Boston Red Sox News & Notes – 9/17

Quickly after watching the bloop hit fall onto the outfield grass, Gonzo's Red Sox teammates were there to celebrate with him. - Globe Staff Photo/Jim Davis

With the game last night between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels lasting four hours and seven minutes, you would have thought that the New York Yankees were in town. Obviously they weren’t but we did witness an October-like game at the Fens.

Mistakes were plentiful in this one by both sides. And as good teams do, they take advantage of them like both teams did. But in the end, it was a blown call by home plate umpire Rick Reed that may have helped the Red Sox to the win.

I’m not taking anything away from Alex Gonzalez by any means. But realistically, there’s no reason he should have even been up.

Angels closer Brian Fuentes had a 3-2 count on pinch-hitter Nick Green with two outs in the bottom of the 9th and the bases full of Red Sox. He threw a knee-high fastball in the middle of the plate that Green watched into Mike Napoli’s glove. Both Napoli and Fuentes thought they had strike three. Angels manager Mike Scioscia thought the game was over.

Instead, it was ball four that brought in pinch-runner Joey Gathright with the game-tying run. Gonzo’s bloop hit fell in front of Juan Rivera in left field, who made absolutely no effort to the ball and that set off the celebration at Fenway Park.

Now remember one thing folks, the Red Sox didn’t get Gonzo for his bat. They brought him in to shore up the hole at shortstop. Since coming to the Red Sox from the Cincinnati Reds, Gonzo has made one error. But what he’s brought to the plate in clutch situations is priceless. Time and time again when the Red Sox have needed a big hit, he’s come through with that big clutch hit.

That begs the question, why did Theo Epstein ever let this guy go after the 2006 season? The Red Sox hold a $6 million option on Gonzalez for 2010 with a $500K buyout. They’d be stupid to let him go since ever since he wasn’t re-signed, the Red Sox have had a big gaping hole at shortstop.

Jed Lowrie’s good enough to be the shortstop but he doesn’t bring what Gonzalez brings to the position. Plus I think Lowrie is better suited for the utility infield position for the time being.

It will be interesting to see what transpires after this season but one thing’s for certain, we don’t have to worry about the shortstop position on the defensive side of the ball. We also don’t have to fret about him getting the big hit unlike a certain Captain of the Red Sox.

And on another note, the Texas Rangers lost last night to give the Red Sox a 6.5 game lead in the wild card standings. The New York Yankees won so the Red Sox remain 6.5 games back in the AL East.

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Paw Prints – The Daily Roundup – 9/17

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

UConn Football links

Live chat today [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

Got Mail? [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Big East picks, Week 3 [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]

What to watch in the Big East, Week 3 [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]

UConn recognizes danger of Baylor QB Griffin [Connecticut Post]

Deep Threat Would Help Huskies [Hartford Courant]

Baylor not overlooking Connecticut challenge [College Football Nation Blog – ESPN.com]

UConn’s Randy Esdall and USC’s Pete Carroll Have More in Common Than You Think [Rob Lunn – NESN.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Bruno, Gillom named [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

USA Basketball names Bruno and Gillom as assistants [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Bruno, Gillom Named to Geno’s Staff [Rich Elliott – Connecticut Post]

Connecticut-Texas Women’s Basketball Matchup Featured on ESPN’s 24 Hours of Hoops [BigEast.org]

Other UConn related links

W. Volleyball. Connecticut Grinds Out 3-2 Volleyball Victory Against Northeastern [UConnHuskies.com]

Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 9/16

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Paul Byrd pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning of game one of a double header of MLB American League baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts September 13, 2008. REUTERS/Adam Hunger

The Boston Red Sox got a solid pitching performance from Daisuke Matsuzaka in his return form the disabled list. Tonight, they’ll look to make it 2 in-a-row over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as they go for their seven straight win.

The game tonight is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m. and the game will be televised on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Angels television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports West. If you live out of either market, you’re in luck as well as tonight’s game is also on ESPN. And if the television isn’t your cup of tea, you can catch the game on one of the many affiliates of the Red Sox Radio Network.

