Building Dynasties in Boston, Part II

[BostonRS14]

So, this is a reboot of my previous attempt: Another Rolling Rally: Building Dynasties in Boston

Ran into some problems with our Red Sox dynasty, so we are restarting the season with a new file in 2008. The Bruins and Revolution continued unharmed. I'm proceeding without the Celtics right now as the file proved too unstable to run in Windows on my Mac. We'll wait until Wolverine releases DDS: Pro Basketball 2 to try again. Every other season was played out so that we pick up the action in May of 2008:

The Bruins once again suffered in 2007-08, ending the season with the worst record in hockey (32-46-4, 68 pts.). After dismissing Dave Lewis, the front office spent most of the year searching for a new head coaching candidate, eventually signing Montreal castoff Guy Carbinneau.

There weren't too many bright spots. Newcomer Michael Ryder (29-40-69, +4) led all Bruins in scoring, followed by Marco Sturm (30-35-65, -11), Stephen Weiss (31-32-63, -3) and Marc Savard (17-27-44, -15). As a team, Boston finished 18th in scoring with 271 goals (3.3 per game), but were 23rd in goal allowed (3.67/game).

Peter Budaj (24-36-3, 3.44 GAA, .897 SV%) saw most of the action in goal and proved to be ineffective. Backup netminder was a revolving door with Curtis Joseph, Mike Smith and Any Chiodo getting chances. None proved capable of stealing the starting job away from Budaj.

Overall, we had some promising players shine. During the season, the Bruins acquired Dustin Brown from Los Angeles in exchange for free agent D Paul Mara, after the latter refused to negotiate a contract extension, and Ryan Kesler from Minnesota. W Paul Kariya was also shipped out, joining the Capitals in return for D Jeff Schultz and W Chris Bourque (son of Bruins legend Ray). C Zack Parise was claimed off waivers from the Devils and produced at a point-per-game level (33g, 25-14-39, -3) before suffering a torn MCL in January.

The Bruins did lose the draft lottery, falling to #2 with Anaheim picking first. After last seasons rash of trading (14 picks in 2007), the Bruins are without picks past the third round.

The Revolution were a bit more successful in 2007-08, ending up with 2nd position (13-9-8, 48 pts.) in the Eastern Conference. In the semi-finals, the Revs dropped a tie-breaking shootout to the Chicago Fire 1-0 to end their season. The squad did end up winning the US Cup during the season, their first tournament victory.

During the offseason, looking to rebound from the loss of Brian Byrne, the Revs signed Edson Buddle (17g, 4 a) away from Los Angeles. Paired with returning striker Taylor Twellman, Buddle should bolster the Revs attack up front as youngster Francisco Mendoza continues to develop.

Gabriel Ferrari was award the "Worst Signing of the Season" after costing the Revolution $2.3m

With no transfer funds available, the front office was unable to bolster their defense. We turned down an offer from the DC United that would have brought midfielder Fred to New England in exchange for Michael Parkhurst. The move wouldn't have bolster our defense, which is obviously the most glaring need for the Revs now. Subtracting a young, established starter like Parkhurst just to overcrowd the front line wouldn't have been wise.

The Revolution kicked off the season on April 5th with a match against rival DC United. Edison Buddle debuted up front with Taylor Twellman and scored the only goal of the match.

The Red Sox enter 2008 coming off a World Series championship. A hot start (19-8) in April have Boston ahead in the AL East by 2 games over New York.

Tim Wakefield announced his retirement effective the end of the season. This season, Wakefield has gone 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA. Manny Ramirez won the AL Player of the Month award for April. Ramirez hit .409 for the month, with 9 home runs and 27 runs batted in.

The Red Sox did make one trade, re-acquiring catcher Josh Bard from San Diego in exchange for LF Chris Carter, MR Kiminobu Kichnida, LF bobby Kielty, and CF Zach Daeges. 3B Rob Mackowiak was signed to a one-year, $2.77m contract to serve as a utility player off the bench.

[DustinthePOWERHOUSE]

What do you use for the Soccer game? (for the revolution) also what do you use for Hockey?

[BostonRS14]

Originally Posted by DustinthePOWERHOUSE

What do you use for the Soccer game? (for the revolution) also what do you use for Hockey?

