A Red Sox Dynasty: 1995-????

[Moriarty9]

All Star Break 2009

As players made their way home for the 2009 All Star break, the standings board sitting on the Green Monster at Fenway Park showed that the Boston Red Sox (59-38) and Tampa Bay Rays (58-37) were sitting atop the American League East.
The New York Yankees sat in third place, 12 1/2 games back, while the Baltimore Orioles (45-50) sat 13 games out. Baseball's worst team, the Toronto Blue Jays sat 29 games behind the AL East leaders with a 29-66 record.

Elsewhere around the league, the 61-34 Detroit Tigers led the AL Central with the Chicago White Sox (55-40) sitting six games behind. In the AL West, the Oakland Athletics (55-40) were holding onto a slim 1 1/2 game lead over the 54-42 Texas Rangers.
In the National League East, the Philadelphia Phillies sat atop the division with a 66-30 record, 10 games ahead of the Washington Nationals. The Cincinnati Reds (51-46) led the NL Central with the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates all sat 5 games back as the Milwaukee Brewers were 7 games behind. In the NL West, the San Francisco Giants (54-41) led the division, 3 games ahead of the 51-44 San Diego Padres and 5 1/2 games ahead of the 49-47 Colorado Rockies.
BOSTON RED SOX - 1st half stats
Heading into the All Star break, Miguel Cabrera was working on a second MVP award while Johan Santana was looking for a third Cy Young award.

Starting Pitchers
Erik Bedard -- 7-6, 5.11 ERA, 103 K, 125 IP
Josh Johnson -- 7-5, 3.28 ERA, 110 K, 115 1/3 IP
Scott Kazmir -- 4-2, 3.26 ERA, 45 K, 60 2/3 IP
Jon Lester -- 0-0, 18.90 ERA, 6 K, 3 1/3 IP
Mike Maroth -- 1-0, 9.00 ERA, 4 K, 16 IP
Daisuke Matsuzaka -- 5-2, 4.53 ERA, 46 K, 49 2/3 IP
Brett Myers -- 4-1, 2 saves, 4.92 ERA, 59 K, 56 2/3 IP
Johan Santana -- 12-5, 3.38 ERA, 156 K, 141 IP
Jered Weaver -- 7-5, 1 save, 5.22 ERA, 107 K, 112 IP

Relief Pitchers
Joba Chamberlain -- 1-3, 1 save, 4.22 ERA, 31 K, 42 2/3 IP
Mark Malaska -- 1-0, 6.75 ERA, 10 K, 13 1/3 IP
Joe Nathan -- 1-3, 27 saves, 4.91 ERA, 44 K, 36 2/3 IP
Pat Neshek -- 3-3, 5.64 ERA, 34 K, 30 1/3 IP
Jonathan Papelbon -- 5-1, 2 saves, 5.21 ERA, 42 K, 38 IP
Tommy Phelps -- 1-2, 6.08 ERA, 11 K, 23 2/3 IP

Catchers
Rod Barajas -- .215, HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, 20 G
Victor Martinez -- .306, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 43 R, 1 SB, 80 G

Infielders
Jolbert Cabrera -- .273, HR, 21 RBI, 13 R, 1 SB, 52 G
Miguel Cabrera -- .388, 19 HR, 82 RBI, 78 R, 7 SB, 91 G
Todd Helton -- .197, 9 RBI, 6 R, 28 G
Ryan Howard -- .304, 30 HR, 73 RBI, 72 R, 2 SB, 90 G
Kazuo Matsui -- .219, HR, 11 RBI, 10 R, SB, 46 G
Dustin Pedroia -- .333, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 10 R, 26 G
Hanley Ramirez -- .265, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 36 R, 11 SB, 59 G
Dan Uggla -- .234, 15 HR, 43 RBI, 36 R, 1 SB, 75 G

Outfielders
Torii Hunter -- .167, RBI, 2 G
Matt Kemp -- .367, 16 HR, 53 RBI, 72 R, 22 SB, 83 G
Nick Markakis -- .338, 6 HR, 50 RBI, 50 R, 10 SB, 86 G
David Murphy -- .248, 8 RBI, 13 R, 49 G
Manny Ramirez -- .314, 23 HR, 72 RBI, 57 R, 81 G
Ichiro Suzuki -- .284, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 53 R, 23 SB, 84 G
Delmon Young -- .111, RBI, 7 G

LEAGUE LEADERS
Batting Average
AL - Miguel Cabrera, BOS - .388
NL - Austin Bush, STL - .373

Hits
AL - Miguel Cabrera, BOS - 144
NL - Austin Bush, STL - 133

Doubles
AL - Miguel Cabrera, BOS - 41
NL - Kevin Youkilis, HOU - 33

Triples
AL - Joe Mauer, BAL - 7
NL - Dave Roberts, MIL - 10

Home Runs
AL - Adam LaRoche, TEX - 33
NL - Bryan Davis, PIT - 26

RBI
AL - Adam LaRoche, TEX - 83
NL - Bryan Davis, PIT - 78

Runs
AL - Miguel Cabrera, BOS - 78
NL - Jose Reyes, WAS - 76

Stolen Bases
AL - Domingo Medina, NYY - 36
NL - Jose Mares, PHI - 53

ERA
AL - Roy Oswalt, TB - 2.54
NL - Jake Peavy, ARI - 2.08

Wins
AL - Roy Oswalt, TB - 14
NL - Yovani Gallardo, PHI / Jake Peavy, ARI - 14

Saves
AL - Patrick Misch, DET - 33
NL - Manny Parra, WAS - 27

Strikeouts
AL - Cole Hamels, OAK - 164
NL - Jake Peavy, ARI - 155
BOSTON RED SOX - Minor League Standouts
Jon Lester, SP
Lester has performed well with the Portland Sea Dogs (AA) and the Pawtucket Red Sox (AAA) through the MLB All Star break. The lefty went 8-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 13 starts with Portland, 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA in four starts with Pawtucket.

Victor Waddell, SP
Waddell's 2009 campaign is the best of his brief professional career, going 9-2 with a 2.58 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 97 2/3 innings in Pawtucket as of July 21.

Terry Allen, RP
Allen was working on his fourth strong season in the minor leagues, posting a 3-0 record with a 0.76 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings with Pawtucket. The 25-year-old lefty surely seems destined for a callup sooner than later.

Michael Ma****er, RP
Ma****er, a 23-year-old lefty and Boston native, was also working on a fourth straight impressive season in the minors. In 78 innings with Pawtucket, Ma****er is 2-3 with 3 saves, a 3.00 ERA and 101 strikeouts.

Howie Kendrick, 2B
Kendrick, 26, has hit well in Pawtucket, putting up a .360 average, 8 home runs, 61 RBI, 59 runs and 4 steals in 95 games.