Paul Byrd makes his fourth start in a Red Sox uniform this season after ending his semi-retirement in early August. In his three previous starts, he is 1-1 with a 6.08 ERA. He pitched a lot better in his last start after getting rocked in his second one. Byrd has made nine career starts against the Angels and is 4-2 with a 4.94 ERA. He is unbeaten in his last three Fenway Park starts dating back to 2008.

Joe Saunders has made 27 starts this season for the Halos and sports a 13-7 record with a 4.81 ERA. He is 4-0 with a 1.85 ERA in four starts since returning from the disabled list. He’s faced the Red Sox once this season and took the loss back in April when he allowed four runs in seven innings. He’s made seven career starts against the Red Sox and is 4-1 with a 3.25 ERA. He is 3-0 with a 2.75 ERA at Fenway.

Another chance for Byrd [Extra Bases]

Youkilis on his injury [Extra Bases]

No ‘caution flags’ for Buchholz [Extra Bases]

This and that [Extra Bases]

Papelbon tweaks back [Clubhouse Insider]

Wakefield on track [Clubhouse Insider]

Youkilis talks back spasms [Full Count]

Red Sox Have the Kind of Starting Rotation That Makes Duck Boat Parades Come True [NESN.com]

Is it time to be excited yet in Boston? [Batter-up with Bruno]

Here are the starting lineups for tonight’s game:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim86-58

Boston Red Sox85-58
1. Chone Figgins 3B 1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Erick Aybar SS 2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Bobby Abreu RF 3. Jason Bay LF
4. Vladimir Guerrero DH 4. Mike Lowell 3B
5. Torii Hunter CF 5. David Ortiz DH
6. Kendry Morales 1B 6. Rocco Baldelli RF
7. Howie Kendrick 2B 7. Jason Varitek C
8. Juan Rivera LF 8. Casey Kotchman 1B
9. Mike Napoli C 9. Alex Gonzalez SS
Joe Saunders SP Paul Byrd SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:

Is Nick Green Still Doing The Horizontal Mambo Jambo With Heidi Watney?

Heidi Watney (L) - Boston Globe photo, Nick Green (R) - AP Photo

Earlier in the season, there was a rumor going around town that Boston Red Sox utility infielder Nick Green was knocking boots with NESN’s Heidi Watney. Since then things had been quiet on the who is Watney banging on the Red Sox front.

Well the girls at the Inside Track are reporting that Green and Watney are still swapping spit and probably other bodily fluids.

Red Sox stud Nick Green and NESN Fenway honey Heidi Watney putting on a major display of PDA while out to dinner with Jacoby Ellsbury and his S.O. Kelsey Hawkins at Maggiano’s

Since coming to Beantown, Slutney’s been rumored to have banged Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, NESN’s John Carter and former Red Sox grounds crew member Paul Williams.

Green’s made a few big errors this season for the Red Sox but this seems to be his biggest of all. When they break up, who will Watney be going from third base to a home run with?

Update 9/17: Apparently Slutney was on the radio in Boston yesterday issuing a denial. Barstool Sports has the audio (link has a cuss word in it so be careful at work).

Thanks to Fang’s Bites for the link.

Manny Comes To Fenway In 2010

Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 30, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio - Getty Images

Major League Baseball released the 2010 schedule on Tuesday and while the Boston Red Sox will open and close with the New York Yankees, one weekend of dates is what stands out. And that’s Friday, June 18 to Sunday, June 20.

Why does it stand out?

When Manny Ramirez went to the Los Angeles Dodgers, many Red Sox fans were probably hoping they would never get another chance to give him the proper Boston sendoff for someone who you used to be loved by the fans but went sour on them. Now, Red Sox fans will give him the booing welcome he deserves.

Sure Manny did a lot to help the Red Sox win two World Series titles. But in the end, he’ll be remembered for abandoning them at the end of July in 2008 over his contract.

It will be interesting to see how the Red Sox fans react to Ramirez returning especially after he was suspended for performaning-ehancing drug use this season.

