A Red Sox Dynasty: 1995-????

[Moriarty9]

Phillies hammer Oswalt
Six-run third inning paces win
Saturday, June 25, 2011

BOSTON - The Philadelphia Phillies pounded Red Sox starter Roy Oswalt in a six-run third inning that led the National League squad to victory at Fenway Park.
With the game tied at 1-1, Oswalt took the mound for the third inning only to see his pitches whipped around baseball's oldest ballpark. The Phillies sent 11 men to the plate, picking up six runs en route to a 7-5 victory.
After just three pitches, Jose Mares sat on third and Yunel Escobar at second after a leadoff single and double. Oswalt dodged a bullet by getting Travis Hafner to pop up to the pitcher's mound for the first out. Josh Hamilton was then intentionally walked, loading the bases with one out. Oswalt came after Travis Buck and quickly got ahead of him, 0-2, only to see Buck battle back to a full count before drawing a walk on eight pitches, pushing Mares across the plate. William Drews followed with a RBI single and then Angel Fernandes hit a two-run single, making it 5-1. Oswalt struck out Gore before giving up an infield single to Augie Ojeda to load the bases with two out. Mares, who had led off the inning with a single, then came through with a two-run double before Oswalt struck out Escobar to end the inning.
The Red Sox countered with four runs in the bottom of the third but were unable to capitalize on any additional scoring opportunities.
Oswalt was hit for seven runs on 10 hits and four walks with four strikeouts in five innings of work. Relievers B.J. Ryan, Manuel Corpas and Hong-chih Kuo combined for four scoreless innings in which they gave up one hit and two walks with five strikeouts.
Phillies starter Casey Fossum gave up five runs in 2 2/3 innings on six hits and three walks, striking out two. Five Philadelphia relievers combined for 6 1/3 scoreless innings of work.
Angel Fernandez led the way for the Phillies offense, going 2-for-3 with a run and three RBI while Mares went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI. Escobar and Buck also had two hits each.
Matt Kemp went 3-for-5 with two doubles, one run and one RBI in the contest. Grady Sizemore hit the only home run of the game, a 405-foot solo shot in the second inning.
The Phillies will send Andy Sonnanstine (5-4, 3.98) to the mound in the series finale tomorrow while Boston will have Erik Bedard (10-3, 3.53) taking the bump.

[Moriarty9]

Ichiro gets hit #2000
Suzuki reaches new plateau
Thurday, June 30, 2011

BOSTON - Ichiro Suzuki is one step closer to the Hall of Fame when he picked up his 2,000th career hit tonight at Fenway Park.
Suzuki hit a fifth inning double off Josh Rupe to collect the milestone hit. He singled off Rupe in the sixth inning to reach hit #2,001.
Suzuki received a standing ovation as the milestone was announced on the big screen in centerfield.
His milestone was, in some ways, overshadowed by the performance of starting pitcher Johan Santana. Santana threw a complete game two-hitter, giving up one run on the two hits and one walk while striking out 13 Mets hitters.

[Moriarty9]

Sox acquire 1B prospect Miles
Taveras pleased with shot in Kansas City
Tuesday, July 5, 2011

BOSTON - With the winning tradition the organization has developed over the years, not many Red Sox players are happy to be traded to a fourth place ballclub. Willy Taveras, who has spent much of the season in AAA Pawtucket, is an exception to that rule.
Taveras was pleased with news that he had been traded to the Kansas City Royals today in exchange for first baseman Bob Miles.
"I'm a big league player and they weren't giving me the opportunity to play in the bigs this year," Taveras said of his time with Boston. "In the little bit of time they let me play up there, I was picking up hits as often as anyone else but I still wound up in Pawtucket."
Taveras hit .327 with seven RBI and eight runs in 19 games with the Red Sox to open the season before being deemed the odd man out after Ichiro Suzuki was activated from the disabled list. In 12 games with Pawtucket - he missed a significant amount of time with a fractured hand - he has hit .364.
Taveras was acquired by the Red Sox in a trade last April after Suzuki was knocked out for the season with an injury. Taveras had been hitting .385 through 78 at bats with the Colorado Rockies at the time of the trade and went on to hit .265 with one home run and 44 RBI in 431 at bats for Boston.
Taveras is expected to take over as the Royals' starting centerfielder and leadoff hitter.
"Now I'm being given the opportunity that I deserve and I'm going to show what Willy Taveras can do," he told reporters.
Miles, 21, is a power-hitting left-handed prospect that has managed to slug six home runs in 193 at bats with the Royals this season, but has hit just .223 on the year. He hit .279 with 28 doubles, seven triples, 11 home runs and 70 RBI, while stealing 17 bases, in 128 games with the AAA Omaha Royals last season. He was a second round draft choice of Kansas City in 2009.
It is unclear at the moment whether the Red Sox will assign Miles to Pawtucket for further development or place him on the active roster. If he was to take a spot on the 25-man roster, backup firstbaseman Kendry Morales would be the most likely candidate to go.
Morales, 28, is a switch-hitter that has hit .244 with one homer and seven RBI in 17 games with Boston.

