett escaped further damage in the first inning and then enjoyed a 1-2-3 second.

Beckett’s (and later Scutaro’s) troubles began again in the third. Brian Roberts began the inning with a ten-pitch at-bat that ended in a single. He then took second on a wild pitch and went to third on a ground out. After Beckett walked Scott with two outs, Adam Jones hit a grounder to Scutaro. Scutaro fielded it cleanly, but then double-clutched before throwing to second for the force out. The throw sailed into right field and, by the time it was collected and thrown home, Scott came around to score from second base. The Orioles’ lead now sat at 3-0.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, could do nothing with lefty starter Brian Matusz. Matusz, who came into the game 6-12 with a 4.79 ERA, had won his previous start, giving up just one earned run to the Chicago White Sox in seven innings. The Red Sox, having managed just two hits off Matusz through the first four innings of Tuesday’s game, began to climb back in the fifth inning. Mike Lowell led off with a single. Two batters later, Jed Lowrie took a 3-1 offering to left field. It sailed into the bleachers, and the Red Sox were back to within one run. Unfortunately, that’s as close as they would get. Despite putting lead runners on in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, the Red Sox did not score again. Their best opportunity came in the seventh, when they had men on first and second base with no one out. Those runners were stranded after advancing exactly one base each.

The Orioles built some breathing room for themselves in the eighth inning. Scott and Felix Pie each homered to right off Felix Doubront, pushing the lead back up to three. It did not prove necessary. Koji Uehara, despite having been used four times since August 21, set down the final five Red Sox batters in order for his fifth save of the season. It was his fifth in ten days, and he needed just 21 pitches (17 of which were strikes) to record the 5-out save. Matusz, who went six innings, allowed two earned runs, and struck out six, picked up his seventh win of the season. Beckett suffered his fourth loss and fell back to .500, despite lowering his ERA to 6.21.

Red Sox at the Plate

The strongest offensive performance of the night came from Jed Lowrie. He went 2-3 for the night with his two-run home run. Lowrie continues to show flashes of brilliance, but what’s holding him back is his inability to stay healthy. He might someday be the starting shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, but he has to stay healthy long enough to prove he deserves the role. Victor Martinez also went 2-4 for the night. Nights like this make us think back to two months ago, and how much offense his injury might have cost the Red Sox since then. No other player had a particularly strong night, a scattering of 0-4’s, 1-4’s, and 1-3’s. David Ortiz deserves special mention, but not for good reasons. On Tuesday night, Ortiz went 0-4 with three strikeouts. In his last two games, he is 0-8 with 5 strikeouts. He may be feeling like he has to carry the Red Sox offense, and this is causing him to press harder and not see the ball as clearly. Whatever the cause, the Red Sox can ill afford a slump from one of their best hitters.

Red Sox on the Mound

If the team wasn’t struggling so much offensively, Beckett’s performance Tuesday night would’ve been adequate. Seven innings of two earned-run ball is usually enough to cement a win for the Boston Red Sox. Unfortunately, the Red Sox aren’t scoring right now. So Beckett’s performance, while good, just wasn’t good enough. To be a staff ace, you have to be able to pitch beyond your team’s need. Beckett can’t do that this year. He may still be a good pitcher, and he might be better in future seasons (statistically, odd-numbered years are better for Beckett then even-numbered years since joining the Red Sox), but he’s definitely not an ace. Matched up against a third or fourth starter, Beckett can probably be effective enough to earn wins. But against an ace or second starter, given Boston’s current offensive problems, Beckett may not have the stuff this year to win with consistency. Some juggling of the rotation may be necessary.

Felix Doubront, meanwhile, has been off-and-on, just as he’s moved up from AAA Pawtucket and back down again. These were actually hist first earned runs allowed in over two weeks. He was on a solid pitching streak that included two saves and a one-point drop in his ERA. With this mis-step, his streak ends. Given a full year in the majors, Doubront will likely prove to be an adequate reliever. Maybe never an elite pitcher, but certainly a solid, contributing member of a winning team’s relief corps. Whether or not that team is the Boston Red Sox remains to be seen.

