Boston Red Sox News & Notes – 7/18

Boston Red Sox's Kevin Youkilis, left, celebrates with teammates Eric Patterson, center, and David Ortiz, right, after hitting a sacrifice fly that allowed the winning run to score in the eleventh inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, July 17, 2010, in Boston. The Red Sox won 3-2.

On Friday night, it was an error by Felix Doubront (actually two) that helped the Texas Rangers to a win. On Saturday night, it was a pitching error by Alexi Ogando that spurred the Boston Red Sox to a 3-2 win in 11 innings.

It started out as a pitching duel between John Lackey and Cliff Lee with the Red Sox getting an early run in the 1st inning. The Rangers got to Lackey for two runs in the 6th and it stayed that way until the bottom of the 9th when the Red Sox rallied to tie it up.

The 9th started with a Marco Scutaro single and then a sacrifice bunt by Darnell McDonald that advanced Scutaro to second. A David Ortiz ground out moved Scu Scu Scutaro over to third and he came home on a rope down the third base line by Kevin Youkilis.

The Red Sox did have a chance to win the game in the 10th but Nelson Cruz took away a home run from Mike Cameron.

The fateful 11th started much like the 9th inning did.

Scutaro led off with a single and went to second on a McDonald sacrifice bunt. The only difference this time was the fact that Ogando tried to get Scutaro at second only to him with the throw and it carommed into left field allowing Scutaro to get to third and McDonald to second. Ogando intentionally walked Big Papi and gave way to Darren O’Day.

O’Day fell behind Youk and on a 2-1 count, he drove a fastball to center field that brought in Scutaro with the winning run that gave the Red Sox a hard fought and much needed win.

As I stated yesterday morning, the bullpen needed to step up its game for the Red Sox. The situation presented itself perfectly on Saturday night as Daniel Bard worked the 8th allowing just a walk but erased the runner on a double play. And then Jonathan Papelbon worked two perfect innings before giving way to Manny Delcarmen, who was activated earlier in the day.

Delcarmen was the old MDC as he was perfect in his inning setting the stage for Youk’s heroics.

The Red Sox made another move on Saturday as they optioned Felix Doubront back to Triple-A Pawtucket. They brought up another catcher in Dusty Brown, who’ll catch Jon Lester on Sunday, and that gives the Red Sox three catchers on their roster. While some may question it, it does give Terry Francona a little flexibility with what to do if he needs to pinch-hit for his catcher.

With Clay Buchholz making his next start with the Red Sox on the west coast swing, they essentially had an extra roster spot and obviously Francona felt it was better served by having the third catcher.

And finally, Josh Beckett made his second rehab start for the PawSox on Saturday night. He ended up going 4+ innings, allowing three runs on five hits. But the most important thing is that he felt fine afterwards. He’ll head back to Boston where he’ll be evaluated and find out if he’ll have one more rehab start or rejoin the Red Sox rotation.

We’ll be back in a short while with this afternoon’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, any news and links but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Youkilis delivers for Sox [Boston Globe]

Lowell prepared to put ailing hip to the test [Boston Globe]

Beckett aims for consistency [Boston Globe]

Lackey gets the job done [Boston Globe]

Things picked up along the way [Boston Globe]

Revolving door [Boston Globe]

Gonzalez likely is gonzo, it’s now a matter of when [Boston Globe]

Recap: Red Sox 3, Rangers 2 [Boston Herald]

Timely rehab on tap for Mike Lowell [Boston Herald]

Mike Lowell waits for any sign [Boston Herald]

John Lackey opens second half in impressive style [Boston Herald]