Main page
« August 2005
October 2005 »

Final

Red Sox win the opener of the three-game series, 5-3, pulling them into a first-place tie in the A.L. East. Now all eyes turn to Cleveland, where the White Sox and Indians are heading into the 11th inning, to see what impact Boston's win has on the wild-card race.

Posted by Art  at 10:19 PM | Permalink

Top of the ninth

Sierra strikes out swinging. Williams strikes out swinging. Cano singles to right. Jeter grounds out, Renteria to Olerud. Red Sox 5, Yankees 3

Posted by Art  at 10:09 PM | Permalink

Bottom of the eighth

Nixon called out on strikes. Varitek grounds out, Jeter to Giambi. Olerud flies to Matsui. Red Sox 5, Yankees 3

Posted by Art  at 10:05 PM | Permalink

Bad news from Cleveland

All night long, it looked like the Red Sox (and Yankees) were going to get some help from the White Sox . . . even though Chicago rested six of its regulars for tonight's game against the Indians. But Cleveland, which trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth, tied it up and that game is headed to extra innings.

Posted by Art  at 10:02 PM | Permalink

And then they were even

New York manager Joe Torre knew coming into tonight's game that it was going to be a battle of epic porportions.

The Yankees were facing former teammate David Wells, who has proven over time that he is a big-game pitcher. Boomer kept the Bronx Bombers off balance for much of the night and led Boston to a 5-3 victory at Fenway Park.

With two games remaining in the regular season, the Sox and Yanks are even in the American League east standings.

"This was an important game, obviously," said Yankees' Alex Rodriguez. "It was a game we wanted to win and we needed to win. We just didn't get it done. Tomorrow is another day."

The teams take the field at 1:15 today.

Rodriguez and New York manager Joe Torre said Wells was the difference in this one.

"He threw a lot of curveballs," said Rodriguez. "I thought I hit a home run on one of them, but he threw a lot of curveballs. It looked like he had a great feel, especially after the third inning.
"Wells is a guy, who you want to get in the first three innings because when you look up, he could still be out there in the eighth and that was the case tonight."

New York starter, Chien-Ming Wang, was a little jittery according to Torre, but the Yankees' skipper was still happy with the outing.

"He certainly pitched well enough to win," said Torre.

"Wells did not allow us a lot," added Torre. "We had chances, but we didn't cash in."

The Yankees have Randy Johnson taking the hill on Saturday and hope to reverse tonight's shortcomings.

"This ballclub has bounced back so often," said Torre. "And, we need to do that tomorrow."

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 9:57 PM | Permalink

Top of the eighth

Chad Bradford replaces David Wells as Boston's pitcher. Sheffield grounds out, Renteria to Olerud. Mike Myers replaces Bradford as Boston's pitcher. Matsui strikes out swinging. Mike Timlin replaces Myers as Boston's pitcher. Posada called out on strikes. Red Sox 5, Yankees 3

Posted by Art  at 9:44 PM | Permalink

Wang's final line is . . .

The Yankees' starter allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits with six walks and four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. The young right-hander surrendered a solo home run to Jason Varitek to lead off the second inning. Wang threw 104 pitches (54 strikes)

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 9:44 PM | Permalink

Bottom of the seventh

Graffanino grounds out, Rodriguez to Giambi. Damon grounds out, Giambi to Wang. Renteria walks. Al Leiter replaces Wang as New York's pitcher. Ortiz walks, Renteria taking second. Scott Proctor replaces Leiter as New York's pitcher. Ramirez grounds out, Jeter to Giambi. Red Sox 5, Yankees 3

Posted by Art  at 9:27 PM | Permalink

Going. . . Going. . . Gone!

Before Derek Jeter launched a two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning, the Yankee shortstop entered his fourth at-bat of the game 0-for-7 in the last two games. The round-tripper was his 19th of the season to cut the Sox' lead to 5-3.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 9:26 PM | Permalink

Top of the seventh

Williams flies to Nixon. Cano singles to left. Jeter homers to right-center, scoring Cano. Rodriguez called out on strikes. Giambi grounds out, Olerud unassisted. Red Sox 5, Yankees 3

Posted by Art  at 9:14 PM | Permalink

Bottom of the sixth

Damon singles to right. Damon steals second. Renteria strikes out swinging. Ortiz is intentionally walked. Ramirez singles to left, Damon taking third, Ortiz taking second. Nixon walks, scoring Damon, Ortiz taking third, Ramirez taking second. Varitek reaches on a fielder's choice, Ortiz scoring on a throwing error by Giambi, Ramirez taking third, Nixon taking second. Olerud hits a sacrifice fly to Williams, scoring Ramirez. Nixon takes third on a passed ball by Posada. Mueller grounds out, Giambi unassisted. Red Sox 5, Yankees 1

Posted by Art  at 8:52 PM | Permalink

Top of the sixth

Giambi singles to right. Sheffield flies to Damon. Matsui doubles to right-center, Giambi taking third. Posada grounds out, Mueller to Olerud, runners holding. Sierra flies to Damon. Red Sox 2, Yankees 1

Posted by Art  at 8:45 PM | Permalink

Bottom of the fifth

Olerud walks. Mueller grounds into a double play, Jeter to Cano to Giambi. Graffanino fouls to Posada. Red Sox 2, Yankees 1

Posted by Art  at 8:34 PM | Permalink

Consumption is a beautiful thing!

There is no scoreboard watching going on at Fenway Park tonight. The fans in attendance are completely consumed with this game and not the other one of note.

In the last week, every time a new score was put on the scoreboard in left field, the fans either rejoiced or booed. Tonight, however, when the White Sox-Cleveland score was updated with the White Sox winning, 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth, there was no reaction from the fans.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 8:33 PM | Permalink

Top of the fifth

Cano flies to Ramirez. Jeter grounds out, Mueller to Olerud. Rodriguez flies deep to Damon. Red Sox 2, Yankees 1

Posted by Art  at 8:26 PM | Permalink

Bottom of the fourth

Ramirez grounds out, Jeter to Giambi. Nixon walks. Nixon caught stealing, Posada to Jeter. Varitek called out on strikes. Red Sox 2, Yankees 1

Posted by Art  at 8:17 PM | Permalink

Top of the fourth

Matsui singles to center. Posada pops to Graffanino. Sierra called out on strikes. Williams flies to Nixon. Red Sox 2, Yankees 1

Posted by Art  at 8:08 PM | Permalink

Bottom of the third

Damon reaches on an error by Rodriguez. Renteria sacrifices, Chien-Ming Wang to Giambi, Damon taking second. Ortiz grounds out, Wang to Giambi, Damon out attempting to take third, Giambi to Rodriguez to Jeter. Red Sox 2, Yankees 1

Posted by Art  at 8:01 PM | Permalink

Top of the third

Rodriguez flies deep to Damon. Giambi called out on strikes. Sheffield lines to Renteria. Red Sox 2, Yankees 1

Posted by Art  at 7:52 PM | Permalink

Bottom of the second

Jason Varitek homers to left-center. Olerud grounds out, Giambi unassisted. Bill Mueller grounds out, Jeter to Giambi. Graffanino grounds out, Cano to Giambi. Red Sox 2, Yankees 1

Posted by Art  at 7:46 PM | Permalink

Top of the second

Bernie Williams flies to Ramirez. Robinson Cano grounds out, Tony Graffanino to John Olerud. Jeter lines to Nixon. Red Sox 1, Yankees 1

Posted by Art  at 7:41 PM | Permalink

Bottom of the first

Johnny Damon walks. Damon steals second. Edgar Renteria grounds out, Jeter to Giambi. David Ortiz singles to right-center, scoring Damon. Manny Ramirez strikes out swinging. Nixon called out on strikes. Red Sox 1, Yankees 1

Posted by Art  at 7:27 PM | Permalink

Top of the first

Derek Jeter strikes out swinging. Alex Rodriguez walks. Jason Giambi walks, Rodriguez taking second. Rodriguez steals third. Gary Sheffield hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Hideki Matsui singles to center, scoring Rodriguez, Giambi taking third, Sheffield taking second. Jorge Posada strikes out swinging. Ruben Sierra flies to Trot Nixon. Yankees 1, Red Sox 0

Posted by Art  at 7:24 PM | Permalink

Pinstripes

The movie of choice in the Yankees' clubhouse prior to tonight's game was Gladiator . . . Former Red Sox pitcher Alan Embree and current Boston hurler Mike Timlin were chatting during batting practice. . .With his RBI-single in the top of the first inning, Hideki Matsui now has 115 RBI on the season. He has posted three consecutive seasons with 100-plus RBI. . . Wang surrendered a solo homer to Jason Varitek in the bottom of second inning. It was only the right-hander's eighth round-tripper allowed in 110 innings of work this season. . . Alex Rodriguez's error in the bottom of the third inning was his 12th of the season. . . Through five innings, Derek Jeter is 0-for-3 and now has only one hit in his last 13 at-bats. . . With his base hit in the top of the sixth inning off Wells, Jason Giambi has five hits in his last 29 at-bats and has reached base safely in 14 of his last 19 plate appearances. . . In the sixth inning, Matsui posted his third hit of the night and now has 53 multi-hit games this season. It is his 13th three-hit game. . .Sox' Johnny Damon has stolen two bases off Jorge Posada tonight. In fact, Posada has allowed 90 swipes this season and has thrown out 38 potential base stealers. . .Chien-Ming Wang walked in a run in the bottom of the sixth inning, which is unusual. In 114 innings of work, Wang has only walked 29 batters.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 6:45 PM | Permalink

How did we ever get to this point?

