Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings are after the jump.
Junichi Tazawa Gives Red Sox Yet Another High Ceiling Pitching Prospect [Wicked Good Sports]
After watching their 2-1 lead evaporate in the 7th inning, the Boston Red Sox rallied to tie the game and eventually win 6-3 over the Chicago White Sox in front of 38,059 at Fenway Park on Tuesday night.
Jon Lester started the 7th by allowing a single to Paul Konerko and then walking Jermaine Dye. A.J. Pierzynski sacrificed the runners over and Alex Rios lined out to J.D. Drew in right. Lester struck out Alexei Ramirez but the ball bounced off the plate and Jason Varitek allowing Konerko to score and Ramirez at first. Jayson Nix followed with line drive that went off the glove of Mike Lowell and allowed Dye to score.
Hideki Okajima came in and allowed an infield single to Scott Podsednik to load up the bases but he recovered to strikeout Gordon Beckham.
After a Lowell ground out to start the bottom half of the inning, Varitek crushed a double to right-center to end Freddy Garcia’s night. Nick Green pinch-ran for Tek and Victor Martinez pinch-hit for Alex Gonzalez. The move paid off nicely for Terry Francona as Martinez delivered with a single scoring Green from second to tie the game up at three.
The Red Sox escaped a first and third with no outs situation in the top half of the 8th and struck for three runs in the bottom half.
Scott Linebrink got the first out in David Ortiz but left a hanging breaking ball out over the plate that Jason Bay crushed onto the Mass Pike to put the Red Sox out in front 4-3. After a Lowell strike out, Green singled and came around to score on a V-Mart double. Randy Williams came in and gave up a single to Jacoby Ellsbury that scored V-Mart for the final margin of 6-3.
With the win, the Red Sox hold their 1.5 game lead over the Rangers and three game lead over the Rays in the wild card standings. They also picked up a game and are now 6 games behind the Yankees in the AL East.
Lester had a good night on the mound and it was unfortunate circumstances (the wild pitch to Ramirez) that led to the no-decision. He threw the ball and had good command on all of his pitches. He went 6 2/3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks with six strikeouts.
The bullpen did it’s job as well.
Hideki Okajima gave up 3 hits and had two strikeouts. Manny Delcarmen bailed out Okajima in the 8th by retiring the only batter he faced. Jonathan Papelbon struck out two and allowed a hit to pick up his 30th save of the season.
With that 30th save, Papelbon joins Billy Koch as the only relievers to record 30 saves in their first four seasons.
Garcia allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk with 5 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Matt Thornton gave up two hits and a walk in a 1/3 of an inning. Linebrink gave up 3 runs on 3 hits with a strikeout in an inning of work. Williams walked one and gave up a hit in a 1/3 of an inning.
Ellsbury had a 3-hit night with an RBI and the 55th stolen base of the season. The stolen base for Ellsbury gives him the Red Sox record, breaking Tommy Harper’s record of 54.
Kevin Youkilis and Bay each had a hit and an RBI with Bay’s coming on the game-winning home run. V-Mart came off the bench with 2 hits and two RBI. Pedroia added an RBI to the cause as well.
Tim Wakefield makes his return from the disabled list on Wednesday night for the Red Sox. He’ll be opposed by Gavin Floyd.
During tonight’s Boston Red Sox vs Chicago White Sox game, Jacoby Ellsbury led off the bottom of the 1st with a double and promptly stole third base. It was his 55th stolen base of the season breaking Tommy Harper’s Red Sox record of 54.
