Sox Summary: Lester, Sox shutout Jays to salvage series

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Sunday, September 19, 2010) – Lefty Jon Lester threw seven scoreless innings as the Red Sox shutout the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-0, on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park. With the win, the Sox salvaged the final game of the weekend set and take a 12-6 win in the overall season series against the Jays.

Jon Lester earned the win as he allowed four hits and four wins over seven innings, improving to 18-8.

Shaun Marcum was roughed up over 5.1 innings as he surrendered nine hits and six runs for his eighth loss of the season.

The Sox welcome the cellar-dwelling Baltimore Orioles to Fenway for the first of three games on Monday. Daisuke Matsuzaka will face Brian Matusz in the opener.

Sox Summary: Bautista hits 49th as Jays soar past Sox for second straight night

Jose Bautista watches his 49th home run in the first inning. (Michael Dwyer/AP)

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Saturday, September 18, 2010) – One mighty swing of the bat was all it took. Jose Bautista hit his MLB-leading 49th home run of the season in the first inning as the Blue Jays won their second straigtht, 4-3, at Fenway on Saturday night. With two wins, it will mark the Jays’ first series win of the season against the Sox, coming in the final meeting. The Sox will try to avoid being swept for the first time since September 3-4 against the White Sox.

Ricky Romero earned his 13th win as he tossed six innings, allowing seven hits and three runs. The bullpen led to Kevin Gregg, who collected his 33rd save.

Josh Beckett fell to 5-5 as he allowed ten hits and four runs over seven innings, but it wasn’t enough to earn the win.

The Sox look to salvage the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon as Jon Lester faces Shaun Marcum.

Red Sox Today: September 17 vs. Blue Jays

RED SOX (82-64)
16 Marco Scutaro tba
54 Darnell McDonald RF
41 Victor Martinez C
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
34 David Ortiz DH
25 Mike Lowell 1B
12 Jed Lowrie tba
22 Bill Hall LF
55 Ryan Kalish CF

40 John Lackey RHP

BLUE JAYS (73-73)
TBA

27 Brett Cecil LHP

* This series marks the final series of the season between the Sox and Jays. The Sox hold an 11-4 advantage and will win the set in consecutive years for the first time since 2003-04. The Sox have the most victories (270) against the Blue Jays, more than any team.

More notes!

Sox Summary: Sox shut-out the rain, Jays for series win

Fans wait out the pre-game rain delay. (Michael Dwyer/AP)

BOSTON, Massachustts (Sunday, August 22, 2010) – Clay Buchholz and the Red Sox topped the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-0, at Fenway Park on Sunday afternoon in a two-hour, 45-minute game. The rain played for just two minutes less, but after all the Sox were able to pick up the series win and fourth win in six games.

All of Boston’s offense came in two innings: three runs in the fifth and two runs in the eighth.

In the fifth, Adrian Beltre drove in the first run of the ballgame on a double to left field that scored David Ortiz with nobody out. With two outs, Bill Hall sent a towering two-run home run over the Monster Seats in left field (17) to give the Sox a 3-0 lead.

Ryan Kalish came around on a Victor Martinez ground ball RBI single to center field in the eighth, while Marco Scutaro scored on a David Ortiz RBI single to left field. Both eighth-inning runs were scored with two outs.

Clay Buchholz allowed just five hits and three walks over six scoreless innings, in which he struck out seven. Felix Doubront allowed a hit and struck out two over two innings for his second win. Shaun Marcum took the loss for the Jays, falling to 11-7 as he allowed four hits and three runs in seven innings.

The Red Sox welcome the Seattle Mariners to Fenway for a three-game series this week. John Lackey will face Doug Fister in the opening game of the series on Monday night.

Red Sox Today: August 22 vs. Blue Jays

1:35 p.m., NESN/WEEI

RED SOX (70-54)
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
12 Jed Lowrie 2B
22 Bill Hall LF
55 Ryan Kalish CF

11 Clay Buchholz RHP

BLUE JAYS (64-58)
TBA

28 Shaun Marcum RHP

* The Red Sox tied the series with a 5-4 11-inning, walk-off win last night, thanks to a Jed Lowrie home run. It was Boston’s first walk-off homer since August 26, 2009 when David Ortiz beat the White Sox. With last night’s triumph, the Sox have won four of the last games in the season series, securing a winning season against the Jays.

