What Is Happening...

John Lackey is absolute garbage. Jon Lester just went down with a back injury following in the footsteps of Clay Buchholz a few weeks ago. Jonathan Papelbon may be the most overrated closer in recent memory. JD Drew seems like he forgot how to play baseball. Kevin Youkilis seems to have the most obscure injuries every 3rd game forcing him to miss a game or two in any given week.

Jon Lester had a no-hitter going into the 5th inning, but didn't take the mound. He left with a left lat strain, taking away any elbow room that was to be had on the disabled list.

In the ninth inning. Papelbon came in, gave up a moonshot to Jose Bautista, his 28th dinger of the season, and had to be bailed out by a Darnell McDonald cannon from left field to home plate to gun out Edwin Encarnacion for the final out. Very questionable call at the plate, as Varitek appeared to miss the tag high as Encarnacion swung his right leg around like a horseshoe around a stake.

Either way, Tim Wakefield and the Sox are taking on Ricky Romero and the Blue Jays, who the Sox have had success off of already this season, tonight at 7:10.

Go Sox.

Sox Finally Rid of Interleague

Taking 2 out of 3 from the Houston Astros, the Red Sox are rid of the dreaded Interleague Play for another season. No more Papi at first base, no more Gonzo in right, life with a DH will once again reign supreme.

Josh Beckett spun another gem today, going 8 innings, giving up 5 hits, one run and striking out a season-high 11.

The Sox are going back home for a 7-game homestand before the Mid-Summer Classic. The Bash Brothers, David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzalez will get the nod to start for the American League, with Josh Beckett and Jacoby Ellsbury rounding out representatives for Boston.

Sox Pull the E-Brake -- Stop Skid vs Phillies

Terry Francona earned his 700th victory with the Boston Red Sox this afternoon in Citizen's Bank Park, as the Sox beat down the Phillies, 5-2.

Boston finished the month of June with a 16-9 record, after starting out 12-2 but now stumbling into July. Mike Cameron was designated for assignment before the game, with Yamaico Navarro getting the call to the Show. The infielder was called up to give the Sox some breathing room while Kevin Youkilis heals up from a foul ball off the foot the other night.

Jon Lester was lights out, going 7 innings with 2 hits, 2 walks, no runs allowed and 5 K's. His battery mate Jason Varitek led the offense with 2 solo home runs, batting 5th today in an always-confusing interleague lineup.

Sox are traveling to Houston to take on the Astros, last place in the NL Central with a 28-53 record. Given the way they've played against the Pirates and Padres, the Sox could be in for another struggle, but hopefully they can start out July like they did June and stay hot this summer.

How Strong Are You?! TOO STRONG!

Fresh off their 14-2 smackdown (with Bobby Flay) of the Cleveland Indians, the Boston Red Sox got up early and never looked back against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

In Wednesday's game at Cleveland, the Sox thumped 4 home runs with the bats of Dustin Pedroia, Carl Crawford, David Ortiz, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Crawford finished the day a triple away from the cycle and ended up 4-4, whereas every other player on the team had at least 2 hits besides Jed Lowrie who finished 0-5, and received a day off on Thursday.

(LIVE)Their second afternoon game in a row, and their first of a three game series in Detroit, the Red Sox jumped out with 5 runs in the 2nd inning, with a lot of credit due to Jacoby Ellsbury's 3-run jack.

The Sox should just play day games more often, apparently, as they have now scored 14 runs thus far, with the game in the top of the eighth.

Vartiek flies out to retire the side. I think I'm going to close the book on this one. I know our bullpen is bad, so I won't say that the Tigers just have one run. Crawford, over the past two games is 8-9, with 4 singles, a double, 2 triples and a home run. He is hitting .330 in the month of April, an unbelievable turnaround for him, and just what Sox fans have been looking for. No need for a fourth walk-off hit when your team wins by double-digits.

And as I say that, into a rain delay we go. Well no matter what happens, the team with the most wins in professional sports in the month of May has won their third game in a row over the Detroit Tigers.

