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Rays Sting Sox and get Sweep
ProBaseball-fans.com Boston Red Sox Correspondent Dan Warner brings us his latest update on the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.
The Boston Red Sox continued their struggles as they dropped three straight games to the Tampa Bay Rays, extending their losing streak to five games. It was the first time in franchise history that the Rays have swept the BoSox. The series was highlighted by some great pitching, a positive sign that Sox fans can hold on to, but the offense was just unable to produce. You can't win a game if you can't score a run, no matter how good the pitching is.
The first game of the series at Tropicana Field featured knuckleballer Tim Wakefield against Matt Garza. The game was a back and forth battle and went into extra frames. In the bottom of the eleventh Nathan Haynes knocked in Carl Crawford on a single off of Mike Timlin (2-2). Scott Dohmann (1-0) got David Ortiz to ground out into a double play with men on first and third in the top of the eleventh to earn the win, 5-4.
Game two witnessed an excellent pitching performance from Red Sox youngster Clay Buchholz (1-2) who gave up two runs on three hits over eight innings. The one mistake that Buchholz made resulted in a two-run shot from Ray's second baseman Akinori Iwamura, enough scoring to pick-up the 2-1 win. Scott Dohmann (2-0) earned the win for the second night in a row, coming in as the second person to relieve starter Edwin Jackson.
The third and final match-up was a pitching duel between Boston's ace Josh Beckett (2-2) and James Shields (3-1) of Tampa Bay. Shields had the upper hand in this one, throwing a complete game two-hitter for his first career shutout. Beckett pitched well however, going seven strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits. It is worth noting, however, that Beckett had thirteen strikeouts, a career high. Evan Longoria went deep for the Rays, who added two other runs to pick-up the 3-0 win.
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Next Boston will continue their AL East play as they take on the Toronto Blue Jays in Massachusetts after a much needed day off. Game one looks to have Jon Lester pitch for Boston, followed by Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Tim Wakefield. The Blue Jays will have Roy Halladay, Dustin McGowan, and A.J. Burnett on the mound respectively. The Sox will look to end their five game skid against the Jays, as Toronto will look to get out of the AL East cellar.
Notes: Dustin Pedroia ended his hitting streak in game two, stopping it at 14 games. Boston catcher Jason Varitek started game two, it was his first game in a week. Varitek was just one of many Red Sox players who have experience flu-like symptoms over the past week. On Saturday the Sox placed first baseman Sean Casey on the 15-day disabled list, and recalled 1B-OF Brandon Moss to replace his spot on the roster. RHP Dan Kolb was released from Pawtucket to make room for Devern Hansack who is back from injury. David Ortiz sat out for games two and three, he is expected to return to the lineup soon, hopefully for the Toronto series. Mike Lowell started for triple-A Pawtucket over the weekend in hopes of recovering from his strained thumb. It is possible that Lowell could be back in the lineup for the series against the Blue Jays.
By Dan Warner
ProBaseball-fans.com Red Sox Correspondent
Past Boston Red Sox updates from Warner:
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