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Game Story: Wakefield pitches Sox to 2-1 victory

Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield needs to roll a seven.

That may not sound too good, but if the knuckleballer can consistently work into the seventh inning there’s a very good chance the Red Sox will win. That was the case last night as Wakefield worked 6 2/3 innings to help Boston to a 2-1 margin of victory over the Texas Rangers as the Red Sox returned home to Fenway Park after their recent 10-day nine-game road trip.

When Wakefield reaches the seventh inning, no more than that, he’s 6-2 this season.
The work load may just be coincidence, but the Red Sox needed his solid outing in a big way last night. He improves to 8-8 after allowing just one run on seven hits, including four walks and four strikeouts.

“It was one of those nights where I didn’t have my best stuff,” said Wakefield. “I felt like I made the pitches when I needed to make them. I was very fortunate in that aspect.”

It wasn’t all Wakefield, however, who proved crucial for Boston as it snapped three-game losing skid.

With the veteran tiring in the seventh and the Red Sox holding a one-run lead, reliever Manny Delcarmen began to warm up in the bullpen. When Texas put two men on in the seventh via a two-out single by Kenny Lofton and a walk to Jerry Hairston, manager Terry Francona decided Wakefield was done for the night and signaled for the right-hander.

“I would rather it was 6-1,” said the manager, “but that’s a tough spot to be in (for Delcarmen). He threw the ball very well when obviously the game is in the balance.”
Delcarmen walked the first batter he faced – Michael Young – to load the bases with clean-up hitter Sammy Sosa stepping into the box.

This was a pivotal point for Delcarmen, who has spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Pawtucket, and he responded.

With the bases loaded and a 3-1 count on Sosa the 36,756 fans at Fenway Park stood, got really loud to back the young hard-throwing righty and Delcarmen delivered – big time.

He threw a high 96-MPH fastball that Sosa fouled back. Delcarmen challenged the slugger again, and again Sosa fouled a 95-MPH offering back to the screen. Delcarmen finally won the battle when he blew the next pitch, another 96-MPH fastball, past Sosa for the out to end the threat as Boston retained its one-run lead.

“I tend to overthrow sometimes,” said Delcarmen. “Mike Lowell came over when it was 2-0 and told me to relax and trust my best stuff. This is the toughest spot for a pitcher to be in. With a 2-1 game and trying to save Wakefield’s game, you try to stay under control. I’m just happy I got out of it. Against Sammy Sosa was pretty cool.”

Delcarmen, who needed an outing like this one, gave a fist pump as he hopped off the mound and was congratulated by his teammates when got to the dugout.

“Our bullpen has done a great job all year,” said Wakefield. “Manny coming in and picking me up in the seventh inning, getting a huge out with the bases loaded against a guy who has 600 homers.”

From there everything fell into place nicely for the Red Sox. Lefty reliever Hideki Okajima worked a perfect eighth inning and closer Jonathan Papelbon earned his 19th save – albeit entertaining – of the season.

“That’s how you like to script it and it worked out for us tonight,”

It was your typical Red Sox victory of the season with solid starting pitching, effective bullpen work and just enough offense to get the job done.

“Wake was great,” said Francona. “He got us to a point in the game where we could match up. He was terrific and he had to be.”

Basically, it wasn’t craps.

--JOE McDONALD

Posted by Corey Bourassa  at 10:53 PM to McDonald | Permalink

Game Story: Tides blank PawSox

The Pawtucket Red Sox witnessed first hand last night why Garrett Olson is rated so highly by the Baltimore Orioles.

Olson, a 23-year old Californian, was a high pick in the 2005 draft who’s zoomed to Triple-A Norfolk in just his second full season of professional baseball. Last night at McCoy Stadium, the lefty starting pitcher struck out the first five PawSox he faced and went on to cruise to a 7-0 victory.

