May 28th vs Tampa Bay

[riverside sluggers]

In the absence of SchillingouttheKs, who's off seeing Crisp's first game at Fenway Park as Red Sox... heres hoping I can carry on the mojo for today. Wake's 3-6 record has been skewed as he has been throwing out quality starts, his offense just needs to pick him up really. Wake is currently 3 wins away from #150, and already stands as the 3rd winningest pitcher in Red Sox history with 133. Its sweep day... Coco gets his due in a long standing ovation, and may the knuckle dance to lead the Sox to another victory

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Wakefield has sweep dreams

Tampa Bay (21-29) at Boston (29-18), Sunday 2:05 p.m. ET

 

The Red Sox aim for their first four-game sweep of the season on Sunday when they send knuckleballer Tim Wakefield to hill against Tampa Bay lefty Mark Hendrickson. Like 200-game winner Curt Schilling, Wakefield is also trying to move up the win ladder. The righty has 147 in his career, including 133 with Boston.

 

Sunday's contest could also mark the return of Coco Crisp, who went 1-for-3 on Saturday night with Pawtucket before returning to the Red Sox clubhouse late Saturday night. Crisp has been out of action since breaking his left index finger while sliding into third base on April 8 at Baltimore. Saturday's win allowed the Red Sox to maintain their two-game lead over the Yankees in the American League East. Boston is 6-3 this season against Tampa Bay, including 5-1 at Fenway Park.

 

The Red Sox are 4-2 on the current homestand and head out on a three-city, 10-game road trip through Toronto, Detroit and New York following the game.

 

Pitching matchup

BOS: RHP Tim Wakefield (3-6, 4.57 ERA)

Wakefield has lost his last two starts. In his most recent one, he struggled, giving up six hits and six earned runs over 6 2/3 innings. The Devil Rays could be the perfect cure for Wakefield, as he is 13-2 against them in his career with a 2.92 ERA.

 

TB: LHP Mark Hendrickson (3-4, 3.50 ERA)

Hendrickson pitched well against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, allowing two runs on eight hits, but was tagged with the loss. He is 2-5 with an 8.63 ERA in 13 career appearances against the Red Sox.

 

Player to watch

Mark Loretta continues to tear it up for the Sox. He extended his hitting streak to 12 games on Saturday, batting .420 (21-for-50) with two doubles and five RBIs. He is just four games shy of his career-best 16-game streak with Milwaukee in 2001. In his last 20 games, beginning May 4, Loretta is batting .447 with six doubles, 10 RBIs and 13 runs scored.

 

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9iby6GL0XlE0LEAN1CjzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/

[riverside sluggers]

Mark Hendrickson (13 games vs. Boston, 2-5 record with an 8.63 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 7 games, 0-3 record with a 8.53 ERA)

Coco Crisp, 8 for 12 (.667 avg) Double, RBI, Walk, K, 3 SBs

Mark Loretta, 1 for 4 (.250 avg)

David Ortiz, 4 for 17 (.235 avg) 3 RBIs, 2 Walks, 4 Ks

Kevin Youkilis, 2 for 8 (.250 avg) Double, HR, 3 RBIs, K

Mike Lowell, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) K

Trot Nixon, 0 for 5, RBI, K

Alex Gonzalez, 3 for 4 (.750 avg) Triple, 2 RBIs, Walk

Willie Harris, 0 for 1

Doug Mirabelli, 8 for 14 (.571 avg) Double, 5 RBIs

///

Alex Cora, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Triple, 2 RBIs

Manny Ramirez, 12 for 26 (.462 avg) 4 Doubles, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 6 Walks

Jason Varitek, 3 for 16 (.188 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, 2 Walks, 2 Ks

 

Tim Wakefield (30 games vs. Tampa Bay, 13-2 record & 3 saves with a 2.92 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 220 games, 65-59 record & 13 saves with a 4.34 ERA)

Russell Branyan, 2 for 8 (.250 avg) 4 RBIs, K

Sean Burroughs, 0 for 1

Carl Crawford, 18 for 54 (.333 avg) 4 Doubles, Triple, HR, 7 RBIs, 3 Ks, 6 SBs

Joey Gathright, 2 for 13 (.154 avg) K

Jonny Gomes, 4 for 12 (.333 avg) Double, HR, RBI, 2 Walks, 4 Ks

Toby Hall, 8 for 36 (.222 avg) Double, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 2 Walks, 7 Ks

Damon Hollins, 0 for 6, K

Aubrey Huff, 4 for 42 (.095 avg) 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, Walk, 7 Ks

Travis Lee, 11 for 31 (.355 avg) 2 Doubles, 4 HRs, 7 RBIs, 2 Walks, K, SB

Julio Lugo, 7 for 30 (.233 avg) Double, HR, 5 RBIs, 7 Walks, 8 Ks, 4 SBs

Greg Norton, 1 for 8 (.125 avg) Double, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

Josh Paul, 0 for 1

Tomas Perez, 1 for 13 (.077 avg) Walk, K

Ty Wigginton, 0 for 3

[RoyNHSox]

For the lineup

 

1 Crisp

2 Loretta

3 Ortiz

4 Youks

5 Lowell

6 Nixon

7 A Gonz

8 Harris

9 Mirabelli

 

 

Wily Mo is put on the DL today, Manny scratched, and Harris in LF.

