Over the Monster

ST Game Thread: Red Sox @ Twins -- 3/14/10

2010-03-14T17:05:31Z

No Beckett for us today--his start has been scratched due to illness--so we get Ryne Miller instead. Yeah...Not worth it in anyone's mind, I can't imagine. Oh well.

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Youkilis
Ortiz
Hermida
Scutaro
Varitek
Hall
Reddick

Let's return to some normalcy after last night, shall we? Game should be on NESN, but we all know that's not a guarantee.

Go Sox!

Ryan Westmoreland to Undergo Brain Surgery

2010-03-14T02:45:26Z

Top Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland is scheduled to undergo brain surgery to remove a cavernous malformation on Tuesday.

I'm not a doctor, so I won't comment on the medical side of things other than to say anything involving brain surgery is inherently frightening. Good luck to Ryan on a successful surgery and speedy recovery. This is a huge blow to the Sox system, but far more than that, to the life of a 19-year-old just a year and a half out of high school.

The news was first broken by Jon Heyman

Sox Stage Another Comeback, Beat Pirates 3-2

2010-03-13T23:05:46Z

More photos » Charles Krupa - AP

11 months ago: Boston Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz delivers against the Tampa Bay Rays during their spring training baseball game in Fort Myers, Fla., Tuesday March 31, 2009. Buchholz lasted 5 2/3 innings, giving up six earned runs on nine hits. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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In a game that saw the starting lineup for the 2010 Red Sox on the field for the first time, it was the reserves who would ultimately get the job done. Of the 3 runs that the Sox scored today, only one run came as the result of a baserunner from the starting lineup, and none of the RBIs.

The starters did have some opportunities, though. In the 5th inning, walks from Drew and Scutaro along with a Beltre single loaded the bases with 1 out, but the Sox couldn't push anyone across. And in the 6th, Ortiz and Youkilis would walk to set up a 1st and 2nd with 1 out situation, but again the Sox came up empty.

The rally came with the Sox down 1-0, and was started by one of the original 9: Mike Cameron, who hit a leadoff double to get things started in the 7th. Darnell McDonald came out to pinch run for him, and then scored after Jose Iglesias reached via infield single and Ryan Kalish walked when Tug Hullet singled up the middle, putting the Sox on top 2-1. Dusty Brown would score Kalish with a sacrifice fly, giving the Sox their third run.

The Sox pitching staff, meanwhile, had largely shut down the Pirates' offense. Buchholz turned things around from his last start with 3 scoreless innings, giving up only a hit and a walk while fanning 2 with changeups. Papelbon, Delcarmen, and Shouse had combined for 3 more scoreless innings of relief, while Boof Bonser had given up the lone Pirates run on a homer by Delwyn Young.

And then came Michael Bowden, who just could not find the strike zone, issuing 3 free passes in his 2 innings. One of those passes turned into a run when Bowden gave up a long fly ball that bounced off the top of the short wall in left. A foot higher, and it would've been gone. Bowden managed to get out of the 8th with the lead, but was in big trouble with runners on 1st and 2nd and nobody out when Iglesias snagged a line drive for one out, and flipped to second for another. Trying for the triple play, Tug Hullet threw low and late to first. Seeing the ball get away, the baserunner tried to head for second anyways, and was out by a mile to finish the game ending triple play.

Notes

A lot of reunions for the Sox. Brandon Moss, Argenis Diaz, Jonathan Van Every, and Javier Lopez all saw action for the Pirates today. No, JVE did not pitch.
NESN was scheduled to broadcast the game, but barely managed to show 2 innings as they were plagued by "technical difficulties". I love Don and Remy, but man, don't ask them to call a game for the radio.
The Red Sox drew 7 walks today. This is the 6th time in 10 Grapefruit league games they have managed 6 or more walks.
Daisuke Matsuzaka's bullpen session was canceled today due to a stiff neck. Can't really expect he'll be around to start the year with how carefully they're treating him and given the situation with Wakefield.
The Sox are now 7-3 and in 2nd place in the all-important Grapefruit League standings.

Buchholz’s initial outing indicative of what’s to come?

