Sox Summary: Buchholz recovers to help Sox to Seattle sweep

Old friend David Pauley and the Mariners let the game slowly slip away. (Elaine Thompson/AP)

SEATTLE, Washington (Thursday, September 16, 2010) – Clay Buchholz allowed a first-inning home run, but settled down to lead the Red Sox to a 5-1 win and series sweep of the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on Wednesday night. The Sox have now won four games in a row and take the season series from Seattle, 7-3.

Buchholz allowed a solo home run to right-center field (25) by Russell Branyan with two outs in the first inning to give the Sox a 1-0 lead.

In the fourth, Adrian Beltre blasted a two-out solo homer to left field (28) to tie the game at 1-1. After the swing, Beltre landed on his knees and the ball was crushed to deep left field, about five rows into the second deck.

Daniel Nava reached on an error by Seattle second baseman Chone Figgins that scored David Ortiz with two outs in the sixth.

Victor Martinez hit a two-run double to right field with no outs in the seventh, scoring Marco Scutaro and Ryan Kalish to give the Sox a 4-1 lead. Scutaro scored as Kalish hit an eighth-inning, two-out triple to deep right field to close the scoring.

Buchholz improved to 16-7 as he allowed just four hits and a run over seven innings. Old friend David Pauley allowed six hits and two runs (one earned) over six innings, dropping to 2-8.

The Sox have Thursday off and welcome Toronto to Fenway for the first of three games on Friday night. John Lackey will face young lefty Brett Cecil in Friday night’s series opener.

Red Sox Today: September 15 at Mariners

RED SOX (81-64)
16 Marco Scutaro 2B
55 Ryan Kalish CF
41 Victor Martinez C
34 David Ortiz DH
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
60 Daniel Nava LF
46 Josh Reddick RF
44 Lars Anderson 1B
56 Yamaico Navarro SS

11 Clay Buchholz RHP

MARINERS (55-90)
51 Ichiro Suzuki RF
9 Chone Figgins 2B
30 Russell Branyan DH
21 Franklin Gutierrez CF
13 Casey Kotchman 1B
4 Jose Lopez 3B
55 Michael Saunders LF
10 Adam Moore C
6 Chris Woodward SS

39 David Pauley RHP

* The Red Sox lead the series after taking the first two games by 5-1 and 9-6 scores. This marks the final game of the series between the Sox and M’s with the Sox holding a 6-3 advantage. Boston has won 13 of 20 against Seattle since June 7, 2008 and 16 of the last 26.

Hitting a home stretch: The Red Sox conclude a six-game, six-day West Coast road trip with the finale of three in Seattle. Following the game tonight, the Sox have tomorrow off and return to Fenway on Friday to open a six-game homestand against Toronto and Baltimore. Following this roadtrip, Boston rounds out its regular season schedule with one final roadtrip and two homestands. The Sox have won 10 of the last 15 road contests, but is 31-24 since May 22, third in the Majors.

For the Record: The Sox are 81-64, good for third in the American League East, fifth in the A.L. and tied for ninth-best in the Majors. The Sox have lost nine of 16, but is 26-20 since July 26. The Sox sit third in the division, seven games behind first place New York. They are also tied for second place in the Wild Card race with the White Sox, 6.5 games behind first-place Tampa Bay.

2011 schedule released: The Red Sox 2011 schedule was released yesterday and is available at redsox.com. Boston opens the regular season on April 1 at Texas and hosts the Yankees in the home opener on April 8.

On the road to the playoffs: Low-A Greenville and Lakewood (PHI) are tied at 1-1 in the South Atlantic League Championship Series, after the Drive had not lost in the postseason. Game three takes place Thursday in New Jersey with Chris Balcom-Miller on the mound.

Sox Summary: Offensive outburst propels Sox to game two win in Pacific Northwest

SEATTLE, Washington (Tuesday, September 14, 2010) - Jed Lowrie connected on two homers, while David Ortiz hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the eighth inning to propel the Sox to a 9-6 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday at Safeco Field. The Sox have won the first two games of the set, while they have also captured the season series against the Mariners, heading into the final game on Wednesday night.

The Mariners took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a one-out single to right field by Franklin Gutierrez, while the Sox took the lead on Jed Lowrie’s first home run of the game. It was a two-run shot to left field (5) with one out in the second inning.

In the third, the Red Sox took a two-run lead on a Victor Martinez single to left field with two outs. Russell Branyan grounded out to second base for the first out of the bottom of the inning to cut Boston’s lead to 3-2.

Jed Lowrie connected for his second longball in the fourth inning, a no-out solo blast to left field (6). In the fifth, Seattle tied the game on a single to center field by Ichiro and a Russell Branyan sac fly.

