A few bad pitches by Aaron Cook ended up costing the Boston Red Sox last night in a 7-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Today, the Red Sox look to salvage the finale of a three-game series at historic Fenway Park.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Blue Jays television market, you can watch the game on Rogers SportsNet. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
Jon Lester looks to help the Red Sox get back on track in his 20th start of 2012. In his previous 19 starts, Lester is 5-7 with a 4.80 ERA. He’s made two starts against the Jays this season and is 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA (7 ER/15 IP). Lester has made 20 career starts against the Blue Jays and is 11-5 with a 3.20 ERA. He’s had success against them in eight career Fenway starts as he is 5-1 with a 2.98 ERA.
Henderson Alvarez will try to help his team complete the weekend sweep in his 19th start of 2012. In his previous 18 starts, Alvarez is 5-7 with a 4.29 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Red Sox this season and is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA. Overall in his career, Alvarez has made four starts against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with a 4.09 ERA. He picked up the win in his only career start at the Fens after allowing five runs (three earned) in 5.1 innings of work back on June 25th.
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.
Here are today’s lineups:
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| 1. Brett Lawrie | 3B | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 2. Yunel Escobar | SS | 2. Daniel Nava | LF |
| 3. Colby Rasmus | CF | 3. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 4. Edwin Encarnacion | 1B | 4. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 5. J.P. Arencibia | DH | 5. Cody Ross | DH |
| 6. Rajai Davis | RF | 6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C |
| 7. Travis Snider | LF | 7. Ryan Sweeney | RF |
| 8. Jeff Mathis | C | 8. Mike Aviles | SS |
| 9. Omar Vizquel | LF | 9. Nick Punto | 3B |
| Henderson Alvarez | SP | Jon Lester | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
NOTES:
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Cody Ross Diary: Walk-off magic [cody ross – espn.com]
Ross gives his side of story [boston globe]
Varitek receives some high praise [boston globe]
Supply not matching up with the demand [boston globe]
Their aces need a change in plans [boston globe]
Another step back for frustrating Sox [boston herald]
Don’t expect ‘bold’ face in Sox trades [boston herald]
Two pitches spoil Aaron Cook’s recipe [boston herald]
Lester looking for luck [boston herald]
Pumpsie Green reflects on historic day in ’59 [boston herald]
Tek to Beckett, Lester: Stop dwelling on negative [csn new england]
Offensive outage continues to plague Sox [csn new england]
Salty credits success to Varitek’s support [csn new england]
Jays belt Cook’s two mistakes [csn new england]
Blue Jays Cook Red Sox, 7-3 [csn new england]
Varitek overwhelmed by “surreal” tribute [csn new england]
Lester still searching for groove [csn new england]
Sox honor Varitek in pregame ceremony [espn boston]
Ells, Aviles sit out; Ortiz, Dice-K on mend [espn boston]
Rapid Reaction: Blue Jays 7, Red Sox 3 [espn boston]
If Boston Red Sox’s starting rotation doesn’t shape up soon, changes must be made [espn boston]
Closing Time: Cookie crumbles as Red Sox lose to Blue Jays [full count]
Jason Varitek: ‘Quit looking at their faults’ and ‘get behind’ Josh Beckett and Jon Lester [full count]
David Ortiz ‘Proud’ of Jason Varitek as Red Sox Honor Legendary Catcher at Fenway [nesn.com]
Jason Varitek Enjoying His Newfound Health in Retirement, Amazed by Pregame Ceremony at Fenway [nesn.com]
Aaron Cook Cites Two Bad Pitches for Loss, But Approved of Performance Otherwise [nesn.com]
Jarrod Saltalamacchia Snaps Slump, Steps Up in Presence of Iconic Red Sox Catchers [nesn.com]
Jason Varitek’s One-Team Career Admired by Matt Stairs, Who Played for 13 Clubs (Video) [nesn.com]
Aaron Cook Yields Two Bad Pitches on a Night That Demanded Perfection [nesn.com]
Warmup routine may be behind Beckett’s struggles [redsox.com]
Saltalamacchia returns from break [redsox.com]
Ellsbury gets a break; Aviles nicked up [redsox.com]
Varitek honored by Red Sox Nation one last time [redsox.com]
Lester seeks rebound in finale against Jays [redsox.com]
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photo credits: getty images, getty images