[Moriarty9]

Avila called up to big leagues
Miles, Morales optioned to AAA
Tuesday, July 5, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA - About 2 hours after announcing a trade for first baseman Bob Miles, the Boston Red Sox officially optioned their new prospect and first baseman Kendry Morales to Pawtucket, and called up PawSox first baseman Gabriel Avila.
The Red Sox were unsure if Avila would be at Tropicana Field and in uniform for the start of tonight's opener of a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays as Pawtucket is currently playing in Alburquerque, New Mexico.
Avila, 27, had been hitting .303 with 20 home runs and 73 RBI in 84 games with the PawSox this season. Acquired from the San Diego Padres last year to help fill a hole in the lineup, Avila struggled during his time with Boston last year. In 60 games, he hit .211 with three homers and 20 RBI over 190 at bats. He had been hitting .278 with 14 round trippers in 62 games and 230 at bats with the Padres prior to the trade.

[Moriarty9]

Papelbon inks 3-year-pact
Setup man signs extension
Wednesday, July 6, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA - The Boston Red Sox and ace setup man Jonathan Papelbon agreed to terms today on a three-year contract extension that will keep him in the Fenway Park bullpen through 2014.
Papelbon, 30, is having arguably the best season of his career and was rewarded with a $19.4 million deal that could reach up to $22.4 million through incentives over the life of the deal.
In 32 games this year, Papelbon has gone 1-2 with four saves and a 1.98 ERA, stirking out 37 and walking five in 41 innings of work. Over his eight-year career, Papelbon has gone 32-17 with 33 saves and a 2.95 ERA in 360 relief appearances.
"I'm so happy to be staying in Boston, man," Papelbon said at a brief press conference in Tropicana Field today. "I love the excitement of pitching before a packed house at Fenway every night, taking the ball in crucial moments of the ballgame, stepping up to close out ballgames when they need me to do and going out there to win another World Series, man!"
Papelbon was a member of the 2006 World Series championship team. He pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings during that post-season. He has gone 1-0 with two saves and a 1.56 ERA in 20 playoff games over his career.

[Moriarty9]

All Star squads named
Three Sox players on team
Sunday, July 10, 2011

The rosters for the Major League Baseball All Star Game were announced today and the Red Sox have three representatives on the squad.
The 2001 All Star Game will be the fourth for outfielder Grady Sizemore (.326, 16 HR, 64 RBI, 18 SB) and for left-handed starting pitcher Erik bedard (11-4, 3.64 ERA). For pitcher Roy Oswalt (11-6, 3.12 ERA), it will be a fifth selection for the Mid-Summer Classic.
While Boston will have its fair share of representatives, the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees lead the way with five players each.
Indians starter Rick VandenHurk, 26, has earned his first selection to the All Star team with a remarkable 14-5, 3.77 ERA start to the season. It is also the first selection for Indians closer Eulogio De La Cruz (0-1, 22 Sv, 2.78 ERA). Cleveland outfielder Juan Rivera has been tabbed for his second All Star Game after hitting .301 with 17 home runs and 53 RBI in his first 70 games of the season.
Indians secondbaseman Robinson Cano (.326, 14 HR, 43 RBI) has earned his fourth All Star selection. Garrett Atkins (.293, 9 HR, 38 RBI) has been named to his fourth consecutive All Star Game.
From New York, the Iceman - Yankees closer Ivan Perez - has been named to his first big league All Star team after going 3-2 with 18 saves and a 2.43 ERA in 30 appearances thus far.
Thirdbaseman David Wright (.293, 13 HR, 59 RBI, 12 SB) will appear in his fourth All Star Game while teammate and former Red Sox shortstop Jose Reyes (.314, 6 HR, 41 R, 28 SB) appears in his third. It is also the third All Star nod for Yankees first baseman Justin Morneau (.294, 26 HR, 81 RBI) while outfielder Domingo Medina (.282, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 54 R, 25 SB) goes to his second Mid-Summer Classic.
Orioles catcher Joe Mauer (.352, 5 HR, 49 RBI) was named to his seventh All Star team.
Named to their fifth All Star teams were Mets second baseman Chase Utley (.323, 11 HR, 33 RBI, 45 R), Cubs outfielder Chris Duncan (.252, 27 HR, 72 RBI) and Blue Jays - and former Red Sox - closer Joe Nathan (3-3, 20 Sv, 3.21 ERA).
Angels outfielder Matt Holliday (.284, 16 HR, 47 RBI), Diamondbacks pitcher Jake Peavy (10-4, 3.24 ERA), Rays pitcher Brandon Webb (12-6, 3.14 ERA), Giants first baseman Nick Johnson (.310, 21 HR, 71 RBI) and Giants - and former Boston - catcher Victor Martinez (.357, 11 HR, 45 RBI) were named to their fourth All Star teams.
Getting the nod for the third time is White Sox starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (9-4, 2.84 ERA), Tigers outfielder Danny Sanford (.285, 12 HR, 48 RBI), Twins second baseman Wilson Betemit (.283, 11 HR, 50 RBI), Phillies pitcher Yovani Gallardo (10-3, 2.51 ERA), Phillies outfielder Josh Hamilton (.328, 35 HR, 95 RBI), Braves closer Bobby Jenks (3-5, 20 Sv, 2.81 ERA), and Pirates third baseman Bryan Davis (.286, 20 HR, 52 RBI).
For the second time in their careers, White Sox closer Matt Lindstrom (5-2, 16 Sv, 4.36 ERA), Royals outfielder Chris Snelling (.239, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 53 R), Twins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.306, 16 HR, 56 RBI), Mets closer Chris George (2-1, 20 Sv, 0.74 ERA), Texas pitcher Luke Prokopec (12-3, 3.49 ERA), Rangers closer Juan Morillo (3-3, 17 Sv, 2.52 ERA), Astros secondbaseman Marlon Anderson (.331, 22 HR, 90 RBI) and Dodgers closer Huston Street (3-2, 20 Sv, 2.14 ERA) were named to the All Star teams.
There are 18 first time All Stars, including former Red Sox players such as Twins first baseman Mark Teixeira (.278, 23 HR, 69 RBI) and Cardinals pitcher Brett Myers (11-5, 3.00 ERA). The other first time All Stars are Oakland first baseman James Loney (.351, 27 HR, 63 RBI), Rays closer Lowell "Truth" Harris (3-4, 18 Sv, 1.76 ERA), Arizona shortstop Ed Larson (.299, 6 HR, 40 RBI, 64 R, 35 SB), Marlins outfielder Carl Crawford (.310, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 56 R, 42 SB), Braves catcher Josh Willingham (.301, 19 HR, 52 RBI), Cubs pitcher Bryan Mitchell (10-4, 3.99 ERA), Astros closer Joel Zumaya (3-3, 20 Sv, 2.79 ERA), Astros outfielder Keith Godfrey (.356, 12 HR, 41 RBI, 69 R, 18 SB), Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier (.366, 7 HR, 59 RBI), Brewers outfielder David DeJesus (.339, 11 HR, 66 RBI), Nationals closer Jonathan Meloan (0-1, 22 Sv, 1.58 ERA), Padres pitcher Aaron Harang (13-5, 2.78 ERA), Padres outfielder Nick Skeels (.336, 15 HR, 54 RBI), Padres closer Jaime Vargas (5-5, 18 Sv, 2.96 ERA), Giants pitcher Homer Bailey (8-3, 2.85 ERA) and Cardinals first baseman Juan Cortez (.305, 20 HR, 61 RBI).

