Boston Red Sox News & Notes – 6/13

Boston Red Sox Daniel Nava (R) is congratulated by teammates Jason Varitek, Adrian Beltre (29) and Darnell McDonald (54) in front of Philadelphia Phillies catcher Brian Schneider after hitting a grand slam during the second inning of their Interleague MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts June 12, 2010 - Reuters Pictures

It really wouldn’t surprise me if someone in Hollywood gave the newest Boston Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava a call. After all, his story is one of perseverance, a story about not giving up on your dreams.

Nava spent his first two years of college at Santa Clara washing the team’s uniforms instead of playing for them after being cut. He transfered to a junior college where he played for a year before transfering back to Santa Clara where he played his senior season. He wasn’t drafted and signed with the Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League who then cut him.

He sat out a year and then the Outlaws brought him back and all he did was win the batting title. The Red Sox acquired his rights for a dollar and all he’s done since then is produce while in the Red Sox minor league system.

Fast forward to Saturday afternoon when in his first MLB at-bat and on the first pitch he saw from Philadelphia Phillies starter Joe Blanton, planted into the Red Sox bullpen for a grand slam. Yes folks, first pitch grand slam in his first MLB at-bat. If you don’t believe me, take a look below.

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You really couldn’t have written the script any better for this kid.

While Nava was a hero, probably putting himself in Red Sox lore for the rest of his life, you can’t leave out the yeoman’s work done by Scott Atchison and the rest of the Red Sox bullpen. While warming up before the game, Daisuke Matsuzaka felt something wrong in his forearm and let John Farrell know. Moments later, Dice-K found himself on the DL and Atchison on the bullpen mound warming up to start.

Atchison did a great job on short notice giving up two runs in three innings of work. After that it was curtains for the scoring by the Phillies as Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, Ramon Ramirez and Jonathan Papelbon allowed a combined five hits while putting up zeroes on the Green Monster scoreboard.

Now thanks to the heroics of Nava, Atchison and the rest of the Red Sox bullpen, they can look to continue the tailspin of the Phillies this afternoon. We’ll be back in just a short while with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, any morning news and links but for now enjoy the overnight links.

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Red Sox win, but lose Matsuzaka [Boston Globe]

Bullpen setup faced by Sox isn’t without precedent [Boston Globe]

With new Sox program, your ticket’s as good as cash. But there’s a catch… [Boston Globe]

Nava enjoys a debut loaded with excitement [Boston Globe]

Once he got the call, Atchison was eager to get started [Boston Globe]

Evans was outstanding in his field [Boston Globe]

Recap: Red Sox 10, Phillies 2 [Boston Herald]

Daniel Nava debut a smash hit [Boston Herald]

Jose Iglesias buzz not dulled by injury [Boston Herald]

Daisuke Matsuzaka to DL, instead of mound [Boston Herald]

Manny Delcarmen caught up in kid’s moment [Boston Herald]