Olson allowed just two hits over seven innings and struck out 10 batters. His fastball cracked the low-90’s on the radar gun and his curveball and changeup kept the PawSox on their heels. Olson is rated by Baseball America as the Orioles’ sixth-best minor league prospect and the top lefty pitcher.

``He’s supposed to be our best pitching prospect and he’s doing a real good job,’’ said Norfolk manager Gary Allenson, a former PawSox catcher. ``He’s third in the league in strikeouts. He’s pitched. He’s getting the difference between a pitcher and a thrower.’’

Olson improved his record to 7-6 on the season with a 3.10 ERA. This was the second time he’s faced the PawSox this season. The first came on June 4 in Norfolk when the Sox managed two runs on five hits and squeaked out a 2-1 victory.

Olson said he was pleased with his control last night and benefited from the quick, five straight strikeout start.

``I just felt like I was able to put the ball where I wanted to,’’ he said. ``I went right after the hitters right away.’’

The win was the third in four games at McCoy for the Tides. The PawSox won on Thursday night but failed in an attempt to win two straight games for the first time since June 14. Pawtucket starter David Pauley (4-3) matched Olson for the first three and two-thirds innings with shutout pitching. J.R. House then rolled a grounder past Pauley that Bobby Scales miss-handled for an error. Pauley then hung a pitch that Mike Cervenak lifted to left field for a 2-run homer.

``A seeing-eye hit and then a home run, which can happen anytime in this ballpark,’’ said Allenson. ``That kind of got us going.’’

Pauley ran into major trouble in the fifth inning after allowing a walk, a single to center and them having a chopper by Luis Hernandez pop off his glove and nose for an error. With the bases loaded, Tike Redman singled in two runs, Elder Torres added an RBI single and House made it three hits in a row for another run and a 7-0 lead.

``You can’t take away the (Cervenak) home run but I was very pleased with Pauley,’’ said Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson. ``He pitched better than his line showed.’’

The PawSox’ Scales halted the game-opening strikeout streak with a grounder to third base to end the second inning but the home team didn’t manage a hit until David Murphy gapped a shot to left-center for a double in the fourth inning. Scales led off the fifth with a double but was stranded. Olson walked the first two PawSox in the eighth and that sent him to the showers in favor of Victor Moreno. He allowed just one hit in his two innings of work to close the game out.

--KEVIN McNAMARA

Posted by Corey Bourassa  at 10:38 PM to PawSox | Permalink

FINAL: Boston 2, Texas 1

BOSTON _ Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield needs to roll a seven.
That may not sound too good, but if the knuckleballer can consistently work into the seventh inning there’s a very good chance the Red Sox will win. That was the case ltonight as Wakefield worked 6 2/3 innings to help Boston to a 2-1 margin of victory over the Texas Rangers as the Red Sox returned home to Fenway Park after their recent 10-day nine-game road trip.
When Wakefield reaches the seventh inning, no more than that, he’s 6-2 this season.
The work load may just be coincidence, but the Red Sox needed his solid outing in a big way last night. He improves to 8-8 after allowing just one run on seven hits, including four walks and four strikeouts.

It wasn’t all Wakefield, however, who proved crucial for Boston as it snapped three-game losing skid.

With the veteran tiring, reliever Manny Delcarmen began to warm up in the bullpen. When Texas put two men on in the seventh via a two-out single by Kenny Lofton and a walk to Jerry Hairston, Francona decided Wakefield was done for the night and signaled for the right-hander.
Delcarmen walked the first batter he faced – Michael Young – to load the bases with clean-up hitter Sammy Sosa stepping into the box.
This was a pivotal point for Delcarmen, who has spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Pawtucket, and he responded.
With the bases loaded and a 3-1 count on Sosa the 36,756 fans at Fenway Park stood, got really loud to back the young hard-throwing righty and Delcarmen delivered – big time.
He threw a high 96-MPH fastball that Sosa fouled back. Delcarmen challenged the slugger again, and again Sosa fouled a 95-MPH offering back to the screen. Delcarmen finally won the battle when he blew the next pitch, another 96-MPH fastball, past Sosa for the out to end the threat as Boston retained its one-run lead.
Delcarmen, who needed an outing like this one, gave a fist pump as he hopped off the mound and was congratulated by his teammates when got to the dugout.
From there everything fell into place nicely for the Red Sox. Lefty reliever Hideki Okajima worked a perfect eighth inning and closer Jonathan Papelbon earned his 19th save of the season.
It was your typical Red Sox victory of the season with solid starting pitching, effective bullpen work and just enough offense to get the job done.