Mounting Frustrations

You can see the looks on the players’ faces and in their reactions. Beckett allowed a two-out single and stormed into the dugout. Lowell struck out with two men on and threw his bat in disgust. Ortiz struck out, again, and walked away shame-faced and angry. The Red Sox are starting to feel that no matter what they do they can’t seem to win. Being professionals, this causes them to try harder, to press themselves, only to walk away with the same lack of success. This is resulting in losses now, but it may add up to wins later. When teams play poorly for a long time, they tend to eventually take their frustrations out on another team. Usually this manifests as a lopsided victory, often times by as many as ten or more runs. With the hitters this team has, that is not beyond the realm of possibility. This frustration can also manifest in a brawl, starting with a lonesome beaning that causes a retaliation. This is soon followed by the team pouring out of the dugout and rushing the mound and/or opposing teammates. With nine games left against the Rays and Yankees, this is also a strong possibility. One way or another, Boston fans should get some fun games sometime soon. They may not add up to a playoff berth, but at least everyone will feel a little better. If only for a bit.

© Matt Goisman for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Red Sox, Top Story.

It’s amazing how quickly things turn around. A week ago, the Red Sox made a bold move in claiming Johnny Damon off waivers in an effort to add outfield help as the Sox pushed toward the playoffs. Johnny Damon said “Screw You” to Theo Epstein in not so many words, and the Red Sox arrived in Tampa as they have at every ballpark all season: shorthanded. After the Red Sox won Game 1, they were just 4.5 games back, and many started thinking a playoff run was possible.

Then, the Red Sox blew two consecutive games, fell seven games back in the division, and realized a playoff spot may not be that realistic.

With the waiver trade deadline looming, the Red Sox parted ways with one of their good soldiers in the bullpen, Manny Delcarmen, sending him to the Rockies for a minor league pitcher. The “Pride of Hyde Park” fell on hard times this season after a forearm injury, and ended up with a 4.70 ERA over 48 games. He allowed single runs in three of his final four appearances, and over the last two seasons, the righty had a 4.60 ERA after two consecutive strong seasons (2.05 ERA in 2007 and a 3.27 ERA in 2008).

“Manny had a nice career with us,” said Epstein. “I think there were times when he had it all working, a mid-90s fastball with good finish in the zone, a plus changeup that’s his bread and butter, and at times a really good curveball.”

In return, the Red Sox acquired Single-A pitcher Chris Balcom-Miller, a player who the Red Sox nearly drafted last year, according to Epstein. Balcom-Miller was 6-7 with a 3.31 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 19 starts for the Rockies’ Single-A affiliate.

“He has a good fastball with sink, and a plus changeup as an amateur,” Epstein said. “We just saw him again this year and he now has a plus slider. He has the potential to have three average to above [average] pitches. He’s a guy who keeps the ball on the ground, is a plus strike thrower and gets swings and misses.”

In the long run, this trade should benefit the Red Sox, but it’s a pretty clear sign that the Red Sox are waiving the white flag a big this year.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Red Sox, Top Story.

Have you ever said something so much you believed it? Like that time you told your parents you got a B+ on that algebra test when you failed it? Then, when you got your grade at the end of the term, you were surprised to see that you had a C in the course despite all B’s (and really one F)? Sound familiar?

That’s the kind of situation former Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens finds himself in. Despite an enormous amount of circumstantial evidence, reported DNA evidence, and tremendous witness testimony from Brian McNamee, Andy Pettitte, Chuck Knoblauch, and others, Clemens seems convinced that he’s absolutely correct. Just ask him. He didn’t take steroids or HGH.

Well, Roger tried using that strategy with the government, and it has him in a heap of legal trouble. Facing years in prison and a fine of more than $1 million, Clemens defiantly told a federal judge on Monday, ” Not guilty, your honor.” Now, he must wait for an April 4, 2011 trial.

There’s also the chance that Roger’s trial will coincide with the perjury trial against former Giants outfielder Barry Bonds, which is set to begin March 21, 2011. The two faces of the Steroid Era will go one-on-one with the U.S. Government within one month of each other.

Do you think Roger will be found guilty or non-guilty?

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Red Sox, Top Story.

It’s been almost five years since any Boston Red Sox catcher threw out Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford. He has stolen 35 consecutive bases. Sunday night, when the Red Sox and Rays played the rubber match of their three-game series at Tropicana Field, he stole no bases. Instead, he did his damage with his bat. Crawford’s two-run home run tied what was a 3-1 deficit in the sixth and catalyzed a Tampa Bay offense that up until that point had managed just one run on four hits (three of which were singles). After that the floodgates opened, as the Rays scored three runs in the sixth and another in the seventh as part of a 5-run, 11-hit attack. The end result: a 5-3 Rays victory over the Red Sox.

