After seeing the Toronto Blue Jays take the first two games, the Boston Red Sox took the field yesterday looking to avoid being swept with Jon Lester on the mound.
Lester has had an up-and-down season this year where he’ll have a good outing followed by a bad one. In most of the bad games he’s had, it’s usually been just one bad inning, mainly the 5th inning. Well yesterday, Lester had a great outing as he struck out 12 in 6 innings of work. The best part is the fact that he avoided the bad inning.
He had command of all his pitches and seemed to throw more changeups than he would in a normal outing. The only thing Lester wasn’t happy about is the fact that he had to leave after 6 innings due to his pitch count being high.
Hopefully, Lester builds upon this outing and goes on a nice little run of good starts.
More good news for the Red Sox is the fact that John Smoltz had another positive outing for the Single-A Greenville Drive last night. Smoltz threw 75 pitches, 52 for strikes, in 5 innings of work. He allowed 1 run on 4 hits and struck out 6. He will make two more rehab starts with the Pawtucket Red Sox before making his Red Sox debut on June 16th (projected date)
“I felt really good,” said Smoltz after the outing. “And for the most part, I tried to establish my fastball. I had a cranky beginning, but it worked itself out and I got into a nice little groove.”
“I think I’m going to get a little more complete each time,” Smoltz said. “For the most part, I’m really pleased with today’s effort. I felt really fresh in the fifth inning, even though it’s the longest stint I’ve had.”
Smoltz gets back in the game in Greenville [Greenville News]
Smoltz’s latest rehab start a success [RedSox.com]
Smoltz records 6 Ks for Drive [AP via Boston Globe]
Lineup shuffle produces a power surge [Boston Globe]
New lineup hits stride, backs Jon Lester [Boston Herald]
Lester strikes out 12; Boston hitters crush 4 home runs [Providence Journal]
Homer made game a happening for Pedroia [Boston Globe]
All’s right for Jon Lester [Boston Herald]
On this Sunday, Lester shined from beginning to end [Providence Journal]
Papi’s new stance pays off [Full Count]
Righted by lefty [Boston Globe]
Bunting marks special occasion [Boston Herald]
With few home runs, Pedroia still a key to Red Sox offense [Providence Journal]
HR Derby not for Bay [Full Count]
Terry Francona tinkers with order [Boston Herald]
Baldelli’s knee fine, should be available Tuesday [Projo Sox Blog]
Francona after Sox’ win over Jays [Full Count]
Lee County under the deadline gun to make decision on Red Sox land [Naples Daily News]
Despite early success, Sox have issues [The Eagle Tribune]
For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Providence Journal websites.
And if the enemy papers are more your flavor, you can head over to the Toronto Star and Toronto Sun websites.
