Postgame notes: Masterson solid. . . again!
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July 5
By Joe McDonald NEW YORK _ Red Sox rookie pitcher Justin Masterson has already had a lot of first experiences in the majors this season, and the 23-year-old had another one Saturday. Masterson was all smiles after the game. "It was great," he said. "I was a little effectively wild than I wanted to be, but that's okay. We kept in the game and guys made great plays in the field. It looked like at the end we were going to put a little something on the board, but unfortunately we fell a little short." If you didn't know it, you would never be able to tell that he has only nine big-league starts. His demeanor on and off the field is that of a 10-year pro. He's articulate. He's smart. And, he's good. So, just because he was pitching in front of 54,990 yesterday, he was cool and calm. "I think we expect him to be," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "I don't think we were surprised. He enjoys pitching, sure it's a first, but because of that it is reassuring because the kid didn't overreact to the situation. We expected him to be okay." Francona was quick to point out that the rookie right-hander has been tough on right-handed hitters during his minor-league development due to his delivery and movement on his pitches. On the day he pitches, the opposition will load up its lineup with as many left-handed hitters as possible. In the majors, especially with a lineup like the Yankees, Masterson was efficient and was able to locate for the most part. "He's done a pretty good job," said Francona. "You're talking about a kid who doesn't have a lot of experience, making adjustments to major-league hitters at the major-league level - it's not always an easy thing to do. Some of the hits he's been giving up to lefties aren't just singles. "Even with some of the mistakes and inconsistencies, he's giving us six innings and giving us a chance to win," added the manager. "Actually, he's been pretty dominant, and even with the inconsistencies, he's been pretty good. He competes and he likes to pitch. He's still learning. We don't hold that against him because it's pretty exciting." Earlier in the season when the Red Sox needed a spot start, they summoned Masterson from Pawtucket. He had to settle for a no-decision in his major-league debut against the Angels, and after that game he returned to Triple-A. When he returned to Boston almost a month later, again for another spot-start, he posted his first victory against the Royals. Again, he was sent back to Pawtucket before he returned again on June 3 and has been part of the starting rotation ever since. "I didn't really know what to expect because I didn't see him pitch much," said the manager. "You read the reports, and stuff, but he did get here a little quicker than I thought. We have meetings in the spring about guys who could help us, and his name certainly came up. To put a guy in there every five days and have him hold his own, that's a lot and he's done a good job." 
Joe Girardi has offered his office in the Yankees clubhouse to Francona, who will be managing the A.L. All-Star next week at Yankee Stadium. Girardi said the only thing he'll do is lock up the scouting reports. The Sox skipper said he appreciates the gesture, but it won't be necessary. "I would make the trade and go sit in the coaches' room if he gives me the scouting stuff," said Francona with a laugh. "I just can't. We had a conversation about it and it was really relaxed and comfortable. I was just trying to ask him to please don't (offer) me that. I just really don't want him to." It's not because it's the Yankees and Yankee Stadium because Francona didn't use then-Tigers manager Alan Trammell's office at Comerica Park in Detroit during the 2005 All-Star game. "It doesn't make sense to me," said Francona. "You don't need to move. I'm not exaggerating when I say I'm going to have a wrinkled pair of jeans, a pair of shoes that are with about $20 bucks and my shirt always goes on the floor." Francona did say if the All-Star game was being played at Fenway Park he would offer his office to the manager. "Sure," he said. "Of course. Joe did it because it's out of respect. A lot of people in the game are very respectful of the game, especially people who have been in it a long time. I know I'm joking, but you try to take what you're doing very seriously and not take yourself too seriously. It will be an honor to be a part of this game when it comes. Where I dress doesn't mean a whole lot."
By Joe McDonald NEW YORK -- Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez has been relegated to the DH role with David Ortiz (wrist) on the DL. Ramirez has been battling a hamstring issue for over a month, so his playing time in left field has been limited. Once the Red Sox return to Fenway Park on Monday, Ramirez will likely be back in the field. "I told Manny I would like to, especially at home," said Francona. "It's nice to get him out there because it opens up some options for us. Not that he has to play every day, but it will give us a chance to get Casey some at-bats. But when (Ramirez) says he's not comfortable going out there, it's hard telling someone 'you're going out there anyway.' It just doesn't make sense." Francona believes the lingering injury is getting better and that it hasn't affected the slugger's at-bats.
By Joe McDonald NEW YORK -- Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon (back strain) is playing catch at 120 feet while he continues his rehab and throwing program. According to Red Sox manager Terry Francona, the right-hander isn't too far away from getting on a mound. Francona also said that could happen early this week when the club returns to Fenway Park on Monday. Meanwhile, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz (wrist) will be evaluated when the club returns to Boston. "He'll try to step up the volume," said Francona. If things continue to progress, there's a chance Ortiz will make a minor-league rehab stint after the All-Star break. "I think he's actually pretty up beat for the most part about it," said Francona. "It is something that you can't say didn't happen, you deal with it the best we can and that's why we're trying to go on a consistent time frame and not hurry something along that shouldn't be hurried. So when he does come back, even though he may feel it, it won't get in the way of him being successful." The club's medical staff has told Ortiz and Francona that there will be some discomfort from time to time, but that doesn't mean it will keep him off the field. Basically, the Red Sox won't rush the process. "After this All-Star break we're going to have to gear him up and get him some at-bats live," said Francona. "How we do that will be determined by what we feel is in his best interest."
BOSTON Ellsbury, lf NEW YORK Gardner, lf
July 4
Today's game will resume at 5:45. The Red Sox lead 6-3 in the top of the eighth inning.
By Joe McDonald
With two runners on and two outs, Youkilis drove a scorching liner to left field. Damon got a good jump on the ball and made it to the base of the fence when he leaped and snared the ball before crashing violently into the wall. He wasn't able to hold on as the ball popped out of his mitt. This is where it gets even more interesting. The ball landed on the soft padding atop the fence with a bit of golf-ball-like spin and stayed there for a few seconds while Damon lay on the ground in pain. Meanwhile, on the base paths, Youkilis didn't know what was happening as he slowly made his way into second base as two runs scored for Boston. When he realized that neither he nor the ball was out, he turned it on and ended up with a two-run triple to tie the game at 3-3. Damon left the game with a left-shoulder contusion and x-rays taken at Yankee Stadium were negative. He will be evaluated again in the next 24 hours, including a MRI.
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