Another Josh Beckett start went by the wayside last night but in the end the Boston Red Sox still picked up the win as Carl Crawford delivered a walkoff double in the 11th to give his team a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. With that win, the Red Sox closed out the 11-game homestand at 6-5 and are now 17-18 on the season.
If it weren’t for another controversial balk call, this one on Alfredo Aceves, the Red Sox might not have been in this predicament. The Twins never really hit a ball hard off of Beckett and the game-tying RBI off the bat of Jason Kubel against Jonathan Papelbon was a broken bat blooper.
When Papelbon blew the save, they was a lot of negativity towards him on Twitter. I know we Red Sox fans are fickle but it was just one game. This was his first blown save of the season. He’s been pretty much perfect all season long but we all knew there would come a time when he’d blow one.
So to me, there’s no real reason to be so down and hard on him. Now if it continues, then yes the criticism is warranted.
The great thing about Papelbon throughout his career is that usually when he blows save, he comes out even better. It wouldn’t surprise me if the situation presented itself tonight against the Toronto Blue Jays that he jumps back on his horse and finishes it off.
Beckett scattered six hits over seven innings with just one walk and recorded five strikeouts. He had good life on his fastball and after a few struggles with his curve early on, he got that to work effectively as well.
The past few seasons, Beckett has battled through some injury woes. But as we are seeing this year with him being healthy, there’s no telling how good he can be. Each night, he goes out and does his job. Sure he’s only 2-1 this season but his ERA is 1.99. A much different story than years past.
Jacoby Ellsbury extended his hitting streak to 18 games, which is a MLB best right now. It happened to be his only hit of the night though. Adrian Gonzalez definitely has found his swing as he came up with a RISP and got the job done with a RBI in the 5th. Crawford’s walkoff hit was also his only hit of the night but it was good enough to extend his hitting streak right now.
The first walkoff hit for Crawford really turned it around for him. He seems more relaxed at the plate for the most part. The second walkoff hit should only give more confidence going forward.
The Red Sox now spend the next five days on the road against some AL East foes, the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees. Sitting at 17-18 and just 3.5 games out of first, this is a pivotal road trip. The .500 mark has been elusive for the Red Sox this season as each time they’ve gotten to within a game of the mark, they’ve lost a few games in a row.
Let’s hope that trend will change with Jon Lester on the mound tonight.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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Jose Iglesias returns to where his big league journey began [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Crawford double in the 11th gives Red Sox a win [Boston Globe]
Decidedly tough break [Boston Globe]
End results generally good [Boston Globe]
Closer excels at long relief [Boston Globe] *a must read
Carl Crawford in hero’s role [Boston Herald]
Matt Albers excellent at division [Boston Herald]
All about win for Josh Beckett [Boston Herald]
This time, Tito clued in on balk [Boston Herald]
Cash in on Red Sox ticket slump [Boston Herald]
Crawford gives Red Sox walk-off win in 11th, 2-1 [CSNNE.com]
Atchison clears waivers, optioned back to Pawtucket [CSNNE.com]
Crawford, Iglesias finish homestand with flair [CSNNE.com]
Sox notes: Beckett gets fourth straight no-decision [CSNNE.com]
Rapid reaction: Sox 2, Twins 1 (11 inn.) [ESPN Boston]
Iggy Stardust: Rookie scores on walkoff [ESPN Boston]
Closing Time: Red Sox 2, Twins 1 [Full Count]
Josh Beckett will take the no-decision with a smile [Full Count]
Gregg Zaun Filling In for Jerry Remy When Red Sox Head to Toronto to Face Blue Jays [NESN.com]
Carl Crawford Continues Resurgence With Another Walk-Off Hit [NESN.com]
Hideki Okajima Marks Career Milestone With Gutsy Win [NESN.com]
Crawford doubles in winning run in 11th [Providence Journal]
Lester puts April demons to bed [Providence Journal]
Monster achievements expected from Adrian Gonzalez [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: A relief to have bullpen back at full strength [Providence Journal]
Brentz’s hit streak at 21 games for Greenville [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer-Press websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Twins Target.
Photo credit: AP Photo