Bob Keppel, RP
Keppel had limited time out of the bullpen in the minors over the last couple seasons but had flourished with Portland halfway through the 2009 season. Keppel sat at 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings.

Brenton Graham, RP
Graham, a 20-year-old southpaw with just one year of professional experience, was performing well in Class A Lowell. Graham entered the MLB All Star break at 4-2 with 17 saves and a 1.88 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings.

MISC. NOTES FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE
Power Rankings
At the All Star break, the 66-30 Philadelphia Phillies sat atop the Power Rankings with 125 points. The Detroit Tigers, 61-34, sat in second with 119 points while the Red Sox (108 points) were tied for third along with the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers.

Top Prospects
Baseball America's top three prospects were pitchers: Troy Patton of Detroit (0-0, 27.00 ERA, 1 IP with the Tigers; 9-10, 3.65 ERA in AAA); Franklin Morales of Washington (1-0, 3.12 ERA, 8 2/3 IP with the Nationals; 3-6, 4.30 ERA in AAA); and Felipe Paulino of Detroit (10-4, 2.92 ERA with the Tigers).
Baseball America's top two position players were ranked fourth and fifth overall and both sat in the Yankees minor league system. Guastao Charno, a first baseman, hit .302 with 6 HR and 37 RBI in 60 games in AA, .279 with a homer and 15 RBI in 34 games in AAA. Jake Foster, a rightfielder, had a .319 average, 11 homers, 72 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 93 games through July 21.
Boston's top ranked prospect, according to Baseball America, was thirdbaseman Anthony Morris. In 64 games with AA Portland, the 20-year-old hit .309 with 3 homers and 40 RBI.

Top Minor League Systems
In addition to naming the game's top prospects, Baseball America also compiles a list of the league's top minor league systems. As of the 2009 All Star break, the Washington Nationals were credited as having the most talented minor leaguers, including three of the game's top 10 prospects.
The Detroit Tigers, with the game's top prospect and third-ranked prospect, were listed as the second best minor league system in baseball with the Cincinnati Reds ranked third.
The Boston Red Sox were ranked 14th in baseball.

BOSTON RED SOX - First Half Highlights
April 21: Manny hits HR #500
At Fenway Park Manny Ramirez smashed his 500th career home run in a game against Cleveland. The 36-year-old left fielder had a hand in the Boston Red Sox 13-4 victory with a 2-for-4 performance, including a home run.
At a post game press conference, Ramirez downplayed his achievement.
"Obviously, I've hit 500 home runs so I belong in that 500 Club. But when you talk about the other guys that have done it, I'm not as good as they were. Those guys were the greatest of all time. I've just been able to scrape together some good years and stayed healthy and gotten there."
Checking out his career figures, Ramirez has played in 1,987 games with a .301 batting average. Among his 2,304 hits are 500 home runs. He has also scored 1,450 runs, stolen 31 bases and driven in 1,555 runs.

May 1: Ramirez AL's #1 batter
Boston's Manny Ramirez had a productive April and topped it off by winning the Batter of the Month citation from the American League. The 36-year-old left fielder stood out at the plate with a .350 batting average, 10 home runs, 25 RBI and 22 runs scored.

May 2: Cabrera goes 5-5 against Tampa Bay
It was a sensational day at the plate for Miguel Cabrera, but a letdown as well as the Red Sox dropped the game 7-6 to the Rays.
Nonetheless, the Boston third baseman was pure misery for the Tampa Bay pitching staff. He left them shellshocked with five hits in five at bats in an explosive display of hitting.
"It's always good to get a bunch of hits in a game, but you also want to win. That's the important thing," Cabrera said.
Brian Cooper, the manager for the Rays, told SION reporters after the game: "Cabrera put the ball into play. He really hit it hard. When you do that, you've got a pretty good chance to do some damage. And that's what happened. I feel like we threw him some pretty good pitches, but he just put some good swings on the ball."
Cabrera doubled in the first and third innings, and singled in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings.

June 8: Santana tosses shutout
Johan Santana of the Boston Red Sox was one tough customer on the hill today. He blanked the Baltimore Orioles 11-0 on four hits, registering 11 strikeouts and one walk.
"When he's on, he's tough to hit," said Gene Lamont, the Baltimore manager, after the game. "He's just a bulldog out there."
In 12 starts this year, Santana has crafted a 10-3 record and 2.98 ERA.

July 1: Cabrera AL's #1 batter
Miguel Cabrera used that sweet swing with great success for Boston last month, garnering him the American League Batter of the Month Award.
The 26-year-old third baseman put up a .452 batting average and collected 7 home runs, 26 RBI and 25 runs scored.
For 2009, Cabrera is batting .386 with 14 home runs, 68 RBI an 63 runs.

July 4: Johnson blanks Houston
It was a smooth and solid performance by Josh Johnson of the Boston Red Sox against Houston. He crafted a fine 4-hitter in blanking them 9-0 and chalked up 3 strikeouts and 1 walk along the way.
"It certainly makes my job easy," said Boston skipper Kevin Kennedy. "When my pitcher pitches a shutout I can just sit back, watch and enjoy."
In 15 starts this season, Johnson has fashioned a 6-4 record and a 3.17 ERA.

[Moriarty9]

ALL STAR GAME ROSTERS
American League
SP Cole Hamels (OAK) -- 13-4, 3.58 ERA, 164 K, 138 1/3 IP
SP Felix Hernandez (DET) -- 9-3, 2.96 ERA, 112 K, 136 2/3 IP
SP Tim Lincecum (CHW) -- 10-2, 2.79 ERA, 108 K, 113 IP
SP Francisco Liriano (LAA) -- 10-4, 2.67 ERA, 157 K, 118 IP
SP Roy Oswalt (TB) -- 14-5, 2.54 ERA, 127 K, 163 IP
SP Johan Santana (BOS) -- 12-5, 3.38 ERA, 156 K, 141 IP
RP Jonathan Broxton (LAA) -- 2-1, 24 Sv, 0.81 ERA, 46 K, 44 1/3 IP
RP Matt Lindstrom (CHW) -- 0-4, 21 Sv, 1.80 ERA, 29 K, 45 IP
RP Patrick Misch (DET) -- 1-1, 33 Sv, 2.65 ERA, 17 K, 37 1/3 IP
RP J.J. Putz (BAL) -- 4-2, 19 Sv, 1.89 ERA, 48 K, 47 2/3 IP
RP Brian Sikorski (NYY) -- 3-0, 15 Sv, 3.08 ERA, 43 K, 49 2/3 IP
RP Michael Wuertz (SEA) -- 4-0, 16 Sv, 1.36 ERA, 40 K, 39 2/3 IP
C Joe Mauer (BAL) -- .320, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 56 R, 9 SB
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (MIN) -- .312, 17 HR, 45 RBI, 38 R, 3 SB
1B Ryan Howard (BOS) -- .304, 30 HR, 73 RBI, 72 R, 2 SB
1B Adam LaRoche (TEX) -- .299, 33 HR, 83 RBI, 64 R, 1 SB
2B Wes Helms (KC) -- .302, 5 HR, 40 RBI, 42 R
3B Garrett Atkins (CLE) -- .330, 17 HR, 67 RBI, 62 R, 2 SB
3B Miguel Cabrera (BOS) -- .388, 19 HR, 82 RBI, 78 R, 7 SB
3B David Wright (NYY) -- .310, 9 HR, 61 RBI, 48 R, 9 SB
SS Jose Lopez (KC) -- .326, 7 HR, 50 RBI, 62 R, 5 SB
LF Frank Catalanotto (LAA) -- .341, 11 HR, 52 RBI, 55 R, 6 SB
LF Carlos Lee (OAK) -- .361, 19 HR, 72 RBI, 62 R, 3 SB
LF Manny Ramirez (BOS) -- .314, 23 HR, 72 RBI, 57 R
CF Corey Patterson (TEX) -- .317, 14 HR, 54 RBI, 54 R, 22 SB
CF Grady Sizemore (KC) -- .314, 11 HR, 47 RBI, 54 R, 17 SB
RF Jeff Francoeur (CLE) -- .329, 19 HR, 52 RBI, 54 R, 1 SB
RF Nick Markakis (BOS) -- .338, 6 HR, 50 RBI, 50 R, 10 SB