When the Yankees completed spring training, manager Joe Torre figured he had the deepest starting rotation in his 10 years as skipper.

Then the rotataion crumbled.

Kevin Brown went down. Jaret Wright went down. Carl Pavano went down. Newly acquired Randy Johnson was not pitching as well as the club had hoped and there's Mike Mussina. The club's biggest turnaround, as Torre said, happened when Aaron Small, Shawn Chacon and Chien-Ming Wang became the core of the rotation.

Tonight's starter, Chien-Ming Wang, will certainly have his hands full in front of the Fenway Faithful.

"Tonight is an experience he is going to learn from and build from," said Torre. "He doesn't have a whole lot of experience under his belt, but he has certainly made us comfortable."

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 6:34 PM | Permalink

Mussina to pitch Sunday

New York manager Joe Torre admitted prior to last night's game that Mike Mussina will be his starting pitcher on Sunday.

Mussina is 13-8 with a 4.41 E.R.A this season. Because the right-hander will be pitching on short rest, Al Leiter will replace him if he gets into trouble.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 6:29 PM | Permalink

Torre knows Wells

Yankee manager Joe Torre knows David Wells all too well. The former Yankee hurler is no doubt fired up about pitching against his former club with the stakes as high as they are. The left-hander did not do so well in the season opener in New York, but he’s hoping this time out will be much different.

Torre realizes the attitude and mound presence Wells will take into his outing tonight.

''Hopefully we are able to put some runs on the board early and be able to get some good at-bats against him,'' said Torre. ''He has a lot of run support. He throws a lot of strikes, so you want to be patient, but not patient to the point where you put yourself in a hole. We certainly know his reputation and we've seen it first-hand, a lot of our guys have. We know he lives for this type of situation.''

Torre was asked how a guy like Wells is able to perform so well in these types of situations.

''You are born with it,'' said Torre referring to Wells' personality and mound presence. ''That is not stuff you can't learn. Boomer is a challenge-type guy. You give him something to accomplish, especially if there is a little doubt in there, it makes him that more determined.''

Wells is 2-2 with a 4.26 E.R.A against the Yankees this season. In his career, he has a 18-10 mark with a 3.09 E.R.A. against New York. At Fenway Park this season, Wells is 7-1 with a 3.00 E.R.A.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 6:14 PM | Permalink

This and That, Game 160

Jonathan Papelbon, who worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings Thursday night, was given Friday night off from bullpen duty. The rookie right-hander said he'd be ready to go for Saturday and Sunday . . . Right-hander Bronson Arroyo, who threw 79 pitches in a loss Wednesday night, was avaialable in the bullpen Friday night . . . Kevin Youkilis and Curt Schilling received photos of themselves with former President George H.W. Bush taken during pregame festivities at a game earlier this year that were signed by President Bush . . . Actor Robert Redford was at the game, wandering around on the field during the Yankees' batting practice . . . Mike Timlin was awarded UPN's 10th player award . . . Roberto Petagine has left the team for an excused absence to deal with a serious situation at home, the Sox said . . . Wade Boggs, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer, was honored in a pregame ceremony, walking in from under the center field stands after a video tribute was run on the screen in center. Owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner and CEO Larry Lucchino presented him with a 2004 championship watch, and then Tim Wakefield pulled up the third-base bag and awarded it to Boggs, who played the position in Boston for 11 years before joining the Yankees, for whom he helped win a World Championship. Somewhat surprisingly, even though he went into the Hall wearing a Red Sox cap, he ended his brief remarks by saying, ``Go, Sox,'' with the Yanks sitting in the third-base dugout only a few feet away.

Posted by   at 6:00 PM | Permalink

No extra incentive for Stanton

Mike Stanton admitted he was surprised when he heard the Red Sox had obtained him Thursday for the rest of the regular season, which could be as many as five games depending on scenarios that included ties in the standings.

But he said there is no extra incentive on his part because the Sox are hooking up with this weekend with the Yankees, the team that released him on July 1 with his earned-run average at 7.07.

``There is extra excitement, but not because of who's on the other side,'' said the left-hander.

``Obviously this is not something you expect to happen,'' he said, referring to the deal. ``Originally when I heard about it I laughed. It was quite a surprise. You think you've seen everything and something else comes up.''

Stanton pitched much better for Washington (3.58 E.R.A. in 30 games) after being cut loose by New York. He attributed the improvement to just being able to pitch consistently.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, were able to obtain him for two non-descript minor-league right-handers. It's likely Stanton will appear in this series.

``I told him to be ready and that we were glad to have him, and he said he'd be ready,'' said Boston manager Terry Francona, relating the first brief conversation he had with his newest pitcher.

``It (the late deal) is a little unique, but he may help. That's the whole idea,'' said Francona.

Posted by   at 5:53 PM | Permalink

Sling for Stern

Adam Stern, the Rule 5 draftee, was back in the Sox' clubhouse Friday, a day after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder.

The outfielder was wearing a sling, but he was happy with the results of the arthroscopic procedure performed in Los Angeles. It could have been a lot worse.

``There was fraying of the rotator cuff and the labrum, but they were able to avoid sittiching the labrum,'' said Stern, who expected to be ready to throw full-bore by February or March, earlier than he would have been able to do had the labrum needed stitiching.

``They told me I had to get it done, though because there was a bunch of junk in there,'' he said.

Bunch of junk? A new medical term, perhaps?

``I was so loopy (from medication) when they told me what they did that I don't know exactly what they said. I'll have to talk to (team physician) Dr. (Thomas) Gill) before I can give you a more scientific explanation,'' he said.

Posted by   at 5:36 PM | Permalink

Not so sobering advice

David Wells, signed in the offseason by the Red Sox because of his history of success in big games, including the postseason, Friday night had a chance to rub it in the noses of the Yankees, for whom he had two stints.

As he was about to leave the ballpark Thursday night, David Ortiz said he offered some advice to the left-hander.

``I told him, `If you feel like you can pitch a no-hitter, then go out and get drunk,' '' said Ortiz with a hearty laugh. ``He did it once.''

Ortiz was referring to the perfect game Wells authored for the Yankees in 1998. In Wells's autobiography, he said he had been hung over while pitching his gem against Minnesota on May 17 that season.

Posted by   at 5:31 PM | Permalink

Pick your poison

It has not gone unnoticed that David Ortiz has had a monster September in his run at an MVP award.

The Red Sox' designated hitter had mashed 11 homers already this month prior to Friday night's game against the Yankees. That was a club record, eclipsing the 10 September dingers bashed by Jimmie Foxx (1938) and Tony Conigliaro (1970).

But Ortiz suggested that the Yankees should be thinking twice about pitching around him because Manny Ramirez bats behind him in the lineup. Ramirez has seven homers in his last 12 games, boosting his season total to 42, while helping increase his RBI total to 138, third in the American League behind Ortiz (146) and Texas' Mark Teixeira.

``If I'm a pitcher, I don't take any chances with Manny, I tell you that right now,'' said Ortiz. ``He's a box-ful of surprises. He's excited, very into the game right now. I don't see myself pitching to Manny.''

Posted by   at 5:25 PM | Permalink

Ortiz speaks well of MVP rival A-Rod

David Ortiz, who is in a personal battle with the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez for the MVP award, had some nice things to say Friday night about the New York third baseman and former fellow Seattle Mariners farmhand.

``He deserves a lot of respect from a lot of people,'' said Big Papi. ``The last time they were in here, we went back to my house and hung out. He's a good guy. He's very interesting when you sit down and talk to him. He's the kind of guy who pays a lot of attention to what you say. He learns and he teaches. He's one of the best players in the game.''

Posted by   at 5:20 PM | Permalink

Youkilis gets the go-ahead

Infielder Kevin Youkilis was cleared Thursday night to participate in this series.

Youkilis suffered a fracture of the tip of his right ring finger on Sept. 18 while trying to field a ground ball.

Boston manager Terry Francona was more likely to use him as a pinch hitter than in the field. Francona said using him at third base would ``be a stretch'' because it's still difficult for Youkilis to throw the ball hard, but first base duty remained a better possibility.

Youkilis said he was ready to go, able to hit with the help of a gel-like pad that was wrapped around the handle of his bat to help cushion the still tedner finger from the vibrations of the ball hitting the bat.

``I'm fine now,'' said Youkilis, his fingernail area on the finger still an ugly black. ``It still hurts for a little bit if I throw the ball hard, but that goes away after a few seconds. Hitting I feel great.''

Posted by   at 5:12 PM | Permalink

Home field advantage

The Red Sox could thank the schedule maker for having the home-field advantage for this series with the Yankees.

Boston entered last night tied with Atlanta for the best home record in the majors at 53-28. That certainly didn't make winning the series, or sweeping, a certainty, by any means.

It couldn't hurt, but it isn't the be-all, end-all, said Boston manager Terry Francona.

``The biggest thing is we get to bat last,'' said Francona. ``It will be electric, and most of it will be on our side. But it's not like football where the adrenalin really matters. We can't hand the ball off to (David) Ortiz and send him up the middle. We're not going to block. A pitcher can get too pumped up and miss his spots.''

Posted by   at 5:05 PM | Permalink

Bellhorn's perspective

It was strange to see a clean-shaven Mark Bellhorn eating a meatball sandwich in the visitor's clubhouse at Fenway Park prior to tonight's game. The former Red Sox second baseman fell from grace this season, only months after helping Boston to its first World Series title in 86 years.

Bellhorn and southpaw Alan Embree are both experiencing the magic of October from the other side.

