Gonzalez may play OF in interleague - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

A bit of risky move in my opinion but you hate to take the bat out of Big Papi's hands this year.

Gonzalez may play OF in interleague - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

Nicknames so far...pitchers (in need of help)

? = don't have one, yet

Lester?
Beckett?
Uncle Buch
Lackey - "Southpaw" has one for him
Wake

Pap
Bard "None" (suggestion)
Aceves?
Wheeler?
Jenks?
Albers?
Bowden?
Hottovey?

Nicknames so far,,,around the diamond

'Tek
Salty
A-Gonz
Pedey
Jed-Low
Youk
Craw-fish
Ells
"Nancy" Drew
Cam
'Ol McDonald
anything for Scutaro?
how about Reddick?

'Sox take 2 of 3 from the Brew Crew

Nice pounding of their ace today -- he threw over 40 pitches in the first inning.  Wake continues to fill in nicely as the # 5 starter and may move up with the DL-addition of Bucholz.  On the latter, I applaud this move of precaution rather than risking a more serious injury.  The DL also has Craw-fish and Jed-low.  Fortunately, those injuries do not seem serious though I feel for Jed-low.  Seems that the injury bug keeps biting him. I saw that fender-bender he had with Craw-fish which resulted in Jed-low's initial injury.  It could have been avoided with a little more communications in the OF.  Easy for me to say from the comfort of my living room couch.

Nice opportunity for Reddick and LHP Andrew Miller to step.  I suppose that Aceves will be the 4th or 5th starter now until Buchholz gets back. 

Perhaps 'Sox can keep all 3 on the DL until after the All-Star break and ensure that they are fresh, healthy, and ready for the 2nd half. 

Beckett and Youk deliver

Beckett was locked in a classic pitching duel.  'Sox had runners at the corners after Joe Maddon had A-Gonz walked intentionally.  Youk delivered a 3-run HR which is all Beckett needed.  He is certainly back and his ERA is below 2.00.  Welcome back, Josh! 

Jeter to the DL

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110614&content_id=20465992&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

The aging and hurting Yankees continue to mount up injuries much like our 2010 'Sox.  The Celtic Great Bill Russell once spoke of injuries in the context of the NBA with the the observation that "injuries are just as much part of the game as free throws".  Not sure I agree completely with that view though it bespeaks the need for a deep bench in any sport.  However, there seems to be a bit of luck at times in staying away from the serious injuries.  Injuries, like the proverbial ball/puck are just a matter of inches and in some cases centimeters.    

Minor players. One headed back to the Minors.

Here is an article about players, in their late 20's, who have helped the 'Sox this season though without the fame and fortune. Serves as a reminder that not all big league players make the big bucks and face daily struggles like the rest of us.

A team rolling and two players on different paths - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

A short break in the action

'Sox travel south to face the Devil Rays.  Sure hope the one day respite does not cool down their blazing hot bats.  Craw-fish returns to his previous home.

One of my colleagues today pointed out that the great Carl Yastremski's grandson, who plays for Vanderbilt, is in the college baseball playoffs.  Yaz continues to be held in high regard for his many accomplishments while playing his entire career for the RedSox.  Most notably, in 1967 he won the AL MVP Award and the Triple Crown.  He won three batting titles, usually led the league in assists for an OF, and several Gold Gloves.  He was the maestro of playing the Green Monster, often decoying hitters into thinking that the high fly was going over the Monster only to turn at the last second to play the carom off the wall and hold the runner to a long single.

It was not until years later that I realized Yaz hat hit over .500 in the month of September '67 and practically carried the 'Sox to their first AL Pennant since 1946.  Many of those hits were in the clutch.  In watching the final 2 games of '67 in which the 'Sox faced the Minnesota Twins, my father and brother would keep count as to how many more hitters before Yaz came back up to bat.   He did not disappoint.

We could get used to this...

They outscored the Yankees 25-13; the Blue Jays 35-6.  Each time I checked the scores this weekend, our 'Sox were up by big double-digit leads.  In reality, we know that this will not last indefinitely, but it sure is fun seeing them all come together.  Now, they head down to face the Devil Rays. 

Living up to pre-season billing (finally)

Today, our 'Sox sit atop their division with a 2-game lead over the Yankees.  Their potent lineup enables them to score runs in bunches.  We are seeing this potency despite Pedey nursing a sore knee, Craw-fish hovering around .240, Youk not hitting his stride yet, and Drew struggling at the plate. 

So, what gives?  The return of Ells, the re-emergence of Big Papi, and A-Gonz's steady presence as a patient hitter who has already knocked in 58 runs. 

On the pitching front, we have seen the much-welcomed return of Beckett to complement Lester and Buchhholz.  But wait, there's more.  Lackey has pitched better in his last 2 starts and the # 5 starter role has been filled nicley by Wake and Aceves. 

The beat goes on....

'Sox take 1st game of weekend series against the Blue Jays.  Top 3 hitters in the lineup did most of the damage.  Nice outing from Buchholz.  A-Gonz continues his RBI production, 2 more making it 57 for the season. 

A clean sweep!

Not only did the 'Sox sweep the Yankees in their own house, they did so in a convincing manner outscoring them 25-13 over 3 games.

Recognzing that we are not even 1/2 way through this long season, it is always nice to sweep the Yankees.  Beckett continues to be his old, dominant self. 

Good news yesterday on Pedey that he will not require knee surgery. 

Boston Red Sox - Meet the 2011 Red Sox draft picks - Boston.com

Theo and company drafted a lot of pitchers, 3-4 LHPs. Next challenge is to sign and develop them.

Boston Red Sox - Meet the 2011 Red Sox draft picks - Boston.com

Nice win over the Yanks...

Solid hitting and good outing from Lester results in a nice "W" over the Yankees.  Pap gave up a run but still managed to record his 200th career save. 

Wake goes for the 'Sox tonight. 

MRI for Jed

Sure hope that nothing is seriously wrong with Jed. He gave a much needed boost to a sputtering 'Sox offense earlier in the season. I know that many in Red Sox Nation would love to see him stay healthy and play to his potential. As a switch hitter, with some pop, who can multiple infield positions, he is an important part of this team.

Lowrie seeking MRI on sore shoulder - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

Scutaro back, Atchison sent down (again)

Why Scotty?  He has been very effective in relief.  I know, he has minor league options left, etc.  It's a numbers game, all that stuff.  Hopefully, he will be back up soon. 

Ebb and Flow

After getting swept by Ozzie's Chisox, our 'Sox swept the A's.  A colleauge at work and 'Sox fan commented that this could be a team of streaks.  Now, it is on to the Bronx for another series with the Yankees who continue to either cling to or hover near the divison's top.  Where now is all the talk of the aging Yankee players?  Perhaps that age may manifest itself during the season's stretch.  We'll see. 

For the 2nd straight week, a 'Sox player is named AL player of the week.  This week:  Big Papi.  Seems to me that he is out to prove something besides this being his contract walk year.

A-Gonz continues to play and hit steadily.   

Highs and lows, ups and downs

They took 3 of 4 from the Tigers, had been sweeping others series, and catapulted into first place.  Now, they have hit a 3-game skid onl fall out of first place.  Aceves struggled mightily but our 'Sox did not quit.  They mounted a nice comeback from a 10-1 deficit. 

Time for them to reach deep down and take this final game from the ChiSox.