The game featured a battle of 12-win pitchers, with John Lackey facing off against James Shields. The similarities between the two pitchers did not stop at the number of victories. In each pitcher’s previous start (Lackey versus Seattle, Shields versus Los Angeles) he went eight innings, striking out ten while allowing two earned runs. Both games resulted in decisive victories for their clubs. And during the first two innings of Sunday’s game, both pitchers allowed just a lone two-out single to the opposing hitters. Unfortunately, after that the two pitchers started to separate. Engaged in a tremendous pitcher’s duel through three innings, it was Lackey who faltered first. With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Carlos Pena crushed a 1-0 pitch deep into the right-field bleachers. Thankfully, Shields faltered just an inning later, giving up a lead-off double to Mike Lowell. Lowell came around to tie the game one out later, when Yamaico Navarro drove in the first run of his major-league career. Darnell McDonald, having walked and gone to second on Navarro’s hit, was also driven home as well, this time by Marco Scutaro. The Red Sox put up a third run in the top of sixth on a Daniel Nava RBI single, but after that everything went south in a hurry.

With one on and one down in the bottom of the sixth, Carl Crawford came to the plate. Two pitches later, the game was tied. That home run seemed to cause Lackey to become unglued, as he then proceeded to give up a ground-rule double to Evan Longoria, then walk the next two batters (one was intentional). With the bases loaded and only one out, Dan Johnson laced a 1-1 pitch back up the middle and into center field. It drove in Longoria, but McDonald fielded the ball quickly and threw a bullet to home, throwing out Carlos Pena, who was attempting to score from second base. Lackey then escaped the inning without further damage, but the Rays had taken a 4-3 lead and never relinquished it.

Lackey pitched into the seventh, but he exited with two men on and just one man out. On came Hideki Okajima, who struck out Crawford but then gave up an RBI single to Longoria. Okajima did not allow any other runners to score, but the Red Sox could do nothing offensively. Boston managed zero hits following Nava’s sixth inning single and could not even get on base until they were down to their final out of the game, when they drew a two-out walk against American League saves leader Rafael Soriano. Unfazed by the walk, Soriano struck out Boston’s last hitter and picked up his 39th save of the season. Shields picked up his 13th win, and Lackey picked up his 8th loss.

Red Sox at the Plate

Kudos to Yamaico Navarro for his second career hit and first RBI. With Boston’s luck regarding the health of its infielders, Navarro may see a fair amount of playing time before the season ends. If he can establish himself as a capable major-league hitter, he may be usable as trade bait in the off-season. It seems unlikely he will get much playing time at the major-league level if he stays with Boston through to next spring. Meanwhile, Mike Lowell was the only player to have a multi-hit game, going 2-4 with a double and a run scored. No one else on the team had a particularly strong night, with nearly everyone going either 0-4 or 1-4.

Shields, not usually a strong pitcher against the Red Sox, had good stuff Sunday night. His change-up was especially deceptive, causing numerous swings-and-misses by even Boston’s most experienced hitters. Boston struck out ten times against Tampa Bay’s pitchers. The only positive a strikeout occasionally allows for is a runner on first trying to steal, but the Red Sox don’t have the speed to steal with any regularity. So, essentially, the strike out is the worst way to make an out. And Sunday night Boston struck out ten times. When you’re relying on smallball tactics to score runs, that many strikeouts makes winning impossible.

Red Sox on the Mound

The problem with John Lackey’s pitches is that they lack movement. He has decent control, so when he’s hitting his spots he’s very difficult on opposing batters. But when his pitches flatten out they REALLY flatten out, and that’s what happened Sunday more times than not. Compare his pitches with James Shields’ and you can see how much more Shields makes the ball dance. His change-up is especially devastating, because it looks flat until the bottom falls out from under it and you’re swinging at something in the dirt. Lackey needs to pitch with crispness in order to be effective, and Sunday night he wasn’t able to do so in the later innings. Perhaps that’s a stamina issue, perhaps he just lost the feel for his pitches. Either way, his pitches looked more and more hittable as the game went on, and by the end, Rays hitters were teeing off him with ease. The Red Sox bullpen allowed an inherited runner to score, but for once this loss doesn’t really belong to them. Had the Red Sox managed more of an offensive attack, perhaps we could say the bullpen let the game get out of hand. But when your hitters manage just a walk after the sixth inning, it doesn’t matter how well you pitch: you’re still going to lose.