National League
SP Daniel Cabrera (PIT) -- 11-2, 2.88 ERA, 124 K, 112 1/3 IP
SP Yovani Gallardo (PHI) -- 14-3, 3.28 ERA, 130 K, 134 1/3 IP
SP Clay Hensley (PHI) -- 11-5, 3.11 ERA, 80 K, 110 IP
SP Gordon Moore (CIN) -- 9-5, 2.79 ERA, 116 K, 135 1/3 IP
SP Jake Peavy (ARI) -- 14-3, 2.08 ERA, 155 K, 160 IP
SP Dontrelle Willis (LA) -- 11-7, 3.63 ERA, 89 K, 139 IP
RP Jeremy Accardo (SF) -- 3-3, 18 Sv, 1.60 ERA, 50 K, 50 2/3 IP
RP Francisco Cordero (CHC) -- 4-4, 20 Sv, 3.74 ERA, 42 K, 45 2/3 IP
RP Manny Delcarmen (CIN) -- 5-4, 20 Sv, 2.55 ERA, 33 K, 35 1/3 IP
RP Justin Duchscherer (MIL) -- 3-4, 20 Sv, 1.78 ERA, 45 K, 50 2/3 IP
RP Manny Parra (WAS) -- 2-3, 27 Sv, 1.38 ERA, 36 K, 39 IP
RP Taylor Tankersley (FLA) -- 4-3, 24 Sv, 3.02 ERA, 46 K, 41 2/3 IP
C Gerald Laird (PIT) -- .328, 17 HR, 46 RBI, 56 R, 2 SB
C Brian McCann (SD) -- .323, 16 HR, 67 RBI, 52 R
1B Prince Fielder (WAS) -- .332, 15 HR, 58 RBI, 51 R, 2 SB
1B Travis Hafner (PHI) -- .318, 22 HR, 59 RBI, 70 R, 2 SB
1B Justin Morneau (FLA) -- .345, 22 HR, 74 RBI, 62 R, 1 SB
2B Chase Utley (NYM) -- .292, 14 HR, 48 RBI, 46 R, 4 SB
3B Austin Bush (STL) -- .373, 25 HR, 72 RBI, 64 R, 3 SB
3B Bryan Davis (PIT) -- .330, 26 HR, 78 RBI, 56 R
SS Yunel Escobar (PHI) -- .332, 6 HR, 52 RBI, 65 R, 8 SB
SS Jose Reyes (WAS) -- .306, 13 HR, 45 RBI, 76 R, 46 SB
LF Lance Berkman (COL) -- .320, 23 HR, 60 RBI, 58 R, 2 SB
LF Chris Duncan (CHC) -- .284, 25 HR, 65 RBI, 61 R, 4 SB
LF Matt Murton (WAS) -- .349, 17 HR, 56 RBI, 64 R, 7 SB
CF Carlos Beltran (SD) -- .267, 21 HR, 49 RBI, 56 R, 26 SB
CF Vernon Wells (CIN) -- .309, 16 HR, 63 RBI, 55 R, 7 SB
RF Magglio Ordonez (SF) -- .373, 12 HR, 48 RBI, 52 R, 9 SB

[Moriarty9]

Santana, offense strong in Sox win
Cabrera, Howard pace lineup

ANAHEIM -- The Boston Red Sox kicked off the second half of the season on a high note, picking up a 7-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Boston got to Angels starter Forrest Jordan, driving in seven runs on 11 hits while Sox ace Johan Santana coasted through seven inning, giving up one run on seven hits while striking out eight.
"Its not always starting that first game after the All Star break when you're playing in the All Star Game but I had to go out there and give it my best effort," Santana said after the game. "The offense spotted me with a four-run lead in the first inning, gave me some wiggle room and I was able to just relax and go out there with the lead from the start. It all worked out pretty well in the end."
Boston pushed four runs across the plate in the first inning as they strung together five hits, including three doubles, against Jordan right away. It was all the Red Sox would need, although they did score again in the third inning and twice more in the seventh inning.
Miguel Cabrera and Ryan Howard continued their friendly competition over who should be awarded the MVP award by picking up three hits each. Cabrera hit two doubles, scored twice and picked up one RBI while Howard doubled, homered, scored three times and drove in three. Victor Martinez also had three hits in the contest.
Boston manager Kevin Kennedy said he was also impressed by the big league debut of Terry Allen, a 25-year-old left-handed reliever. The southpaw, who replaced lefty Mark Malaska in the bullpen, entered the game in the eighth inning. Marlon Anderson reached on Allen's first big league pitch due to a dropped flyball by leftfielder Manny Ramirez. Allen then induced a groundout from Brendan Ryan, a fly out from Ryan Shealy and struck out Josh Paul to end the inning.
"The kid did well out there today," Kennedy said of Allen. "We had a good-sized lead so we thought it was the best time to try and get him into his first game and he responded well. That error put Anderson on base after that first pitch so right away he was being challenged to try and keep everything in check and he did his job quite well."
With the win, coupled with Tampa Bay's 1-0 loss to the Blue Jays, Boston moves into sole possession of first place with a 60-38 record. The Angels are now 10 games behind Oakland in the AL West at 45-51.