2010-03-13T17:50:47Z

More photos » Charles Krupa - AP

11 months ago: Boston Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz tugs on his cap after giving up his second two-run home run against Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth inning during their spring training baseball game in Fort Myers, Fla., Tuesday March 31, 2009. Buchholz lasted 5 1/3 innings, giving up six earned runs on nine hits. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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After a strong finish last year, pitcher Clay Buchholz’s initial appearance this spring did little to reaffirm fans of their high expectations for the 25-year-old entering the season.

Facing former no-hit victim and American League East division foe, the Baltimore Orioles, Buchholz surrendered three runs (all earned) on five hits, while walking a pair and striking out one during his two innings of work.

However, such as the case in most instances, statistics alone fail to tell the entire story -- a fact not lost on Buchholz himself; "First outing of the spring, [I was] a little jumpy on a couple of pitches," Buchholz said. "Other than that I felt like I had good stuff; good movement on my two-seamer. Changeups, when I threw them right, were good. And I threw a couple of good curveballs. I just have to put it all together. It’s really early in spring for me. I’ve got a couple more outings before we think it’s anything bad."

This season, much like the last, has been billed as Buchholz’s breakout campaign -- and elevated expectations for Clay Buchholz extend beyond those who comprise Red Sox Nation.

Speaking on Buchholz’s attempt at securing a spot in the starting rotation for the onset of the regular season, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said, "I think we all want him to take this and go with it. And he looks so strong."

With all that being said; Is the promising young pitcher -- so highly touted for his potential upside -- doomed for yet another year of inconsistency, or will 2010 finally see the complete realization of that potential?

Prior to debuting with the Boston Red Sox in August of 2007, Clay Buchholz was no stranger to success on the baseball diamond. A standout while pitching for Angelina College, Buchholz was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in round one (42^nd overall) with the team’s supplemental draft pick -- obtained when Pedro Martinez signed with the New York Mets following the 2004 season.

Aided by an exceptionally advanced arsenal of pitches, it took little time for Buchholz to shoot up through the Red Sox’s minor league system and establish himself as one of the organization‘s most promising prospects. While he is best known for his devastating 12-6 curveball, which has been labeled the best in the entire organization, it may in fact be in his changeup that is his most effective pitch -- an accurate indication of the talent and potential possessed by Buchholz.

Facing unrefined minor league hitters with such an advanced repertoire of secondary pitches, Buchholz was able to excel without having developed a fastball that sufficiently complimented his various off-speed options -- a necessity at the major league level.

During a short stint with the Red Sox in 2007 -- which famously included a no-hitter in just his second MLB start -- Buchholz was extremely effective, to put it mildly. After beginning 2008 in a similar fashion to the way that he started the year prior, dominating the minor leagues, Buchholz was recalled to Boston -- only this time with different results.

In 2008, Buchholz’s dependency on off-speed pitches became more apparent to the rest of the league, and without enough confidence in his fastball to effectively set them up with, they were rendered useless. As hitters around the league adapted, Buchholz did not. The decrease seen in the percentage of fastballs thrown by Clay from 2007 to 2008 (dropping from 52.9% to 47.4%) was only paralleled by his diminishing effectiveness -- ultimately resulting in demotion.

Buchholz’s emergence as a dependable starter towards the end of 2009 is the likely source for increased optimism this season. In six September starts last year, Buchholz posted a 4-1 record to go along with a 2.90 ERA. Not coincidentally, the percentage of fastballs thrown in 2009 increased 7.4% from his struggle-laden 2008 campaign.

Last week’s start against the Orioles, his first of the spring, brings validity to the universally high expectations for Buchholz this season.

Buchholz vs. Orioles (3/7): 2 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 H, 1 HR, 2 BB, 1 K

How does a line like that offer a positive outlook for 2010? The answer becomes clear upon closer examination of Buchholz’s outing.

Buchholz started the game off quickly, getting Adam Jones to hit a weak fly ball on a perfectly located first-pitch fastball. He then got ahead of Ty Wigginton in the count with another well-located first-pitch fastball, before inducing a weak fly ball to left field for the second out.

