A Red Sox Dynasty: 1995-????

[Moriarty9]

Johnson loses in return to Fenway
Mason strong in win
Saturday, September 10, 2011

BOSTON - Jason Johnson got a standing ovation when he trotted out to the mound from the visitors' bullpen at Fenway Park last night.
The former Red Sox hurler made his first trip to Boston since being traded to the Kansas City Royals on May 27 and was given a warm reception from the fans but the good feelings came to an end as he was hit for five runs over six innings and was charged with the loss. Dave Mason, the pitcher Johnson was traded for in May, took the mound for the Red Sox and had his best outing with Boston to date. Mason gave up three runs with eight strikeouts in eight innings to improve to 7-6 on the season.
Johnson had spent his entire career with Boston before being traded to Kansas City after a dispute with team officials over a minor league rehabilitation assignment. He went 75-34 during his seven years with the Red Sox but has struggled with Kansas City thus far, going 5-9 with a 5.64 ERA in 23 games.
Johnson received two standing ovations from the Fenway Faithful - when he was first introduced when the lineups were announced and again when he took the mound in the bottom of the first inning. He waved his cap to the crowd and took a slight bow before stepping back onto the mound with a 3-0 lead courtesy of an Angel Rodriguez three-run home run in the top of the first inning.
Miguel Cabrera took Johnson deep for home runs in his first two trips to the plate - the first a solo shot to leftfield and the second a three-run home run into the Green Monster seats. Cabrera and catcher Julio Ramirez were the only Red Sox players with two hits. Kansas City leadoff man and rightfielder Leroy Thomas went 4-for-5 but scored just one run in the 6-4 Boston win.

[Moriarty9]

Santana, Sox bomb Royals
Royals 2 hits, Boston 20 runs
Sunday, September 11, 2011

BOSTON - Seven Red Sox players had just as many hits as the entire Kansas City Royals in a 20-0 drubbing in which Johan Santana threw a complete game two-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts.
Santana showed why he has won three Cy Young awards as he held the Royals to just two hits and one walk while striking out 12 Kansas City hitters in the shutout.
"He had all of his pitches working today and was able to spot the ball where he needed to to be successful," Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy said. "The guy, in my eyes, is still the best pitcher in baseball and he showed it tonight."
With the win, Santana improves to 15-9 with a 3.02 ERA.
"It's easy to be comfortable and just throw your stuff out there when the offense is clicking the way it was tonight," Santana said. "When they're pounding the ball all over the park, its a little easier to challenge the other guys because of the cushion they've given me."
Kansas City skipper Joe Kerrigan said his club was kept off-balance as Santana changed speeds.
"I think every time we were looking for a fastball, he threw a changeup," Kerrigan said. "And every time we were looking for a changeup, he threw a fastball."
Seven Red Sox players had multiple hits and there were four home runs - two from secondbaseman Dustin Pedroia - hit in the ballgame. Pedroia went 3-for-5 with two home runs, two runs and five RBI while Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-4 with two runs and five RBI. Matt Kemp went 3-for-3 with three runs and a RBI, Hanley Ramirez went 3-for-6 with a double, a run and two RBI while rookie centerfielder Lou Farsey went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. George Avila hit a pinch-hit two-run home run in the seventh inning.
Royals starting pitcher Robbie O'Brian suffered an arm injury and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list. O'Brian gave up five runs in 1 1/3 innings and fell to 10-12 with a 5.23 ERA on the season. Reliever John Ennis gave up five runs in one inning of work, Billy Petrick gave up three runs on 2 2/3 innings of work, Kirk Saarloos allowed four runs in one inning and Jose Ramirez yielded three unearned runs in two-thirds of an inning.
With the win, the Red Sox trim their magic number to clinch the division to 10 while Kansas City's magic number of elimination drops to seven.

[Moriarty9]

Red Sox: AL East Champions XI
Rookie's walkoff single wins game
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

BOSTON - The last half of the ninth inning was filled with raucous cheers at Fenway Park last night as the Red Sox clinched the American League Eastern Division for the 11th consecutive season with a 6-5 walkoff win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Rookie outfielder Adam McCormick was the star of the game and was mobbed at first base after delivering a game-winning walkoff hit.
After the Red Sox tied the game at 5-5 in the sixth inning, Tampa Bay and Boston pitchers shut the opposition down as the bottom of the ninth inning began. As second baseman Howie Kendrick made his way to the plate, the Toronto Blue Jays were trailing the Detroit Tigers 3-2 in the top of the ninth inning in Detroit. Kendrick hit a hard grounder to thirdbaseman Alejandro Rosales who muffed the ball, allowing Kendrick to reach. Rosales had just entered the game after Bobby Kielty struck out as a pinch hitter for starting thirdbaseman Jose Nieves. With the winning run on base, the Fenway Faithful rose to its feet trying to will its team to victory and another division title as Bobby Crosby came to the plate. Crosby squared around and laid down a sacrifice bunt that was grabbed by Rays closer Lowell Harris and then thrown away, putting runners at second and third with no out. As the crowd cheered the second straight error and Tampa Bay pitching coach Roberto Rocha made his way to the mound, the crowd erupted once again as the scoreboard revealed the Toronto-Detroit game had become a final and the Red Sox, without having completed its game yet, won the AL East. McCormick came to the plate with the winning run 90 feet away and delivered the biggest hit of his young career with a single up the middle, scoring Kendrick to win the game.
"This has been a great run so far with the division titles but we're not done with our goals for the season just yet," Boston skipper Kevin Kennedy said after the game. "We're one step closer to our goal, and thats winning another World Series championship."
McCormick was excited to have been given the opportunity to come up with the big hit, as he didn't realize the division had just been clinched moments earlier by the Toronto loss.
"I knew they were trailing but it was still going when I was coming up to the plate after the error," McCormick said. "The crowd was going nuts but I figured it was because of the errors and that with me coming up, as long as I didn't strike out, pop out or hit it right at an infielder that we'd win the game. I knew they'd come after me because I'm the rookie and the top of the order was coming up. He gave me that fastball and I managed to find a hole in the field."

