April 23 @ Toronto

[Beckett95]

Game Info:

Date: Sunday, April 23rd, 2006

First Pitch: 1:07 ET

TV: NESN

Radio: WEEI 850

Starting Pitchers:

 

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/6099.jpg VS. http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/6712.jpg

 

BOS: RHP Matt Clement (1-1, 7.00 ERA)

Clement was sharp in his last start, allowing three runs over seven innings, but he received a no-decision against the Devil Rays. Clement struck out six in that game. The Blue Jays have been tough on him the last couple of years. In fact, Clement's only loss thus far this season came against Toronto, which touched him up for eight hits and seven runs over four innings on April 13.

 

TOR: RHP Josh Towers (0-3, 4.20 ERA)

Towers is in an early-season slump, but he will have had six days of rest to work on some of his command issues. After his last start, in which he lasted just two innings before rain and five runs allowed cut short his outing against Chicago, Towers said his problems have been more in his head than with his mechanics. In his start versus Boston last week, he lasted six innings and gave up four runs -- all in the second frame.

 

Game Preview:

The Red Sox, with Matt Clement on the mound, will try to salvage the final game of this three-game series against the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.

Boston needs a victory to avoid getting swept for the first time in 2006. The Jays have given the Sox fits the last two years, taking 15 of the last 23 meetings between the American League East rivals.

 

"We've been in this situation before in past years. We've got a good group of professional guys out here," said Red Sox right fielder Trot Nixon. "We know what we need to do, what it takes to go out there and win ballgames. We're going to do that. We're going to go on streaks where we win five, seven, maybe 10 games. You just got to put this loss behind you and try to go out there and play hard, avoid the sweep and move on."

 

The Boston bats, which produced just one run on Saturday, will try to be more productive against Blue Jays starter Josh Towers. The Sox beat Towers on April 11 at Fenway Park, scoring four runs against him over six innings.

 

Without Coco Crisp (fractured left index finger) at the top of the order, Boston has struggled to score runs at times.

 

"Someone like Coco, he's very important to this team. But we've got a good group of guys right here right now," said Nixon. "We've got guys capable of filling in for Coco. Obviously, Coco's got a great amount of speed. He can go out there and run. But in the same sense, you string a few hits here and there, you can still score runs."

[RedSoxRooter]

Wow. We could be swept if Clement can't figure out the Jays.

[Beckett95]

should be a high scoring game today, unless clement can locate his pitches

[Beckett95]

anyone know the reason why all the toronto games start at :07 instead of :05? Every game there is either 1:07 or 7:07.

[RedSoxRooter]

The games are Canadian time.

[stocker323]

I always thought it was because they have to sing 2 national anthems so they just put every start at :07.

[TheRivernator]

anyone know the reason why all the toronto games start at :07 instead of :05? Every game there is either 1:07 or 7:07.

 

because they are stupid canadians...

[stocker323]

because they are stupid canadians...

 

Yeah that must be the reason.

[YanksHater213]

Yeah that must be the reason.

No, its true.

[ksushi]

They don't have time in Canada. Kinda like there is no liquor in Utah. There is no time up there. So we have to just guess.

[riverside sluggers]

May Clement rid his troubles of facing the Blue Jays. If not, may the Sox bats be able to contend in a slug fest.

 

Josh Towers (9 games vs. Boston, 3-4 record with a 6.66 ERA---Career at Rogers Centre in 39 games, 14-15 record with a 4.81 ERA)

Kevin Youkilis, 2 for 4 (.500 avg) Double, RBI, K

Mark Loretta, 0 for 6, K

David Ortiz, 3 for 8 (.375 avg) 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, Walk, K

Manny Ramirez, 5 for 24 (.208 avg) 3 HRs, 6 RBIs, 2 Ks

Trot Nixon, 9 for 19 (.474 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 HRs, 2 RBIs, Walk, 2 Ks

Jason Varitek, 1 for 11 (.091 avg), 3 Walks, 3 Ks

Mike Lowell, 3 for 3 (1.000 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI

