08/29/2008

Yankees 3, Red Sox 2 -- Giambi’s hit rescues Yanks from sweep
NEW YORK –– Sinatra was playing over the sound system yesterday, which meant the Yankees beat the Red Sox to avoid a sweep in the final regular-season game in Yankee Stadium in the storied rivalry.

Lester finds redemption in solid outing against Yankees
NEW YORK –– Jon Lester said after his last outing in Toronto that he couldn’t wait to take the mound at Yankee Stadium.

Kotsay fitting in well with new teammates
NEW YORK -- Newcomer Mark Kotsay made his debut yesterday in right field for the Red Sox.

Casey feeling better, but still not ready to play
NEW YORK -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona reported yesterday that backup first baseman Sean Casey is feeling better after a bout of neck stiffness.

Sox schedule checkup for injured Drew
NEW YORK -- Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew returned to Boston yesterday and will be examined today.

Lowell continues to work his way back
NEW YORK -- Mike Lowell (oblique) was able to hit off the tee Wednesday and felt good.

Playoff-bound PawSox wait for their roster to get thinner
NEW YORK -- The PawSox have clinched a playoff berth in the International League playoffs.

08/28/2008

Red Sox 11, Yankees 3 -- Byrd, Sox add to misery for fading Yanks
NEW YORK — The newcomers are coming through for the Red Sox.

With arrival of Kotsay, Crisp’s time may shrink
NEW YORK — When Mark Kotsay arrived in the visitors clubhouse at Yankee Stadium last night to join his new teammates, Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp said he didn’t feel like the odd-man out.

Beckett remains on track for Friday night start
NEW YORK -- Yes! Josh Beckett is still pitching for the Red Sox tomorrow.

08/27/2008

Red Sox 7, Yankees 3 -- Masterson helps keep A-Rod down
NEW YORK — Justin Masterson experienced the biggest moment of his young major-league career last night in Boston’s 7-3 victory.

Drew trades places with Wakefield on disabled list
NEW YORK - Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew was placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to Aug. 18) yesterday with a herniated disk in his back.

Lowell rejoins team at Yankee Stadium
NEW YORK -- Mike Lowell arrived at Yankee Stadium yesterday and declared himself "pain-free."

Beckett on track to start Friday
NEW YORK -- Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett threw a 50-pitch side session yesterday at Yankee Stadium and it went well, according manager Terry Francona.

Bailey, Zink win most valuable awards for their Triple-A seasons
NEW YORK -- Jeff Bailey started at first base last night for the Red Sox.

08/26/2008

Bringing down the house -- Red Sox open their last regular-season series at Yankee Stadium
NEW YORK — When the Red Sox begin their three-game series against the Yankees tonight, it very well could be the last time Boston plays at Yankee Stadium.

Injured Sox to continue rehab
NEW YORK — Red Sox pitcher David Aardsma (groin) and shortstop Julio Lugo (quad tear) were examined by Dr. Peter Asnis yesterday in Boston.

Ken Ryan starting AAU program for baseball in Pawtucket
NEW YORK -- Former Red Sox pitcher and Seekonk native Ken Ryan is starting an AAU baseball program for ages 13 and 14 this fall.

08/25/2008

Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 5 -- Lowrie blast in 11th wins it
After Dustin Pedroia’s three-run homer and some solid bullpen work, Jed Lowrie blasts a solo shot that gives Boston the victory and a 4-2 record on this road trip.

Lowrie continues to make impact
TORONTO –– As Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo was on a plane heading back to Boston yesterday to continue his rehab from a torn quadriceps, Jed Lowrie was taking flight in a different manner.

Francona's message to Ellsbury -- No pain, no gain
TORONTO -- Earlier this season, Red Sox manager Terry Francona challenged a sore Jacoby Ellsbury and explained to the rookie that some times you have to play through the pain for the good of the club.

J.D. Drew may end up on disabled list
TORONTO -- Right fielder J.D. Drew has missed the last six games with a herniated disk.