The Boston Bruins (via NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2007) started in Sept. 2006.
The New England Revolution (via Football Manager 2008) started in Mar. 2007.
The Boston Red Sox (via Out of the Park 9) started play in Apr. 2008.

[BostonRS14]

Boston Red Sox @ Detroit Tigers

The Red Sox are set to open a 4 game series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

The Red Sox (23-10) are currently in 1st place in the AL East, 2 games ahead of the Yankees. The Tigers are playing .500 ball this season, compiling a record of 16-16, good for 3rd place in the Central Division, 3.5 games behind Chicago (19-12).

Boston has won all three games against the Tigers this season.

Projected Matchups:
5/5: RHP Diasuke Matsuzaka (2-3, 4.95 ERA) v. RHP A. Galarraga (2-1, 5.29 ERA)
5/6: LHP Jon Lester (3-1, 4.73) v. RHP J. Verlander (2-4, 3.88)
5/7: RHP Tim Wakefield (4-0, 2.11) v. LHP K. Rogers (3-2, 5.26)
5/8: RHP Clay Buchholz (2-0, 4.82) v. N. Robertson (3-2, 6.00)

[BostonRS14]

May 5th, 2008:

Red Sox 7, Detroit 6

Daisuke Matsuzaka hung around just long enough tonight to snap his three game losing streak and even his record at 3-3, as the Sox defeated the Tigers 7-6 at Comerica Park.

Trailing 6-3, the Red Sox rallied against Justin Verlander in the 6th with four runs. A lead off walk to J.D. Drew was followed by a RBI triple from Kevin Youkilis. Mike Lowell drove home Youkilis with a single before moving into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt by backup catcher Josh Bard. Julio Lugo and Coco Crisp added run-scoring singles off Verlander to chase the Detroit starter. Matt McBride relieved and loaded the bases before forcing a double-play off the bat of Manny Ramirez.

Matsuzaka earned the win despite surrendering six runs on six hits and two home runs in five and a third innings to raise his ERA to 5.40. Daisuke struck out 5 batters and walked five. The Red Sox bullpen continued their strong play with 3.2 innings of hitless relief, topped off by Jonathan Papelbon's 10th save of the year.

W: Matsuzaka (3-3) L: Verlander (2-5) SV: Papelbon (10)
Player of the Game: Dustin Pedroia (4-4, R, RBI)

[BostonRS14]

May 6th, 2008:

Boston 10, Detroit 8

Getting the Sox out of jams has become a theme early this season for Terry Francona's bullpen, one that the manager has to hope will stop sooner rather than later. With another lackluster performance from his starter, Francona was rewarded with four and a third strong innings of relief from his 'pen, resulting in the Sox rallying past the Tigers to claim the second of four games in this series.

The see-saw game the Sox take 2-0, 5-3, 7-5, 8-7 and 10-8 leads before holding off the Tigers for the win.

Jon Lester, getting the start for Boston, lasted only four a a third innings, surrendering seven runs on eight hits and one walk, while striking out five.

Marcus Thames was the star of the night for the Tigers in the losing effort. Thames went 3-4, falling a single short of the cycle while collecting 4 RBIs. Not to be outdone, Coco Crisp went 4-5 with a solo homerun and two runs scored for the Sox.

In the 8th, with the scored tied at 8-8, David Ortiz launched a deep ball to center that fell short of a homerun. Coco Crisp scored easily from second, but Curtis Granderson, with a good read on the ball, was able to get it back into the infield in time to cut down Dustin Pedroia at home. Ortiz, heading to third on the throw home, scored the insurance run when Pudge Rodriguez's throw to third missed Brandon Inge and bounced into left field.

W: Delcarmen (2-1) L: Grili (0-1), SV: Papelbon (11)
Player of the Game: Marcus Thames (3-4, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 Rs, 4 RBIs)

Around the League:
...Detroit placed IF Carlos Guillen on the 15 day DL...2B Rickie Weeks (Mil) and MR Logan Kensing (Fla) were suspended for 8 games for fighting...Toronto SP Shaun Marcum pitched a 4 hit shutout against the Tampa Bay Rays...MR Juan Cruz (Ari) will miss 4 weeks of action with a strained bicep muscle...

[BostonRS14]

May 7, 2008

Boston 3, Detroit 2

Tim Wakefield continued to look strong early in the season as the Sox capitalized on one of the few Kenny Rogers mistakes in the fourth inning to escape with their third straight victory.