Rehab Update: Catcher Kevin Cash will have his rehab transferred to Short-A Lowell this afternoon when they conclude a series against Hudson Valley (TB). He began a rehab stint with Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday night, starting behind the plate and catching all nine innings, and going 1-for-4 with an RBI and run scored in the PawSox’ 7-6 loss in 10 innings to Lehigh Valley (PHI).

For the Record: The Sox are 70-54, good for third in the A.L. East and eighth-best in the Majors. They have won or split 22 of the past 27 series since May 17 and 27 of 35 since April 20, during which the Sox have the second-best mark in the A.L. Boston sits 6.5 games behind the first place Yankees in the division and 5.5 games back of the Rays in the Wild Card.

Home at last: The Red Sox continue a nine-day, nine-game homestand with the finale of a three-game series against the Blue Jays. The club took two of three from the Angels to begin the homestand and will also host the Mariners for a three-game set on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. After an off-day next Thursday, Boston embarks on a seven-day, six-game trip through Tampa Bay (August 27-29) and Baltimore (August 31-September 2). 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 8-7 thus far during that stretch. The Sox have won 23 of the last 35 tilts at home since May 29, outscoring their opponents 181-156 in those contests. Boston has won or split 15 of its last 17 series at Fenway Park since April 20.

Alumni Day at Fenway: For the 13th consecutive year, the Boston Red Sox will host their annual “Alumni Day” at Fenway Park. Past Red Sox players and coaches will watch today’s game from the B3 and B4 suites on the first base side of the park’s 4th level. Red Sox alums scheduled to attend include: Dick Berardino, Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd, Billy Conigliaro, Sam Horn, Chris Howard, Walt Hriniak, Ted Lepcio, Skip Lockwood, Bill MacLeod, Keith MacWhorter, Frank Malzone, Bill Monbouquette, Bob Montgomery, Joe Morgan, Kevin Morton, Jerry Moses, Mike Roarke, Johnny Pesky, Jeff Plympton, Mike Stenhouse, Chico Walker and Gary Waslewski.

Sox Summary: Lowrie plays Big Papi in 11-inning win over Jays

Jed Lowrie delivered the Red Sox' first walk-off home run of the season. (Michael Dwyer/AP)

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Saturday, August 21, 2010) – Jed Lowrie hit a walk-off solo home run with no outs in the bottom of the 11th inning as the Red Sox topped Toronto, 5-4 in 11, at Fenway Park Saturday night. It was Boston’s first walk-off homer since August 26, 2009 when David Ortiz beat the White Sox. The win was also their tenth of the season against the Blue Jays, clinching the season series with four games to go.

In the third, Victor Martinez hit a two-run single to right field with one out to bring home Darnell McDonald and Marco Scutaro, but the Jays cut the lead in half in the fourth on a John McDonald RBI double. Darnell McDonald could not make the catch in deep center field allowing Aaron Hill to score, but the relay throw from Yamaico Navarro at second base cut down Lyle Overbay at home to keep the lead.

The Sox tacked on two more runs in the fifth on RBI singles by Martinez and Adrian Beltre. Scutaro scored on Martinez’s single to right field, while Beltre’s infield single scored J.D. Drew.

Toronto tied the game at 4-4 in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly to center field by John Buck and a two-out, two-run home run to right field (16) by Lyle Overbay.

The score was held until the 11th when Lowrie connected for a walk-off home run into the Red Sox bullpen in right field (3).

Daisuke Matsuzaka did not pick up a decision as he allowed six hits and four runs over eight innings, while walking three and fanning eight. Jonathan Papelbon picked up his fifth win with a perfect 11th inning.

Ricky Romero started the game for the Jays, pitching seven innings of nine-hit, four-run ball, but Casey Janssen fell to 4-2 as he allowed the winning run over one inning.

The Red Sox and Blue Jays conclude the series Sunday afternoon when Clay Buchholz faces Shaun Marcum.

NOTES

* Catcher Jason Varitek got some good news on his foot injury in a conference call with numerous medical people yesterday. Carolina Panthers team physician Dr. Robert Johnson told him that he could not reinjure his broken right foot even if he feels discomfort.

* 38-year-old veteran Carlos Delgado is being placed on the 7-day disabled list for Triple-A Pawtucket with soreness in his back.

* Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia will remain in the hospital to treat an infection (still unknown) until Monday.

