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!

Happy Easter... Some Positive Tidbits

Happy Easter!  Since it's Easter, I'm not going to dwell on the ugly game from yesterday.  Instead, I wanted to give a few, positive things that have come from the Red Sox over the past few days:

* Carl Crawford is getting closer to playing in extended Spring Training games.  He is currently taking batting practice on the field; and when he does start in games, he'll start as a DH and work his way to playing in the field.  He would then go to minor league games.  The prognosis was originally that Crawford would make it back to Major League games in May, but it could be within the next two or three weeks.

* Lefthanders Rich Hill and Andrew Miller started rehab assignments in Single-A yesterday.  Rich Hill is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in June (if you don't recall, Hill pitched eight scoreless inning last year before needing surgery).  Andrew Miller strained his left hamstring in Spring Training.  When these two are ready for the Majors, they will both be welcomed additions to the Club.

* Ryan Sweeney is leading the team in batting average with .571 (he's 4 for 7).  He hit a game-tying triple on Opening Game in the 9th inning. 

* By 10:00 this morning, both Adrian Gonzalez and Darnell McDonald had tweeted that the Sox needed to win today.

I apologize for the lack of posts the past few days and for this short post.  It is the Easter weekend though, and I've been spending time with my familly.  If I don't do another post again today, enjoy the day and hopefully the Sox can pull out a win today.