Sox Summary: Whether its smashing cars or baseballs, Sox still get it done

Ryan Kalish celebrates his fourth-inning grand slam. (Elise Amendola/AP)

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Tuesday, August 17, 2010) – Despite the return of second baseman Dustin Pedroia from a broken foot, the main story was the Red Sox’ power. The Sox smashed two home runs and one rear window in Tuesday’s 6-0 shutout of the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park for their eighth straight win against the Halos this season.

In the third, Darnell McDonald hit a no-doubt shot over everything in left field (8) with two outs. What most people inside Fenway did not see was that his shot smashed a rear window of a car parked across on Landsdowne Street. Here’s proof that it was not any ordinary four-bagger to give the Sox a 1-0 lead.

Ryan Kalish guaranteed that all fans went home with a smile as he hit his first career grand slam into the right field bullpen (2) with two gone in the fourth to give the Sox a commanding 5-0 lead. It was the sixth grand slam of the season for the Red Sox and first since Adrian Beltre on August 5 against Cleveland. It is the club’s most slams in a season since 2008, when six were also hit. The Sox have now hit grand slams in back-to-back games against the Angels, with the last coming by Marco Scutaro on July 28.

Victor Martinez added one more in the fifth on a double to right field, scoring David Ortiz.

Clay Buchholz breezed through seven innings, allowing just five hits and two walks to earn his 14th win of the season. Felix Doubront and Michael Bowden came in and allowed just two hits in two innings to preserve the shutout.

Jered Weaver fell to 11-8 as he allowed six hits and six runs over five innings to suffer his second defeat against Boston this year.

The Red Sox and Angels return to Fenway for the middle game on Wednesday night with former Angel John Lackey going against Boston-nemesis Scott Kazmir.

Sox Summary: Buchholz goes from jam to gem in tenth win, leads Sox to sweep of Dodgers

The Red Sox swept a three-game series from the Dodgers in Boston for the first in series history. (AP)

Clay Buchholz got into trouble in the first inning, but settled down to lead the Red Sox to a 2-0 shutout of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball at Fenway Park. The win gives the Sox an 8-1 record to end the nine-game Interleague homestand. Buchholz surrendered just three hits and three walks to go along with four strikeouts in 6.2 innings to earn his tenth win of the season.

The Red Sox did a good job of manufacturing their runs as they both came on non-hit plays.

In the first inning, the Sox went on top 1-0 on an RBI single by Kevin Youkilis. The hit was almost a half-swing that rolled along the third base line where the ball hit the bag to stay fair. Dodgers shortstop Jamey Carroll was waiting for the ball to roll left, but it hit the base to allow Youkilis to reach first and Dustin Pedroia to score.

David Ortiz made it 2-0 as he hit a sacrifice fly to right fielder Andre Ethier, scoring Marco Scutaro in the third inning.

Buchholz’s ten wins are tied for most in the American League with New York’s Phil Hughes and Tampa Bay’s David Price. Jonathan Papelbon came on for an inning of perfect relief to earn his 16th save of the season.

Hiroki Kuroda was the tough-luck loser as he allowed just six hits and two earned runs, while walking one and fanning nine over seven innings. He fell to 6-5 and has lost four of his last five decisions since May 23.

The Red Sox have Monday off and return to action on Tuesday for the first of three games at Colorado. Jon Lester will face Jhoulys Chacin in the series opener that begins at 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday night. This series will be the first between the Sox and Rox since the Red Sox swept the 2007 World Series.

Red Sox Today: June 20 vs. Dodgers

RED SOX (42-28)
16 Marco Scutaro SS
15 Dustin Pedroia 2B
34 David Ortiz DH
20 Kevin Youkilis 1B
41 Victor Martinez C
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
60 Daniel Nava LF
23 Mike Cameron CF
54 Darnell McDonald RF

11 Clay Buchholz RHP

DODGERS (38-30)
27 Matt Kemp CF
16 Andre Ethier RF
99 Manny Ramirez DH
7 James Loney 1B
9 Garret Anderson LF
23 Casey Blake 3B
55 Russell Martin C
33 Blake DeWitt 2B
14 Jamey Carroll SS

18 Hiroki Kuroda RHP

Dice-K set to return: Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 12 with a right forearm strain, will return to the Red Sox rotation on Thursday at Colorado. Yesterday, he threw a 49-pitch simulated game in preparation for his return.