Tomorrow, Tim Wakefield will take on a surging Rick Porcello at 7:05pm.

Sox Finally Trump Tribe, 4-2

Jason Varitek threw out two runners and hit his first home run of the year, Adrian Gonzalez continued his tear, and Beckett pitched 6 innings striking out as many batters. For the first time in 2011, the Red Sox have beaten the Cleveland Indians, 4-2.

Splitting their second series of the year, the teams completed their two game series Tuesday night from Progressive Field in Cleveland.

For Varitek, this was his first home run in 117 at-bats, dating back almost a full year to May 30, 2010. Gonzalez's average dropped to .340, so he's doing absolutely miserable in his first season with Boston.

The Sox travel to Detroit tomorrow for an awkward Wednesday afternoon game at 12:05. The Sox have gone 8-2 over their last 10, and now sit in 2nd place in the AL East with a record of 26-22, after starting their season 2-10.

Sox Fall to the Tribe - Again

(AP Photo: Mark Duncan)

Clay Buchholz and Justin Masterson matched up beautifully Monday night both going at least 7 innings, but neither of them factored in the decision. Daniel Bard came on in relief in the bottom of the 8th at Progressive Field in Cleveland, only to give up a double to Michael Brantley for the game-tying run, followed by another double off the bat of the white-hot Asdrubal Cabrera to slam the door, 3-2.

The Red Sox have won 7 of their last 9, and were leading for most of this game thanks to a solo home run hit by Carl Crawford in the fifth, his second of the year.

Buchholz took the mound tonight, giving up 4 hits and two earned runs over 7 and 1/3 innings and receiving his second straight no decision. Masterson's line was eerily similar, going 7 and 2/3 innings.

First pitch was at 8:10pm, an hour later than scheduled due to some passing showers over the ballpark, but once it was underway, the game took less than 3 hours.

Adrian Gonzalez continued his tear with a single tonight in a 1-3 performance including a walk, putting his batting average to .342. Kevin Youkilis' hit streak was snapped at 10 games tonight, going 0-3.

Scary moment in the top of the 8th when Dustin Pedroia, attempting to round 2nd base turned his left ankle, and had to exit the game. He was reluctant to put pressure down on the ankle, which he has had problems with in the past, including last season when he missed most of the final three months of the season. No word yet on the severity of the injury.

With the loss, Bard falls to 1-4 on the season and gets his second blown save. Since 2009, Bard only has 4 other losses, and is looking to figure out how to get back on the right track as quickly as possible. Bobby Jenks, similarly terrible this year, threw a 26-pitch bullpen session, and is looking to get his first action in a rehab start in the coming week.

Sox take on the Indians tomorrow night at 7:10pm from Progressive Field. With the win tonight, Cleveland moves to 30-15 on the year, and 8-2 against the AL East thus far.

Big Day for Boston

Bruins are in the first period of Game 4, leading the Lightning in the series 2 game to 1, and the Sox are turning back the clocks tonight against the Cubs, sporting uniforms from 1918.

Just so everyone knows, I will not be covering the Rapture. I was considering a live blog, but its just not in the cards.

BRUINS SCORE, PATRICE BERGERON, 1-0 BRUINS, LET'S GOOOOOOO

If the Bruins take this game, I think they'll easily sit atop the Eastern Conference in a few days, awaiting the Canucks (or

2-0 BRUINS, THEY STRIKE AGAIN. GOOOOOAAAAAAAAL. Chris Kelly poke checks the puck back into the Bruins offensive zone, picked up by Michael Ryder, who takes it down short side and

AGAIN! PATRICE BERGERON WITH THE UNASSISTED GOAL OFF THE TURNOVER! SHORTHANDED GOAL, 3-0 BRUINS!

In case anyone is wondering, I'm watching the Bruins game while attempting to write this post, and the Bruins are just going off right now. As I was saying, Ryder took the puck down, went to pass and it deflected off a stick and floated into the back of the net.

