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Beckett done for the day

Red Sox starter Josh Beckett left the game after four innings due to a irritation of the skin on the middle finger of his right hand. It's being described as "not a blister" by Sox PR guy John Blake. The right-hander completed four innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.

We'll have more after the game. . .

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 3:14 PM | Permalink

Forced rest

Mike Lowell, usually one of the pleasant personalities in the Sox clubhouse, is a bit grumpy today. The reason? Because he is not in the starting lineup.

It is part of manager Terry Francona’s practice to keep everyone fresh. Not only is Lowell off, but Dustin Pedroia, as well.

``We’ve got every lefty we have in there today,’’ Francona said. The statistics, he noted, show that Baltimore starter Jeremy Guthrie has more trouble with lefties than righties. Lefties are hitting over .400 against him.

Getting Cora in for Pedroia is easy compared with telling Lowell he was going to have the day off. Lowell does not like time off. And right now he is on a great run. Francona was asked if Lowell rolls his eyes when he is told he wil not play.

``That would be an understament,’’ he responded. ``But that’s pretty close.’’

Lowell acknowledged that he understood Francona’s reasoning. But that did not mean he had to be happy about it.

``I don’t mind it once in a while,’’ the third baseman said. ``I just know that we have inter-league games coming up in National League parks where I’ll have some time off. I know we have to do that to get David (Ortiz) in the lineups.’’ For those games, Kevin Youkilis will shift to third.

``I treat it as a day off,’’ Lowell said. ``I’m not taking any hitting on the field. In the fifth inning or so I’ll go to the cage and starting getting some swings in. If they need me, I’ll be ready.’’

Francona understands why Lowell wants to play.

``Mentally he’s great. He feels good about himself. I understand that,’’ he said. Still, the big picture is more important.

``We have a good team. (Eric) Hinske (who will play in Lowell’s place) will be just fine. It will be good for him. If they want to bring in a lefthander later, Lowell’s sitting there.
``I think it pays dividends not getting greedy,’’ Francona went on. ``It’s not always the easiest thing to do. Here you’ve got a guy who doesn’t want to sit. He’s swinging the bat really well. But I think you have to use good judgment.’’

Francona told Lowell a day ahead of time, as he tries to do in all such instances, about the day off.

Posted by Paul Kenyon  at 1:35 PM | Permalink

Jon Lester update

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester threw a 40-pitch bullpen session this morning at Fenway, and according to manager Terry Francona, it went well. The left-hander mostly worked on his off-speed stuff. He's scheduled to throw another bullpen on Wednesday.

Lester's left forearm tightened up on him during his second rehab start for the PawSox last week.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:17 PM | Permalink

The Pink Sox

Pink is the color of the day today at Fenway as the Red Sox participate in national Mother’s Day activities.

All over the clubhouse, Sox players were taking out and sampling deliveries of pink bats, all made as part of a Major League baseball program to help raise Breast Cancer awareness on Mother’s Day. Next month, on Father’s Day, a similar program will be held to help with the battle against prostate cancer.

For today, all players have been given shipments of pink bats that includes a breast cancer logo on the barrel. Some players also are wearing pink wristbands. Alex Cora was just out in the cage using one of the pink bats for batting practice. There is a note on the bulletin board in the clubhouse for players to hand in some of the pink bats so they can be sold at raffles to raise money for breast cancer research.

Also, workers in souvenir stands are setting up displays for sale of tiny pink bats.

Posted by Paul Kenyon  at 12:08 PM | Permalink

It's a development process

Red Sox manager Terry Francona has no problem pinch-hitting for Dustin Pedroia late in the game. The skipper has done it often this season and even though it must bother the rookie second baseman, Francona said Pedroia understands the situation.

"He's actually been swinging the bat pretty well," said Francona. "We have a guy (Alex Cora) right now who is hitting .430. In certain situations, like yesterday, (Baltimore pitcher Todd) Williams is much tougher on right-handers so it made sense.

"Pedroia has done a good job, especially lately," added the manager. "What he is now, is a part of our team. He's not trying to prove anything to me or anybody else. He's part of our team and he understands it."

Francona was quick to mention the total package the Sox have at second base.

"You put their numbers together we're probably near the top of the league," he said. "So, we're going to use both of them. The good side, Pedroia understands that. I don't think he likes getting pinch-hit for; I don't anybody that does. The competitor's part in you says 'I can succeed.' And, I'm glad he feels that way."

Earlier today, Pedroia was sitting at his locker stall and looked like a zombie. When asked what was up, he admitted he's feeling a little under the weather.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:02 PM | Permalink

Today's lineups updated

BALTIMORE
Brian Roberts, 4
Nick Markakis, 9
Miguel Tejada, 6
Ramon Hernandez, 2
Aubrey Huff, 5
Kevin Millar, 3
Jay Gibbons, DH
Jay Payton, 9
Corey Patterson, 8

BOSTON
Julio Lugo, 6
Coco Crisp, 8
David Ortiz, DH
Manny Ramirez, 7
J.D. Drew, 9
Kevin Youkilis, 5
Jason Varitek, 2
Eric Hinske, 3
Alex Cora, 4
Josh Beckett, SP

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:56 AM | Permalink