[Moriarty9]

AL East Contenders Make Swap
Red Sox acquire star hurler Oswalt
July 29, 2009

Just one game apart in the AL East standings, the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays surprised the baseball community with a trade involving seven players, most notably Cy Young candidate Roy Oswalt.
Boston acquired Oswalt and 22-year-old minor league infielder Clinton Barber in exchange for pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka, Brett Myers and Mark Malaska, 20-year-old minor league first baseman Alfonso Contreras and 25-year-old minor league catcher Jon Washington.
Red Sox GM Shaun Moriarty said landing Oswalt should help the team return to the World Series this year and in future seasons. He asserted the hard work of the baseball operations department was the reason the trade could happen as the team has a number of prospects that made it possible to give up the players necessary to acquire Oswalt from a division rival.
Oswalt, 31, is 14-7 with a 2.46 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 22 games this season. In his last outing, July 24 at Tropicana Field against the Toronto Blue Jays, Oswalt was charged with a tough luck loss as the Rays fell 1-0. Oswalt let up one run on three hits and a walk over nine innings with 11 strikeouts in what proved to be his seventh loss of the season.
Oswalt was drafted by Tampa Bay with the third overall pick of the 2000 amateur draft, is a three-time All Star and won the 2000 Cy Young award with an 18-9 record, 220 strikeouts and a 2.91 ERA. Throughout his 10-year-career, spent entirely with the Rays to this point, Oswalt is 139-119 with a 3.54 ERA and 1,807 strikeouts. He is expected to make his big league debut Friday night when the hated New York Yankees come to town to open a three-game set.
Boston also acquired Barber, a versatile and strong defender with a decent bat. Drafted by Tampa Bay in the fourth round of the 2009 amateur draft, Barber has hit .289 with 11 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs, 33 RBI, 48 runs and 22 stolen bases in 24 attempts for the Rays' Class A affiliate in Vero Beach. Primarily a third baseman in college, Barber has spent much of the year playing shortstop (76 games) with a fair amount of time at third (23 games) and a little bit of work at first and second bases. Moriarty said Barber would be assigned to the Lowell Spinners, Boston's Class A affiliate.
Matsuzaka's departure comes after a few disappointing seasons in Boston, in which he compiled a 14-9 record with a 5.39 ERA and 157 strikeouts in 37 games. In nine starts this season, Dice-K went 5-3 with a 5.26 ERA and 49 strikeouts. Matsuzaka, who gave up six runs through 3 1/3 innings yesterday in Seattle, is expected to join his new team tomorrow when the Rays begin a four-game set in Kansas City.
The Red Sox also dealt left-handed reliever Mark Malaska, who struggled in 10 relief appearances with Boston this year. He had gone 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in 13 1/3 innings before just being sent back to AAA Pawtucket a few days ago. Malaska was a key member of the Boston bullpen in 2006 and 2007, going 10-4 with 3 saves and a 3.39 ERA in 107 appearances. In a press conference at Tropicana Field today, Rays skipper Brian Cooper said Malaska will join former Red Sox hurler Scott Schoeneweis as the team's lefties out of the bullpen.
Naturally a starting pitcher, Myers has performed relatively well out of the Boston bullpen this year, going 4-1 with 2 saves and a 4.92 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 19 appearances, including four starts. Despite an impressive record in AAA (67-25, 2.51 ERA over career with Pawtucket), Myers has had few chances to prove himself as a starting pitcher with Boston, putting together an 8-6 record over his big league career, with four saves and a 5.08 ERA in 58 games, only 16 of which have been starts. He will be given the opportunity he deserves in Tampa Bay, and is expected to pitch Friday in Kansas City.
Washington had a cup of coffee with the Red Sox in 2007, going 2-for-7 in two games, scoring three runs and driving in two. He has performed well in the minor leagues since being drafted by Texas in 2005. In 62 games with Pawtucket this year, Washington hit .265 with one home run and 28 RBI. He will back up Carlos Vargas (.326, 1 HR, 46 RBI, 53 R in 83 games) in Tampa Bay.
Contreras was a sixth round pick in the 2008 amateur draft, and has hit for a high average throughout each stop in his brief minor league career. An excellent defensive first baseman, some scouts believe he will never be an everyday player because of the lack of pop many teams expect out of a corner infielder. Contreras is expected to be assigned to Class A Vero Beach.

[Moriarty9]

Oswalt bombs in Sox debut
Howard takes Yankees deep twice
July 31, 2009

BOSTON -- While the Fenway Faithful had hoped for heroics from a new face in recently acquired pitcher Roy Oswalt, it was the familiar names of Ryan Howard and Nick Markakis that saved the day for the Boston Red Sox with the hated New York Yankees in town.
Howard hit solo home runs in each of his first two at bats - career home runs #300 and 301 - and was walked each of his next three plate appearances.
"I've been lucky to play on some good teams with a lot of good hitters that give you that extra protection," said the 29-year-old Howard after the game. "That first one, man, I wasn't sure if it was going to make it all the way up and over the Monster but it made it. It was a special feeling and I'm glad we were able to get that ball back."
Howard's second shot, a 476-foot home run to right-center field in the fourth inning, was a no doubter as soon as the crack of the bat was heard.
"He hung that curveball right in my wheelhouse and I gave it a good ride," Howard said. "That's number one for my next 300."
In the fifth inning, with Boston trailing 5-3, Markakis came up big with a 2-out Grand Slam to put the Red Sox back on top, 7-5. Markakis finished the day 2-for-5 with five RBI.
"Even though I was down 0-1, I was sitting on a fastball, looking to pull it to right enough that Miguel [Cabrera] and Ryan [Howard] could score and tie up the ballgame," Markakis said after the game. "I got the fastball and Maine left it up a little bit and it just carried out there."
While Markakis and Howard were receiving accolades after the game, Oswalt was dealing with a noticeably larger media contingent than he had been used to in Tampa Bay.
Oswalt gave up eight runs on nine hits and five walks, striking out two, over six innings.
"It's not the way I wanted to make this first start but the team won the game and that's what is really important," Oswalt said after the game. "I want to contribute obviously, but I've already had some personal achievements in my career. These guys have World Series rings and that's my goal - to get there and come home a champion."
He added: "I'll go back out there when its my turn to and hopefully the result will be another win for the team."
New York starter John Maine, making his Yankees debut after a trade deadline deal with the Mets, also did not factor in the decision. Maine gave up seven runs on seven hits and four walks, striking out three over five innings of work. He was taken deep three times, including Markakis' Grand Slam.
In other news from the game, Yankees second baseman Tadahito Iguchi may not appear in the rest of the weekend series after hurting his hand trying to tag out Miguel Cabrera at second base.

[Moriarty9]

Matsuzaka blanks KC
Dice-K impressive in debut

KANSAS CITY -- Daisuke Matsuzaka's Tampa Bay Rays career got off to a good start as the Japanese import recently acquired from Boston threw a complete game two-hit shutout against the Royals.
"It was just one of those games whene everything went right. I threw a lot of strikes," Matsuzaka said through his translator.
Matsuzaka allowed just two hits and two walks over his nine innings, striking out 10 Kansas City hitters.
Matsuzaka was a key component of the blockbuster trade that brought him, Mark Malaska, Brett Myers and two minor leaguers to Tampa Bay from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Cy Young candidate Roy Oswalt and a minor league infielder. Oswalt was hit hard in his Boston debut against the New York Yankees.
Myers was hit with a loss in his Tampa Bay debut yesterday, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings. Malaska has appeared in two games with the Rays, giving up two runs on five hits over four innings.
Since the trade, Tampa Bay has gained half a game in the division standings.