[Moriarty9]

Senior Circuit wins in 10 innings
Hamilton double scores winning run
Tuesday, July 12, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS - The 2011 All Star Game was extended by a single in the last of the ninth but ended courtesy of a double in the top of the 10th inning as the National League won the exhibition game 4-3 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome tonight.
With the American League trailing 3-2 and St. Louis Cardinals hurler Brett Myers coming to the mound in the last of the ninth, it looked the NL squad had a good chance to pick up the victory. Myers was able to strike out the first two batters of the inning - Garrett Atkins of the Cleveland Indians and Matt Holliday of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Detroit's Danny Sanford kept the AL alive with a two-out double and then scored on a RBI single from David Wright of the New York Yankees to tie the game.
Once the ninth came to a close, the teams returned to the field for extra innings - a free bonus for the 41,941 fans in attendence. Luke Prokopec of the Texas Rangers returned to the mound for the AL and gave up a basehit to Florida Marlins outfielder Carl Crawford, who would be advanced to second base on a groundball. With two down and the speedy Crawford on second, Phillies slugger Josh Hamilton fell behind 1-2 before doubling to rightfield with Crawford scoring uncontested.
Myers returned to the mound for the NL, once again working with a one-run lead, and retired his first two batters before surrendering a double to local product Joe Mauer of the Baltimore Orioles. It appeared Myers may stumble once again as he found himself in a 3-0 count to Atkins before battling back to a full count and ultimately retiring the Indians slugger on a popup to third base.
Myers was credited with the win while Prokopec (2 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K) was hit with the loss.
Hamilton was named the All Star Game MVP with his extra-inning RBI double. Hamilton went 2-for-2 with two RBI. Crawford and Indians second baseman Robinson Cano were the only other players to collect two hits.
There were no home runs hit in the game although the two squads combined for 21 hits, including seven doubles.

[Moriarty9]