Trailing 2-0, Rogers, who threw his first complete game of the season, surrendered three in the fourth to take the loss. David Ortiz led off the inning with a single and advanced to third on a double by J.D. Drew. Mike Lowell followed Drew with a home run off Rogers on the first pitch of his at bat, clearing the wall in right-center by a few feet.

The Tigers got on the board first in the bottom of the 2nd when Magglio Ordonez launched a 410 foot home run to deep center. Jacque Jones followed with a triple and scored on two-out Edgar Renteria single.

In the third, the Sox came close to cutting the lead in half. With Alex Cora on first, Kevin Youkilis doubled down the left field line, but a quick recovery from Jones cut Cora down at the plate for the final out of the inning.

Wakefield continues to put up impressive numbers this season. The win was his fifth in seven starts. With the exception of his first start, the veteran right-hander has worked into the sixth inning in each of his appearances.

W: Wakefield (5-0) L: Rogers (3-3) SV: Okajima (3)
Player of the game: Mike Lowell (3-4, HR, 3 RBI)

Around the League:
...Fernando Tatis and the New York Mets agreed on a 2-year contract extension worth $7.24m...MR Santiago Casilla signed a one-year extension with the A's for $1.74m...The Texas Rangers purchased the contract of 1B michael Aubrey from Oklahoma (PCL)...SS Derek Jeter's 21 game hitting streak came to an end in a 5-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians...

[BostonRS14]

May 8, 2008: Red Sox Complete Sweep of Tigers

Boston 4, Detroit 3

Clay Buchholz's spot on the roster was one in doubt coming out of Spring Training. The youngster had impressive the Sox staff last season, in particular by throwing a no-hitter, but rushing the right-hander was never a serious option.

"We'd like to see Clay put up some more innings in Pawtuckett, but he keeps showing us stuff that makes it seem like he's ready for now," manager Terry Francona said in his pre-game meeting with reporters.

Buchhlolz continued to show his stuff is capable of handling big league hitters last night when he held the Detroit offense in check for 8 innings before running out of gas in the ninth.

"I wanted it, I won't lie," Buchholz said afterwards. "I want to finish. I had a good game, but I guess I ran myself into trouble and Terry thought it best to make a move. The win is nice for us nonetheless. We came in here and swept a strong team."

With Jonathan Papelbon warming up and the Sox leading 4-0 after 8 innings, Francona sent his starter back out for the ninth with a complete game, shutout in sight. A lead-off walk and single had the Tigers with runners on the corners and no outs. Miguel Cabrera broke up the shutout with a sacrifice fly before Danny Worth collected his first big league hit with a two-run home run to pull the Tigers within one. Papelbon was summoned from the 'pen and finished off the win, collecting his 12th save in the process.

Boston got on the board first in the top of the 2nd when Julio Lugo slapped a single through a drawn-in infield to score Kevin Youkilis from third. Manny Ramirez and Sean Casey added solo shots in the third for a three run lead.

In the top of the ninth, the Red Sox added what would eventually become the game winning run when Youkilis drove a line-drive into the right field corner than ended up being good enough for a triple. Casey collected his second RBI of the game when he grounded out to the second baseman to score Youkilis.

With the sweep, Boston increased its lead in the AL East to 3.5 games over the Yankees. Next up for Boston is a trip to Minnesota for three before heading to Baltimore to finish the 11 game road trip.

W: Buchholz (3-0) L: Robertson (3-3) SV: Papelbon (12)
Player of the Game: Clay Buchholz (8.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 K's, 121 PI)

Around the League:
..Boston signed C Josh Bard to a 2-year extension worth $7.24m...

[BostonRS14]

Boston Red Sox @ Minnesota Twins

Coming off a sweep of the Detroit Tigers, the Red Sox are set to travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Twins in a 4 game series at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome.

The Twins are currently 16-18 and in 4th place in the Central Division, 5.5 games behind the Chicago White Sox (22-13). Minnesota ranks 14th in the American League with 129 runs scored and 13th in batting average, .255. They have surrendered 150 runs (3rd) while compiling an ERA of 4.96, which ranks 10th. Their bullpen, on the other hand, sports an ERA of 2.43, ranking 2nd.