[Moriarty9]

Murphy walk-off homer redeems Oswalt
Another rough start covered up by late hits from Murphy
August 5, 2009

BOSTON -- Things were not looking good for Roy Oswalt and the Boston Red Sox heading into the last of the ninth inning at Fenway Park.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were looking to pick up a victory over the AL East leading Red Sox and just needed to record three outs before Boston could score five runs to tie the ballgame, six to win. It just didn't work out that way.
Working with a 9-4 lead, Jose Ascanio took the mound for the Angels and walked leadoff hitter Hanley Ramirez on seven pitches and Nick Markakis on nine pitches before being lifted for left-handed reliever Jose Sanchez, who promptly walked Dustin Pedroia on four pitches to load the bases with nobody out. Sanchez was then replaced by Blaine Neal, who gave up a two-run single to David Murphy. Dan Uggla followed with a double to leftfield, making it a two-run ballgame with men on second and third. A passed ball allowed Murphy to score and put Uggla, the tying run, on third base. Ichiro Suzuki drew a five-pitch walk before a wild pitch allowed Uggla to score, tying the game at nine runs each.
Boston closer Joe Nathan faced four batters in the top of the tenth without much difficulty, giving the Red Sox an opportunity to win the game in the last of the 10th.
Neal returned to the mound for the Angels and quickly fell behind Ramirez 2-0 before the shortstop doubled down the firstbase line. Markakis popped out to third base before Pedroia was intentionally walked, setting up a potential inning-ending double play with the left-handed hitting Murphy coming to the plate. On the seventh pitch of the at bat, Murphy got a 3-2 fastball drilled into the Red Sox bullpen with a three-run walk off home run to win the game.
"It felt good to hit that double in the ninth and give us a chance to come back but man it was something else to get that homer," an excited Murphy said after being mobbed at home plate by his teammates.
Oswalt, making his second start in a Red Sox uniform, struggled once again but managed to escape with a no decision and the team ultimately winning the game.
"It's definitely frustrating on a personal level but at least I haven't hurt these guys too much since they've been able to come back from the holes I've been putting them in and win ballgames," Oswalt said. "I hope to start returning the favor next time out."
Oswalt gave up seven runs on 11 hits and a walk, striking out two over 3 2/3 innings. In his two starts with the Red Sox, both of which have been at Fenway Park, Oswalt has posted a 13.97 ERA.
Boston has an off-day tomorrow as they wait for the Oakland Athletics to come to town for a three-game set. The day off is sorely needed for the pitching staff, which has been spread thin the last several days.

[Moriarty9]

Jays' Alou hits #400
Tracy goes deep three times
August 5, 2009

Toronto's Moises Alou joined the 400 home run club today at the Rogers Centre with a booming blast in the Blue Jays 6-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
On his milestone day, Alou had three hits in four at bats with three RBI and two runs.

In Cleveland, it was Detroit Tigers thirdbaseman Chad Tracy who came three home runs closer to reaching that 400 home run mark. Tracy went deep three times, pacing the Tigers in their 10-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Tracy, 29, is now 287 home runs short of joining Alou in the 400 home run club.

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Kazmir sharp in return
Howard homers, drives in four
August 7, 2009

BOSTON -- Ryan Howard and the Red Sox gave Scott Kazmir a welcome back gift tonight with seven runs through the first two innings of the first of three games against the Oakland Athletics.
Howard hit a three-run home run in the first inning off starter Andrew Miller, giving Boston a quick lead. The team padded their lead in the second inning with a two-run double from Dustin Pedroia, a Howard RBI single and a groundout from Ichiro Suzuki that allowed Pedroia to score from third.
The seven runs were more than enough for Kazmir, making his first start since going on the DL in June with back problems. Kazmir pitched well in his return to the Red Sox rotation, giving up two runs on nine hits and no walks, striking out five in seven innings. With the win, Kazmir improves to 5-2 with a 3.19 ERA in 11 games.

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With their 7-3 win, the 67-43 Red Sox extended their win streak to five games and their lead in the AL East to 3 1/2 games while reducing their magic number to 50.
Elsewhere around the league, the Detroit Tigers sit atop the AL Central with the AL's best record (71-39), 9 1/2 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox.
The Oakland Athletics are clinging to their lead in the AL West, just 1 game ahead of the 61-49 Texas Rangers.
The Tampa Bay Rays, 63-46, lead the Wild Card race with Chicago (2 games back) and Texas (2 1/2 back) right behind them.
In the National League, the 76-33 Philadelphia Phillies (owners of baseball's best record) sit 12 games up on the second place Washington Nationals.
The Cincinnati Reds (59-52) hold a 5 1/2 game lead over the Houston Astros while the San Francisco Giants are 6 games up on the San Diego Padres.
Washington leads the NL Wild Card race with San Diego the only real challenger at this point, 3 1/2 games back.

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Third time a charm for Oswalt
Late rally gives hurler first Sox win
August 11, 2009

KANSAS CITY -- It took a few tries, but Roy Oswalt finally picked up his first win in a Boston Red Sox uniform, but just barely.
Oswalt was the benefactor of a three-run ninth inning highlighted by four consecutive singles.
With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Boston trailed the Kansas City Royals, 4-3, with #9 hitter Dustin Pedroia coming to the plate. Down to their last out, Pedroia looked for his pitch and flared an 0-2 curveball into left-centerfield for a basehit to extend the game for at least one more batter. Ichiro Suzuki worked Royals closer Mike Gonzalez for six pitches before hitting a hard groundball through the right side of the infield, moving Pedroia to third base. Matt Kemp followed with a base hit through the left side of the infield to tie the game and put the go-ahead run at second base. With two outs, the Red Sox gambled and sent Suzuki and Kemp on a double steal on the first pitch to Miguel Cabrera. With men now on second and third, Cabrera had the go-ahead run 90 feet away and quickly lined a ball past second base to score both runners and give the Red Sox a 6-4 lead.
Boston closer Joe Nathan came on in the last of the ninth and shut the door on the Royals, giving up a two-out single while striking out three for his 29th save of the season.
"I didn't get a whole lot of time to warm up out in the bullpen because of how we came back to tie it and then take the lead, but it worked out well tonight because I felt strong out there," Nathan said. "I was a little worried about being rushed before taking the mound but maybe I'll have them do that more often if I'm going to have that kinda stuff on short notice."
Before the Red Sox could worry about closing out the ballgame, Oswalt had to worry about avoiding a repeat of his first two starts with Boston. Oswalt gave up four runs on eight hits and no walks, striking out four over eight innings and 93 pitches.
"It's good to get that one under my belt," Oswalt said. "I'll tell ya what, it sure feels pretty good to know that no matter what the situation, this lineup has you covered. I should've been hit with losses my first couple games here and I was pretty close to being hit with a loss tonight but each time these guys have swung the bats and erased those deficits."