Lester throws 2-hit shutout
Hanley fractures foot
Thursday, July 14, 2011

BOSTON - Tonight's contest at Fenway Park may have been the closest 9-0 two-hit shutout in baseball history as the Red Sox picked up the victory but not without losing its starting shortstop.
Hanley Ramirez fractured his foot sliding into second base in the fourth inning. He will be placed on the 15-day disabled list, alongside Miguel Cabrera. Ramirez is hitting .269 with seven home runs and 44 RBI thus far. It is not clear who will be called up to replace Ramirez for the time being, although Pawtucket infielders Dale Reed, Cristian Guzman and Bobby Crosby are the most likely candidates.
For much of the game, Lester was embroiled in a very tough pitchers' duel with Oakland Athletics pitcher Cole Hamels.
Both pitchers had shut down the opposition until the Red Sox came to the plate in the last of the seventh inning. Grady Sizemore led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second base on an errant pick off throw and then to third on a flyball from Gabriel Avila. After a Reggie Willits groundout for the second out of the inning, Dustin Pedroia came through with a RBI single to push the game's first run across the plate for either team.
Working with a lead for the first time, Lester returned to the mound in the eighth inning and retired the side on eight pitches.
Boston looked to add to its lead in the home half of the eighth inning as third baseman Bill Hopkins - making his big league debut - drew a four pitch walk from Hamels. Ichiro Suzuki tried to lay down a bunt, but it rolled foul. With the corner infielders drawn in after the bunt attempt, Suzuki swung away on the next pitch and laced a basehit to chase Hamels from the game. Suzuki would end the night with a 3-for-5 day at the plate that included a double, a run and a RBI.
Ryan Dempster failed to stop the rally as he would go on to be charged with five run in 2/3 of an inning. Reliever Manny Aybar would also give up a run in his 1/3 of an inning.
Lester, who was given the spot start, gave up just two hits and walked five while striking out eight over 111 pitches in nine innings. With the win, he improves to 2-1 with a 3.09 ERA in 43 2/3 innings.

[Moriarty9]

Fans react to Sizemore injury
Thursday, July 21, 2011

Despite the dynasty that has become the Boston Red Sox of the late 1990s and into the 2000s, fans outside Fenway Park this morning expressed a fear of the worst.
While the Red Sox sit 4 games up on the New York Yankees in the American League East with the third best record in all of baseball, a number of injuries to key players has many Boston fans sure the team is destined for disaster.
Centerfielder Grady Sizemore hyperextended his knee during last night's ballgame and was placed on the 15-day disabled list, joining thirdbaseman Miguel Cabrera and shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
Sizemore, 28, is hitting .321 with 17 home runs and 69 RBI with 19 stolen bases in 90 games this season. Cabrera had been hitting .281 with 12 homers and 58 RBI in 77 games before being placed on the disabled list. Ramirez was at .269 with 33 doubles, 7 homers, 44 RBI, 55 runs and 15 stolen bases in 85 games before fracturing his foot.
In their place have been a few players getting their shot at the big leagues.
Bill Hopkins, a 26-year-old career minor leaguer, was brought up after Cabrera's injury. He has hit .261 (6-for-23) with 7 RBI in seven games. He has played 34 innings at shortstop, making one error with 19 chances while playing a flawless thirdbase for 27 innings. He has managed to hold his own in Cabrera's absence.
Having spent all of last season in Boston's minor league system, veteran shortstop Bobby Crosby was brought up after Ramirez' injury. Crosby has seen little time in the lineup, picking up one hit in his six at bats (.167 average) with a RBI and a run scored. In 20 innings at shortstop, Crosby has cleanly fielded each chance.
The Red Sox have now brought up Antonio Andres, who had been acquired along with Willy Taveres after Ichiro Suzuki went down for the season last year. In 189 at bats over 86 games with AAA Pawtucket this year, Andres has gone .317 with seven home runs and 45 RBI with 21 stolen bases. Andres hit .277 with six homers and 33 RBI in 70 games with Boston last season, .280 with eight home runs and 38 RBI in 87 games on the season.
"We can't get along without these big studs," said Andrew Higgins, a 27-year-old Sox fan from Brighton. "How are we gonna hold off the Yanks without these big bats?"
James Hogan, 53, of Peabody, was more optimistic about the team's chances.
"We've got some great pitching, a deep bench, a deep farm system and we'll get through it. Even if we drop a little bit we'll rebound and be back there in the end."
Cabrera is eligible to come off the disabled list in three days and is expected to return to the lineup at that time. Ramirez is eligible to return June 29 but the team has indicated it has not made any decisions on the shortstop's return as of yet.
Sizemore was placed on the disabled list after last night's game and the team does not know when he'll return just yet.

[Moriarty9]

Santana, Sox sink Seattle
Misch struggles again
Friday, July 22, 2011

SEATTLE - Working with a 5-2 lead over the Mariners, Boston Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy handed the ball to struggling closer Patrick Misch to close it out.
The left-handed Misch's first pitch, to left-handed hitting Adam Lind, was belted 393 feet to right-center field for a home run. Robert Neuvel, also a left-handed hitter, then came up with a basehit up the middle, bringing the tying run to the plate in Cody Ross. Kennedy had seen enough, however, and brought in Jonathan Papelbon to finish it off with a handful of right-handed hitters due up.
Seattle countered by pinch hitting with Adrian Gonzalez, a left handed hitter, who drew a walk. Papelbon rebounded by striking out designated hitter Arturo Rojas and inducing a double play off the bat from pinch hitter Adam Dunn to end the game.
"I don't know what else to try," a clearly frustrated Misch said after the game. "I just haven't been able to get the job done in the ninth. I don't know what to do next."
Matt Kemp and Dustin Pedroia each hit two-run home runs in the ballgame.
After giving up two runs, one earned, on two hits and one walk while striking out seven in seven innings, Santana picked up the win to improve to 10-7 on the season. It was Papelbon's fifth save of the season.
"I'm just doing whatever the team needs me to do," Papelbon said. "If its in the seventh inning, the eighth inning or the ninth inning - my job is to get outs."