The Red Sox currently rank second in the American League with a 3.73 ERA from third pitching staff. (4.38 starters, 6th and 2.17 bulpen, 1st) Offensively, the Sox are hitting .288 as a team, good for 2nd best in the AL. Their 209 runs also ranks second.

This is the first meeting between the two clubs in 2008.

Projected Matchups:
5/9: Josh Beckett (1-2, 3.86 ERA) v. Glen Perkins (1st start)
5/10: Daisuke Matsuzaka 93-3, 5.40) v. Boof Bonser (1-3, 3.94)
5/11: Jon Lester (3-1, 5.54) v. Kevin Slowey (6-1, 3.41)
5/12: Tim Wakefield (5-0, 2.15) v. Nick Blackburn (0-4, 6.50)

[BostonRS14]

May 9th, 2008:

Boston 6, Minnesota 4

The Red Sox looked slow coming off their series against the Tigers, but in the end, had enough to outlast the Twins 6-4 in the opener of their four game set.

After being held to just two hits over the first five innings, Boston broke the game open against Boof Bonser in the sixth with five runs on 6 hits to pull ahead for good.

David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis led off the inning with a pair of walks before Bonser got himself into trouble. Leaving a fastball too far over the plate, JD Drew made him pay with a two-run triple off the top of the wall in right-center. Mike Lowell put the score on top with a RBI-single to center. After a pop-out by Brandon Moss, Jason Varitek launched a line-drive home run just over the wall in left to end Bonser's night.

The Twins took the lead early against Josh Beckett with solo runs in the third and fourth. Brian Buscher led off the third with a solo home run, the eighth that Beckett has allowed in seven games this season. In the fourth, Joe Mauer led off the inning with a four pitch walk and advanced to second on an one-out ground out by Jason Kubel. Beckett almost got out of trouble when the next batter, Michael Cuddyer, slapped a liner to Alex Cora, but the backup shortstop put the throw past Youkilis at first into the dugout to let Mauer score easily from second.

Minnesota threatened in the seventh, adding two runs before Hideki Okajima shut the door on the rally with the tying run on second.

W: Beckett (2-2) L: Bonser (1-4) SV: Delcarmen (3)
Player of the Game: Jason Varitek (3-4, 2 HRs, 2 Runs, 3 RBIs,)

Around the League:
...Ben Sheets (Mil) was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a damaged meniscus...Atlanta resigned MR Will Ohman (17g, 2-0, 1.93 ERA) to a 2 year contract extension worth $3.2m

New England 1, FC Dallas 1

The Revolution took on FC Dallas tonight at Gillette Stadium. Despite little sense of anticipation amongst the local fans for a match against the Western Conference club, players in the New England locker room were looking forward to meeting up with former teammate Steve Ralston, who joined FC Dallas in February after six seasons with the Revs.

Coming off a 1-0 loss to D.C. United, the Revolution didn't look sharp in front of their home fans in pulling out a 1-1 draw. Outplayed for most of the match, it wasn't until Francisco Mendoza added his first goal of the year in the 81st minute did the fans get into the game. After intercepting a clearing kick from keeper Ray Burse, Mendoza found himself wide open on a give-and-go with Taylor Twellman. Taking a clear shot on net, Mendoza was fortunate to pick up his own rebound and deposit his second chance into the back of the net for the equalizer.

[BostonRS14]

May 10, 2008

Boston 8, Minnesota 4

The Twins must have been hoping for more from Glen Perkins' first career start. After 23 relief appearances over two season, getting a shot in the starting rotation, Perkins could not contain the Sox lineup as the Twins dropped their fourth straight.

Perkins, replacing Keisaburo Tanoue (3 GS, 0-2, 10.54 ERA, 13.2 IP) in the rotation, lasted only three and a third innings, allowing 6 runs, 5 earned, on seven his and four walks. Jon Lester, starting for the Sox, pitched seven innings, surrendering only three runs on five hits.

Manny Ramirez snapped out of his funk, going 3-3 on the night with a two-run home run in the third that put the game away for Boston.

W: Lester (4-1) L: Perkins (0-1) SV: Gronkiewica (1)
Player of the Game: Mike Lamb (3-3, 2B, 2 HRs, 3 Rs, 3 RBIs)

Around the League:

...Orlando Cabrera (CHA) extended his hitting streak to 20 games...Keisaburo Tanoue was released by the Minnesota Twins...SS Billy Bixler was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bixler signed a 1-year contract with the Yokohama BayStars...