Enter adversity (in this instance, the role of adversity will be played by Orioles’ slugger Nick Markakis).

Catcher Victor Martinez again called for a fastball to start the at-bat spotting his glove low and away from Markakis -- a spot that Buchholz drilled for a called strike. Pitch number two was another fastball low and away -- again Clay hit his spot -- this time getting Markakis to foul it back for strike two. Martinez again opted to go with the same pitch, only this time middle-in to the left handed hitter. Buchholz’s third straight fastball was even a little bit further off the plate in comparison to where it was originally intended -- normally a good "waste pitch" given the circumstances -- this ball, however, was deposited over the right field wall by Markakis.

What did he do wrong? The answer is: Nothing.

Nonetheless, he was visibly shaken; vintage Buchholz circa 2008.

With Miguel Tejada now at the plate and an opportunity to show the ability to recover, Buchholz did nothing of the sort. Instead, he walked Tejada on seven pitches. Of those seven pitches, four were fastballs. Of those four fastballs, three weren’t even close.

Now with an all too familiar feeling of impending doom, in stepped Matt Wieters. After jumping ahead of Wieters 0-1 with a called strike, Buchholz then proceeded to bounce a breaking ball followed by three straight fastballs that missed the plate badly, walking his second straight hitter.

At this point in the seemingly unavoidable meltdown, Victor Martinez had seen enough to know that his young pitcher needed to slow down, and so he took a trip to the mound.

After the visit, Buchholz quickly jumped ahead of Luke Scott with two called strikes, before spinning an impressive curveball getting Scott to fly out to shallow right field for the third and final out. Despite wiggling out of the jam with minimal damage, Buchholz had seemingly referred back to his old ways as all three pitches to Scott were of the off-speed variety; not a good sign.

Buchholz’s frame in the bottom of the second inning doesn’t look like much of an improvement from the first on paper -- two earned runs on four hits -- but surprisingly, it was.

With Garrett Atkins batting, Buchholz starts off with two straight fastballs; the latter missing terribly and the former evening the count at 1-1 on a called strike. Atkins then roped the next pitch, a perfectly placed curveball, down the left field line for a leadoff stand-up double.

Miguel Abreu then took the first pitch he saw, another fastball, and served it into the outfield putting runners on the corners with nobody out.

Next was Cesar Izturis who tapped a well-located fastball to the right side of the infield; the infielders couldn’t make a play anywhere, and it was ruled an RBI single.

The lineup turns over as Adam Jones digs in, now with runners at first and second and still nobody out. After mixing up his first four pitches, Buchholz threw a 2-2 darting fastball with a ton of movement to the outside corner of the plate and low in the zone (hitting Martinez’s spot directly) -- a perfect pitch -- yet, one that Jones somehow poked up the middle for an RBI single.

The score was now 3-0. There were still two runners on base, and still nobody out in just the second inning. For only having retired a total of three hitters in the game, Buchholz’s pitch count was abnormally high. But with circumstances at their most dire, this is where we first catch a glimpse of the new and improved Clay Buchholz.

Despite the fact that his last fastball was the best one he had thrown all day and it still resulted in an RBI single, Buchholz again leads off with the pitch to Wigginton. After a deep breath, Buchholz again located the pitch to perfection, only this time it was hit softly to third where Jed Lowrie turned a routine 6-3 double play.

Enter redemption (fittingly, the part of redemption will again be played by Nick Markakis).

Seemingly sporting a newfound confidence in the pitch that he had so often deserted in similar situations prior to this one, Buchholz confidently started the sequence off with two well-located fastballs on the outside half of the plate -- freezing Markakis with both, and again jumping ahead in the count 0-2. After Markakis spoiled another great curveball, Buchholz blew a final fastball past the bat of Markakis to stop the bleeding. He didn’t just punch him out, he made Markakis look bad.

The first inning was an accurate depiction of Buchholz’s career to this point. The moment he was faced with adversity, he became shaken; nibbling the corners with his fastball and creating self-induced turbulence.