The Red Sox will open on Opening Day at Fenway Park  on Monday, April 5th. It’s quite possible that ESPN could move this game to be the opening game of the season on Sunday night. The Red Sox will also help christen Target Field in Minneapolis, MN as outdoor baseball returns to the Twin Cities on Monday, April 12, 2010.

Interleague play sees the Red Sox playing the Philadelphia Phillies in a home-and-home series. They will also play the National League West teams (except the San Diego Padres) as they’ll host the Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. They’ll play the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies on the road.

2010 Boston Red Sox schedule

2010 Boston Red Sox Schedule

Boston Red Sox

Date Opponent Time Result Rec
April
Sun, 4/4 Yankees 8:00 PM
 – –
Tue, 4/6 Yankees 7:10 PM
 – –
Wed, 4/7 Yankees 7:10 PM – –
Fri, 4/9 at Royals TBD – –
Sat, 4/10 at Royals TBD – –
Sun, 4/11 at Royals TBD – –
Mon, 4/12 at Twins 4:10p – –
Wed, 4/14 at Twins 1:10p – –
Thu, 4/15 at Twins 1:10p – –
Fri, 4/16 Rays TBD – –
Sat, 4/17 Rays TBD – –
Sun, 4/18 Rays TBD – –
Mon, 4/19 Rays TBD – –
Tue, 4/20 Rangers TBD – –
Wed, 4/21 Rangers TBD – –
Thu, 4/22 Rangers TBD – –
Fri, 4/23 Orioles TBD – –
Sat, 4/24 Orioles TBD – –
Sun, 4/25 Orioles TBD – –
Mon, 4/26 at Blue Jays 7:07p – –
Tue, 4/27 at Blue Jays 7:07p – –
Wed, 4/28 at Blue Jays 7:07p – –
Fri, 4/30 at Orioles TBD – –
May
Sat, 5/1 at Orioles TBD – –
Sun, 5/2 at Orioles TBD – –
Mon, 5/3 Angels TBD – –
Tue, 5/4 Angels TBD – –
Wed, 5/5 Angels TBD – –
Thu, 5/6 Angels TBD – –
Fri, 5/7 Yankees TBD – –
Sat, 5/8 Yankees TBD – –
Sun, 5/9 Yankees TBD – –
Mon, 5/10 Blue Jays TBD – –
Tue, 5/11 Blue Jays TBD – –
Wed, 5/12 Blue Jays TBD – –
Fri, 5/14 at Tigers 7:05p – –
Sat, 5/15 at Tigers 7:05p – –
Sun, 5/16 at Tigers 1:05p – –
Mon, 5/17 at Yankees TBD – –
Tue, 5/18 at Yankees TBD – –
Wed, 5/19 Twins TBD – –
Thu, 5/20 Twins TBD – –
Fri, 5/21 at Phillies 7:05p – –
Sat, 5/22 at Phillies TBD – –
Sun, 5/23 at Phillies TBD – –
Mon, 5/24 at Rays TBD – –
Tue, 5/25 at Rays TBD – –
Wed, 5/26 at Rays TBD – –
Thu, 5/27 Royals TBD – –
Fri, 5/28 Royals TBD – –
Sat, 5/29 Royals TBD – –
Sun, 5/30 Royals TBD – –
June
Tue, 6/1 Athletics TBD – –
Wed, 6/2 Athletics TBD – –
Thu, 6/3 Athletics TBD – –
Fri, 6/4 at Orioles TBD – –
Sat, 6/5 at Orioles TBD – –
Sun, 6/6 at Orioles TBD – –
Mon, 6/7 at Indians TBD – –
Tue, 6/8 at Indians TBD – –
Wed, 6/9 at Indians TBD – –
Thu, 6/10 at Indians TBD – –
Fri, 6/11 Phillies TBD – –
Sat, 6/12 Phillies TBD – –
Sun, 6/13 Phillies TBD – –
Tue, 6/15 Diamondbacks TBD – –
Wed, 6/16 Diamondbacks TBD – –
Thu, 6/17 Diamondbacks TBD – –