[BostonRS14]

May 11, 2008



Boston 3, Minnesota 0

Boston pitching continued to hold the lackluster Twins lineup in check for the third straight game. This time around, it was Daisuke Matsuzaka doing the work, holding Minnesota to just four hits in throwing his first shutout of the season.

A close game through-out, Boston got on the board in the 6th when J.D. Drew hit a two-run double off starter Kevin Slowey to score Dustin Pedroia (walk) and David Ortiz (single) easily to give Matsuzaka all the support he would need.

The Red loaded the bases in the 8th with back-to-back singles by Ortiz and Drew and a one-out intentional walk to Brandon Moss, but reliver Matt Guerrier was able to get out of the jam with just a sacrifice fly from Mike Lowell.

So far this season, Matsuzaka is 4-3 with a 4.71 ERA in 70.2 IP (10 GS).

W: Matsuzaka (4-3), L: Slowey (6-2)
Player of the Game: Matsuzaka (9 IP, 4 Hs, 0 Rs, 1 BB, 5 Ks, 107 PI)

Around the League:
...Colorado SP Kip Wells (8 GS, 2-2, 5.62 ERA) suffered a torn bicep muscle and is expected to miss the rest of the season...

[BostonRS14]

May 12, 2008: Sox Sweep Twins

Boston 6, Minnesota 5

A late rally couldn't get the job done for the Twins last night, as the Sox continued their hot ways, sweeping the sinking Twins to extend their AL East lead to 4.5 game over the Yankees (26-15).

With Tim Wakefield on the mound, the Red Sox jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the third before the Twins started to chip away.

David Ortiz got Boston going in the first when he launched a two-run home run into the left field bleachers to give the Sox the lead. In the third, Manny Ramirez hit a triple down the right-field line that escaped Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer to allow Coco Crisp and Dustin Pedroia to score easily to push the lead to four.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, having exhausted his bullpen in the series so far, was once again forced to go to the mound early as Nick Blackburn proved ineffective once again. Blackburn last just three and a third innings, surrendering 5 runs on 4 hits and a walk.

"The Twins could do something with their offense," we heard one advanced scout say, "but their starting staff is not going to cary them at all." A 5.12 ERA out of their starters has sunk the Twins to last place in the AL Central, but Francisco Liriano is due back off the DL within the next week.

The trio of Deny Reyes, juan Rincon and Jesse Crain held the Sox to just three hits over the final five and a third innings, but it was a pair of singles by Sean Casey and Jason Varitek that were enough to score Mike Lowell (walk) in the 6th with the eventual game winning run.

Wakefield, on the other hand, fared a little better than Blackburn on the night. The veteran knuckle-baller pitched seven and a third innings, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks. He left in the eighth with a 6-2 lead and runners on first and third, but Hideki Okajima, brough on to face Joe Mauer with one out, was unable to get the job done as Mauer laced a line-drive home run to right center to cut the lead to 6-5. After Justin Morneau reached on an error by Lowell, Okajima enduced an inning-ending double play from Delmon Young to end the rally.

Boston now heads to Baltimore for the first meeting between the AL East rivals this season with an eight game winning streak.

W: Wakefield (6-0) L: Blackburn (0-5) SV: Papelbon (13)
Player of the Game: David Ortiz (2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBIs)

Around the League:

...Russ Gload (KC) won the AL Player of the Week award after racking up 13 hits in 21 at-bats including 1 HR and 5 RBIs...Los Angeles' Russell Martin brought home the NL Player of the Week award for his lofty .636 average (14-22)...Jim Leyland (16-23, -9.5 GB) and John Gibbons (14-25, -15.5 GB) were fired by the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays, respectively...New York signed SP Orlando Hernandez (6 gS, 3-1, 4.26 ERA) to a 1-year contract extension worth $610k...

[BostonRS14]

Boston Red Sox v. Baltimore Orioles

Bringing their 8 game winning streak into Baltimore, the Red Sox are set for a short two-game set against their rivals at Camden Yards.