However, the second inning is one that should offer a bit of foreshadowing into what fans can expect from Buchholz this season. After surrendering a couple hits to Izturis and Jones despite making good pitches, Buchholz settled down and proceeded to escape the situation with limited damage -- even relying on his fastball in doing so. In fact, 65% of Buchholz’s 37 pitches on the day were fastballs. While that number is heavily influenced by the fact that it was his first spring training outing, the success he had while relying on the pitch towards the end is a cause for excitement. His newfound confidence in the pitch was noticeable.

If Buchholz can continue gaining confidence in his fastball, his already advanced off-speed pitches will feed off of it, and vice-versa -- and in that scenario, Red Sox fans need not worry about being disappointed.

Next up for the Red Sox: Watch as Clay Buchholz gets the start today against the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m. ET, Fort Myers, FL.

ST Game Thread: Pirates @ Red Sox -- 3/13/10

2010-03-13T17:38:30Z

Are you guys ready to see the full lineup? Because it seems like that's what we're getting.

At least we'll get to see once or twice through the lineup before the subs come in. Buchholz will get the start, followed by Papelbon, Delcarmen, Bonser, Shouse, and Bowden per Extra Bases.

I hope Randy's got his cable in. The game is on NESN.

Dusty Brown is 'One Bad Season Away' From A Day Job

2010-03-12T17:28:58Z

More photos » Michael Dwyer - AP

5 months ago: Boston Red Sox's Dusty Brown, second from right, celebrates his solo home run with Kevin Youkilis (20) as Cleveland Indians' Lou Marson, right, looks on in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, in Boston. The Red Sox won 11-6. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

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I found out literally seconds ago that Red Sox catching prospect Dusty Brown is on Twitter. Naturally, I have to follow Mr. Brown and his exploits. As I was in the process of doing this, I caught a glimpse of his bio which made me literally LOL:

I'm one bad season away from having a day job!!

You got to love the honesty. If you're reading this Dusty, we're all pulling for you.

No Game: Red Sox, Cardinals Called Due to Rain

2010-03-12T16:35:42Z

Annnnnd that's all she wrote.

Red Sox and Cardinals game scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday has been called. It will be made up as a split-squad game on March 22.

Clay Buchholz was scheduled to pitch today, but will instead pitch tomorrow at 1 p.m. against the Pirates (which will be on NESN ... and I'm hoping I have cable by then so I can watch. Damn, Comcast.)

Full Count " Daniel Bard Loves To Pop Gloves

2010-03-12T16:28:33Z

Full Count " Daniel Bard Loves To Pop Gloves

Hopefully this Daniel Bard to Luis Exposito combination is one we'll be seeing for a long, long time.

OTM/CBSSports.com Fantasy Baseball League: The Participants

2010-03-12T16:06:41Z

More photos » Richard Drew - AP

Bay: Man, I got to know ... how do you play defense so dog gone goood? Drew: Hey, man. It's all about style and grace. I just flow. You gotta' learn to flow, bro.

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I received quite a few e-mails for inclusion into the Over the Monster CBSSports.com fantasy baseball league. I had to weed a few out, but I decided on a 14-team league.

To see who will be participating, follow the jump (and if your name is here, you should have an e-mail coming to your inbox).

1 Randy Booth

2 wolf9309

3 Logan Lietz

4 BTLove

5 brogshan

6 politik426

7 South Coast Ghost

8 Rogue Nine

9 badlydrawnjeff

10 justin_bobo

11 A2004LoveAffair

12 BoldandBrash

13 JonnyNYC

14 upCHUCK

These are the competitors. These are your foes. These are the people you're going to try to out-smash and out-pitch all season long. There will only be one...

...but on a lighter note, let's all just have fun! /smile

CBSSports.com is an SB Nation partner and paying sponsor of the SB Nation baseball communities.
This post is one of a series of sponsor endorsed posts related to the CBSSports.com Fantasy Baseball
Commissioner League.

