September 12 game

Hello readers, and sorry for my not being with you lately. Let me give you a little recap. The BoSox were swept by the Chicago White Sox, but won two of three against Tampa Bay. They then lost two of three to the Oakland A's. It is the last Athletics game I am writing about today. Currently, the Sox sit eight games behind the league-leading Yankees and 7.5 behind the Rays in the wild card.

Josh Beckett was chosen to make the start for the Sox, looking to avoid the sweep at the hands of the Athletics. He ran into trouble in the third, walking four straight batters to give up a run. In the fifth, the A's grabbed two more on a two-run double for Mark Ellis, and the Sox were floundering. When J.D. Drew was up early in the game, he made too wide a turn at first and was gunned down by Jeremy Hermida. However, Drew redeemed himself when he doubled down the left-field line to drive in two and make the score closer. After Drew's smash, Terry Francona called on rookie Ryan Kalish to pinch-hit for the slumping Bill Hall. Kalish did not disappoint, poking a two-run single into left, with Drew coming all the way around from second base.

In inning number eight, it was Drew again, nubbing a swinging bunt to the left of the mound. Jeremy Blevins fielded it but made a horrendous throw all the way into right field. Adrian Beltre was able to touch the plate, and that meant that of the five runs the Red Sox scored, Drew was involved in four. In the ninth, with the score still 5-3, Jonathan Papelbon came on and needed just 13 pitches to strike out the side; however, the last K was disputed. It resulted in Derek Barton's being ejected, even after the game had ended.


Tonight, the Red Sox send Jon Lester to the mound in search of his 17th win. He is third in the league in strikeouts and needs just 4 Ks to earn 200 strikeouts this season.


Trivia
Hermida, who threw Drew out at first, has a weak arm and used to be a Red Sock.

September 2 game

Adrian Beltre led off the second with an absolute bomb over everything and into the left field stands, and the Red Sox never looked back. David Ortiz slapped a two-run single in the five-run frame. In the sixth, Daisuke Matsuzaka ran into trouble when he gave up four runs before being pulled for Scott Atchison. Atchison was able to shut down Baltimore for two innings with three strikeouts.

In the ninth, Jonathan Papelbon came in and was in trouble, with two men in scoring position with just one out. However, he got the next two batters to swing and miss at pitches right on the outside corner to finish off the O's 6-4. I think it is great that Pap has started to bear down and save games without giving up runs. Unfortunately, the Sox only gained ground by 1/2 game on the Rays, since C.C. Sabathia earned his 19th win in a 5-0 shutout of the A's.

Today's game has been rained out due to wind from Hurricane Earl, so the Sox play a doubleheader tomorrow. In game one, John Lackey will take on Gavin Floyd of the White Sox in a game that will feature Manny Ramirez's return to Fenway Park. In game two, AL ERA leader Clay Buchholz will oppose John Danks.

Trivia
Buchholz was named AL pitcher of the month due to his 4 wins in 6 starts and a 1.04 ERA in August.

September 1 game

Jon Lester gave up four runs in the first and was shaky over the first two innings, but settled down and retired eleven straight men. Meanwhile, a trio of Red Sox went deep. First, J.D. Drew crushed a solo shot in the fifth to cut the Oriole lead to 5-3. In the sixth, Lester escaped from a bases-loaded jam with his tenth strikeout of the night.

To start the seventh, Marco Scutaro hit a long drive into the seats for a game-tying two run homer. Victor Martinez then hit an RBI double to give the Sox the lead. And after David Ortiz was intentionally walked, Adrian Beltre smashed a three-run bomb over Felix Pie's glove to give Boston a lead they would not relinquish. I think it is awesome that some guys are finally hitting in the clutch. Jonathan Papelbon struck out one in earning his 34th save.

Tonight, the Red Sox and O's meet again for the rubber game of the series. Daisuke Matsuzaka, finally healthy, takes on Brad Bergesen.

Trivia
Lester has given up 4 or more in the first in two of his last three starts.