{flowplayer}http://ianbethune.com/ellsburyrecord.FLV{/flowplayer}
Jacoby Stealsbury; Red Sox center fielder breaks franchise stolen base record [Batter-up with Bruno]
Boston Red Sox All-Star Pitcher Josh Beckett, Local Stars and Athletes Throw Strikes for Children at Third Annual Beckett Bowl
Star-Studded Lineup of Boston’s Hottest Celebrities, Athletes, Musicians, and Comedians Compete in Celebrity Bowling Tournament to Benefit Children’s Hospital
Beckett to Host Beckett Bowl After-Party Featuring Josh Beckett and Friends; Special Performance by Country Music Star Pat Green
BOSTON (August 25, 2009) – Boston Red Sox All-Star pitcher Josh Beckett will throw strikes of a different kind on September 10, when he hangs up his cleats and laces up a pair of bowling shoes at the third-annual Beckett Bowl, a star-studded bowling tournament held at Lucky Strike Lanes in Boston. Beckett spoke to the media about the event today while signing special Beckett Bowl branded bowling pins at a Fenway Park news conference.
The fun-filled evening will begin at 6 p.m. with red-carpet arrivals and autograph session. The bowling tournament will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and festivities will conclude with the official Absolut Beckett Bowl After-Party at the House of Blues with Josh Beckett and friends. The after-party will feature celebrity appearances and live entertainment, including performances by Texas country music star Pat Green, Matt Cline and DJ Buddy Costa. Absolut is the presenting sponsor of the official Beckett Bowl After-Party.
A limited number of tickets for Beckett Bowl and the Absolut Beckett Bowl After-Party are available now at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets for the bowling event are $250 and after-party tickets are $45.
In advance of the event, Beckett will host an online raffle at netRaffle.org to benefit The Josh Beckett Foundation. The winner will receive a celebrity bowling package to bowl with the stars at the tournament, as well as a special experiential fantasy day at Fenway Park. Raffle tickets are $2 with a minimum purchase of five tickets and can be purchased now at netRaffle.org. The winner will be selected on Monday, September 7, 2009. For more information, visit netRaffle.org.
“We are overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from the local sports and business communities over the last two years,” said Beckett. “They’ve really pulled together to help kids, and as a result of those efforts, we were fortunate enough to open the Josh Beckett Cancer Treatment room at Children’s Hospital Boston. But this is only the beginning. I’m thrilled to be back this September to rally around these deserving children and make an even greater impact.”
The annual Beckett Bowl fundraising event is organized by The Josh Beckett Foundation, which supports community-based programs that improve the health and well-being of children, especially those who are seriously ill, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged. Since its inception in 2007, Beckett Bowl has raised more than $500,000 to benefit the Foundation and the event’s primary beneficiary, Children’s Hospital Boston.
“Children’s has taken the lead in radically improving survival rates for pediatric cancer through cutting-edge research and exceptional inpatient care,” said Children’s Hospital Boston CEO James Mandell, MD. “Gifts from generous individuals like Josh will help us continue our work to save kids’ lives.”
The all-star lineup of celebrities participating in the 2009 Beckett Bowl includes current and past Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, and New England
Revolution players, along with actors, comedians, musicians, and celebrity chefs with New England ties. Past Beckett Bowls have attracted some of Boston’s top professional athletes and celebrities, including Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield and Mike Lowell; HBO’s Entourage star Adrian Grenier; performer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of legendary hip-hop trio Run DMC; Celtics Paul Pierce and Glen “Big Baby” Davis; Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic; New England Patriots Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Adalius Thomas, and Steve Gostkowski; New England Revolution stars Matt Reis and Taylor Twellman; and many more.
In November, Children’s Hospital Boston will honor Beckett as the recipient of the 2009 “Champion Award” at the organization’s annual fundraising gala, Champions for Children’s. The award recognizes athletes for their work off the field, enriching the lives of children. The prestigious event, which features athletes and representatives from all five local professional sports teams, has raised nearly $20 million dollars in support of kids battling disease.
Big Night Entertainment Group, Platinum Marketing, Absolut, The Upper Crust, Liberty Bay Credit Union, IRA, Reebok, Red Sox Foundation, Pro Print, Rockstar, Liberty Hotel, Nixon Peabody, Bank of New England, NESN, WCVB-TV, Boston Herald, and the Improper Bostonian are working with the Foundation in support of Beckett Bowl.
