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RED SOX: Maddux withdraws from consideration

BuyLevaquinOnlinePrescription — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:02:02 +0000

Posted: November 8
Updated: Today at 10:08 PM

BOSTON (AP) — Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux has withdrawn from consideration for the manager’s job with the Boston Red Sox.

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NO THANK YOU: Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux announced Monday he is not interested in becoming the manager of the Boston Red Sox because of family considerations.

He had been scheduled for an interview Tuesday, but Boston general manager Ben Cherington announced Monday that Maddux had withdrawn. The job opened when Terry Francona left following the team’s epic collapse in September, when it went 7-20 and missed the playoffs.

Maddux pitched for nine teams, including the Red Sox, in a 15-year career that ended in 2000. He became pitching coach of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2003, then took the same job with Texas before the 2009 season.

The Red Sox already have interviewed Philadelphia bench coach Pete Mackanin and Milwaukee hitting coach Dale Sveum. They plan to interview Cleveland bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr.

Maddux, also a candidate for the Chicago Cubs managerial opening, said in a statement it was a family decision that led him to withdraw from consideration.

“My wife and two daughters are together in the same state for the first time in three years and words cannot describe my happiness,” he said. “The game of baseball has many sacrifices but being apart from family is the toughest. I feel there is too much distance between the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Boston to see my family as much as I’d enjoy.

“Again, I thank Ben Cherington and the Boston Red Sox for the flattery, honor, and compliment of considering me for their position.”

• • •

CHICAGO — Dale Sveum felt as though he was seeing the same pitch again when he interviewed for the Chicago Cubs’ managing job.

The Milwaukee Brewers’ hitting coach says Monday the process mirrored what he went through in Boston last week, with management firing similar questions his way and putting him through a game simulation.

Whether he gets a chance to replace Mike Quade in Chicago or Terry Francona on the Red Sox bench remains to be seen.

Sveum says those are the “two most prestigious jobs in baseball, if not sports.”

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Red Sox interview Mackanin; Sveum scheduled

babichevaxb — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:49:40 +0000

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have interviewed Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin for their vacant managerial job.

Mackanin is meeting with the media at Fenway Park on Monday night.

The Red Sox are also scheduled to talk to Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum this week.

Mackanin is looking to replace Terry Francona, who parted ways with the team after its unprecedented September collapse. Mackanin also spent time in the Expos, Pirates, Reds and Yankees systems.

He was an interim manager with the Reds in 2007 and the Pirates in 2005, going 53-53 in the two temporary gigs. He is also 917-849 in 13 years as a minor league manager.

Also Monday, the Red Sox declined contract options on relievers Dan Wheeler and Scott Atchison.

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Red Sox interview Pete Mackanin for manager’s job

SetwhortHeene — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:44:25 +0000

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have interviewed Philadelphia Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin for their vacant managerial job.

Mackanin is meeting with the media at Fenway Park on Monday night.

The Red Sox are also scheduled to talk to Milwaukee Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum this week.

Mackanin is looking to replace Terry Francona, who parted ways with the team after its unprecedented September collapse. Mackanin also spent time in the Expos, Pirates, Reds and Yankees systems.

He was an interim manager with the Reds in 2007 and the Pirates in 2005, going 53-53 in the two temporary gigs. He is also 917-849 in 13 years as a minor league manager.

Also Monday, the Red Sox declined contract options on relievers Dan Wheeler and Scott Atchison.

What do you guys think about this.

Lester’s outing lifts Sox

wayneespinoza82 — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:55:26 +0000

AP PHOTO
Boston’s Carl Crawford hits a solo home run during Sunday’s win over the Royals in Kansas City, Mo.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jon Lester loves to face the Kansas City Royals.

Lester curbed the Royals on three hits for six-plus innings and Jason Varitek tripled for the first time in more than four years as the Boston Red Sox won 6-1 on Sunday.

“My stuff at times was good and at other times I was trying to do too much, overthrowing the ball a little bit,” Lester said.

Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals, including a no-hitter on May 19, 2008.

Carl Crawford and Darnell McDonald hit solo home runs for the Red Sox. McDonald replaced Jacoby Ellsbury, who missed his second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday.

The Red Sox took 3 of 4 from the Royals although other starters David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew were also out with injuries.

“It’s nice to know when those guys are out you have other guys to fill in and do a good job,” Lester said. “That’s big for us, a confidence-booster definitely. Guys that filled in those spots did a good job.”

