07/09/2008

Red Sox 6, Twins 5 - Ramirez, Moss fuel a stirring Fenway comeback
BOSTON — The M&M boys proved crucial for the Boston Red Sox last night.

McAdam: If Sox want to trade, they have plenty of bait
BOSTON — The non-waiver trade deadline is three weeks from tomorrow, but two deals in the last two days — yesterday’s that sent Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs, hard on the heels of Monday’s trade that shipped C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee — make it obvious: trading season is here.

Cash gets a start in place of struggling Varitek
BOSTON — Struggling catcher Jason Varitek was given last night off from the starting lineup.

Inside the Game: Pedroia’s little plays made a big difference in outcome
BOSTON — Yes, Manny Ramirez hit the clutch home run that pulled the Red Sox even, and then rookie Brandon Moss delivered the game-winning single off Matt Guerrier in the eighth.

Ortiz feeling fine after batting practice swings
BOSTON - The day after David Ortiz tested his injured left wrist with his first normal, on-the-field round of batting practice, he said he felt fine.

Sox turn their luck around in one-run games
BOSTON - And the one-run games keep on coming for the Red Sox.

Pedroia extends hitting streak to 16 games
BOSTON - Dustin Pedroia last night stretched his hitting streak to 16 games, the longest streak of the year for the Sox.

Lester piling up the innings
BOSTON - Last night marked just the third start this season that Jon Lester allowed as many as five runs in an outing.

Patience pays off for Brandon Moss
BOSTON - Brandon Moss didn’t get his clutch base hit last night on a 1-and-1 fastball by accident.

Crisp's defensive mistake not costly
BOSTON - Coco Crisp, inserted in center field as a defensive replacement for the top of the ninth, made a bad decision that could easily have cost the Sox the tying run.

Failure to turn two hurt in third
BOSTON - It wasn’t an easy play. And Julio Lugo came within an inch or two of turning a dazzling double play despite the unusual spin-a-rama turn he made on it.

07/08/2008

Red Sox 1, Twins 0 - Strong pitching, Ramirez's RBI just what Sox need
BOSTON — They needed to come home. They wanted to come home. The Boston Red Sox were home.

Masterson sent to Pawtucket, Buchholz on his way back
BOSTON - In desperate need of bullpen help, the Red Sox have decided to look within their own organization for an effective arm.

Inside the Game - Ramirez finally able to beat the heat
BOSTON — When the Sox were in New York over the weekend, Boston manager Terry Francona admitted that Manny Ramirez is having trouble catching up to fastballs.

Ortiz gets back in swing
BOSTON — David Ortiz took live batting practice on the field yesterday for the first time in his rehabilitation from a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist.

Inside the Game - It was a night for great defense by Sox and Twins
BOSTON - Red Sox left fielder Jacoby Ellsbury made a diving catch last night in a key spot, taking a leadoff single away from speedy Carlos Gomez in a 0-0 game in the eighth.

Mirabelli pays a visit to Fenway
BOSTON -- Former Red Sox catcher Doug Mirabelli was back at Fenway Park yesterday.

07/07/2008

Yankees 5, Red Sox 4 - Gardner's hit off Papelbon gives New York a split
NEW YORK -- Yankees rookie Brett Gardner stood in the batter's box in the bottom of the 10th inning Sunday night with the potential to be the hero.

Youkilis and Chamberlain reignite feud
Starting in the fifth inning, the players started to make contact with each other, and it took 10 innings to decide the issue.

Ramirez lifeless at the plate
NEW YORK –– Even as he was voted to the American League All-Star team, Manny Ramirez, in the middle of a three-week slump, was given last night off in the Red Sox’ road trip finale.

Papelbon discusses frustrating 10th-inning loss
NEW YORK - Jonathan Papelbon had a bad feeling when he allowed Robinson Cano to reach base leading off the bottom of the 10th inning.

Fair or foul? Seven All-Stars for second-place Red Sox
NEW YORK — On the surface, there would seem to be a disconnect — if the Red Sox are good enough to have a record-tying seven All-Stars on their team, why then are they not good enough to be in first place in the division?