 

Also announced Paps has been given the day off.

[RedSoxRooter]

That's one weak ass lineup. I guess little run support again for Wake.

[monstah27]

i actually like youk cleaning up. that should be interesting. papi drives in crisp with a double, youk drives in papi... that sounds good. lets hope it works. GO SOX.

[RedSoxRooter]

And no Papelbon today either. Mandatory day off from Tito.

[monstah27]

thats good. hopefully we wont need him. We dont want to overwork our bullpen like the yankees. their bullpen sucks even more because of it. whenever a relief pitcher like proctor catches fire, they work him to the death and next thing you know, they are losing playoff series.

 

so its good we are not doing that with paps.

[rbreg7]

This lineup should render some small ball play, or at least I hope so.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing the first inning going single, steal, hit and run for a RBI, bunt hit for to make first and third, walk by Youk, base clearing double by Lowell.

 

Just a start. >_>

[Youk Of The Nation]

Youk batting cleanup? Very nice.

[RoyNHSox]

I doubt Foulke is availabe for today as he's played the last 4 games. Lets hope Wake is effective and can go deep into the game.

[riverside sluggers]

NESN pre-game report that along with Paps, Foulke & Timlin are also having off-days

 

Behind the workhorse Wakefield will be: Riske, Seanez, Tavarez, & Van Buren

[rbreg7]

Behind the workhorse Wakefield will be: Riske, Seanez, Tavarez, & Van Buren

 

Maybe we can use Matt Damon, is he in the front row nowadays?

[riverside sluggers]

Breaking News!!!! Timlin placed on 15 Day DL

[Beckett95]

Timlin and Willy Mo have been placed on the 15 day DL

[Beckett95]

Delcarmen called up for Timlin

[Beckett95]

so the Bullpen today consists of Riske, Seanez, Tavarez, Delcarmen & Van Buren

[rbreg7]

Why not start the games with Papelbon in the first, then Foulke in the second, and then our starter for the day for the rest. <_>

[DrewDaGreat]

Just saw Manny is back up.

 

EDIT: Already been posted...

[Goalstopper]

NESN pre-game report that along with Paps, Foulke & Timlin are also having off-days

 

Behind the workhorse Wakefield will be: Riske, Seanez, Tavarez, & Van Buren

 

we better hope the red sox start off hurry not always good when are 3 best relivers are having off-days.

[RoyNHSox]

At least the injuries that are plaguing the Sox now don't sound very serious with possibly Wells as the exception.

[Beckett95]

4-0 yankees in the 1st, still 0 outs

 

EDIT--Cano just grounded into a DP

[Goalstopper]

At least the injuries that are plaguing the Sox now don't sound very serious with possibly Wells as the exception.

well that is what we thought of crisp injury at first.

[a700hitter]

Wells was riding the stationary bike today, so the swelling must be going down.

[a700hitter]

For the lineup

 

1 Crisp

2 Loretta

3 Ortiz

4 Youks

5 Lowell

6 Nixon

7 A Gonz

8 Harris

9 Mirabelli

 

 

Wily Mo is put on the DL today, Manny scratched, and Harris in LF.

 

Also announced Paps has been given the day off.

 

Why not play Youk in LF and Snow at 1B again? Why is Tito subjecting us to Willie Harris on a daily basis?

[mtbykr]

Wells was riding the stationary bike today, so the swelling must be going down.

 

 

That's good news!

[mtbykr]

Why not play Youk in LF and Snow at 1B again? Why is Tito subjecting us to Willie Harris on a daily basis?

 

 

Exactly, Youk did a great job and having Snow in the lineup is much better than the black hole knows as harris!

[Youk Of The Nation]

Exactly, Youk did a great job and having Snow in the lineup is much better than the black hole knows as harris!

 

 

What? What? He cant play because hes black? What the hell? Are you a racist? Huh? Are you?

[mtbykr]

Geez, Manram hurt (of course during a blistering hot streak), timlin and WMP on the DL (i predicted last night) and the fatman hurt-----when did we become the patriots? Well let's hope they play like that pats and win 3 out of 4:D

[mtbykr]

What? What? He cant play because hes black? What the hell? Are you a racist? Huh? Are you?

 

I hope you are being sarcastic! You're smart, i shouldn't have to explain the barely 100 BA...

[Youk Of The Nation]

Geez, Manram hurt (of course during a blistering hot streak), timlin and WMP on the DL (i predicted last night) and the fatman hurt-----when did we become the patriots? Well let's hope they play like that pats and win 3 out of 4:D

 

They already DID win three out of four.