Basically, it wasn’t craps.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 9:53 PM | Permalink

Timlin throwing a bullpen session

During Red Sox batting practice today, reliever Mike Timlin was throwing a bullpen session with pitching coach John Farrell looking on. It’s a bit strange for a bullpen guy to throw a bullpen, but the 41-year-old right-hander has struggled all season and has battled through injuries, so a little extra work can only help. Timlin is 22 appearances shy of 1,000. It was clear during his session yesterday, he was working on his breaking pitches.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 5:11 PM | Permalink

Sox sign two

The Red Sox signed two more players that the club selected in June's draft. Fourth-round pitcher Brock Huntzinger and ninth-round selection, outfielder Kade Keowen, inked deals today.

Huntzinger will report to the Gulf Coast Red Sox and Keowen will head to the Lowell Spinners. So far, the Sox have signed 18 players selected in the draft.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:58 PM | Permalink

Clubhouse confidential

*Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp is out of the lineup tonight with a bruised thumb. Manager Terry Francona said the injury is not serious and he's expecting Crisp to be back in the lineup tomorrow. Wily Mo Pena will play center and hit seventh for Boston.

Crisp has a four-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games.

*Julio Lugo, who is 0 for his last 31, is also out of the lineup as Alex Cora is playing shortstop tonight. Francona said when a guy is struggling, as is Lugo, it's sometimes good to give that player a day or two off.

"We're not giving up on him," said Francona. "We're in this for the long term with Lugo. We're not going to run from him, that won't help."

*Red Sox pitcher Brendan Donnelly (forearm) is scheduled to throw off flat ground today and will be re-evaluated later on.

*Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement (remember him) will throw a bullpen session in Fort Myers tomorrow.

*Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling (shoulder) will be evaluated on Monday.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:32 PM | Permalink

Tonight's lineups

Texas has not posted its lineup yet.

BOSTON
Dustin Pedroia, 4
Kevin Youkilis, 3
David Ortiz, DH
Manny Ramirez, 7
J.D. Drew, 9
Mike Lowell, 5
Wily Mo Pena, 8
Alex Cora, 6
Doug Mirabelli, 2
Tim Wakefield, SP

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:29 PM | Permalink

Sox Streakers for June 29

Who's Hot
-Kevin Youkilis, 122 consecutive errorless games at first base.
-Coco Crisp, four-game hitting streak, during which he is 6 for 15; also 21 for 46 (.457) over his last 13 games.
-J.D. Drew, 8 for 19 over his last six games.
-For Texas: Michael Young, 13 for 31 (.419) over his last eight games.

Who's Not
-Julio Lugo, 0 for his last 31; has not had a hit since June 14.
-David Ortiz, went 7 for 32 (.219) on nine-game road trip.
-Manny Ramirez, 0 for his last 10; 1 for his last 16
-Tim Wakefield, 7.08 E.R.A. over his last eight starts
-For Texas: Brad Wilkerson, 9 for 59 (.186) in June, batting .224 for the season.

