Boston Herald - Boston Herald

White Sox continue mastery of Lester

Scott Lauber — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

CHICAGO — When Jon Lester took the mound last night, he was trying to become the first Red Sox lefty starter since 1973 to go at least 7-0 to begin a season.

But he also was facing his personal kryptonite.

In his best and worst seasons, Lester struggles against the White Sox. He can’t explain it, but it has become as predictable as winter blizzards in Chicago. In nine previous starts against the White Sox entering the series opener here, the Red Sox ace lefty had a 5.20 ERA, by far his highest against any AL team.

Salty, Middlebrooks go deep, but fall short

Michael Silverman — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

CHICAGO — Last night, an ill wind from the Windy City blew down the Red Sox’ best chances to swiftly turn a 6-4 loss into a closer ballgame.

Two long outs — one by Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the seventh, the other by Will Middlebrooks in the ninth — made all the difference for an offense that could not catch up with the White Sox.

Healthy issue in Bailey

Michael Silverman, Red Sox Beat — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

CHICAGO — Andrew Bailey has two roles with the Red Sox.

That’s one too many.

As of yesterday, he returned to being the closer — for the fourth time.

The moment also marked the return of the most mysterious man on the Red Sox roster.

That’s no reflection on Bailey’s personality, which is as sunny, cooperative, good-humored and helpful as anyone in that clubby clubhouse.

The mystery with Bailey is that nobody has any idea how long he can stay healthy.

Shane Victorino aching again

Scott Lauber, Red Sox Notebook — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

CHICAGO — Playing last night in Bill Murray’s hometown, Shane Victorino starred in his own version of “Groundhog Day.”

Victorino left the Red Sox’ 6-4 loss to the White Sox in the sixth inning after experiencing tightness in his left hamstring. It marked the fifth time this season that Victorino exited a game early because of an injury.

Jon Lester, Red Sox fall in Chicago

Scott Lauber — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:18:50 -0400

CHICAGO — When Jon Lester took the mound tonight, he was trying to become the first Red Sox pitcher since 1973 to go at least 7-0 to start a season.

But he also was facing his personal kryptonite.

In his best and worst seasons, Lester struggles against the White Sox. Indeed, it has become as predictable as winter blizzards in Chicago. In nine previous starts against the White Sox entering the series opener here, the Red Sox’ ace lefty had a 5.20 ERA, his highest against any AL team.

John Lackey scripts feel-good comeback

Sox Beat, Michael Silverman — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:54:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — Thunderstorms drowned John Lackey’s shot yesterday at completing one of the finest starts as a member of the Red Sox.

On the bright side, though, two things did happen.

One, the Red Sox won, which meant Lackey doubled his win total to two in his increasingly intriguing and promising season.

Two, a three-hour rain delay meant Lackey could catch up on “The Sandlot,” the kid-centric baseball flick that played at Target Field during the down time.

Dustin Pedroia’s game for everything

Scott Lauber, Red Sox Notebook — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:12:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — With the Red Sox still in the early stages of a stretch of 20 games in as many days, manager John Farrell is trying to give each player at least one day off.

To that, Dustin Pedroia may say no thanks.

“Pedey will fight that tooth and nail,” Farrell said. “He fully expects to play every game.”

Rain delay can’t put damper on hot Red Sox

Scott Lauber — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — For three hours yesterday, they idled in the visitors’ clubhouse. Some ventured into the dugout to watch “The Sandlot” (in its entirety) on the video screen in left field, others played cards or grabbed a bite to eat. Mike Napoli even took a nap.

But when play resumed, there wasn’t much doubt the Red Sox would be ready.

Rainy win worth wait for Red Sox

Scott Lauber — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:37:31 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS -- Dustin Pedroia had some pent-up energy.

Like the rest of his Red Sox teammates, Pedroia sat around for three hours today while thunderstorms pounded Target Field, interrupting the game during what would have been the seventh-inning stretch. And so, the Sox and Twins waited. And waited. And waited.

It was such a long rain delay that the entirety of “The Sandlot” was shown on the left field video screen. Eventually, though, the clouds lifted, the sun came out and play resumed.

Failure to finish

Michael Silverman — Sun, 19 May 2013 02:14:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — It is not easy to squeeze 127 pitches into 42⁄3 innings like Ryan Dempster did last night.

