Let's Keep the Good Times Rolling

The Red Sox won yesterday 5-0 with a remarkable performance by Josh Beckett and an uncharacteristic bunt by David Ortiz. The day started with a great tribute to Tim Wakefield, “Thanks Wake Day.” It was also Beckett’s 32nd birthday. Tim Wakefield was honored during a ceremony before the start of the game. Don Orsillo, of NESN fame, was the master of ceremonies. David Ortiz gave a speech about Wakefield, and former players Mike Timlin and Mike Stanley also were at the ceremony. Wakefield’s family and people who participate in his charity, “Wakefield’s Warriors,”
were also on hand during this.

Wakefield gave a speech after Ortiz, and courtesy of The Boston Globe, here are his words:

I have to thank the Red Sox organization for giving me the best 17 years of my life. I have to thank my teammates, the former ones that I played with. You guys have always had my back and I’ll have yours forever. Thank you for your support. Last but not least the fans, like I said in February, every time I took this mound I gave everything I had and every time I walked off you guys always gave me a standing ovation and I will cherish the memories that we shared together from ’04-’07 and all the 17 years in between. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you guys and thanks for being here today.

It was announced that Doug Mirabelli, who was Wakefield’s personal catcher for years, was trying to get the ceremony but was caught in transit. Then, a Boston police car appeared in Center Field, and Mirabelli emerged. This recreated one of the most memorable moments in recent Red Sox history. Doug Mirabelli was re-acquired by the Red Sox in 2006 to catch Wakefield, and Mirabelli received a police escort so he wouldn’t be late for the game.

I didn’t get to watch the whole game, but I was able to watch a good portion of it. Unfortunately, what I missed seeing was the Wakefield ceremony and Ortiz’s bunt. I’ve been searching on the internet for video of the bunt without any success. I watched “Quick Pitch” on the MLBNetwork, but they didn’t show the bunt either. One of my co-workers said that ESPN showed it, but I’m sure that was a one-time thing for the “World Wide Leader in Sports.” I also searched ESPN’s website without success.

Beckett was the main focus, internally, of the game. He was outstanding! His line for the game: 7IP 4H 0R 0ER 2BB 9SO 0HR. His ERA was lowered to 4.97. I’m not sure if this is the Beckett we’ll continue to see this season (I hope that’s the case), but when Beckett is on, he’s on. It could be his stubbornness or his ability, but he needs to keep pitching this way.

Offensively, Ortiz (bunt single and HR), Saltalamacchia (single and double), and Aviles (2 doubles) all had two hits. Sweeney, Ortiz, Middlebrooks, and Aviles (2) had RBIs. Nava has reached base in every game since being called up. Every player had either an RBI or a run besides Pedroia or Adrian Gonzalez, and we know those two can produce.

The Red Sox play the Rays today and tomorrow before heading to Philadelphia this weekend (to face Papelbon). Tonight’s match-up is Buchholz (who desperately needs another good performance) v. Hellickson (Iowa native). Hopefully, the Red Sox can continue playing as great as they have the past five games.

The Red Sox Win Their First Back-To-Back Road Games Since August 2011

It pangs me a little to even write that headline. The last time the Red Sox won consecutive road games was August 23rd-25th, 2001 against the Texas Rangers. That seems like a lifetime ago.

I usually don’t like to express team stats as they go into the previous season, but I had to throw that one out. For some reason, it seems like someone has been playing with a Voodoo doll in the likes of the Red Sox team. They couldn’t catch a break… until now possibly.

I’m convinced that the Red Sox need to work as a team, rather than having a few players carry them. This should seem logical for baseball, but it’s not always the case. So many times, it seems like the Red Sox rely on a player to remain clutch (last year, it seemed like Jacoby Ellsbury and Adrian Gonzalez were those players, the year before, Adrian Beltre). Of course, Pedroia and Ortiz are just asked to be consistent… consistently productive.

Again, last night’s game looked like a legitimate team effort, much like the game before. Here’s a look at the Red Sox’s portion of the Boxscore:

All of the starters had at least one hit, besides Cody Ross who at least had an RBI. Aviles hit 4-5 in the lead-off spot, including two doubles and a home run. Ortiz went 2-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs. Youkilis and Byrd, the two players who offense every fan wished would start to pick up, each had two hits.

I admit, I thought things were going to get a little shaky for Beckett in the first inning. He walked in a runner, after all. But, Beckett strapped down, and went six innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, and striking out 5, and didn’t give up a home run. His ERA is 4.56, which is steadily getting lower.

The thing I think so many people need to realize with Beckett is it seems like he always has the one game early on in the season when he’s just not locked in. He’ll give up those runs, but he fights back. I don’t know if people think of him as the pitcher with the bad attitude who seems like it doesn’t care or what, but I’ve always admired Beckett when he pitches. He’s out there to win, and people can tell when watching him.

The relievers last night, Atchison and Albers, also did well. Atchison went 2 innings and gave up no hits while striking out 3. His ERA is now 1.54. Who would’ve thought that Atchison would be one of most dependable relievers this season (to this point, at least)? Albers also did well in one inning, only giving up a hit and no runs. His ERA is a respectable 3.38 in this early part of the season.
Here’s some things to ponder:

* Ortiz is batting .444 at this point of the season, and it seems like he’s heating up even more. In the past seven games, he’s hitting .550 (11/20) with 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 5 RBIs, and 2 walks. He had his fourth-straight multi-hit game and has 28 hits this season, the most he has ever had in April (he had 21 in 1998 and 2001).

* Mike Aviles seems to be a suitable lead-off hitter. So far this season, he’s hitting .333 with a .932 OPS. I hate to say it so soon, but maybe after Ellsbury returns, Aviles stays as the lead-off? Move Pedroia to 2nd, Ellsbury to 3rd, and so on. Also, makes you want to say Marco who, right?

* Technically, the Red Sox are only three games back in their league in the loss column.  The other teams are 10-7.

* Carl Crawford is scheduled to have his elbow examined by Dr. James Andrews... hopefully for reassurance, but you can never be so certain when it comes to Red Sox injuries.

* Rich Hill could possibly be promoted to the Red Sox bullpen this weekend. He pitched a scoreless inning last night for Pawtucket and is scheduled to pitch again tonight. If he does well on back-to-back games, he should be ready to go.

* Also wanted to note that I checked my stats on the blog today, and it was viewed 19 times in one hour yesterday. Whoever is reading the blog, I just wanted to say thank you.

Here’s hoping the Red Sox can keep on this encouraging path!