[Moriarty9]

Misch dealt for Mo, Bayliss, prospect
Struggling southpaw goes to Cubs
Monday, July 25, 2011

OAKLAND - Having been demoted from closer to middle reliever twice this year, Patrick Misch was traded today.
The Boston Red Sox dealt the left-handed Misch to the Chicago Cubs for relievers Mariano Rivera and Jonah Bayliss and minor league starting pitcher Mauro Guzman.
Misch, 29, has gone 3-5 with 9 saves and a 6.67 ERA in 28 appearances with Boston this season. He has blown four saves (one shy of his career high) and opponents have hit .287 against him this season.
"It's part of the business," Misch said when asked about the trade. "Obviously it just wasn't working for me this year so maybe a new environment and fresh start will help me out a great deal."
Misch has been a fine closer for much of his five-year career, going 17-29 with 148 saves and a 3.87 ERA in 255 appearances with the Detroit Tigers and Boston.
Cubs manager Todd Haney said Misch would take over the closer's role in Chicago. The Cubs had used a "closer-by-committee" approach for most of the season with Francisco Cordero (14) and Luis Ayala (11) being the most hevily used relievers in save situations.
In return, the Red Sox have acquired a man nobody had ever expected to see in a Boston uniform - Mariano Rivera. The 41-year-old former New York Yankees closer has been a middle reliever and setup man over the last four seasons but for years was one of baseball's top closers. In his 17-year-career, Rivera has gone 59-79 with 354 saves and a 3.67 ERA with the Yankees (1995-2008), Milwaukee Brewers (2009) and Chicago Cubs (2010-2011). Rivera has gone 1-2 with a 4.85 ERA in 31 games this year.
As soon as the trade was announced, the Red Sox designated Rivera for assignment.
Boston also acquired reliever Jonah Bayliss in the trade. Bayliss, a 30-year-old North Adams, Mass. native, has had a fine season with the Cubs to date. In a career-high 33 appearances, he has gone 4-0 with one save and a 2.17 ERA while opponents have hit .190 off him. He is 7-3 with one save and a 2.84 ERA in 72 career big league appearances.
Bayliss will join the bullpen for tonight's game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland. The Red Sox are unsure if he'll be at the stadium and in uniform for the beginning of the game but is expected to be ready to go shortly after first pitch. He is flying in from New York, where the Cubs are opening up a series with the Mets.
The final player picked up by the Red Sox in the trade is Mauro Guzman, a 21-year-old minor league starting pitcher. Guzman, a 24th round draft in 2008, has exceeded the expectations of many by pitching well in the minor leagues thus far. In 19 starts this season with the AAA Iowa Cubs, Guzman went 9-4 with a 2.14 ERA with 129 strikeouts in 113 1/3 innings.
In his minor league career, Guzman has posted a 37-25 record with a 3.28 ERA in 98 games, 95 of which have been starts.
Guzman has been assigned to AA Portland Sea Dogs and will join the rotation there.

[Moriarty9]

Mets blanked by Cubs
Misch records save
Wednesday, July 27, 2011

FLUSHING, NY - The Chicago Cubs pitching staff held the Mets to no runs on just four hits tonight, spoiling an impressive performance from hurler Hayden Penn.
Penn have up two runs on seven hits and no walks, striking out three, over seven 7 1/3 innings of work but was hit with the loss.
Cubs hurler Zach Segovia improved to 10-4 with a gem of his own, throwing 7 shutout innings in which he let up four hits and one walk with six strikeouts. Relievers Luis Ayala and Francisco Cordero combined on a scoreless eighth inning before handing it over to new closer Patrick Misch, who pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his 10th save of the year, first with the Cubs.
"It's nice to get that first one under my belt and start off my Cubs career on a positive note," Misch said after the game. "It feels really good."
Chicago shortstop Vicente Gutierrez led the Cubs offense, going 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run, a run and two RBI.
Mets leadoff hitter Brendon Auchinleck was the only other player on either team to collect two hits in the contest.

[Moriarty9]

Misch finds himself in Chicago
Cubs closer perfect thus far
Saturday, July 30, 2011

CHICAGO - Despite his fall from grace in Boston, new Cubs closer Patrick Misch has been fantastic since coming to the National League earlier this week.
Misch recorded his third save in four days this afternoon at Wrigley Field, throwing a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure a Cubs victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. It was his third in a Cubs uniform, 12th on the season.
"Outside of the name on the front of the jersey, I couldn't tell you the difference between my performance last month to now. Hell, even last week to now," Misch said. "I'm glad to have gotten a fresh start and have managed to take advantage of it."
In his three appearances with the Cubs, Misch has picked up three saves, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three in three innings. Opponents are hitting .167 against him in Chicago while the opposition hit .293 against him while he was with Boston this season.
"We looked at Patrick's past performance with Detroit, and even with the Red Sox last season, and we saw a great closer who was struggling for whatever reason," said Cubs manager Todd Haney. "We took a chance on him and so far its really paid off. He looks the guy we were hoping he'd be when we made that deal. After this win, we're only six games behind these Cardinals and with Pat in the back end of that bullpen pitching lights out - we have a good opportunity to make some progress in the last two months of the season."