It requires both an incredible array of deep counts, walks, hits and an overall near-complete absence of command. A manager willing to give a veteran pitcher every opportunity to get the final out needed for a decision did not hurt, either.

John Farrell had already come out in the fifth after pitch No. 122 to check on Dempster, who had just lost a seven-pitch battle to Pedro Florimon, who singled.

Sox find selves in need of emergency relief

John Tomase — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The Red Sox began the season with two All-Star closers — an embarrassment of riches! — and barely a month later have handed the ninth inning to Junichi Tazawa, a former member of the Japanese Industrial League with exactly one career save.

Welcome to the wonderful world of major league bullpens.

As the Red Sox attempt to navigate a crowded field of American League playoff contenders, they do so with a relief corps that’s already in survival mode.

David Ortiz hits 2 HRs to power Sox past Twins

Scott Lauber — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — Regrets? There were a few last night.

Start with Red Sox manager John Farrell, who regretted sticking with wild Ryan Dempster for as long as he did. Dempster threw 127 pitches, more than in all but one of his 228 starts since 2001, and still was unable to complete the fifth inning in a game that became far closer than it ever should have been.

And then, there were the Minnesota Twins, tormented once again by the one who got away.

Chances upcoming for Johnny Gomes

Michael Silverman — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — When Jonny Gomes signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox, he was advertised as a hard-nosed player. A good chemistry guy not known for his glove, but adequate on defense. Someone who could get on base more than the average player, hit more than his share of home runs, and mash left-handed pitching.

The first half of the equation has borne out. The second half has been slower, but the upcoming schedule may favor the emergence of a fuller Gomes.

Clay can’t say no to Mo

Scott Lauber, Red Sox Notebook — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — With eight weeks until the All-Star Game in New York, a campaign has begun on the Internet to get Yankees closer Mariano Rivera to start for the American League.

Clay Buchholz wouldn’t object.

Concussion symptoms still dogging Ross

Michael Silverman — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:40:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — The Red Sox have had their share of injuries this season, but one body part in particular is getting more than its fair share of hurt.

The head.

David Ross is the second Red Sox player this season to go on the disabled list with a concussion. And, it was learned yesterday, just like Stephen Drew earlier this year, Ross will be sidelined longer than originally expected.

David Ortiz powers Red Sox past Twins, 12-5

Associated Press — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:15:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — David Ortiz insists he isn't trying to do anything special to show the Minnesota Twins they made a big mistake by letting him go in 2002.

It just looks that way every time he crushes another ball into the Target Field seats.

Ortiz homered twice and drove in six runs to torment his former team once again, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 12-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.

Dustin Pedroia drives Red Sox past Twins

Scott Lauber — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — For the past eight years, Jonny Gomes has watched Dustin Pedroia, first as a division rival and now as a teammate. And the more Gomes thinks about it, the more he realizes that he never has seen the Red Sox’ best player have a bad game.

“No, I haven’t,” Gomes said last night. “This game is too hard to hit in every game. No one has had a 162-game hit streak yet. But he’ll make like a baseball play every game that has an effect on the game. It’s pretty awesome.”

Any-way-they-can Sox

Sox Beat, Michael Silverman — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — In the end, whatever the little, medium-sized or ginormous plays and decisions the Red Sox make each night do not matter, as long as they add up to a win.

But after last night, it’s becoming clear the Red Sox are hell-bent on finding a new, different and entirely entertaining way for each and every win.

As their 3-2 victory in 10 innings proved, the Sox are in no danger of falling into any sort of a rut.

In fact, their watch-what-we-can-do ways of winning just may prove infectious.

Jacoby Ellsbury struggling

Scott Lauber, Red Sox Notebook — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — All along, the assumption was that the anticipation of free agency after this season would inspire Jacoby Ellsbury to once again reach MVP-caliber heights.

But take it from two of Ellsbury’s Red Sox teammates: It isn’t so simple.

Jonny Gomes sac fly in 10th lifts Red Sox over Twins

Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:59:00 -0400

MINNEAPOLIS — Will Middlebrooks gave Boston a comeback victory the night before with a big swing. This time, he dropped down a bunt to advance the go-ahead run.

After losing 93 games last season, the Red Sox aren't worried about style. A win is a win.

Jonny Gomes hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to lift the Red Sox past the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Friday night.

"We don't want to be the heart-attack kids, but it's a good character check for us right away," Gomes said.