As for that last goal, Bergeron just straight up mugged the puck from Stamkos and lit the lap through Roloson's 5-hole. I'm going to continue to watch the game, and if you're reading, do the same.

Go B's. Go Sox.

Crawford Gets 3rd Walk-off Hit, Sox win 4-3

Photo Courtesy: AP/Charles Krupa


For the third week in a row, Carl Crawford has lifted the Boston Red Sox past their opponents in the bottom of the 9th inning with a walk-off hit.

After struggling mightily out of the gate, Crawford is slowly turning things around in May. Crawford is only hitting .212 on the season, with an OBP of just .249. But consider if you were in the second month of a 7-year, $142 million contract - you don't think that price tag on your forehead might make things a little bit tougher?

With his clutch performances, a certain weight has been lifted off of his shoulders, but the fans in Boston need more. Crawford will not make it the entire season off of the benefit of the doubt he is getting right now.

As for Thursday's game between the Detroit Tigers and the Red Sox, there may not be a better pitching match-up than that of Justin Verlander and Josh Beckett. Both teams scraped across a run in the second inning with the Sox taking a 2-1 lead after 4, but other than that, Verlander and Beckett roared through this game that was on pace to be completed in just two and a half hours.

That all came unraveled in the top of the 8th inning. Daniel Bard came in looking for the hold, but instead gave up back-to-back shots to Brennan Boesch and Miguel Cabrera. Thanks to Big Papi David Ortiz's solo blast a half inning earlier, the game was knotted up at 3 apiece.

To the bottom of the 9th we go. Kevin Youkilis drew a leadoff walk, and Jose Iglesias came in to pinch-run. Big Papi hit a single to right-center, allowing Iglesias to move to third. With runners on the corners, JD Drew earned himself an intentional walk after his bomb in the 4th inning. Bases full of Sox, Jed Lowire had an impressive at-bat that ended in a bloop single and a force-out at home as Iglesias was forced to hold in case the ball was caught.

Once Ortiz was at third, Darnell McDonald was called upon to pinch run. Austin Jackson, playing shallow to avoid the cheap base hit, would not have had a chance on Crawford's frozen rope to deep center even if he were playing at normal depth. McDonald came across, and the Sox are now proud owners of a 6-game winning streak.

"You always want to get a hit in those situations," Crawford said. "You want to win the game - you don't want to go to extra innings. You just try to tell yourself to focus a little harder and hope for the best."

Crawford strategy has paid off for him once a week since the end of April. May 1st, May 9th and May 19th have all been walk-off victories thanks to Crawford.

Tonight's game is between the Sox and the visiting National League Central Division Chicago Cubs. This will be the Cubs first visit to Fenway Park since Game 6 of the 1918 World Series 93 years ago.

Doug Davis (0-1, 1.80 ERA) vs Jon Lester (5-1, 3.28 ERA)

Go Sox

Victor Out, Leaves Sox Fans Salty

First of all, I know you love that headline.

Now to the story. Victor Martinez, after a monster run in Boston, is out. After a season and a half, and less than 200 games with the Sox, Martinez became a free agent and as of right now has a four-year deal lined up with the Detroit Tigers. Martinez, a rookie in 2002, didn't just dazzled fans as a backstop, razzled them as a first basemen, and razzle-dazzled them at the dish. He was a solid #2, #3, clean-up, or #5 hitter, and was a constant long ball threat in any situation.

I was shaky on the Sox to begin last season, and even though they didn't make the postseason, recovering from their extended spring training performance well into June helped diehards keep the faith. Beltre, Varitek and Hall have all filed for free agency. Mike Lowell retired. Youkilis and Cameron have been activated from the DL...and so has Ellsbury, but we'll see if the Cherokee princess is ready for action by March. Theo resigned Big Papi, and traded Richardson for some guy named Andrew Miller on the Marlins. But as far as a backstop goes, the only guy we have right now is Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The guy can hit, no denying that, but I'm still unsure of him after his stint on the DL last year for not being able to throw the ball back to the pitcher.

The Weekend will be standing by waiting to see what new transactions the Sox make, as well waiting on the AL MVP to be named. Vote Hamilton.

