Hello Everyone !! Don’t know what can be said about the Red Sox performance at home besides .Wow !!!
Something is clearly wrong. My thought would be that the bull pen is imploding as a result of over-use the first half of the season.
When the starters were only going 4 to 6 innings, the bull pen was carrying the load. Cannot think of another reason why so many from the pen would implode at virtually the same time other from being over-used. And no, I have not done the research to compare the number of bull pen innings pitched to the rest of the league. If someone can think of another factor to explain this situation… come on down !! Hope and pray that all Sox pitchers are used as little as possible in the AS game next week.
Kansas City’s pitcher this evening (Bannister) is an above average pitcher. This is no slamn dunk game tonight.
From Jerry Remy’s ‘Today In Sports Plus’ e-mail
David Ortiz, right, watches his two-run home run off Kansas City Royals starter Luke Hochevar in the first inning
inBoston, Thursday July 9, 2009. At left his Royals catcher Miguel Olivio. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Kansas CityRoyals at BostonRed Sox
Brian BannisterJon Lester
Friday, July 10, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT)
Broadcast: NESN, FSRM
Dustin Pedroia dives but can't make the play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Miguel Olivo
in the fourth inning inBoston, Thursday July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Game Preview
By MIKE LIPKA, STATS Writer
Jon Lester had already beaten cancer and won the decisive game of the World Series when he took the took the mound against the Kansas City Royals on May 19, 2008.
It wasn’t until that night, however, that Lester established himself as a dominating major league pitcher.
The left-hander will face the Royals on Friday for the first time since he no-hit them last season as he tries to make sure his Boston Red Sox don’t fall out of first place for the first time in more than a month.
After being diagnosed with lymphoma just as he was breaking into the majors, Lester beat the disease and worked his way back by the end of the 2007 season. He was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series that year againstColoradoas the Red Sox completed a sweep.
The resilient Lester didn’t fully regain his strength until last season, however, and it was beginning to show inBoston’s 7-0 win overKansas City. He struck out nine and walked two, tossing what remains theAL’s most recent no-hitter.
“We’re on the wrong part of history,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said that night.
Lester (7-6, 4.16 ERA) went on to win 16 games with a 3.21 ERA last year, and after a rocky opening to 2009 he has once again found a groove. He is 4-1 with a 1.74 ERA in his last seven starts, striking out 61 in 46 2-3 innings.
There still hasn’t been a no-hitter in the majors this season, but Lester flirted with one on June 6, when he took a perfect game into the seventh inning againstTexas. He finished with a two-hitter and 11 strikeouts inBoston’s 8-1 win.
Lester threw a season-high 122 pitches againstSeattleon Sunday, allowing four runs - one earned - in 6 2-3 innings. The only time he has ever thrown more pitches was in the no-hitter, when he threw 130.
“It’s nice to be able to carry my stuff throughout the game,” Lester told his team’s official Web site. “I kept us in there as long as I could. If I can keep us within striking distance like that, we’ll win a lot of ballgames.”
The Red Sox (51-34) had a four-run lead in Thursday’s series opener against Kansas City, but lost 8-6, surrendering sole possession of the AL East lead as the red-hot New York Yankees pulled even.Bostonhas held at least a share of first place continuously since June 9.
The team is now 3-4 to begin a 10-game homestand that initially didn’t seem threatening, starting with visits fromSeattleandOakland.
“(The Royals) just bounced back tonight and scored runs at the right time,” saidBostondesignated hitterDavid Ortiz,who homered for the second straight game and hit the 300th of his career. “The Yankees are not a surprise. They are playing great.”
Starting with Lester’s gem, the Royals (37-48) were swept in their four-game series atFenwayParklast year, but they’ve already improved on that result.Alberto Callaspo,who struck out against Lester for the final out, had two doubles and two RBIs Thursday, improving his average to .303.
Brian Bannister will also hope to reverse his track record inBoston. The right-hander has allowed 11 runs and four home runs in 11 1-3 innings in two starts at Fenway, losing all three of his overall starts against the Red Sox.
Bannister (6-6, 3.87) has pitched well lately. Despite a 2-3 record in his last five starts, he has a 2.57 ERA and .211 opponent batting averageover that span. He beat the Chicago White Sox after allowing two runs in six innings of a 6-3 win Sunday.
Jacoby Ellsbury slides but can't make the play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Ryan Freel
in the sixth inning inBoston, Thursday, July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Red Sox Team Report Jul 10, 2009
Yahoo! Sports
Inside Pitch
Kevin Youkilis has been through the ups and downs of a baseball season, so he’s not one to panic.
The two-time All-Star first baseman started out the season red hot but has watched as the numbers have dropped with each passing month leading into the All-Star break.
Youkilis hit .244 during June, and he was mired in a 2-for-28 funk in Julybefore busting out of it with an aggressive game plan in Thursday night’s loss to the Royals.
First the bearded infielder—playing third base for the time being withMike Lowell on the shelf rehabbing from a sore right hip—smashed an RBI single in the first inning that ended an 0-for-15 slump. Then, he jumped all over the second pitch he saw in his second at-bat for a two-base hit.
The 2-for-5 performance ended a string of fruitless at-bats during the last several weeks, and also pushed his batting average back over the .290 mark. It seems like a long way from the start that saw Youkilis hitting .395 after the first month of the season.
“I hadn’t had much success (lately), but today is a new day,” Youkilis said. “It’s one of those things where I wish I could hit well all year, but you deal with those little slumps during the year. You just have to move on.”
With only three more games remaining before a relaxing trip to St. Louis for his second consecutive All-Star appearance, Youkilis needs only to squeeze out a few more hits to ready himself for a meaningful second-half surge.
Royals 8, Red Sox 6:The normally bulletproofBostonbullpen suffered its third loss of the homestand when RHPManny Delcarmen and RHPJustin Masterson couldn’t hold the Royals back in the sixth inning. Masterson took his third loss of the season when he coughed up a home run.
DHDavid Ortiz smacked his 300th career home run to left in the first inning.
Notes, Quotes
• 2BDustin Pedroia might skip the All-Star Gameto remain inBostonwith his pregnant wife, Kelli, who was admitted to the hospital on Monday with complications. ESPN’s Peter Gammons first reported the possibility on his Twitter account Wednesday night, and manager Terry Francona said that Major League Baseball is aware of his second baseman’s delicate family situation. Francona indicated that—as of right now—the reigning AL MVP intends to play. “His wife is going through a very serious time right now,” Francona said. “There’s always a chance he wouldn’t play because we don’t know what’s going to happen, but the plan is for him to play. If he needs to not play, then I would certainly support that. It’s stating the obvious: His wife’s in the hospital, and if needs to not go, then he won’t.”
• 1B Kevin Youkilis snapped an 0-for-15 funk when he slammed an RBI double in the first inning of Thursday night’s loss, and he finished 2-for-5 with two scored and an RBI to raise his batting average back over .290. The All-Star first baseman has watched his batting average steadily since a fast start, and is hitting .121 in 31 at-bats in July. He admitted that pitchers are going at him a bit differently coming off a big year last year, and he seems to have begun making adjustments at the plate.
Roster Report
• SSJed Lowrie went 0-for-4 and played nine innings of shortstop for Class AAA Pawtucket on Thursday night, andBostonmanagerTerry Francona confirmed that the team is looking at a July 18 date to recall Lowrie.Lowrie was taken off the 60-day disabled list and optioned to the minors on Wednesday. July 18 marks the second game following the All-Star break, and is precisely when Lowrie is allowed to return to the roster. The manager also indicated that the required 10-day minor league stay will be just what is needed for Lowrie, who has battled a bruised right knee and inclement weather since embarking on his rehab assignment in mid-June.
• RHPBrad Penny has been remarkably consistent throughout this season after two rough outings early, and Thursday night he matched his entire 2008 output with his 17th start of this season. Penny has never pitched as many as seven full innings this season, and has allowed three runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts. The 10-start stretch began May 20. Penny has gone 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 57 1/3 innings over that span. “I felt really strong,” said Penny. “I can’t remember a time where I’ve really been tired this year.”
• DH David Ortiz smashed his 300th career home run in the first inning of Thursday night’s loss, and he became the 19th active player in the big leagues to reach that milestone. Ortiz was the first player to hit his 300th in a Sox uniform sinceManny Ramirez did it against the Angels on Aug. 26, 2002. Thursday night also marked the first time in 11 opportunities that the Sox have lost a game that Big Papi homered in. “When the ball is coming off his bat like that, that’s good for us,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s back to being about as dangerous as anybody in the league
We Bet Brad Can't Stand to Watch MDC and Masterson Blow the Game Either
Royal Blues |Tiny Payroll 8, Unlimited Payroll 6 Callaspo, DeJesus Leads Royals; Collapse for Sox Bullpen Theo Would Like to Remind You That Duquette Found Delcarmen Papi Hits No. 300... Needs Just 455 to Catch All-Time Leader Hank Aaron Pedroia Bangs Out Three Hits to Take the Lone Sox .300 Torch Lord Help Us: Masterson's ERA Is On the Rise
"There are times when things don't always work out. Lately, it has been a different guy missing on a different pitch at a different time."-- Justin Masterson on Gasoline Alley revisited
TheRockies, though, have spoken with the Reds and the Red Sox about infielder Garrett Atkins as they look to add bullpen reinforcements. The Reds have enough depth to trade a reliever -- such as David Weathers -- but aren't interested in absorbing the $3.4 million owed Atkins for the remainder of this season, complicating any deal. The Red Sox continue to monitor Atkins' situation in case Mike Lowell's hip injury sidelines him longer than a few weeks. Atkins also has attracted interest fromSt. LouisandSeattle.--DenverPost
Official word is expected later this month, but the Red Sox and Cuban shortstop Jose Iglesias have agreed to terms on an $8 million-plus deal, according to a source familiar with the talks. The 19-year-old defector is considered to be a defensively gifted player with major league caliber glove skills. His offensive potential appears to be a question mark. He has been heavily scouted since defecting inCanadaa year ago. The Red Sox have been scouting him for months, and have been working him out at their complex in theDominican Republic.--BostonHerald
Twenty BestBostonRed Sox Transactions of the Last 15 Years
byAnthony Emerson
The Red Sox have been arguably the best team of this decade. But how did they get there?