Gutierrez hit a two-out, go-ahead home run in the seventh to put Seattle ahead, but David Ortiz changed all that by blasting a three-run home run to center field (30) with two outs in the eighth. A Ryan Kalish fielder’s choice and Josh Reddick single gave the Sox a lead for good in the ninth, while Chone Figgins hit a no-out single in the bottom of the ninth.

Daisuke Matsuzaka threw six innings of eight-hit, five-run ball for a no-decision, but Rich Hill got the win with the final out of the seventh for the Sox. For the Milton native, it was his first win with Boston. Luke French threw seven innings, but Brandon League suffered the loss as he allowed three hits and five runs over 1.1 innings.

The Sox go for the sweep on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. as Clay Buchholz faces David Pauley.

Sox Summary: Lester has A game in hometown, Sox take game one

Jon Lester has recorded 10 strikeouts in each of his last four starts. (Elaine Thompson/AP)

SEATTLE, Washington (Monday, September 13, 2010) – Jon Lester was on his game on Monday night as he led the Sox to a 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field, their second win in as many days. They have won four of seven, while Seattle has five in a row and six of seven. Lester fanned 12, allowing three hits and an earned run over eight innings for his 17th win.

The Sox scored three second-inning runs with one out, beginning with a Josh Reddick and consecutive doubles by Daniel Nava and Lars Anderson to right and center field.

In the seventh, the Mariners got on the board on a Casey Kotchman groundout for the second out.

Ryan Kalish went deep in the eighth, smacking a two-run shot to right field (4) to give the Red Sox a lead they would never look back upon.

While Lester earned the win, Daniel Bard allowed one hit in the ninth, but quickly got out of it. Doug Fister allowed six hits and five runs over 7.1 innings, falling to 5-12.

The Sox look to take the series on Tuesday night as Daiuske Matsuzaka faces Luke French in the middle game of the series.

Red Sox Today: September 13 at Mariners

10:10 p.m., NESN/WEEI

RED SOX (79-64)
16 Marco Scutaro 2B
55 Ryan Kalish CF
41 Victor Martinez C
34 David Ortiz DH
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
12 Jed Lowrie SS
46 Josh Reddick RF
60 Daniel Nava LF
44 Lars Anderson 1B

31 Jon Lester LHP

MARINERS (55-88)
51 Ichiro Suzuki RF
9 Chone Figgins 2B
30 Russell Branyan DH
21 Franklin Gutierrez CF
4 Jose Lopez 3B
13 Casey Kotchman 1B
27 Matt Tuiasosopo LF
10 Adam Moore C
16 Josh Wilson SS

58 Doug Fister RHP

* The Red Sox took salvaged the final game of their weekend series in Oakland with a 5-3 win yesterday afternoon. This current set concludes the season series between the Sox and M’s with the Sox holding a 4-3 advantage. One win in the series gives Boston a win or split of the season series with Seattle. Boston has won 11 of 18 against Seattle since June 7, 2008 and 14 of the last 24.

Roster Move: This afternoon, the Sox selected the contract of pitcher Rich Hill from Triple-A Pawtucket. The 30-year-old Hill graduated from Milton High School, but was born in Boston. He went 3-1 with a 3.74 ERA in 19 games (six starts) for the PawSox this season after being signed by the Sox as a minor league free agent on June 30.

Hitting a home stretch: The Red Sox continue a six-game, six-day West Coast road trip with the first of three in Seattle. Following this series, the Sox have Thursday off and return to Fenway on Friday to open a six-game homestand against Toronto and Baltimore. Following this roadtrip, Boston rounds out its regular season schedule with one final roadtrip and two homestands. The Sox have won eight of the last 13 road contests, but is 29-24 since May 22, third in the Majors.

For the Record: The Sox are 79-64, good for third in the A.L. East and tied for tenth-best in the Majors. The Sox have lost nine of 14, but is 24-20 since July 26. The Sox sit third in the division, eight games behind first place New York. They are also tied for second place in the Wild Card race with the White Sox, 7.5 games behind first-place Tampa Bay.

On the road to the playoffs: Low-A Greenville opens the South Atlantic League Championship Series tonight at Flour Field when they host Lakewood (PHI). Drake Britton starts the 7:05 p.m. contest for the Drive, who swept Savannah (NYM) in the first round.

Sox Summary: After game one win, emotions get best of Sox

 

The Sox snapped a four-game winning streak on Wednesday night. (Elise Amendola/AP)

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Wednesday, August 24, 2010) – After taking the opening game of the doubleheader, the Red Sox dropped the second game of Wednesday’s day-night twinbill against the Seattle Mariners, 4-2. The loss snaps the Sox’ four-game winning streak and gives them a 6-3 record to end the homestand.