Kevin Towers Rebukes Red Sox, Gives Another Reason to Despise Yankees

2010-03-12T01:09:38Z

More photos » Lenny Ignelzi - ASSOCIATED PRESS

5 months ago: San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers talks about the possibilities of trading star pitcher Jake Peavy and shortstop Khalil Greene, at a meeting of baseball GMs Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, in Dana Point, Calif. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

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Well, there goes the World Series trophy this year, guys!:

Former Padres general manager Kevin Towers has decided to take a post with the Yankees according to former Padres beat writer Tom Krasovic, who now works for Fanhouse.

Towers is close friends with both Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein and industry speculation was that he would spend the coming season working for either the Yankees or Red Sox before trying to again become a GM.

Fine, Mr. Towers. Then the Sox will just have to destroy you and your pinstripes this year. That's what you get for saying no to a megapower for a mega-erpower...

REMINDER: Join the OTM Fantasy Baseball League

2010-03-12T00:15:53Z

REMINDER: Join the OTM Fantasy Baseball League

Just a reminder to e-mail me if you want in on the CBS Premium OTM fantasy baseball league. I'll be sending invites out tomorrow for people that are accepted into the league, so e-mail me at RBOOTH at OVERTHEMONSTER dot COM tonight. Tell me your screen name and why you want to be in the league.

Sox Bats and Mets Defense Sink New York

2010-03-11T22:31:39Z

More photos » Richard Drew - AP

3 days ago: Boston Red Sox' Victor Martinez, right, beats the throwl to New York Mets catcher Chris Coste to score on a hit by Jeremy Hermidia in the first inning of a spring training baseball game in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Thursday, March 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

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The Red Sox spent the offseason improving their defense and aiming to prevent runs. Maybe the Mets should have as well. While the box score only reads 3 errors, the whole day was an adventure for the Mets infield that, combined with a strong day for the Sox at the plate, left 8 runs on the board.

The defense came through behind Red Sox pitchers, though. Despite only recording 3 strikeouts on the day, the Sox held the Mets to only 2 runs, and those came on Home Runs, which obviously the defense can do nothing about. Those bombs came from back-to-back lefties off of LHP Fabio Castro, whose chances to make the pen out of spring training just took a big hit. John Lackey pitched 3 scoreless, allowing 3 hits and no walks. His fastball was a little slow, but he didn't get in trouble and was inducing plenty of ground balls. Felix Doubront had 2 strong innings, as did Junichi Tazawa who had his off-speed pitches working today and recorded two of the Sox' strikeouts.

At the plate, the Sox recorded 15 hits, scoring 8 runs. They scored 3 in the first inning off Mets starter Mike Pelfrey as Scutaro, Pedroia, and Martinez loaded the bases with 0 outs in the first allowing Drew, Cameron, and Hermida to drive in a run a piece. Otherwise, the day was carried by a few veteran AAAA players, and once again, the young Red Sox prospects. Darnell McDonald and Yamaico Navarro had particularly good days, going 3-3 and 2-3 respectively.

Some notes:

The two guys on bounceback watch in Lars and Ortiz continued to struggle, and posted a combined 0-7 with 5 strikeouts.
The Sox reunited with Jason Bay for the first time today. The outfielder received a smattering of boos from the Sox contingency in the crowd, and went 0-2 on the day. In this blogger's opinion, there's no call for booing a guy who did nothing but rake for us. I was as against signing him as anyone this offseason, but there's no call for boos.
The Sox also reunited with Chris Carter, who went over to the Mets in the Billy Wagner trade last year. Tazawa made him look bad swinging at breaking balls.
There was a pretty lengthy rain delay after the 4th. Wholesale substitutions followed as could be expected.

ST Game Thread: Red Sox @ Mets -- 3/11/10

2010-03-11T17:25:55Z

The game is on TV today, or so I hear. MLBN has it, and without blackout issues apparently.

Lot of starters in the lineup for the Sox today, and Lackey on the mound.

Red Sox and Having Fun with Small Sample Size!

2010-03-11T15:17:29Z

More photos » Steven Senne - AP

3 days ago: Boston Red Sox second baseman Tug Hulett tries to tag Tampa Bay Rays' Justin Ruggiano on a steal of second in the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla., Wednesday, March 10, 2010. The Rays defeated the Red Sox 8-6. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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It's the term that all Stat Geeks hate to hear: "small sample size."