This is the End, Beautiful Friend

This was a pivotal series for the Red Sox. They came into it 5 1/2 games back in both races. Had they swept the Rays, they would’ve been at least within striking distance of the wild card, with six games left against the Yankees and three against the Rays. Even if they had just won the series there would’ve been cause to at least keep hoping. But they lost the series and are now 6 1/2 games back in both the divisional and wild card races. Worse, they are now 5-10 against the Rays, meaning they are guaranteed to lose the season series. Which means that, even if they catch the Rays, they would have to surpass them if it comes down to those two teams for the division. They have six games left to catch the Yankees, but the Yankees are a more powerful team by far than the Rays. It will be difficult to limit their scoring enough to overcome Boston’s offensive deficiencies. The Red Sox needed this series to get back into the races, and they couldn’t do it. Though a glimmer of hope will remain until the 162nd game is played, it seems increasingly likely that Boston fans will have nothing but the Patriots and the changing leaves to entertain them come October.

© Matt Goisman for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
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With the rising popularity of MMA, it is great to see states that once dismissed mixed martial arts as nothing more than barbaric bloodshed are now opening their doors to one of this country’s biggest draws in the world of sports.

The city of Boston had never held a UFC event due to a lack of regulation in Massachusetts. Earlier this year, Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill that called for the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission to expand and oversee MMA events, thus opening the door for Boston native and UFC owner Dana White to bring the UFC to Boston.

Boston was buzzing over the weekend, starting with a two day fan expo taking place at the Hynes Convention Center and culminating with UFC 118: Penn/Edgar 2. All of the hype and anticipation of Boston’s UFC debut turned out to be pretty dull and Beantown was left clamoring for more.

The Main Card

Nate Diaz vs Marcus Davis

Diaz and Davis exchanged blows throughout most of the fight. Diaz ended up clipping Davis’ eye in the first round which continuously swelled up and leaked blood giving Davis the appearance of a second head. Most thought Davis had the advantage standing up, but Diaz used his 6″ reach to repeatedly land unanswered blows.

As soon as the fight went to the ground in the third round, it was all over as Diaz sunk in a choke to win the bout via submission.

Kenny Florian vs Gray Maynard

The winner of this fight was guaranteed a shot at the lightweight title, so you think both guys would be going for broke.

Massachusetts native Kenny Florian had the crowd behind him, but the Jiu-Jitsu black belt was no match for the Division I All-American wrestler, Maynard.

The fight analysis was simple: takedown, rinse, repeat. Despite Florian’s corner repeatedly telling him to “stay away from the cage”, Florian was constantly with his back to the wall and Maynard took him down at will and ended up winning via unanimous decision.

Maynard is now the #1 contender for the lightweight title and put himself in line to fight the winner of the B.J. Penn/Frankie Edgar match that would happen later that evening.

Demian Maia vs Mario Miranda

Maia is coming off his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 112 and he displayed his great ground game against Miranda. While he did dominate Miranda for the whole fight, he attempted and failed several submissions. The whole match was Maia nearly locking in a submission, and then Miranda slipping away.

Maia won via unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the bout 30-27.

Randy Couture vs James Toney

This fight arguably had more hype than the Penn/Edgar Rematch.

In what some were hyping as the definitive “Boxing vs MMA Fight”, 47-year-old Randy Couture and 42-year-old James Toney proved nothing in their matchup.

Couture is a legend in MMA, being a UFC Hall of Fame inductee and only one of two fighters to hold titles in two separate divisions. Toney likewise has impressive credentials. The current IBO and NABO Heavyweight title holder has a 72-6-3 record and has held titles in multiple weight classes.

All that didn’t mean jack in his MMA debut as Toney was easily taken to the ground by Couture. The UFC veteran’s elite Greco-Roman skills made this a one-sided affair as Toney was easily mounted, pounded on, and forced into submission via arm-triangle in only 3:19 into the first round.

Nobody was shocked at what transpired as we all could predict how the fight would go down, but in his post fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, Toney still felt he fought a good fight. Yeah, what fight was he watching?