Sox On Life Support

After losing a 3 game series, 2-1 to Tampa, the sox are now 6 and a half games out of first place, going into the final month of the season. You never know when a team is going to catch fire, or when a team is going to go completely cold, but its looking like it's going to get chilly early in September.

The bats have been doing there job most of the time, but its the pitching that's getting to us. Buchholz is as solid as a brick wall, but Lester has been shaky lately, as has Beckett. Wakefield, covering for Matsuzaka who's out with a back problem, is 4-10, and Lackey will give plenty of innings, but make it tough on the offense to keep pace.

Its going to be a rough final month, with the Sox facing the Yankees 6 times, and the Rays 3 more times. Is it doable? Hell yes. I do think it's going to be nearly impossible to pull off, but like I said, you never know what a team is capable of, for better or worse, over a couple series in a row. A lot of baseball's top-notch analysts were down on the Rays early, and I don't know if they'll be able to hold it together. Ride or die, Sox Nation.

Lester vs Price

Huge match-up tonight at The Trop. The tied-for-first-place Tampa Bay Rays will host the Sox for 3 game that could be huge for Boston. We trail by 5 and a half games in the AL East, and are in desperate need of a hot streak. Hell, if we don't start that streak here, we'll be in serious trouble.

Tonight's pitching match-up has the league's top 2 lefties in Jon Lester (13-8) and David Price (15-5) doing battle head-to-head. This could potentially be one of the most important games of the year.

In other news, Dustin Pedroia is walking around with a boot on that injured foot of his, and will know if he needs surgery in a week.

7:10 on NESN, Sox vs Rays.

Go Sox.

Dan Bellino Is A Chump

When Adrian Beltre was struck out by Felix Hernandez, the two friends proceeded to trash talk each other, Beltre telling Hernandez that he got one, but the next time he would take Hernandez deep over the Monster. Home plate umpire Dan Bellino, just called up from Triple-A to umpire in the MLB, had no idea what was going on, and thought the talk was directed at him, so he threw Beltre out of the game.

Beltre, competely stunned, freaked out on Bellino, demanding and explanation, that the moron couldn't give him, because he didn't think it through.

Terry Francona then stormed out of the dugout demanding an explanation, but fellow umpire, Angel Hernandez shielded Pellino from Tito.

"He's protecting the young umpire. I guess they have their sort of code or whatever, like we do," said Francona. "I guess I figure if a guy's old enough to throw you out, he's old enough to get yelled at. I just wanted an explanation."

Apparently age has nothing to do with maturity. The call was made without thinking, and Pellino had no answer for why he came to such a quick decision. He was clearly just nervous and that's all he could do to get himself out. Either way, get this clown out of here, its bad enough with the umpires the MLB already has.

Sox Put A Claim Damon

Now if you're like me, then you're probably wondering what the hell is going on, and why would the Red Sox do this? Hold your horses, because he's not on the team yet. Johnny Damon will have til Wednesday to decide if he wants to come to Boston.

The Detroit Tigers placed Johnny Damon on waivers, and the Red Sox immediately placed a claim on him. The Red Sox' intentions are unclear as to whether they want to keep Damon, or just prevent him from going to another contender like the Rays. The Sox are in need of an outfielder with experience, but a source close to Damon doubts that he'll make a return to Boston.

Sox Walk-Off, 5-4 (11)

Jed Lowrie, who was supposed to be the Opening Day starting shortstop, is doing just fine as a backup middle-infielder. Plagued with mononucleosis for most of this season, the road back to the big leagues was tough. But of late, he's been on a pretty good tear.

Matsuzaka and Romero both gave up 4 runs in their respective starts tonight at Fenway, and the relievers kept the offenses at bay until the 11th, when Lowrie went deep into the Sox bullpen.

Rubber match tomorrow from Boston, Clay Buccholz (14-5) against Shaun Marcum (11-6). Go Sox

Pedey's Back On The DL

8 days after coming back from the DL with a broken foot, Dustin Pedroia is back down, this time only with soreness. Either way you slice it, he'll be missing at least another 15 games, which puts the Sox without their former-MVP second basemen into the 2nd week of September.