The Red Sox have been willing to pull the trigger on many trades and take a risky signing.
You probably won't agree with all my choices, and this article is in order of when each transaction went down. If you think that I left a transaction off, just leave a comment with the transaction in it and I'll add it.
On July 10, 1984, Fernando Valenzuela and Dwight Gooden set an All-Star Game record by combining to strike out six consecutive batters. Valenzuela and Gooden fan Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson, George Brett, Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon, and Alvin Davis in succession.
On July 10, 1983, the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers play the longest nine-inning game in major league history. The Brewers win the four-hour and 11-minute marathon, 12-9, on Ted Simmons’ bases loaded single.
On July 10, 1982, Larry Parrish of the Texas Rangers ties a major league record by clubbing his third grand slam within the span of a week. Parrish’s latest slam lifts the Rangers to a 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. In 1968,Detroit’s Jim Northrup also hit three grand slams in a week.
On July 10, 1964, Jesus Alou of the San Francisco Giants collects six hits against six different pitchers in a 10-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Alou becomes the first Giant to enjoy a six-hit game in nearly 40 years.
On July 10, 1951, the National League hits a record four home runs in pounding the American League, 8-3, at the All-Star Game. Playing at Briggs Stadium inDetroit, Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an All-Star Game home run for the third consecutive year.
On July 10, 1945, the All-Star Game scheduled forFenwayParkis canceled because of travel restrictions imposed by World War II. Several teams do play inter-league exhibitions designed to raise money as part of the war effort. The All-Star Game will resume in 1946.
On July 10, 1945, ten new members are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The inductees are catcher Roger Bresnahan, first baseman Dan Brouthers, outfielder Fred Clarke, third baseman Jimmy Collins, outfielders Ed Delahanty and Hugh Duffy, shortstop Hughie Jennings, outfielder King Kelly, first baseman Jim O'Rourke, and catcher Wilbert Robinson.
On July 10, 1944, the second Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held after a four-year wait, mostly due to World War II travel restrictions.CommissionerKenesawMountainLandis is the lone inductee. Four months later, Landis will pass away.
On July 10, 1934, in one of the most memorable All-Star Game performances ever, Carl Hubbell strikes out five consecutive future Hall of Famers. Hubbell fans Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in a game won by the American League, 9-7. Hubbell himself will gain election to the Hall in 1947.
On July 10, 1932, thePhiladelphiaA’s and Cleveland Indians score 35 runs in an 18-inning game. The A’s win, 18-17,as Jimmie Foxx tiesan American League record with 16 total bases. A’s reliever Eddie Rommell surrenders 29 hits and 14 runs in 18 innings, but picks up the win.Cleveland’s Johnny Burnett collects a record nine base hits.
Hello Everyone !! Don’t know what can be said about the Red Sox performance at home besides .Wow !!!
Something is clearly wrong. My thought would be that the bull pen is imploding as a result of over-use the first half of the season.
When the starters were only going 4 to 6 innings, the bull pen was carrying the load. Cannot think of another reason why so many from the pen would implode at virtually the same time other from being over-used. And no, I have not done the research to compare the number of bull pen innings pitched to the rest of the league. If someone can think of another factor to explain this situation… come on down !! Hope and pray that all Sox pitchers are used as little as possible in the AS game next week.
Kansas City’s pitcher this evening (Bannister) is an above average pitcher. This is no slamn dunk game tonight.
From Jerry Remy’s ‘Today In Sports Plus’ e-mail
David Ortiz, right, watches his two-run home run off Kansas City Royals starter Luke Hochevar in the first inning
inBoston, Thursday July 9, 2009. At left his Royals catcher Miguel Olivio. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Kansas CityRoyals at BostonRed Sox
Brian BannisterJon Lester
Friday, July 10, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT)
Broadcast: NESN, FSRM
Dustin Pedroia dives but can't make the play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Miguel Olivo
in the fourth inning inBoston, Thursday July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Game Preview
By MIKE LIPKA, STATS Writer
Jon Lester had already beaten cancer and won the decisive game of the World Series when he took the took the mound against the Kansas City Royals on May 19, 2008.
It wasn’t until that night, however, that Lester established himself as a dominating major league pitcher.
The left-hander will face the Royals on Friday for the first time since he no-hit them last season as he tries to make sure his Boston Red Sox don’t fall out of first place for the first time in more than a month.
After being diagnosed with lymphoma just as he was breaking into the majors, Lester beat the disease and worked his way back by the end of the 2007 season. He was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series that year againstColoradoas the Red Sox completed a sweep.
The resilient Lester didn’t fully regain his strength until last season, however, and it was beginning to show inBoston’s 7-0 win overKansas City. He struck out nine and walked two, tossing what remains theAL’s most recent no-hitter.
“We’re on the wrong part of history,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said that night.
Lester (7-6, 4.16 ERA) went on to win 16 games with a 3.21 ERA last year, and after a rocky opening to 2009 he has once again found a groove. He is 4-1 with a 1.74 ERA in his last seven starts, striking out 61 in 46 2-3 innings.
There still hasn’t been a no-hitter in the majors this season, but Lester flirted with one on June 6, when he took a perfect game into the seventh inning againstTexas. He finished with a two-hitter and 11 strikeouts inBoston’s 8-1 win.
Lester threw a season-high 122 pitches againstSeattleon Sunday, allowing four runs - one earned - in 6 2-3 innings. The only time he has ever thrown more pitches was in the no-hitter, when he threw 130.
“It’s nice to be able to carry my stuff throughout the game,” Lester told his team’s official Web site. “I kept us in there as long as I could. If I can keep us within striking distance like that, we’ll win a lot of ballgames.”
The Red Sox (51-34) had a four-run lead in Thursday’s series opener against Kansas City, but lost 8-6, surrendering sole possession of the AL East lead as the red-hot New York Yankees pulled even.Bostonhas held at least a share of first place continuously since June 9.
The team is now 3-4 to begin a 10-game homestand that initially didn’t seem threatening, starting with visits fromSeattleandOakland.
“(The Royals) just bounced back tonight and scored runs at the right time,” saidBostondesignated hitterDavid Ortiz,who homered for the second straight game and hit the 300th of his career. “The Yankees are not a surprise. They are playing great.”
Starting with Lester’s gem, the Royals (37-48) were swept in their four-game series atFenwayParklast year, but they’ve already improved on that result.Alberto Callaspo,who struck out against Lester for the final out, had two doubles and two RBIs Thursday, improving his average to .303.
Brian Bannister will also hope to reverse his track record inBoston. The right-hander has allowed 11 runs and four home runs in 11 1-3 innings in two starts at Fenway, losing all three of his overall starts against the Red Sox.
Bannister (6-6, 3.87) has pitched well lately. Despite a 2-3 record in his last five starts, he has a 2.57 ERA and .211 opponent batting averageover that span. He beat the Chicago White Sox after allowing two runs in six innings of a 6-3 win Sunday.
Jacoby Ellsbury slides but can't make the play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Ryan Freel
in the sixth inning inBoston, Thursday, July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Red Sox Team Report Jul 10, 2009
Yahoo! Sports
Inside Pitch
Kevin Youkilis has been through the ups and downs of a baseball season, so he’s not one to panic.
The two-time All-Star first baseman started out the season red hot but has watched as the numbers have dropped with each passing month leading into the All-Star break.
Youkilis hit .244 during June, and he was mired in a 2-for-28 funk in Julybefore busting out of it with an aggressive game plan in Thursday night’s loss to the Royals.
First the bearded infielder—playing third base for the time being withMike Lowell on the shelf rehabbing from a sore right hip—smashed an RBI single in the first inning that ended an 0-for-15 slump. Then, he jumped all over the second pitch he saw in his second at-bat for a two-base hit.
The 2-for-5 performance ended a string of fruitless at-bats during the last several weeks, and also pushed his batting average back over the .290 mark. It seems like a long way from the start that saw Youkilis hitting .395 after the first month of the season.
“I hadn’t had much success (lately), but today is a new day,” Youkilis said. “It’s one of those things where I wish I could hit well all year, but you deal with those little slumps during the year. You just have to move on.”
With only three more games remaining before a relaxing trip to St. Louis for his second consecutive All-Star appearance, Youkilis needs only to squeeze out a few more hits to ready himself for a meaningful second-half surge.
Royals 8, Red Sox 6:The normally bulletproofBostonbullpen suffered its third loss of the homestand when RHPManny Delcarmen and RHPJustin Masterson couldn’t hold the Royals back in the sixth inning. Masterson took his third loss of the season when he coughed up a home run.
DHDavid Ortiz smacked his 300th career home run to left in the first inning.
Notes, Quotes
• 2BDustin Pedroia might skip the All-Star Gameto remain inBostonwith his pregnant wife, Kelli, who was admitted to the hospital on Monday with complications. ESPN’s Peter Gammons first reported the possibility on his Twitter account Wednesday night, and manager Terry Francona said that Major League Baseball is aware of his second baseman’s delicate family situation. Francona indicated that—as of right now—the reigning AL MVP intends to play. “His wife is going through a very serious time right now,” Francona said. “There’s always a chance he wouldn’t play because we don’t know what’s going to happen, but the plan is for him to play. If he needs to not play, then I would certainly support that. It’s stating the obvious: His wife’s in the hospital, and if needs to not go, then he won’t.”
• 1B Kevin Youkilis snapped an 0-for-15 funk when he slammed an RBI double in the first inning of Thursday night’s loss, and he finished 2-for-5 with two scored and an RBI to raise his batting average back over .290. The All-Star first baseman has watched his batting average steadily since a fast start, and is hitting .121 in 31 at-bats in July. He admitted that pitchers are going at him a bit differently coming off a big year last year, and he seems to have begun making adjustments at the plate.
Roster Report
• SSJed Lowrie went 0-for-4 and played nine innings of shortstop for Class AAA Pawtucket on Thursday night, andBostonmanagerTerry Francona confirmed that the team is looking at a July 18 date to recall Lowrie.Lowrie was taken off the 60-day disabled list and optioned to the minors on Wednesday. July 18 marks the second game following the All-Star break, and is precisely when Lowrie is allowed to return to the roster. The manager also indicated that the required 10-day minor league stay will be just what is needed for Lowrie, who has battled a bruised right knee and inclement weather since embarking on his rehab assignment in mid-June.
