The Sox finished the fifth month of the season 16-13 losing three games off of their division lead for an overall record of 80-55 .592 and a 5 game lead in the AL East through August. The month started off at home against Baltimore (2-0) as the Sox finished up the four game series with the O’s. Then it was go west young men where the Sox went into Seattle (2-1) and Los Angeles (1-2) before finishing up in Baltimore (1-2) on a down note. The Sox then came home for seven games with Tampa Bay (2-1) and finshed their season series with the Angels (2-2). August was a month of two big road trips and the second trip took the team indoors to Tampa Bay (2-1), to the shores of the Lake Michigan to face the White Sox (4-0) and then to the Big Apple and yet another showdown with the Evil Empire (0-3). Then the Sox finished the month right where they started it, at home against those Baltimore Orioles (0-1). The Sox were 6-4 at home and 10-9 on the road in August.
Manager Terry Francona: Got to give Tito credit for the team basically keeping it together even during the few rough stretches. The Yankees played out of their minds most of the month but the Sox still ended up with a pretty comfortable lead heading into the last 27 games. Grade: B+ (July Grade: B)
Starting Nine:
Short Stop Julio Lugo: Continued improvement in August. He didn’t hit as well as July but did hit .286 with 15 RBI for the month. Only stole 2 bases in 5 attempts. Grade: C+ (July Grade: C+)
First Baseman Kevin Youkilis: Had better power numbers in July with 3 HRs and 17 RBI but still only hit .241 for the month. His overall batting average dropped 14 points from .304 to .290 and he struck out a whopping 28 times. Defensively he is amazing and has yet to commit an error at first base but the bat needs to come around. Grade: C- (July Grade: C-)
Designated Hitter David Ortiz: He hit .311 in August with 8 HRs, 26 RBI with a OBP of .424 and a .631 slugging percentage. Half of his 32 hits were extra base hits. Grade: A (July Grade: B)
Left Fielder Manny Ramirez: had a so-so month hit .264 with 2 HRs and 18 RBI but struck out 23 times. Missed the last three games of the month with a strained oblique and played through most of the month with a sore back. Grade: B- (July Grade: B+)
Right Fielder J.D. Drew: Hit .286 with 1 HR and 6 RBI. The HR was his first since June. Had several key at bats where he barely or didn’t even take the bat off his shoulder including one six pitch at bat that he should have just bought a ticket for because he didn’t participate he just watched. Continues to be a $70 million bust. Thanks Uncle Theo. Grade: F (July Grade: F)
Third Baseman Mike Lowell: This guy is hot. Raised his average 21 points as he hit .393 with 2 HRs and 21 RBI. Grade: A (July Grade: B+)
Catcher/team captain Jason Varitek: Hit only .234 in August with 3 HRs and 13 RBI while striking out 23 times in 77 ABs. Grade: C- (July Grade: C+)
Center Fielder Coco Crisp: Cooled off significantly as he hit .227 he struck out 23 times and only stole 3 bases all month. Continues to provide all world defense in center field. Grade: C (July Grade: B+)
Second Baseman Dustin Pedroia: Serious rookie of the year candidate, hit .346 raising his average to .321 overall. Had 36 hits and struck out only 5 times. Grade: A (July Grade: B+)
The Bench:
Catcher Doug Mirabelli: Hit .455 for the month. Missed half the month with a calf injury that put him on the DL. Grade: B- (July Grade: C-)
Catcher Kevin Cash: Filled in admirably for Mirabelli catching Tim Wakefield. Grade: C (July Grade: None)
Infielder Alex Cora: Hit .257 in August and continues to be a great middle infield fill in. Had two multi-hit games in the month. Grade: B (July Grade: C)
Infielder/Outfielder Eric Hinske: Hit .250 in the month with 1 HR and 6 RBI had a three hit game. Grade: B- (July Grade: C)
Outfielder Bobby Kielty: New addition in August will provide team with a better option than Wily Mo Pena who got shipped to Washington. Hit .308 with 1 HR and 8 RBI in only half a month and in limited playing time. Appears to be a very good defensive outfielder and a tough out against lefties. Grade: B (July Grade: None)
Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury: Played one game had a hit and 3 RBI. Previouly recalled in July and played well. The top position prospect in the organization. Grade: Incomplete.
Outfielder Brandon Moss: Played two games had one hit in 7 ABs. Grade: Incomplete.
The Pitching Staff:
The Starters:
Curt Schilling: 2-2 3.48 ERA in 5 starts for the month. Still searching for consistancy. Grade: B- (July Grade NA)
Josh Beckett: 3-1 2.86 ERA in 5 starts for the month. Struck out 35 while walking just 7. Made huge Cy Young statement in Baltimore. Grade: A (July Grade: B+)
Daisuke Matsuzaka: This guy gets no run support. 1-3 with 4.45 ERA in August. Had 32 K’s in 32.1 IP also walked 16 batters. Grade: B- (July Grade: B+)
Tim Wakefield: Finished the month with 22 scoreless innings was 4-1 with 2.45 ERA quitely has 16 wins. Grade A (July Grade B+)
Jon Lester: Won one game during the month but still struggled with pitch counts. Was sent to Portland for one start at end of the month so Sox could bolster the bullpen. Team expects more from him. Grade: C (July Grade: C)
Julian Tavarez: Made 8 appearances four were starts 3 of which were very good. Went 1-2 with a 4.68 ERA Grade: C (July Grade: D)
Clay Buchholz: Made major league debut against Los Angeles and got the win. Sent back to Pawtucket after the start. Grade B- (July Grade: None)
The Bullpen:
Jonathan Papelbon: 7 saves no earned runs. That says it all. Struck out 18 in 9.2 IP. Grade: A (July Grade: B+)
Hideki “Darkman” Okajima: 1-1 with one blown save. Gave up 6 runs on the month to see his ERA jump from 1.03 to 1.59. Looks a little fatigued. Has pitched more this year than he ever did in Japan. Grade: B (July Grade: A)
Mike Timlin: 0-1 with 4.05 ERA for the month. Pitched 12.1 scoreless innings in between two rough outings one to start the month and one to end the month. Grade would have been higher if the Orioles didn’t light him up in the Fenway the other night. Grade B (July Grade: A)
Eric Gagne`: Had rough start to his Red Sox career. Actually got heckled walking back to his Boston hotel one night. Was 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA for the month with two blown saves. Didn’t allow a run in his last four outings after giving up runs in five of his first seven. Grade: D (July Grade: NA)
Javier Lopez: Recalled at end of the month from Pawtucket. Was 1-0 with 1.93 ERA for the month Grade: B+ (July Grade: B-)
Manny DelCarmen: 0-0 with 1.46 ERA as he continues to pitch well. Needs to cut down the walks as he allowed 6 in 12.1 IP. Grade: B (July Grade: B-)
Kyle Snyder: Had a rough month 0-1 6.75 ERA. Gave up runs in 5 of his 9 appearances. Also surrendered 7 walks and gave up 10 hits including 3 HRs in 10.1 IP Grade: F (July Grade: B-)