08/24/2008

Lester comes up flat for Red Sox as Blue Jays win going away
The Boston lefty lasts only 2 1/3 innings — his shortest outing of his career.

08/23/2008

Drew’s back injury is a big pain for Red Sox
TORONTO — The Red Sox received an unpleasant surprise yesterday afternoon when they learned that outfielder J.D. Drew is suffering from a herniated disk in his back.

Red Sox 8, Blue Jays 4 -- Varitek, Byrd lead Sox to revenge against Jays
Starter Paul Byrd records his first win with Boston, while Jason Varitek goes 2-for-3, including a homer.

Beckett and Wakefield get in some throwing
TORONTO -- Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett played catch yesterday afternoon with pitching coach John Farrell for about 10 minutes. Trainer Mike Reinold watched.

Woes continue for Lugo
TORONTO -- Red Sox injured shortstop Julio Lugo was limping around the clubhouse yesterday at the Rogers Centre.

Chris Smith, aspiring photographer
TORONTO -- Reliever Chris Smith was was called up from Pawtucket prior to last night’s game. This is his fourth stint with the Red Sox this season.

Buchholz to start for Portland on Monday
TORONTO -- Pitching prospect Clay Buchholz, who was optioned to Double-A Portland after his last Red Sox start in Baltimore on Wednesday, is slated to pitch Monday for the Sea Dogs against New Britain at Portland.

Colon to make two more starts for PawSox
TORONTO -- Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon, who threw four hitless innings during a rehab start for the PawSox on Thursday at McCoy Stadium, will start again for Pawtucket on Tuesday at Lehigh Valley and again on the 31 at McCoy against the IronPigs.

08/22/2008

Update: Drew has herniated disc in back
Outfielder hopes he won't have to go on disabled list

Red Sox' rotation has become major concern going into the stretch
TORONTO — Whoever coined the phrase, “You can never have too much pitching,” obviously didn’t have much.

Catcher David Ross added to PawSox
TORONTO — The Red Sox have signed catcher David Ross to a minor-league deal, and he is expected to join the Pawtucket Red Sox in Rochester either today or tomorrow.

Red Sox recall Chris Smith from Pawtucket

08/21/2008

Orioles 11, Red Sox 6 -- Buchholz stumbles again, is demoted to Portland
The rookie starting pitcher yields five runs in 2 1/3 innings — his shortest outing of the season — and is then sent to Double-A Portland to try to regain his form.

Beckett could be back on hill in New York
BALTIMORE — Pitcher Josh Beckett, who had his next start pushed back three days because of numbness and tingling in the pinky and ring fingers on his throwing hand, is expected to throw tomorrow in preparation for his start Tuesday night in New York.

Ellsbury closes in on franchise stolen-base record
BALTIMORE -- Speedster Jacoby Ellsbury stole two bases on Tuesday night to reach 40 for the season, and added another one last night.

Lugo suffers setback in rehab
BALTIMORE -- Shortstop Julio Lugo suffered a setback in his rehab yesterday when he aggravated his torn quadriceps while running in the outfield at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Drew misses another game as back problems persist
BALTIMORE -- Right fielder J.D. Drew was not in the starting lineup last night for the third consecutive day because of back stiffness.

Wakefield could fill gap if Beckett' can't go
BALTIMORE -- Tim Wakefield threw a 44-pitch side session yesterday and reportedly felt fine. The veteran knuckleballer will throw another side on Saturday in Toronto, and it’s possible he’ll be ready to pitch in a game after that.

08/20/2008

Red Sox 7, Orioles 2 -- Youkilis and Pedroia lead the way to another win in Baltimore
BALTIMORE — Red Sox manager Terry Francona doesn’t like to talk about possible team MVPs.

Beckett’s numbness is a real cause for concern
BALTIMORE — Josh Beckett, complaining of “tingling and numbness” in the fingers on his throwing arm, will have his next scheduled start pushed back to next Tuesday.

Buchholz is looking for ‘command’ performance
BALTIMORE — Pitcher Clay Buchholz says he doesn’t want to say he’s trying to “perfect” his pitches. He would rather say he’s “refining” his style.