Varitek’s two-out triple rolled to the right-center fence, allowing Jed Lowrie to score in the fifth to break a scoreless deadlock. Lowrie led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a Crawford ground out. Varitek’s triple was his first since June 24, 2007 at San Diego off Jake Peavy.

How did

it feel?

“Not so good,” said Varitek, who was icing both knees at his clubhouse stall. “I’m just spacing them out. With two outs, it didn’t look like it’s something I shouldn’t have any problem getting to (third).”

Red Sox manager Terry Francona joked “speed never takes a day off.”

“It’s not like Jacoby and Carl, trust me,” the 39-year-old Varitek said.

“It’s not often you see Tek get a triple,” Lester said.

McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Royals rookie left-hander Danny Duffy (3-7). Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.

Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.

Duffy gave up two runs on five hits in six innings, while striking out three and walking two. He has lost four August starts since a July 31 victory at Cleveland.

Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas’ single for the only run off Lester. He was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters.

“It’s nothing unexpected from him,” Lester said of Bard’s performance. “He’s done it since he’s been up here. It’s big to have a guy like that in our bullpen. That’s what he’s done all year. It makes your job a little easier as a starter, knowing you have those guys down there.”

The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and a Lowrie error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.

“Jed makes that play basically 10 out of 10 times,” Lester said. “You have to pick your teammates up sometimes like they pick you up. I was able to minimize the damage.”

Lester did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two out in the fourth.

“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”

Notes: It is questionable whether Ellsbury will return Monday when the Red Sox open a four-game series at Texas. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get him back out there too early,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s still pretty sore.” The Royals are off Monday before playing 17 of their next 20 games on the road. RHP Bobby Jenks, who has been on the disabled list twice this season with back tightness, is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches Monday in a simulated game at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Fla. … DH David Ortiz, who has missed the past seven games with bursitis in his right heel, is hitting off the tee and soft toss in the cages, but is still wearing a boot on his foot. … Red Sox LHP Erik Bedard, who starts Monday, is winless in his past eight starts against the Rangers, although he has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts. … Royals LHP Tim Collins got the final out of the eighth on his 22nd birthday.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

Lester Helps Red Sox Beat Royals, 6-1

TigeGogefug — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:14:07 +0000

Boston Red Sox left fielder Darnell McDonald, left, salutes catcher Jason Varitek after beating the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011. (AP)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lester curbed the Royals on three hits in six-plus innings and Jason Varitek tripled for the first time in more than four years as the Boston Red Sox won 6-1 on Sunday.

“My stuff at times was good and at other times I was trying to do too much, overthrowing the ball a little bit,” Lester said.

The Red Sox took 3 of 4 from the Royals although other starters David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew were also out with injuries.

How did it feel?

Red Sox manager Terry Francona joked “speed never takes a day off.”

“It’s not like Jacoby and Carl, trust me,” the 39-year-old Varitek said.

“It’s not often you see Tek get a triple,” Lester said.

Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.

Duffy gave up two runs on five hits in six innings, while striking out three and walking two. He has lost four August starts since a July 31 victory at Cleveland.

The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and a Lowrie error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.

“Jed makes that play basically 10 out of 10 times,” Lester said. “You have to pick your teammates up sometimes like they pick you up. I was able to minimize the damage.”

Lester did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two out in the fourth.

“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”

Notes: It is questionable whether Ellsbury will return Monday when the Red Sox open a four-game series at Texas. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get him back out there too early,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s still pretty sore.” The Royals are off Monday before playing 17 of their next 20 games on the road. RHP Bobby Jenks, who has been on the disabled list twice this season with back tightness, is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches Monday in a simulated game at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Fla. DH David Ortiz, who has missed the past seven games with bursitis in his right heel, is hitting off the tee and soft toss in the cages, but is still wearing a boot on his foot. Red Sox LHP Erik Bedard, who starts Monday, is winless in his past eight starts against the Rangers, although he has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts. Royals LHP Tim Collins got the final out of the eighth on his 22nd birthday.