Red Sox were just minor players in Sabathia sweepstakes
NEW YORK - Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia will be traded to the Milwaukee Brewers today.

Lowell disappointed after being left off All-Star team
NEW YORK -- Mike Lowell and his Red Sox teammates didn't hide their disappointment that the club's veteran third baseman did not make the All-Star team.

Pedroia is every bit the deserving All-Star
NEW YORK -- The Red Sox were playing awful baseball on the road prior to their four-game series against the Yankees this past weekend in the Bronx.

Youkilis adds 'All-Star' to his resume
NEW YORK -- Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis was named to his first All-Star team on Sunday, one year after he felt he deserved the honor.

Ramirez blase about his All-Star selection
NEW YORK -- Manny Ramirez didn't seem to upbeat about his All-Star selection on Sunday.

Veteran Drew finally gets to call himself an All-Star
NEW YORK -- J.D. Drew felt there were a couple of different times during his career he should have been an All-Star.

Varitek wins the players' vote
NEW YORK -- Jason Varitek is loathed by the New York Yankees fans, and has been ever since he gave Alex Rodriguez a face wash that started a bench-clearing brawl back in 2004.

Selecting stars is no easy task for Francona
Terry Francona, the American League manager, says choosing the All-Star roster is like walking a tightrope.

With one swing, A-Rod ties two Yankees legends

07/06/2008

Mussina slows down Red Sox in Yankees’ 2-1 victory
NEW YORK — The Red Sox created an almost perfect situation in the top of the ninth inning yesterday afternoon, but the Yankees had one of the best all-time closers on the mound to stop it.

Sean McAdam: Yankees are counting on past to sustain them now
NEW YORK — This was supposed to be the year the Yankees got young, remember?

Both sides took their fair share of lumps
NEW YORK — The game wasn’t over for more than six minutes yesterday afternoon in the Bronx when Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez was seen leaving Yankee Stadium.

07/05/2008

Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 -- Sox make it a 1-2-3 afternoon in the Bronx
Josh Beckett's pitching, some solid relief work, and a strange play involving a ball that sat on top of the left-field wall for a second or two helped to spell victory for Boston

Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 -- Rehab is slow, painful for Ortiz
The Sox' slugger's wrist still aches, and he's unsure he'll be able to stay on the team's timetable for his return

Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 -- Yanks' woes are piling up
The effort is better but the result is the same the day after Thursday night's closed-door meeting

Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 -- Damon suffers shoulder injury while banging into wall trying to catch Youkilis' drive
While the Yanks say he's day-to-day, the ex-Sox outfielder says he's in pain -- more pain than he was in 2005, when he hurt his shoulder playing for Boston -- and could be sidelined for a while

Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 -- Lester handling a bigger workload
The left-hander is on pace for a career-high 200-inning season, but manager Terry Francona says he's not concerned

Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 -- Colon rounding into shape
The veteran starter played catch in the outfield yesterday

Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 -- Crisp downplays blown call by umpire in the ninth inning
Umpire Wally Bell admits he made the wrong call when ruling that Crisp trapped Derek Jeter's ninth-inning liner, which would have ended the game, but the Sox' center fielder absolves the umps, saying, "It was a tough play to see"

Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 -- Sox announce signings of six international free agents
Sox 'excitred' about two young catchers who are among the signees

Red Sox 6, Yankees 4 -- Postgame notes

07/04/2008

Red Sox 7, Yankees 0 -- Lester helps Sox steady the ship
The left-hander throws a complete-game, five-hit shutout as Boston snaps a five-game losing streak.

Red Sox 7, Yankees 0 -- Sean McAdam: Southpaw’s complete-game gem is just what the doctor ordered
This wasn’t just what the Red Sox needed. Jon Lester’s start was exactly what the Red Sox desperately needed.

Red Sox 7, Yankees 0 -- Minor single has major significance for Varitek
The Boston captain snapped an 0-for-19 slump with an RBI single in the eighth inning

Red Sox 7, Yankees 0 -- Jim Donaldson: Varitek’s nosedive on offense poses quandary
Traditionally, it’s the captain who goes down with the ship.

