| 17 August 2009
The Red Sox lost two of three in Texas over the weekend and they were lucky they didn't get swept. Victor Martinez doubled in the go ahead runs in the 9th on Friday to steal a victory away from the Rangers, but the offense was quiet over the weekend and the Sox lost the lead in the Wild Card race.
On Saturday, Brad Penny continued to frustrate, fanning six while allowing four runs and SIX steals - reminding us of Carl Crawford's 6 SB game agaisnt Penny earlier this year. The offense continues to shun Penny (2 runs), but Penny's inability to hld runners and pitch peyond the 6th inning remains a concern for the Sox.
Jason Bay and V-Mart both homered in the game, but other than a 2 for 3 day from Jacoby, that was it for offense.
On Sunday, the Sox hoped for more success from Junichi Tazawa, but Texas pounded him for ten hits (2 HR) and four runs through five innings, while the offense remained cold. After fanning six agains the Tigers, Tazawa-bunga didn't strikeout any Rangers and it cost him. With Tim Wakefield almost ready to return from the DL, this was probably Tazawa's also start for the Sox.
The Sox got ding dongs from Ortiz in the second and Pedroia in the seventh, but unlike Friday night, the Texas pitchers kept us off the board for nine full innings.
Notes: Jacoby Ellsbury is one steal away from tying the club record for stolen bases in one season held by Tony Harper (54)... The Sox called up Brian Anderson to fill in for the injured JD Drew - he went 1 for 6 with an RBI in two games... Kevin Youkilis' five game suspension is over - he should be back in the lineup tomorrow against Toronto... Jason Bay is hitting .343 with five homers and nine RBI in August... After hitting just two ding dongs from April through June, Pedroia has eight homers in his last 38 games.
Bottom Line: We'll get Beckett and Lester in Toronto, but Buchholz gets the unlikely task of facing Roy Halladay on Wednesday. Buchhy has picthed well, despite facing Sabathia and Verlander in his last two starts... hopefully he continues to be inspired by the opposing starter.
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