Before we get going here today, I just wanted to say a quick thing. While I really don’t need to apologize for skipping yesterday’s Boston Red Sox news & notes post, I do want to apologize. I had something come up last minute and basically had to get out of here as fast as possible so I wasn’t able to do anything on the site until late last night. For those who do know what was going on, the situation has stabilized.
The Boston Red Sox went north of the border having lost four straight games as the injuries continued to mount. Fortunately, the day off helped the latest player with an injury, Kevin Youkilis, to gather an extra day of rest and it was beneficial for him and the whole team as the bats came out in droves last night.
The Red Sox had 14 hits, including six extra base hits (four HR’s, two doubles) in their 14-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. They got another great start from Jon Lester and the best part of the night was the fact they were able to rest Youk, Marco Scutaro and J.D. Drew who all have been battling nagging injuries.
And oh yeah, the Tampa Bay Rays lost last night so the Red Sox are back to being two games behind them for second place in the AL East. The Red Sox still trail the first place New York Yankees by five games.
Bill Hall and Mike Cameron both had big nights for the Red Sox last night as they both had three hits, including a home run each. Hall knocked in four while Cameron had three RBIs. Youk and Adrian Beltre also had home runs.
Of course Lester was Lester last night. He pounded the strike zone and had great command on all of his pitches. It definitely doesn’t seem like it matters who is behind the plate with him as he continues to get better each start out. Without him, the Red Sox might not be where they are.
Hopefully the Red Sox didn’t use up all of the hits and runs as they get set to face the Blue Jays in just a short while.
We’ll be back in a little bit with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, news and any links from the morning, but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.
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Workman in progress: Negotiations with Sox draftee could be interesting [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Run of the place [Boston Globe]
Ellsbury is back, but only temporarily [Boston Globe]
Martinez not ready yet [Boston Globe]
Recap: Red Sox 14, Blue Jays 3 [Boston Herald]
Jacoby Ellbury has some clubhouse mending to do [Boston Herald]
Ex-Red Sox Fred Lynn knows a thing about injuries [Boston Herald]
Hall of a night [Boston Herald]
Divided loyalty [Boston Herald]
Could Lester start the All-Star Game? [Clubhouse Insider]
Brewers may make Hart available; Red Sox interested? [CSN New England]
Sox pile on in 14-3 thrashing of Blue Jays [CSN New England]
Where the Sox stand on signing draft picks [ESPN Boston]
Francona sets post-break rotation [ESPN Boston]
Beckett, Delcarmen throw bullpen sessions [ESPN Boston]
Francona manages off the field, too [ESPN Boston]
Cameron feeling better, producing [ESPN Boston]
Gammons on The Big Show: ‘There is something missing on this team’ [Full Count]
Closing Time: Red Sox 14, Blue Jays 3 [Full Count]
Dealing with the pain, Cameron getting it done [Full Count]
That’s No. 900 for Tito [Full Count]
Red Sox Draft Pick Anthony Ranaudo Tearing Up Cape Cod League [NESN.com]
Bill Hall Sets Personal Records in Red Sox Victory Against Blue Jays Friday [NESN.com]
Red Sox Offense Comes Alive in Terry Francona’s 900th Career Win Friday [NESN.com]
Which Red Sox Player Is the Glue That Holds the Team Together? [NESN.com]
Red Sox bats explode, take out team’s frustrations on Blue Jays [Providence Journal]
Beckett remains on target for Sunday rehab start; Delcarmen happy with progress [Providence Journal]
Youkilis says he’s ‘over’ missing out on All-Star Game [Providence Journal]
Nava making it hard for Red Sox to say goodbye [Providence Journal]
Ellsbury’s absence has been noted in Red Sox clubhouse [Providence Journal]
Hot-hitting Kalish climbing the ladder of Red Sox prospects [Providence Journal]
Sox prospects excited for Futures Game [RedSox.com]
Youkilis over not winning Final Vote [RedSox.com]
Youk’s ankle feeling better after off-day [RedSox.com]
Ellsbury rejoins club to see team doctors [RedSox.com]
Victor won’t return when break concludes [RedSox.com]
Delcarmen feels good after ‘pen session [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 if you must read the enemy papers, head over to The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and Toronto Sun websites.
Photo credit: Getty Images