Red Sox 7, Yankees 0 -- Girardi rips into Yanks after lethargic performance
"It’s embarrassing, for a team like this," said the Yankee manager. "We’re getting shut out almost every other day."

Red Sox 7, Yankees 0 -- Sox welcome back Crisp
Back in the lineup after serving a five-game suspension for his part in last month's fight with the Rays, the Sox' center fielder contributes two hits and a stolen base to Boston's victory

Red Sox 7, Yankees 0 -- Timlin happy to return to Sox' bullpen
The veteran reliever says he's recovered from tendinitis in his knee

Red Sox 7, Yankees 0 -- No place like New York for Ramirez
The Bronx native breaks an 0-for-12 slump with a fifth-inning single

Red Sox 7, Yankees 0 -- Buchholz staying put for now
Sox say that while the rookie right-hander may return to Boston at some point, he won't be pitching Saturday in New York

07/03/2008

Rays 7, Red Sox 6 -- Sox go from bad to worst
Boston falters in virtually every department as Tampa Bay completes three-game sweep

Rays 7, Red Sox 6 -- For first time since 2000, neither Sox nor Yanks will be in first place during one of their showdowns
But David Ortiz says both teams know how to 'figure it out' and won't be down long

Rays 7, Red Sox 6 -- Ortiz ahead of schedule in comeback
The Sox' slugger will take more swings on Thursday before resting Friday

Rays 7, Red Sox 6 -- Baldelli 'encouraged' by latest developments in comeback
The Rhode Island native's rehab has been halted due to a groin strain, but he says he's feeling better and thinks he can contribute to the Rays at some point this season

Rays 7, Red Sox 6 -- Top draft pick Kelly visits Sox at The Trop
The Sarasota shortstop/pitcher has until next week to choose whether to sign with Boston or play football at the University of Tennessee

Rays 7, Red Sox 6 -- Quick hits

Red Sox 7, Rays 6 -- Hurst, coach like Buchholz’s change
PAWTUCKET — Clay Buchholz spent yesterday afternoon stuck in traffic on his way to McCoy Stadium.

07/02/2008

The Red Sox aren’t looking good
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It wasn’t that long ago that the Red Sox could do no wrong. They were the first team to win 50 games, they had won six of their last seven series and had even seemingly figured out how to win on the road.

Francona shows his faith in Ellsbury despite slump
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After a strong start to the season, rookie outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury has slumped noticeably in recent weeks.

07/01/2008

Rays 5, Red Sox 4 - Tampa holds on, boosts its division lead
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For one night, at least, this looked like some sort of baseball role reversal.

Ramirez, Francona put lid on clubhouse tussle
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Much as he did following his dugout tussle with teammate Kevin Youkilis earlier this month, Manny Ramirez yesterday attempted to downplay the fallout following his altercation Saturday in Houston with traveling secretary Jack McCormick.

Injured Ortiz won't play in All-Star Game
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - David Ortiz will be in New York for the All-Star Game, but he made official yesterday what had been assumed for some time — he won’t be playing in the game thanks to his injured wrist.

Red Sox boost security following threat against minority players
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Red Sox had additional security on hand yesterday, the result of a threat first reported by the Boston Herald.

PawSox 5, Chiefs 2 - Buchholz goes five strong to pick up win
Second baseman Joe Thurston rapped three hits and knocked in a pair, with a first-inning double and a fifth-inning single.

06/29/2008

Manny Ramirez apologizes after shoving Sox' traveling secretary
Ramirez pushed Jack McCormick to the ground in an argument over tickets.

06/30/2008

Upstart Rays are on longer easy prey for Red Sox
First place will be on the line when the two bitter foes meet tonight in St. Petersburg.

Astros 3, Red Sox 2: Okajima throws another one away
A Mark Loretta pinch-hit single knocks in the Astros’ winning run after Boston hitters strand 13 runners.

Players put hostilities aside, focus on defeating Rays
HOUSTON — The Red Sox tonight begin a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the first meeting between the two teams since they brawled at Fenway Park on June 5.

