Another Recently Added National TV Sox Game

TBS will be broadcasting the Sox v. Jay's @ TOR game this coming Sunday, September 21st at 9:30 AM, (PDT)

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Jed Lowrie is Today's Hero

Bottom of the 1st, it looked as if the Sox pitching staff was still working Toronto BP as Dice-K gave up a long ball to Vernon Wells with one on. 'Huh boy, it's gonna be another long night', I thought . The Sox answered with 4 runs in the top of the 3rd. Despite allowing 5 runs on 8 hits, Dice-K only issued 1 free pass today, and had a relatively low pitch count as well. The 2 teams alternated leads only to come up tied at 5 apiece at the end of the 9th. Masterson and Okajima put in 2 innings and only allowed 1 hit and 1 BB. Papelbon pitched 2 scoreless innings, but only threw 16 pitches. Jed Lowrie is today's hero, hitting a solo shot in the top of the 11th to give the Sox the go ahead run.

Because of his low pitch count, I was wondering if Tito was going to send Pap out for a 3rd inning, but out came Manny Delcarmen instead. I could hear the groans 3000 miles away, but he got the job done today. The BJ's made him work for it, though, as he needed 26 pitches to get through the inning and earn the save.

Meanwhile in Chicago, the other Sox also went into extra innings to beat the Rays by the same 6-5 score. The Red Sox are now 4.5 GB the Ray's as they head next to the Big Apple and their last visit to Yankee Stadium.

Sox win 6-5 BOX SCORE

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Jays Take Red Sox Behind the Woodshed

Josh Beckett started to dig a massive hole for the Red Sox by giving up 8 runs in 2 1/3 innings and then he handed the shovel to the bullpen. One by one the Sox relievers dug some more until the team had given up 22 hits and 15 runs. Josh Beckett did not have much today but niether did Aardsma, Timlin, Buchholz, Masterson, nor Okajima. Every Boston pitcher not named Papelbon that entered the game added to the misery. On the offensive front, the Sox were not terrible; they did score 4 runs on 10 hits but in reality the game was over in the first inning. To add to the bad news, J.D. Drew left the game early with back stiffness. Usually when his back flares up Drew misses 2-3 games.

Sox Lose 15-4 BOX SCORE

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Preview: Sox-Jays 8/15

Southstandah's preview of tonight's matchup:

Roy Halladay, RHP (13-9, 2.72)

The Former Arvada West Wildcat had a career high 130 pitches in a 4-2 loss to the Indians on August 9. To make up the 130 pitches in 6 2/3 innings of work, Halladay has been given an extra day of rest to get ready for the Red Sox. The 6 2/3 innings was a short outing for Halladay, since June 20 he has had 7 games of 7 innings of work or more, including two complete games wins. The 2003 AL CY Young winner is 10-11 lifetime against the Red Sox, with an ERA of 4.66 in 34 career games.

Paul Byrd, RHP (7-10, 4.53)

This will be the former Indians first start as a Red Sox, but he is no stranger to Fenway as he was the starting pitcher Game seven of the ALCS for the Tribe last October. Coming into today’s game Byrd is 4-0 since the All Star Game, and has a 1.24 ERA in those games. With Buchholz struggling and Tim Wakefield and Bartolo Colon on the Disabled List, his durable arm, and veteran leadership, might just make the difference in the stretch run to the pennant.

-Southstandah

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Game 6 Recap 4/5 at Toronto

Pitching: Buchholz pitched better than he has recently going 5 innings giving up 3 earned runs with 7 K's and 2 walks. Not a dominant performance but not bad either. After Buchholz it got ugly fast. Snyder walked the first 2 batters he faced before getting an out that advanced the runners. Corey came in and stunk up the joint giving up 4 earned runs on 4 hits including a home run in 1/3 of an inning. Tavarez came in and only gave up 1 hit the rest of the way but the game was long over before he took the hill. Another bad outing for the Sox pen and a so-so outing for Clay.

Offense: Pedroia and Drew were both 2-4 but there was not much after that. Ortiz and Crisp were both 0-4. The Red Sox did manage 8 hits but could never get a big rally going.




Game Notes: Kyle Snyder was designated for assignment to make room for Josh Beckett after the game. After the 10-2 loss the Red Sox are now 3-3 on the season. All things considered it could be much worse; Boston has a chance of ending the multi-country road trip with a winning record with their ace on the mound tomorrow. Rush front man Geddy Lee was in attendance at today's game. With the continued disaster that has been the Red Sox bullpen, we may see Clay Buchholz staying with the team as a relief pitcher if el Gordo is brought up. Box score here.

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Blue Jay's GM Trashes Fenway

Toronto Blue Jay's General Manager J.P. Ricciardi told the Toronto Sun his view of Fenway Park:

"I'm waiting for the day somebody leans on a brick and the whole place falls down"

This from a guys who's team plays in the SkyDome. Seems like an appropriate time to listen to the Arrogant Worm's song Toronto Sucks:

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