"It's different," said Bellhorn. "But this is the way you want it to be. You want it to end with this rivalry. It's been a month-and-a-half since I've been here and I've gotten to know these guys a lot better now. It does feel like I was [at Fenway] just yesterday, driving in and going into the Red Sox’ clubhouse.''

Bellhorn expects this to be a special weekend. It doesn't matter which side you are playing for.

''It's going to be great,'' he said. ''The crowd is obviously going to be involved. I always love playing these types of games. This is what the season is about.''

When asked if he was hoping the final weekend of the regular season would mean as much as it does now at the time he was optioned, Bellhorn said ''I knew it was going to happen, and everyone in the [Yankee] clubhouse said the same thing. In everybody's mind, everyone knew it would be these two teams at the end.''

One hour until game time.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:55 PM | Permalink

Excitement? Pressure?

There was no overstating the importance of this three-game showdown series with the New York Yankees, with an American League East title and possibly the only postseason berth to come out of the division on the line.

There also was no overstating the fact that pressure would be hanging in the air at Fenway Park long before the first pitch of Friday night's series opener.

But manager Terry Francona, whose Red Sox knew they needed to sweep the series to overtake the Yankees, didn't sound as if he wanted to be anywhere else.

``The amount of anxiety that gets built up is not for the reasons you guys might think,'' said Francona at his daily pregame press conference, which was held in the interview room instead of his office because of the large contingent of media.

``Losing is part of (the anxiety), but it's more what we expect of ourselves, the amount of caring, the amount of work. That's what may make us edgy sometimes, but I wouldn't trade it for the world,'' he said.

``This is pretty exciting. Yeah, I'm going to enjoy it. If we're down a run in the ninth, I won't have my pom pons up. But competition is awesome. Trying to be better than someone else at what you enjoy doing is something great,'' he said.

Posted by   at 4:52 PM | Permalink

The Sox lineup, Game 160

Boston's lineup for Friday night's showdown against the Yankees was as could be expected, given the fact New York was starting a right-handed pitcher.

John Olerud was in the lineup at first base. Trot Nixon moved up from eighth in the lineup against the left-handers the Blue Jays threw at the Sox earlier in the week to fifth, with Jason Varitek sliding down to sixth.

The only mild surprise was at second base where Tony Graffanino got the start. Alex Cora had started some games at the position against righties.

Posted by   at 4:49 PM | Permalink

Lineups

Yankees Red Sox
Jeter Damon
Rodriguez Renteria
Giambi Ortiz
Sheffield Ramirez
Matsui Nixon
Posada Varitek
Sierra Olerud
Williams Mueller
Cano Graffanino
Wang Wells

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:47 PM | Permalink

Damon's Value

Johnny Damon is the type of player who helps win games in many ways, and he showed two of them in the third inning Thursday night.

Damon won an 11-pitch battle with Toronto starter Scott Downs, poking a one-out single to right that sent Tony Graffanino to third. Damon barely fouled off three pitches, staying alive in the at-bat until he could reach out and softly hook his single to right.

And his speed helped the Sox score their run in the inning. Edgar Renteria hit a grounder to shortstop that could have been an inning-ending double play, but Damon got to second base so quickly he was able to slide into Aaron Hill's legs, keeping the Jays' second baseman from attempting to make a relay throw as Graffanino scored.

Posted by   at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

This and That, Game 159

Matt Clement drilled Vernon Wells with a riding fastball in the third. It his 15th hit batsman of the season, tops on the Red Sox and second in the league to the 18 plunked by Tampa Bay's Casey Fossum . . . Lumbering David Ortiz was credited with 11th infield hit on a grounder to the right side in the sixth . . . Manny Ramirez's 42nd homer, a two-run shot into the Toronto bullpen in the sixth, was the 432nd of his career, pushing him past Cal Ripken and into 34th place on baseball's all-time list . . .

Posted by   at 7:42 PM | Permalink

Almost no leg to stand on

Boston catcher Jason Varitek has become very good at sticking his left leg out at the last second to block the plate on an unsuspecting baserunner.

Several times that ploy has resulted in the baserunner hitting his foot and hopping over the plate without touching it, giving Varitek a chance to grab a throw and tag out the runner. Such a play on Oakland's Eric Byrnes helped Boston win a playoff series in 2003.

But that maneuver also can put his foot and leg at risk. And Thursday night he almost paid for doing it.

Eric Hinske was trying to steal third base in the second inning. Varitek's throw sailed off the glove of third baseman Bill Mueller and rolled into left field.

Hinske took a while to get up and head for home. Left fielder Manny Ramirez fielded the ball and threw to the plate. At the last second, Varitek threw out his left leg. Hinske, though, slid right through the obstacle, scoring the run. Varitek moved gingerly for a few seconds after Hinske's slide, but shook it off and stayed in the game.

Posted by   at 7:30 PM | Permalink

Arroyo to the bullpen

Bronson Arroyo, who lasted only three-plus innings in his 79-pitch start Wednesday night, will be in the bullpen beginning Friday night when the Yankees invade Fenway Park.

How much Arroyo has to be used will have a direct impact on the Sox' starting pitching plans for Monday, when a playoff game between Boston and New York would be played in Yankee Stadium if the teams finished tied for the American League East title and a wild-card berth had been claimed by Cleveland.

Arroyo would be on his normal rest for Monday. If he has to pitch over the weekend, the Red Sox will have to find a Plan B.

Boston manager Terry Francona said Thursday afternoon that he wouldn't hold back pitchers Friday or Saturday just to have them fresh in case they're needed for Monday. But if, going into Sunday's game there's a chance there could be a game Monday, Francona said the Sox would determine at that time who might be starting that game and use the pitching staff accordingly on Sunday.

Posted by   at 5:40 PM | Permalink

Youkilis ready this weekend?

Kevin Youkilis, who suffered a fracture of the tip of his right ring finger on Sept. 18, could be an option off the bench for manager Terry Francona this weekend in the big series against the Yankees.

Youkilis has been taking batting practice the last few days. Francona said Thursday night he wouldn't start Youkilis, necessarily, but would consider him as a pinch hitter.

First things first, though. The Sox' medical staff has to weigh in.

``There's a chance he'll be cleared for us to use off the bench,'' said Francona. ``He swung the bat okay (Wednesday).''

Posted by   at 5:36 PM | Permalink

MVP -- Ortiz or A-Rod?

One major backdrop that will play out over the weekend concerns the MVP race in the American League.

Boston's David Ortiz and New York's Alex Rodriguez are the top two candidates, with one last chance to influence voters as to their value to their respective teams when the Red Sox host the Yankees in the crucial three-game series, beginning Friday night.

Some opinions on who should get the award were offered in the Boston clubhouse Thursday afternoon.

Catcher Jason Varitek was asked if the MVP award should go to the team that wins the American League East.

``No, I think it should go to David Ortiz, period,'' said Varitek.

``It's a unique situation,'' said Kevin Millar. ``We all know how valuable David has been around here for our team. Alex has been put up some great numbers. Where would (the Angels) be without Vladimir (Guerrero)? And how about (Yankee reliever) Mariano Rivera. If ever a relief closer could be MVP, here's that guy. They're all great players.''

``I think (Ortiz) is the MVP. He's on our team. I'm biased,'' said Boston manager Terry Francona.

``I don't get wrapped up or care about individual awards, but if someone has watched our season, David has had a very special season for this ballclub. I hope he wins it,'' said general manager Theo Epstein.

Posted by   at 5:25 PM | Permalink

Sox acquire veteran lefty Mike Stanton

There were only four games remaining on the Red Sox' regular-season schedule, and there's the specter of a fifth game, a playoff game against New York at Yankee Stadium on Monday should the teams finished tied at the top in the American League East.

But Boston general manager Theo Epstein couldn't pass up veteran left-hander Mike Stanton, whom the Washington Nationals were ready to make available.

So Epstein acquired the well traveled Stanton for a pair of undistinguished minor league right-handers, Rhys Taylor and Yader Peralta.

Stanton, 38, who was released by the Yankees on July 1 and signed with the Nationals 12 days later, was expected to join the Red Sox for his second stint around the scheduled first pitch. Stanton pitched for Boston in 1995-1996.

Overall this year Stanton is 3-3 with a 4.75 earned-run average in 55 games for New York and Washington.

How he was to be used wasn't clear as rain fell at Fenway Park Thursday afternoon, but Stanton likely wil give Boston another situational left-hander to go along with Mike Myers, especially with New York's lineup featuring left-handed hitters Jason Giambi and Hideki Matsui with right-handed hitter Gary Sheffield in between.

``These last four or five games are likely to be close games, and maybe extra innings, and if we didn't get him and had a situation where Tito could have used him to get an out, we couldn't have lived with ourselves,'' said Epstein.

``This is not a panic or desperation move,'' said Epstein. ``We had the opportunity to add a pitcher at a very low acquisition cost for the last four or maybe five games.''

Stanton's E.R.A. was over 7.00 when the Yankees released him, but seemed to have regained his touch with the Nationals.

``Our scouting reports were decent,'' said Epstein. ``He's excited. He's pitched in this rivalry before. He was released by the Yankees and he's being brought in and could be given a chance to beat them.''

Epstein and Francona conceded that it is rare to make a trade this close to the end of the regular season. While the Sox made room for Stanton on the 40-man roster by moving injured pitcher Wade Miller to the 60-day disabled list, Stanton will not be eligible for the postseason roster because he wasn't in the Boston organization as of Sept .1.

Still, every game, every out now is important. And if Stanton can help, well, that's why he'll be here.

``Our goal is to get to the playoffs,'' said Francona. ``We want to do well in the playoffs, but we have to get there first. If he comes in and gets one hitter out, that might be enough.''