Frankie Edgar (C) vs B.J. Penn (Lightweight Championship)

In a rematch from their fight from UFC 112, where Edgar shocked the MMA world by defeating Penn for the title, Edgar/Penn 2 was more of the same.

Penn is regarded as one of the best pound for pound fighters on the planet and the best lightweight fighter today, but he looked completely lost in this fight. Penn had never been taken down as a lightweight fighter in the UFC, but Frankie Edgar, just like in their last fight, took him down at will.

Penn was simply no match for Edgar’s speed and wrestling. Penn had his best shot in the fifth round when he secured a takedown of his own and nearly had Edgar’s back, but Edgar, who’s only fatigue was from beating Penn mercilessly, easily slipped out of any danger and immediately gained dominant position.

The fight went the full five rounds with Edgar scoring the unanimous decision victory to retain his title and rightful place as the best lightweight fighter in the UFC.

As a result of this fight, Frankie Edgar (13-1) will now defend his title against the undefeated Gray Maynard (10-0). The most appealing part of this match is that Edgar will try to avenge his only career loss. Maynard holds the distinction of being the only person to beat Edgar, which was over two years ago at UFC Fight Night 13.

In The End

Boston’s UFC debut was met with huge fanfare, but the show itself was pretty pedestrian. All of the fights were one-sided affairs and did little to keep your attention.

Just because a fight is one-sided, doesn’t mean it is boring. In fact, Joe Lauzon put on a clinic in his preliminary fight against Gabe Ruediger. That was a completely one-sided, dominating performance for Lauzon, but it was exciting to watch.

The main card was not exciting and you could lose your attention pretty easily. Hell, no “Knockout of the Night” bonus was given because there were no knockouts at all!

On the plus side, Boston now has a taste for the UFC and you know we will see them at the Garden in the future. I just hope it instills a bit more excitement next time.

© Pete for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | One comment
Filed under: Featured, Now!, Top Story.

If nothing else, this season has been full of drama for the Red Sox. This time, it was another trough rather than a crest, and the Rays walked off with a win 3-2 in 10 innings. The Sox took the lead in the 4th when Adrian Beltre hit a sac fly following a single from Victor Martinez and a double from David Ortiz. Meanwhile, the Rays couldn’t even get a runner past 1st base, until the 7th, that is.

Carlos Pena made it to 1st with one out. And you know how Clay Buchholz has a nasty habit of throwing to first? Pena didn’t even really have a lead, and only has five stolen bases in six attempts, and Buchholz still threw it over there. On the second pickoff attempt of the at bat (and fifth of the inning), Buchholz threw it clear away into right field. That brought Pena all the way to 3rd. Then J.D. Drew caught a sac fly, but it happened it foul ground.

With two outs left, and guys hitting around .230 and .150 at bat and on deck, and with runs at a huge premium in this series, how do you not let that ball drop? Worse yet, Jerry Remy said Drew was right to catch the ball (when dropping it was [in all likelihood] the game-winning decision); at least Dennis Eckersley was properly enraged.

Then, Victor Martinez hit the game-winning homer in the top of the 8th. At least it should have been. Despite throwing 107 pitches through seven innings, and showing poor judgement, Buchholz came back out for the 8th, and promptly gave up a home run to the first batter after that. Much was made after the game in the NESN crew’s critique of the departure from the Bard/Papelbon formula for winning.

Speaking of home runs on the first batter, the Sox brought in Scott Atchison to make an attempt at maneuvering around the Rays until a save situation could be brought up for Papelbon, but uninspired name Dan Johnson hit the walk-off shot, then came to home plate for the celebration, which really isn’t fun anymore ever since Kendry Morales.

Sox Stud of the Game: Victor Martinez

That home run really ought to have done it.

Sox Dud of the Game: Clay Buchholz, J.D. Drew, and Terry Francona

First, Buchholz committed the throwing error. Then, Drew handed over a run that needn’t have scored. Then, Francona leaves Buchholz in. Then, Buchholz can’t stand leads. And of course, Atchison lost the game officially.

That’s What He Said:

“That will be on ‘SportsCenter.’” – Me, after seeing Ryan Kalish dive to catch a ball in the 2nd, which resulted in him somersaulting over. Seriously, check out “SportsCenter’s” Top 10 Monday.