Fri, 6/18 Dodgers TBD – –
Sat, 6/19 Dodgers TBD – –
Sun, 6/20 Dodgers TBD – –
Tue, 6/22 at Rockies TBD – –
Wed, 6/23 at Rockies TBD – –
Thu, 6/24 at Rockies TBD – –
Fri, 6/25 at Giants 10:15p – –
Sat, 6/26 at Giants TBD – –
Sun, 6/27 at Giants 4:05p – –
Tue, 6/29 Rays TBD – –
Wed, 6/30 Rays TBD – –
July
Fri, 7/2 Orioles TBD – –
Sat, 7/3 Orioles TBD – –
Sun, 7/4 Orioles TBD – –
Mon, 7/5 at Rays TBD – –
Tue, 7/6 at Rays TBD – –
Wed, 7/7 at Rays TBD – –
Fri, 7/9 at Blue Jays 7:07p – –
Sat, 7/10 at Blue Jays 1:07p – –
Sun, 7/11 at Blue Jays 1:07p – –
Thu, 7/15 Rangers TBD – –
Fri, 7/16 Rangers TBD – –
Sat, 7/17 Rangers TBD – –
Sun, 7/18 Rangers TBD – –
Mon, 7/19 at Athletics TBD – –
Tue, 7/20 at Athletics TBD – –
Wed, 7/21 at Athletics TBD – –
Thu, 7/22 at Mariners 10:10p – –
Fri, 7/23 at Mariners 10:10p – –
Sat, 7/24 at Mariners 10:10p – –
Sun, 7/25 at Mariners 4:10p – –
Mon, 7/26 at Angels TBD – –
Tue, 7/27 at Angels TBD – –
Wed, 7/28 at Angels TBD – –
Fri, 7/30 Tigers TBD – –
Sat, 7/31 Tigers TBD – –
August
Sun, 8/1 Tigers TBD – –
Mon, 8/2 Indians TBD – –
Tue, 8/3 Indians TBD – –
Wed, 8/4 Indians TBD – –
Thu, 8/5 Indians TBD – –
Fri, 8/6 at Yankees TBD – –
Sat, 8/7 at Yankees TBD – –
Sun, 8/8 at Yankees TBD – –
Mon, 8/9 at Yankees TBD – –
Tue, 8/10 at Blue Jays 7:07p – –
Wed, 8/11 at Blue Jays 7:07p – –
Thu, 8/12 at Blue Jays 12:37p – –
Fri, 8/13 at Rangers TBD – –
Sat, 8/14 at Rangers TBD – –
Sun, 8/15 at Rangers TBD – –
Tue, 8/17 Angels TBD – –
Wed, 8/18 Angels TBD – –
Thu, 8/19 Angels TBD – –
Fri, 8/20 Blue Jays TBD – –
Sat, 8/21 Blue Jays TBD – –
Sun, 8/22 Blue Jays TBD – –
Mon, 8/23 Mariners TBD – –
Tue, 8/24 Mariners TBD – –
Wed, 8/25 Mariners TBD – –
Fri, 8/27 at Rays TBD – –
Sat, 8/28 at Rays TBD – –
Sun, 8/29 at Rays TBD – –
Tue, 8/31 at Orioles TBD – –
September
Wed, 9/1 at Orioles TBD
Thu, 9/2 at Orioles TBD – –
Fri, 9/3 White Sox TBD – –
Sat, 9/4 White Sox TBD – –
Sun, 9/5 White Sox TBD – –
Mon, 9/6 Rays TBD – –
Tue, 9/7 Rays TBD – –
Wed, 9/8 Rays TBD – –
Fri, 9/10 at Athletics TBD – –
Sat, 9/11 at Athletics TBD – –
Sun, 9/12 at Athletics TBD – –
Mon, 9/13 at Mariners 10:10p – –
Tue, 9/14 at Mariners 10:10p – –
Wed, 9/15 at Mariners 3:40p – –
Fri, 9/17 Blue Jays TBD – –
Sat, 9/18 Blue Jays TBD – –
Sun, 9/19 Blue Jays TBD – –
Mon, 9/20 Orioles TBD – –
Tue, 9/21 Orioles TBD – –
Wed, 9/22 Orioles TBD – –
Fri, 9/24 at Yankees TBD – –
Sat, 9/25 at Yankees TBD – –
Sun, 9/26 at Yankees TBD – –
Mon, 9/27 at White Sox TBD – –
Tue, 9/28 at White Sox TBD – –
Wed, 9/29 at White Sox TBD – –
Thu, 9/30 at White Sox TBD – –
October
Fri, 10/1 Yankees TBD – –
Sat, 10/2 Yankees TBD – –
Sun, 10/3 Yankees TBD – –