Yaz undergoes triple bypass surgery
Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski is in Massachusetts General Hospital after suffering chest pains.

J.D. Drew sits again with back injury
BALTIMORE -- For the second straight game, right fielder J.D. Drew was out of the lineup last night with back stiffness.

Little League World Series holds fond memories for Cash
BALTIMORE -- The Little League World Series is taking place in Williamsport, Pa., and Red Sox catcher Kevin Cash always pays close attention to the tournament.

08/19/2008

Update: Josh Beckett's next start pushed back three days because of 'numbness in fingers'
Sox say the right-hander slept awkwardly on his right arm prior to his last start, but Beckett called it 'something I've been dealing with'

Red Sox 6, Orioles 3 -- Long balls, Lester carry Boston to a win
Jason Bay’s two home runs and one by Jason Varitek support Jon Lester’s outstanding pitching performance.

Lester fills the stopper role
BALTIMORE –– The Red Sox are quickly learning Jon Lester is the guy to have on the mound to halt a losing skid.

Sore back sidelines J.D. Drew
BALTIMORE -- Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew was out of the lineup last night because of back stiffness.

Injury update -- Lowell in Florida for rehab; Wakefield and Lugo progressing
BALTIMORE -- Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell (strained oblique) has returned home to Miami to continue his rehab.

08/17/2008

Sox are getting man of character in Westmoreland
The Portsmouth native, who will report to Boston’s rookie-league team in Florida, is a winner on and off the baseball diamond.

Halladay eclipses Byrd debut
The Blue Jays’ ace throws a seven-hit complete game, out-dueling the Red Sox’ newest starting pitcher.

Buchholz gets more time to get his act together
BOSTON — The plan for struggling rookie right-hander Clay Buchholz was to give him a few extra days to work on some things with pitching coach John Farrell.

08/16/2008

Red Sox’ offense needs more zest
The Red Sox feast against teams with subpar pitchers, such as the Rangers, but struggle against first-rate hurlers.

Red Sox’ Ellsbury’s pain subsides as rainout provides respite
BOSTON — Last night’s game was postponed because of rain, so center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury had an extra day to rest his bruised tailbone.

Lugo, Lowrie present Sox with difficult situation
BOSTON — Julio Lugo’s rehab is progressing better than the Red Sox originally thought.

08/13/2008

Injured list next stop for Lowell?
BOSTON — Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell suffered a right-oblique strain during an at-bat in the seventh inning last night and was removed from the game.

Red Sox 19, Rangers 17 -- Youkilis, Ortiz each homer twice in wild slugfest
BOSTON — It’s safe to say Charlie Zink will always remember his major-league debut.

Shoulder stiffness lands Wakefield on DL
BOSTON — The Red Sox yesterday placed Tim Wakefield on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to Thursday) with stiffness in his right shoulder.

Red Sox acquire Byrd to bolster rotation
Veteran right-hander Paul Byrd, who won his last four starts with Cleveland, replaces struggling rookie Clay Buchholz in Boston’s starting-pitching lineup.

Francona, Epstein stand behind Buchholz
BOSTON -- With the addition of Paul Byrd to the Red Sox’ starting rotation, rookie Clay Buchholz (2-8, 6.32 ERA) will probably be sent back to Pawtucket to continue his development.

08/12/2008

Knights 5, PawSox 4 -- Bowden shines, but late defensive miscues cost PawSox
Despite the no-decision, rookie pitcher Michael Bowden worked six innings and allowed only two runs (one earned) on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts.

Knuckleballer Zink gets the call he's been waiting for
The PawSox’ Charlie Zink will pitch for the Red Sox tonight in place of the ailing Tim Wakefield.