About The Josh Beckett Foundation
The Josh Beckett Foundation is a charitable organization established in 2007 by Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett to support community-based programs that strive to improve the health and well-being of children, especially children who are seriously ill, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged. The Foundation provides Beckett with an opportunity to have a direct and permanent impact on the lives of children throughout New England and in his hometown of Spring, Texas. Since its inception, Beckett Bowl has raised more than $500,000 for The Josh Beckett Foundation and Children’s Hospital Boston.
In 2008 the hospital unveiled the Josh Beckett Cancer Treatment Room, which features Boston Red Sox imagery including Beckett and his teammates, crowd scenes, and the historic Fenway Park sign.
After Clay Buchholz fell behind early last night, the Boston Red Sox took advantage of Jose Contreras’ implosion to beat the Chicago White Sox. The Red Sox will look to make it two in-a-row at the Fens tonight.
The game tonight will start at 7:10 PM EDT and will be televised in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the White Sox television market, you can catch the game on Comcast SportsNet Chicago. 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.
Jon Lester has been solid his last few times out for Terry Francona and looks for his 11th win of the year. He’s made 25 starts and is 10-7 with a 3.58 ERA. He’s faced the White Sox just twice in his career and is 1-1 with 4.15 ERA. He’s never faced them at Fenway Park.
Freddy Garcia makes just his second start of 2009 for Ozzie Guillen. He gave up five runs over 4 1/3 innings to take the loss against the Royals his first time out. He’s made 13 career starts against the Red Sox and is 6-2 with a 4.78 ERA. Six of those starts have come at Fenway where he is 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA.
As you’ve heard by now, the Red Sox acquired Billy Wagner from the Mets after Wagner waived his no-trade clause. Sean McAdam is reporting that 1B/OF Chris Carter of the Pawtucket Red Sox is one of the two players being sent to the Mets. Wagner is expected to join the Red Sox in time for Thursday’s game against the White Sox.
Pap welcomes Wagner with open arms [Extra Bases]
Sox received permission to speak to Wagner [Extra Bases]
Schilling talks Wagner on Dennis & Callahan [38 Pitches]
PawSox’ Carter part of Wagner deal [Clubhouse Insider]
Pap: no apology needed to Billy Wags [Full Count]
Wagner worth a roll of dice [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]
Lester shrugs off lack of run support [RedSox.com]
Ellsbury a Heart and Hustle finalist [RedSox.com]
Billy Wagner to arrive Thursday [Projo Sox Blog]
Kotsay holds no Sox’ grudge [Projo Sox Blog]
Gonzalez providing offense as well as defense [Projo Sox Blog]
Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:
|
|
|
||
| 1. Scott Podsednik | DH | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 2. Gordon Beckham | 3B | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Carlos Quentin | LF | 3. J.D. Drew | RF |
| 4. Paul Konerko | 1B | 4. Kevin Youkilis | 1B |
| 5. Jermaine Dye | RF | 5. David Ortiz | DH |
| 6. A.J. Pierzynski | C | 6. Jason Bay | LF |
| 7. Alex Rios | CF | 7. Mike Lowell | 3B |
| 8. Alexei Ramirez | SS | 8. Jason Varitek | C |
| 9. Jayson Nix | 2B | 9. Alex Gonzalez | SS |
| Freddy Garcia | SP | Jon Lester | SP |
And here are how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:
August 25, 2009 (Boston) — Entercom New England announced today that, effective with the team’s game against the Chicago White Sox Wednesday evening, August 26th, all future Boston Red Sox games will be carried on WEEI 850 AM in Boston, the flagship station of the WEEI Sports Radio Network.
From 1995 to 2006, Red Sox games were carried exclusively on WEEI. In 2006, the games were shifted to Entercom sister station WRKO AM 680.