[Moriarty9]

Weaver, Rivera dealt for prospect
Gordon acquired from Oakland
Sunday, July 31, 2011

BOSTON - The Red Sox today dealt from its strengths to add a 20-year-old outfield prospect at the trade deadline.
Brett Gordon will be joining the organization as pitchers Jered Weaver and Mariano Rivera ship out west to join the Oakland Athletics.
Gordon, a left-handed hitter, plays all three outfield positions and is projected to one day become an impressive power hitter. In 54 games with one of Oakland's Class A ballclubs, Gordon hit .346 with nine home runs and 49 RBI. Used primarily as a designated hitter there, Gordon has played just 25 innings in the field thus far, all in centerfield and all without an error. He was drafted in the second round of this year's amateur draft and was named to the Class A All Star team and won the league's MVP award.
"He's a good ballplayer who we feel projects well," said Red Sox GM Shaun Moriarty.
In order to acquire Gordon, the Red Sox dealt away veteran hurlers in Weaver and Rivera.
Weaver, 28, struggled in a move to the bullpen last season and has not responded well since being brought back to the rotation this year. In 14 games this season, 13 of which have been starts, Weaver has gone 4-5 with a 5.32 ERA. He went 5-3 with two saves and a 6.01 ERA in 32 games last year, six of which were starts. His finest season came in 2007 - a season in which he was named to the All Star team - when he went 18-3 with a 2.53 ERA in 27 starts. In his six-year career with Boston, Weaver went 60-27 with a 4.01 ERA in 150 games, 114 of which were starts.
A Los Angeles native, Weaver has been frustrated with his performance and role on the ballclub and hopes to have a Patrick Misch-esque renaissance in Oakland.
Weaver will join the Athletics rotation and may start tonight or tomorrow.
Rivera is also heading to Oakland, less than a week after being traded to Boston from the Chicago Cubs. Rivera, 41, was designated for assignment after being acquired. He went 1-2 with a 4.85 ERA in 31 games with the Cubs before the trade. He will join the A's middle relief corps.
Replacing Weaver on Boston's pitching staff will be Dave Mason, a 22-year-old Somerville, Mass. native acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Royals earlier in the season.
Mason had gone 4-3 with a 3.30 ERA in nine starts with the Royals but has pitched exclusively in AAA since being traded. In 13 starts with the Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's AAA affiliate in the International League, Mason has gone 7-2 with a 2.56 ERA, striking out 110 batters in 91 1/3 innings.
It is not clear if Mason or Jon Lester will take Weaver's spot in the rotation. Lester is currently the club's long reliever and spot starter. He has gone 2-3 with a 4.58 ERA in 17 games, including seven starts.

[Moriarty9]

The following is an excerpt from the journal of Dave Mason, a 22-year-old pitching prospect from Somerville, Mass., that has recently been acquired via trade by his hometown Boston Red Sox. Mason was assigned to the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League, Boston's AAA affiliate, where he went 7-2 with a 2.56 ERA in 13 starts. After the Jered Weaver trade on July 31, Mason was brought up to the big leagues. Tomorrow he makes his second start in a Boston Red Sox uniform.

Friday, August 5, 2011

I'm really enjoying being back in the big leagues and playing with the Red Sox with a big hometown crowd here each night. Almost every time I go out there to shag fly balls during batting practice I spot someone I know in the crowd.
I won't have my family and friends in stands tomorrow night when I get the start in Tampa though. And its going to be a tough one because Brandon Webb is on the mound for the Rays. He hasn't had a loss in his last four starts and has only lost twice in his last 12 starts. Its crazy.
I'm a little disappointed Kate can't make it down here for the weekend and watch me pitch. Its been up and down the last couple weeks between us but it seems to be getting a little better now that I'm in Boston instead of Pawtucket.

[Moriarty9]

Webb weaves win
Mason 0-2 with Boston
Saturday, August 6, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA - Brandon Webb struggled but the Rays managed to come out on top today at Tropicana Field with a 5-4 victory over the first place Boston Red Sox.
Webb gave up four runs on nine hits and three walks in just 4 2/3 innings but was saved by fine relief pitching from Jose Capellan, who threw three shutout innings in which he gave up two hits and walked nobody.
For Boston, Dave Mason also took some lumps to fall to 4-5 on the year, 0-2 with the Red Sox. He went seven innings, giving up five runs on seven hits and five walks.
Mason was staked to a quick 2-0 lead after the first inning and watched as a bases loaded opportunity in the second inning failed to result in any extra support. Miguel Cabrera started the scoring with a triple that knocked in Ichiro Suzuki. Cabrera then scored on a Grady Sizmore double in the top of the first inning.
The Rays responded in the third inning with four runs, two of which came off a Bobby Kielty double. Jeff Davanon also doubled in a run while a Ben Broussard sacrifice fly also led to a run.
The Red Sox countered in the their next at bat with another run, this one coming courtesy of a Cabrera double, making it 4-3 Tampa Bay.
The Rays would another run in the fourth on a sacrific fly while a Howie Kendrick single would push across a run for the Red Sox in the fifth inning.
The two teams will square off in the series finale tomorrow at 1:15 p.m. Johan Santana, 11-7 with a 2.88 ERA, will take the mound for the Red Sox while Tampa Bay sends Sean Marshall, 5-5 with a 3.78 ERA, to the bump.