• RHPBrad Penny has been remarkably consistent throughout this season after two rough outings early, and Thursday night he matched his entire 2008 output with his 17th start of this season. Penny has never pitched as many as seven full innings this season, and has allowed three runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts. The 10-start stretch began May 20. Penny has gone 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 57 1/3 innings over that span. “I felt really strong,” said Penny. “I can’t remember a time where I’ve really been tired this year.”
• DH David Ortiz smashed his 300th career home run in the first inning of Thursday night’s loss, and he became the 19th active player in the big leagues to reach that milestone. Ortiz was the first player to hit his 300th in a Sox uniform sinceManny Ramirez did it against the Angels on Aug. 26, 2002. Thursday night also marked the first time in 11 opportunities that the Sox have lost a game that Big Papi homered in. “When the ball is coming off his bat like that, that’s good for us,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s back to being about as dangerous as anybody in the league
We Bet Brad Can't Stand to Watch MDC and Masterson Blow the Game Either
Royal Blues |Tiny Payroll 8, Unlimited Payroll 6 Callaspo, DeJesus Leads Royals; Collapse for Sox Bullpen Theo Would Like to Remind You That Duquette Found Delcarmen Papi Hits No. 300... Needs Just 455 to Catch All-Time Leader Hank Aaron Pedroia Bangs Out Three Hits to Take the Lone Sox .300 Torch Lord Help Us: Masterson's ERA Is On the Rise
"There are times when things don't always work out. Lately, it has been a different guy missing on a different pitch at a different time."-- Justin Masterson on Gasoline Alley revisited
TheRockies, though, have spoken with the Reds and the Red Sox about infielder Garrett Atkins as they look to add bullpen reinforcements. The Reds have enough depth to trade a reliever -- such as David Weathers -- but aren't interested in absorbing the $3.4 million owed Atkins for the remainder of this season, complicating any deal. The Red Sox continue to monitor Atkins' situation in case Mike Lowell's hip injury sidelines him longer than a few weeks. Atkins also has attracted interest fromSt. LouisandSeattle.--DenverPost
Official word is expected later this month, but the Red Sox and Cuban shortstop Jose Iglesias have agreed to terms on an $8 million-plus deal, according to a source familiar with the talks. The 19-year-old defector is considered to be a defensively gifted player with major league caliber glove skills. His offensive potential appears to be a question mark. He has been heavily scouted since defecting inCanadaa year ago. The Red Sox have been scouting him for months, and have been working him out at their complex in theDominican Republic.--BostonHerald
Twenty BestBostonRed Sox Transactions of the Last 15 Years
byAnthony Emerson
The Red Sox have been arguably the best team of this decade. But how did they get there?
The Red Sox have been willing to pull the trigger on many trades and take a risky signing.
You probably won't agree with all my choices, and this article is in order of when each transaction went down. If you think that I left a transaction off, just leave a comment with the transaction in it and I'll add it.
On July 10, 1984, Fernando Valenzuela and Dwight Gooden set an All-Star Game record by combining to strike out six consecutive batters. Valenzuela and Gooden fan Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson, George Brett, Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon, and Alvin Davis in succession.
On July 10, 1983, the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers play the longest nine-inning game in major league history. The Brewers win the four-hour and 11-minute marathon, 12-9, on Ted Simmons’ bases loaded single.
On July 10, 1982, Larry Parrish of the Texas Rangers ties a major league record by clubbing his third grand slam within the span of a week. Parrish’s latest slam lifts the Rangers to a 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. In 1968,Detroit’s Jim Northrup also hit three grand slams in a week.
On July 10, 1964, Jesus Alou of the San Francisco Giants collects six hits against six different pitchers in a 10-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Alou becomes the first Giant to enjoy a six-hit game in nearly 40 years.
On July 10, 1951, the National League hits a record four home runs in pounding the American League, 8-3, at the All-Star Game. Playing at Briggs Stadium inDetroit, Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an All-Star Game home run for the third consecutive year.
On July 10, 1945, the All-Star Game scheduled forFenwayParkis canceled because of travel restrictions imposed by World War II. Several teams do play inter-league exhibitions designed to raise money as part of the war effort. The All-Star Game will resume in 1946.
On July 10, 1945, ten new members are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The inductees are catcher Roger Bresnahan, first baseman Dan Brouthers, outfielder Fred Clarke, third baseman Jimmy Collins, outfielders Ed Delahanty and Hugh Duffy, shortstop Hughie Jennings, outfielder King Kelly, first baseman Jim O'Rourke, and catcher Wilbert Robinson.
On July 10, 1944, the second Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held after a four-year wait, mostly due to World War II travel restrictions.CommissionerKenesawMountainLandis is the lone inductee. Four months later, Landis will pass away.
On July 10, 1934, in one of the most memorable All-Star Game performances ever, Carl Hubbell strikes out five consecutive future Hall of Famers. Hubbell fans Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in a game won by the American League, 9-7. Hubbell himself will gain election to the Hall in 1947.
On July 10, 1932, thePhiladelphiaA’s and Cleveland Indians score 35 runs in an 18-inning game. The A’s win, 18-17,as Jimmie Foxx tiesan American League record with 16 total bases. A’s reliever Eddie Rommell surrenders 29 hits and 14 runs in 18 innings, but picks up the win.Cleveland’s Johnny Burnett collects a record nine base hits.
Its not a real tie, the Sox are 8-0 vs NY, the Stinkees got
nothing on us
From: bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Diane Tiffany Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 1:44 AM To: bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [bostonsportsfangroup] Fwd: Kansas City Royals at Boston
Red Sox, Friday, July 10th, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT) game 2 of 4.
I am no digging this tie. Boo!!!
On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:35 AM, Chris Porter <cporter@...> wrote:
Hello Everyone !! Don’t
know what can be said about the Red Sox performance at home besides . Wow !!!
Something is
clearly wrong. My thought would be that the bull pen is imploding as a
result of over-use the first half of the season.
When the starters were only
going 4 to 6 innings, the bull pen was carrying the load. Cannot think of
another reason why so many from the pen would implode at virtually the same
time other from being over-used. And no, I have not done the
research to compare the number of bull pen innings pitched to the rest of the
league. If someone can think of another factor to explain this
situation… come on down !! Hope and pray that all Sox pitchers are used
as little as possible in the AS game next week.
Kansas City’s pitcher this
evening (Bannister) is an above average pitcher. This is no slamn
dunk game tonight.
From Jerry Remy’s ‘Today In
Sports Plus’ e-mail
David Ortiz, right, watches his
two-run home run off Kansas City Royals starter Luke Hochevar in the first
inning
in Boston, Thursday July 9,
2009. At left his Royals catcher Miguel Olivio. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Kansas
City Royals
at
BostonRed Sox
Brian BannisterJon Lester
Friday, July
10, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT)
Broadcast: NESN, FSRM
Dustin Pedroia dives but can't
make the play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Miguel Olivo
in the fourth inning
in Boston, Thursday July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Game Preview
By MIKE LIPKA, STATS Writer
Jon Lester had already beaten cancer and won the
decisive game of the World Series when he took the took the mound against the
Kansas City Royals on May 19, 2008.
It wasn’t until that night, however, that Lester established
himself as a dominating major league pitcher.
The left-hander will face the Royals on Friday for the first time
since he no-hit them last season as he tries to make sure his Boston Red Sox
don’t fall out of first place for the first time in more than a month.
After being diagnosed with lymphoma just as he was breaking into
the majors, Lester beat the disease and worked his way back by the end of the
2007 season. He was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series that year
againstColorado as the Red Sox completed a sweep.
The resilient Lester didn’t fully regain his strength until last
season, however, and it was beginning to show in Boston’s 7-0 win
over Kansas City. He struck out nine and walked two, tossing what remains
the AL’s most recent no-hitter.
“We’re on the wrong part of history,” Royals manager Trey Hillman
said that night.
Lester (7-6, 4.16 ERA) went on to win 16 games with a 3.21 ERA
last year, and after a rocky opening to 2009 he has once again found a groove.
He is 4-1 with a 1.74 ERA in his last seven starts, striking out 61 in 46 2-3
innings.
There still hasn’t been a no-hitter in the majors this season, but
Lester flirted with one on June 6, when he took a perfect game into the seventh
inning against Texas. He finished with a two-hitter and 11 strikeouts
in Boston’s 8-1 win.
Lester threw a season-high 122 pitches
against Seattle on Sunday, allowing four runs - one earned - in 6 2-3
innings. The only time he has ever thrown more pitches was in the no-hitter,
when he threw 130.
“It’s nice to be able to carry my stuff throughout the game,”
Lester told his team’s official Web site. “I kept us in there as long as I
could. If I can keep us within striking distance like that, we’ll win a lot of
ballgames.”
The Red Sox (51-34) had a four-run lead in
Thursday’s series opener against Kansas City, but lost 8-6, surrendering sole
possession of the AL East lead as the red-hot New York Yankees pulled
even. Boston has held at least a share of first place continuously
since June 9.
The team is now 3-4 to begin a 10-game homestand
that initially didn’t seem threatening, starting with visits
fromSeattle and Oakland.
“(The Royals) just bounced back tonight and scored runs at the
right time,” said Boston designated hitter David Ortiz,who homered for the second straight game and
hit the 300th of his career. “The Yankees are not a surprise. They are playing
great.”
Starting with Lester’s gem, the Royals (37-48) were swept in their
four-game series at Fenway Park last year, but they’ve already
improved on that result. Alberto Callaspo, who struck out against Lester for the
final out, had two doubles and two RBIs Thursday, improving his average to
.303.
Brian Bannister will also hope to reverse his track
record in Boston. The right-hander has allowed 11 runs and four home runs
in 11 1-3 innings in two starts at Fenway, losing all three of his overall
starts against the Red Sox.
Bannister (6-6, 3.87) has pitched well lately.
Despite a 2-3 record in his last five starts, he has a 2.57 ERA and .211
opponent batting average over that span. He beat the Chicago White Sox after allowing
two runs in six innings of a 6-3 win Sunday.
Jacoby Ellsbury slides but can't
make the play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Ryan Freel
in the sixth inning
in Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Red Sox Team
Report Jul 10, 2009
Yahoo! Sports
Inside Pitch
Kevin Youkilis has been through the ups and downs of a
baseball season, so he’s not one to panic.