[Ghetto Anthony]

This thread is awesome, dude. I just read through the whole thing and I'm lovin' it.

[Moriarty9]

Cabrera fractures wrist
Slugger may miss ALDS
Friday, September 30, 2011

BOSTON - The Red Sox picked up a 6-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles but it came at quite a cost: the loss of third baseman Miguel Cabrera.
Cabrera was hit on the wrist by a pitch in the eighth inning and immediately dropped to his knees by home plate, holding his wrist. After manager Kevin Kennedy and the team's trainer came out to check on the star ballplayer. He was replaced by rookie Nick Huggins while Cabrera walked back to the clubhouse.
After being sent to a local hospital for x-rays and examination, it was announced Cabrera had fractured his left wrist. He is expected to be unavailable for the better part of two weeks - in a best case scenario - which means he is likely to be out for the American League Division Series.

[Moriarty9]

2011 Regular Season in Review
Hanley Ramirez leads AL in doubles
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The 2011 regular season has come to an end and now its down to eight teams with one common goal: winning the World Series.
The AL Central Division champion Cleveland Indians will travel to Boston tomorrow to open up a best-of-five Division Series with the Red Sox, winners of the East Division.
The Texas Rangers, winners of the West Division, will host the Wild Card winning Toronto Blue Jays.
In the National League, the Wild Card Houston Astros travel to the East Division champion Philadelphia Phillies while the Central Division champion St. Louis Cardinals square off in San Diego against the West Division champion Padres.

LEAGUE LEADERS
In the American League, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Brian Daniels took two legs of the triple crown by leading the league in home runs (42) and RBI (123). Baltimore Orioles catcher Joe Mauer won the batting crown with a .329 average.
Boston outfielder - and Rookie of the Year candidate - Reggie Willits led the league in on-base percentage (.409) while teammate and shortstop Hanley Ramirez paced AL players with 54 doubles. Willits finished third in the American League in batting with a .312 average and tied for fifth in walks with 81.
Former Red Sox firstbaseman Mark Teixeira, now with the Minnesota Twins, led the league in slugging (.593), OPS (.987), runs scored (111) and extra base hits (86). Teixeira finished second in doubles (44) and RBI (122), third in home runs (40) and walks (89).
James Loney of the Oakland Athletics led the league in hits (205) and total bases (365), was second in batting average (.320) and runs scored (107) and fourth in home runs (38).
In the National League, Andre Ethier led in batting (.352), hits (209) and doubles (59).
Former Red Sox slugger Ryan Howard, now with the Atlanta Braves, paced the NL in homers with 56 and was third in RBI (122) and walks (105).
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Josh Hamilton led the Senior Circuit in RBI with 162 and total bases with 382. He finished second in home runs (54) and fourth in runs scored (109).

There were a number of Red Sox hurlers among the league leaders once again this season, although no Boston pitcher led any major catergory.
Johan Santana finished second in strikeouts (260), third in ERA (3.05) and shutouts (2), fourth in innings pitched (245) and fifth in opponents average against (.228).
Fellow southpaw Erik Bedard finished second in wins (19), sixth in ERA (3.17) and strikeouts (199) while Roy Oswalt finished third in wins (18) and shutouts (2), sixth in innings pitched (233 1/3).
Former Boston closer Joe Nathan led the league in saves with 39 while Tampa Bay Rays ace Brandon Webb took home the honor of the league's best ERA (2.83). Indians pitcher Rick VandenHurk was baseball's only 20-game winner, posting a 22-9 record. Tim Lincecum of the Chicago White Sox led the leaguein strikeouts with 270.
In the NL, Jake Peavy was the best on the mound as he led the league in ERA (2.57) and wins (19) while finishing second in innings (241 1/3) and strikeouts (268). Francisco Liriano of the New York Mets led baseball in strikeouts with 308, an average of 12.85 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.

[Moriarty9]

Team gets good marks in review
Pitching staff paced Red Sox
Wednesday, October 5, 2011


Erik Bedard, LHP ($4,133,900)
Bedard had his finest season since winning the Cy Young award in 2008. The southpaw earned second All Star selection and was strong down the stretch, going 7-1 in the final two months of the season, including a 5-0 record and 1.76 ERA in August.
FINAL STATS: 19-6, 3.17 ERA, 31 GS, 216 IP, 74 BB, 199 K, .239 OAVG

Scott Kazmir, LHP ($4,844,000)
Kazmir had a career year with the Red Sox, setting career highs in wins and innings pitched. He rattled off a 9-0 record over an 11-start stretch, receiving no decision in a May 20 game in Philadelphia the Red Sox won after he gave up one run in six innings and another no decision in a May 30 game in which he threw six shutout innings in Toronto.
He signed a three-year contract extension in May worth just under $17 million.
FINAL STATS: 17-5, 3.61 ERA, 31 GS, 202 IP, 65 BB, 183 K, .248 OAVG

Jon Lester, LHP ($350,000)
Lester pitched well as both a starter and a reliever in his first full season on the big league squad. Lester's highlight of the season came July 14 against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park, when he threw a two-hit shutout in which he struck out eight.
FINAL STATS: 4-4, 3.66 ERA, 27 G, 9 GS, 86 IP, 44 BB, 81 K, .203 OAVG

