LATEST NEWS - JULY 8, 2008
Coming off a 3-7 road trip in which six of the losses were by one-run, the Red Sox returned to Fenway Park last night and beat the Twins 1-0.
With Tampa Bay continuing to surge in the AL East - their lead is up to 4 games - the Sox's series with Minnesota has important implications in the standings. The wild card standings that is. The Red Sox and Twins are currently 1-2 in those standings.
But with 70 games to go in the season Boston isn't conceding anything yet, especially with an American League best record of 32-10 at home. The Rays have played the most home games (50) of anybody in the Majors, using that advantage to pad their division lead.
Now the Red Sox get to enjoy some home cooking, followed by some relaxation. They don't play a road game until July 18 in Anaheim, which follows a three-game series at home this weekend against the Orioles and the All-Star break.
Ortiz Takes Batting Practice
A week after hitting off a tee David Ortiz has progressed to taking live batting practice.
Last night Ortiz took his first swings on a baseball field since May 31, the day he partially tore a tendon sheath in his left wrist in Baltimore.
"I feel good," Ortiz said afterwards.
Big Papi looked good too, hitting four balls out of the park, including one on his first swing, in addition to spraying line drives into right and center field.
"When I start swinging, I get a little sore, and then when I keep going, I start feeling better and better," Ortiz said.
The next step is uncertain, as Ortiz admits no timetable has been set for his return to Boston's line-up.
"This kind of injury is tricky. You've got to be smart about it," he said.
Masterson Sent to Pawtucket, Buchholz to Rejoin Rotation on Friday
The Red Sox on Monday sent one 23-year old starting pitcher to Pawtucket in order to recall another 23-year old starter.
Heading to the minors was Justin Masterson and soon to be shipping up to Boston is Clay Buchholz.
The move had been anticipated, especially considering how well Buchholz has pitched since he was optioned to Pawtucket, where he was 4-2 with a 2.47 ERA in nine starts.
The twist to the move was that Materson was sent down to begin working out of the bullpen, despite his success in Boston's starting rotation.
"We wanted to, at some point, get Clay back here and get into the rotation. We also think getting Justin acclimated to the bullpen really gives us a chance to really help our club," Terry Francona said after the transaction was announced.
Masterson could be a very effective option out of the BoSox bullpen if he's recalled. Right-handed hitters were batting just .170 against him. He also appears to be on board with the plan, which will begin with him pitching in relief for Pawtucket on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday this week.
"We have such a good pitching staff. I think it's nice that they think I can help them sometime down the road through the bullpen," Masterson said.
Since Buchholz isn't needed until Friday the Red Sox will wait until then to recall him. That opens up a roster spot temporarily for outfielder Jeff Bailey, who was hitting .301 with 23 HR and 61 RBI in 79 games at Pawtucket.
For Bailey, the stint in Boston will be the second brief one for him in 2008. He appeared in three games in a five day call-up from May 30 to June 3, striking out three times and walking three times in six plate appearances.
Rehab Begins For Schilling, Decision About Future Still Looms
Two weeks after surgery on his right shoulder ended his season, Curt Schilling announced yesterday he's "in the initial phase of my rehab."
For now, Schlling's right arm remains in a sling and his course of rehab is the normal route for anyone who underwent the type of surgery he had.
"Whether I was a plumber or a pitcher, I'd have to do it just to have use of my shoulder and arm," Schilling said of the rehab. "There's no real critical decision-making point for a good five, seven or eight weeks from now, until I need to decide whether I want to progress past the normal surgery rehab into very specific job rehab."
Schilling has yet to make up his mind if he will try to pitch in 2009. His last appearance on the mound was in Game 2 of the 2007 World Series.
Seven Red Sox Players Make All-Star Team
There will be a lot of Bostonians in the Bronx on July 15 when Terry Francona manages the American League team at the 79th annual All-Star game.
Four Red Sox were voted to start the game by the fans, while three more were chosen as reserves.
Kevin Youkilis will start at first base in his first All-Star appearance. "When you have these games that aren't real games, you don't really have the same attitude going in," he said. "I'll probably just sit back and watch what's going on. But I'll still be intense and play the game hard. This game does count because it decides home-field advantage."
Dustin Pedroia will make his All-Star debut as the AL's starting second baseman. "I think fans enjoy the style that I play," last year's Rookie of the Year said. "I play hard and take every pitch like it's my last. It's definitely an honor to be voted in by the fans. I'll play as hard as I can for them."
Manny Ramirez had made a dozen All-Star teams, including every one since 1998. Manny will get the start in left field. "I was hoping for a little rest, but I'm playing in the All-Star Game. It's all right," he said.
David Ortiz was voted by the fans to start at his natural "position," designated hitter. But a wrist injury will keep him from playing in the game for the fifth straight year. Milton Bradley of Texas was chosen as his replacement.
J.D. Drew made the first All-Star team of his career, which began in 1998. "I don't think the selection has set in yet," Drew said of being named a reserve outfielder. "It's pretty cool. I'll be pretty fired up when the day rolls around and I can experience it. It's going to be a lot of fun for me."
Jason Varitek, hitting a career low .215, was one of two back-up catchers chosen. Varitek was voted in by his peers. "There's a level of (embarrassment), but this was a player vote, so there's a level of appreciation, too. It's still an honor," he said.
Jonathan Papelbon is an All-Star for the third time in as many seasons. He's now one of just four Red Sox to make All-Star teams in each of their first three seasons. Frank Malzone, Carlton Fisk and Fred Lynn are the others.
Each of the seven Red Sox players hope to continue the AL's dominance of the National League. The last time the NL beat the AL was in 1996 at since demolished Veterans Stadium.
Sox Notes
- Dustin Pedroia is in the midst of a career-high 15 game hitting streak.
- A possible heir apparent to Tim Wakefield is looming in Pawtucket, where knuckleballer Charlie Zink is 9-2 with a 2.42 ERA over 111.2 innings in 18 starts.
- Doug Mirabelli, now retired, paid a visit to his former teammates at Fenway Park yesterday.
... for up-to-date Red Sox news, check out FenwayFanatics.com.
Red Sox Trivia Question Contest
This week's question
What was the last year the Red Sox led the American League in home attendance?
Send your answer to trivia@redsoxconnection.com and remember to include your full name and city/state.
Last week's question:
Who was the last Red Sox starting pitcher to throw a complete game and not allow a hit, yet not get credit for throwing an official no-hitter?
The answer was Devern Hansack, who on October 1, 2006 threw no-hit ball for five innings against the Orioles before the game was called because of rain with the Red Sox leading 9-0. Due to a rule change in 1991, Hansack didn't get credit for a no-hitter, just a complete game and a shutout.
Last week, 14 of 51 people answered the question correctly. See the Red Sox Trivia Standings for complete results.
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