Sure, small sample sizes mean nothing. They are misleading and give you absolutely no idea of the true value of a player. But you know what? Once in awhile they're fun to look at -- especially when it's spring training!

Now it's time to have a little fun with Red Sox spring training statistics:

Josh Reddick is a monster. This is obvious, of course, because he's batting .471 with an .824 slugging percentage.Reddick will obviously be a starter this year, knocking out the really, really bad J.D. Drew from the starting lineup and make the All-Star game. (On the flip side, Reddick's OBP is .471 ... learn how to take a walk, kid!)
Lars Anderson will never be anything good ever again. You thought there was hope in 2010 for Lars Anderson? Fuggetaboudit! Lars is hitless in 14 at-bats, good for a paltry .000 batting average. He has earned two walks and struck out just once, though. (He's also scored three runs in five games, but damn, why does that matter?)
Jacoby Ellsbury will be the MLB's first 60-60 player. Don't call this a bold statement -- call this the truth. Ellsbury already has two home runs this spring. What, you think that kind of power grows on trees? I'm more concerned about him hitting that second 60 number: he has zero stolen bases in spring training so far. That's unacceptable. But hey, if you're hitting bombs, you can't really steal bases, can you? Ellsbury should also bat third this season so...
Bill Hall is the next leadoff hitter of the Boston Red Sox. When you think 'OBP Machine,' don't think of guys like Kevin Youkilis or J.D. Drew. Think of Bill Hall. Guy already has four walks this spring. FOUR! He's got a .400 OBP. If you don't want that at the leadoff spot, what do you want?
Gil Velazquez needs a job ASAP. You can't deny the production of Velly this spring: four games, five RBIs. Since we know RBIs win ballgames, Velster needs a spot in the everyday lineup. Sure, Marco Scutaro was supposed to be the Sox's big shortstop acquisition this offseason, but he's batting just .222 in the spring. Get a real ballplayer in there, Tito.
Trade Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester now. Theo Epstein is regretting it as we speak. He's regretting not trading Buchholz and Lester when he had the chance and now he's paying the price. Buchh is sporting a "nifty" 13.50 ERA while Lester's a tad better at 9.82. I know for a fact this kind of performance will not win the Red Sox a World Series. What are they waiting for? BRING YU DARVISH TO THE UNITED STATES OF RED SOX NOW!
Tim Wakefield will never grow old. Wakefield, in a lot of ways, is like Peter Pan. They both wear green tights in their spare time, throw dirty, fluttering knuckleballs and neither will ever grow old. Don't let the facial hair and bad back fool you because Wakefield is good to go for another 127 years. Wake has a 0.00 ERA in the spring -- something only half of the other pitchers in baseball right now can boast. Who thinks Wake is going to get the Red Sox all-time wins record? I do! And he's going to smash it by at least 308 wins. Greatest pitcher ever or the greatest pitcher ever?
Adam Mills is the future of the Red Sox. I know what you're thinking: "Randy, Adam Mills sucks. He given up 12 hits in three innings. His ERA is 27.00!" Yes, but, c'mon, guys! Give the bro a chance. Sure, it's a small sample size. And sure, he'll never be able to get that ERA down, but it's just spring training. It doesn't really matter ...

Wait. What did I just say?

Beckett, Red Sox Aim to Complete Deal Before Season

2010-03-11T03:32:54Z

Beckett, Red Sox Aim to Complete Deal Before Season

According to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, there have been "substantive discussions" recently between the Boston Red Sox and pending free agent pitcher, Josh Beckett, regarding a potential contract extension.

There isn't too much detailed inside information in the short article, outside of the fact that discussions are bringing a sense of optimism. However, it's a safe assumption that the Red Sox made a point to cite any health concerns at the onset of negotiations; the fact that the waters are still calm can certainly be considered encouraging.

