The Red Sox haven't had the homestand we would have liked, now just 5-4 against the Mariners, Athletics and Royals. But they've pushed their division lead to two games and, regardless of what happens today, will be all alone at the top at the All-Star break. It doesn't mean anything, but it's nice, nonetheless.
Let's not rest on our laurels though. Winning three of four entering the break (and extending that lead to three games, perhaps) would be a nice piece of momentum, and they've got the right man on the mound to make that happen, with Josh Beckett set to pitch.
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So far, so good through 1, though the Sox could have done more damage there. Not a big fan of the Tek/Baldelli/Green/Bates lineup, either. Can't really blame Francona -- time for Theo to work some magic.
Posted by: stuck working | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 01:55 PM
With one out in the second, Bruce Chen is averaging about 13 pitches an out.
He won't last long.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Sox need to capitalize on their opportunities here.
Posted by: Paul SF | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Not helpful when Baldelli tries to come home on a dribbler in front of the plate. Bring the runners home Pedey!
Posted by: Paul SF | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Beckett is dealing. 5 of 7 outs are Ks.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:20 PM
How is this still just a one run game? Beckett needs to keep on dealing ...
Posted by: pale blue eyes | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:30 PM
So much RISP FAIL in so little time.
Posted by: stuck working | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:31 PM
Beckett, though, has just been outstanding.
Posted by: stuck working | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Do we have another doubles machine on our hands in Aaron Bates?
Posted by: pale blue eyes | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:42 PM
I had a feeling Bates would feast on Chen.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Unlike Youk, Papi gets a run in. Time for Bay.
Posted by: stuck working | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Royals wisely walk Bay. Now Tek's turn.
Posted by: stuck working | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:56 PM
I really don't want to see 9 LOBs before the 5th.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 02:59 PM
RBI walk for Tek. Really nice 10-pitch at-bat.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 03:02 PM
Get 3 but leave 'em loaded.
Posted by: I'mBillMcNeal | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 03:05 PM
Beckett at 48 pitches through 5!! If he keeps this up we will not see the bullpen today.
Posted by: pale blue eyes | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 03:12 PM
Royals playing like they can't wait for the break. They're never a patient team, but they're really hacking.
Posted by: stuck working | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Wow, Bay has been on base 4 times, but is 0 for 0 after 3 BB and 1 HBP. Funny.
Posted by: stuck working | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 03:35 PM
Bases loaded, just one out in the 7th... Beckett needs a DP here, or some defenseless plaster water cooler is going to lose its life in the dugout at the end of this inning.
Posted by: Hudson | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Hey, I guess I'm the reverse-jinxer today: A double play. Dugout water coolers breathe a sigh of relief.
Posted by: Hudson | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 03:48 PM
And Beckett gets the DP. 70 pitches through seven. KC still scoreless. And the A's have taken the lead against TB.
Posted by: pale blue eyes | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 03:48 PM
plaster >>> plastic, obv.
At 83 pitches through eight, Bex is in line for a complete game shutout here, barring a 9th-inning meltdown (trying that reverse jinx again).
Posted by: Hudson | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:08 PM
>>> Bay has been on base 4 times, but is 0 for 0 after 3 BB and 1 HBP.
... while Papi is 0 for 4 with 3Ks but has an RBI ... At-bat #5 in progress now.
Posted by: Hudson | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:10 PM
Beckett = superb, so far. Through 8, 83 pitches, 3 hits, 0 walks, 6 strikeouts. Just what the doctor ordered.
Posted by: Devine | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:12 PM
KC's Joaquim Soria has a 1.57 ERA in 23 appearances, with 14 saves in 16 opportunities, including 30 Ks vs. 7 walks. Impressive line so far this year (his third).
But he just gave up a double to Ortiz...
Posted by: Hudson | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Holy crap, Jason Bay HBP after a long AB. If things go as expected, he will have 0 ABs on the day, and 5 times on base.
Posted by: Devine | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Has Jason Bay had the single most Moneyball day at the plate or what?
Posted by: stuck working | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:17 PM
RBal knocks in DOrt, 6-0 Sox.
And now Green appeared to get Bay home with a sac fly, but Baldelli didn't slide and the run doesn't count...
Re. Bay, I wonder what the single-game record is for reaching base without a hit?
Posted by: Hudson | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:21 PM
Admittedly not an important run, but dammit, Baldelli has run into some weird outs on the year.
Posted by: Devine | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:22 PM
88 pitches, 2 outs to go.
Posted by: Hudson | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:25 PM
What's more amazing: Bay getting on base 5 times without a hit -- or the Sox's collective failure to bring him around to score a single run?
The more I think about it, either way, the answer is: Varitek sucks.
Posted by: stuck working | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:25 PM
91 pitches, one out to go.
Posted by: Hudson | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Finished in style as he swings on a breaking ball. Most pitches Beckett had in an inning was 14 (he had 11 this inning, I think).
The post title proved apt.
Posted by: Devine | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Woa ... Beckett is good right now!
Two game lead guaranteed at the break. Maybe more: Go Angels!!
Posted by: pale blue eyes | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:28 PM
11th win for Beckett: 7 Ks, 0 walks, 3 hits (2 singles 1 double), 94 pitches, just 29 batters due to the one DP, plus Devine's inning pitch count stat above. Highly efficient outing.
Posted by: Hudson | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Baltimore finished the Jays (who are growling less and less relevant by the day).
A's looking to finish the Rays (1 down in the 9th with a 4 run lead and no one on).
Posted by: Devine | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Meanwhile, the Yankee-killing Halos are down 1-0 in the 4th.
Posted by: Hudson | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Rays finished.
Posted by: Devine | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Now 1-1 out in California. That's it for me...
Posted by: Hudson | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Angels now up 4-1.
Red Sox were 3-17 with RISP, by the way!! I guess against the Royals you can do that ...
Posted by: pale blue eyes | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Globe reports that Buchholz will start on Friday in Toronto. Just the one start because of Beckett's and Wake's participation in the All Star game.
Posted by: pale blue eyes | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 05:02 PM
What a kickass score to come home to. And Buchholz is pitching on Friday? Holy potatoes I'm excited.
Posted by: Atheose | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 06:50 PM