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Lester outduels Duffy

Sypeelortutle — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:57:46 +0000

KANSAS CITY — Danny Duffy, the Kansas City Royals’ 22-year-old rookie left-hander, would like to be where Boston Red Sox lefty Jon Lester is at some point in his career.Lester and Duffy hooked up in a pitchers’ duel for six innings Sunday. Lester limited the Royals to three hits and one run as the Red Sox won 6-1. Boston remained a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”The Royals are hopeful Duffy can develop into one. Duffy held the Red Sox to two runs and five hits in six innings, leaving with the Royals trailing 2-0. Jason Varitek’s first triple since June 24, 2007, drove in the first Boston run in the fifth. Darnell McDonald homered in the sixth for the other run off Duffy, who was making his 17th big-league start.“Duffy pitched a great game,” Yost said. “He was on the attack. He was throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count. He hung a curve to Varitek for the triple, and he tried to go inside to McDonald and just got too much of the plate, but otherwise he didn’t make too many mistakes. He kept his pitch count in check. He was really very, very good.”But Lester was better.“He’s got good enough stuff to put you away and get ahead in the count, and he’s got a cutter he can use to get back in the strike zone and get back even,” said Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, who went 0-for-3 with a walk. “He mixed it up. He threw a good game. You’ve got to tip your cap to him.”Duffy (3-8) struck out three and walked two. He is 0-4 in four August starts.“His stuff is good, but we finally broke through,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.Duffy was much sharper than his last outing, when he gave up eight runs in three-plus innings of a loss to the New York Yankees.“I think it was a step forward personally,” Duffy said. “It’s kind of hard to think about it that way when you lose, but personally, my efficiency was a lot better than it was against the Yankees.”Carl Crawford also hit a solo home run for the Red Sox.Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals.McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Duffy. Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas’ single for the only run off Lester, who was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters.The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and Lowrie’s error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.Lester, who no-hit the Royals on May 19, 2008, did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two outs in the fourth.Notes: CF Jacoby Ellsbury was out of the Boston lineup for the second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday. It is questionable whether Ellsbury will return Monday when the Red Sox open a four-game series at Texas. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get him back out there too early,” Francona said. “He’s still pretty sore.” … The Royals are off Monday before playing 17 of their next 20 games on the road. … RHP Bobby Jenks, who has been on the disabled list twice this season with back tightness, is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches Monday in a simulated game at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Fla. … DH David Ortiz, who has missed the past seven games with bursitis in his right heel, is hitting off the tee and soft toss in the cages, but is still wearing a boot on his foot. … Red Sox LHP Erik Bedard, who starts Monday, is winless in his past eight starts against the Rangers, although he has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts. … Royals LHP Tim Collins got the final out of the eighth on his 22nd birthday .

Not much else going on in the MLB planet today.

Duffy shows why Royals think he can turn out like Lester in 6-1 loss to Red Sox

sondraradwan — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:07:52 +0000

“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”

The Royals are hopeful Duffy can develop into one. Duffy held the Red Sox to two runs and five hits in six innings, leaving with the Royals trailing 2-0. Jason Varitek’s first triple since June 24, 2007, drove in the first Boston run in the fifth. Darnell McDonald homered in the sixth for the other run off Duffy, who was making his 17th big league start.

“Duffy pitched a great game,” Yost said. “He was on the attack. He was throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count. He hung a curve to Varitek for the triple, and he tried to go inside to McDonald and just got too much of the plate, but otherwise he didn’t make too many mistakes. He kept his pitch count in check. He was really very, very good.”

But Lester was better.

“He’s got good enough stuff to put you away and get ahead in the count, and he’s got a cutter he can use to get back in the strike zone and get back even,” said Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, who went 0 for 3 with a walk. “He mixed it up. He threw a good game. You’ve got to tip your cap to him.”

Duffy (3-8) struck out three and walked two. He is 0-4 in four August starts.

“His stuff is good, but we finally broke through,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.

Duffy was much sharper than his last outing, when he gave up eight runs in three-plus innings of a loss to the New York Yankees.

“I think it was a step forward personally,” Duffy said. “It’s kind of hard to think about it that way when you lose, but personally, my efficiency was a lot better than it was against the Yankees.”

Carl Crawford also hit a solo home run for the Red Sox.

Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals.

McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Duffy. Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.

Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.

Johnny Giavotella led off the Royals seventh with a triple and scored on Mike Moustakas’ single for the only run off Lester, who was replaced by Daniel Bard after 113 pitches with two runners on base. Bard retired the next three hitters

The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and Lowrie’s error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.

Lester, who no-hit the Royals on May 19, 2008, did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two outs in the fourth.