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Ponson falls to 0-20
Jays starter rocked again
August 28, 2009

TORONTO -- This has not been the best of years for Blue Jays pitcher Sidney Ponson.
The hefty right hander, 32, had hoped to rebound from a disappointing 8-14, 5.17 ERA season with Toronto last season but has hit a new low in 2009. For the third time this season, Ponson was hit all around the ballpark by the Boston Red Sox as the Blue Jays fell 10-5 at the Rogers Centre. With the loss, Ponson falls to 0-20 on the season with a 7.75 ERA in 26 starts. Ponson was hit for six runs on nine hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings, but the damage was limited thanks to fine defensive play from Toronto, including three home run balls brought back in by Blue Jays outfielders.
The entire Boston lineup contributed in the win, collecting 13 hits and drawing four walks in the contest. DH Matt Kemp hit a solo home run in the fifth inning and secondbaseman Dan Uggla's three run home run in the sixth inning chased Ponson from the game.
Manny Ramirez paced the Red Sox lineup, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, a run and three RBI.
Boston starter Roy Oswalt picked up his fourth win since joining the Red Sox, improving his record to 18-7 on the year with a 3.38 ERA. Oswalt gave up four runs on eight hits with no walks and 11 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings of work.
With the win, Boston reduced its magic number to 21. Toronto, owners of baseball's worst record, now sit 41 games behind the Red Sox.

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Red Sox farmhands get call ups
Boston adds depth in roster expansion
September 1, 2009

BOSTON -- With the team in New York to open up a three-game series with the Yankees, the Red Sox front office announced which players would be added to the team's active roster as they expanded today.
General Manager Shaun Moriarty said not all of the minor leaguers would be called up immediately and joining the team in New York. Some, he said, would join the team on the upcoming homestand this weekend.
Left-handed starter Jon Lester, 25, struggled in two relief appearances (7 runs in 3 1/3 innings) with the team earlier this season but has pitched well in the minor leagues this year. Lester went 8-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 13 starts with AA Portland, 4-1 with a 2.16 ERA in five starts with AAA Pawtucket.
Another southpaw starter, Mike Maroth, will also be brought up to the big club. Maroth, 32, made five appearances, one start, with Boston earlier in the season, going 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA over 16 innings. He has gone 7-3 with a 3.51 ERA in 13 starts with Pawtucket.
Victor Waddell, a 21-year-old right-hander, will get his big league debut once he joins the team. Waddell is 12-4 with a 2.85 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 20 games, 19 of which were starts.
Reliever Gary Majewski, 29, was a contributor with the Atlanta Braves bullpen from 2005-2007, before spending much of 2008 in the NL club's farm system. He signed with Boston in the offseason and has worked out of the Pawtucket bullpen this year, posting a 3.47 ERA and saving two games as a set up man.
Pat Neshek, who was sent down to Pawtucket several weeks ago, returns to the big league club. Neshek has been a strong reliever for Boston the last couple seasons but struggled earlier this year, going 4-4 with a 5.45 ERA in 36 appearances.
Chris Iannetta will become the club's third catcher, joining the team in New York. The Providence, Rhode Island native, 26, hit .266 with 9 homers, 58 RBI and 78 runs in 117 games with Pawtucket.
Switch-hitting infielder Mark Bellhorn has been on the disabled list more than he's been in the lineup this season, but he will be joining the big league team as well. Bellhorn hit .275 with three homers, eight RBI and 12 runs in 34 games with Pawtucket.
Veteran outfielder Torii Hunter, 34, who went 1-for-6 in two games with the club earlier this season, will also be recalled.
Delmon Young, 23, returns to the Red Sox after hitting .292 with four homers, 41 RBI and 36 runs in 98 games with Pawtucket. In seven games with Boston earlier in the year, Young went 1-for-9.
Third baseman Ben Dixon, 22, will make his Red Sox debut upon being called up from AA Portland. Dixon hit .185 with a home run, 12 RBI and 15 runs in 56 games with the New York Mets last season. He was claimed off waivers from the Mets in April and has hit .311 with 9 homers and 49 RBI in 95 games with the Sea Dogs.
After four seasons with Pawtucket, speedy outfielder Reggie Willits will get his chance at the big league level. Willits, 28, is a switch-hitter who can play each outfield position. He hit .312 with a home run, five triples, 50 RBI, 95 runs and 37 stolen bases in 115 games with Pawtucket.
Boston will stay with 36 men on the roster for the time being and may add up to four more players as September rolls on.

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Sox skipper signs extension
Kennedy inked through 2013
September 5, 2009

BOSTON -- Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy has signed to a four-year contract extension that will pay him $770,000 annually.
Kennedy, 55, has been Boston's manager since 1995 and has certainly earned his new deal.
"This is a great city, a great team and a great organization," Kennedy said during a pre-game press conference at Fenway Park. "If I had looked elsewhere at the end of the year, I may have been able to get some more money based on the success of this team but this is where I want to be. I enjoy winning ballgames and that's certainly what we're doing over here."
The Red Sox have gone 1,532-862 during Kennedy's tenure as manager, making the playoffs 13 times in 14 seasons, winning the World Series three times. Boston's 88-47 record is the best in the American League and the team holds a 14 1/2 game lead over the second place Tampa Bay Rays. The team has all but officially clinched another playoff appearance and is the favorite in the American League to go to the World Series.
With the Kennedy signing, it was also announced that bench coach Rick Down and hitting instructor Mark Reynolds also received contract extensions.

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Markakis drives in game-winner
Ichiro day-to-day with muscle pull
September 5, 2009

BOSTON -- It didn't start off so well but its how the game ends that counts.
After retiring the first two batters of the ballgame, Red Sox starter Josh Johnson was issued a walk, let up a single and then gave up a three-run home run to former Boston farmhand Kevin Kouzmanoff.
The bad news continued into the bottom of the first inning when leadoff hitter and centerfielder Ichiro Suzuki singled but pulled a thigh muscle in the process and had to be replaced by Delmon Young. Suzuki is listed as day-to-day but is expected to take the rest of the weekend series with the White Sox off.
Trailing 3-0 after the first inning, both teams exchanged short and scoreless half innings before the Red Sox put together a rally in the fifth.
Victor Martinez, Dan Uggla and Young led off the inning with three consecutive hits, the last of which plated the team's first run of the game. Matt Kemp grounded out, allowing Uggla to score from third, and the game was tied at three runs each after a Miguel Cabrera basehit through the right side of the infield.
Both teams were able to restrict each other's lineups over the next couple innings until Hideki Okajima took the mound for Chicago. Leadoff hitter Hanley Ramirez slapped an 0-1 fastball for a basehit and used his speed to score four pitches later on a Nick Markakis double to centerfield.
Working with a lead for the first time in the game, Boston brought in closer Joe Nathan who picked up his 33rd save on 11 pitches in a scoreless ninth inning.