The two-time All-Star first baseman started out the season red hot
but has watched as the numbers have dropped with each passing month leading
into the All-Star break.
Youkilis hit .244 during June, and he was mired
in a 2-for-28 funk in July before busting out of it with an aggressive game plan in
Thursday night’s loss to the Royals.
First the bearded infielder—playing third base for the time being
with Mike Lowell on the shelf rehabbing from a sore right
hip—smashed an RBI single in the first inning that ended an 0-for-15 slump.
Then, he jumped all over the second pitch he saw in his second at-bat for a
two-base hit.
The 2-for-5 performance ended a string of
fruitless at-bats during the last several weeks, and also pushed his batting
average back over the .290 mark. It seems like a long way from the start that
saw Youkilis hitting .395 after the first month of the season.
“I hadn’t had much success (lately), but today is a new day,”
Youkilis said. “It’s one of those things where I wish I could hit well all
year, but you deal with those little slumps during the year. You just have to
move on.”
With only three more games remaining before a relaxing trip to St.
Louis for his second consecutive All-Star appearance, Youkilis needs only to
squeeze out a few more hits to ready himself for a meaningful second-half
surge.
Royals 8, Red Sox 6:The normally
bulletproof Boston bullpen suffered its third loss of the homestand
when RHPManny Delcarmen and RHP Justin Masterson couldn’t hold the Royals back in the
sixth inning. Masterson took his third loss of the season when he coughed up a
home run.
DH David Ortiz smacked his 300th career home run to left
in the first inning.
Notes, Quotes
• 2B Dustin Pedroia might skip the All-Star Game to remain in Boston with
his pregnant wife, Kelli, who was admitted to the hospital on Monday with
complications. ESPN’s Peter Gammons first reported the possibility on his
Twitter account Wednesday night, and manager Terry Francona said that Major
League Baseball is aware of his second baseman’s delicate family situation.
Francona indicated that—as of right now—the reigning AL MVP intends to play.
“His wife is going through a very serious time right now,” Francona said.
“There’s always a chance he wouldn’t play because we don’t know what’s going to
happen, but the plan is for him to play. If he needs to not play, then I would
certainly support that. It’s stating the obvious: His wife’s in the hospital,
and if needs to not go, then he won’t.”
• 1B Kevin Youkilis snapped an 0-for-15 funk when he slammed an RBI
double in the first inning of Thursday night’s loss, and he finished 2-for-5
with two scored and an RBI to raise his batting average back over .290. The
All-Star first baseman has watched his batting average steadily since a fast
start, and is hitting .121 in 31 at-bats in July. He admitted that pitchers are
going at him a bit differently coming off a big year last year, and he seems to
have begun making adjustments at the plate.
Roster Report
• SS Jed Lowrie went 0-for-4 and played nine innings of
shortstop for Class AAA Pawtucket on Thursday night, andBoston manager Terry Francona confirmed that the team is looking at
a July 18 date to recall Lowrie. Lowrie was taken off the 60-day
disabled list and optioned to the minors on Wednesday. July 18 marks the second
game following the All-Star break, and is precisely when Lowrie is allowed to
return to the roster. The manager also indicated that the required 10-day minor
league stay will be just what is needed for Lowrie, who has battled a bruised
right knee and inclement weather since embarking on his rehab assignment in
mid-June.
• RHP Brad Penny has been remarkably consistent throughout
this season after two rough outings early, and Thursday night he matched his
entire 2008 output with his 17th start of this season. Penny has never pitched
as many as seven full innings this season, and has allowed three runs or fewer
in nine of his last 10 starts. The 10-start stretch began May 20. Penny has
gone 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 57 1/3 innings over that span. “I felt really
strong,” said Penny. “I can’t remember a time where I’ve really been tired this
year.”
• DH David Ortiz smashed his 300th career home run in the first
inning of Thursday night’s loss, and he became the 19th active player in the
big leagues to reach that milestone. Ortiz was the first player to hit his
300th in a Sox uniform since Manny Ramirez did it against the Angels on Aug. 26,
2002. Thursday night also marked the first time in 11 opportunities that the
Sox have lost a game that Big Papi homered in. “When the ball is coming off his
bat like that, that’s good for us,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s back to
being about as dangerous as anybody in the league
We Bet Brad Can't Stand to Watch MDC and
Masterson Blow the
Game Either
Royal
Blues | Tiny Payroll 8, Unlimited Payroll 6 Callaspo,
DeJesus Leads Royals; Collapse for Sox Bullpen Theo Would Like to Remind You That Duquette Found Delcarmen Papi Hits
No. 300... Needs Just 455 to Catch All-Time Leader Hank Aaron Pedroia
Bangs Out Three Hits to Take the Lone Sox .300 Torch Lord Help
Us: Masterson's ERA Is On the Rise
"There are times
when things don't always work out. Lately, it has been a different guy missing
on a different pitch at a different time." -- Justin Masterson on Gasoline Alley
revisited
The Rockies, though, have
spoken with the Reds and the Red Sox about infielder Garrett Atkins as they
look to add bullpen reinforcements. The Reds have enough depth to trade a
reliever -- such as David Weathers -- but aren't interested in absorbing the
$3.4 million owed Atkins for the remainder of this season, complicating any
deal. The Red Sox continue to monitor Atkins' situation in case Mike Lowell's
hip injury sidelines him longer than a few weeks. Atkins also has attracted
interest from St. Louis and Seattle. -- Denver Post
Official word is expected later
this month, but the Red Sox and Cuban shortstop Jose Iglesias have agreed to
terms on an $8 million-plus deal, according to a source familiar with the
talks. The 19-year-old defector is considered to be a defensively gifted player
with major league caliber glove skills. His offensive potential appears to be a
question mark. He has been heavily scouted since defecting
in Canada a year ago. The Red Sox have been scouting him for months,
and have been working him out at their complex in the Dominican
Republic. -- Boston Herald
Twenty
Best Boston Red Sox Transactions of the Last 15 Years
by Anthony Emerson
The Red Sox have been arguably the best team of this decade. But
how did they get there?
The Red Sox have been willing to pull the trigger on many trades
and take a risky signing.
You probably won't agree with all my choices, and this article is
in order of when each transaction went down. If you think that I left a
transaction off, just leave a comment with the transaction in it and I'll add
it.
On July 10, 1984, Fernando
Valenzuela and Dwight Gooden set an All-Star Game record by combining to strike
out six consecutive batters. Valenzuela and Gooden fan Dave Winfield, Reggie
Jackson, George Brett, Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon, and Alvin Davis in
succession.
On July 10, 1983, the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers play the longest
nine-inning game in major league history. The Brewers win the four-hour and
11-minute marathon, 12-9, on Ted Simmons’ bases loaded single.
On July 10, 1982, Larry Parrish of the Texas Rangers ties a major league record
by clubbing his third grand slam within the span of a week. Parrish’s latest
slam lifts the Rangers to a 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. In
1968, Detroit’s Jim Northrup also hit three grand slams in a week.
On July 10, 1964, Jesus Alou of the San Francisco Giants collects six hits
against six different pitchers in a 10-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Alou
becomes the first Giant to enjoy a six-hit game in nearly 40 years.
On July 10, 1951, the National League hits a record four home runs in pounding
the American League, 8-3, at the All-Star Game. Playing at Briggs Stadium
in Detroit, Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an All-Star Game
home run for the third consecutive year.
On July 10, 1945, the All-Star Game scheduled
for Fenway Park is canceled because of travel restrictions
imposed by World War II. Several teams do play inter-league exhibitions
designed to raise money as part of the war effort. The All-Star Game will
resume in 1946.
On July 10, 1945, ten new members are inducted into the National Baseball Hall
of Fame. The inductees are catcher Roger Bresnahan, first baseman Dan
Brouthers, outfielder Fred Clarke, third baseman Jimmy Collins, outfielders Ed
Delahanty and Hugh Duffy, shortstop Hughie Jennings, outfielder King Kelly,
first baseman Jim O'Rourke, and catcher Wilbert Robinson.
On July 10, 1944, the second Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held after a
four-year wait, mostly due to World War II travel
restrictions. Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis is the
lone inductee. Four months later, Landis will pass away.
On July 10, 1934, in one of the most memorable All-Star Game performances ever,
Carl Hubbell strikes out five consecutive future Hall of Famers. Hubbell fans
Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in a game won by
the American League, 9-7. Hubbell himself will gain election to the Hall in
1947.
On July 10, 1932, the Philadelphia A’s and Cleveland Indians score 35
runs in an 18-inning game. The A’s win, 18-17, as Jimmie Foxx ties an American League record with 16 total
bases. A’s reliever Eddie Rommell surrenders 29 hits and 14 runs in 18 innings,
but picks up the win. Cleveland’s Johnny Burnett collects a record nine
base hits.
Yabut, that 8-0 won't help us a bit if we're behind them in the standings at the end of the season.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Trevor Lee" <redsoxfan4ever@...> To: bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 10:45:03 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: RE: [bostonsportsfangroup] Fwd: Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox, Friday, July 10th, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT) game 2 of 4.
Its not a real tie, the Sox are 8-0 vs NY, the Stinkees got nothing on us
From: bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Diane Tiffany Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 1:44 AM To: bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [bostonsportsfangroup] Fwd: Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox, Friday, July 10th, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT) game 2 of 4.
I am no digging this tie. Boo!!!
On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:35 AM, Chris Porter <cporter@...> wrote:
Hello Everyone !! Don’t know what can be said about the Red Sox performance at home besides . Wow !!!
Something is clearly wrong. My thought would be that the bull pen is imploding as a result of over-use the first half of the season.
When the starters were only going 4 to 6 innings, the bull pen was carrying the load. Cannot think of another reason why so many from the pen would implode at virtually the same time other from being over-used. And no, I have not done the research to compare the number of bull pen innings pitched to the rest of the league. If someone can think of another factor to explain this situation… come on down !! Hope and pray that all Sox pitchers are used as little as possible in the AS game next week.
Kansas City’s pitcher this evening (Bannister) is an above average pitcher. This is no slamn dunk game tonight.