Notes: CF Jacoby Ellsbury was out of the Boston lineup for the second straight game with a contusion in his back after being hit by a pitch Friday. It is questionable whether Ellsbury will return Monday when the Red Sox open a four-game series at Texas. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to get him back out there too early,” Francona said. “He’s still pretty sore.” … The Royals are off Monday before playing 17 of their next 20 games on the road. … RHP Bobby Jenks, who has been on the disabled list twice this season with back tightness, is scheduled to throw 20 to 30 pitches Monday in a simulated game at the Red Sox complex in Fort Myers, Fla. … DH David Ortiz, who has missed the past seven games with bursitis in his right heel, is hitting off the tee and soft toss in the cages, but is still wearing a boot on his foot. … Red Sox LHP Erik Bedard, who starts Monday, is winless in his past eight starts against the Rangers, although he has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his previous four starts. … Royals LHP Tim Collins got the final out of the eighth on his 22nd birthday .

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Royals hope Duffy can turn out like Lester

kelleymfoose — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:04:45 +0000

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Danny Duffy, the Kansas City Royals’ 22-year-old rookie left-hander, would like to be where Boston Red Sox lefty Jon Lester is at some point in his career.

Lester and Duffy hooked up in a pitcher’s duel for six innings Sunday. Lester limited the Royals to three hits and one run as the Red Sox won 6-1. Boston remained a half-game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.

“Jon Lester is bona fide,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a premier lefty in this league and he showed why.”

But Lester was better.

Duffy (3-8) struck out three and walked two. He is 0-4 in four August starts.

“His stuff is good, but we finally broke through,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.

Duffy was much sharper than his last outing, when he gave up eight runs in three-plus innings of a loss to the New York Yankees.

Carl Crawford also hit a solo home run for the Red Sox.

Lester (13-7) has allowed two runs and six hits in 13 innings in his past two starts to beat Kansas City and Tampa Bay. He is 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals.

McDonald, who had three hits, hit his fifth home run of the season in the sixth on an 0-2 pitch from Duffy. Aaron Crow gave up a home run to Crawford, his eighth, in the seventh inning.

Ryan Lavarnway, Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie had RBIs in the eighth as the Red Sox scored three runs off Louis Coleman, one of four rookie pitchers the Royals used.

The Royals loaded the bases on two walks and Lowrie’s error in the second, but Lester retired Alcides Escobar on a comeback to end the inning.

Lester, who no-hit the Royals on May 19, 2008, did not allow a hit until Perez’s single with two outs in the fourth.

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Ortiz lifts Red Sox past Twins

Shieroevoto — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 08:39:40 +0000

Boston Red Sox’ David Ortiz, left, congratulates Jarrod Saltalamacchia after his solo home run that Ortiz’s two-run home run off Minnesota Twins Scott Baker in the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, in Minneapolis. / JIM MONE, The Associated Press

Written by

The Associated Press

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Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox: On deck

Kiviofstutfum — Mon, 23 May 2011 03:19:50 +0000

When: Monday through Wednesday.

Where: Progressive Field.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; ESPN2 on Monday; WTAM AM/1100.

Series: Indians lead, 3-0, this season. They lead, 1,018-954, all-time.

Pitching matchups: RHP Justin Masterson (5-2, 2.52 ERA) vs. RHP Clay Buchholz (4-3, 3.42), Monday at 7:10; RHP Fausto Carmona (3-4, 4.76) vs. RHP Josh Beckett (3-1, 1.73), Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.; RHP Mitch Talbot (1-0, 1.46) vs. LHP Jon Lester (6-1, 3.68), Wednesday at 12:05 p.m.

Indians update: They are coming off three-game sweep of Cincinnati at Progressive Field. … Indians swept Red Sox at Progressive Field, April 5-7. They outscored Boston, 12-5. Reliever Rafael Perez earned two of the victories. … Talbot, on the disabled list since April 17 because of an elbow strain, is expected to be activated in time for the Wednesday start. He made his final minor-league rehab start last Thursday.

Red Sox update: The sweep in Cleveland dropped them to 0-6; they have been on a steady climb since. 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.328, 9 HR, 41 RBI entering Sunday) is an RBI machine.

Injuries: Indians – DH Travis Hafner (right oblique), OF Trevor Crowe (right shoulder), OF Grady Sizemore (right knee), RHP Alex White (middle finger), RHP Mitch Talbot (elbow) and INF Jared Goedert (abdomen) are on disabled list. Red Sox – RHP Junichi Tazawa (elbow), LHP Felix Doubront (forearm), RHP Matt Albers (right lat), RHP Bobby Jenks (right biceps), RHP Dan Wheeler (left calf), SS Marco Scutaro (left oblique), RHP John Lackey (elbow) and RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (elbow) are on the DL.