Posted by   at 3:40 PM | Permalink

Lilly no shrinking violet vs. Boston

It only seems as if Ted Lilly beats the Red Sox every time he pitches against them.

The truth is that Boston has beaten him three times. The left-hander was only 3-3 against the Sox lifetime. But he has saved some of his best games for Boston.

And Wednesday night was no exception. One start after getting knocked out in the second inning by the Yankees, Lilly continued his recent mastery of the Red Sox, limiting them to two runs in 6 2/3 innings on a night when the wind was blowing out.

The effort trimmed Lilly's earned-run average against the Sox this season to 2.40 in five starts. He's 3-0 versus Boston this year.

``Lilly's been real tough on us for a couple of years,'' said Boston manager Terry Francona. ``I didn't think he had his best stuff to start the game. He was fighting himself a little early, but when they padded their lead, he got more confident and relaxed. He got into a great rhythm.''

How can Lilly's hex over the Sox be explained?

``He's got good stuff, but it seems like when we face him he has it,'' said David Ortiz. ``I watched him pitch against the Yankees (last week) and everything he threw was over the plate. Sometimes it's like a hitter. When you feel confident against a pitcher, it doesn't matter if it's his best night, you feel you can hit anything. When he pitches against us, it's like it's always his best night.''

Posted by   at 9:53 PM | Permalink

Give that man a save

Lenny DiNardo's night didn't get off to the best of beginnings Wednesday night.

And the left-hander certainly didn't qualify for an official save. But his four-inning outing at least saved the Red Sox bullpen from getting too much work as the regular season dwindles down.

DiNardo, pitching for the first time since Sept. 20, allowed one hit, walked three and fanned two in relief of struggling starter Bronson Arroyo. Unfortunately for DiNardo and the Sox, that one hit happened to be to the first batter he faced, Frank Catalanotto, who lofted a two-run double off the wall in left, putting Toronto up, 7-1, in the fourth.

Posted by   at 9:47 PM | Permalink

Bunt? Big Papi?? Say it ain't so!

All that open field in fair territory was too tempting for David Ortiz.

The Blue Jays went into their shift, pulling the second baseman over to right field, the shortstop to the second-base side of the bag and the third baseman to shortstop, shading second when Big Papi came to the plate in the seventh.

The Sox were losing, 7-2. There was one out and a runner at first. The Sox needed baserunners, but Ortiz is an MVP candidate, and he didn't get to that lofty status by bunting, even if he did bunt for a hit in a game in Anaheim in August.

Ortiz, who twice earlier in the series had faked bunts, this time tried to drop one down. But it was a bad bunt. Catcher Gregg Zaun pounced on it in front of the plate and threw out Edgar Renteria, trying to advance from first to second, blunting another potential rally before it had a chance to start.

No doubt the Jays were thankful Ortiz elected to play a little small-ball on his own.

Ortiz was only 5 for 25 in his career against Toronto pitcher Ted Lilly when he attempted the bunt. But Ortiz had drilled an RBI single to left-center in his previous at-bat against Lilly.

Boston manager Terry Francona said he didn't think it was such a bad play. Further, he thought it showed what a thinking-man's player Ortiz is.

``Ortiz was just trying to get some runners on base,'' said Francona. ``He's achieved so much this year. That just shows how team-oriented he is. It's awesome the way he tried to help the ballclub. Manny (Ramirez) was on-deck. A two-run homer (by Ortiz) doesn't tie the game.''

Ortiz said he was motivated partially by his lack of success against Lilly as well as the scoreboard.

``We're facing this guy who is really dealing against us, making good pitches against us. If I hit a homer it doesn't matter. We'll still be down by a bunch of runs. They had space open (on the field) and I just tried to get on base for Manny. If he hits a homer, we're closer,'' said Ortiz, explaining his decision to bunt.

Posted by   at 9:40 PM | Permalink

Bad Gamble

With the Red Sox down, 7-2, and two outs in the sixth Wednesday night, Tony Graffanino ripped a shot to the base of the Green Monster in left-center.

Graffanino is one of the Sox' best baserunners. But this time, he made a questionable decision, given the score, and he and the Red Sox paid for it.

The Sox second baseman tried to stretch the hit into a double. When he hit the ball, it looked like a certain double. But the ball took a quick carom right to center fielder Vernon Wells, who made a strong throw to second baseman Aaron Hill.

Graffanino tried to slide around the tag, and he may have done it (replays were inconclusive), but he was called out by Brian O'Nora, ending the inning.

Posted by   at 9:23 PM | Permalink

Big Papi Moves Up

David Ortiz moved into a tie for fifth place on the Red Sox' all-time single-season RBI list by smacking a run-scoring single in the fifth.

It was his 144th RBI, pulling him even with Walt Dropo and Vern Stephens, each of whom had 144 in 1950. Next up on the list for Ortiz is Ted Williams, who knocked in 145 in 1939.

The hit came off a nemesis of Ortiz, Toronto left-hander Ted Lilly. Ortiz was only 4 for 24 against Lilly, including 0 for 2 Wednesday night, before his RBI single.

Posted by   at 9:04 PM | Permalink

Game of Inches

Johnny Damon's 192nd hit of the year fell safely to the Fenway Park turf by an inch.

Damon led off the third by lining a shot to right. Toronto right fielder Reed Johnson raced in and reached down for the ball on the dead run, the ball settling in the web of his glove.

He quickly held it up to show second base umpire Brian O'Nora that he had it. But O'Nora, who had done his job by hustling into the outfield to get a good view of the play, wasn't buying the act. He emphatically slapped the ground with his hand, indicating the ball had hit the grass before settling in Johnson's glove.

Johnson put up a mild protest, and Toronto manager John Gibbons came out of the dugout to have a chat with O'Nora, but got nowhere and replays seemed to back up O'Nora's call.

Damon, meanwhile, has racked up the second-highest hit total in his career. He had 214 for Kansas City in 2000. His best for the Sox was 189, last year's total.

Posted by   at 8:07 PM | Permalink

That darn "Cat"

Frank Catalanotto, a career .324 hitter against Boston entering the season, has kept up his assault on Red Sox pitching in this series.

Wednesday night, Catalanotto tripled off the center-field fence in the first inning and hooked a solo homer around the Pesky Pole in the third. Those two hits gave him six in a row over a two-game span.

His streak reached seven consecutive hits when he lofted a two-run double off the Green Monster in the fourth, leaving him just a single shy of the cycle.

The string was snapped in his next at-bat, when Catalanotto grounded out to second base in the sixth.

Posted by   at 7:52 PM | Permalink

This and That

Edgar Renteria's homer into the center-field bleachers in the bottom of the first Wednesday night snapped his homerless streak at 138 at-bats, since his game-winning three-run homer in Anaheim on Aug. 21. It was his first homer at Fenway since he took Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir deep on April 17 . . . Toronto right fielder Reed Johnson robbed struggling Jason Varitek of extra bases and in the process short-circuited a budding Boston rally with a diving catch in right-center with two on and two out in the fifth . . . Scott Schoeneweis, cousin of Jeremy Kapstein, Red Sox senior advisor for baseball projects, made his league-leading 80th appearance. The left-hander retired both batters he faced in the eighth, ending a Boston threat. He set down the Sox in the ninth, allowing just a single to David Ortiz . . . Lenny DiNardo's four-inning stint was the second-longest bullpen outing for the Sox this season. John Halama went 4 1/3 on May 30 against Baltimore . . . Jason Varitek's 0-for-3 dropped his average to .279. He is batting only .206 (28 for 136) over his last 38 games. When the slump began, he was batting .311. He has only 11 RBI over his last 32 games despite batting fifth or sixth most of the time.

Posted by   at 7:26 PM | Permalink

First-inning woes; Gone by the 4th

Bronson Arroyo has been having trouble in the first inning lately.

When Frank Catalanotto tripled off the center-field fence and Vernon Wells followed with a two-run missle into the Monster seats in the first inning Wednesday night, it marked the third time in his last five starts that Arroyo had coughed up a pair of first-inning runs.

The promising aspect of it all? Arroyo had won the previous two starts in which he surrendered two runs in the first.

Unfortunately, Arroyo's luck didn't hold in that regard. He was lifted after being unable to retire any of the three batters he faced in the fourth.

By the time the fourth was over, Arroyo had been charged with seven earned runs and the Red Sox were losing, 7-1.

It was Arroyo's worst outing in a long time. He had been 4-0 with a 3.60 earned-run average in his previous five starts, and he had permitted more than four runs in only one of his previous 11 starts.

The right-hander was bashed for three homers, tying a season high. It was his shortest outing since he lasted only 3 2/3 innings on Aug. 5 at Minnesota. His only shorter start came on May 30, when he was lifted after only 2 2/3 innings at home against Baltimore.

Posted by   at 7:21 PM | Permalink

Timlin: BoSox Club Man of the Year

Reliever Mike Timlin was announced Wednesday night as the BoSox Club's Man of the Year. The award is given for contributions to the success of the Red Sox and for cooperation in community endeavors. Timlin is the 39th recipient of the award. The award will be given to Timlin Thursday at noon at the BoSox Club luncheon.

Posted by   at 6:31 PM | Permalink

Who gets the loot?

After batting practice Wednesday, a select group of Red Sox were heading to the polls, as it were.

They were to vote on potential playoff shares, should the Sox make the postseason. But only players who have been with the team all year were allowed to vote on the matter.

The list of voting members was Bill Mueller, Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon, Kevin Millar, Edgar Renteria, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, Doug Mirabelli, Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Mike Timlin, Mike Myers, David Wells and Keith Foulke.