Dave Mason, RHP ($350,000)
Mason didn't pitch as well with his hometown Red Sox (3-5, 5.46 ERA, 9 GS) as he did with the Kansas City Royals (4-3, 3.30 ERA, 9 GS) before being traded for Josh Johnson earlier this season. Mason pitched well with AAA Pawtucket (7-2, 2.56 ERA) before being called up to Boston for the stretch run.
FINAL STATS: 7-8, 4.35 ERA, 18 GS, 122 IP, 65 BB, 135 K, .240 OAVG

Roy Oswalt, RHP ($13,940,000)
Oswalt earned himself an All Star selection and a three-year, $51.5 million contract extension in 2011 with a strong performance this season.
FINAL STATS: 18-10, 3.36 ERA, 31 GS, 233 1/3 IP, 43 BB, 177 K, .249 OAVG

Johan Santana, LHP ($12,125,000)
A victim of poor run support, Santana still put together a fine season highlighted by a two-hit shutout in which he walked one Kansas City Royal and struck out 12 on September 11. Although he had his lowest win total since winning 12 games in 2004.
FINAL STATS: 15-10, 3.05 ERA, 32 GS, 245 IP, 39 BB, 260 K, .228 OAVG

Jonah Bayliss, RHP ($350,000)
Acquired in the Patrick Misch trade on July 25, Bayliss came as advertised and was a great boost to the Boston bullpen down the stretch. After going 4-0 with one save and a 2.17 ERA in 33 games with the Chicago Cubs, Bayliss went 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in 15 outings with the Red Sox.
FINAL STATS: 6-0, 1 Sv, 2.12 ERA, 48 G, 63 2/3 IP, 30 BB, 62 K, .188 OAVG

Joba Chamberlain, RHP ($350,000)
Chamberlain wasn't as heavily used this season as he was last year but pitched well when given the ball.
FINAL STATS: 0-1, 1 Sv, 2.66 ERA, 29 G, 40 2/3 IP, 11 BB, 13 K, .264 OAVG

Manuel Corpas, RHP ($1,960,000)
Corpas showed once again that he is one of the most underrated relievers in the game with a stellar performance on the mound, especially the last two months of the season. In 15 innings of work in August and September, Corpas gave up just two earned runs.
FINAL STATS: 3-2, 2.85 ERA, 41 G, 41 IP, 14 BB, 32 K, .245 OAVG

Hong-Chih Kuo, LHP ($3,563,000)
Kuo took over for Patrick Misch as the Boston closer and pitched well in the role he held at times with the St. Louis Cardinals. Kuo's two years in Boston have been the most productive seasons in his seven-year career.
FINAL STATS: 2-3, 27 Sv, 2.06 ERA, 54 G, 52 1/3 IP, 25 BB, 57 K, .249 OAVG

Jonathan Papelbon, RHP ($2,982,200)
Papelbon had one of the best seasons of his eight-year career this season and earned a three-year contract extension worth $19.4 million.
FINAL STATS: 2-4, 6 Sv, 2.65 ERA, 50 G, 68 IP, 12 BB, 57 K, .224 OAVG

B.J. Ryan, LHP ($5,690,000)
Unhappy with the Chicago White Sox (0-0, 2.08 ERA, 8 G), Ryan was dealt to Boston in early May but proved to be a bullpen bust (1-3, 1 Sv, 6.32 ERA, 41 G). He is eligible for free agency in the off-season and Boston is not expected to pursue the lefty.
FINAL STATS: 1-3, 1 Sv, 5.52 ERA, 49 G, 45 2/3 IP, 20 BB, 43 K, .301 OAVG



Javier Ramirez, C ($350,000)
Acquired in the Nick Markakis trade from the Detroit Tigers (.262, 4 RBI in 21 G) and the 25-year-old performed well with Boston (.263, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 102 G) in his first season as a regular, every-day big league catcher.
FINAL STATS: .263, 6 HR, 52 RBI, 57 R, 2 SB, 123 G

Paul LoDuca, C ($600,000)
Signed in the off-season to provide veteran leadership and compete for the catching position, LoDuca performed admirably in limited playing time.
FINAL STATS: .268, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 21 R, 75 G

Conor Jackson, 1B ($1,042,500)
In his first full season with Boston, Jackson played adequately and was strong down the stretch (15 RBI in August, .313 average with 9 RBI in September).
FINAL STATS: .276, 12 HR, 74 RBI, 67 R, 4 SB, 139 G

Gabriel Avila, 1B ($350,000)
Avila split the season between Boston and Pawtucket (.303, 20 HR, 73 RBI, 84 G) and performed adequately as a substitute firstbaseman and pinch hitter.
FINAL STATS: .259, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 21 R, 52 G

Howie Kendrick, 2B ($350,000)
With slightly less playing time than less year, Kendrick saw a sophomore slump of sorts this year as his average dropped about 25 points and his power numbers were down dramatically. He played well at second base (182 innings at the position) but struggled defensively at third base (164 innings) while making 30 appearances as the designated hitter.
FINAL STATS: .269, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 37 R, 5 SB, 305 AB

Dustin Pedroia, 2B ($350,000)
Pedroia opened some eyes with a breakthrough season this year in which he set career highs in average, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI, runs and stolen bases. He played well at second base (.987 fielding percentage in 140 starts) and made several appearances at shortstop and DH.
FINAL STATS: .307, 12 HR, 85 RBI, 82 R, 4 SB, 150 G

Miguel Cabrera, 3B ($20,000,000)
Cabrera had a down season in 2011, although he did score his 1,000th career run. He also suffered a couple of minor injuries that slowed him down a little bit and held him to 135 games. His batting average (.291) was significantly lower than his career average of .335.
FINAL STATS: .291, 23 HR, 104 RBI, 96 R, 7 SB, 135 G

Hanley Ramirez, SS ($19,300,000)
Although his home run totals were down, Ramirez hit well and put together a fine season as the Boston shortstop.
FINAL STATS: .301, 9 HR, 84 RBI, 92 R, 23 SB, 139 G