From Jerry Remy’s â€Today In Sports Plus’ e-mail
David Ortiz, right, watches his two-run home run off Kansas City Royals starter Luke Hochevar in the first inning
in Boston, Thursday July 9, 2009. At left his Royals catcher Miguel Olivio. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Kansas City Royals at BostonRed Sox
Brian BannisterJon Lester
Friday, July 10, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT)
Broadcast: NESN, FSRM
Dustin Pedroia dives but can't make the play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Miguel Olivo
in the fourth inning in Boston, Thursday July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Game Preview
By MIKE LIPKA, STATS Writer
Jon Lester had already beaten cancer and won the decisive game of the World Series when he took the took the mound against the Kansas City Royals on May 19, 2008.
It wasn’t until that night, however, that Lester established himself as a dominating major league pitcher.
The left-hander will face the Royals on Friday for the first time since he no-hit them last season as he tries to make sure his Boston Red Sox don’t fall out of first place for the first time in more than a month.
After being diagnosed with lymphoma just as he was breaking into the majors, Lester beat the disease and worked his way back by the end of the 2007 season. He was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series that year againstColorado as the Red Sox completed a sweep.
The resilient Lester didn’t fully regain his strength until last season, however, and it was beginning to show in Boston’s 7-0 win over Kansas City. He struck out nine and walked two, tossing what remains the AL’s most recent no-hitter.
“We’re on the wrong part of history,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said that night.
Lester (7-6, 4.16 ERA) went on to win 16 games with a 3.21 ERA last year, and after a rocky opening to 2009 he has once again found a groove. He is 4-1 with a 1.74 ERA in his last seven starts, striking out 61 in 46 2-3 innings.
There still hasn’t been a no-hitter in the majors this season, but Lester flirted with one on June 6, when he took a perfect game into the seventh inning against Texas. He finished with a two-hitter and 11 strikeouts in Boston’s 8-1 win.
Lester threw a season-high 122 pitches against Seattle on Sunday, allowing four runs - one earned - in 6 2-3 innings. The only time he has ever thrown more pitches was in the no-hitter, when he threw 130.
“It’s nice to be able to carry my stuff throughout the game,” Lester told his team’s official Web site. “I kept us in there as long as I could. If I can keep us within striking distance like that, we’ll win a lot of ballgames.”
The Red Sox (51-34) had a four-run lead in Thursday’s series opener against Kansas City, but lost 8-6, surrendering sole possession of the AL East lead as the red-hot New York Yankees pulled even. Boston has held at least a share of first place continuously since June 9.
The team is now 3-4 to begin a 10-game homestand that initially didn’t seem threatening, starting with visits fromSeattle and Oakland.
“(The Royals) just bounced back tonight and scored runs at the right time,” said Boston designated hitter David Ortiz,who homered for the second straight game and hit the 300th of his career. “The Yankees are not a surprise. They are playing great.”
Starting with Lester’s gem, the Royals (37-48) were swept in their four-game series at Fenway Park last year, but they’ve already improved on that result. Alberto Callaspo, who struck out against Lester for the final out, had two doubles and two RBIs Thursday, improving his average to .303.
Brian Bannister will also hope to reverse his track record in Boston. The right-hander has allowed 11 runs and four home runs in 11 1-3 innings in two starts at Fenway, losing all three of his overall starts against the Red Sox.
Bannister (6-6, 3.87) has pitched well lately. Despite a 2-3 record in his last five starts, he has a 2.57 ERA and .211 opponent batting average over that span. He beat the Chicago White Sox after allowing two runs in six innings of a 6-3 win Sunday.
Jacoby Ellsbury slides but can't make the play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Ryan Freel
in the sixth inning in Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Red Sox Team Report Jul 10, 2009
Yahoo! Sports
Inside Pitch
Kevin Youkilis has been through the ups and downs of a baseball season, so he’s not one to panic.
The two-time All-Star first baseman started out the season red hot but has watched as the numbers have dropped with each passing month leading into the All-Star break.
Youkilis hit .244 during June, and he was mired in a 2-for-28 funk in July before busting out of it with an aggressive game plan in Thursday night’s loss to the Royals.
First the bearded infielder—playing third base for the time being with Mike Lowell on the shelf rehabbing from a sore right hip—smashed an RBI single in the first inning that ended an 0-for-15 slump. Then, he jumped all over the second pitch he saw in his second at-bat for a two-base hit.
The 2-for-5 performance ended a string of fruitless at-bats during the last several weeks, and also pushed his batting average back over the .290 mark. It seems like a long way from the start that saw Youkilis hitting .395 after the first month of the season.
“I hadn’t had much success (lately), but today is a new day,” Youkilis said. “It’s one of those things where I wish I could hit well all year, but you deal with those little slumps during the year. You just have to move on.”
With only three more games remaining before a relaxing trip to St. Louis for his second consecutive All-Star appearance, Youkilis needs only to squeeze out a few more hits to ready himself for a meaningful second-half surge.
Royals 8, Red Sox 6:The normally bulletproof Boston bullpen suffered its third loss of the homestand when RHPManny Delcarmen and RHP Justin Masterson couldn’t hold the Royals back in the sixth inning. Masterson took his third loss of the season when he coughed up a home run.
DH David Ortiz smacked his 300th career home run to left in the first inning.
Notes, Quotes
• 2B Dustin Pedroia might skip the All-Star Game to remain in Boston with his pregnant wife, Kelli, who was admitted to the hospital on Monday with complications. ESPN’s Peter Gammons first reported the possibility on his Twitter account Wednesday night, and manager Terry Francona said that Major League Baseball is aware of his second baseman’s delicate family situation. Francona indicated that—as of right now—the reigning AL MVP intends to play. “His wife is going through a very serious time right now,” Francona said. “There’s always a chance he wouldn’t play because we don’t know what’s going to happen, but the plan is for him to play. If he needs to not play, then I would certainly support that. It’s stating the obvious: His wife’s in the hospital, and if needs to not go, then he won’t.”
• 1B Kevin Youkilis snapped an 0-for-15 funk when he slammed an RBI double in the first inning of Thursday night’s loss, and he finished 2-for-5 with two scored and an RBI to raise his batting average back over .290. The All-Star first baseman has watched his batting average steadily since a fast start, and is hitting .121 in 31 at-bats in July. He admitted that pitchers are going at him a bit differently coming off a big year last year, and he seems to have begun making adjustments at the plate.
Roster Report
• SS Jed Lowrie went 0-for-4 and played nine innings of shortstop for Class AAA Pawtucket on Thursday night, andBoston manager Terry Francona confirmed that the team is looking at a July 18 date to recall Lowrie. Lowrie was taken off the 60-day disabled list and optioned to the minors on Wednesday. July 18 marks the second game following the All-Star break, and is precisely when Lowrie is allowed to return to the roster. The manager also indicated that the required 10-day minor league stay will be just what is needed for Lowrie, who has battled a bruised right knee and inclement weather since embarking on his rehab assignment in mid-June.
• RHP Brad Penny has been remarkably consistent throughout this season after two rough outings early, and Thursday night he matched his entire 2008 output with his 17th start of this season. Penny has never pitched as many as seven full innings this season, and has allowed three runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts. The 10-start stretch began May 20. Penny has gone 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 57 1/3 innings over that span. “I felt really strong,” said Penny. “I can’t remember a time where I’ve really been tired this year.”
• DH David Ortiz smashed his 300th career home run in the first inning of Thursday night’s loss, and he became the 19th active player in the big leagues to reach that milestone. Ortiz was the first player to hit his 300th in a Sox uniform since Manny Ramirez did it against the Angels on Aug. 26, 2002. Thursday night also marked the first time in 11 opportunities that the Sox have lost a game that Big Papi homered in. “When the ball is coming off his bat like that, that’s good for us,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s back to being about as dangerous as anybody in the league
We Bet Brad Can't Stand to Watch MDC and Masterson Blow the Game Either
Royal Blues | Tiny Payroll 8, Unlimited Payroll 6 Callaspo, DeJesus Leads Royals; Collapse for Sox Bullpen Theo Would Like to Remind You That Duquette Found Delcarmen Papi Hits No. 300... Needs Just 455 to Catch All-Time Leader Hank Aaron Pedroia Bangs Out Three Hits to Take the Lone Sox .300 Torch Lord Help Us: Masterson's ERA Is On the Rise
"There are times when things don't always work out. Lately, it has been a different guy missing on a different pitch at a different time." -- Justin Masterson on Gasoline Alley revisited
The Rockies, though, have spoken with the Reds and the Red Sox about infielder Garrett Atkins as they look to add bullpen reinforcements. The Reds have enough depth to trade a reliever -- such as David Weathers -- but aren't interested in absorbing the $3.4 million owed Atkins for the remainder of this season, complicating any deal. The Red Sox continue to monitor Atkins' situation in case Mike Lowell's hip injury sidelines him longer than a few weeks. Atkins also has attracted interest from St. Louis and Seattle. -- Denver Post
Official word is expected later this month, but the Red Sox and Cuban shortstop Jose Iglesias have agreed to terms on an $8 million-plus deal, according to a source familiar with the talks. The 19-year-old defector is considered to be a defensively gifted player with major league caliber glove skills. His offensive potential appears to be a question mark. He has been heavily scouted since defecting in Canada a year ago. The Red Sox have been scouting him for months, and have been working him out at their complex in the Dominican Republic. -- Boston Herald
Twenty Best Boston Red Sox Transactions of the Last 15 Years
by Anthony Emerson
The Red Sox have been arguably the best team of this decade. But how did they get there?
The Red Sox have been willing to pull the trigger on many trades and take a risky signing.
You probably won't agree with all my choices, and this article is in order of when each transaction went down. If you think that I left a transaction off, just leave a comment with the transaction in it and I'll add it.
On July 10, 1984, Fernando Valenzuela and Dwight Gooden set an All-Star Game record by combining to strike out six consecutive batters. Valenzuela and Gooden fan Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson, George Brett, Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon, and Alvin Davis in succession.
On July 10, 1983, the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers play the longest nine-inning game in major league history. The Brewers win the four-hour and 11-minute marathon, 12-9, on Ted Simmons’ bases loaded single.
On July 10, 1982, Larry Parrish of the Texas Rangers ties a major league record by clubbing his third grand slam within the span of a week. Parrish’s latest slam lifts the Rangers to a 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. In 1968, Detroit’s Jim Northrup also hit three grand slams in a week.