Player who have been with the team all year are due full shares, but the decisions come on players who have not spent the season in Boston. They get various percentages of a full share, which was the reason for the vote.

Posted by   at 5:02 PM | Permalink

God's Plan? Or FOX-TV's plan?

After Tuesday night's game, Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon, looked ahead to the weekend's showdown with the New York Yankees with a divisional title and possibly the American League East's only playoff spot on the line.

It was a bit of fortuitous scheduling, he said.

``It's the master plan, God's way, Red Sox-Yankees,'' he said.

Boston manager Terry Francona was asked Wednesday afternoon how he felt about Damon's assessment.

``I don't know if it was God's master plan. I thought it was FOX's,'' joked Francona, referring to the network that will televise the Saturday afternoon matchup.

``My master plan would have had the weekend mean nothing and us be up. I have a feeling that would have been the Yankees' plan, too,'' he said.

Posted by   at 4:56 PM | Permalink

Foulke headed for right knee surgery

Keith Foulke was back in the Red Sox clubhouse yesterday, but as the rest of the team got dressed for batting practice, the injured closer was preparing to meet with team doctors to discuss what will be done to help heal his ailing right knee.

And, as Foulke admitted, the likely path was an arthroscopic procedure to clean out the knee, a similar procedure to what was done in early July to address the left knee discomfort that contributed to his poor performances.

He said the procedure probably would be done in Boston, presided over by team physician Thomas Gill and his staff, and that the rehabilitation would be done in Arizona.

Foulke said his right knee doesn't feel as bad as his left knee did. Foulke, who has said that in retrospect he wishes he had addressed these knee issues in spring training, said he expects to be re-en ergized and raring to go when spring training rolls around in February.

By shutting it down now, he said, it will give his left knee more time to heal. Foulke had returned to the Sox' roster on Sept. 1. He pitched in six games, allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings. But because he had altered his pitching mechanics to take some pressure off his left knee, he said he began experiencing pain in his right shoulder. That problem has lessened since Sept. 18, when Foulke last pitched, and he said he didn't expect to have any tests done on the shoulder because the inactivity has helped relieve the discomfort he was feeling.

``There were three days in Tampa (Sept. 19-21) I couldn't throw. I probably strained something (in the shoulder) but I didn't push it that much. It's not like I was pitching well. I probably couldn't help the team down the stretch pitching one day and having to take three days off,'' said Foulke, who finished the year 5-5 with a 5.91 earned-run average and 15 saves in 19 chances.

``This spring (2006) will be the first one I'll enjoy going to. I have a lot of work to do over the winter but I'm going to be excited about beinjg able to pitch the way I can pitch and get back to being a dominant pitcher,'' said Foulke, 32, who saved 32 games during the 2005 season and then racked up three saves in helping Boston win its first World Championship in 86 years.

Foulke said it's difficult for him to watch baseball on TV anyway (``It's a pretty boring game to watch''), and it's more difficult to watch his teammates knowing he can't help. That's what made even his visit yesterday to the clubhouse difficult on him, he said.

``It's miserable. When you come back it's nice to see the guys, but they're all getting ready to play and I'm twiddling my thumbs. It's depressing is what it is,'' said Foulke after turning down the loud music to accommodate the media in an unusual-for-him display of respect for the media.

Foulke said he didn't know how much time he'd be around the Sox as the season winds down and hopefully for them moves into the postseason.

``It depends on when the surgery is done,'' said Foulke. ``It's hard being here and not being able to do anything. Hopefully there will be a lot of celebrations in here, but it will be awkward not being part of it.''

Posted by   at 4:31 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Red Sox-Yankees -- it's Destiny

The Sox know they have to play Toronto two more times after splitting Tuesday's day-night doubleheader.

And they're trying to play them one at a time.

But ever since they received the 2005 schedule they had a feeling that the last weekend of the season, when the Yankees visit Fenway Park for a three-game set, would be crucial for playoff hopes.

That, of course, is proving true. With five games to go, the teams are tied for the top in the American League East, not to mention tied with Cleveland for the wild-card spot.

Three-game series don't get any more important than this weekend's with New York.

``We can't be kidding ourselves,'' said Johnny Damon. ``It's going to be an incredible weekend. It's the master plan, God's way, Yankees-Red Sox. We're even now. We just need to try to win some games before that series starts.''

Posted by   at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Welcome to Fenway, Craig Hansen

Craig Hansen, the fire-balling rookie right-hander, made his Fenway Park debut Tuesday night.

And he didn't get to break in in any cushy situation. Manager Terry Francona called on Hansen with runners at second and third and one out in a 5-5 game.

Hansen struggled in his third big-league outing. He gave up a go-ahead sacrifice fly to right to Russ Adams, an infield single to Frank Catalanotto and a walk to Vernon Wells that loaded the bases before escaping further damage on Corey Koskie's 2-and-0 drive that was hauled in a few feet from the center-field fence by Johnny Damon.

He also got a bit lucky to keep the Jays from scoring more. He uncorked a wild pitch with the bases full that was so wild, it hit the back wall on the fly and bounced quickly back toward catcher Jason Varitek, freezing the runners.

One curious aspect of Hansen's outing was his pitch selection. Hansen, taken by the Sox with the 26th pick in the first round of last spring's draft, is known for a fastball that can reach 96 miles an hour, as it did on a few occasions last night. And while the former St. John's University All-American has a good slider, his bread and butter is his heater.

But his pitch sequence to Wells, with runners at first and third and two outs was slider (ball), slider (ball), slider (strike), fastball (ball), slider (strike), fastball (foul), slider (ball). And for Koskie it was slider (ball), slider (ball), fastball (crushed deep to center).

``I feel as comfortable with my slider as I do with my fastball,'' said Hansen, 22. ``I thought how exciting (pitching at Fenway) would be, but it was more than I thought. It was very loud. Every time I go out there is just another step in my career. Every time gets a little easier. My nerves are calming down a little bit.''

Posted by   at 10:11 PM | Permalink

So-so Schilling outing

If the Red Sox' season comes down to the final game of the regular season in a win-or-go-home situation, Boston's starter will be Curt Schilling.

But the erstwhile ace right-hander didn't offer any evidence Tuesday night that the Red Sox and their fans should be supremely confident when he takes the mound against the New York Yankees.

Schilling was tagged for five runs on 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings. He coughed up leads of 3-0 and 5-2. And while he fanned eight, with his fastball topping out at 94 miles an hour, he also was hit hard, with even several of the outs recorded on rockets that found their way to Red Sox gloves.

He coughed up a two-run homer to Gregg Zaun in the fourth, gave up two more runs in the fifth on three straight hits and a sacrifice fly to open the inning, and left after surrendering the run that tied the game at 5-5. That run was produced by Vernon Wells, who got on top of a high fastball and drilled it to center for a single.

Schilling left runners at first and third. And as he exited, he barked at plate umpire Brian O'Nora, apparently upset with a call on a 1-and-1 pitch to Wells. Schilling and catcher Jason Varitek thought Wells had tipped the ball on his half-swing, but O'Nora said he hadn't.

That made the count 2 and 1 instead of 1 and 2. Eventually Wells smoked Schilling's 115th and final pitch.

Since returning to the rotation, Schilling has a 5.56 earned-run average.

As usual, Schilling was hard on himself.

``We have a winnable game sitting there with the chance to be in first place all alone with me on the mound. In my mind that's a lock and it wasn't. That's the most disappointing thing. I just pitched horribly in a bunch of situations. I was letting them feel like they were in the game the whole way. I'm not shutting them down and that's not something I'm accustomed to.

Health isn't a factor, he said.

``I'm healthy. That's the problem. I can't point to anything except I'm pitching like crap. I'm fine. I'm just not pitching well. It's been a long time. It's frustrating,'' he said.

Posted by   at 9:48 PM | Permalink

Damon's left shoulder hurting?

Boston center fielder Johnny Damon charged Vernon Wells' game-tying single to center in the seventh and threw the ball back into the infield.

And after he let the ball go, it looked as if he was in pain. Coming quickly to mind was the fact that he has been hampered by a strained left rotator cuff, prompting him to have two cortisone shots in the troublesome shoulder in a span of 11 days, the second of which was administered on Sept. 20.

After Tuesday night's game, though, Damon said it wasn't his shoulder that was bothering him.

``I had a cramp in my calfs,'' said Damon. ``My shoulder's fine. But my whole body was cramping up from around the fourth or fifth inning. I was drinking so many fluids. We were here so long today it felt like I was working out for 13 hours.''

Posted by   at 9:35 PM | Permalink

Scoreboard watching

At 8:00, with the count 2 and 2 on Manny Ramirez in the third inning, a roar went up from the crowd.

Ramirez, looking mystified, stepped out of the batter's box.

The cheer was for the scoreboard on the Green Monster, which showed that Baltimore had taken a 5-1 lead over the New York Yankees in the second inning. The Sox and the Yanks, of course, were tied for first in the American League East as they played their respective games.

At 8:50, all was quite when the score changed again -- New York 7, Baltimore 5, in the fourth inning.

But as Toronto manager John Gibbons made a call to his bullpen in the sixth, another loud roar engulfed Fenway Park as Jason Frasor trotted in. No, it wasn't because Frasor happens to be a favorite son.

The cheer was because of yet another change on the scoreboard. Baltimore overtook the Yanks in the bottom of the fourth, and the numbers on the Monster reflected the change -- Baltimore 8, New York 7.

It was a situation that clearly bore watching.

Posted by   at 9:11 PM | Permalink

Fast start, early shower

Toronto rookie left-hander Gustavo Chacin was sharp at the outset.