Lou Farsey, OF ($350,000)
An eighth round draft pick this season, Farsey dominated in AA Portland (.403, 7 HR, 67 RBI, 80 R, 29 SB, 110 G) before being called up to Boston for a cup of coffee. He played well enough to earn a post-season roster spot with Grady Sizemore out for the season.
FINAL STATS: .315, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 15 R, 5 SB, 25 G

Matt Kemp, OF ($350,000)
Kemp was hampered by a list of injuries this season that slowed down his bat and held his numbers down and forced him to spend almost half of his time in the lineup as DH.
FINAL STATS: .265, 13 HR, 84 RBI, 86 R, 36 SB, 145 G

David Murphy, OF ($351,900)
Murphy continues to serve as the fifth outfielder for the Red Sox and does his job more often than not.
FINAL STATS: .255, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 17 R, 1 SB, 149 AB

Grady Sizemore, OF ($24,000,000)
Sizemore was playing well, earned an All Star selection and was on his way to a career season before a knee injury and then fractured skull ended his season.
FINAL STATS: .322, 19 HR, 83 RBI, 81 R, 28 SB, 111 G

Ichiro Suzuki, OF ($3,500,000)
Ichiro picked up his 2,000th career hit this season in what was his finest season in four years. The .324 career hitter set a new career high in batting and showed that at age 37 he still has the ability to play ball.
FINAL STATS: .368, 10 HR, 43 RBI, 69 R, 34 SB, 99 G

Reggie Willits, OF ($350,000)
Willits may have earned the Rookie of the Year award with his performance this season with his good eye, quick bat and even quicker feet.
FINAL STATS: .312, 0 HR, 49 RBI, 72 R, 35 SB, 133 G


OTHER PLAYERS:
Terry Allen, LHP ($475,000)
After struggling last season with Boston, Allen spent much of the year in AAA Pawtucket but was recalled twice this year with little success.
FINAL STATS: 0-0, 5.40 ERA, 6 G, 5 IP, 1 BB, 5 K, .350 OAVG

Eric McAllister, LHP ($350,000)
McAllister made four starts for the Boston Red Sox and pitched well in his first three games before getting shelled on October 2 (7 ER in 4 IP) against the Orioles.
FINAL STATS: 1-3, 6.66 ERA, 4 GS, 25 2/3 IP, 11 BB, 18 K, .279 OAVG

Victor Waddell, RHP ($350,000)
Winner of the International League's equivalent of the Cy Young award this season (17-3, 2.37 ERA), Waddell earned an opportunity with the big league club but struggled in two of his three outings.
FINAL STATS: 1-1, 7.98 ERA, 3 G, 2 GS, 14 2/3 IP, 4 BB, 10 K, .375 OAVG

Rob Bowen, C ($637,500)
Signed as a contender for a big league catching position, Bowen wound up in AAA for most of the year but performed fine for a backup catcher with Boston in September.
FINAL STATS: .263, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 1 R, 13 G

Bob Miles, 1B ($350,000)
Miles, just 22-years-old, showed some power but struggled overall with Kansas City (.223, 6 HR, 193 AB) before being traded to the Red Sox (.375, 1 RBI, 8 AB) with hopes he could further develop into the big prospect he is.
FINAL STATS: .229, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 21 R, 10 SB, 74 G

Kendry Morales, 1B ($350,000)
Morales started the year in Boston as the backup firstbaseman but was soon demoted to Pawtucket before being recalled in September. In more than twice as many at bats as 2010, his numbers in almost every catergory were down.
FINAL STATS: .239, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R, 20 G

Bill Hopkins, 3B ($350,000)
Hopkins was initially brought up after an injury to thirdbaseman Miguel Cabrera and was later recalled in September, but struggled at the big league level.
FINAL STATS: .163, 8 RBI, 5 R, 1 SB, 22 G

Bobby Crosby, SS ($350,000)
Crosby, 31, made his return to the big leagues (last appeared with the New York Mets in 2009) but with no success.
FINAL STATS: .139, HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 12 G

Antonio Andres, OF ($750,000)
Andres struggled in limited playing time with the Red Sox this season and found himself shuttled between Boston and Pawtucket as a result.
FINAL STATS: .104, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R, 21 G


TRADED PLAYERS:
Josh Johnson, RHP ($5,340,000) - Kansas City Royals
After a bitter dispute with the front office over a rehab assignment, Johnson was dealt without throwing a single pitch with the 2011 Red Sox.
FINAL STATS: 5-10, 5.43 ERA, 27 G, 26 GS, 141 IP, 72 BB, 132 K, .260 OAVG

Patrick Misch, LHP ($645,840) - Chicago Cubs
Misch had lost his job as Red Sox closer after going 3-5 with 9 saves and a 6.67 ERA in 28 games but flourished with the Cubs (1-0, 15 Sv, 3.12 ERA, 23 G), looking like the closer Boston hoped he was when they acquired him prior to last season.
FINAL STATS: 4-5, 24 Sv, 4.97 ERA, 51 G, 54 1/3 IP, 16 BB, 41 K, .266 OAVG

Chris Iannetta, C ($500,000) - Chicago White Sox
Iannetta was dealt for lefty B.J. Ryan after getting off to a slow start with the Red Sox (.135, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 17 G).
FINAL STATS: .220, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 40 R, 2 SB, 112 G

Nick Markakis, OF ($6,293,300) - Detroit Tigers
With a surplus of outfielders and a slow start (.247, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 25 G), Markakis was dealt to Detroit for Javier Ramirez.
FINAL STATS: .273, 18 HR, 66 RBI, 71 R, 13 SB, 151 G

[Moriarty9]

