Main page
« August 18, 2007
August 20, 2007 »

Game Story: Bats quiet in Red Sox' 3-1 loss

BOSTON -- It’s not always pitching. It’s not always hitting. Sometimes it’s a club’s defense that proves crucial. If all three entities are in sync for a consistent amount of time it’s a bonus.

The Boston Red Sox are trying to string every aspect of their game together for the stretch run, but fell a bit short yesterday as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim squeaked out a 3-1 victory at Fenway Park. The Red Sox received a sufficient spot-start from Julian Tavarez, while the club’s defense was outstanding. Unfortunately the offense, which has shown signs of life of late, was stagnant.

Boston closed out its recent home stand with a 4-3 record, mostly due to one aspect taking control of game. Against Tampa earlier in the week it was solid pitching, then when the Angels came to town the Sox’ offense was rejuvenated. Yesterday it was the defense that stood out.

“We actually played a very inspiring game defensively,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “We didn’t have much to show offensively.”

Now that the Red Sox embark on a three-city, 10-game road trip to Tampa, Chicago and New York, plus with Boston’s lead in the A.L. East holding at four games, it needs some overall stability.

“Day in and day out it’s difficult,” said Crisp. “One part of your game isn’t going to be on all the time, and today it was hitting. (Angels starter Joe Saunders) did a good job pitching.”

Saunders improved to 7-1 and kept Boston’s offense at bay through 7 2/3 innings and allowed just one run on six hits with seven strikeouts. For Tavarez, it was only his second start since Aug. 1, and he suffered the loss despite a solid outing yesterday. The right-hander allowed just two runs on two hits in six innings of work, and at one point retired 10 consecutive batters.

Anaheim’s margin of victory could have been a lot worse if it were not for Boston’s stellar defense, mainly second baseman Dustin Pedroia, third baseman Mike Lowell, center fielder Coco Crisp and newcomer Bobby Kielty in right field.

With two runs already across in the top of the first inning, the Angels’ Casey Kotchman crushed a high fly ball to deep right field. Kielty, making his Red Sox debut, sprinted back to warning track and leaped to rob Kotchman of a possible home run before slamming into the wall in front of the visitor’s bullpen. If Kielty doesn’t make that play to end the inning, then Angels would have had a four-run advantage.

Pedroia was outstanding in the field. He recorded five assists and three put-outs, none of which were routine.

“Our team (defense) has been playing great,” said Pedroia. “Mike Lowell has been playing awesome and he’s been taking hits away. With Coco, he’s in another world out there. Anytime the ball goes out there it’s an out. Everybody has been playing well.”

No matter how well the defense played, you need offense to win games.

“It’s been solid,” said Crisp of the defense. “It’s been one of the things that has kept us in games, and it kept us close today. It’s a key part of winning games and playing solid defense goes slightly overlooked some times, as well as base running.”

The only offense the Red Sox were able to generate yesterday was an RBI-single by Lowell in the bottom of the eighth inning. Boston had an opportunity in that inning to cut its deficit even more, but pinch-hitter J.D. Drew struck out looking with two runners on to end the inning.

Francona has routinely said his team plays one game at a time, and said yesterday it’s only Aug. 19. Pedroia told a group of local media after the game “to take the finger off the panic button.” Finding a way to incorporate pitching, defense and offense into one package can be difficult at this point of the season, but if the Red Sox are able to create a hot streak, all three will have to be in unison.

“It’s tough,” said Pedroia. “Guys get tired because we play a lot of games, but this team is focused. We’re playing well.”

-- JOE McDONALD

Posted by Chris Venditto  at 7:18 PM | Permalink

PawSox keep momentum going with 2-1 win over Chiefs

PAWTUCKET -- The Syracuse Chiefs witnessed the explosiveness of Jacoby Ellsbury first-hand yesterday.

With the Chiefs and Pawtucket Red Sox locked in a 1-1 tie and Ellsbury on first base via a walk, Junior Spivey dumped a weak flare into short right field. Ellsbury took off on the hit and easily cruised into third base. As right fielder Michael Vento bobbled the ball, Ellsbury quickly picked up speed again and sailed home without even sliding.