Facing the Blue Jays tonight, Jon Lester will try to chalk up another W as the top two home run hitting teams in baseball square off. The Red Sox are 6 and a half games out of the AL East.

Papelbon Still Sucks

Its August 15th, we're still 6 games out of first place, and Jonathan Papelbon is still a huge clown. Listening to The Big Show on WEEI the other afternoon, a guy called in to the show's "Whiner Line" segment, and had this to say:

"Hey Papelbon, what's with that face you make when you're on the mound? It looks like you're taking a dump...and you might as well be, because ya' stink like one!"

After blowing the lead in two out of the last three games, and losing both of those, the Red Sox lost two perfect chances to pull closer to the AL East. Thank God Jon Lester pitched last night, going 8 innings, giving up no runs and striking out 5 batters in the 3-1 win over the Texas Rangers.

The point is the Sox are struggling, and they're running out of time. Jacoby Ellsbury, second biggest hack on the Sox, just went back on the disabled list with another rib injury. The rest of the bullpen is shaky at best with the exception of Manny Delcarmen on the rare occasion, and Boston's saving grace, Daniel Bard.

Daisuke Matsuzaka will face C.J. Wilson in the rubber match between the Sox and Rangers at 3:05.

Another One Bites the Dust

Kevin Cash is the newest member of the Walking Wounded. On the 15-day DL with a strained hamstring, newest acquisition Jarrod Saltalamacchia will be called up from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Saltalamacchia was sent down earlier in the year for, well, going squirrely. He struggled throwing the ball back to the pitcher, while batting close to .350... Not sure what happened, there. In Pawtucket, he threw out 2 of 3 baserunners, so hopefully he's good to go.

This Is Terrible

Don't get me wrong, I'm trying to stay positive about the Sox season, but i just don't see how its going to work. They can't hit, their pitching staff is abysmal, Ellsbury and Beckett just are off the disabled list, but should probably go back, and Pedroia and Varitek still aren't ready.

Bill Hall, filling in at second base for Pedroia, made an error early in the game tonight, giving the Yankees their first run, but made up for it with 2 hits including a solo home run. If he's who we're relying on in this game, we're in trouble.

Beckett just got pulled after 4 2/3 innings, giving up 7 runs, even though just 5 were earned...Still.

Scrap this game right now, and focus on the afternoon game tomorrow. If we don't at least split with the way we're playing, kiss it goodbye.

The Newest Sox

And no, it's not Darius Rucker

The Red Sox just signed Carlos Delgado to a minor league contract. Delgado has not played at all this season after undergoing two hip surgeries since last May.

Delgado will report to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. He will be eligible to be called up until September 1st, and if he isn't by that date, he will become a free agent.

I'm down like a clown with this. I'd be all over a Delgado jersey if he came up. Interested to see how this goes.

Could A-Rod Be Any More Of A Bitch?

During Yankees batting practice today, hours before Game 2 of the weekend series with the Red Sox, newly acquired 1B Lance Berkman hit a one-hopped into the shin of Alex Rodriguez. Now, that sucks, but you just gotta build a bridge and get over it.

But no, not A-Rod... If you're A-Rod, you hobble around for a few steps, then collapse to the ground like you were just shot. He rolled around the grass, covering his face, until his knights in shining armor, the training staff, came to aid this damsel in distress. A-Rod wasn't feeling up for a game of baseball later on.

Now look, I understand the Sox lost the game, but if you're a Yankee fan, don't try to tell me that makes up for A-Rod being a pussy. If the Sox take 3 out of 4, they'll be 4 games out of first place. If they split the series, their task will be to pick up one game a week for the rest of the season, and they'll have the AL East lead.

Tomorrow's game will be on ESPN at 8pm EST, with Josh Beckett (3-1, 5.70) facing A.J. Burnett (9-9, 4.93).

Go Sox.