Chacin retired seven of the first eight batters he faced, dispatching the Red Sox on only 24 pitches over that stretch.

But Chacin was knocked out after only 3 2/3 innings, charged with five runs. Of the last 13 batters to face him, 9 got hits, and most were hit very hard, as were some of the outs.

Posted by   at 8:35 PM | Permalink

Multiple damage

For the first 105 games, Johnny Damon's hits came in bunches.

Over that span, Damon notched 45 multiple-hit games.

Lately, hits have been more difficult to come by for the Red Sox center fielder. Entering the night game, Damon had managed only 7 multiple-hit games in his previous 37.

But after his third at-bat, in the fourth inning, Damon already was 2 for 3. His double in the third contributed to a three-run flurry, and in the fourth, he had an RBI single in Boston's two-run rally that produced a 5-2 advantage.

Posted by   at 8:23 PM | Permalink

Ahead, but behind

One basic tenet of pitching is to get ahead in the count. If you do that, it increases your odds of having success.

Tell that to the Jays' Gustavo Chacin, who started the night game. The rookie left-hander got ahead of four straight hitters in the third inning, and promptly surrendered four straight hits and three runs.

Tony Graffanino bounced an 0-and-1 pitch over Chacin's head and into center field for a single; Johnny Damon slapped an 0-and-1 pitch for a double inside the third-base bag; Edgar Renteria crushed a two-run double off the Green Monster on a 1-and-2 pitch and David Ortiz laced an 0-and-1 pitch to right for an RBI single.

Just like that, it was 3-0, Red Sox.

Chacin had retired the previous four batters on a total of seven pitches.

Posted by   at 7:57 PM | Permalink

A Close Call

Curt Schilling, whose celebrated right ankle woes included surgery last fall, escaped with just a bruise on his left knee on a hard shot hit back up the middle by Frank Catalanotto in the third.

The sharply struck one-hopper hit off the inside of Schilling's left knee as he completed his follow-through. The ball ricocheted toward second baseman Tony Graffanino, who picked up the ball and made a throw to first that was just a shade too late to get Catalanotto.

Schilling just shook off the blow. He wasn't limping and the training staff never left the dugout.

Posted by   at 7:49 PM | Permalink

Not a big hit

The Jays' Corey Koskie thought the first pitch from Curt Schilling hit him on the right elbow, so after the pitch settled into catcher Jason Varitek's mitt, he threw his bat toward the Toronto dugout and began to go to first.

But plate umpire Bill Welke called him back. He ruled the pitch had not hit Koskie, calling it a ball.

Koskie objected and so did Toronto manager John Gibbons, who came out of the dugout to join the relatively mild argument. Welke's word, though, was the only one that counted, even though a replay showed he was mistaken.

No matter. Koskie wound up getting a free pass to first base anyway, on a walk.

Posted by   at 7:15 PM | Permalink

Pregame ceremonies

In ceremonies prior to the night game of the doubleheader, the Red Sox honored their 2005 minor league award winners.

Left-hander Jon Lester, 21, the Eastern league Pitcher of the Year after going 11-6 with a league-leading 2.61 earned-run average for Double A Portland, was the organization's Pitcher of the Year.

Dustin Pedroia, 22, a second baseman who played for Portland and Pawtucket, was the Offensive Player of the Year. Outfielder David Murphy (Defensive Player of the Year), Infielder/outfielder Alejandro Machado (Baserunner of the Year), left-hander Felix Doubront (Latin Pitcher of the Year) and first baseman/outfielder Carlos Fernandez (Latin Player of the Year) also were honored.

In addition, Red Sox legend Johnny Pesky was introduced to the crowd on the occasion of his 86th birthday.

Posted by   at 6:52 PM | Permalink

Going for two

So now that the Red Sox have held serve, tumbling the Blue Jays, 3-1, in the opener of the day-night doubleheader, and pulling back into a tie with the New York Yankees in the American League East, it was time for a few hours of relaxation before trying for a sweep of Toronto.

Curt Schilling, who had been rained out of Monday night's start, is to face left-hander Gustavo Chacin. Schilling is 1-0 against the Jays this season, having beaten them, 12-7, on Patriots Day. Chacin is 1-0 in two starts against the Sox this year.

Posted by   at 4:49 PM | Permalink

This and that, Game 1

Edgar Renteria was charged with his 30th error of the year when he bobbled a hard hopper hit by Aaron Hill in the seventh. He's the first Red Sox shortstop to commit 30 errors since Jackie Guttierez was guilty of 31 miscues in 1984. Previous to that, the only 30-error Red Sox shortstop was Rick Burleson (34 in 1976) . . . Manny Ramirez was tagged with his seventh error when he misplayed a ball off the wall by Frank Menechino from a single into a double in the fifth . . . Third baseman Bill Mueller turned in a dazzling defensive play, snagging Vernon Wells' hard grounder on the backhand, spinning and firing a strike to first for the out in the fourth . . . Doug Mirabelli committed his fifth passed ball, and it came with a runner at third, producing the Jays' only run, in the fifth. It was the second time this year that has happened . . . The attendance of 35,700 was the largest at Fenway Park since a Sept. 28, 1990 game, also against the Blue Jays, drew 35,735 . . . David Ortiz, the league's top RBI man, knocked in two runs, boosting his total to 142. He had been held without an RBI in his previous four games.

Posted by   at 4:42 PM | Permalink

Who's at Home?

No one was covering the plate.

As a result, the Red Sox lost out on a glittering chance to pull off a double play that would have killed a budding Toronto rally in the eighth in the opener.

All's well that end's well, the Jays did not score in the inning. But it could have been easier after first baseman John Olerud had tracked down Vernon Wells' foul popup near the wall on the home-plate side of the Boston dugout.

The play began with Blue Jays at first and third and one out. Alex Rios, running from first, had taken off for second base on a stolen-base attempt. As he was sliding into second, thanks to a decoy by Edgar Renteria, Olerud and catcher Doug Mirabelli were chasing the foul popup.

As Olerud hauled in the ball, second baseman Alex Cora was at first base, yelling for the ball because Rios had just started back to the bag from second. Olerud, though, noticed home plate was uncovered -- rookie pitcher Jonathan Papelbon got caught watching the play and forgot to cover home.

Olerud started toward home, freezing the runner at third, but allowing Rios to slide safely back into first base.

``I knew Dougie was right with me, and when I looked up, I saw (Gregg Zaun) start running from third and I didn't see anyone at home. I didn't want to let the run score. I had Dougie in my ear, yelling `first, first, first,' but my first reaction was to go home,'' said Olerud.

Papelbon whiffed Shea Hillenbrand for the final out, making the lost easy out moot.

Posted by   at 3:24 PM | Permalink

Papelbon Power

Rookie Jonathan Papelbon, who clearly has become the Red Sox' main setup man, showed veteran's mettle in the eighth inning of the first game.

The power-armed right-hander, featuring an electric high fastball that consistently hit 93 and 94 miles and hour, and aided by the fact he was throwing out of the bright sunshine at the mound and into the shadows at home plate, worked in and out of trouble, preserving the Sox' 3-1 lead.

Papelbon was ahead of each of the five hitters he faced, either at 0-and-2 or 1-and-2. A walk and a bloop single put runners at first and third with one out.

But Papelbon set down the numbers three and four hitters, Vernon Wells and Shea Hillenbrand, on a foulout to first and a whiff. He ended the inning with a flourish. After zipping a pair of 94-mile-an-hour heaters past Hillenbrand, he finished him off with a nasty 84-mile-an-hour slider that Hillenbrand missed by a foot.

Papelbon, who lowered his earned-run average to 2.93 for his first 30 2/3 innings, has impressed his teammates.

``He has been awesome,'' said Sox center fielder Johnny Damon Monday night. ``He'll be a great pitcher in the near future. He's got a great demeanor. He gets the ball and takes care of business. He's not afraid of anybody. He's a big kid, a nice kid. You look at him and think this guy could possibly be great.''

Veteran Mike Timlin was especially impressed by Papelbon's ability to make adjustments in the heat of yesterday's struggle with the Jays.

``When he can fix things as they're going wrong on the mound, that's big,'' said Timlin, who wound up notching his 12th save.

Papelbon, meanwhile, credited veteran catcher Doug Mirabelli with helping him right himself in the middle of his inning.

``I was struggling with my fastball. It was riding (up) a bit. I wasn't staying through the target (with his delivery). Dougie noticed I was off a little bit. He came out and settled me down. He told me to stay on top of the ball and to throw the ball right through him. Fortunately I was able to make the adjustments,'' said Papelbon.

Papelbon threw all fastballs until the final pitch of his outing, the filthy slider that overmatched Hillenbrand.

Posted by   at 3:15 PM | Permalink

A strong Wake

Tim Wakefield continued his run of strong outings, allowing just one run -- and it was unearned -- in seven innings in the opener.

The knuckleballer threw 109 pitches, and is scheduled to come back for a final regular-season start Saturday against the Yankees, on three days' rest.

Wakefield lowered his earned-run average to 3.96, the first time it has been under 4.00 since it was 3.98 after a win at Texas on July 5.

In his seventh start since being knocked out, literally (liner off his right shin) in Anaheim on Aug. 18, Wakefield has posted a sterling 2.96 E.R.A. Over that stretch, in which he has gone 4-1 (his only loss was 1-0 duel to the Yankees' Randy Johnson) he has struck out 40 and walked only 10 in 54 2/3 innings.

Overall, Wakefield is 16-11.

``It's just what we needed,'' said manager Terry Francona. ``Wake was outstanding. He got us deep enough into the game. I think under ordinary circumstances we could have sent him back out there and he would have been fine. I don't think these are ordinary circumstances. He's throwing the ball so well.