Four Red Sox lead their positions in All-Star voting
HOUSTON - Several Red Sox players continue to hold leads at their respective positions as fan voting for the All-Star team winds down.

Pedroia's red-hot streak continues
HOUSTON - Dustin Pedroia’s astounding week continues. He hit a smash single past a lunging Geoff Blum in his first at-bat yesterday, then followed with a solo homer leading off the third inning.

Ten is almost always the magic number for Boston
HOUSTON - According to research done by Elias Sports Bureau, until Saturday, when the Red Sox lost to the Astros, 11-10, the Sox had won 80 of their last 81 games in which they scored at least 10 runs.

PawSox 10, Red Wings 0: Van Every hits three home runs as PawSox roll
The PawSox drilled six home runs — three by No. 9 hitter Jonathan Van Every — and blew out the Red Wings in a game yesterday called with two outs in the bottom of the eighth after a 39-minute rain delay.

06/29/2008

Astros 11, Red Sox 10: Lester, bullpen come undone for Red Sox
Boston starter Jon Lester has his worst outing of the season and the usually reliable bullpen crumbles in the final innings.

Okajima’s woes could sound call for relief
HOUSTON — The more Hideki Okajima struggles, the more the Red Sox’ interest in Colorado’s Brian Fuentes might grow.

06/28/2008

Red Sox 6, Astros 1 -- Matsuzaka returns to form as Sox coast to victory
One start after getting routed in the second inning, Dice-K shuts out Houston on two hits over five innings.

Red Sox 6, Astros 1 -- Postgame notes

Suspension shortened, begins today for Red Sox’ Crisp
HOUSTON — Coco Crisp was hoping that he could get his seven-game suspension reduced to four games after an appeal hearing earlier this week.

Matsuzaka, Drew power red-hot Red Sox over Astros, 6-1
Daisuke Matsuzaka and tosses five shutout innings, and J.D. Drew drills a three-run homer as Boston wins its third straight game.

Red Sox facing manpower dilemma in the outfield
The suspension of Coco Crisp means Boston will have only four outfielders available for next five games.

06/27/2008

Crisp's suspension reduced to five games
He will begin serving the suspension Saturday, and thus will miss all three games of the Sox' series in Tampa Bay next week.

Boston’s young pitching aces, some are up; some are down
The Boston Red Sox have hit the numerical halfway point. It's been a half season characterized by young pitching and injuries.

J.D. Drew picked up the slack for injury-plagued Red Sox
BOSTON — When David Ortiz was forced out of the lineup because of a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist, there were legitimate concerns about the offense. Who was going to pick up the slack in Ortiz’s absence?

Deflated Astros are crashing
BOSTON — The Red Sox aren’t crazy about playing interleague games in general, and especially on the road.

Schedule presents days to cool off
BOSTON — The Red Sox hit the 81-game mark Wednesday night, the exact midpoint of the season. And while it may not seem like they’ve done what former Packers running back Travis Williams once (delightfully) described as “anything fantabulous,” they’re on pace for 98 wins. That’s how they’d finish if they repeat their 49-32 first-half record.

06/26/2008

Red Sox 5, Diamondbacks 0: Wakefield knuckles down and Cash belts 3-run homer
BOSTON — Doug is just a memory.

Ortiz starts to get back in swing off batting tee
BOSTON — David Ortiz, on the disabled list because of a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist, took 25 swings off a tee Tuesday night.

Inside the Game: After Wakefield’s knucklers, D'back hitters easy marks
BOSTON — After a steady diet of knuckleballs (61-66 mph), slow curveballs (58-59) and a few batting-practice fastballs (72-74) from Tim Wakefield, Boston manager Terry Francona likes to follow him in a game with his power arms out of the bullpen.

06/27/2008

Boston’s young aces
The Boston Red Sox have hit the numerical halfway point in their season, their 5-0 victory over Arizona on Wednesday night constituting their 81st game in the 162-game regular-season schedule.

06/26/2008

For second night, Melvin's strategy fails to stop Sox offense
BOSTON - On Tuesday night, Arizona manager Bob Melvin elected to pitch to Jason Varitek with a base open in a tie game in the eighth and rookie Brandon Moss on deck.