Ellsbury’s race from first to home proved to be the winning run in the PawSox’ 2-1 victory over Syracuse. The Sox have now won eight of their last nine games and six in a row over the Chiefs over the last week. Syracuse has lost 10 straight and face Pawtucket two more times this week.

While Ellsbury’s run in the eighth provided the winning margin, the key to the victory was pitching. Starter Devern Hansack dominated the Chiefs over seven impressive innings, limiting Syracuse to three hits and one unearned run. Hansack didn’t get the win but he’s thrown well for over two months and has just one loss in his last 13 starts (7-1, 5 no decisions).

Craig Breslow and Travis Hughes (6-6) combined to escape a little trouble in the eighth and Hughes survived an eventful ninth to pick up the win.

``When you win a few, there’s a momentum and an atmosphere that’s created,’’ said PawSox manager Ron Johnson. ``When things are going well, you can feel the players expect to win. In the ninth, there was the feeling that (Hughes) is going to get out of that one.’’

Hansack struck out a season-high 11 batters, the most by a Pawtucket pitcher in two years. The 29-year old righty was in complete control through his first six innings. The Chiefs scored a scratch run in the second inning when Chad Mottola singled to center and then raced to third when Dusty Brown’s throw on a steal attempt of second base bounced into center field. Mottola scored the game’s first run when Hector Luna grounded out to third.

Hansack wasn’t threatened much from then on. He threw 103 pitches over seven innings and registered strikeouts with his fastball in the low-90’s, a biting slider and a knee-freezing change-up.

``I had everything working today,’’ he said. ``I was just going out there trying to keep their score down and give us a chance.’’

Johnson was impressed by Hansack’s ability to throw all of his pitches for K’s under pressure.

``The thing I liked is the use and command of his secondary pitches,’’ Johnson said. ``His change was really good. He had some big swing-and-miss pitches.’’

The PawSox tied the game at 1-1 when Jed Lowrie lined a two-out home run to right. The Sox didn’t do much with Syracuse starter Justin James or reliever Matt Roney. But when Jordan DeJong entered in the eighth, they pounced. Ellsbury drew the one-out walk and then Spivey dumped his single into right. That sent the speedy outfielder on his race around the bases.

``I couldn’t see the ball and when RJ held me up, I slowed up and looked at the ball,’’ Ellsbury said. ``I saw the right fielder bobble it and I made the call (to go).’’

--KEVIN McNAMARA

Posted by Chris Venditto  at 5:09 PM to PawSox | Permalink

Baseball bench-clearing scrums are a joke

Have you ever seen anything more ridiculous than a bench-clearing "brawl" in baseball?

Red Sox starter Julian Tavarez just hit the Angels' Orlando Cabrera, barely grazing him across the letters. He didn't like it too much, so he started to take a few steps towards the mound and was clearly upset.

Both benches cleared and, my favorite, the pitchers in the bullpen run all the way in to join the scrum on the diamond. If anything, don't you think they would get into it in the outfield instead of running all the way in?

To stop such silly behavior, and to have baseball players stop thinking they're hockey players, here's a simple solution to stop such events in baseball.

If a pitcher hits a batter and then decides to charge the mound, let them battle it out. If anyone leaves their position, including the catcher, or leaves the dugout and bullpen then it's an automatic suspension.

This way the pitcher knows he'll have to protect himself if he decides to intentionally hit a batter. And, if the dugouts do empty, then please make it worth it -- old-school hockey.

I can picture it now. Francona walking through the clubhouse one day and he spots Dustin Pedroia putting on the foil.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 2:49 PM | Permalink | Comments 1

Tavarez will work as long as possible

The Red Sox maintain a tight hold on many of their pitchers as far as pitch-counts are concerned. Julian Tavarez is not in that category.

The veteran makes his first start in 18 days today, his second in 32 days. He has not gone more than five innings since June 20th. But it would be fine with the Sox if he spends as much time as possible on the hill today. Terry Francona was asked this morning if Tavarez will be given much leeway.

``It could be all over the map,’’ the manager responded. ``If he’s struggling, it could be not very high. If he’s good, he’s probably one of the guys that I think you could throw that (pitch count) out the window, if not completely at least a little bit. He has the rare ability to go and again, if he’s locating, to stay out there for a while, which would be great.’’

On another front, Francona spoke about how happy he is with Mike Timlin. Timlin has been scored on in just one of his last 18 appearances and has his ERA down to 3.15.