The Orioles are currently playing .400 ball this season, compiling a record of 16-24, leaving them 14.5 games behind the Sox in the Al East. Baltimore is led by a strong bullpen (3.83 ERA, 4th in AL), but are once again struggling to put together a starting rotation (5.84 ERA, 14th) that is capable of competing with the likes of Boston, Tampa Bay and New York. Jeremy Guthrie (3-4, 5.03) is the de-facto staff ace, but the rest of the rotation (Radhames Liz, Brian Burres, Daniel Cabrera, and Steve Traschel) lacks anyone to strike fear into their opposition.

Project Matchups:
5/13: Clay Buccholz (3-0, 4.46 ERA) v. Radhames Liz (2-2, 4.91 ERA)
5/14: Josh Beckett (2-2, 3.91) v. Brian Burres (3-2, 5.96)

This is the first meeting between the clubs this season.

[BostonRS14]

May 13, 2008

Baltimore 4, Boston 3

The Red Sox came out on fire, carrying over the momentum gained in sweeping the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins in recent series, but it was the unlikely Radhames Liz who took control of the game and held the Sox in check for eight innings to earn the win for Baltimore.

With three regulars (Coco Crisp, Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew) out of the lineup, manager Terry Francona orchestrated an unorthodox lineup, with Mike Lowell (0-4) leading off.

"We felt it was worth a gamble, the way our guys have been hitting everything," Francona said post-game. "We need to get some guys some rest their natural rest and then J.D.'s back acted up on the flight so that necessitate additional moves that didn't pan out."

With two outs in the first, Boston got things started. David Ortiz singled and moved up to second when Liz put a fastball into the rib cage of Manny Ramirez. Kevin Youkilis drove both home with a double off the scoreboard in right field. Alex Cora followed with a single through the hole between first and second that allowed Youkilis to beat the throw home from Nick Markakis with the third run of the inning.

Liz would settle down afterwards, surrendering just 4 hits the rest of the way in picking up his third win of the season.

Clay Buchholz was just as sharp as Liz, allowing three runs over five innings before leaving with 99 pitches thrown. Javier Lopez came in to start the sixth and surrendered a solo home run to Aubrey Huff that proved to be the game winning run for Baltimore. The run was just the second Lopez has surrendered in 19.1 innings this season.

Boston doesn't expected Drew to miss tomorrow night's game against the O's.

W: Liz (3-2) L: Lopez (3-1) SV: Bradford (2)
Player of the Game: Aubrey Huff (3-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs)

Around the League:
...Atlanta SS Yunel Escobar (.223, .283 OBP) will miss the rest of the season with a ruptured disc in his back after a collision against Philadelphia...

[BostonRS14]

May 14, 208

Boston 3, Baltimore 1

The Red Sox may have been looking past this series with the Orioles, but Josh Beckett's effort was enough to get Boston past Baltimore with a 3-1 win and a series split.

Beckett pitched seven solid innings, striking out eight Orioles while allowing just one unearned run on four hits. The game marked just the third time in eight starts that Beckett has lasted seven innings, a concern for the Sox as they carry only six men in their bullpen.

"We need our horses to go deep into the games," manager Terry Francona said afterwards. "Josh and Daisuke are going to have to go deep with the kids coming up behind them. We need to make sure we are able to not over work the 'pen this early."

Matsuzaka (7.0 IP/G, Lester (5.2 IP/G), Wakefield (6.2 IP/G), Beckett (6.2 IP/G), Buchholz (5.2 IP/G)

Brian Burres got the nod for the Orioles and held his own against the Red Sox ace. Burres got himself out of an early jam in the first when he walked Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz on eight pitches before Manny Ramirez and J.D. drew both struck out swinging to end the inning.

In the second, though, Boston did capitalize on a lead-off walk to Kevin Youkilis when Josh Bard stroked a single into right field that allowed Youkilis, who advanced to second on an Alex Cora groundout, to score without a throw.

Boston stretched the lead to two in the top of the sixth. Cora drove home Manny Ramirez (walk) from third to end Burres' night. The Orioles did threaten in the bottom of the inning. Tike Redman led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a Nick Markakis infield hit. After Luke Scott popped out to second, Redman was thrown out trying to steal third. Markakis moved up to second on a walk to Aubrey Huff and scored when Scott Moore's fly-ball to left field was dropped with two-outs by Ramirez. With the tying run on third, Beckett struck out Freddy Bynum to end the inning.