Boston prepares for Indians
Red Sox, Tribe face off in ALDS
Thursday, October 6, 2011

BOSTON - The Red Sox put together the best record in the American League this year but if they're unable to get by the Cleveland Indians in the Division Series, it will all be for not.
Boston skipper Kevin Kennedy said the Red Sox plan to use a three-man rotation for the ALDS, sending Roy Oswalt to the mound tonight in Game 1, Johan Santana will start Game 2 and Erik Bedard will pitch in Game 3. If a Game 4 is necessary, Kennedy said, Oswalt would likely return to the mound.
This leaves starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (17-5, 3.61 ERA) in the bullpen for the Division Series along with Jon Lester, Dave Mason, Jonah Bayliss, Joba Chamberlain, Manuel Corpas, Jonathan Papelbon and closer Hong-Chih Kuo.
Oswalt (18-10, 3.36 ERA) went 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA against Cleveland this year, giving up three runs on 13 hits and three walks with 16 strikeouts in 18 innings of work against the Tribe. Oswalt is 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA in four career playoff appearances - all with Boston in the last two years.
Santana (15-10, 3.05 ERA) beat the Indians in his only time out against Cleveland, giving up four runs in eight innings with just four strikeouts. He has a stellar post-season track record, going 19-9 with a 3.06 ERA and 251 strikeouts in 31 career playoff starts.
Bedard (19-6, 3.17 ERA) gets the start in Game 3, even though the Indians have hit him well this year (0-1, 7.56 ERA in two starts). The lefty is 4-4 with a 3.45 ERA in 12 post-season appearances, including nine starts.
Kazmir, who will work out of the bullpen, was charged with the loss in his only appearance of the year against Cleveland, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts in eight innings. He is 5-5 with one save and a 4.26 ERA in 14 post-season appearances with Boston.

The Indians are expected to use a four-man rotation, with Rick VandenHurk (22-9, 3.52 ERA) taking the mound for Cleveland in Game 1. VandenHurk started four playoff games for the Indians last year, going 1-1 with a 4.94 ERA but shut down the Red Sox this season, going 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in two starts.
In Game 2, Fausto Carmona (11-8, 3.53 ERA) will take the mound. Carmona was strong in the 2010 post-season, going 2-1 with a 0.77 ERA in three starts. He was also impressive in his two starts against Boston this year, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA.
Jeff Francis (12-16, 4.54 ERA) takes the hill in Game 3 and hopes to improve upon his 0-2, 5.82 ERA playoff career record. If he can repeat his performances against Boston this season, he has a good chance. In two starts against the Red Sox, Francis went 1-0 with a 0.71 ERA (two runs, one earned in 12 2/3 innings with 16 strikeouts).
The Indians haven't announced any starters past Game 3, but the options are VandenHurk on short rest or Chris Carpenter (15-5, 4.20 ERA). Carpenter is 4-3 with a 3.86 ERA in nine post-season starts over his career. He did not pitch against the Red Sox this season.

[Moriarty9]

Red Sox take lead in ALDS
Oswalt holds Indians down in Game 1
Thursday, October 6, 2011

BOSTON - Roy Oswalt shut down the Cleveland Indians for seven strong innings of work as the Red Sox put together a 5-1 victory at Fenway Park in the first game of the best-of-five American League Division Series.
Oswalt held the Indians to one run on six hits and no walks with seven strikeouts in seven innings of work and 105 pitches.
Indians starter Rick VandenHurk pitched well but struggled to prevent the handful of baserunners he did allow from scoring. VandenHurk have up five runs, four earned, on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. He was hurt immensely by a wild pitch, passed ball and balk.
Boston took an early lead with an Ichiro Suzuki sacrifice fly in the first inning. In the third inning, the Red Sox - with help from the Indians battery - manufactured a run after third baseman Paul Lo Duca singled. Lo Duca advanced to second on a balk call, moved to third on a Reggie Willits groundout and then scored on a passed ball, making it 2-0 Boston.
RBI groundouts from Conor Jackson in the fourth and sixth, along with a RBI groundout from Matt Kemp in the sixth, made it a 5-0 advantage for the Red Sox.
The Indians tried rallying a couple times late in the game but had little to show for it in the end. In the seventh inning, Robinson Cano led off with a single, followed by an infield single from Hunter Pence. Chipper Jones then hit a RBI ground-rule double, putting men at second and third with two outs before Oswalt got out of the jam with his seventh and final strikeout.
Jonah Bayliss took the mound to start the eighth inning and quickly retired catcher Ronny Paulino but then proceeded to walk Nick Punto and Juan Rivera. With the left-handed hitter Cano due, southpaw reliever B.J. Ryan was brought out and induced a groundout that advanced the runners. Jonathan Papelbon was then came on with two out and two in scoring position. He forced Garret Atkins into a routine groundout to second base to get out of the jam.
Papelbon returned to the mound in the ninth inning, working with a 5-1 lead, and retired the side in order - with two strikeouts - to earn the save.
"Paps was great out there tonight and really got us out a tough spot in the eighth and didn't give them a shot in the ninth," said Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy. "That's the kind of thing you need in the playoffs."
Pence was the only player for either team with two hits while Jackson, 0-for-2 in the game, led all batters with two RBI.

The Texas Rangers took a 1-0 lead in their ALDS matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays with a 3-2 victory in Game 1. Adam LaRoche hit a solo homer for the Rangers as Luke Prokopec picked up the win.
The Philadelphia Phillies shutout the Houston Astros 5-0 in Game 1 of the NLDS. Yovani Gallardo threw 8 1/3 scoreless innings before calling it a night in a game highlighted by William Drews' sixth inning Grand Slam.
The St. Louis Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in their series with the San Diego Padres after a 4-1 win that featured a solo homer from Ty Wigginton.