On July 10, 1964, Jesus Alou of the San Francisco Giants collects six hits against six different pitchers in a 10-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Alou becomes the first Giant to enjoy a six-hit game in nearly 40 years.
On July 10, 1951, the National League hits a record four home runs in pounding the American League, 8-3, at the All-Star Game. Playing at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an All-Star Game home run for the third consecutive year.
On July 10, 1945, the All-Star Game scheduled for Fenway Park is canceled because of travel restrictions imposed by World War II. Several teams do play inter-league exhibitions designed to raise money as part of the war effort. The All-Star Game will resume in 1946.
On July 10, 1945, ten new members are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The inductees are catcher Roger Bresnahan, first baseman Dan Brouthers, outfielder Fred Clarke, third baseman Jimmy Collins, outfielders Ed Delahanty and Hugh Duffy, shortstop Hughie Jennings, outfielder King Kelly, first baseman Jim O'Rourke, and catcher Wilbert Robinson.
On July 10, 1944, the second Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held after a four-year wait, mostly due to World War II travel restrictions. Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis is the lone inductee. Four months later, Landis will pass away.
On July 10, 1934, in one of the most memorable All-Star Game performances ever, Carl Hubbell strikes out five consecutive future Hall of Famers. Hubbell fans Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in a game won by the American League, 9-7. Hubbell himself will gain election to the Hall in 1947.
On July 10, 1932, the Philadelphia A’s and Cleveland Indians score 35 runs in an 18-inning game. The A’s win, 18-17, as Jimmie Foxx ties an American League record with 16 total bases. A’s reliever Eddie Rommell surrenders 29 hits and 14 runs in 18 innings, but picks up the win. Cleveland’s Johnny Burnett collects a record nine base hits.
On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 11:31 AM, <gking727@...> wrote:
Yabut, that 8-0 won't help us a bit if we're behind them in the standings at the end of the season.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Trevor Lee" <redsoxfan4ever@...> To: bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 10:45:03 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: RE: [bostonsportsfangroup] Fwd: Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox, Friday, July 10th, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT) game 2 of 4.
Its not a real tie, the Sox are 8-0 vs NY, the Stinkees got nothing on us
Hello Everyone !! Don’t know what can be said about the Red Sox performance at home besides . Wow !!!
Something is clearly wrong. My thought would be that the bull pen is imploding as a result of over-use the first half of the season.
When the starters were only going 4 to 6 innings, the bull pen was carrying the load. Cannot think of another reason why so many from the pen would implode at virtually the same time other from being over-used. And no, I have not done the research to compare the number of bull pen innings pitched to the rest of the league. If someone can think of another factor to explain this situation… come on down !! Hope and pray that all Sox pitchers are used as little as possible in the AS game next week.
Kansas City’s pitcher this evening (Bannister) is an above average pitcher. This is no slamn dunk game tonight.
From Jerry Remy’s ‘Today In Sports Plus’ e-mail
David Ortiz, right, watches his two-run home run off Kansas City Royals starter Luke Hochevar in the first inning
in Boston, Thursday July 9, 2009. At left his Royals catcher Miguel Olivio. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Kansas City Royals at BostonRed Sox
Brian BannisterJon Lester
Friday, July 10, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT)
Broadcast: NESN, FSRM
Dustin Pedroia dives but can't make the play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Miguel Olivo
in the fourth inning in Boston, Thursday July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Game Preview
By MIKE LIPKA, STATS Writer
Jon Lester had already beaten cancer and won the decisive game of the World Series when he took the took the mound against the Kansas City Royals on May 19, 2008.
It wasn’t until that night, however, that Lester established himself as a dominating major league pitcher.
The left-hander will face the Royals on Friday for the first time since he no-hit them last season as he tries to make sure his Boston Red Sox don’t fall out of first place for the first time in more than a month.
After being diagnosed with lymphoma just as he was breaking into the majors, Lester beat the disease and worked his way back by the end of the 2007 season. He was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series that year againstColorado as the Red Sox completed a sweep.
The resilient Lester didn’t fully regain his strength until last season, however, and it was beginning to show in Boston’s 7-0 win over Kansas City. He struck out nine and walked two, tossing what remains the AL’s most recent no-hitter.
“We’re on the wrong part of history,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said that night.
Lester (7-6, 4.16 ERA) went on to win 16 games with a 3.21 ERA last year, and after a rocky opening to 2009 he has once again found a groove. He is 4-1 with a 1.74 ERA in his last seven starts, striking out 61 in 46 2-3 innings.
There still hasn’t been a no-hitter in the majors this season, but Lester flirted with one on June 6, when he took a perfect game into the seventh inning against Texas. He finished with a two-hitter and 11 strikeouts in Boston’s 8-1 win.
Lester threw a season-high 122 pitches against Seattle on Sunday, allowing four runs - one earned - in 6 2-3 innings. The only time he has ever thrown more pitches was in the no-hitter, when he threw 130.
“It’s nice to be able to carry my stuff throughout the game,” Lester told his team’s official Web site. “I kept us in there as long as I could. If I can keep us within striking distance like that, we’ll win a lot of ballgames.”
The Red Sox (51-34) had a four-run lead in Thursday’s series opener against Kansas City, but lost 8-6, surrendering sole possession of the AL East lead as the red-hot New York Yankees pulled even. Boston has held at least a share of first place continuously since June 9.
The team is now 3-4 to begin a 10-game homestand that initially didn’t seem threatening, starting with visits fromSeattle and Oakland.
“(The Royals) just bounced back tonight and scored runs at the right time,” said Boston designated hitter David Ortiz,who homered for the second straight game and hit the 300th of his career. “The Yankees are not a surprise. They are playing great.”
Starting with Lester’s gem, the Royals (37-48) were swept in their four-game series at Fenway Park last year, but they’ve already improved on that result. Alberto Callaspo, who struck out against Lester for the final out, had two doubles and two RBIs Thursday, improving his average to .303.
Brian Bannister will also hope to reverse his track record in Boston. The right-hander has allowed 11 runs and four home runs in 11 1-3 innings in two starts at Fenway, losing all three of his overall starts against the Red Sox.
Bannister (6-6, 3.87) has pitched well lately. Despite a 2-3 record in his last five starts, he has a 2.57 ERA and .211 opponent batting average over that span. He beat the Chicago White Sox after allowing two runs in six innings of a 6-3 win Sunday.
Jacoby Ellsbury slides but can't make the play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Ryan Freel
in the sixth inning in Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Red Sox Team Report Jul 10, 2009
Yahoo! Sports
Inside Pitch
Kevin Youkilis has been through the ups and downs of a baseball season, so he’s not one to panic.
The two-time All-Star first baseman started out the season red hot but has watched as the numbers have dropped with each passing month leading into the All-Star break.
Youkilis hit .244 during June, and he was mired in a 2-for-28 funk in July before busting out of it with an aggressive game plan in Thursday night’s loss to the Royals.
First the bearded infielder—playing third base for the time being with Mike Lowell on the shelf rehabbing from a sore right hip—smashed an RBI single in the first inning that ended an 0-for-15 slump. Then, he jumped all over the second pitch he saw in his second at-bat for a two-base hit.
The 2-for-5 performance ended a string of fruitless at-bats during the last several weeks, and also pushed his batting average back over the .290 mark. It seems like a long way from the start that saw Youkilis hitting .395 after the first month of the season.
“I hadn’t had much success (lately), but today is a new day,” Youkilis said. “It’s one of those things where I wish I could hit well all year, but you deal with those little slumps during the year. You just have to move on.”
With only three more games remaining before a relaxing trip to St. Louis for his second consecutive All-Star appearance, Youkilis needs only to squeeze out a few more hits to ready himself for a meaningful second-half surge.
Royals 8, Red Sox 6:The normally bulletproof Boston bullpen suffered its third loss of the homestand when RHPManny Delcarmen and RHP Justin Masterson couldn’t hold the Royals back in the sixth inning. Masterson took his third loss of the season when he coughed up a home run.
DH David Ortiz smacked his 300th career home run to left in the first inning.
Notes, Quotes
• 2B Dustin Pedroia might skip the All-Star Game to remain in Boston with his pregnant wife, Kelli, who was admitted to the hospital on Monday with complications. ESPN’s Peter Gammons first reported the possibility on his Twitter account Wednesday night, and manager Terry Francona said that Major League Baseball is aware of his second baseman’s delicate family situation. Francona indicated that—as of right now—the reigning AL MVP intends to play. “His wife is going through a very serious time right now,” Francona said. “There’s always a chance he wouldn’t play because we don’t know what’s going to happen, but the plan is for him to play. If he needs to not play, then I would certainly support that. It’s stating the obvious: His wife’s in the hospital, and if needs to not go, then he won’t.”
• 1B Kevin Youkilis snapped an 0-for-15 funk when he slammed an RBI double in the first inning of Thursday night’s loss, and he finished 2-for-5 with two scored and an RBI to raise his batting average back over .290. The All-Star first baseman has watched his batting average steadily since a fast start, and is hitting .121 in 31 at-bats in July. He admitted that pitchers are going at him a bit differently coming off a big year last year, and he seems to have begun making adjustments at the plate.
Roster Report
• SS Jed Lowrie went 0-for-4 and played nine innings of shortstop for Class AAA Pawtucket on Thursday night, andBoston manager Terry Francona confirmed that the team is looking at a July 18 date to recall Lowrie. Lowrie was taken off the 60-day disabled list and optioned to the minors on Wednesday. July 18 marks the second game following the All-Star break, and is precisely when Lowrie is allowed to return to the roster. The manager also indicated that the required 10-day minor league stay will be just what is needed for Lowrie, who has battled a bruised right knee and inclement weather since embarking on his rehab assignment in mid-June.
• RHP Brad Penny has been remarkably consistent throughout this season after two rough outings early, and Thursday night he matched his entire 2008 output with his 17th start of this season. Penny has never pitched as many as seven full innings this season, and has allowed three runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts. The 10-start stretch began May 20. Penny has gone 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 57 1/3 innings over that span. “I felt really strong,” said Penny. “I can’t remember a time where I’ve really been tired this year.”