``We don't want to know (where the Sox would be without him). I hope we don't find out. He's been so good and so consistent. His ball is moving all over the place but he's throwing strikes,'' added Francona.

Wakefield is well aware of the stakes at this time of year.

``It's pretty much a must-win. You can't get caught up in (the playoff atmosphere),'' said Wakefield. ``You just try to pitch one inning at a time and try to keep your team in the game as long as possible. I have a lot to be thankful for. I am very blessed to be able to still play at 39. It's not over yet. We still have a lot of games left and getting into the postseason is the most important thing. My personal stats don't mean a whole lot to me right now.''

Posted by   at 3:00 PM | Permalink

Sox behind the 8-ball?

During the top of the sixth of the opener a black balloon floated onto the field, landing in shallow left field and drifting over to shallow center.

The balloon resembled a pool ball, the eight-ball, with a black numeral 8 on a white background. The balloon was on the field for two pitches before a member of the grounds crew jumped out from the Blue Jays' bullpen and raced over to scoop it up during a break in the action.

Posted by   at 2:37 PM | Permalink

Sun 1, Left Fielders 1

The bright sunshine gave the left fielders trouble in the early going of the afternoon game.

But the Sox' defensively challenged Manny Ramirez got the better of ol' Sol, while the Jays' Gabe Gross was scorched.

Ramirez battled a high fly hit by Eric Hinske leading off the second. Ramirez backed up as the ball neared him, and turned away from the ball, clearly having trouble seeing it. He reached out his glove, made a backhanded stab at it about thigh-high and the ball nestled into his glove for a putout.

In the bottom of the inning, Gross tried to track down Alex Cora's two-out fly ball near the line. Gross also shied away from the ball as he slid feet-first to the line. He reached up his glove but wasn't as fortunate as Ramirez. The ball clanged off his glove and fell to the turf. Cora was credited with a lost-in-the-sun double.

Posted by   at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments 3

No defense for this

With Manny Ramirez at the plate, a runner at third and one out in the first inning, the Blue Jays were playing their infield back.

When the count went to 1 and 2, though, shortstop Guillermo Quiroz and second baseman Frank Menechino charged into an infield-in position as Dave Bush delivered the pitch. The pitch was a ball. On the next pitch, only Menechino charged. It was another ball.

For the 3-and-2 pitch, Menechino stayed in an infield-in position with Quiroz back.

Ramirez, though, drilled a single to center for an RBI, foiling the Jays' defensive alignment.

Posted by   at 1:33 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

What's he watching?

When the ball left Edgar Renteria's bat in the first inning of the day game, it looked as if the Red Sox shortstop had a home run.

At least, Renteria seemed to think so.

But the ball, knocked down by a strong wind, hit high off the wall. Renteria, in a bit of a home-run trot, had to hustle to make it to second for a double, and he caught a break because second baseman Frank Menechino seemed to concede the double.

Menechino fielded a one-hop throw from left fielder Gabe Gross, but didn't even look to slap a tag on Renteria, who still was several feet from the bag. So Renteria had a double, snapping an extra-base drought. Renteria had gone 56 at-bats over 13 games without an extra-base hit before the double, his 33rd of the year.

Renteria eventually scored as the Sox open up a quick 2-0 lead.

Posted by   at 1:26 PM | Permalink

Home Run? No, says umpire

On what promises to be a long day and night of baseball at Fenway Park, it took only two pitches before the first controversial call.

Toronto's Frank Catalanotto lofted Tim Wakefield's second pitch of the game high and deep over Pesky's Pole in right. First base umpire James Hoye watched it closely and called it foul, prompting a protest from Catalanotto, who put his hands up to his helmet in disbelief.

Jays manager John Gibbons joined the discussion, as did plate umpire Broian O'Nora, but the call wasn't reversed. A few pitches later, a disgusted Catalanotto was walking back to the plate, a strikeout victim.

Posted by   at 1:08 PM | Permalink

Sox' lineup

With the Toronto Blue Jays starting a right-hander (Dave Bush) in the day game, Boston manager Terry Francona is sending out a lineup that features a couple of platoon players.

John Olerud starts at first base instead of Kevin Millar, and Alex Cora is at second base instead of Tony Graffanino. The odds were good that Millar and Graffanino would be in the nightcap because the Blue Jays will start a left-hander, Gustavo Chacin.

There is one minor alteration in the batting order, though. Francona moved up Bill Mueller from eighth to sixth, putting the switch hitter between left-handed hitters Trot Nixon and Olerud, making potential bullpen matchups more difficult for Toronto manager John Gibbons.

Doug Mirabelli, starter Tim Wakefield's personal catcher, hits eighth.

Posted by   at 11:41 AM | Permalink

Win now, Worry about the next game later

On the rare occasions when the Red Sox are faced with playing a doubleheader, manager Terry Francona has used that situation to make sure everyone gets some playing time.

But today's day-night doubleheader is different. With only seven games remaining prior to the first pitch, and with a pennant and possibly a wild-card playoff berth on the line, Francona's playing-time philosophy changes.

And, even moreso than usual, they really have to take one game at a time, worrying about winning the first game without being as concerned with any fatigue factor in the nightcap.

``Mostly we're trying to win the game. If something crops up (such as an injury), we'll manage it, but it's not the time to divide playing time just to give at-bats to be sharp. We need to win every game,'' said Francona.

``What's in front of us is more important than what's down the road,'' he said. ``If we mess around here what happens down the road won't matter.''

But Francona also said he'd have to be careful how he uses the bullpen today. In the past, he could count on Keith Foulke being able to pitch in both ends of a doubleheader. Of this year's bullpen corps, Francona mentioned situational left-hander Mike Myers as one reliever he could use in both games. The situations in each game, though, would dictate if he had to bring in, say, Mike Timlin, for saves in both games if the Sox found themselves needing to close out wins.

Posted by   at 11:21 AM | Permalink

Youkilis Takes His Cuts

Kevin Youkilis, who suffered a fracture of the tip of his right ring finger on Sept. 18, hit in the cage Tuesday morning.

The session was promising, but there still are no guarantees that the infielder will be able to hit before the week is over, said manager Terry Francona.

``He tolerated it really well,'' said Francona. ``He might be ready for the middle-ish or the end of the week. If he's not, we haven't lost anything. If he is available, he's a pretty good hitter. It's what he can tolerate and can he be effective. I appreciate him trying.''

Posted by   at 10:50 AM | Permalink

Damon: No Hometown Discount

Johnny Damon, a free agent after this season, was quoted in today's New York Post as saying he would not give the Red Sox a hometown discount in negotiations in the offseason.

This morning, as he got ready to go out for batting practice in preparation for the "day" portion of the day-night doubleheader against Toronto, Damon said his focus is not on his contract situation.

``That's not of importance. I'm here to play baseball,'' said Damon, who was seen reading the story in the newspaper a few minutes earlier.

``The contract stuff, that may have, or could have been taken care of a long time ago. A lot of people want to know about the contract situation, but I want to know about making the playoffs,'' said Damon.

Damon, whose agent, Scott Boras, has a reputation for being a hard-line negotiator who seeks top dollar or beyond, will be seeking a multiyear deal. Reportedly he would have been satisfied this spring woith a four-year, $40-million dollar deal, similar to that signed by shortstop Edgar Renteria.

But the two sides never came close to agreeing on a new deal, and the Sox' usual policy is to wait until the season is over to negotiate. Damon has not been happy about that, but it certainly hasn't hurt his performance.

Damon, plagued by various injuries this season, nevertheless enters today's game fourth in the league in batting at .314. He also boasts the league's longest hitting streak, at 29 games.

``I don't think Johnny's distracted when he plays,'' said manager Terry Francona.

Posted by   at 10:39 AM | Permalink

Rained out; Day-Nighter Tuesday

The dire rain forecast proved accurate, forcing the postponement of Monday's night's scheduled Red Sox-Blue Jays game at Fenway Park.

The announcement came at 7:30, about a half-hour after the scheduled first pitch.

The rainout will be made up on Tuesday at 1 o'clock in the daytime portion of a day-night doubleheader. The nightcap will start at 7 p.m. Fans with tickets for the Monday night game will be able to use those tickets only for the day game. It was unclear as to whether fans unable to use the tickets would be eligible for a refund.

The postponement caused Boston manager Terry Francona to alter his rotation for the week. Curt Schilling, who was slated to start Monday night's game, will start the 7 o'clock game Tuesday, with Tim Wakefield, the scheduled Tuesday night starter, working the day game.

That will give Wakefield at least a few hours extra rest for his next start, which will come Saturday, on only three days' rest, against the Yankees at Fenway Park in the crucial series. Schilling, who had been slated to start that Saturday game, now will pitch Sunday in the regular-season finale on his normal four days' rest.

Posted by   at 7:55 PM | Permalink

Nixon Won't be Left Out

Trot Nixon, who has been held out of the lineup against left-handed pitchers often during his career, has been able to hit his way into the lineup against lefties late this season.

Even though the Blue Jays are slated to start left-handers in the final three games of the series, Nixon, a left-handed hitter, is likely to be in the starting lineup, albeit a bit lower in the batting order than fifth, which is where he generally hits against right-handers.

This season, Nixon is batting a decent .250 against lefties with a homer and nine RBI in 72 at-bats.

``He's staying on the ball pretty good against lefties,'' said manager Terry Francona. ``Righties can get you out, left-handers can embarrass you (as a left-handed hitter). But Trot's handling them very well.''