Adrian Beltre was ejected after the end of the second inning by home plate umpire Dan Bellino for arguing a called third strike, his 2nd career ejection. Peter Abraham explains that Beltre was talking to pitcher Felix Hernandez in the Seattle dugout after he struck out, playfully telling him in Spanish that would hit a home run his next time up. As the two went back and forth, Bellino somehow thought Beltre was speaking to him and he was tossed after explaining to Bellino.

Manager Terry Francona was also ejected by Bellino, the third ejection of the season for the Red Sox skipper, last July 10 at Toronto. It was the 29th ejection of his managerial career.

The Mariners jumped on top quickly in the first inning as Russell Branyan hit into an infield groundout that scored Ichiro with two outs. In the third, Seattle added a pair on a two-out, two-run single to center field by Jose Lopez.

The Sox got one back as Ryan Kalish scored on a wild pitch with one out in the bottom of the third.

Matt Tuiasosopo hit an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Casey Kotchman with two out in the sixth, making it 4-1. J.D. Drew made it a two-run Seattle lead in the bottom of the frame as he homered to straight-away center field (17) with one out.

Felix Hernandez improved to .500 for the Mariners, throwing 7.1 innings of four hits and two runs (one earned). Brandon League allowed a hit, while recording five outs for his fourth save.

Tim Wakefield was chosen for a spot start after Daisuke Matsuzaka came back with a back issue in the pre-game. Wakefield took the loss, his tenth of the season, allowing eight hits and four runs (three earned) over 5.2 innings.

Red Sox Today: August 25 vs. Mariners, Game 2 update

Game 2: 7:10 p.m., NESN/WEEI

RED SOX (73-54)
16 Marco Scutaro SS
7 J.D. Drew RF
41 Victor Martinez 1B
34 David Ortiz DH
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
60 Daniel Nava LF
12 Jed Lowrie 2B
55 Ryan Kalish CF
36 Kevin Cash C

31 Jon Lester LHP

MARINERS (49-77)
51 Ichiro Suzuki RF
9 Chone Figgins 2B
30 Russell Branyan DH
4 Jose Lopez 3B
21 Franklin Gutierrez CF
13 Casey Kotchman 1B
10 Adam Moore C
27 Matt Tuiasosopo LF
16 Josh Wilson SS

34 Felix Hernandez RHP

* The Sox captured the series win with a 5-3 victory this afternoon in game one of the doubleheader. Boston has been victorious in four straight games, while they have won or split their last five home series and 14 of 15 since May 10.

Downs placed on waivers: Nick Cafardo has just reported that Toronto reliever Scott Downs has been placed on waivers by the Blue Jays. It is a name to keep an eye on as he could be of interest to Boston.

Sox Summary: A little reign doesn’t hurt as Sox top M’s in game one

The rain may have been falling, but it didn't stop V-Mart and the Sox from winning their fourth in a row. (Bill Greene/Boston Globe)

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Wednesday, August 24, 2010) – The Red Sox got off to a fast start in support of Josh Beckett as they won their fourth straight game, 5-3 against the Seattle Mariners in the first of a doubleheader Wednesday at Fenway Park. It marks the first four-game winning streak for the Sox since they won six in a row June 15-20. Seattle is on the opposite end of the spectrum, having lost four straight and six of ten.

Beckett and old friend David Pauley held each other in check for 5.5 innings, until the Sox got to Pauley for four runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Adrian Beltre got things started with a one-out single that was deflected onto shortstop, allowing Marco Scutaro to score the first run. Victor Martinez came in for the second run with two outs as Mike Lowell hit a sacrifice fly, while Daniel Nava cleared the bases on a two-out, two-run single to right field.

The Mariners were able to close within one in the seventh as Russell Branyan (20) and Casey Kotchman (9) homered with one out. Branyan’s was a solo shot to right field, while Kotchman’s was a two-run job that also brought in Jose Lopez.

Darnell McDonald added a big insurance run on a two-out single to left field. Lowell was then erased at third base to end the inning after Beltre scored the fifth run for the Sox.

Beckett was the winner for the Sox, allowing four hits and three runs over 6.1 innings, while walking one and fanning seven. Jonathan Papelbon came in for a scoreless ninth to pick up his 32nd save. Pauley suffered his fifth loss as he surrendered six hits and four runs over 5.2 innings.

The Sox go for the doubleheader and series sweep at 7:10 as Jon Lester goes up against Felix Hernandez.