Game Notes:

W: Randy Choate (4-3)
L: Scott Atchison (2-2)

• Clay Buchholz built up a streak of 26 straight scoreless innings before having that snapped.
• Hideki Okajima was activated from the DL before the night’s game; Michael Bowden was sent to Pawtucket to make room.
• Jason Varitek threw to 2nd during rehab exercises for the first time.
• We would all like to wish a happy 6th birthday to Victor Martinez’ son Victor Jose. He also has a daughter Maria Victoria. This sounds like a George Foreman complex.

© John for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Red Sox, Top Story.

Fresh of being spurned by Johnny Damon, the Red Sox entered Friday 5.5 games back of the Yankees and Rays in the AL East and Wild Card. Damon was not in the lineup. Neither was Manny Ramirez, who was claimed by the Sox (the ones in Chicago) earlier in the day. So, it looks like what you see with the Red Sox lineup (one without Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, and Jacoby Ellsbury) is what you get.

Coming off the worst start of his career, Jon Lester turned in a dominant performance on Friday night in one of the biggest games this year for the Red Sox. Lester allowed just one unearned run over seven innings. He was throwing all over the strike zone, and out of it, as he finished with just two hits allowed with five walks and 10 strikeouts. Terry Francona turned to Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon, who despite some trouble in the ninth, slammed the door on the Rays for the 3-1 victory.

Perhaps the biggest story of the game was Victor Martinez, who clocked two home runs off Rays All-Star lefty David Price, who may be in line to win the Cy Young Award. Victor finished 3-4 in all, and knocked in two of the three runs on those two solo shots. The Sox scored their other run on an RBI single by Jed Lowrie in the fourth inning.

Darnell McDonald, who tripled, was the unsung hero of the game (as usual). He came up with a clutch outfield assist, gunning down B.J. Upton at home plate. Upton would have tied the game at 2, but instead he was out, and Martinez homered the next half inning to give the Sox a key insurance run.

Sox Stud of the Game: Victor Martinez

In a contract year, Martinez has a lot to play for the rest of the way. He had a tough time for a while trying to find his way back from his hand and foot injuries, but if Friday’s performance is any indication, he should be able to step up the rest of the way.

Sox Dud of the Game: Bill Hall

Hall has had a very surprising season, but Friday was not one of his better nights. He finished 0-3 with three strikeouts.

Game Notes:

W: Jon Lester (14-8)
L: David Price (15-6)
SV: Jonathan Papelbon (33)

• Paps allowed two hits, but also struck out the side in the ninth inning.
• Price allowed 10 hits in his seven innings.
• J.D. Drew finished 2-4, while every other Red Sox batter finished with at least one hit except for Bill Hall (and Ryan Kalish, who went 0-1 hitting for Hall).
• The Yankees lost Friday, so now the Sox are just 4.5 games back in both the East and Wild Card.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Red Sox, Top Story.

The old guard (though not as old as, say, that fellow over in Minnesota) took on the new guard Thursday night at Gillette Stadium. For the 2-0 New England Patriots: Tom Brady, entering his eleventh season, holder of records, winner of MVPs and Super Bowls alike. For the 1-1 St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, the #1 draft pick from 2010, primed to start his rookie season. Traditionally, the third preseason game of the NFL is the game that best depicts how a team will play in the regular season. If that’s the case, then many of the questions fans had coming into the game remained unanswered at its conclusion.

First Quarter

The game could not have began better for the Patriots. The Rams kicked off to the New England 3-yard line, where it was caught by wide receiver Brandon Tate. Some good blocking up front, and Tate was off to the races. Tate wound up going 97 yards to the opposing end-zone, easily beating the kicker. A successful point-after-touchdown, and the Patriots were up 7-0 just 12 seconds into the game.

Unfortunately, the Patriots’ defense did not respond. They gave up two first downs on the run, then a 32-yard Bradford pass to the New England 18. After short runs and passes moved the ball to the Patriots’ 7-yard line, Bradford completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Michael Hoomanawanui. The point-after was good, and the game was tied. The defense looked out-of-sync against both the run and the pass.

Tate tried to energize the offense again, returning the kickoff to the 41-yard line, but the Patriots went three-and-out, choosing to punt on 4th-and-inches from midfield. The Rams began their drive on the 4-yard line and, despite gaining a couple of first downs, were eventually forced to punt, as the Patriots began to get pressure on Bradford. New England wound up punting right back to St. Louis after Brady took a 13-yard sack. The final two plays of the quarter featured Bradford beating the blitz on 3rd-and-8, gaining a key first down, then completing 23-yard pass to Hoomanawanui at the New England 10.