• DH David Ortiz smashed his 300th career home run in the first inning of Thursday night’s loss, and he became the 19th active player in the big leagues to reach that milestone. Ortiz was the first player to hit his 300th in a Sox uniform since Manny Ramirez did it against the Angels on Aug. 26, 2002. Thursday night also marked the first time in 11 opportunities that the Sox have lost a game that Big Papi homered in. “When the ball is coming off his bat like that, that’s good for us,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s back to being about as dangerous as anybody in the league
We Bet Brad Can't Stand to Watch MDC and Masterson Blow the Game Either
Royal Blues | Tiny Payroll 8, Unlimited Payroll 6 Callaspo, DeJesus Leads Royals; Collapse for Sox Bullpen Theo Would Like to Remind You That Duquette Found Delcarmen Papi Hits No. 300... Needs Just 455 to Catch All-Time Leader Hank Aaron Pedroia Bangs Out Three Hits to Take the Lone Sox .300 Torch Lord Help Us: Masterson's ERA Is On the Rise
"There are times when things don't always work out. Lately, it has been a different guy missing on a different pitch at a different time." -- Justin Masterson on Gasoline Alley revisited
The Rockies, though, have spoken with the Reds and the Red Sox about infielder Garrett Atkins as they look to add bullpen reinforcements. The Reds have enough depth to trade a reliever -- such as David Weathers -- but aren't interested in absorbing the $3.4 million owed Atkins for the remainder of this season, complicating any deal. The Red Sox continue to monitor Atkins' situation in case Mike Lowell's hip injury sidelines him longer than a few weeks. Atkins also has attracted interest from St. Louis and Seattle. -- Denver Post
Official word is expected later this month, but the Red Sox and Cuban shortstop Jose Iglesias have agreed to terms on an $8 million-plus deal, according to a source familiar with the talks. The 19-year-old defector is considered to be a defensively gifted player with major league caliber glove skills. His offensive potential appears to be a question mark. He has been heavily scouted since defecting in Canada a year ago. The Red Sox have been scouting him for months, and have been working him out at their complex in the Dominican Republic. -- Boston Herald
Twenty Best Boston Red Sox Transactions of the Last 15 Years
by Anthony Emerson
The Red Sox have been arguably the best team of this decade. But how did they get there?
The Red Sox have been willing to pull the trigger on many trades and take a risky signing.
You probably won't agree with all my choices, and this article is in order of when each transaction went down. If you think that I left a transaction off, just leave a comment with the transaction in it and I'll add it.
On July 10, 1984, Fernando Valenzuela and Dwight Gooden set an All-Star Game record by combining to strike out six consecutive batters. Valenzuela and Gooden fan Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson, George Brett, Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon, and Alvin Davis in succession.
On July 10, 1983, the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers play the longest nine-inning game in major league history. The Brewers win the four-hour and 11-minute marathon, 12-9, on Ted Simmons’ bases loaded single.
On July 10, 1982, Larry Parrish of the Texas Rangers ties a major league record by clubbing his third grand slam within the span of a week. Parrish’s latest slam lifts the Rangers to a 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. In 1968, Detroit’s Jim Northrup also hit three grand slams in a week.
On July 10, 1964, Jesus Alou of the San Francisco Giants collects six hits against six different pitchers in a 10-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Alou becomes the first Giant to enjoy a six-hit game in nearly 40 years.
On July 10, 1951, the National League hits a record four home runs in pounding the American League, 8-3, at the All-Star Game. Playing at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an All-Star Game home run for the third consecutive year.
On July 10, 1945, the All-Star Game scheduled for Fenway Park is canceled because of travel restrictions imposed by World War II. Several teams do play inter-league exhibitions designed to raise money as part of the war effort. The All-Star Game will resume in 1946.
On July 10, 1945, ten new members are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The inductees are catcher Roger Bresnahan, first baseman Dan Brouthers, outfielder Fred Clarke, third baseman Jimmy Collins, outfielders Ed Delahanty and Hugh Duffy, shortstop Hughie Jennings, outfielder King Kelly, first baseman Jim O'Rourke, and catcher Wilbert Robinson.
On July 10, 1944, the second Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held after a four-year wait, mostly due to World War II travel restrictions. Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis is the lone inductee. Four months later, Landis will pass away.
On July 10, 1934, in one of the most memorable All-Star Game performances ever, Carl Hubbell strikes out five consecutive future Hall of Famers. Hubbell fans Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in a game won by the American League, 9-7. Hubbell himself will gain election to the Hall in 1947.
On July 10, 1932, the Philadelphia A’s and Cleveland Indians score 35 runs in an 18-inning game. The A’s win, 18-17, as Jimmie Foxx ties an American League record with 16 total bases. A’s reliever Eddie Rommell surrenders 29 hits and 14 runs in 18 innings, but picks up the win. Cleveland’s Johnny Burnett collects a record nine base hits.
The Boston Red Sox will surge in the second
half…. The little birdies told me this:
1.. The Sox will have two ML
ready pitchers from the farm system to give the regulars some rest in September.
Not to mention that Buchholz just might win a few games… or that
Matsuzaka might be back, rested and stronger.
2. Within the next 10 days, a
decision will be made on Mike Lowell. If he is still struggling to get
healthy and cannot play effectively, then some trades shall be made .. just my
opinion here.
3. John Smoltz probably has two more
starts available to him to demonstrate that he can still pitch. If he
fails to do that, IMO, Buchholz or Bowden shall be called up.
4. The Red Sox defense on the
left side of the infield is the worst in MLB. That puts a lot of pressure
on Theo to address that.. Would love it if they could engineer a trade for the
Rockies Tulowitski and place Lowrie at 3b (he is a much better 3B guy than a SS
and has a gun for an arm).
5. Youkilis, Bay and Drew surely cannot
continue to slump…
There are other reasons to believe the Red
Sox shall do well… the Yankee pitching staff surely cannot avoid being
affected by the HR launching pad that is now their home.
This is going to be a fight to the wire..
Hold on to your hat and don’t forget ::: YA GOTTA BELIEVE !!!!
From:bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gking727@... Sent: July 10, 2009 13:31 To:bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re:
[bostonsportsfangroup] Fwd: Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox, Friday, July
10th, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT) game 2 of 4.
Yabut, that 8-0 won't help us a bit if we're
behind them in the standings at the end of the season.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Trevor Lee" <redsoxfan4ever@...>
To: bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 10:45:03 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: RE: [bostonsportsfangroup] Fwd: Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox,
Friday, July 10th, 2009, 7:10
pm (EDT) game 2 of 4.
Its not a real tie, the Sox are 8-0 vs NY, the Stinkees got
nothing on us
From:bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Diane Tiffany Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 1:44
AM To:bostonsportsfangroup@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re:
[bostonsportsfangroup] Fwd: Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox, Friday, July
10th, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT) game 2 of 4.
I am no digging this tie. Boo!!!
On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:35 AM, Chris Porter <cporter@...>
wrote:
Hello Everyone !! Don’t know
what can be said about the Red Sox performance at home besides . Wow !!!
Something is clearly
wrong. My thought would be that the bull pen is imploding as a result of
over-use the first half of the season.
When the starters were only going 4 to 6
innings, the bull pen was carrying the load. Cannot think of another
reason why so many from the pen would implode at virtually the same time other
from being over-used. And no, I have not done the research to
compare the number of bull pen innings pitched to the rest of the league.
If someone can think of another factor to explain this
situation… come on down !! Hope and pray that all Sox pitchers are
used as little as possible in the AS game next week.
Kansas
City’s pitcher this evening (Bannister) is an above
average pitcher. This is no slamn dunk game tonight.
From Jerry Remy’s ‘Today In
Sports Plus’ e-mail
David Ortiz, right, watches his two-run
home run off Kansas City Royals starter Luke Hochevar in the first inning
in Boston, Thursday July 9, 2009. At left his
Royals catcher Miguel Olivio. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Kansas City Royals
at
BostonRed Sox
Brian BannisterJon Lester
Friday, July 10, 2009, 7:10 pm (EDT)
Broadcast: NESN, FSRM
Dustin Pedroia dives but can't make the
play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Miguel Olivo
in the fourth inning in Boston, Thursday July 9,
2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Game Preview
By MIKE LIPKA, STATS Writer
Jon Lester had already beaten cancer and won the
decisive game of the World Series when he took the took the mound against the
Kansas City Royals on May 19, 2008.
It wasn’t
until that night, however, that Lester established himself as a dominating
major league pitcher.
The left-hander
will face the Royals on Friday for the first time since he no-hit them last
season as he tries to make sure his Boston Red Sox don’t fall out of
first place for the first time in more than a month.
After being
diagnosed with lymphoma just as he was breaking into the majors, Lester beat
the disease and worked his way back by the end of the 2007 season. He was the
winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series that year againstColorado as
the Red Sox completed a sweep.
The resilient
Lester didn’t fully regain his strength until last season, however, and
it was beginning to show in Boston’s
7-0 win over Kansas City.
He struck out nine and walked two, tossing what remains the AL’s most recent
no-hitter.
“We’re
on the wrong part of history,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said that
night.
Lester (7-6,
4.16 ERA) went on to win 16 games with a 3.21 ERA last year, and after a rocky
opening to 2009 he has once again found a groove. He is 4-1 with a 1.74 ERA in
his last seven starts, striking out 61 in 46 2-3 innings.
There still
hasn’t been a no-hitter in the majors this season, but Lester flirted
with one on June 6, when he took a perfect game into the seventh inning
against Texas.
He finished with a two-hitter and 11 strikeouts in Boston’s 8-1 win.
Lester threw a
season-high 122 pitches against Seattle on
Sunday, allowing four runs - one earned - in 6 2-3 innings. The only time he
has ever thrown more pitches was in the no-hitter, when he threw 130.
“It’s
nice to be able to carry my stuff throughout the game,” Lester told his
team’s official Web site. “I kept us in there as long as I could.
If I can keep us within striking distance like that, we’ll win a lot of
ballgames.”
The
Red Sox (51-34) had a four-run lead in Thursday’s series opener against
Kansas City, but lost 8-6, surrendering sole possession of the AL East lead as
the red-hot New York Yankees pulled even. Boston has held at least a share of
first place continuously since June 9.