08/11/2008

Knights 3, PawSox 1
•HIGHLIGHTS: Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon made his second rehab start of his current stint on the DL, working three scoreless innings. The right-hander allowed only three hits and struck out three while throwing 34 pitches (27 strikes). The veteran, who has been on the DL since June 16 with a lower-back strain, was efficiently pounding the strike zone yesterday and topped out at 91 mph on the radar gun. Colon will pitch again for Pawtucket on Friday in Syracuse and will increase his work load to four innings or 55 to 60 pitches. … Pawtucket’s Jeff Bailey smoked his 25th homer of the season with a solo shot in the bottom of the third inning. The shot hit the billboards beyond the walkway behind the left-field berm. The 25 homers are a career-high for Bailey. He hit 22 for the PawSox in 2006. “He’s done a phenomenal job,” said Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson. “He’s a veteran hitter who is still getting better. He’s becoming a better hitter each year, and obviously, the results are showing this year. He’s done a good job.”

08/09/2008

PawSox win in the ninth, 6-5, over Charlotte
•HIGHLIGHTS: The PawSox won on — get this — a walk-off wild pitch. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth, Charlotte relief ace Jason Childers bounced a 1-and-2 pitch to Jeff Corsaletti past catcher Cole Armstrong. Otherwise, the PawSox let George do it offensively — George Kottaras. The Pawtucket catcher went 4-for-4, knocking in four runs, including a two-run single to center in the seventh off Derek Rodriguez that produced a 5-3 lead. Kottaras also clouted his 21st homer of the year, a two-run line shot into the Charlotte bullpen in the third, his 12th home run in his last 36 games. … Charlotte’s Armstrong launched a game-tying two-run homer off Eric Hull in the eighth, costing Pawtucket starter Charlie Zink (3 earned runs, 7 innings) a shot at a league-leading 14th win. … Cal Eldred clubbed his 31st homer of the season, a two-run shot into the berm in left-center in the third that gave Charlotte a 3-0 lead. It padded his league-leading RBI total to 89. … Beau Vaughan, a 27-year-old reliever, started a double play in escaping a jam in the top of the ninth and earned the victory in his Triple-A debut.

08/04/2008

Red Sox 5, Athletics 2 -- Lowrie's two-run triple propels Sox to sweep
BOSTON — Three games may not necessarily make a season, but the last few for the Boston Red Sox have been crucial.

Youkilis' hit streak 10 and counting
BOSTON — It’s obvious that Kevin Youkilis is locked in at the plate.

Red Sox celebrate Rhode Island Day at Fenway
BOSTON -- The State of Rhode Island was well represented yesterday at Fenway Park. Each of the six New England states is given its own day here, and yesterday was Rhode Island Day.

08/03/2008

Red Sox 12, Athletics 2 -- Sox soar as offense, Lester click
Kevin Youkilis hits two home runs and Jon Lester allows two runs in seven innings as Boston gains its second straight victory over Oakland.

Lugo jogs for first time since injury
BOSTON -- Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo, who suffered a quadriceps injury July 12, ran for the first time yesterday.

08/02/2008

Red Sox fans give Bay a hero’s welcome
Jason Bay, Boston’s new left fielder, gets a standing ovation in his first at-bat and repays the fans with a clutch triple in the 12th inning.

Red Sox players turning the page on Manny Ramirez
BOSTON — There was a different aura around the Red Sox clubhouse yesterday.

Smith called up from Pawtucket to replace Hansen
BOSTON -- Since reliever Craig Hansen was part of the Ramirez three-team deal on Thursday, the Red Sox need bullpen help.

Lowell OK with move to cleanup spot
BOSTON -- With Manny Ramirez off to the West Coast, the Red Sox need a new cleanup hitter.

07/30/2008

Angels 6, Red Sox 2 -- Lackey nearly pitches a no-hitter at Fenway
BOSTON — Note to all major-league pitchers: Call Fenway Park and ask to speak with Red Sox director of grounds Dave Mellor and find out what he puts on the mound, because whatever it is, it’s magical.

Red Sox’ Buchholz had good stuff, but Lackey was better
BOSTON — Clay Buchholz is the proud owner of a no-hitter. But last night, the Red Sox rookie pitcher almost had one thrown against him at Fenway Park.