Second Quarter

After a short gain on first-down, Ron Brace sacked Bradford for -7 yards to the New England 15, forcing a 3rd-and-goal from 15 yards out. The Rams wound up settling for a 25-yard field-goal. A New England touchback led to a three-and-out, and St. Louis returned the punt to the New England 38. Despite some penalties, the Rams wound up taking advantage of the good starting position. Bradford completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Hoomanawanui, and the point-after was good. The Patriots defense was starting to have success stopping the run, but they had no luck stopping the pass, as Bradford threw for 189 yards in the first half.

The Patriots finished their next drive punting without gaining a first down, but a stout run defense and a near interception caused the Rams to punt it right back, and the ball was fair-caught at the New England 20. During the ensuing drive, Brady completed a 39-yard catch to wide-receiver Wes Welker, moving the ball to the Rams’ 42-yard line. Then, after falling down in anticipation of a blitz and getting up untouched, Brady threw the ball to tight end Alge Crumpler, who caught it while falling out of bounds at the Rams’ 18-yard line. Though first ruled incomplete, a successful coach’s challenge changed the call to a 24-yard completion. Two plays later, Brady completed a pass to rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski, who fought tooth-and-nail against his tackler to dive for the end zone. Initially called down inside the 1-yard line, the referees reversed the call and gave Gronkowski the 14-yard touchdown catch. After a successful point-after, the Patriots found themselves down just 3 with 1:55 left in the half.

The Patriots looked like they were going to stop the Rams and get the ball back, but a Tully Banta-Cain roughing-the-passer penalty cost the Patriots 15 yards and extended the Rams drive. The Rams finished the half with a 45-yard field goal, leaving the score 20-14 at halftime. The Rams had out-gained the Patriots 241 to 106 in total yards.

Third Quarter

The Rams had seen more than enough of Sam Bradford in the first half (15/22, 189 yards, 2 touchdowns), so they began the second half with backup quarterback Thaddeus Lewis. Good open-field tackling looked like it would force St. Louis to punt after a a few meaningless first downs, but illegal contact gave the Rams a fresh set of downs. Lewis later evaded a sack and throw for nine yards and a first down to the the Patriots’ 23-yard line. Lewis then hit Brandon Gibson for a 20-yard touchdown pass. The drive took 15 plays and ate up 9:19 of clock-time.

The New England defense looked completely exhausted, but Tom Brady did not let them rest. Two plays into the Patriots’ next offensive drive, Brady connected on a 65-yard play-action pass to Randy Moss for the touchdown. What had taken the Rams over nine minutes to do, the Patriots had done in 40 seconds, and now they were once again down just six after the successful PAT.

Despite some penalties, including another roughing-the-passer, the New England defense forced a St. Louis punt at midfield, which the Rams’ kicking team downed at the New England 2-yard line. Unfortunately for the Rams, Brady had finally settled into a passing groove and the coaches left him in. After several short-yardage passes got the Patriots out of danger, Brady completed 32-yard strike to Gronkowski up the middle to the Rams’ 42-yard line.

Fourth Quarter

The Patriots started the final quarter down six on the Rams’ 37-yard line, facing 3rd-and-5. Brady completed a first down pass, then threw 20 yards to Gronkowski for the touchdown. A successful PAT gave the Patriots a one-point lead with just under 14 minutes in the game. It was their first lead since the opening kickoff return, and they would add to it soon after. After the Rams returned the kickoff to their 32-yard line, safety Brandon McGowan intercepted Lewis at the St. Louis 48-yard line, returning it 38 yards to the 10. Brian Hoyer then completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Sam Aiken, and the PAT was successful. The Patriots now enjoyed an eight-point lead.

The key play of the next St. Louis drive was a draw play that gave the Rams a first down at the Patriots’ 43-yard line. Lewis then completed a 33-yard pass that was called out at the New England 2-yard line. The Rams then scored on a Keith Toston 2-yard touchdown run. A false start on the ensuing two-point conversion moved the football back to New England’s 7-yard line, and the ensuing pass fell incomplete. The Patriots got the ball back leading 35-33 and with 4:33 left in the game, but they punted their possession away, giving the Rams the ball back at the St. Louis 40-yard line with 2:44 to go and two time outs. A holding penalty backed the Rams up to the 20-yard line, but it didn’t matter. The overused defense couldn’t stop the Rams’ balanced attack, and their third helmet-to-helmet penalty gave the Rams a free 15 yards that the Patriots defense could ill-afford. The Rams ran the clock down to three seconds and called timeout, then Josh Brown kicked his third field goal of the game, this time from 37 yards as time expired. The game ended St. Louis 36, New England 35.