"Becks looked tired there at the end, but he reached back and held the lead." catcher Josh Bard said. "That's what big game guys do, they do it in May when no one is watching and they do it in October when the world is watching."

Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon finished off the Orioles with two hitless innings of relief to secure the win for the Sox.

W: Beckett (3-2) L: Burres (2-4) SV: Papelbon (14)
Player of the Game: Josh Beckett (7.0 IP, 4 Hs, 1 R, 8 K's, 115 PI)

Around the League:
...Toronto signed manager Jim Leyland to a 4-year, $590k contract...Tampa Bay SP Scott Kazmir (4-1, 2.30 ERA) allowed 1 hit while striking out 15 Yankees in a 3-0 Rays victory...

[BostonRS14]

Boston Red Sox v. Milwaukee Brewers

The Red Sox are returning home from a successful road trip (9-1) to open their inter-league schedule against the Milwaukee Brewers at Fenway Park tonight. Boston is currently in first place in the AL East (32-11, .744), 5 games ahead of the second place New York Yankees and 12.5 ahead of Tampa Bay.

With their record standing at 22-19 (.537%) , the Brewers are currently in 3rd place in the NL Central Division, 5 games behind the first place Chicago Cubs (27-14). Milwaukee has lost their last six games, being outscored by an average of . They currently rank 12th in the NL in both runs scored (186) and runs allowed (210).

Projected Matchup:
5/16: Daisuke Matsuzaka (4-3, 4.71 ERA) v. C.C. Sabathia (5-1, 3.45)
5/17: Jon Lester (4-1, 4.84) v. Chris Capuano (1-4, 5.23)
5/18: Tim Wakefield (6-0, 2.53) v. Jeff Suppan (4-4, 3.64)

Milwaukee will be making their first appearance at Fenway Park since the 1997 season, their last as a member of the old American League Central division.

I realized after the season began that some trade deadline moves were made (Sabathia to Mil, Harden to Chi), but others weren't (Ramirez to LA). It was never my intent to have any of them moved, but I sucked it up in order to not have another season ruined.

[BostonRS14]

May 16, 2008

Boston 14, Milwaukee 2

The Brewers were on the field at Fenway Park, but it appeared from their effort that they failed to show and the Sox made the pay with an easy rout, 14-2.

Playing a National League style of small ball, the Brewers got on the board in the first with a base on balls to Rickie Weeks to lead off the inning, followed by an infield single and double play to move the runner up to third. Ryan Braun followed with a long single off the wall in left to score Weeks for the games first run.

The Red Sox, though, came out firing, chasing Milwaukee starter Chris Capuano after just two-thirds of an inning of work. With one out, Dustin Pedroia singled and David Ortiz walked. After striking out Manny Ramirez on three pitches, Capuano couldn't get the final out of the inning. J.D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis followed with RBI singles before a walk to Mike Lowell loaded the bases. Julio Lugo brought all three runners home with a double to the triangle in center-field that center fielder Mike Cameron missed running into the wall.

Luis Pena, Capuano's replacement, didn't fare much better. After retiring Jason Varitek to end the 1st, Pena surrendered three runs in the second, highlighted by Manny Ramirez's two-run double to right.

Salmon Torres pitched two hitless innings of relief for the Brewers before Carlos Villanueva (2.1 IP, 3 H, 2 Rs), Eric Gagne (1.0 IP, 3 Hs, 2 Rs), and Brian Shouse (1.2 IP, 3 Hs, 1 R) finished things off.

Daisuke Matsuzaka continued the run of hot pitching for the Sox, throwing 7 solid innings of work, allowing 2 Rs on 3 hits while striking out 5 and walking 3. Brian Corey pitching the final two innings in mop-up work.

In their highest scoring game so far this season, all Red Sox starters scored at least one run while all but two (Crisp & Varitek) had hits. Manny Ramirez and Julio Lugo each added four RBIs.

The loss marked the second time in three games that the Brewers have lost by 12 runs. They previously lost 13-1 to Los Angeles on May 15th.

W: Matsuzaka (5-3) L: Capuano (1-5)
Player of the Game: Pedroia (4-6, 3 Rs, 2B, BB)

Around the League:
...Arizona traded RF Jeff Salazar (.243 avg., 1 HR, 17 RBIs) and 22-year old minor league 1B Mark Hallberg to San Diego in exchange for MR Kevin Cameron (16.1 IP, 0-1, 2.20 ERA, .182 oavg.) and 24-year old minor league 1B Ray Chang...