[Moriarty9]

Santana leads Sox to win
Boston takes 2-0 lead in ALDS
Friday, October 7, 2011

BOSTON - The Red Sox are now one win from going to the League Championship Series after Johan Santana dominated the Cleveland Indians in Game 2 of the Division Series at Fenway Park.
Santana held the Indians to one run on five hits and three walks with six strikeouts in a complete game victory. Amazingly, he was even more dominant than his pitching line would indicate. He allowed just one hit through the first 6 1/3 innings and the Indians only began to put the bat on the ball consistently as his pitch count and lead grew.
Offensively, just about everyone contributed in one way or another.
Dustin Pedroia drove in the game's first run with a RBI groundout before rookie outfielder Lou Farsey hit a solo home run in the third inning. Conor Jackson and Javier Ramirez added RBI singles in the sixth and seventh innings.
Cleveland starter Fausto Carmona went the distance for the Indians, giving up four runs on nine hits and two walks with three strikeouts in eight innings.


The Philadelphia Phillies are also one win away from the League Championship Series after topping the San Diego Padres 4-2 in Game 2 of the NLDS.
The ALDS matchup between the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays is evened up after an 11-0 blowout of the Rangers from Toronto.
The St. Louis Cardinals tied up their NLDS matchup with the San Diego Padres after picking up an 8-1 win in San Diego in Game 2.

[Moriarty9]

Indians stay alive with win
Red Sox drop Game 3 by one run
Sunday, October 9, 2011

CLEVELAND - Don't count the Indians out just yet.
The Cleveland Indians kept their season alive tonight with a 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALDS, forcing a Game 4 tomorrow night at Jacobs Field.
It appeared in the top of the first inning that Boston was on its way to the ALCS after a two-run first inning that featured an RBI double from Hanley Ramirez and a Matt Kemp RBI single. The Indians, however, battled back immediately with a Hunter Pence RBI single in the first and a Garret Atkins solo home run in the third inning, tying the game at two runs apiece.
Cleveland took the lead in the fourth inning with RBI singles from Ronny Paulino and Nick Punto.
A Conor Jackson home run in the top of the sixth inning brought Boston to within one run of the Indians. The Red Sox made a couple of attempts - with no success - to tie the game.
Boston's best scoring chance came in the ninth inning off Cleveland closer Eulogio De La Cruz when rookie outfielder Lou Farsey hit a two-out double, putting the tying run on second base. Ichiro Suzuki then came up and hit a fly ball to centerfield to end the ballgame.


The Philadephia Phillies have advanced to the National League Championship Series after completing a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros with an 11-2 victory in Houston. The Phillies scored all 11 runs in the final three innings of the game.
The San Diego Padres are one win away from joining Philadelphia in the NLCS after an 8-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Texas Rangers now hold a 2-1 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series after a 6-1 win in Toronto.

[Moriarty9]

Red Sox rally to ALCS
Pedroia leads Boston to win
Monday, October 10, 2011

CLEVELAND - It took a rally in the final few innings but the Boston Red Sox have advanced to the American League Championship Series with a 4-3 victory over the Indians.
Second baseman Dustin Pedroia has struggled throughout the first three games of the series but came up big in Game 4 with a three hit, three RBI performance with a pair of doubles. Third baseman Paul Lo Duca, catcher Javier Ramirez and leftfielder Reggie Willits each had two hits for the Red Sox.
Roy Oswalt got the start for Boston, giving up three runs - two earned - on six hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings with six strikeouts.
Jonathan Papelbon and closer Hong-Chih Kuo teamed up for 2 1/3 perfect innings of relief. Papelbon struck out three Indians hitters in his 1 1/3 innings of work.

Game 5s will be needed for the Rangers-Blue Jays and Padres-Cardinals matchups. The Blue Jays topped the Rangers 11-8 in Toronto while the Cardinals beat the Padres 5-3 in St. Louis.

[Moriarty9]

ALCS Game 1
Santana
Friday, October 14, 2011

BOSTON - Johan Santana led the Red Sox to a 5-1 victory over the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.
Santana held the Rangers to one run on three hits and one walk with six strikeouts in eight innings of work before handing the ball over to Manuel Corpas for the ninth inning.
Outfielders Ichiro Suzuki and Lou Farsey, at the top of the order, paved the way for the lineup. Suzuki went 3-for-5 with a run and a RBI while Farsey went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Javier Ramirez and Dustin Pedroia each picked up a pair of doubles in the contest.
Boston scored in the first inning with a Hanley Ramiresz sacrifice fly before plating two more in the second inning with a RBI single from Suzuki and RBI groundout from Farsey.
The Rangers picked up their only run of the game with a Jason Bay RBI single.
Farsey added a RBI single in the fourth and Dustin Pedroia knocked in a run with a double to right field in the fifth inning.

[Moriarty9]