The
team is now 3-4 to begin a 10-game homestand that initially didn’t seem
threatening, starting with visits fromSeattle and Oakland.
“(The
Royals) just bounced back tonight and scored runs at the right time,”
said Boston designated
hitter David Ortiz,who homered for the second straight game and
hit the 300th of his career. “The Yankees are not a surprise. They are
playing great.”
Starting with
Lester’s gem, the Royals (37-48) were swept in their four-game series at FenwayPark last year, but they’ve
already improved on that result. Alberto Callaspo, who struck out against Lester for the
final out, had two doubles and two RBIs Thursday, improving his average to
.303.
Brian Bannister will also hope to reverse his track
record in Boston.
The right-hander has allowed 11 runs and four home runs in 11 1-3 innings in
two starts at Fenway, losing all three of his overall starts against the Red
Sox.
Bannister
(6-6, 3.87) has pitched well lately. Despite a 2-3 record in his last five
starts, he has a 2.57 ERA and .211 opponent batting average over that span. He beat the Chicago
White Sox after allowing two runs in six innings of a 6-3 win Sunday.
Jacoby Ellsbury slides but can't make the
play on an RBI single by Kansas City Royals' Ryan Freel
in the sixth inning in Boston, Thursday, July 9,
2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Red Sox Team Report Jul
10, 2009
Yahoo! Sports
Inside Pitch
Kevin Youkilis has been through the ups and downs of a
baseball season, so he’s not one to panic.
The two-time
All-Star first baseman started out the season red hot but has watched as the
numbers have dropped with each passing month leading into the All-Star break.
Youkilis
hit .244 during June, and he was mired in a 2-for-28 funk in July before busting out of it with an
aggressive game plan in Thursday night’s loss to the Royals.
First the
bearded infielder—playing third base for the time being with Mike
Lowell on the shelf rehabbing from a sore right
hip—smashed an RBI single in the first inning that ended an 0-for-15
slump. Then, he jumped all over the second pitch he saw in his second at-bat
for a two-base hit.
The
2-for-5 performance ended a string of fruitless at-bats during the last several
weeks, and also pushed his batting average back over the .290 mark. It seems
like a long way from the start that saw Youkilis hitting .395 after the first
month of the season.
“I
hadn’t had much success (lately), but today is a new day,” Youkilis
said. “It’s one of those things where I wish I could hit well all
year, but you deal with those little slumps during the year. You just have to
move on.”
With only three
more games remaining before a relaxing trip to St. Louis for his second
consecutive All-Star appearance, Youkilis needs only to squeeze out a few more
hits to ready himself for a meaningful second-half surge.
Royals 8, Red Sox 6:The
normally bulletproof Boston bullpen
suffered its third loss of the homestand when RHPManny Delcarmen and RHP Justin Masterson couldn’t hold the Royals back in
the sixth inning. Masterson took his third loss of the season when he coughed
up a home run.
DH David
Ortiz smacked his 300th career home run to left
in the first inning.
Notes, Quotes
• 2B Dustin Pedroia might skip the All-Star Game to remain in Boston with his pregnant wife, Kelli,
who was admitted to the hospital on Monday with complications. ESPN’s
Peter Gammons first reported the possibility on his Twitter account Wednesday
night, and manager Terry Francona said that Major League Baseball is aware of
his second baseman’s delicate family situation. Francona indicated
that—as of right now—the reigning AL MVP intends to play.
“His wife is going through a very serious time right now,” Francona
said. “There’s always a chance he wouldn’t play because we
don’t know what’s going to happen, but the plan is for him to play.
If he needs to not play, then I would certainly support that. It’s
stating the obvious: His wife’s in the hospital, and if needs to not go,
then he won’t.”
• 1B
Kevin Youkilis snapped an 0-for-15 funk when he slammed an RBI double in the
first inning of Thursday night’s loss, and he finished 2-for-5 with two
scored and an RBI to raise his batting average back over .290. The All-Star
first baseman has watched his batting average steadily since a fast start, and
is hitting .121 in 31 at-bats in July. He admitted that pitchers are going at
him a bit differently coming off a big year last year, and he seems to have
begun making adjustments at the plate.
Roster Report
• SS Jed
Lowrie went 0-for-4 and played nine innings of
shortstop for Class AAA Pawtucket on Thursday night,
andBoston manager Terry Francona
confirmed that the team is looking at a July 18 date to recall Lowrie. Lowrie
was taken off the 60-day disabled list and optioned to the minors on Wednesday.
July 18 marks the second game following the All-Star break, and is precisely
when Lowrie is allowed to return to the roster. The manager also indicated that
the required 10-day minor league stay will be just what is needed for Lowrie,
who has battled a bruised right knee and inclement weather since embarking on
his rehab assignment in mid-June.
• RHP Brad
Penny has been remarkably consistent throughout
this season after two rough outings early, and Thursday night he matched his
entire 2008 output with his 17th start of this season. Penny has never pitched
as many as seven full innings this season, and has allowed three runs or fewer
in nine of his last 10 starts. The 10-start stretch began May 20. Penny has
gone 3-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 57 1/3 innings over that span. “I felt really
strong,” said Penny. “I can’t remember a time where
I’ve really been tired this year.”
• DH
David Ortiz smashed his 300th career home run in the first inning of Thursday
night’s loss, and he became the 19th active player in the big leagues to
reach that milestone. Ortiz was the first player to hit his 300th in a Sox
uniform since Manny Ramirez did it against the Angels on Aug. 26,
2002. Thursday night also marked the first time in 11 opportunities that the
Sox have lost a game that Big Papi homered in. “When the ball is coming
off his bat like that, that’s good for us,” manager Terry Francona
said. “He’s back to being about as dangerous as anybody in the league
We Bet Brad Can't
Stand to Watch MDC and Masterson Blow the Game Either
Royal Blues | Tiny Payroll 8, Unlimited Payroll 6 Callaspo, DeJesus Leads Royals; Collapse for Sox Bullpen Theo Would Like to Remind You That
Duquette Found Delcarmen Papi Hits No. 300... Needs Just 455 to Catch All-Time
Leader Hank Aaron Pedroia Bangs Out Three Hits to Take the Lone Sox .300
Torch Lord Help Us: Masterson's ERA Is On the Rise
"There
are times when things don't always work out. Lately, it has been a different
guy missing on a different pitch at a different time." -- Justin
Masterson on Gasoline Alley revisited
The Rockies,
though, have spoken with the Reds and the Red Sox about infielder Garrett
Atkins as they look to add bullpen reinforcements. The Reds have enough depth
to trade a reliever -- such as David Weathers -- but aren't interested in
absorbing the $3.4 million owed Atkins for the remainder of this season,
complicating any deal. The Red Sox continue to monitor Atkins' situation in
case Mike Lowell's hip injury sidelines him longer than a few weeks. Atkins
also has attracted interest from St. Louis and Seattle. -- Denver Post
Official word is expected later this
month, but the Red Sox and Cuban shortstop Jose Iglesias have agreed to terms
on an $8 million-plus deal, according to a source familiar with the talks. The
19-year-old defector is considered to be a defensively gifted player with major
league caliber glove skills. His offensive potential appears to be a question
mark. He has been heavily scouted since defecting in Canada a
year ago. The Red Sox have been scouting him for months, and have been working
him out at their complex in the Dominican Republic. -- Boston Herald
Twenty Best Boston Red Sox
Transactions of the Last 15 Years
by Anthony Emerson
The Red Sox have
been arguably the best team of this decade. But how did they get there?
The Red Sox have
been willing to pull the trigger on many trades and take a risky signing.
You probably
won't agree with all my choices, and this article is in order of when each
transaction went down. If you think that I left a transaction off, just leave a
comment with the transaction in it and I'll add it.
On July 10, 1984, Fernando Valenzuela and
Dwight Gooden set an All-Star Game record by combining to strike out six
consecutive batters. Valenzuela and Gooden fan Dave Winfield, Reggie Jackson,
George Brett, Lance Parrish, Chet Lemon, and Alvin Davis in succession.
On July 10, 1983, the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers play the longest
nine-inning game in major league history. The Brewers win the four-hour and
11-minute marathon, 12-9, on Ted Simmons’ bases loaded single.
On July 10, 1982, Larry Parrish of the Texas Rangers ties a major league record
by clubbing his third grand slam within the span of a week. Parrish’s
latest slam lifts the Rangers to a 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. In
1968, Detroit’s
Jim Northrup also hit three grand slams in a week.
On July 10, 1964, Jesus Alou of the San Francisco Giants collects six hits
against six different pitchers in a 10-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Alou
becomes the first Giant to enjoy a six-hit game in nearly 40 years.
On July 10, 1951, the National League hits a record four home runs in pounding
the American League, 8-3, at the All-Star Game. Playing at Briggs Stadium
in Detroit,
Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an All-Star Game home run for the
third consecutive year.
On July 10, 1945, the All-Star Game scheduled
for FenwayPark is canceled because of travel
restrictions imposed by World War II. Several teams do play inter-league
exhibitions designed to raise money as part of the war effort. The All-Star
Game will resume in 1946.
On July 10, 1945, ten new members are inducted into the National Baseball Hall
of Fame. The inductees are catcher Roger Bresnahan, first baseman Dan
Brouthers, outfielder Fred Clarke, third baseman Jimmy Collins, outfielders Ed
Delahanty and Hugh Duffy, shortstop Hughie Jennings, outfielder King Kelly,
first baseman Jim O'Rourke, and catcher Wilbert Robinson.
On July 10, 1944, the second Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held after a
four-year wait, mostly due to World War II travel restrictions. CommissionerKenesawMountain Landis
is the lone inductee. Four months later, Landis will pass away.
On July 10, 1934, in one of the most memorable All-Star Game performances ever,
Carl Hubbell strikes out five consecutive future Hall of Famers. Hubbell fans
Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in a game won by
the American League, 9-7. Hubbell himself will gain election to the Hall in
1947.
On July 10, 1932, the Philadelphia A’s
and Cleveland Indians score 35 runs in an 18-inning game. The A’s win,
18-17, as Jimmie Foxx ties an
American League record with 16 total bases. A’s reliever Eddie Rommell
surrenders 29 hits and 14 runs in 18 innings, but picks up the win. Cleveland’s Johnny
Burnett collects a record nine base hits.