Aug. 20, 2007: Offense Continues to Struggle as Tampa takes Opener
Tampa Bay 5, Boston 2
Jacob McGee proved once again that he is going to be a formidable pitcher in the major leagues by holding the Sox to just 6 hits and 2 runs over seven and one-third innings at Tropicana Field last night.
Tampa got on the board in the first when Joe Blanton allowed an RBI double to the second hitter of the game, CF Rocco Baldelli. BJ Upton, who led off the game with a single and moved to third on an errant throw to second on a steal attempt, scored easily on the play, giving Baldelli his 86th RBI of the season. Baldelli followed that up in the third inning with a two-run homerun to deep left that push the Devil Rays lead to 4-0.
“We just keeping putting ourselves in these holes,” Sox manager Terry Francona said after the game. “We can’t seem to get out early and get our starters some breathing room. Their pitching too fine, too tight to be effective.”
The Sox cut that lead in half in the sixth when Eric Hinske, seeing action for the first time in nearly a week sent a line-drive homerun to right-center off McGee. Manny Ramirez followed Hinske with a double to center. After retiring Mike Lowell and JD Drew, Coco Crisp squeezed a single down the first baseline to score Ramirez without a throw.
Wes Bankston added an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth to finish off the scoring for Tampa Bay.
W: McGee (4-0) L: Blanton (9-100 SV: Reyes (22)
Around the League:
Baltimore doctors confirmed that Adam Loewen will miss about seven months with a ruptured disc in his back. Loewen’s ability to return fully fit with an injury of this nature is in doubt….Miguel Cabrera of the Florida Marlins was named NL Player of the Week. He beat up on pitching for 11 hits in 24 at-bats, 3 home runs and 8 RBIs while hitting .458 and scoring 5 runs….Boston’s Dustin Pedroia stacked up numbers last week that were the ency of the league, as Pedroia came away with the American League Player of the Week honrs. He belted out 14 hits in 26 at-bats, 2 homeruns and 7 RBIS last week as he postd his .538 batting average...Texas Rangers released MR Ron Mahay (46 G, 4-2, a SV, 5.43 ERA, .281 OAVG, 1.72 WHIP)...
Aug. 21, 2007: Youk, ‘Tek sit as Sox come alive with easy 9-3 win
Boston 9, Tampa Bay 3
Jarrod Saltalamacchia knew when he got the call up to Boston, that his chances where going to come infrequently. Sitting behind an All Star, World Champion catcher isn’t easy, especially when that catcher is as loved in town as Jason Varitek is.
“I knew when I came over, ‘Tek is the guy,” Saltalamacchia said. “I need to be ready, working with the pitchers and get my swings in when I get the call. It isn’t easy, but we all want to win, that’s what we are here for and Jason gives us that best option right now.”
What Salty has been able to do is deliver when called upon and last night in Tampa was no difference. Sensing a need to switch things up, Terry Francona sat both Kevin Youkilis and Jason Varitek for the middle game of the three game series in favor of Eric Hinske and Saltalamacchia. Saltalamacchia went three-for-three with three runs scored out of the eight spot in the lineup to pace the Red Sox to an easy 9-3 win over Tampa.
“I try not to take two regulars out at once to not lessen our offense, but both have been in need to a day to clear their heads, rest up and enjoy the game from the bench. Their gamers, they’ll be back in their tomorrow.”
Boston was added by a strong performance from starter Diasuke Matsuzaka who threw seven and one-third innings of three-hit ball before exiting in the middle of the eight. Craig Hansen finished the night for the Devil Rays, securing the final five outs without surrendering any hits.
The Sox offense got off to a good start early, when Manny Ramirez hit a two run homerun, his 33rd of the season, in the top of the first off of starter Joe Saunders. Bostona added another in the fifth before blowing the game open with four runs in the eight when Saltalamachia hit his fourth homerun of the season, a two-run blast to right off of reliever Seth McClung.
The rubber-match of the three-game series is schedule for Sunday at Tropicana Field.
W: Matsuzaka (11-6) L: Saunders (5-6)
Around the League:
...Arizona Diamondbacks signed MR Randy Choate to a 1-year contract extension worth $420k...Radhames Liz of the Baltimore Orioles blanked the TExas Rangers 4-0 on 3 hits, registering 6 strikeouts and 3 walks...New York Yankees SS Derek Jetere was placed on the disabled list with a strained groin. It’s estimated he will be out 2 weeks..SS Chris Basak was recalled from SWB to make his major league debut…