So, What Did We Learn?

First the good news: we can be very excited about this offense. On top of longstanding Patriots such as Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker, we now have some newcomers to watch with glee. Brandon Tate returned three kicks for 164 yards (181 total). If he can contribute like that with consistency, the Patriots special-teams will be a force to be reckoned with. We also may finally have a reliable tight end in Rob Gronkowski. He averaged 22 yards per catch and caught 2 more touchdowns Thursday night. After years of injured or underachieving tight ends, we now have one who can really complement the Patriots’ dangerous wide receiver corps. Good tight ends can open up both the passing and running games, and I predict great things from Gronkowski this year. The fact that he’s just a rookie, and thus will get better, just excites me more. This offense can score quick and they can eat up clock time when necessary. Scoring points will not be a problem for this Patriots team.

PREVENTING points, however, will be. The defense looked awful Thursday night. It couldn’t stop either the pass (326 yards) or the run (136). Giving up 462 yards will lose you the game, no matter who you’re playing. They also couldn’t hold on third down: the Rams went 11-17 on third down as part of their 30 first-down attack. And McGowan’s interception aside, they couldn’t get much pressure on any of St. Louis’s quarterbacks, sacking just twice. New England’s offense didn’t help out, losing the possession battle 43:46 to 16:14 (almost a 3:1 ratio), but if the defense had managed a few more stops then the offense would’ve had a few more opportunities for long drives. St. Louis ran over twice as many plays as New England (84-38), and frankly the Patriots were fortunate to lose by just one point.

Thanks to an off-season marked by inaction, no one is quite sure what to expect from the Patriots this season. After this game, it seems clear that fans should not expect much. New England’s passing attack will be as strong as ever, but its running game (28 rushing yards against the Rams) looks anemic. And the defense looks incredibly weak against the pass and only slightly less-so against the rush. I predict many high-scoring shootouts in which the offense scores a lot of points, only to see the defense too tired to hold the lead, causing the fans to watch a number of excruciating come-from-behind victories by opposing teams. Perhaps then the Patriots’ front office will see that it’s time to make changes to the defense.

© Matt Goisman for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | No comment
Filed under: Featured, Patriots, Top Story.

With all the rain over the past few days, no one can accuse the Red Sox of not making visiting teams welcome: the teams were ensured rain worthy of Seattle, including a rain-out induced doubleheader. Still several games back of both the Yankees and Rays, the Red Sox need to win every game they can.

Starting the first game of the day in soggy conditions, struggling starter Josh Beckett turned in the type of outing the Sox have been looking for: a quality start good enough for the win. Beckett went 6.1 innings striking out 7 and allowing three runs. Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon came through with 2.2 innings of no-hit relief to close out the game and give Beckett his fourth win of the season.

While David Pauley was a foe the Sox would handle well in the afternoon, the evening game matched the team against Mariners ace Felix Hernandez. Jon Lester, the Sox scheduled starter was a late scratch due to back soreness. Thankfully the soreness was not in Lester’s back but in that of fellow starter Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Sox decided to shake up the rotation and replace Lester with Wakefield on Wednesday and have the lefty take over Matsuzaka’s scheduled start against the Rays on Friday.

Unfortunately for the Red Sox, Hernandez was on the ball, as he tossed 7.1 innings of four-hit, two-run ball while striking out 9. J.D. Drew collected his 17^th home run in the 6^th inning while Hernandez himself crossed the 1000th career strikeout mark.  Some sparks flew early in the game when Adrian Beltre, while heading to third base, glove in hand, made a few remarks about his strikeout that were overheard by home plate umpire Dan Bellino.

Scoring two runs against Hernandez wasn’t quite enough as Tim Wakefield, making his first start since July 20^th, allowed 4 runs, 3 earned, over his 5.2 innings.

The Red Sox are off on Thursday before beginning a series Friday in Tampa Bay.

© Mike Carlucci for Sports of Boston, 2010. | Permalink | 2 comments
Filed under: Featured, Red Sox, Top Story.