Will Schilling pitch again? It's wait and see
BOSTON (AP) - Curt Schilling kept open the possibility of returning to the Red Sox, but said Wednesday he'll wait about four months before deciding whether to continue his career following shoulder surgery.

Word on Crisp suspension expected soon
BOSTON - Coco Crisp, who drilled three doubles last night, is expecting to hear from MLB’s discipline director Bob Watson either today, an off day for the Red Sox, or tomorrow about his appeal of a seven-game suspension he was handed for his part in igniting the June 5 brawl with the Rays.

Drew, suddenly slumping, gets a night off
BOSTON - Red Sox manager Terry Francona last night gave J.D. Drew the night off.

Timlin set for PawSox rehab work
BOSTON - Reliever Mike Timlin (knee tendinitis) will make a rehab appearance for the PawSox tonight at McCoy Stadium. The right-hander will throw one inning.

Wakefield shows he is more than just a knuckleball pitcher
BOSTON - Pity poor Conor Jackson last night in his fourth-inning at-bat.

Promising rally fizzles out in fifth
BOSTON - The bottom of the fifth featured a lot of little things, good and bad. And somehow the Red Sox didn’t score.

Youkilis back in the lineup
BOSTON - Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis was back in the starting lineup last night.

Youkilis, an on-base and strikeout machine
BOSTON - For a guy who is known for his high on-base percentage, Kevin Youkilis strikes out more than you might imagine.

Ramirez heading back to left
BOSTON - Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez has been bothered by a sore right hamstring for a while, which makes the upcoming interleague series with the Astros at Houston a little more interesting.

06/25/2008

Ortiz takes light swings off a tee
BOSTON -- David Ortiz, on the disabled list because of a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist, took 25 light swings off a tee today.

Red Sox 5, Diamondbacks 4: Sox veterans come through in the clutch
Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek deliver RBI hits in a come-from-behind victory.

McAdam: Maybe this might help the captain right his ship
BOSTON — For the last two weeks, Jason Varitek’s batting average has dipped almost as sharply as the price of gas has escalated.

Smith rewarded with first big-league victory
BOSTON — A few days ago, Chris Smith seemed a good candidate to be heading back to Pawtucket without having thrown a pitch in the big leagues.

Inside the Game: Lowell spoils D’backs’ strategy
BOSTON — Remember the Closer-By-Committee notion that the Red Sox toyed with back in 2003?

Blurred vision keeps Youkilis on bench
BOSTON — Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis was out of the starting lineup last night, a day after leaving mid-game when he was struck in the right eye by an errant throw during between-inning warmups.

Ortiz two weeks away from return to Sox
BOSTON - David Ortiz (wrist) will travel with the team to Houston, Tampa Bay and New York when the club departs tonight for its 10-game road trip.

Masterson struggles in no-decision
BOSTON - Justin Masterson has been in the big leagues for only seven starts now.

Davis' off-speed pitches kept Red Sox off balance
BOSTON - There is very little margin for error for a guy like Doug Davis whose fastball lights up the radar gun at only 85-86 mph.

Crisp still waiting for word on suspension
BOSTON - As of last night, there was still no word about the status of Coco Crisp’s appeal of his seven-game suspension.

For Casey, watching isn't easy
BOSTON - Sean Casey is sitting out the second game of his three-game suspension for his part in the June 5 brawl with the Rays.

Lowell thrives in key situations

PawSox express clicking on all cylinders
PAWTUCKET — It has been five years since the Pawtucket Red Sox were in first place this late in a season.

PawSox 6, Braves 1: Hansack, PawSox cruise to victory
Mother Nature forced a 28-minute delay at McCoy Stadium last night, but the stormy weather did not cool off the PawSox’ hot bats.

06/24/2008

Diamondbacks 2, Red Sox 1: Beckett finds himself on short end of duel
BOSTON - It was slated as a pitchers' duel. It was a pitchers' duel.

McAdam: No. 2 starter may be tops on shopping list
BOSTON - Than