Rangers even up ALCS
Oswalt, Shields lock up in duel
Saturday, October 15, 2011

BOSTON - The Texas Rangers evened up the American League Championship Series with a 3-2 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Starting pitchers Roy Oswalt and John Shields locked up in a pitchers' duel for eight innings of work each. Oswalt gave up runs in the second and fourth innings, finishing with two earned runs on six hits and no walks with seven strikeouts. Shields threw seven shutout innings before giving up two unearned runs in the eighth inning. He allowed five hits and four walks while striking out five.
The Red Sox rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning as Ichiro Suzuki hit a one-out single, which was followed by an error by Texas shortstop Miguel Villegas that resulted in Suzuki at second and Lou Farsey at first base. Shields then hit Miguel Cabrera with a 1-2 slider to load the bases. Hanley Ramirez followed with a popup on the infield, ruled an infield fly for a much needed second out for the Rangers. Shields then walked Matt Kemp and Conor Jackson, forcing in a pair of runs to tie the game. Reggie Willits then drove a ball to the triangle in centerfield and was robbed of two - if not three - runs batted in by a leaping catch by Norris Hopper to end the inning.
With two lefties due in the top of the ninth, Boston skipper Kevin Kennedy brought in southpaw Jon Lester. Adam LaRoche greeted Lester rudely with a 344-foot home run to rightfield, giving the Rangers a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning. Lester retired the next three batters in order.
Texas brought in closer Juan Morillo (5-5, 32 saves, 3.25 ERA in regular season), who had gone 3-for-3 in save opportunities against the Red Sox this year without giving up a run. Morillo retired the side in order to close out the ballgame and bring the best-of-seven series to a head.
Game 3 will be played on Monday in Arlington. Boston will send Erik Bedard (19-6, 3.17 ERA) to the mound while the Rangers throw Luke Prokopec (18-7, 4.27 ERA).

[Moriarty9]

Perez leads Rangers to 7-4 win
Texas takes lead in League Championships
Monday, October 17, 2011

ARLINGTON - Eduardo Perez drove in five runs as the Rangers topped the Boston Red Sox 7-4 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, giving his team a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Perez was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, a run and five RBI.

The Philadelphia Phillies lead the NLCS 2-1 over the St. Louis Cardinals.

[Moriarty9]

Jackson HR puts Sox on top
Ichiro leaves game with groin injury
Tuesday, October 18, 2011

ARLINGTON - The Boston Red Sox evened up the American League Championship Series tonight with a 7-4 win over the Texas Rangers, making the best-of-seven series feel more like a best-of-three set.
The game featured a 53-minute rain delay, a handful of lead changes, four home runs and a handful of fine defensive plays by Boston shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
The Rangers jumped out to an early lead when cleanup hitter Jason Bay popped a 345-foot flyball over the leftfield fence for a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning.
The Red Sox would get on the scoreboard in the third inning when Reggie Willits scored on an Ichiro Suzuki infield single. Suzuki, in the lineup as the designated hitter, came up lame as he passed first base and was replaced by George Avila.
Early reports out of the trainer's room indicates Suzuki strained a groin muscle, an injury that may or may not keep the veteran out of the lineup in Game 5 and the rest of the ALCS.
"We'll see how he feels tomorrow when he gets to the ballpark," Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy said. "Obviously it's getting close to do or die time but we have to weigh his thoughts into the decision and we have to decide if Ichiro at 80% or 90% is going to be a better option than someone else at 100% against these guys tomorrow night."
Red Sox starter Scott Kazmir found himself in a big jam in the third inning but, with a little help from Ramirez, managed to escape unscaved. Eduardo Perez led off the inning with a single and was followed by a Rafael Furcal walk, putting two men on with nobody out. Norris Hopper then reached on a fielder's choice and Adam LaRoche walked to load the bases with one out. After collecting himself off the back of the mound for a few moments, Kazmir stepped back on the rubber and delivered a first pitch fastball to Bay, who drilled a line drive ticketed for left-center field only to see Ramirez make a great leaping grab for the second out. A pumped up Kazmir then managed to strike out catcher Chris Snyder on four pitches to end the inning without letting up a run.
Boston took the lead in the fifth inning when Avila, in his first at bat since entering as a pinch-runner for the injured Suzuki, crushed a 379-foot two-run home run to leftfield, making it 3-2 Red Sox.
The Rangers responded when LaRoche hit a two-run shot of his own in the home half of the inning, spotting Texas a one-run lead at 4-3.
With one man on and one out in the top of the sixth inning, the skies opened up and the umpires ordered the tarp onto the field, where it sat for the better part of an hour.
Play resumed after a 53-minute rain delay but both starting pitchers were done for the day. Matt Capps brought the top of the sixth to an end on four pitches while Jonathan Papelbon was the first man out of the bullpen for Boston, who still trailed 4-3.
The Red Sox tied the game at 4 in the seventh as Reggie Willits systematically made his way around the bases with a single, an errant pick off throw, a stolen base and then a Dustin Pedroia sacrifice fly to right field.
In the home half of the seventh the Rangers again managed to load the bases with just one out. Jonah Bayliss, who had allowed a single to Bay to load the bases, delivered a 1-2 sinker to Chris Snyder who drilled the ball up the middle, to Bayliss' right, only for Ramirez to make a diving flop stop and flip the ball to Pedroia, who turned the double play to end the inning, wasting another Texas threat.
"Hanley made some really great plays tonight," Kennedy said. "Obviously those plays when they had loaded up the bases with just one out, but he made a few other really nice plays throughout this one. He deserves as much credit as anyone in this win."
The Red Sox carried that defensive momentum into their at bats in the eighth inning as Conor Jackson hit a two-out, two-run bomb to left field - a 416 foot line drive that gave Boston a 6-4 lead. They would an insurance run in the ninth inning on a Furcal throwing error.
Hong-Chih Kuo pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record the save, striking out two and allowing just one hit - a double.

In the National League Championship Series, the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 in Game 4, giving the Phils a 3-1 lead in the series.
The Phillies have won four World Series in the last six years (including the last two) and hope to make it five in seven years with a Fall Classic win this season. Philadelphia defeated the Red Sox in the 2005 and 2009 World Series, the Rangers in 2007 and the Cleveland Indians last season.
The Red Sox have not won the World Series since defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in 2003 and 2006.