“We have a tremendously close partnership with the Red Sox, and are very excited to bring them back to WEEI,” said Jason Wolfe, Entercom New England’s Vice President of AM Programming. “This move will add consistency to our lineup, whereby all of our sports assets will be consolidated in the same place. There’s no better compliment to the Boston Celtics, Patriots Monday and Patriots Friday, Sunday Night and Monday Night NFL football, the Super Bowl and NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, than adding Red Sox baseball back to nation’s biggest sports radio station.”
Added Julie Kahn, Entercom New England Market Manager/VP: “We’re delighted to bring the Red Sox back to their original home on WEEI. The Red Sox and WEEI have a long history together and it’s a partnership that’s a win for all – WEEI, the Sox and the Boston sports fans.”
“Our partnership with Entercom ensures that Red Sox fans know where to go for the best, most compelling sports news and features on radio,” said Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino. “Today’s announcement marks a return home for us, and now all of Red Sox Nation will know they can turn to WEEI to catch every Red Sox game all season long.”
WEEI is the nation’s highest rated sports radio station, a three time Marconi Award Winner, and home to Dennis and Callahan, Dale and Holley, The Big Show with Glenn Ordway and Planet Mikey with Mike Adams. The WEEI sports radio network includes the following stations:
WEEI-850 AM Boston, MA
WEII-96.3 FM Cape Cod, MA
WEEI-103.7 FM Providence, RI
WVEI-105.5 FM Springfield, MA
WVEI-1440 AM Worcester, MA
WPEI 95.9 FM Portland, ME
WEEY-93.5 FM Keene, NH
WAEI-AM-910 AM / WAEI 97.1 FM Bangor, ME
The initial 2009 Arizona Fall League rosters were released today with each MLB organization sending at least seven players. As of today, the Boston Red Sox have decided on four of those seven players who will be playing for the Mesa Solar Sox.
Those players are pitchers Chris Province, Dustin Richardson, catcher Luis Exposito and outfielder Ryan Kalish. The Red Sox still have two pitchers and two infielders to decide on. Those will probably come soon as their farm system winds down it’s regular season.
Joining them on the coaching staff for the Solar Sox will be Billy McMillon who is currently the hitting coach for the Greenville Drive.
Province was a 4th round pick of the Red Sox back in 2007 out of Southeastern Louisiana University. He’s spent the 2009 season with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs of the Eastern League. In 39 games, all in relief, Province is 2-4 with one save and a 2.94 ERA.
Richardson was a 5th round pick of the Red Sox back in 2006 out of Texas Tech. Richardson started the season with the Portland Sea Dogs but was recently promoted to theTriple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. In 38 games out of the Sea Dogs bullpen, Richardson was 2-2 with a 2.70 ERA. He’s made two appearances for the PawSox and has no record with a 0.00 ERA.
Exposito was signed by the Red Sox as a draft-and-follow. He was drafted by the Red Sox in 31st round back in 2005 out of St. Petersburg Junior College but didn’t sign until one month before the 2006 draft. Exposito started the season with the Single-A Salem Red Sox before a promotion to the Sea Dogs. In 76 games in Salem, he was hitting .271 with 6 home runs and 45 RBI. In 15 games with the Sea Dogs, he is hitting .361 with two home runs and 9 RBI.
Kalish was drafted by the Red Sox out of Red Bank Catholic High School in New Jersey in the 9th round in 2006. Kalish started the season with the Salem Red Sox but after about a month or so was promoted to the Sea Dogs. In 32 games with Salem, Kalish was hitting .304 with 5 home runs, 21 RBI and 7 stolen bases. In 88 games with the Sea Dogs, he is hitting .275 with 10 home runs, 45 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Mets have come to terms on a trade for lefty reliever Billy Wagner after the Red Sox placed a waiver claim on him.
The Red Sox will receive Wagner in exchange for two players to be named later. In exchange for Wagner waiving his no-trade clause, the Red Sox also have agreed not to pick up Wagner’s 2010 option. But the Red Sox can offer him salary arbitration next year and will get two draft picks, since Wagner projects to be a Type A free agent, if he declines arbitration.