[Moriarty9]

Sox win in 23 innings
7-1 win takes 6 1/2 hours
Tuesday, August 9, 2011

KANSAS CITY - The Boston Red Sox recorded a six run victory over the Royals but it took 23 innings, 6 1/2 hours and presumably a few cups of coffee through the early morning hours for what was a 22-inning pitcher's duel game to come to an end.
The Red Sox jumped out on top in the top of the first inning on an errant throw in from the outfield after a Hanley Ramirez single. It would take 22 more innings before they scored again and won the game.
The Royals had tied the game in home half of the fourth inning with an Angel Rodriguez solo home run off Roy Oswalt.
Oswalt and KC starter John Patterson locked up in a bitter pitcher's duel that neither saw the end of. Oswalt gave up one run on five hits and one walk, striking out eight, over eight innings. Patterson gave up one run on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.
In the top of the 23rd inning - almost six hours after the first run of the game had scored - a Matt Kemp single, Miguel Cabrera walk and Grady Sizemore single led to a bases loaded and nobody out situation for reliever Oscar Villarreal. Ramirez, after working the count full, lofted a routine flyball to leftfield but a sleepy LF dropped the ball, allowing Kemp to score the go-ahead run. Reggie Willits then drew a bases loaded walk to push across another run before George Avila hit a sacrifice fly to make it 4-1 Boston. A bases loaded walk to David Murphy and a two-run single from Kemp added a few more insurance runs.
Jon Lester retired the side in order in the bottom of the 23rd to secure the victory. Lester picked up the win and improved to 3-3 after throwing 5 2/3 scoreless innings in which he gave up two hits and four walks while striking out three.
The two teams used a total of 13 pitchers in the contest.
Kemp and Ramirez led both teams with three hits each.

[Moriarty9]

Sizemore out for season
Outfielder fractured skull
Friday, August 26, 2011

SEATTLE - All Star outfielder Grady Sizemore of the Boston Red Sox will miss the remainder of the season and may not return to the field in time for spring training after fracturing his skull today.
Sizemore was hit in the head by a Trey Hodges fastball in the eighth inning of Boston's 11-0 victory at Safeco Field. The ball shattered his helmet and Sizemore fell to the ground lifeless before being taken to a local hospital.
"Certainly its a big loss but the important thing is that he'll be okay," Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy said. "Grady is a tough kid and he'll be better. It was tough to watch and many of us couldn't help but think the worst but fortunately the doctors are certain he'll be fine."
Kennedy said doctors warned that Sizemore likely will not be ready in time for spring training next season and he could possibly miss the start of the season.
Sizemore was 0-for-2 with a pair of walks in the ballgame before being hit by the pitch.
In 111 games, Sizemore had been hitting .322 with 25 doubles, nine triples, 19 home runs, 83 RBI, 81 runs and 28 stolen bases. He was on pace for 11 triples, 24 homers and 104 RBI before the injury.
With Sizemore on the 60-day disabled list, the Red Sox will be calling up Adam McCormick from AAA Pawtucket. McCormick, 25, hit .320 with seven home runs, 51 RBI, 72 runs and 22 stolen bases in 111 games with the PawSox this year.
With roster expansion looming in less than a week, McCormick will be joined by other minor leaguers as the ballclub searches to find a suitable replacement for the remainder of the season and - with any luck - the playoffs.

[Moriarty9]

Red Sox add big league depth
September call-ups arrive
Thursday, September 1, 2011