Sox Notes: Updates from Fenway show optimistic forecast

The tarp is coming off the field shortly and the Sox fully expect to be playing two games against the Mariners today. Here is a weather update from the Red Sox:

The current weather forecast (provided by the Red Sox private weather service, Telvent DTN) in the vicinity of Fenway Park calls for an end to rain showers shortly after 12:00 p.m., and for relatively dry conditions during the afternoon and evening hours.

The Fenway Park gates opened at the regularly scheduled time of 11:35 a.m., and the Red Sox expect that this afternoon’s game against the Seattle Mariners, which is scheduled to start at 1:35 p.m., will begin on time.

For tonight’s 7:10 p.m. game, the Fenway Park gates will open approximately one hour following the conclusion of this afternoon’s game and the Red Sox expect that tonight’s game will begin on time.

This forecast is of course subject to change as the day progresses. Additional updates will be provided as necessary.

Red Sox Today: August 24 vs. Mariners, Doubleheader

Game 1: 1:35 p.m., NESN/WEEI
Game 2: 7:10 p.m., NESN/WEEI

RED SOX (72-54)
16 Marco Scutaro SS
7 J.D. Drew RF
41 Victor Martinez C
34 David Ortiz DH
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
25 Mike Lowell 1B
60 Daniel Nava LF
22 Bill Hall 2B
55 Ryan Kalish CF

19 Josh Beckett RHP

MARINERS (49-76)
51 Ichiro Suzuki RF
9 Chone Figgins 2B
30 Russell Branyan DH
4 Jose Lopez 3B
13 Casey Kotchman 1B
21 Franklin Gutierrez CF
26 Josh Bard C
12 Ryan Langerhans LF
16 Josh Wilson SS

39 David Pauley RHP

* The Red Sox and Mariners will close the three-game series with a day-night doubleheader today at Fenway Park. On Monday, the Sox won their third straight game, 6-3, to open the series against the Mariners. John Lackey earned his 12th win and 16th quality start, fanning a season-high ten batters over eight innings. The Sox have a 3-2 series lead against the Mariners as the teams split a four-game series from July 22-25.

Rain, rain, Go away: Last night’s Red Sox-Mariners game at Fenway Park was postponed due to rain and the forecast, as provided by the Red Sox private weather service, Telvent DTN, for continued steady rain and inclement weather throughout the evening. The game has been rescheduled as the second game of today’s doubleheader as Wednesday’s game was originally scheduled for 1:35 p.m. The rainout last night was the first of the season for the Red Sox, although they had a game suspended on April 16 against Tampa Bay.

Rehab Updates: Carlos Delgado was taken off the seven-day disabled list for Triple-A Pawtucket and re-joined the team in Buffalo (NYM) last night, but will not play for another 6-7 days. Hideki Okajima stayed with the PawSox after a rough outing on Monday and is scheduled for another appearance. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Eric Patterson are also scheduled to begin Triple-A rehab assignments on Thursday against Rochester (MIN).

For the Record: The Sox are 72-54, good for third in the A.L. East and seventh-best in the Majors. With one win in the doubleheader, the club will have won or split 24 of 29 series since May 17 and 29 of 37 since April 20. Boston is 68-45 since 4/20, tied with the Yankees (also 68-45) for tops in the A.L. The Sox are 3rd in the East, 6.0 games behind the Yankees and Rays, who are tied for the top spot. The club is second in the Wild Card race, six games back of the Rays.

Home at last: The Red Sox conclude an eight-day, nine-game homestand with the second and third games of a series against the Mariners. The club took two of three from the Angels and Blue Jays to begin the homestand. After an off-day on Thursday, Boston embarks on a seven-day, six-game trip through Tampa Bay (Friday-Sunday) and Baltimore (Next Tuesday-Thursday). Of Boston’s 25 games from August 6-September 7, only nine tilts will be played at home, all during the current homestand. The club is 10-7 thus far during that stretch. The Sox have won 25 of the last 37 tilts at home since May 29, outscoring their opponents 192-159 in those contests. With one win in the doubleheader, Boston will have won or split 17 of its last 19 series at Fenway Park since April 20.

So easy…a dog can do it: Double-A Portland first baseman Anthony Rizzo drove in three runs on Monday to give him 29 RBI during the month of August, passing Aaron Bates (2009), Jon Still (2009), Ross Gload (2000) and Kevin Millar (3 times, 1997) for the most in any month in the Sea Dogs’ 17-year history. Rizzo is tied for the minor league RBI lead in August, also Tyler Moore the High-A Potomac (WSH). The 21-year-old Rizzo leads the Red Sox farm system with 23 homers and 91 RBI between High-A Salem and Portland this season.