Walk in the Park a success again: 2,408 fathers and their families enjoyed the annual Father’s Day Walk in the Park presented by Bank of America earlier this afternoon. Families were allowed onto the field for a stroll around the outfield warning track.

Sox Summary: Pedroia provides walk-off magic in game two win over Manny, Dodgers

Dustin Pedroia provided the walk-off magic for the Sox on Saturday. (Michael Dwyer/AP)

The Red Sox improved to an impressive 7-1 on the homestand as Dustin Pedroia’s walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth (off of closer Jonathan Broxton) lifted Boston to a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway on Saturday afternoon. It was the third walk-off win of the season for the Sox and first since Kevin Youkilis’ double on April 21.

Garret Anderson gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI single to right field and Daniel Nava tied the game on an RBI double to left field in the bottom of the frame.

The Sox went on top 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth as Victor Martinez belted a two-run home run to right field (9).

Fenway’s faithful were all but jubilant about the next scoring play in the top of the sixth as Manny Ramirez hit a solo home run to left field (8) to make it 3-2.

Kevin Youkilis struck back with a solo home run of his own, to left field (14), making it a 4-2 Red Sox lead in the bottom of the sixth.

Los Angeles got two runs in the seventh inning to square the score at four. Blake DeWitt hit an RBI double to right field and advanced to third on an error. Matt Kemp’s sacrifice fly scored the tying run.

Pedroia’s walk-off single to right field in the bottom of the ninth won the Red Sox their fifth straight game and was his first career walk-off hit.

Tim Wakefield made his 200th career start at Fenway Park on the afternoon and took a no-decision as he allowed five hits and three earned runs over 6.1 innings. Jonathan Papelbon was the winning pitcher for the Sox as he pitched the final inning and allowed one hit to improve to 2-3.

Ronald Belisario took the loss for LA to fall to 1-1 as he pitched two-thirds of an inning. He was charged with a run on the inherited runner that Jonathan Broxton yielded.

The Red Sox go for their second consecutive series sweep on Sunday night against the Dodgers. Clay Buchholz will face Hideki Kuroda.

Red Sox Today: June 19 vs. Dodgers

RED SOX (41-28)
16 Marco Scutaro SS
15 Dustin Pedroia 2B
34 David Ortiz DH
20 Kevin Youkilis 1B
41 Victor Martinez C
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
22 Bill Hall RF
60 Daniel Nava LF
54 Darnell McDonald CF

49 Tim Wakefield RHP

DODGERS (38-29)
27 Matt Kemp CF
55 Russell Martin C
16 Andre Ethier RF
99 Manny Ramirez DH
7 James Loney 1B
23 Casey Blake 3B
9 Garret Anderson LF
14 Jamey Carroll SS
33 Blake DeWitt 2B

44 Vincente Padilla RHP

Roster Move: After last night’s victory, Felix Doubront was sent back to Triple-A Pawtucket and right-handed reliever Robert Manuel was promoted from the PawSox. Manuel was 4-1 with a stunning 0.98 ERA over 36.2 innings in the minors this season.

Book Signing: Shonda Schilling will be signing her book, The Best Kind of Different, at the Red Sox Team Store today at 3:00 p.m.

Walk in the Park Tomorrow: The Red Sox invite fathers and their families to celebrate Father’s Day by participating in the annual Father’s Day Walk in the Park presented by Bank of America tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The entrance to the ballpark, which is free, will be through Gate C located on Lansdowne Street. Fans will be able to have their pictures taken with the World Series trophy and Wally the Green Monster. Red Sox Alumni Joe Morgan and Frank Malzone will also be present for autographs and photos, while a face-painter and balloon artist will be at Fenway to provide entertainment.