Also according to Jon Heyman via Twitter, the Red Sox have agreed to pay the rest of Wagner’s 2009 salary, which Heyman says is around $2 million. The Red Sox will also be on the hook for a $1 million buyout on his 2010 option.
It’s going to be interesting to see how Wagner slides into the bullpen. As we know, Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon has been very outspoken about Wagner joining the team although he has tried to clear the air.
Wagner is coming off of Tommy John surgery and has pitched in two games for the Mets this season. In two innings of work, he has walked one and struck out four.
Most likely Enrique Gonzalez will either be designated for assignment or optioned back to Pawtucket to make room for Wagner. The Red Sox will need to make another move tomorrow when Tim Wakefield returns to the rotation.
Things didn’t look to be going as planned for the Boston Red Sox last night early on. Clay Buchholz was struggling on the mound and Jose Contreras seemed to have put his Fenway Park struggles behind him. Then the bottom of the third inning happened.
The Red Sox came into the inning trailing the Chicago White Sox 4-1. Contreras gave up a leadoff single to Alex Gonzalez and then retired Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia. He then walked Victor Martinez and with an 0-2 count he hit Kevin Youkilis to load up the bases.
The big blow of the inning when he fell behind David Ortiz 3-0. Big Papi had the green light and swung at it, hitting a dribbler down the first base line. Rather than letting the ball go to first baseman Paul Konerko, Contreras tried to take it himself and missed the ball allowing Ortiz to be safe at first and Gonzalez to score.
From there it was all downhill as he walked Jason Bay to force in another run. Then with Mike Lowell at the plate, he uncorked a wild pitch to tie the game up. Three pitches later, Lowell crushed a fastball from Contreras onto the Mass Pike to put the Red Sox up 7-4.
The Sox scored two more in the fourth but Buchholz couldn’t make it out of the 5th as he gave up a 3-run bomb to Konerko. For the second time this season, Buchholz was pulled with a lead in the 5th after struggling and wasn’t eligible for the win.
Just as Buchholz looks to have rounded the corner, he takes a step back. He’d gone up against the other teams’ ace in his previous three outings and had pitched well. Last night, he didn’t look like the pitcher had been in those starts. His changeup was flat and being hit all over the place.
Luckily for him, the Red Sox offense has been swinging the bat well over this homestand. They’ve scored 41 runs in four games, going 2-2 in that stretch. The win last night enabled them to increase their lead over the Texas Rangers in the wild card to 1.5 games. They still trail the Yankees by 7 games in the AL East. They’ll actually need some help from the Yankees as they will be playing the Rangers the next three nights.
The main thing though is the Red Sox just need to keep winning ballgames and let everything else just fall into place.
UConn Football links
How Likely Is It That QB Mike Box Will Redshirt? [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Will Huskies Be More Deceptive On ‘O’ And ‘D’? [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Bennett Done [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
Big East position rankings: Quarterback [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]
Big East preseason position rankings: Receiver [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]
Cody Brown out for the season [TheUConnBlog.com]
Lorenzen scores first NFL touchdown; sky to fall in next day or so [TheUConnBlog.com]
Today At UConn Football Practice: Two-Minute Drill [Hartford Courant]
Former Husky Cody Brown Out For Season With Wrist Injury [Hartford Courant]
Cardinals lose Brown, the former UConn star, for season [New London Day]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
Update on Nykesha Sales [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Big East ShootAround: League down at top, but plenty of talent remains [ESPN.com]
UConn ‘09-10 Preview [Slam Online]
Other UConn related links
Women’s Soccer: Schnur and Sky Blue FC Crowned WPS Champs [UConnHuskies.com]
Men’s Hockey: Corey Jendras Returns To Bolster Alumni Roster [OurSports Central]
63-62
71-53