[Moriarty9]

Ramirez, Kemp hit to win
Santana sharp for seven strong
Wednesday, October 19, 2011

ARLINGTON - The Boston Red Sox beat up the Texas Rangers for a 9-2 victory in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, leaving them one win shy of advancing to the World Series.
Johan Santana was strong for seven innings of work before being pulled after just 86 pitches with a seven-run lead. Santana gave up two runs on six hits and one walk, striking out four, in his outing. He was pulled after just 86 pitches as to not tax his arm much before a probable Game 1 start against the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series or to make him available for relief if needed in Game 7 of the ALCS.
With today's win, Santana improves to 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in this year's ALCS, 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA in this year's playoffs. He is now 22-9 with a 3.91 ERA and 267 strikeouts in 34 career post-season starts.
"He is the best big game pitcher I have ever seen," Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy said. "If there's a season on the line and I have my choice of any pitcher in baseball to take the mound, I will choose Johan Santana every single time."
Offensively, Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp tried to create the same sort of buzz about their skills in the playoffs.
Ramirez went 3-for-4, needing just a home run to hit for the cycle, with a walk, two RBI and three runs scored. Kemp went 3-for-5, needing just a triple for the cycle, with two runs and three RBI.
Conor Jackson, 1-for-4 in the game, drove in two runs for the Red Sox.
Jason Bay hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to push across the only runs of the game for Texas.
The series will resume Friday night at Fenway Park as the Red Sox send Roy Oswalt to the mound in Game 6. Texas will counter with John Shields.
Oswalt was 18-10 with a 3.36 ERA in 31 regular season starts and is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in three post-season starts this year. He is 3-1 with a 2.66 ERA in seven career playoff appearances.
Shields went 13-8 with a 3.90 ERA in 29 starts this year but has been lights out in the playoffs, going 2-0 with a 0.53 ERA in two starts. He is now 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA in four post-season starts through his brief career.

[Moriarty9]

Sox at home (run) at Fenway
Boston wins pennant with 12-4 victory
Friday, October 21, 2011

BOSTON - A trio of Red Sox batters combined for five home runs en route to a 12-4 win over the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park, securing the American League pennant.
Miguel Cabrera and Ichiro Suzuki hit two home runs each while rookie outfielder Lou Farsey went deep as well to lead Boston to victory.
"These guys saw the ball and hit the ball tonight," Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy said. "We haven't been an offensive force for much of the playoffs but we came alive tonight and we need to carry this sort of momentum forward to beat the Phillies."
The Red Sox scored at least one run in each inning they hit in with the exception of a scoreless second inning. Cabrera got the ball rolling in the first inning with a two-out solo shot to give Boston a 1-0 lead. The Rangers responded in the second inning with a Jacque Jones RBI double and a Dan Taylor RBI groundout, giving Texas a 2-1 lead.
The Red Sox regained the lead in their half of the second with a Dustin Pedroia RBI single and a two-run double off the bat of Javier Ramirez.
Suzuki hit a two-out two-run homer in the fourth inning, extending Boston's lead to 6-3, which was countered in the fifth with a two-out solo bomb from Adam LaRoche.
Boston had two homers in the sixth inning, solo shots from Suzuki and Cabrera. Farsey added a solo shot to lead off the eighth inning.
Cabrera went 3-for-4 with a walk, two homers, two RBI and three runs scored while Suzuki went 2-for-5 with two home runs, two runs scored and three RBI. Ramirez had just one hit but drove in three runs.
Roy Oswalt earned the win for the Red Sox, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk over seven innings, striking out five.

[Moriarty9]

World Series preview
Subhead
Saturday, October 22, 2011

PHILADELPHIA - The two most successful teams of the last 15 years will meet in the World Series for the third time in seven years tomorrow night.
The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies will square off in this year's Fall Classic, a repeat of the 2005 and 2009 World Series - both of which were won by the Phillies.
For Boston, it is the fourth World Series appearance in the last seven years. For Philadelphia, its the fourth time in five seasons.
The Red Sox had the best record in the American League at 95-67, only Philadelphia's 96-66 record was better in all of baseball.
Offensively, Boston led the AL in hits (1,664), batting average (.287), RBI (821) and runs (859), were second in doubles (324) and third in stolen bases (189).
The Phillies, meanwhile, hit the most home runs (185) and drew the most walks (561) in the National League. They finished second in hits (1,506), batting average (.269), RBI (780) and runs scored (823) and were fourt in stolen bases with 170.
The Red Sox pitching staff was strong as it led the league in strikeouts (1,299) and was second in ERA (3.64) and opponents average against (.247).
Philadelphis had the fourth lowest opponents average against (.245) and fifth best ERA (3.70).
Boston is without Grady Sizemore (fractured skull in August) while the Phillies will be without second baseman Pedro Gomez (head injury during the NLCS) reliever Macay McBride (elbow injury in NLCS).

[Moriarty9]

Hafner bombs Santana
Phillies take 1-0 lead in Series
Sunday, October 23, 2011

PHILADELPHIA - The Phillies are one step closer to doing just what they did to the Boston Red Sox in 2005 and 2009: beat them in the World Series.
The hitting of Yunel Escobar and Travis Hafner, coupled with the pitching of Kyle Kendrick, led Philadelphia to a 6-2 victory over the Red Sox in Game 1 of the World Series tonight.
Kendrick was on top of his game, giving up two runs on four hits and one walk over eight innings of work.
"The defense did its job for me tonight and made it real easy for me to be comfortable throwing strikes, pitching to contact," Kendrick said. "When they play well behind you and they can hit a guy like Johan Santana - it makes your job as the pitcher so much easier."
The Phillies jumped out to a lead in the first inning with a RBI double off the bat of Escobar and a RBI single from William Drews.
Philadelphia padded their lead with a four-run fifth inning that chased Santana from the game. Escobar belted a RBI double before Hafner put an exclamation point on the inning with a three-run home run.
"They got the better of us tonight and we just have to work hard to even things up tomorrow and then push along the rest of the way," Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy said. "Its not often someone hit Johan, especially in the post-season. You've got to give them credit. They hit the ball and Kendrick kept us from hitting the ball."