Next for Indians: Six-game trip begins in Tampa Bay on Friday.

What are your opinions.

Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox: On deck

Bloornrar — Mon, 23 May 2011 03:19:50 +0000

When: Monday through Wednesday.

Where: Progressive Field.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio; ESPN2 on Monday; WTAM AM/1100.

Series: Indians lead, 3-0, this season. They lead, 1,018-954, all-time.

Red Sox update: The sweep in Cleveland dropped them to 0-6; they have been on a steady climb since. 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.328, 9 HR, 41 RBI entering Sunday) is an RBI machine.

Next for Indians: Six-game trip begins in Tampa Bay on Friday.

Not much else going on in the MLB planet today.

Halladay works into 8th, Phils beat Red Sox 4-1

Cuptiominconi — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 23:32:13 +0000

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino, right, and left fielder Raul Ibanez collide while attempting to run down a ball into the gap by Boston Red Sox’s Nate Spears in the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game in Clearwater, Fla., Monday, March 21, 2011. Spears made it to third on the play; Victorino left the game. Photo: Gene J. Puskar / AP

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino, right, and…

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester warms up before the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., Monday, March 21, 2011. Photo: Gene J. Puskar / AP

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester warms up before the second inning…

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay warms up before the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Clearwater, Fla., Monday, March 21, 2011. Photo: Gene J. Puskar / AP

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay warms up before the…

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino, right, and left fielder Raul Ibanez collide while attempting to run down a ball hit into the gap by Boston Red Sox’s Nate Spears in the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game in Clearwater, Fla., Monday, March 21, 2011. Spears made it to third on the play; Victorino left the game. Photo: Gene J. Puskar / AP

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino, right, and…

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino, left, and left fielder Raul Ibanez collide while attempting to run down a ball hit in the gap by Boston Red Sox’s Nate Spears in the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game in Clearwater, Fla., Monday, March 21, 2011. Spears made it to third on the play; Victorino left the game. Photo: Gene J. Puskar / AP

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino, left, and…

Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona sits in the dugout before a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., Monday, March 21, 2011. Photo: Gene J. Puskar / AP

Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona sits in the dugout before a…

Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz, left, visits with Philadelphia Phillies’ Raul Ibanez before a spring training baseball game in Clearwater, Fla., Monday, March 21, 2011. Photo: Gene J. Puskar / AP

Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz, left, visits with Philadelphia…

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester warms up before the second inning…

Boston Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie (12) can’t get the tag on Philadelphia Phillies’ Brian Schneider (23) at second on a third-inning sacrifice bunt by Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay during a spring training baseball game in Clearwater, Fla., Monday, March 21, 2011. Halladay was safe at first. Photo: Gene J. Puskar / AP

Boston Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie (12) can’t get the tag on…

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester. left, prepares to hand the ball to manager Terry Francona, right, with catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, center, during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., Monday, March 21, 2011. Photo: Gene J. Puskar / AP

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester. left, prepares to hand the ball…

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay wipes his head on the mound during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Clearwater, Fla., Monday, March 21, 2011. Photo: Gene J. Puskar / AP

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay wipes his head on the…

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Another attendance record falls with the Boston Red Sox in town

RelaAlkakinue — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 20:29:33 +0000

Published: Monday, March 21, 2011, 3:07 PM Â Â Â Updated: Monday, March 21, 2011, 3:14 PM

CLEARWATER, Fla. – For the third time in nine days, the Boston Red Sox helped establush a new attendance record at a Grapefruit League park.

The Sox and Phillies drew 10,912 to Bright House Field Monday, topping the park’s previous record by a scant three fans,

On March 13, Boston helped the Pittsburgh Pirates draw a capacity 6,602 to McKechnie Field in Bradenton, the lalrgest crowd ever in an 88-year-old park that has hosted the Pirates since 1969.

Two days later, the Red Sox came to Lakeland. Their game against the Tigers drew 10,307, a record for a park built in 1966.

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Boston Red Sox lineup will have a mostly Opening Day look against Yankees

lacirnpbzwbfpx — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:43:52 +0000

Published: Monday, March 14, 2011, 4:12 PM Â Â Â Updated: Monday, March 14, 2011, 4:30 PM

The Boston Red Sox know Monday night’s game against the New York Yankees is only an exhibition.