Willie Harris --

Alex Gonzalez, 0 for 3, K

///

Josh Bard, 0 for 1

Alex Cora, 0 for 4

Wily Mo Pena, 0 for 1

 

Matt Clement (5 games vs. Toronto, 0-3 record with a 9.45 ERA---Career at Rogers Centre in 2 games, 0-1 record with a 6.75 ERA)

Russ Adams, 4 for 15 (.267 avg) 3 RBIs, Walk, K

Frank Catalanotto, 5 for 13 (.385 avg) 3 Doubles, HR, 5 RBIs, 3 Walks, 2 Ks

Vernon Wells, 2 for 14 (.143 avg) HR, 4 RBIs, 3 Ks

Troy Glaus, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) 2 Walks, 2 Ks

Lyle Overbay, 3 for 16 (.188 avg) 2 Walks, 5 Ks

Gregg Zaun, 4 for 12 (.333 avg) 2 Doubles, 4 RBIs, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

Eric Hinske, 7 for 14 (.500 avg) 2 Doubles, 3 RBIs, Walk, 2 Ks, SB

Alex Rios, 3 for 10 (.300 avg) Walk, 2 Ks

Aaron Hill, 4 for 10 (.400 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, Walk, K

///

Shea Hillenbrand, 3 for 17 (.176 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI, 5 Ks

Bengie Molina, 1 for 6 (.167 avg) RBI, K

[stocker323]

Red Sox

 

Youkilis 1B

Loretta 2B

Ortiz DH

Ramirez LF

Nixon RF

Varitek C

Lowell 3B

Harris CF

Gonzalez SS

 

Blue Jays

 

Adams SS

Catalanotto LF

Wells CF

Glaus 3B

Overbay 1B

Zaun C

Hinske DH

Rios RF

Hill 2B

[Cityofchampions33]

This game all depends on Clement, if he can keep to 3/4 runs then maybe we'll have a chance.

[a700hitter]

They only need a good 6 from Clement. With an off day tomorrow, they can empty the pen. I would pull him after 6 even if he is going good. He seems to deteriorate in the last third of games.

[ksushi]

You always wanna pull the starter.

[Cityofchampions33]

They only need a good 6 mfrom Clement. Eith an off day tomorrow, they can empty the pen. I would pull him after 6 even if he is going good. He seems to deteriorate in the last third of games.

 

I agree, I hope Tito knows this, with him being stat guy n all. I wold maybe try n split the innings between Timlin/Foulke and paelbon ( I for one have a lot more faith in Foulke after his last outing).

[ksushi]

I do actually agree, if we can get 6 solid from Clement and then insert maybe MDC? MDC, to timlin to papelbon?

[a700hitter]

You always wanna pull the starter.

Not always. You never would hear me say it about Schilling or Beckett. They have a good record for getting better as a game goes along, but with regard to the others, call me Captain Hook. I don't trust the 3,4, or 5 guys, unless Wells can come back strong.

[redoctober]

Good afternoon all.

[DrewDaGreat]

Get a friggin win Sox!

[redoctober]

Do you guys think we see a Delcarmen/Foulke or Timlin/Papelbon rotation Today?

[CrespoBlows]

Why wouldn't it be Timlin/Papelbon? (With a lead)

[redoctober]

Why wouldn't it be Timlin/Papelbon? (With a lead)

 

I added Foulke in there because of his outing in the extra inning game Terry may have some renewed confidence in him. However, in my opinion, I'd still say Timlin gets the nod.

[CrespoBlows]

You ask some really dumb questions.

 

Just though you should know that.

[redoctober]

You ask some really dumb questions.

 

Just though you should know that.

 

 

Do you have to criticize everything that I say?

[CrespoBlows]

Do you have to criticize everything that I say?

 

When I find it fitting, you'll hear about it.

[Teddyballgame10]

he doesnt even look like he swung thathard

[BeanTown33]

3-0. starting off good

[ksushi]

I'm watching the Toronto game cast on MLB.TV and they are showing the defensive positions. The spell it "defence" they spelled defense wrong. what the hell.

[CrespoBlows]

That's the proper English way of spelling it.