Posted by   at 5:24 PM | Permalink

But First, the Blue Jays

While the topic of conversation in the Red Sox' clubhouse quickly found its way to the season-ending series with the Yankees, a series that likely will determine the American League East winner and possibly the only divisional entrant to the playoffs, Boston has more pressing business to take care of right now.

That would be the Toronto Blue Jays, who have a four-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, beginning tonight, before Boston hosts New York.

The Sox haven't forgotten, they say, especially since the Blue Jays lead the season series, 9-5. Toronto is 76-79 for the season, trying to finish at .500 for the second time in three seasons.

``Every game we've lost to them, they've beaten us because they've flat-out outplayed us,'' said Boston manager Terry Francona. ``They've been very difficult for us, and I don't think that's a fluke.''

Posted by   at 5:16 PM | Permalink

Playoff Tested

The Red Sox view the final seven games of ths season as an early round of the postseason.

And, with veterans of last season's magical comeback against New York in the American League Championship Series, you can figure that this team won't panic should the first few days of this ``playoff'' week don't go Boston's way.

``(Being in tough situations) does help, but the Yankees have a lot of veterans, too. They know what they have to do,'' said Johnny Damon. ``But we've been in tight situations before. We are very loose. This is a team that knows how to win and knows what's on the line. We understand the concept that whoever plays better will win. We have confidence we'll play well.''

Manager Terry Francona, though, thinks it's more important for the Red Sox to focus on the present than reflect on the past. But having overcome a 3-0 deficit to the Yankees in winning the American League Championship Series can't be discounted in the team's psyche, either, he said.

``We've tried to put last year behind us, but if there's anything you can use for confidence, that's always good,'' said Francona. ``Any time you've done something in life it's good experience. The reality is that we have seven games left We have to win more than the other team. I think our guys have a real good (ability) to stay in the moment. If you look too far ahead or if you look too far behind, you might not be doing what you should be doing.''

Posted by   at 5:08 PM | Permalink

Home, Sweet Home

The Red Sox aren't counting any chickens, even though their final seven games are at home, including the crucial three-game season-ending set with the Yankees, despite the fact Boston boasts the majors' best home record.

But it could be the factor that gives the Red Sox the edge as they try to end the Yanks' domination (seven-year reign) in the American League East.

``We've been a better team at home,'' said manager Terry Francona. ``That doesn't mean we're going to win, but there are reasons we are better at home. One reason is we get the last at-bat. That's a big advantage. This club is built for this ballpark. We have left-handed hitters who hit the ball well to left and get rewarded for it. That doesn't mean we'll got 7-0 or 6-1, but if we play our normal game I feel confident we'll be okay.''

Johnny Damon agrees.

``Home has always been good to us,'' said Damon. ``The fans are the absolute best. We definitely don't want to disappoint them. We have guys who know how to take advantage of the Monster.''

Posted by   at 5:00 PM | Permalink

Day-Nighter? Schilling versus Yankees Sunday?

The weather forcast was threatening enough so that by the time manager Terry Francona met with the media about an hour ago, he was mentioning the possibility of a day-night doubleheader tomorrow to make up for the possibility of a rainout tonight.

Francona said the umpires had been advised about the storm, remnants of Hurricane Rita, that was headed toward Fenway Park.

Until the last series of the season between teams, the decision as to whether to play or postpone a game before the first pitch belongs to the home team. But for the final series between the teams -- which is the case with Toronto in time -- the umpires make that call.

If the game gets rained out, Curt Schilling, tonight's starter, would pitch one of the games tomorrow, and Tim Wakefield, tomorrow's scheduled starter, also would pitch. That scenario, though, throws off Schilling's days of rest between starts.

The right-hander, if he pitches tonight, would be in line to start again on Saturday in the pivotal series against the Yankees. If the game gets rained out, though, Francona said he would bring back Wakefield, scheduled to start the regular-season finale Sunday, a day early in the rotation to take Schilling's turn on Saturday. That would set up Schilling to pitch the final game of the regular season.

Posted by   at 4:53 PM | Permalink

No Foulke news

Manager Terry Francona said there was nothing new to report relative to the health and/or availability of Keith Foulke.

Foulke had said last Friday during a weekly radio appearance that he had been shut down for the year. But Francona has said the official decision hasn't been made.

But then again, the right-hander is 5-5 with a 5.91 earned-run average and four blown saves and hasn't pitched since Sept. 18, so clearly the Sox aren't willing to risk using him a tight situation, and with Foulke complaining about knee troubles, why wouldn't he be shut down and head for arthroscopic surgery?

Posted by   at 4:45 PM | Permalink

Youkilis to take some swings

Kevin Youkilis, who suffered a fracture at the tip of his right ring finger, was preparing to take some swings for the first time since suffering the injury while fielding a ground ball on Sept. 18.

Youkilis said he would be testing different types of padding to cushion the vibrations that travel down the bat when the wood meets the baseball.

``Throwing's not a problem,'' said Youkilis before heading to the cage to hit. ``I can grip the bat. It hurts a little, but I think I'll be okay. The doctors told me I should be ready for the ALCS.''

Manager Terry Francona appreciates Youkilis's desire to try to come back, but didn't seem overly optimistic about the infielder's chances to come back soon.

``It's gotta hurt,'' said Francona during his pregame chat with the media. ``It's awful. The doctor will check him, but we have to see what he can handle and how productive he can be.''

Posted by   at 4:39 PM | Permalink

Tarp on the field

The Red Sox grounds crew just started rolling out the tarpaulin in anticipation of showers, which could be heavy at times, according to weather services. Batting practice likely was scrapped before the game, with the teams expected to make use of the indoor cages.

Posted by   at 3:20 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Tale of two seasons

The difference is two games. But it feels like more. A lot more.

The two games I'm referring to is the difference between the 2004 Red Sox -- the World Series champion Red Sox -- and the 2005 Sox after 149 games. In '04, the Sox were 89-60 after 149 games; today, they're 87-62. But today they also sit in first place, with a 1 1/2-game lead over the Yankees, whereas last year after 149 games they were in second, trailing New York by 4 1/2.

(Their wild-card lead over Anaheim, however, was equal to their A.L. East deficit: 4 1/2 games. Were the Sox in the wild-card race this year, they'd be tied with the Indians.)

But even though the Sox' position is better -- at least divisionally speaking -- this time around, no one really thinks they're in better shape. The Yankees appear to (finally) have found their rhythm, which probably means the Sox are going to have to win this thing; it's unlikely the Yanks will fall back into their one-step-forward/one-step-back dance and make the road easier. The wild card hardly seems like the safety net it's always been for the A.L. East runnerup, not with the way Cleveland has scorched its way back into contention in the A.L. Central. They're in a race, in other words, which they really weren't last year. Last year, the wild card was a sure-thing consolation prize. Not so this time around.

That we know for a fact. Intuitively, we also feel a little more apprehensive this season . . . and with reason. The Sox are scoring fewer runs (831, compared to 860 after 149 games in '04) and allowing more (748, compared to 700) than they did last year, which really should speak to more than a two-game difference in the won-loss column. The reason it doesn't is somewhat astounding. To wit:

-- After 149 games in 2004, the Red Sox were 14-17 in one-run games. This year, they're 25-14.

-- Last year, they were 4-6 in extra-inning games at this time. This year: 6-2.

How can this be? How can a team with a worse offense and worse pitching -- and an exceptionally weaker bullpen -- be better in the types of games you'd think would require better pitching? Especially better relief pitching?

Two reasons:

1. One-run games really aren't the barometer of excellence most people believe. Fact is, good teams frequently have bad records in one-run games and bad teams frequently have good records. Plus, success in one-run games varies, and sometimes wildly, from year to year, which -- if it was a true measure of talent -- it wouldn't.

2. David Ortiz. Or, to be more accurate, the Sox' ability to pull out wins in their final at-bat (and Ortiz, as we know, is responsible for many of them). They've done so 19 times this year, eight times in walkoff fashion; at this time last year, they'd only had 14 final at-bat wins.

So even though we don't think of the '05 Sox as being built for the types of close and tight games that we associate with October baseball, they've actually done pretty well in them so far this year. Even with a bullpen that's been in disarray for most of the season, and a defense that can be described as anything except air-tight.

Just keep that in mind when despair -- sparked by something like scoring 10 runs in a four-game weekend series at Fenway Park -- begins to build.

One last note: The Yankees have shaved three games off the Sox' lead (in the loss column) since Sept. 1, and have picked up five games in the standings since July 1. In any other year, all you'd be hearing right now -- and I mean constantly, a steady drumbeat (especially from Fox) -- would be about The Curse, and Babe Ruth, and 1918, and Bucky Dent, and predestination, and Mystique and Aura, and . . . well, you know the drill.

Instead, there's been nothing. Nothing. A blissful silence, as everyone looks at this as just another pennant race.

I said it a million times, and it was true a million times: All the Red Sox had to do was win one. Just one. The minute they did, all that crapola would disappear forever.

And so it has. The fact that the Sox won it in the manner they did was icing on the cake, since it'll be a long time before any Yankee fan dares bring up the word "choke" in front of a Red Sox fan.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Posted by Art  at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments 2

Resume firing

Hello there. Remember me?

I went on vacation oh-so-long ago, and have just recently returned. Much has happened in my absence, and I apologize that it all happened without comment.

There'll be no comment today, either -- still cleaning up the post-vacation mess -- but the newsletter and the blog will resume Monday. When it does, we'll lay out a plan for the rest of the season, and postseason, that will include real-time entries and news as it happens.

Again, I'm sorry for the long interruption. But I think you're going to like what we're planning in the weeks ahead.

Posted by Art  at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments 1