Red Sox Today: August 21 vs. Blue Jays

RED SOX (69-54)
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
22 Bill Hall LF
56 Yamiaco Navarro 2B
54 Darnell McDonald CF

18 Daisuke Matsuzaka RHP

BLUE JAYS (64-57)
15 Fred Lewis DH
5 Yunel Escobar SS
19 Jose Bautista RF
10 Vernon Wells CF
14 John Buck C
2 Aaron Hill 2B
35 Lyle Overbay 1B
6 John McDonald 3B
45 Travis Snider LF

24 Ricky Romero LHP

* The Red Sox got the series off to a rocky start in an ugly 16-2 loss to Toronto on Friday night. It was the Sox’ fifth loss in eight games and second straight to the Jays, but just their fourth this year. With a win tonight, the Sox would secure a season series win, their second in a row.

Rehab Updates: Catcher Kevin Cash began a rehab stint with Triple-A Pawtucket last night, starting behind the plate and catching all nine innings, and going 1-for-4 with an RBI and run scored in the PawSox’ 7-6 loss in 10 innings to Lehigh Valley (PHI). Cash is set to continue his rehab with Short-A Lowell tomorrow afternoon against Hudson Valley (TB). He has been on the 15-day disabled list since August 11 with a left hamstring strain. Hideki Okajima has been sidelined since August 6 with a right hamstring strain, will begin a rehab
stint with Triple-A Pawtucket tonight at Buffalo (NYM) and will also pitch with the PawSox on Monday night against the Bisons.

For the Record: The Sox are 69-54, good for third in the A.L. East and tied for ninth-best in the Majors. They have won or split 22 of the past 27 series since May 17 and 27 of 35 since April 20, during which the Sox have the second-best mark in the A.L. Boston sits 6.5 games behind the first place Yankees in the division and 5.5 games back of the Rays in the Wild Card.

Home at last: The Red Sox continue a nine-day, nine-game homestand with the second of three games against the Blue Jays. The club took two of three from the Angels to begin the homestand and will also host the Mariners for a three-game set on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. After an off-day next Thursday, Boston embarks on a seven-day, six-game trip through Tampa Bay (August 27-29) and Baltimore (August 31-September 2). 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 7-7 thus far during that stretch. The Sox have won 22 of the last 34 tilts at home since May 29, outscoring their opponents 176-152 in those contests. Boston has won or split 15 of its last 17 series at Fenway Park since April 20.

Telethon concludes: The ninth annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon concluded at midnight last night. The event raised $2,944,726 for research and care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Sox Summary: Ugly, plain and simple

Jon Lester lasted two innings, giving up eight runs, on Friday night. It matched the shortest start of his big-league career. (Charles Krupa/AP)

BOSTON, Massachusetts (Friday, August 20, 2010) – Toronto banged out 20 hits and four home runs as Jon Lester had the worst outing of his Major League career in a 16-2 loss to the Blue Jays at Fenway Park Friday night. The Sox have now lost two in a row and five of their last eight, while the Jays have won five of nine.

Lester suffered his eighth loss as he lasted just two innings, the shortest start of his career.

Lyle Overbay was the star from the seventh slot for the Blue Jays as he belted two three-run home runs and went 4-for-5 with three runs and seven RBI. Both of his home runs were launched into the Monster Seats in left field (14, 15). His first home run came with two outs in the first inning, while the second came with nobody out in the third.

John McDonald (3) and Jose Bautista (38) hit the other two home runs in the sixth and seventh innings. McDonald’s was a three-run shot to left, while Bautista’s was a solo shot to the deepest part of the park in center field.

Dusty Brown hit a two-run double to left field in the seventh inning to drive in Darnell McDonald and Jed Lowrie.

Before the game, the Sox recalled infielder Yamiaco Navarro from Triple-A Pawtucket. He will take the place of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who was placed back on the disabled list with soreness in his previously fractured left foot. Navarro singled to left field in the fifth inning for his first hit as a Major Leaguer.

Brett Cecil earned the win as he pitched a solid 6.2 innings of nine-hit, two-run baseball. He improved to 10-6.

The Red Sox send Daisuke Matsuzaka to the mound for Saturday’s middle game against lefty Ricky Romero and the Blue Jays.

NOTES

* Catcher Kevin Cash began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket last night, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout and a walk in a 7-6, 10-inning loss to Lehigh Valley (PHI).

* Lefty Hideki Okajima will pitch in two rehab outings for the PawSox on Saturday and Monday in Buffalo (NYM). The Sox placed him on the disabled list on August 6 with a right hamstring strain.