Sox Summary: Where did they come from? Doubront, Sox top Dodgers to climb within one game of first

Felix Doubront made his Major League debut on Friday. (Kelly O'Connor)

Manny Ramirez chatted with old teammate David Ortiz before his inagural return to Fenway Park. (Jonathan Wiggs/Boston Globe)

Felix Doubront made a solid first impression in his Major League debut as he led the Red Sox to a 10-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway Park on Friday night. The win tripled with losses by the Yankees and Rays helped the Sox climb within one game of first place in the American League East.

The game also marked the return of former Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, who went 1-for-5 with a run and two strikeouts as the designated hitter and clean-up batter.

The Sox set the tone early as Boston took a three-run lead on a pair of homers in the first off of starter Carlos Monasterios. David Ortiz made it 2-0 on a two-run job to center field (15), while J.D. Drew’s double was overturned and called a solo home run just over the Green Monster in left (8).

Doubront allowed all three of his earned runs in the third inning as the Dodgers tied the game. Reed Johnson reached first on a throwing error by Doubront, allowing the first run to score. Matt Kemp’s triple to center field allowed the second run to score and Russell Martin grounded out to send him home to tie the game at 3-3.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Red Sox put up seven runs to put the game out of reach. Kevin Youkilis hit a double to right field to plate the first run and send Monasterios packing. Darnell McDonald hit an RBI single to center field to plate one, while another run scored on a fielding error by Kemp. Adrian Beltre hit another towering “bended-knee” home run, a two-run shot to left (10). Marco Scutaro grounded into a force out with the bases loaded for the sixth run of the frame, while Dustin Pedroia scored a sacrifice fly to close the scoring.

The Dodgers made it 10-5 in the sixth on a two-run single by James Loney, while Garrett Anderson hit a solo home run to right field (2) to make it 10-6.

Doubront picked up the win in his debut, allowing six hits and five runs (three earned). Daniel Bard came in for the final two outs to record his third save. Monasterios was the loser as he fell to 3-2, allowing eight hits and six runs over four innings. Both starters walked two and fanned two.

The Red Sox will look to make it five wins in a row on Saturday afternoon at 4:10 against the Dodgers. Tim Wakefield is set for the start against Vincente Padilla.

NOTES

* Daiuske Matsuzaka is scheduled to return to the mound on Thursday at Colorado, meaning that Felix Doubront will be sent back to Pawtucket.

* J.D. Drew, who left the game in the third inning with a right hamstring strain, will be given an MRI today and then a decision about his roster status will come after. The Sox need an outfielder from Pawtucket, likely Josh Reddick, that can create some depth. Making for a trade for one would probably be a good idea as well. According to Terry Francona, Drew first said he felt a pop, but the prognosis got better after some treatment.

Red Sox Today: June 18 vs. Dodgers

RED SOX (40-28)
16 Marco Scutaro SS
15 Dustin Pedroia 2B
34 David Ortiz DH
20 Kevin Youkilis 1B
7 J.D. Drew RF
20 Adrian Beltre 3B
33 Jason Varitek C
23 Mike Cameron CF
60 Daniel Nava LF

61 Felix Doubront LHP

DODGERS (38-28)
27 Matt Kemp CF
55 Russell Martin C
16 Andre Ethier RF
99 Manny Ramirez DH
23 Casey Blake 3B
7 James Loney 1B
3 Ronnie Belliard 2B
5 Reed Johnson LF
14 Jamey Carroll SS

37 Carlos Monasterios RHP

Roster Move: Today, the Red Sox desiganted LHP Boof Bonser for assignment to make room for Felix Doubront on the roster.

