The Boston Red Sox held on for an 8-6 victory on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals but did lose Jacoby Ellsbury for a couple of a days after he collided with Adrian Beltre on a foul ball.
Both players ran a long way into no-man’s land in foul territory behind the third base bag and ended up colliding. Luckily for Ellsbury, the x-rays didn’t show any broken ribs and he’s listed as day-to-day. He most likely won’t play in today’s game against the Minnesota Twins.
Dustin Pedroia swung a hot stick on Sunday as he had four hits including his team leading third home run of the season.. Beltre continues to impress at the plate as does Jeremy Hermida.
Beltre had three hits and three RBIs while Hermida knocked in two runs. And with David Ortiz striking out four times on Sunday afternoon, you have to wonder if Francona may go to Hermida at DH while Big Papi works out the kinks.
The Red Sox got a decent effort out of Clay Buchholz who allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks with a strikeout in five innings.
With the exception of Ramon Ramirez, the Red Sox bullpen was solid.
Manny Delcarmen walked one in two innings of work, while Ramirez faced three batters and gave up three hits and three runs. Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon were perfect in their inning of work with Bard adding a strikeout.
Obviously the concern right now is the health of Ellsbury but also the bat of Ortiz.
Considering Terry Francona let Big Papi slide for a while last year and left him in the lineup, you have to wonder if he’ll do the same thing this year.
He’s got Hermida on the bench who’s hitting the ball well right now and he’s also got Mike Lowell which would give him a lefty/right DH combo. My best guess is that he gives Big Papi a few more games before making a change as he can’t afford to keep him in the lineup he continues to struggle.
The Red Sox are in Minnesota for three games in four days and they will open up Target Field this afternoon at 4:10 p.m.
We’ll be back later with the lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and afternoon links. But for now, enjoy the overnight links from the local media.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Pedroia, Red Sox offense swing into action [Boston Globe]
Four Ortiz strikeouts could fan the flames [Boston Globe]
Ellsbury avoids broken rib [Boston Globe]
’Pen right play for Clay Buchholz [Boston Herald]
David Ortiz’ bat still on strike [Boston Herald]
For Clay Buchholz, effort a decent start [Boston Herald]
Sox on level ground [Boston Herald]
Jacoby Ellsbury gets Belt-ed [Boston Herald]
Sign, sign, everywhere … [Boston Herald]
Red Sox Notes: Pedroia Flexes Muscles Early [CSN New England]
Sounds like a busy ‘retirement’ [ESPN Boston]
Notes: A battle for Buchholz [ESPN Boston]
MLB Power Rankings, 4/11 [Full Count]
Sox Thoughts Through Six [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]
How Long Can Terry Francona Keep David Ortiz at Designated Hitter? [NESN.com]
Red Sox’ Offense Silences Pitching and Defense Mantra in Week 1 [NESN.com]
Sox hitters tee off on Meche [Providence Journal]
For starters, Buchholz is umimpressive [Providence Journal]
Red Sox journal: Ellsbury avoids serious injury in collision [Proivdence Journal]
Hall gets first game action with Red Sox [RedSox.com]
Drew rests with stiff neck on Sunday [RedSox.com]
Ellsbury avoids major injury in collision [RedSox.com]
Five Things We Learned: How important is David Ortiz? [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]
For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy papers, head over to the Kansas City Star and the Topeka Capital-Journal websites.