BOSTON - The Red Sox added a great deal of depth to the bench and pitching staff today with 15 players being called up as part of the roster expansion allowed under Major League rules today.
Of the 15 additional players, five are pitchers while 10 are position players. The Red Sox, who have used a six-man rotation in September several times in recent years, have not announced if they will do so again this year, giving one or two minor leaguers the opportunity to take the mound for a start down the stretch.
Eric McAllister, a 21-year-old southpaw, has been added to the big league roster. McAllister appeared in four games, starting twice, with Boston last season. He went 1-0 with a 4.11 ERA in 15 1/3 innings of work, walking three and striking out 13.
Victor Waddell, 23, will also be joining the pitching staff. Waddell has had brief stints with Boston each of the last two years, going 0-2 with one save and a 3.93 ERA in nine games, three of which were starts. In 34 1/3 innings in the big leagues, Waddell has walked 13 and struck out 25.
Southpaw reliever Terry Allen, 27, will also rejoin the club. Allen appeared in 34 games last season and made four relief appearances (0-0, 7.36 ERA in 3 2/3 innings) earlier this year before being demoted to Pawtucket. In his big league career, Allen has gone 4-1 with one save and a 4.68 ERA in 59 appearances.
Harvey Garcia gets a chance to show his stuff with the Sox this month. Garcia, 27, pitched well for the Los Angeles Dodgers for two seasons before being acquired by Boston last year. He appeared in just one game after being claimed off waivers in September, retiring the only two batters he faced. In 101 career relief appearances, Garcia is 4-6 with one save and a 3.22 ERA. He was 1-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 39 innings of work with Pawtucket this season.
Danny Hanna, claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last month, will also join the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Hanna, a 21-year-old lefty, was 3-2 with a 4.05 ERA in 20 games with the Angels this year and is 9-11 with eight saves and a 4.80 ERA in 90 career appearances out of the Angels bullpen.
The team doubled its catching corps today as well, adding Rob Bowen and Lonnie Pierce to the squad. Bowen, 30, is a switch-hitter who has played for the Braves, Twins, Dodgers and Mets. He hit .249 with 11 homers and 83 RBI in 143 games with the Mets last season and signed with Boston in the off-season only to be assigned to Pawtucket, where he hit .262 with 13 homers and 79 RBI in 130 games.
Pierce, 27, is a fine defensive catcher that appeared in 26 games with Pawtucket this year. He hit .365 with three homers and 14 RBI in those games. Pierce hasn't appeared in the big leagues since 2008, when he hit .171 with two RBI in 41 at bats with the Red Sox. From 2005-2008, he appeared in 216 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston, hitting .234 with 36 homers and 105 RBI.
Bob Miles, acquired from the Kansas City Royals in the Willy Taveras trade in early July, will also put on the Red Sox uniform this month. Miles hit .223 with six homers and 24 RBI in 193 at bats with the Royals before the trade, .319 with five round-trippers and 19 RBI in 135 at bats with the AAA PawSox after the trade.
Kendry Morales, demoted to Pawtucket at the time of the Taveras-Miles trade, was recalled after hitting .404 with two homers and 14 RBI in 27 games with the PawSox. He hit .244 with one home run and seven RBI in 17 ames with Boston earlier in the season.
Infielder Bill Hopkins was also recalled. Hopkins, 26, made his big league debut earlier this year after Miguel Cabrera was placed on the disabled list. Appearing in 10 games with Boston, Hopkins hit .200 with eight RBI. With Pawtucket this year, he hit .298 with six homers and 50 RBI in 104 games.
Third baseman Nick Huggins, 23, is considered one of the strongest defensive ballplayers in Boston's system and can play first, third and shortstop very well. The 23-year-old can also swing a nice stick. In 62 games with Pawtucket this year, Huggins hit .378 with seven RBI. He appeared in 94 games last season, 91 of which were with the Diamondbacks, and hit .275 with two homers and 12 RBI. He is a lifetime .238 hitter with three home runs and 15 RBI in 214 big league at bats.
Bobby Crosby, recalled due to an injury to Hanley Ramirez earlier in the season, is back in Boston. The 31-year-old veteran went 4-for-30 (.133) with the Red Sox earlier this season but has another shot at showing he can still play like the shortstop that he once was with the New York Mets.
Super sub Willie Bloomquist returns to the big league for the first time since 2005. Bloomquist, 33, hit .255 with a home run and 17 RBI in 145 at bats with the Red Sox in 2002, 2004-2005. He hit .330 with 18 RBI and 23 runs in 106 at bats with Pawtucket this year. His versatility is key as Bloomquist can play each infield position and the outfield.
Lou Farsey, a speedy 22-year-old outfielder, will make his big league debut with Boston. An 8th round draft pick earlier this year, Farsey opened eyes by hitting .403 with seven home runs, 67 RBI, 80 runs and stealing 29 bases in 110 games with the Portland Sea Dogs, Boston's AA affiliate in the Eastern League.
Antonio Andres will also return to the big leagues. The 27-year-old outfielder picked up in a trade last year hit .130 (3-for-23) with one home run and three RBI with Boston earlier this year, 315 with seven homers, 46 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 22 attempts in 93 games with Pawtucket this year. Andres is a lifetime .253 hitter with 26 home runs and 180 RBI in 611 games over his career.

[Moriarty9]

Battles of the Soxes
Pedroia, Willits pace Boston
Wednesday, September 7, 2011

BOSTON - The Red Sox are one game closer to clinching the American League East after picking up a 6-4 win over the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park.
Reggie Willits, batting second and playing center field, was the key to Boston's victory today as he was able to set the table for the lineup and push along those ahead of him all day long. Willits went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and a RBI in the ballgame.
In the first inning, leadoff man Dustin Pedroia was hit by the pitch and went first-to-third on a Willits single before scoring on an Ichiro Suzuki groundball. The team added to its lead in the third with a two-run single off the bat of Matt Kemp.
The White Sox fought back in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs on a Elliott McIntyre solo home run, Salvador Franco RBI double and a Melky Cabrera sacrifice fly to tie the game. McIntyre would later push a run across with a groundout in the fifth.
The Red Sox countered in the home half of the inning with a RBI double from Willits, a Suzuki sacrifice fly and a RBI single from George Avila.
It would be all the runs Boston would need to secure the victory.
Scott Kazmir improved to 15-4 on the season, giving up four runs on five hits and four walks, striking out five, in six innings. Three relievers combined for three no-hit innings, capped off with a perfect ninth inning from closer Hong-Chih Kuo, including two strikeouts. It was the 21st save of the season for Kuo.
Ivan Duarez falls to 9-9 with the loss. Duarez was charged with six runs on nine hits and no walks or strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Ryan Madson and Hideki Okajima combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief in which they allowed four hits.