Still, the lineup looks very much like the probable Red Sox Opening Day lineup against Texas April 1.

Of the position players, only right-fielder J.D. Drew is missing. Mike Cameron, who could see a lot of time as a fourth outfielder, is starting in right.

The starting pitcher is former Yankee Alfredo Aceves. That is obviously not the Opening Day plan,either; in fact, it might be Aceves’ last start for awhile.

“Stretching him out (with multiple innings) won’t be hard. Starts might be,” manager Terry Francona said.

“It depends on the cuts we make and other things.”

Aceves has nonetheless made a positive impression on the Red Sox. The former Yankees reliever, who has made 54 of his 59 big-league starts out of the bullpen, looks healthy after battling back problems.

“His injury might have been a break for us. Otherwise, he probably would have been on a major league contract and long gone,’ Francona said.

Aceves had a 14-1 record in three seasons with New York.

Monday’s lineup went like this: Jacoby Ellsbury, CF; Dustin Pedroia, 2B; Carl Crawford, LF; Kevin Youkilis, 3b; Adrian Gonzalez, 1B; David Ortiz, DH; Mike Cameron, RF; Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C; Marco Scutaro, SS.

Francona said the placement of Crawford at No. 3 hitter and Gonzalez at No. 5 is not set in stone.

Because all three are left-handed hitters, Francona is wary of hitting Gonzalez, Ortiz and Drew consecutively in the 5-through-7 spots. That might be hard to avoid, anyway, especially since Crawford is a lefty, too.

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Red Sox starter John Lackey in midseason form as Boston drops Orioles, 6-5

gostodin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:58:52 +0000

Published: Monday, March 07, 2011, 5:41 PM Â Â Â Updated: Monday, March 07, 2011, 7:38 PM

Boston Red Sox starter John Lackey was in midseason form during Mondayâ€™s 6-5 win over a split-squad Baltimore Orioles team at City of Palms Park.

Lackey surrendered a leadoff single to Baltimore right fielder Matt Angle before retiring the next 12 batters over four shutout innings.

“I was happy with (my) fastball location today,” said Lackey. “My rotation on my four-seam fastball was nice, it was nice and true.â€

Lackey worked down in the zone with his fastball and changeup, forcing seven groundouts.

In total, he threw four innings and 39 pitches, 29 for strikes. He was so efficient that he had to throw 16 additional pitches in the bullpen to get to his target of 55.

Lackey has now allowed only one run over six spring innings.

â€œHis touch and feel has looked so good,â€ Francona said. â€œIt was nice to see.â€

Lackey didnâ€™t throw his cutter Monday and wonâ€™t start doing so until his next start.

â€œWe like guys to establish their fastball, arm strength before throwing the cutter,â€ Francona explained.

A glimpse into the future: Red Sox Nation got a taste of what baseball is going to look like at times this season.

In the first inning of Mondayâ€™s game, Boston manufactured three runs without the benefit of an extra-base hit.

Jacoby Ellsbury led off the inning with a single and was brought home on a single and fielderâ€™s choice, but the highlight came later in the frame.

With Carl Crawford on second and Kevin Youkilis at first, the team ran a successful double steal.

Crawford led the way by taking off for third on pitcher Chris Tillman and safely slid into third, beating the throw from catcher Jake Fox by at least a step.

Realizing that everyone was preoccupied with what Crawford was doing, Youkilis took advantage and got himself in scoring position by stealing second.

They both scored on a single by J.D. Drew to go up 3-0.

â€œHopefully that will happen a lot,â€ Fracona said. â€œYouk does a good job of being alert behind him. Depending on how the lineup sets up, weâ€™ll do that with Adrian (Gonzalez) and Youk.â€

Playing pepper: Third baseman Yamico Navarro singled in the bottom of the ninth to bring home second baseman Oscar Tejada for the game-winning run â€¦ Designated hitter David Ortiz wore the sombrero by striking out in each of his three at-bats â€¦ Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard, Dennys Reyes, Matt Fox and Matt Albers are scheduled to throw at home against Houston Tuesday â€¦ Stolmy Pimentel, Brandon Duckworth, Jason Rice, Clevelan Santeliz and Tony Pena Jr. will throw in Jupiter against the Cardinals â€¦ Ellsbury, Youkilis and Ortiz are other notable players making the trip.

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