Spinners open tonight: The Single-A Lowell Spinners open their short season tonight against the Vermont Lake Monsters (Washington) at Centennial Field in Burlington, VT. Dominican product Roman Mendez makes the start for the Spinners. Mendez finished second in the system with a 1.99 ERA last season in the Gulf Coast League and started this season with Greenville. First-round draft pick Kolbrin Vitek will be designated hitter for Lowell tonight, while right fielder Bryce Brentz will be the clean-up hitter at third base.

Felix’s Debut: Tonight’s starter Felix Doubront will be making his Major League debut at Fenway tonight. He joins outfielder Daniel Nava who made his debut last Saturday night against Philadelphia and we all know what he did. Doubie is the first pitcher to make his Red Sox debut since Michael Bowden on August 30, 2008 against the White Sox. He was 6-1 with a 2.11 ERA in 12 starts between Portland and Pawtucket this season.

More notes on the series can be found in the previous post.

Sox Notes: Manny returns to Fenway as Sox welcome Dodgers for weekend series

Series in a Sentence: The Red Sox (40-28) finish a nine-game homestand as they welcome Manny Ramirez back to Fenway Park with the Los Angeles Dodgers (38-28) for a three-game weekend series. 

Series Schedule and Probables
Friday, 7:10 (NESN/WEEI): Felix Doubront (ML debut) vs. Carlos Monasterios (3-1, 2.98)
Saturday, 4:10 (Fox/WEEI): Tim Wakefield (2-5, 5.42) vs. Vincente Padilla (1-1, 6.55)
Sunday, 8:00 (ESPN/WEEI): Clay Buchholz (9-4, 2.67) vs. Hideki Kuroda (6-4, 3.10)

Series Stuff: The Sox and Dodgers are meeting for the first time since 2004 when Boston went 2-1 in a series at Fenway. The teams have just met in two series since 1997 as the Dodgers hold a 4-2 lead.

Manny’s Back: Manny Ramirez will be making his first return to Fenway Park for the first time since being acquired by the Dodgers on July 31, 2008. During this weekend’s series, manager Joe Torre has decided to make Manny the designated hitter, batting in the fourth spot. Ramirez ranks fourth all-time in home runs hit at Fenway Park (141) while ranking fifth here in runs scored (417) and RBI (471) and ninth in hits (657). He still has a presence in the Red Sox record books as he ranks fifth in homers with 274, one more than his David Ortiz. Ramirez ranks seventh in RBI (868), third in slugging percentage (.588) and fifth in on-base percentage (.411).

For the Record: The Red Sox have won 15 of the last 18 series since April 2o and owns the best record in that time at 36-19 (.655). At 40-28, Boston is in third place in the American League East, just 2.0 games behind the first-place Yankees and Rays. It marks the team’s smallest deficit since they were 1.5 games out on April 14.

At the Bat: The Red Sox lead the Majors in at-bats (2,374), runs (373), hits (659), doubles (170), RBI (357), slugging (.466) and total bases (1,107). Red Sox batters have recorded at least 10 hits in each of the last 3 games and 6 of their last 7.

Strong Starters: Since May 29, Red Sox starters have gone at least 6.0 innings in 16 of the last 18 games. With a win last night, John Lackey (8-3) joined Clay Buchholz (9-4) and Jon Lester (8-2) as the only trio in the Majors to win at least eight games this season.

Inside Interleague Play: This season marks the 14th season of Interleague Play and the Red Sox play their next 15 games against N.L. opponents. The Sox are 7-2 thus far in Interleague action after sweeping Arizona this Tuesday-Thursday. Boston has won 13 of the last 17 Interleague games, while they have won 15 of the last 18 series. All-time, Boston holds a 134-104 record (.563) in Interleague games, good enough for fourth-best. Last season, the Red Sox were 11-7 (.611) during Interleague Play, the sixth-best mark in the Majors.

Red Sox in Interleague 2010: 7-2 (.778)
May 21-23 at Philadelphia (2-1)
Last Weekend vs. Philadelphia (2-1)
Tuesday-Thursday vs. Arizona (3-0)
This Weekend vs. Los Angeles
Tuesday-Thursday at Colorado
Next Weekend at San Francisco