Sox Can't Overcome Mills' Implosion

2010-03-10T21:48:34Z

More photos » Steven Senne - AP

3 days ago: Tampa Bay Rays' David Price, right, is escorted off the field by Rays' assistant trainer Nick Paparesta, left, after Price was hit by a piece of a broken bat swung by Boston Red Sox's Adrian Beltre in the second inning of a spring training baseball game at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla., Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Beltre hit a single off the pitch. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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For the most part, the Red Sox pitchers were good today. Jon Lester pitched 2.2 innings, giving up only a hit and a walk while striking out 4. A pair of errors behind him in the first allowed the Rays to score their first run of the game, but for the most part the ace lefty was on.

Out of the bullpen, Papelbon, Okajima, Ramirez, and Bard all had scoreless innings. Brian Shouse gave up 1 run on 2 hits, but it was Adam Mills' appearance that sunk the team. After getting the final out of the third inning, Mills returned for the fourth, and gave up 6 runs on 7 hits and a walk. It was not until the Rays had already loaded the bases, scored a run, and reloaded the bases that Mills managed to get the first out. Robert Manuel would have to get the final out of the inning after the Rays had built a strong lead.

The Red Sox still made a good run of it, though. The offense was lead by Jacoby Ellsbury, who up until today had been having a quiet spring. He turned that around with a bang--or rather a couple of bangs--as he smacked two home runs off Joe Bateman and Joaquin Benoit.

The Sox got started earlier off David Price, though, as Youkilis led off the 2nd inning with a line drive that nearly clocked Price. Though he dodged danger then, Price would have to leave the game after the next batter, Adrian Beltre, broke his bat on an infield single. A piece of the bat flew at price, and ended up cutting his right (non-pitching) hand. Joe Bateman would replace him, and allow Youkilis and Beltre to score on a Mike Cameron line drive and a Bill Hall ground out respectively.

After Ellsbury's first homer, Pedroia singled off Bateman and was scored by a Youkilis double. The Sox loaded the bases in the inning, but Bill Hall popped out to strand all 3 runners. They scored their final 2 runs on Ellsbury's second home run.

Some notes

Daniel Bard threw a couple of "nasty" changeups for strikes. He also got a swinging strike on a slurve, and in fact struck out the first two batters he faced on 6 pitches.
Ryan Kalish worked 2 long at bats for walks.
Youkilis would have been 3-for-3, but was robbed of extra bases by Gabe Kapler.

Listenin' In on the Red Sox - 3/10/10

2010-03-10T18:07:48Z

Red Sox - Rays this time. Feel free to stop by and join me as I take notes.

WATCH LIVE: Nomar Garciaparra press conference

2010-03-10T15:32:55Z

WATCH LIVE: Nomar Garciaparra press conference

Here's a link to watch the Nomar Garciaparra press conference live.

Who is Yu Darvish and why doesnt he come to America to play for the yankees? - Yahoo! Answers

2010-03-10T15:29:56Z

Who is Yu Darvish and why doesnt he come to America to play for the yankees? - Yahoo! Answers

I just had to share this...

Nomar Garciaparra to Sign With Red Sox, Retire

2010-03-10T14:17:08Z

More photos » Winslow Townson - AP

8 months ago: Oakland Athletics' Nomar Garciaparra touches his chest as the fans at Fenway Park in Boston give him a standing ovation Monday, July 6, 2009, during his first at-bat at the park since leaving the Boston Red Sox in 2004. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

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From WEEI's Alex Speier:

WEEI.com's Lou Merloni reports that Nomar Garciaparra will sign a one-day, minor league deal with the Red Sox and then announce his retirement as a member of the organization. Garciaparra will then commence a career as a baseball analyst for ESPN.

[...]

The Red Sox are holding a 10:30 a.m. press conference in Fort Myers at which Garciaparra will announce his retirement.

Nice that any bad blood is apparently healed and he's coming back to retire as a Red Sox.

Now we all just have to sit here and pray that with his retirement, maybe the shortstop curse will be over.

1	Randy Booth
2	wolf9309
3	Logan Lietz
4	BTLove
5	brogshan
6	politik426
7	South Coast Ghost
8	Rogue Nine
9	badlydrawnjeff
10	justin_bobo
11	A2004LoveAffair
12	BoldandBrash
13	JonnyNYC
14	upCHUCK