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AL East champs again
Boston takes division in win
September 16, 2009

BOSTON -- For the ninth straight year, and the 12th time in 15 years, the Boston Red Sox are the American League Eastern Division Champions.
The Red Sox celebrated the division win at Fenway Park tonight after staging a late inning comeback over the second place Tampa Bay Rays, winning the game 6-5.
Boston entered into the game with a magic number of two, meaning a Red Sox win over the visiting Rays would secure the division title. As fate would have it, former Red Sox pitcher Brett Myers took the mound for the Rays with former Sox catcher Jon Washington calling the signs behind the plate.
Myers pitched well, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts in six innings of work, outpitching former teammate Josh Johnson, who took the mound for Boston.
Johnson was hit for five runs in the third inning, making it seem unlikely that the Red Sox would be celebrating within a couple hours. In 6 1/3 innings, Johnson gave up five runs on eight hits and three walks, striking out five.
The Red Sox began their comeback bid in the last of the fourth with back-to-back solo home runs from Ryan Howard and Manny Ramirez. Howard's bomb to right field was his 55th of the season and was estimated as traveling a monstrous 533 feet.
Boston tried to close the gap over the next few innings but with no success until the seventh inning. Leading off in the seventh, Dan Uggla took a 2-0 fastball from Myers over the Green Monster for a solo home run, putting the Red Sox within two runs of the Rays. After Myers walked David Murphy, reliever Matt Miller came in to snuff out the rally. Miller induced a double play out of Boston catcher Chris Iannetta. With two out and nobody on, Hanley Ramirez worked the count full before tripling down the right field line. Matt Kemp came to the plate and delivered with a 454-foot home run to left field, tying the game 5-5.
Boston took the lead in the eighth inning with a leadoff home run from Howard. It was Howard's second in the game, the fifth in the game for the Red Sox.
With closer Joe Nathan taking a day off for rest, Boston used three pitchers in the ninth inning to close out the game. Lefty Jon Lester, who had earned the win two scoreless innings of work, got Joey Votto on a groundout. Jonathan Papelbon struck out switch-hitter Bobby Kielty and lefty J.C. Romero struck out Ben Broussard to close out the game. Romero was credited with the save.
The team celebrated on the field in front of a sold out crowd at Fenway as the Rays packed up their belongings to head to New York for a four-game series with the Yankees. Tampa Bay currently holds a 1/2 game lead over the 79-67 Texas Rangers in the Wild Card race. Both the Red Sox and Rays have tomorrow off - something the Boston players just may need after tonight's celebrations.

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Boston ends season with win
Catchers power Sox to 11-1 victory
October 4, 2009

BOSTON -- One season is over, another is just about to begin.
The Boston Red Sox ended their regular season schedule this afternoon with an 11-1 victory over the hated New York Yankees at Fenway Park, finishing up the year at an American League best 106-56.
The bulk of the production in today's ballgame came from a pair of Red Sox catchers: Victor Martinez and Rod Barajas.
Batting sixth and working behind the plate, Martinez went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs and a three RBI. His three-run home run over the Green Monster off Yankees starter Chris Capuano gave Boston a 5-1 lead in the third inning.
With the Red Sox ahead 7-1 after five innings, Boston changed its battery, giving Martinez and starting pitcher Scott Kazmir the rest of the game off. Roy Halladay took over on the mound with Barajas calling the pitches. In the home half of the sixth inning, Barajas got his first at bat and put away what little shot the Bronx Bombers had of staging a comeback. With left-handed reliever Randy Flores on the mound and the bases loaded, Barajas took a first pitch fastball well over the Green Monster seats for a Grand Slam, putting Boston on top 11-1.
Red Sox manager Kevin Kenneday said he used the season's final game as a last tune up for some of his players as well as an opportunity for some of the younger guys and bench players to get their last licks in before the playoffs.
Regulars Ichiro Suzuki, Ryan Howard, Manny Ramirez, Miguel Cabrera and Martinez all started the game while Dan Uggla, Hanley Ramirez, Nick Markakis and Matt Kemp were given the day off.
Suzuki was replaced by Delmon Young in the sixth inning. Dustin Pedroia, David Murphy, Jolbert Cabrera and Reggie Willits were given starting roles for the day.
Kazmir pitched well, although he did struggle with command. The lefty picked up his eighth win of the season after giving up one run on four hits and five walks over five innings. He struck out five Yankee hitters.
Halladay worked two scoreless innings of relief with a pair of strikeouts, Gary Majewski pitched a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts and lefty Mike Maroth closed things out with a scoreless ninth inning.
Capuano gave up five runs on six hits and two walks over just 2 1/3 innings of work and fell to 12-19 on the season with the loss.
The Oakland Athletics will come into town on Tuesday to begin the best-of-five American League Division Series. Oakland won the American League West with an 89-73 record.

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ALDS: Detroit v. Tampa Bay
Tigers take series in 4 games

The AL Central champion Detroit Tigers advanced to the American League Championship Series after defeating the Wild Card Tampa Bay Rays in four games in the ALDS.

Game 1: Rays squeak out 1-0 win
With Detroit's Felipe Paulino (18-6, 2.73 ERA) and Tampa Bay's John Lannan (14-9, 2.83 ERA) on the mound, many expected a low scoring ballgame, but not quite like this.
The Rays pulled out a 1-0 win in the Motor City over the Tigers in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.
Both teams put up zero after zero until Tampa Bay broke through in the seventh inning ... on a wild pitch. With nobody on and one out, Rays outfielder Jeff Davanon hit a 3-1 triple to down the rightfield line, putting the game's potential first run 90 feet away from the plate. Tampa Bay centerfielder Will Miller behind 0-2, a Paulino fastball sailed high and away, hitting the backstop and allowing Davanon to scamper home for the game's first, and only, run.
The Rays sent closer Dan Wheeler (4-5, 33 saves, 3.90 ERA) to the mound in the ninth, where he retired the side in order on a flyball to left, a popup to short and a groundout to third.
Lannan pitched eight shutout innings, giving up three hits, walking none and striking out five. Paulino gave up one run on six hits and no walks, striking out three, over seven innings.

