The Boston Red Sox went into the offseason with a plan of making their defense their top priority. They went out and grabbed Mike Cameron, Adrian Beltre and Marco Scutaro in hopes of cutting down their errors.
In last night’s 6-4 loss to the New York Yankees, it was an error by Scutaro that cost the Red Sox the game. Of course the bullpen wasn’t that good either.
Scutaro’s bad throw on a hustling Derek Jeter loaded up the bases for the Yankees. Then Hideki Okajima walked Nick Johnson on a 3-1 count to bring in the winning run. Robinson Cano added a solo home run in the 9th off of Scott Atchison to provide the final margin.
It was just game 2 of 162 but let’s hope this isn’t a trend for Scutaro and the Red Sox, especially given the black hole that’s plagued the Red Sox since the trade of Nomar Garciaparra.
The other big news was the tirade by David Ortiz after the game.
Big Papi is 0-for-7 with a walk to start the season and of course the media is thinking it’s time for a change.
“(Bleep) happens. Then you guys talk (bleep),” Ortiz said. “Two (bleeping) games already. (Bleepers) are going crazy. What’s up with that, man? (Bleep). There’s (bleeping) 160 games left. Y’all (bleepers) go ahead and hit for me.”
The Red Sox do have Mike Lowell on the bench but come on, it’s only the second game of the season. Sure Big Papi struggled last season but him starting 0-for-7 this season is no reason to panic yet.
If Big Papi continues to struggle, you know Terry Francona will make a change when he deems it’s necessary. Until then, let Big Papi go about his business.
Links after the jump.
Five Things We Learned: Aggravating start for Ortiz [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
’Pen rewrites the script [Boston Globe]
For Lester, initial outing wasn’t all bad [Boston Globe]
Early returns are bleak [Boston Globe]
With insurance, bases covered on Beckett [Boston Globe]
Lackey has been accepted, quickly [Boston Globe]
Pieces of April at Fenway [Boston Globe]
Embattled David Ortiz feeling under siege [Boston Herald]
Big letdown by Red Sox’ arms, gloves [Boston Herald]
Sox, Yanks all even [Boston Herald]
‘Big picture’ should be about winning [Boston Herald]
Stage set for John Lackey [Boston Herald]
Kevin Youkilis pitches pace [Boston Herald]
Yankees no easy out for Jon Lester [Boston Herald]
Immediate Impressions From Sox-Yanks [CSN New England]
Big Papi blows off some steam after loss [CSN New England]
A Throwaway Loss [CSN New England]
Yanks Make Lester Work [CSN New England]
Quick hits: Yankees 6, Red Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]
Scutaro: ‘I just made a bad throw’ [ESPN Boston]
Big Papi loses his cool after loss [ESPN Boston]
Closing Time: Yankees ‘pen the difference [Full Count]
Ortiz: ‘There’s 160 [expletive] games left’ [Full Count]
Scutaro: ‘I just made a bad throw’ [Full Count]
Lay Off Ortiz [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]
Hit or Miss: Red Sox Will Reach 95-Win Mark [NESN.com]
The Factors – Tuesday’s Game [Nuggetpalooza]
Yankees 6, Red Sox 4: Boston lets one get away [Providence Journal]
Martinez is best against the best [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Smoltz weighs in on pitching trio [Providence Journal]
Buchholz looking to stay sharp [RedSox.com]
Francona, players excited for Beckett [RedSox.com]
Schoeneweis revels in Duke’s title [RedSox.com]
Big Papi miffed at early scrutiny [RedSox.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 to take a look at what the enemy papers are saying, head over to the NY Post,NY Daily News, NY Times and Journal News websites.
