Boston Brawlers @ Inoffensive Rays 7/15-7/17

[Tobywan]

Now pitching Franklin Morales.

EJ batting from the right side...poor Gonzo lost the pop up in the lights.....doh!
EJ lines into left for a double.

[Tobywan]

Fuld grounds to first, but Gonzo throws to third, they get EJ so Sammy reaches.
Damon flies out to left.
Zobrist batting from the right side grounds out to short.

On to the 8th.

Rays up 9-5.

[Tobywan]

Now pitching Juan Cruz.

Pesky hits a rocket into right center over Zobrist for a double.
Gonzo grounds to second, Pesky goes to third.
Youuuuuuuuuk hits a line drive off the glove of Kotch, Pedroia scores.

9-6. Call to the pen.

[Tobywan]

Now pitching JP Howell.

Papi down swinging. PIZZAAAA!

Call to the pen.

[Tobywan]

Now pitching Kyle Farnsworth.

JD Drew PH for McDonald pops up to short.

9-6 Rays.

[Tobywan]

Now pitching Matt Albers. Drew stays in the game in right.

Longo flies out to right.
Upton out on a foul tip.
SRod singles into shallow right center.
Kotch walks.
Joyce PH for Shoppach, a wild pitch advances the runners to second and third.
Joyce down swinging.

On to the 9th.

Rays lead 9-6.

[Tobywan]

Defensive change, Jose Lobaton in replace of Matt Joyce playing catcher.

Salty pops to short.
Reddick PH for Navarro caught looking.
Scuturo hits it long and deep caught by Upton at the track!


Victory!!!!!!

[cjkalt]

Today's matchup:

John "Way back" Lackey vs not-Lackey

Edge: Rays

[Tobywan]

Today's matchup:

John "Way back" Lackey vs not-Lackey

Edge: Rays

LOL.




Today’s match-ups.


Lackey after a dreadful game on Independence Day came back with a quality start against the Orioles on the 9th. He has been less than stellar this season with a 6-8 record and 6.84 ERA, but has had good success against the Rays.

Shields who has been dubbed “Big Game James” Juego G” and most recently “ CG James” has lost his last 3 decisions but only one truly came at his own hand. The Rays have only posted 5 runs for Shieldsy in those outings. The record doesn’t sound impressive at 8-7, but his 2.33 ERA the lowest in Rays history before the break is what has people still talking about him.

The key today is carry over the offense from last night for Shields, because this isn’t the Boston he shut out in June they have become a Juggernaut as shown by the homers last night, all but one were solos which is the only reason the Sawx couldn’t score more.

[Tobywan]

Notes from last night's game...


Pedroia's first-inning single Friday extended his hitting streak to 13 games, the longest active streak in the American League.


Damon passed Nellie Fox on the all time hit list reaching 2,664.

Rays are 37-9 when scoring first.

Boston has lost 22 of its last 32 games against the Rays at the Trop.

With last night’s win it put TB’s home record over .500 for the first time this season at 22-21.

Rays have 63 stolen bases against Boston since the beginning of 2009, the most by any one team against a single opponent over that span.


Jose Lobaton got in his first game as a Ray when he replaced Kelly Shoppach after Shop had been lifted for a PH. Lobaton hadn’t played in the majors since 2009 in a short stint with the Padres.

[cjkalt]

Keys for the Sox

1) Step up Lackey- 1st half really doesn't matter... Pitch well next 3 months no one will care about first 3 months... Too talented for this

2) Real Lineup today- lineup vs Lefties is just weak with McDonald and Navarro, Reddick and Drew major upgrade so let's show it

3) Shutout Bullpen- don't give them more runs...even if lackey gets tagged for 6 quick keep it at 6... This team can score that no prob

[Tobywan]

Red Sox

Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Gonzalez 1B
Youkilis 3B
Ortiz DH
Drew RF
Saltalamacchia C
Reddick LF
Scuturo SS


Rays

Damon DH
Zobrist 2B
Kotchman 1B
Longoria 3B
Joyce RF
Upton CF
Fuld LF
Shoppach C
Brignac SS

[Tobywan]

Ells grounds to short, but his speed is faster than Brignac…base hit.
Ped grounds to second, Ells moves up.
AGon down swinging.
Youk gets hit on the elbow.
Papi lines up the mid, pops off the mound to Brgnac who steps for the force at second.

[cjkalt]

This isn't lackeys fault... We had 3 outs awhile ago... Poor D

[Tobywan]

Damon grounds to Scuturo, but the throw is wide..reaches on the error.
Zorilla singles up the middle, Damon heads to third.
Kotch soft grounder up the middle, Scuturo boots it, tries to lob it to Ped, Zobrist safe, Damon scores.
Longoria lines to short throw to Ped gets the force on Kotch, Longo at first.
Joyce singles to right just past the glove of Gonzo, Zobrist scores, Longo to third.
Upton lines to left, Longo scores.

Huddle on the mound.

Rays up 3-0, one out 2 on still batting.