``When he gets it going, it’s fun to watch,’’ Francona said. ``I think the work he’s pout in has really paid off. He’s worked hard. He has to. When you get to be that age you have o work hard to maintain your level of excellence, there’s no getting around it. And he has really excelled at that. We’re proud of him.’’

Posted by Paul Kenyon  at 1:20 PM | Permalink

Tavares will work as long as possible

The Red Sox maintain a tight hold on many of their pitchers as far as pitch-counts are concerned. Julian Tavares is not in that category.

The veteran makes his first start in 18 days today, his second in 32 days. He has not gone more than five innings since June 20th. But it would be fine with the Sox if he spends as much time as possible on the hill today. Terry Francona was asked this morning if Tavares will be given much leeway.

``It could be all over the map,’’ the manager responded. ``If he’s struggling, it could be not very high. If he’s good, he’s probably one of the guys that I think you could throw that (pitch count) out the window, if not completely, at least a little bit. He has the rare ability to go and again, if he’s locating, to stay out there for a while, which would be great.’’

On another front, Francona spoke about how happy he is with Mike Timlin. Timlin has been scored on in just one of his last 18 appearances and has his ERA down to 3.15.

``When he gets it going, it’s fun to watch,’’ Francona said. ``I think the work he’s put in has really paid off. He’s worked hard. He has to. When you get to be that age, you have to work hard to maintain your level of excellence, there’s no getting around it. And he has really excelled at that. We’re proud of him.’’

Posted by Paul Kenyon  at 1:13 PM | Permalink

Now, about the two new guys. . .

Red Sox fans occasionally _ no make that frequently _ like to debate why manager Terry Francona gives one of his players a day off. However, it would be difficult for any fan to question why the manager has opted to go with not one, but two guys, to make Boston debuts today.

In his pre-game meeting with the media just now, Francona laid out the reasons for his decision to get both Kevin Cash and Bobby Kielty into his starting lineup today. His explanation seems easy to understand.

``Jason (Varitek) has caught 27 innings in a row in what is about a 24-hour period. I figured we better play the other catcher. That’s my thought there,’’ Francona said of starting Cash.

Cash, who was brought up Friday to replace the injured Doug Mirabelli (strained calf) was hitting only .176 with seven homers and 25 RBI in 59 games at Pawtucket. But he is a veteran with previous experience with Toronto (2002-04) and Tampa Bay (2005). He is excellent defensively, having thrown out 46 percent of the runners (23-50) trying to steal against him in Pawtucket.

Kielty, a right-handed hitter is playing in place of J.D. Drew in right because the Angels are starting lefty Joe Saunders.

``Bobby Kielty was brought in as a right-handed bat against left-handed pitching. There’s a lefthander today,’’ Francona said. ``J.D. has played three in a row. Again, it just seems to make common sense. There are days when you balance things out. Today’s it’s just trying to win the game.’’

Kielty, 30, has plenty of experience, first with Minnesota and four hte past four seasons with Oakland. He is a career .256 hitter in 1,705 at-bats. He has 52 Mahjor League home runs.

If Sox fans really want to debate the issue, maybe they should wait a day.

It is expected both Cash and Kielty will start tomorrow night in Tampa, too, when Boston faces southpaw Scott Kazmir. Cash will catch because Tim Wakefield will start for the Sox. Cash has experience catching knucklers John Barnes and Charlie Zink in the Sox system.

Posted by Paul Kenyon  at 12:10 PM | Permalink

Two debuts today

Good morning from sunny but cool Fenway.

Sox talk begins this Sunday morning with the focus on Kevin Cash and Bobby Kielty.

Both newcomers will make the Boston debuts today, Kielty batting sixth and playing right field, Cash catching and hitting ninth. Before we get into introductions of the new guys we will provide the lineup for today. At least we will for the Sox. The Angels have yet to post theirs.

Here is the Sox lineup against lefty Joe Saunders:

Dustin Pedroia 2b
Kevin Youkiliks 1b
David Ortiz DH
Manny Ramirez lf
Mike Lowell 3b
Bobby Kielty rf
Coco Crisp cf
Julio Lugo ss
Kevin Cash c

Posted by Paul Kenyon  at 11:48 AM | Permalink