Rangers vs. Tim Wakefield
-Ramon Vazquez, 1 for 2 (.500)
-Brad Wilkerson, 4 for 10 (.400)
-Marlon Byrd, 2 for 5 (.400)
-Frank Catalanotto, 15 for 49 (.306), 3 HR
-Gerald Laird, 2 for 8 (.250)
-Kenny Lofton, 15 for 63 (.238), 1 HR
-Sammy Sosa, 4 for 17 (.235), 1 HR
-Michael Young, 7 for 35 (.200), 2 HR
-Ian Kinsler, 1 for 9 (.111)
-Jerry Hairston Jr., 2 for 24 (.083)
-Wakefield is 8-14 with a 5.85 E.R.A. in 30 career appearances (including 23 starts) against Texas.

Red Sox vs. Jamey Wright
-David Ortiz, 1 for 2 (.500), 1 HR
-Coco Crisp, 1 for 2 (.500)
-Alex Cora, 9 for 22 (.409), 1 HR
-J.D. Drew, 8 for 25 (.320)
-Julio Lugo, 4 for 14 (.286)
-Mike Lowell, 3 for 12 (.250)
-Wily Mo Pena, 0 for 2
-No other Red Sox hitter has an at-bat against Wright.
-Wright has never faced Boston.

More Stuff
-All-time series: Boston 196, Texas 183. The Red Sox have won four in a row against the Rangers.
-The Red Sox are 33-11 from Thursday through Sunday, and just 15-18 on all other days.
-In June, the Red Sox have the American League's second-best ERA (3.89), and the third-worst batting average (.265). Their record for the month is 12-13.
-Jamey Wright will be trying to avoid his 100th career loss. Wright has the lowest winning percentage (.407) of any major league pitcher with at least 100 decisions. His career record is 68-99.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 4:11 PM to Projo Sox Streakers | Permalink

Projo SoxTalk with McAdam: The coming homestand

Sean McAdam rejoins us today for the latest edition of projo SoxTalk. Click here to listen to the full audio file. Sean talks about the past road trip, the coming homestand, what the Red Sox have to fix, and the latest on the health of Curt Schilling, Joel Pineiro and Coco Crisp. Don't have time for excerpts today, but, as always, we encourage you to click the audio.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 12:09 PM | Permalink

Baseball Today: Friday, June 29

SITTING PRETTY: After literally playing in the four corners of the United States over the last 13 days -- Boston, Atlanta, San Diego and Seattle -- the Red Sox now return home, where they'll play 18 of the next 21. Sean McAdam says the favorable schedule, the team's big A.L. East and the lack of a worthy divisional opponent ''underscores the prevailing wisdom that the Red Sox are in this race only with themselves and that only by completely self-destructing or falling victim to an onslaught of injuries can the club fail to win the division, something they haven’t done since 1995.'' (projo.com)

MORE RELIEF COMING? The Boston Herald notes the Sox' relief corps has been a major factor in the team's success so far this year. And that's happened with no contribution from Craig Hansen, who many thought would be a mainstay of the bullpen by now. But in Pawtucket, manager Ron Johnson tells us that the former No. 1 draft pick is beginning to show flashes of the talent the Sox always believed he had. ''The quality of the stuff is awesome,'' Johnson raves. (projo.com)

ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE SOMETHING TO FALL BACK ON: One of Hansen's bullpen mates, Craig Breslow, would also love to get back to Boston. But if not, says Jim Donaldson, ''he can put that Yale degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry to good use.'' (projo.com)

BACK ON TRACK: Speaking of the PawSox, they broke their four-game losing streak last night. (projo.com)

NO DEAL: Yahoo.com's Tim Brown reports the White Sox asked for Jon Lester when the Red Sox inquired about Mark Buerhle.

