That the Red Sox rallied for a win this afternoon to salvage the finale in a three-game series against the Mariners offers some consolation. After all, you never want to see your team get swept, especially at home. Today's comeback erased the frustration of Friday and Saturday, when the Sox had a chance to win both games but lost when the normally reliable bullpen faltered.
On Friday, Boston plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at 5-5. Nick Green's two-run double caromed off the top of the Green Monster, less than a foot from being a go-ahead home run. The Sox saw Ramon Ramirez serve up two runs in the top of the 11th and then, after George Kottaras ripped his first career home run with two outs in the bottom of the 11th, J.D. Drew singled but Dustin Pedroia grounded into a game-ending force out.
Yesterday, the Red Sox offense was hapless against Garrett Olson and two Seattle relievers, but Boston remained in the game because of another quality start by Brad Penny, who limited the Mariners to two runs and six hits over six innings. Takashi Saito provided the bullpen letdown on this day, walking the bases loaded in the ninth before allowing an RBI single to Chris Woodward. Former Boston reliever David Aardsma retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth to seal a 3-2 Seattle victory, marking the fourth time in five games that the Mariners defeated the Sox in 2009. Each win was of the one-run variety.
This afternoon, it appeared that the Red Sox offense would continue its listless habits. Seattle carried a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth, when Jacoby Ellsbury belted his sixth home run of the season. Dustin Pedroia (3) and David Ortiz (9) launched solo dingers in the first inning off power right-hander Brandon Morrow, who surrendered three runs and six hits in six innings.
Boston broke out of its funk in the seventh inning, and as has been the case for much of this season, the runs were scored with two outs. With two on and two outs, Ortiz lined a two-run single off Miguel Batista to tie the game at 4-4. Hard-throwing righty Mark Lowe was summoned, and he struggled to throw strikes. Jason Bay walked to load the bases. Then Ellsbury walked to give the Sox a 5-4 lead. Mark Kotsay followed with a two-run single, chasing Lowe in favor of Sean White. A passed ball permitted Ellsbury to score, giving Boston an 8-4 cushion.
Jon Lester was not spotless. He allowed four runs (one earned) and eight hits over 6.2 innings, but he did retire seven in a row before walking Ken Griffey Jr. with two outs in the seventh, when Terry Francona called upon Justin Masterson. Unlike Friday and Saturday, the bullpen was unblemished today. Masterson (1.1 innings) and Hideki Okajima (one inning) did not permit a base runner.
Boston's win allowed it to remain atop the American League East by one game over the Yankees, which won their third consecutive game over the fading Toronto Blue Jays. Now 49-32, the Sox prepare for a three-game series against Oakland. Here are the pitching matchups:
- Monday - John Smoltz (0-1, 6.00 ERA) versus LHP Brett Anderson (4-7, 5.45 ERA)
- Tuesday - Josh Beckett (9-3, 3.67 ERA) versus LHP Dallas Braden (6-7, 3.13 ERA)
- Wednesday - Tim Wakefield (10-3, 4.30 ERA) versus RHP Trevor Cahill (5-7, 4.55 ERA)
Notes and observations
- The batting averages of Jason Bay (.260), Kevin Youkilis (.301) and Nick Green (.267) continue to swoon. At least Dustin Pedroia (who was 3-for-5 today with a home run and a double and is hitting .290), David Ortiz (who had a home run and a two-run single today and has a .225 average) and Jacoby Ellsbury (who belted a solo home run and worked a key bases loaded walk in the seventh and is hitting .303) are producing. Bay has been striking out quite a bit lately. Ortiz looks comfortable at the plate. He clubbed the home run off Brandon Morrow's 96 miles per hour fast ball and lined the two-run single off Miguel Batista's 94 miles per hour heater.
- Not only is Jacoby Ellsbury hitting north of .300, but he continues to swipe bases. Ellsbury's stolen base yesterday gave him 35 in 2009 and made him the first Red Sox player to record 35 stolen bases in back-to-back seasons since Tris Speaker accomplished the feat from 1912-1914. Ellsbury is also the first American Leaguer to reach 35 or more stolen bases before the All-Star break in consecutive seasons since Rickey Henderson did so from 1988-1990. Tommy Harper owns Boston's single-season stolen base record with 54. Ellsbury swiped 50 bags last year and is poised to break Harper's mark in 2009.
- It's no surprise the the Red Sox are sending an array of player to next week's All-Star Game in St. Louis. Six Boston players were selected. Jason Bay and Dustin Pedroia were voted in as starters. Kevin Youkilis was chosen as a reserve. Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon were selected. When watching the All-Star selection show, the most gratifying feeling for many Red Sox fans surfaced when Tim Wakefield's name was announced. It will be the 42-year-old knuckleballer's first career All-Star Game. Wakefield, who is 10-3 with a 4.30 ERA, surpassed Roger Clemens for the most career starts in Red Sox history with his no-decision on Friday. No doubt that Wakefield deserves this honor, which was bestowed upon him by Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon, who is the American League skipper. Though Beckett and Jon Lester are pitching well now, and Brad Penny is delivering quality starts, Wakefield was the lone member of Boston's rotation to provide consistently good outings earlier this season. He has been consistent all year, giving the Sox quality starts in most appearances.
- Former Boston Globe baseball writer Gordon Edes, who is now with Yahoo! Sports, reports that the Red Sox are one of four teams that have contacted the Kansas City Royals about Mark Teahen. On paper, the 27-year-old Teahen appears to be a good fit for the Sox. He plays the corner infield and outfield spots, and he would give Boston another option since Mike Lowell will need periodic off days in the second half. Teahen also has some pop. He has nine home runs in 280 at-bats this year. However, Teahen hits from the left side, and if Boston brings him in, Rocco Baldelli is likely the odd man out. Mark Kotsay, who is a left-handed hitter, would serve as the fourth outfielder. With the switch-hitting Jed Lowrie likely to return after the All-Star break, (including Teahen) Boston's bench would feature the left-handed hitters Teahen, Kotsay and George Kottaras and one righty - Lowrie or Nick Green (Lowrie is likely to reclaim the starting shortstop job). Chances are, the Sox will acquire a right-handed bat (like Colorado's Garrett Atkins) if they want insurance in case Lowell's hip does not cooperate. Lowrie can play third, but that would leave the Sox without a backup shortstop, and there is no guarantee that Lowrie will be at full strength this season since he is recovering from wrist surgery. Of course, since Kotsay plays a solid first base, Kevin Youkilis is proficient at third and the right-handed hitting Rocco Baldelli is producing when called upon, the Sox do not have to make a trade.
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