Boston Red Sox News & Notes – 9/16

With support from fans behind the bullpen, Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed no runs on three hits, while walking three and striking out five. - Jim Davis/Boston Globe

Who was that guy on the mound last night for the Boston Red Sox and where did they get him from?

That’s right it was the Daisuke Matsuzaka that was advertised about back when the Red Sox signed him before the 2007 season. He was definitely not the same pitcher we’ve seen over the last 2 plus seasons. This was the same Dice-K who has led Japan to two WBC crowns and the same pitcher who was named WBC MVP two times.

Matsuzaka relied heavily on his fastball last night and had great command and location with it. He also mixed in his breaking stuff and more importantly, he didn’t nibble at the corners. Sure he got into some minor trouble but unlike in his previous eight starts this season, he was able to get out of any jam.

He threw 93 pitches in six scoreless innings of work in his first start since June 19th, an 8-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

For Matsuzaka to be relied on down the stretch, he needs to go out and perform like he did last night in his next start. And then again in the next one after that.

Let’s hope that last night was just a glimpse of what’s to come going forward for Dice-K.

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Paw Prints – The Daily Roundup – 9/16

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

UConn Football links

Darius Butler No Longer Under the Radar [NFLPA]

Randy Edsall Opens His Weekly Press Conference In Preparation For Baylor [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn’s Endres, Witten have stomach bug [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]

UConn looks to bounce back at Baylor [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]

Tuesday presser [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

More notes [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Feeling queasy? Have a slice of Tuesday notes [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

Tuesday’s with Randy [Neill Ostrout – Connecticut Post]

Virus slows UConn QB Endres, as frosh Box steps up [Connecticut Post]

UConn’s Endres, Witten Set Back By Stomach Virus [Hartford Courant]

Slow Start For Hurry-Up [Hartford Courant]

Endres Insists He Was Ready [Hartford Courant]

Stomach bug takes a bite out of Huskies [New Haven Register]

Huskies relying on Endres to deliver [Waterbury Republican-American]

UConn looks to get air attack off ground [New London Day]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Kay Yow Golf Classic A Success [Rich Elliott – Connecticut Post]

Geno Getting Some Air Time [Rich Elliott – Connecticut Post]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn receives commitment [Gavin Keefe – New London Day]

Jeremy Lamb Chooses UConn [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Doron Lamb can Score [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Lamb Lies Down in Storrs [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Shooting guard Lamb says he’ll play at UConn [Connecticut Post]

Georgia Recruit Commits To UConn [Hartford Courant]

UConn adds Lamb to menu [New Haven Register]

Guard from Georgia commits to UConn [Waterbury Republican-American]

6-4 shooting guard verbally commits to UConn [New London Day]

Other UConn related links

W. Soccer. Giddings Named A CS360’s Primetime Performer Of The Week [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Huskies Tabbed For Ninth In Atlantic Hockey Preseason Poll [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Lacrosse. McMahon Adds Six to 2010 Lacrosse Recruiting Class [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Volleyball. Huskies Host Northeastern for Wednesday Night Volleyball Match [UConnHuskies.com]

Undefeated Connecticut Drops One Spot to No. 6 in Latest Field Hockey Poll [BigEast.org]