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Murphy's Law: Life is good

There was a little presentation made in the visitor’s clubhouse at Fenway this afternoon, one that brought a smile to David Murphy’s face. But then again, Murphy has been doing a lot of smiling lately.

Jack McCormick, the Red Sox traveling secretary, presented Murphy and Kason Gabbard with their World Series rings. Gabbard started seven games for the Sox and went 4-0. Murphy played in only two games, going 1-for-2, before being traded with Gabbard for Eric Gagne on a deadline (July 31st) deal. Murphy went on to hit .340 in 103 at-bats for the Rangers. Murphy proudly showed off the ring, which has been estimated to be worth in the $20,000 range.

``I don’t know what I’m going to do with it,’’ he said as he opened the case in which it is kept and showed it off, ``but it is nice.’’

Picking up the ring is merely the latest in a line of pleasant developments for Murphy.

``Life is very good,’’ said the former Red Sox first-round draft choice, who is a Texas native. ``The Red Sox were good to me while I was here, but I’m back home and getting a chance to play. Things are working out very well.’’

Murphy has played in every game for the Rangers thus far and begins play tonight hitting .305. He is tied for second in the American League in doubles, with seven. With Boston, he was blocked by a deep roster of outfielders. It has been different with Texas.

``My goal was just to make the team. I had never made a 25-man roster coming out of spring training,’’ he said. ``That was my only goal. Then, in terms of my playing time I thought we’d just go from there. The way things have worked out, with a few injuries (to others), I’ve gotten huge playing time. Being close to home and getting the opportunity to play every day has been awesome.’’

``It’s different from last year,’’ he said. ``Last year nobody really knew me around the big leagues. I was at the bottom of the lineup. I saw more fastballs. Pitchers are making adjustments to me now. I have to make adjustments back to them.’’

Sox manager Terry Francona spoke about how happy he was for both Murphy and Gabbard, who is now a member of the Texas rotation and will start against the Sox Monday in the series finale. Francona ran into Gabbard in the weight room on the way to his pre-game interview.

``Your affection for these guys doesn’t diminish when they leave the organization. They didn’t choose to leave. It was a trade,’’ Francona said. The Sox manager wished Gabbard and Francona well, except _ except this weekend.

``I hope he (Murphy) hits into six double plays this weekend,’’ Francona said. ``That doesn’t mean he’s not a good player.’’

For Murphy the good times go beyond his hitting and getting new rings. His wife, Andrea, gave birth to the couple’s first child, a daughter, Madison Grace, three days after the trade. And the couple has just learned that Andrea is pregnant again.

``Life is good,’’ Murphy said with a big smile.

Posted by Paul Kenyon  at 5:12 PM to Projo Sox Crawl | Permalink

Lowrie gets a start

The one change in the Red Sox lineup tonight is at shortstop.

Jed Lowrie gets a chance to start in place of Julio Lugo. It is just ``a good time to get him in there,’’ manager Terry Francona reported. It will be Lowrie's second start, first at shortstop.

Here are the lineups:

TEXAS
Kinsler 2b
Young SS
Hamilton CF
Bradley RF
Blalock 3b
Murphy LF
Catalanotto DH
Laird C
Broussard 1b

Mendoza P

BOSTON

Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2b
Ortiz DH
Ramirez LF
Youkilis 3b
Drew RF
Varitek C
Casey 1b
Lowrie SS

Matsuzaka P

Posted by Paul Kenyon  at 4:26 PM to Projo Sox Crawl | Permalink

Injury Updates

-- The MRI of Alex Cora's ailing right elbow did not show anything "alarming," said manager Terry Francona. Nevertheless the Red Sox have no idea when the utilityman will be cleared to play catch. He won't be able to throw until he's pain free, Francona said.

Cora, who was placed on the disabled list on Wednesday, jokingly said the only movement he was making with his elbow while the Red Sox were in New York was with his remote control, watching Boston's games.

-- Right-hander Bartolo Colon (oblique) made 25 tosses on Thursday in New York and there were no ill effects, so he's expected to play catch again today. He isn't ready to throw from 180 feet yet, however, so he won't be back in uniform for Pawtucket any time soon.

-- Third baseman Mike Lowell, on the DL because of a sprained left thumb, reported more progress with flexibility in the thumb, but still doesn't have enough strength or healing in the thumb to permit him to hit. He did hit off a tee with just his right hand on the bat this afternoon.

-- Coco Crisp's leg still isn't 100 percent, so once again Jacoby Ellsbury is starting in center field and leading off.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 4:22 PM | Permalink

Projo SoxTalk with McAdam: Earning the split in New York

Click the play button below to hear Sean's comments, recorded this morning as from New York. He discusses Manny Ramirez's mastery of Mike Mussina, Kyle Farnsworth's brush-back pitch and possible repercussions down the road, Josh Beckett, similarities between the current editions of the Sox and the Yanks, and why Jonathan Papelbon struggles when the game is not on the line.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:27 AM to Projo SoxTalk with Sean McAdam | Permalink