Quiet night for Jacoby

Jacoby was very quiet in the series opener against the Detroit Tigers. Heres a quick summary of his at bats:

1st inning- Flew out to Edgar Renteria (shortstop)
3rd inning- Grounded out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.
4th inning- Struck out looking.
7th inning- Struck out looking.
9th inning- Granderson made a diving catch which robbed Jacoby from what had the possibility of maybe being an inside the park homer with Jacoby's speed.

On the other hand, other Sox players had great nights. For example, in the 2nd inning Mike Lowell hit his 1st homerun of the season and got his first 2 RBIs of the season (Manny had a double prior to Mikey's at bat). Mikey's homer put the Sox on top 2-0.

In the 4th inning, Mike Lowell hit a double, Youk then hit a homerun putting the Sox on

top 4-0.

In the 7th inning, Dustin Pedroia got his 14th double of the season. David Ortiz then got a base hit which scored Dustin; which gave Ortiz RBI #25 of the year.

In the 9th inning, David Ortiz got his 6th homerun of the season giving the Sox a 6-3 lead.

Dice K had 8 walks, gave up 2 hits and 1 run. Even after giving up so many walks, he still managed to get the win. Papelbon got the save.

Sox won it 6-3.

In honor of the Celtics winning game 7...

I thought that this picture fit the occasion perfectly. =)

Craig Hansen called up

Reliever Craig Hansen has been called up from Pawtucket to fill Brandon Moss' spot on the roster.

However, I dont really understand this move. The bullpens not doing that bad, and the starters having been lasting at least 6 innings lately. So, i dont understand why we need another reliever. With Moss out, dont we need more outfielders? Supposedly Coco not fully healed, and what if something was to happen to another outfielder? Then what would we do? I thought that they would bring up Thurston, he may not be a great hitter, but hes an outfielder. And i understand that Lugo can play outfield, but i read in an article that he said that he doesnt want to because he feels uncomfortable in the outfield because thats not where he belongs. But ahh, i dont know. If only Epstein asked me for my advice on the matter! Haha.

Update on Brandon Moss and Sox Outfield Situation

Bench stretched thin with Moss out
Rookie outfielder feeling OK after undergoing appendectomy

On Saturday night, after rookie outfielder Brandon Moss underwent an appendectomy at Massachusetts General Hospital, Red Sox manager Terry Francona suggested his team would play Sunday's series finale vs. the Rays a man short.
On Sunday morning, Francona stuck by his initial suggestion.

"There's going to have to be a roster move, but I don't think we're going to do it today," said Francona. "I think because our bullpen is OK and our team is nicked up, we'd prefer to kind of get through today and then see where we stand going on this road trip."

With Moss gone and Jacoby Ellsbury then forced into the starting lineup when David Ortiz was a late scratch because of right knee tightness, shortstop Julio Lugo became the likely extra outfielder. He had made one appearance in the outfield this year for the Red Sox -- and made three for the Dodgers in 2006.

Because the bullpen was in good shape, the Red Sox didn't need to add a pitcher for Sunday's game, either.

"It's one game. We just don't want to get into a situation where we call somebody up, something happens, we have to option somebody, then there's the 10-day [rule]," said Francona. "I think we're better off waiting until the end of today."

Francona reported Moss was about to be released from the hospital, "which is unbelievable to me.

"He's doing OK. They did the procedure last night and he's going to get checked out and head probably to his apartment in about an hour. We're still trying to sort out what's in his best interests -- probably let him go home for 10 days and then maybe to Florida to ramp back up, just depending on the timetable, how he's doing."

Moss was feeling well on Friday, when he had two hits, including his second career home run, scored two runs and had an outfield assist in the Red Sox's 7-3 victory vs. the Rays. He wasn't feeling well when he got to the ballpark Saturday and was sent to the hospital as a precautionary move. Surgery was performed during Boston's 12-4 victory and the Red Sox reported after the game Moss was out of surgery and doing well.

Moss is batting .286 with two homers and three RBIs in six games with the Red Sox. He started the season with the team in Japan, was sent to Pawtucket and recalled April 26.
-www.bostonherald.com

Pedroia, Ellsbury are at top of their game (Referring to May 3rd's game)

Pedroia, Ellsbury are at top of their game

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia isn’t immune to batting slumps, but he doesn’t stay mired in them for long.

Pedroia put an end to an 0-for-16 slide with three hits and three RBI Friday night against Tampa Bay.

Last night he nearly duplicated that effort on behalf of Red Sox [team stats] starter Josh Beckett by going 3-for-5 with a double, two runs and an RBI in a 12-4 victory over the Rays.

The last time Pedroia posted consecutive three-hit games July 18 and 19 of last season.

Pedroia is a contact hitter whose particular skills are enhanced batting second in the order behind speedy center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and ahead of sluggers David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.

“He does a good job there,” said Ellsbury, who contributed two runs on a 2-for-4 hitting performance last night. “He’s aggressive but at the same time he waits for a good pitch to hit and he’s always making contact.

“That’s what you want from a guy hitting in that spot in front of those guys,” Ellsbury added.

The foursome at the top of manager Terry Francona’s batting order got the Red Sox offense up and running against Tampa Bay starter James Shields, who blanked the Sox 3-0 at Tropicana Field last weekend.

Ellsbury led off with a single up the middle and went to second on Pedroia’s base hit to left. David Ortiz brought home Ellsbury with a double to left. Manny Ramirez gave Beckett a 3-0 lead with a two-run single to center.

“It was good to get off to a fast start like that especially when you have Beckett on the mound,” said Ellsbury. “When you get a couple of runs early you get a lot off confidence.

“For me, I was trying to get a pitch in the zone and drive it. The first time I faced him I was a little too anxious and was maybe swinging at pitches out of the zone.”

Ellsbury and Pedroia continued their blitz on Shields in the second. Ellsbury drew a one-out walk, reached second on a wild pitch and scored on Pedroia’s single to right. Pedroia prompted Shield’s early exit when he opened the fourth with a double off the wall in left center and scored on Ortiz’ second opposite field double of the game.

The top four batters in the Red Sox’ lineup accounted for six of their first seven runs.

“Getting a couple of runs in the fourth with Beckett going allowed us to relax and swing freely.” said Ellsbury. -www.bostonherald.com

Ellsbury game review (May 4th)

Ellsbury was supposed to have a scheduled day off today. However, Ortiz was scratched because of tightness in his knee. Therefore, Ellsbury was put into left field, and Manny Ramirez became the DH.

Unfortunately, Ellsbury's bat was pretty quiet in this afternoon's game, but he sure made his speed known. Jacoby got another in field hit in todays game in the first inning. He then got to second on a walk from Pedroia, and that was followed by a double steal from Jacoby and Dusty. And Jacoby scored the first run of the game on a sac fly from Youk in the 1st. Jacoby also made a great catch in left field at the top of the 1st inning; a catch that Manny definately wouldn't have been able to make.

In the 8th inning, Ellsbury was walked, he then stole 2nd which was part of another double steal but this time is was Ellsbury and Lugo. After todays game, Ellsbury is now up to 11 stolen bases in the 2008 season.

Kevin Youkilus also had a great afternoon. He had 2 doubles, a homerun, and 4 RBIs.

The Sox ended up sweeping the rays, winning todays game 7-3. Jon Lester got the win; Jonathan Papelbon got the save.

Kazmir vs. Ellsbury