THE BAD OLD DAYS: Chad Finn remembers a time when the Red Sox weren't nearly as likable as they are now. (touchingallthebases.blogspot.com)

A NATION OF GEARHEADS: Roush Racing, half of which is owned by John Henry's Fenway Sports Group, is aiming to become New England's NASCAR team. ''We hope Red Sox fans watching the races in Loudon (this weekend) will support us with the same intensity as they do when watching the Red Sox,'' said Jack Roush. Their car will certainly have a familiar look. (AP Photo, above) (projo.com)

'WE ARE ALL . . . ON WATCH': Yankee GM Brian Cashman went on Michael Kay's radio show yesterday morning and told Yankee Nation that no one's job is safe. (New York Post) By doing so, says the Daily News' John Harper, he's created a high alert that adds even more urgency to a dire situation.

FINE WITH ME: The New York Sun's Steven Goldman would have no problem if those changes including the axing of Joe Torre.

FINALLY, A BREAK: The Yanks erased a 6-4 deficit with four runs in the top of the eighth inning last night in Baltimore before torrential rains called a halt to the proceedings with Derek Jeter on second base and two outs. Under the old rules, the game would have reverted back to the score of the last completed inning and the Orioles would have completed the three-game sweep, 6-4. But, under a change in policy implemented last winter, the game was suspended at the point of interruption. It will be resumed on the Yanks' next trip to Camden Yards, on July 27, with the Yankees leading, 8-6. ''It was a plus for us,'' Joe Torre said of the new rule. (New York Daily News)

GLASS IS HALF-EMPTY: The New York Post's Mike Vaccaro prefers to look at it as a night when the Yankees couldn't win for winning.

OH, YEAH? Not according to the Orioles, who were incensed the umpires didn't stop the game before Jeter singled home the tie-breaking runs. (The rain was coming down so hard at the time that puddles were forming in the infield, and pitcher Chris Ray said his grip on the ball was so wet that ''I was just trying not to throw [it] to the backstop.'') ''He just tried to make Jeter hit so [the Yankees] can score one run and they can get out of here. That's what I think," said Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora of crew chief Tim Tschida. (Baltimore Sun) Mora and Tschida got into a vicious argument after Tschida stopped the game, and the Orioles third baseman had to be physically separated from the umpires.

SHEA HEY! Shea Hillenbrand is about to join the Yankees. (Newsday)

I LIKE YOUR STYLE: Remember earlier this week, when the New York Daily News' Lisa Olson was stunned how much the Giants seemed to lust after Alex Rodriguez? According to the Sacramento Bee, the feeling is mutual.

I HATE YOURS: Joe Posnanski isn't much of a Roger Clemens fan (thesoulofbaseball.blogspot.com)

A DAY TO REMEMBER: June 28, 2007 will forever be known as the day when Craig Biggio got his 3,000th hit and Frank Thomas hit his 500th home run. (Both stories projo.com) But the Baltimore Sun's Peter Schmuck isn't all that impressed.

HOMETOWN DISCOUNT: That's what Torii Hunter is hinting he's willing to give the Twins. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)

WHISPERS: Include the Brewers among those interested in Akinori Otsuka. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

IT'S BETTER NOT TO SAY ANYTHING AT ALL: We could all take a lesson from Jim Leyland, who knows when to talk and when to keep his mouth shut. (Detroit News)

ARE YOU LISTENING, PAUL? It's something Paul LoDuca should learn. The latest bit of bizarro behavior: Calling out the media for not holding the Mets' Spanish-speaking players more accountable, saying the players duck interviews by claiming not to understand the language. ''They speak English, believe me.''. Making it stranger is that Lisa Olson says the Hispanic players are generally always available to talk to reporters. (Both stories New York Daily News)

THANKS FOR STAYING AWAY: The Los Angeles Daily News' Doug Padilla thinks Paul Konerko is the Angels' MVP, because his decision not to sign with them in 2006 forced the team to go in different directions . . . and made them better than they would have been with Konerko.

TEAM FIRST: Gary Sheffield says that for the good of the Tigers he'll drop the appeal of his three-game suspension even though he thinks he's right. (Detroit News)

-- ART MARTONE

Posted by Art Martone  at 7:10 AM | Permalink