Game 2: Lackey wins pitcher's duel
After combining for one run over nine innings in Game 1, it didn't take long for either to team to get on the board in Game 2. Both Tampa Bay and Detroit scored a run in the first inning, but not many more throughout the remainder of the ballgame as John Lackey (11-4, 3.23 ERA) and Brett Myers (7-5, 4.90 ERA) locked horns in a pitcher's duel ultimately won by Lackey.
Myers gave up three runs on seven hits and no walks with seven strikeouts in eight innings. Lackey also went eight innings, giving up two runs on five hits and three walks with five Ks.
Tigers closer Patrick Misch (4-4, 47 saves, 2.76) quickly retired the Rays in order in the ninth inning, throwing just six pitches to pick up the save.

Game 3: Tigers take 2-1 lead with marathon win
Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead in the first inning but when the game ended four hours later, it was Detroit that was victorious. In a 15 inning contest that stretched out over 4 hours, 40 minutes, the Tigers pulled out a 5-3 victory.
The game was tied at 2-2 after nine innings, sending it into extra innings. In the top of the 13th inning, with two out, Endy Chavez doubled and then scored on a Stephen Drew single to centerfield, giving the Tigers a 3-2 lead. The Rays battled back immediately as Jamey Carroll led off the home half of the inning with a triple down the rightfield line. Carroll scored on the very next pitch as Jose Nieves hit a sacrifice fly to rightfield, locking the game up at 3-3.
In the 15th inning, Detroit regained the lead once again, after stringing together a few hits off Lowell Harris (4-2, 4 saves, 3.63 ERA). J.J. Hardy led off the inning with a four-pitch walk and advanced to second base as John Boyd reached on an error. Chavez singled through the right side, allowing Hardy to score the go-ahead run. A Drew single followed, advancing Chavez to second and Boyd to third. A Maicer Izturis grounder to second allowed Boyd to score from third, giving Detroit a two-run lead.
Tigers' hurler Kevin Gregg (3-3, 8 saves, 3.78 ERA) blew the Rays away in the last of the 15th, retiring the side on strikeouts.

Game 4: Tigers tame Rays in 10-inning game
After going 15 innings the night before, nobody was thrilled to see Tampa Bay and Detroit lock horns for another extra innings battle in Game 4.
The pitcher's duel between Rays hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka (12-8, 4.53 ERA) and Kyle Kendrick (12-9, 4.05 ERA) of Detroit was scoreless through six innings before J.J. Hardy (.244, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 153 G) belted out a solo home run off Matsuzaka in the seventh inning. Tampa Bay responded in the home half of the seventh as Doug Mientkiewicz scored from first base on a Bobby Kielty triple to centerfield. That's how the game would remain, tied at 1-1, until Detroit took the lead in the 10th inning.
Endy Chavez and Stephen Drew opened up the inning with back-to-back singles off reliever Matt Miller. A Maicer Izturis flyball to rightfield advanced Chavez to third, enabling him to score easily on a Chad Tracy single to centerfield.

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ALDS: Boston v. Oakland
Red Sox punch ALCS ticket once more

For the fifth time in six years, the Boston Red Sox earned an entry into the American League Championship Series. This time it came at the expense of the Oakland Athletics in a three-game sweep.

Game 1: Sox smoke A's in opener
Johan Santana (17-8, 3.73 ERA) didn't need much run support with his performance in Game 1, but his teammates gave it to him anyway.
Santana shut down the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park, giving up one run on seven hits and a walk with 10 strikeouts in seven innings of work.
The offense did its part, scoring eight runs on 14 hits and four walks. Miguel Cabrera (.385, 33 HR, 141 RBI) led the attack with a 3-for-4 performance, including a run scored and four RBI with a double and a three-run home run in the seventh inning. Victor Martinez (.310, 14 HR, 82 RBI) also went 3-for-4, hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning. He had two runs scored and two RBI.

Game 2: Boston holds off A's rally in 9th
With Roy Oswalt (21-9, 3.76 ERA on season; 7-2, 6.88 ERA with Boston) on the mound, the Red Sox looked to take a two-game lead in the best-of-three series at Fenway Park. Boston jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Ryan Howard (.313, 58 HR, 149 RBI) hit a two-run shot in the first inning off Oakland starter Gustavo Chacin (12-15, 4.08 ERA).
The Red Sox added single runs in the fourth and sixth innings and headed into the ninth inning with Oswalt working on a complete game shutout when the Athletics tried to mount a comeback.
Carlos Lee (.339, 36 HR, 120 RBI) led the inning off with a single and was followed by a Brian Daniels (.277, 27 HR, 88 RBI) double to rightfield, putting two men in scoring position and putting the the potential tying run in the on deck circle. Boston skipper Kevin Kennedy pulled Oswalt in favor of lefty Tommy Phelps (2-3, 1 save, 5.15 ERA) to pitch to left-handed hitter Shawn Green (.262, 9 HR, 56 RBI), who popped out to first base. Phelps stayed on to take on Miguel Olivo (.321, 11 HR, 50 RBI), who tripled to centerfield, making it a two-run game and bringing the tying run to the plate.
Red Sox closer Joe Nathan (5-3, 37 saves, 3.51 ERA) was brought on to put out the fire but immediately gave up an RBI double to pinch-hitter Javier Valentin (.283, 13 HR, 69 RBI), making it 4-3 Boston with the tying run in scoring position and the potential go-ahead run at the plate. Pinch-hitter Jason Giambi (.229, 9 RBI in 70 AB) singled, putting men on the corners with one out. Former Red Sox outfielder Austin Kearns (.278, 31 HR, 96 RBI) stepped in and drew a walk, loading the bases with still just one out, forcing the go-ahead run into scoring position. Nathan then buckled down and, on eight pitches, struck out Michael Young (.288, 7 HR, 45 RBI) and James Loney (.310, 31 HR, 117 RBI) to end the ballgame and give Boston a 2-0 advantage in the short series.

Game 3: Howard muscles team to ALCS but without Manny
The Red Sox took Game 3 and the series with a 7-5 defeat over the Oakland Athletics, moving on the ALCS - but without slugger Manny Ramirez, who suffered an injury.
Ramirez (.309, 41 HR, 116 RBI) fractured his foot sliding into second base with a two-out double in the ninth inning. His injury will force him to miss the rest of the playoffs. Ramirez was replaced on the bases and in left field by David Murphy.
Ryan Howard (.313, 58 HR, 149 RBI) powered Boston forward with a 4-for-5, three run, four RBI performance that included a double and a pair of home runs. Todd Helton (.224, HR, 11 RBI in 85 at bats), getting the start at DH, was the only other Red Sox player to get multiple hits, going 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored.
Boston starter Scott Kazmir (8-4, 4.10 ERA) pitched well, giving up two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out four over six innings. Josh Johnson (12-8, 3.39 ERA) worked out of the bullpen, giving up three runs on seven hits in three innings but still managing to pick up the save.
Oakland's Cole Hamels (17-11, 3.69 ERA) was not so lucky, getting hit for the loss after giving up six runs on six hits and two walks with three Ks in 5 1/3 innings.