[BostonRS14]

May 17, 2008

Boston 7, Milwaukee 3

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, Red Sox manager Terry Francona made a gut decision that looked most likely to be double guesses from the moment he made it. Leaving Brian corey in to face rookie slugger Ryan Braun, Francona looked the part of the genius as Corey induced an inning ending double play to secure the win.

The Brewers once again got out in front first with a solo home run from J.J. Hardy in the top of the 3rd off starter Jon Lester. In the bottom of the inning, though, the Sox went ahead with three runs of their own. Mike Lowell and Julio Lugo led off with a pair of singles before one out later, Coco Crisp reached on an error by Prince Fielder, allowing Lowell to score from second. A ground out by Dustin Pedroia score Lugo and a double from David Ortiz drove home Crisp.

Milwaukee would pull within 3-2 before the Sox went ahead in the 7th with four runs off C.C. Sabathia. Mike Lowell drove in two with a double and Coco Crisp added two RBIs with a single off reliever Randy Choate.

Lee Gronkiewicz surrendered his third run of the season in the eighth before Corey closed out the game for his first save of the season.

W: Lester (5-1) L: Sabathia (5-2) SV: Corey (1)
Player of the Game: J.J. Hardy (2-4, HR, 1 R, 2 RBIs)

Around the League:
...Pittsburgh's Jay Bay (.285, 8 HRs, 27 RBIs) and Chicago's Carlos Zambrano (5-2, 2.60 ERA) were suspended for 7 games for causing a bench-clearing brawl...Seattle SP Felix Hernandez (5-4, 2.78 ERA) pitched a 3 hit shutout against San Diego...Detroit signed manager Pat Marvis to a 4-year contract...

New England 1, Chivas USA 1

A feisty match broke out last night at Gillete Stadium when Chivas came to Foxboro to face the Revolution in a MLS matchup.

Coming into the match winless in 6 contests, Chivas played a high-tempo physical game that saw three yellow cards and a red called against them. New England earned two yellow cards of their own.

Michael Parkhurst claimed the man of the match in the game that New England were perhaps unfortunate not to win. With Chivas a man down due to Dmitry Khohlov being sent off in the 28th minute, Parkhurst out-jumped Alex Zotinca on a corner kick and put the ball past Matt Pickens for the score.

Chivas tied the game up in the 71st minute when Julio Cesar Dominguez corralled a rebound in the box and slipped it into the open net.

[BostonRS14]

May 18, 2009

Boston 4, Milwaukee 2

Former Red Sox Jeff Suppan came close to defeating his former teammate Tim Wakefield in the series finale at Fenway, but the Sox bats came alive late to survive and earn the three-game sweep.

Suppan gets a visit from catcher Mike Rivera

Suppan, who made his major league debut with Boston in 1995 and then was re-acquired in 2003 from Pittsburgh, was sharp for six innings, allowing just two hits until Boston got on the board in the seventh. Manny Ramirez led off the inning with a single and J.D. Drew followed with a walk. Kevin Youkilis single to right to load the bases. A visit from the Brewers pitching coach Mike Maddux wasn't enough to calm down the tiring Suppan and a walk to Mike Lowell forced in Ramirez from third to tie the game. Pinch hitter Brandon Moss, hitting in place of Julio Lugo, doubled to the right field corner to score Drew and Youkilis easily. Mike Lowell would late come home on a sacrifice fly by Coco Crisp.

After a scoreless inning of relief from Manny Delcarmen (his first apperance since 5.10), Jonathan Papelbon worked the ninth, surrendering one run on two singles, a hits batsman and a sacrifice fly before striking out Bill Hall and Mike Cameron to shut the door on the Brewers.

W: Wakefield (7-0) L: Suppan (4-5) SV: Papelbon (15)
Player of the Game: Tim Wakefield (7.0 IP, 5 H, R, 6 K's, 111 PI)

Around the League:
...Red Sox claimed 3B Russ Canzler off waivers from Chicago (N) and demonted him to Greenville...San Diego signed free agent MR Julio Mateo to a one-year $390k contract...