Sox Summary: Sox ride Buchholz, longball to second straight over Jays

Bill Hall hit two home runs for the Red Sox. (Nathan Denette/AP)

Clay Buchholz pitched eight innings for his 13th win of the year. (Nathan Denette/AP)

TORONTO, Ontario, Canada (Wednesday, August 11, 2010) – The Red Sox hit four home runs and used a strong pitching performance from Clay Buchholz for their second straight win, 10-1 over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Wednesday evening. The win gives the Sox the series win and assures Boston at least a split of the season series against the Jays this season as the Sox have won three straight games and three in a row against Toronto.

Buchholz allowed just five hits and an unearned run over eight masterful innings for his 13th win on the season.

In the top of the first, the Red Sox jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a bases-loaded walk by Mike Lowell to force home a run. Jose Bautista hit a sacrifice fly to right in the bottom of the frame to tie the score.

Then, the Sox’ four-homer parade began in succession. Bill Hall led off with two straight home runs to left field in the second (14) and fourth (15). His fourth inning home run was a two-run shot, scoring Ryan Kalish in front of him and making the Red Sox lead 4-1. J.D. Drew added another run in the fifth on a solo shot to right (14), while Adrian Beltre crushed a three-run home run to right (21) to give the Sox an untouchable 8-1 lead later in the inning.

Later in the fifth, Bill Hall singled through the infield to drive home Mike Lowell with the ninth run, while Victor Martinez closed the book with an RBI single to right.

Buchholz was relieved by lefty Dustin Richardson, who allowed two hits and struck out two in the ninth. Shawn Marcum suffered his sixth loss of the season as he allowed seven hits and eight runs over four innings.

The Sox go for the sweep on Thursday afternoon when John Lackey faces Brett Cecil at 12:37 p.m.

NOTES

* Carlos Delgado recorded his first professional hit since May 10, 2009 on Wednesday night in his second start for Triple-A Pawtucket. He finished 2-for-4 with a strikeout in a 5-1 loss to Lehigh Valley (PHI).

Red Sox Today: August 11 at Blue Jays

7:07 p.m., NESN/WEEI

RED SOX (65-49)
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
55 Ryan Kalish LF
22 Bill Hall 2B
2 Jacoby Ellsbury CF

11 Clay Buchholz RHP

BLUE JAYS (59-53)
45 Travis Snider LF
5 Yunel Escobar SS
19 Jose Bautista RF
10 Vernon Wells CF
26 Adam Lind DH
2 Aaron Hill 2B
35 Lyle Overbay 1B
12 Edwin Encarnacion 3B
9 J.P. Arencibia C

28 Shaun Marcum RHP

* The Red Sox are winners of two straight games heading into the middle of three at Rogers Centre. Boston took the opening game 7-5 last night behind an eighth-inning solo blast by Mike Lowell to give the Sox a lead for good. The Sox have taken eight of the ten meetings against the Jays so far this season with eight to play.

Salty recalled from PawSox: The Red Sox recalled catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia from Triple-A Pawtucket this afternoon and placed catcher Kevin Cash on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain. He was acquired by the Red Sox from the Texas Rangers on July 31 and has appeared in five games for the PawSox, going 5-for-21 (.238) with three doubles, two RBI, three runs and two walks. He’s played four games at catcher and one at first base, throwing out two of three attempted base stealers while behind the plate.

Laser to McCoy: Dustin Pedroia had no problems working out this afternoon and will start for Pawtucket this weekend. He will play second base on Saturday and DH on Sunday during the first two games of a four-game series against Buffalo (NYM).

Road Warriors: The Sox today continue a ten-day, ten-game road trip with the second of three games in Toronto. The club makes its final stop in Texas (August 13-15). This marks Boston’s 2nd straight road trip that is 10 games in 10 days as it went 6-4 on its recent trip to Oakland (1-2), Seattle (2-2) and Los Angeles (3-0). Of Boston’s 27 games from July 19-August 15, 20 tilts will be played on the road. The club is 13-9 thus far during that stretch. The Sox have just one off day (August 16) in a 27-day span from July 30 through August 25. The Red Sox have won six of their last eight and eight of their last 12 road contests. The club is 23-16 on the road since May 22, the second best road mark in the Majors. With a victory tonight, the Sox will have won or split 11 of their last 14 series away from Fenway.