June 16 @ Atlanta

[RedSoxRooter]

Game Info:

Date: Friday, June 16th, 2006

First Pitch: 7:35pm EST

Location: Turner Field, Atlanta GA

TV: NESN/TBS

Starting Pitchers:

 

http://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/talksox/jlester.jpghttp://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/TALKSOX/VS.GIFhttp://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/6245.jpg

 

http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/bos.gif#62 Jon Lester (0-0, 6.23)

http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/atl.gif#15 Tim Hudson (6-4, 3.79)

 

Game Preview

 

The Atlanta Braves ' string of 14 straight division titles has never been in greater jeopardy.

 

The Braves look to take advantage of a struggling Boston team when they open a three-game series with the Red Sox on Friday at Turner Field.

 

Atlanta (30-37) lost 3-2 to Florida on Thursday, capping a three-game sweep. The Braves finished their road trip 1-6 and have dropped 14 of their last 17.

 

''You can't go 1-6 and gain ground, that's for sure,'' manager Bobby Cox said. ''Yeah, it is disappointing.''

 

Atlanta is seven games under .500 for the first time since May 26, 1992 and 13 games out of first place in the NL East, the furthest back they've been in a division since the end of 1990. Atlanta's stretch of division titles began in 1991.

 

''We haven't done this in 15 years,'' Cox said. ''So it's a little different.''

 

Adam LaRoche homered for the Braves, who have not scored more than five runs in their last 11 games and have been swept four times this season. Atlanta has lost five in a row twice this year, most recently June 1-5.

 

''Every year, every team goes through ups and downs - right now we're just on a down,'' center fielder Andruw Jones said. ''We just continue to play bad baseball, and we're not correcting our mistakes.''

 

Second baseman Marcus Giles was a late scratch Thursday because of a fever, and outfielder Ryan Langerhans missed his third straight game with a strained hip flexor.

 

The Red Sox (36-28) have lost four straight, including Thursday's 5-3 defeat to Minnesota that capped a three-game sweep. Boston had not dropped four in a row since May 24-27, 2005, and hasn't endured a five-game losing streak since May 1-4, 2004.

 

''It's not a lack of trying. It's trying too hard,'' manager Terry Francona said. ''It's a quality you admire in your players, but at the same time you have to fight it.''

 

The Red Sox , who had not been swept by the Twins since 1994, missed a chance to move back into a tie for first place in the AL East with New York. Mike Lowell went 3-for-4 with an RBI and left-hander Javier Lopez , acquired earlier in the day from the Chicago White Sox for David Riske , gave up a hit in one inning of relief.

 

Jon Lester (0-0, 6.23 ERA) will try to help Boston end its slide. He made his major league debut Saturday, allowing three runs and five hits in 4 1-3 innings of Boston's 7-4 loss to Texas. Lester struck out the first batter he faced, Gary Matthews Jr., before giving up a pair of first-inning runs.

 

''I threw a lot of pitches in four innings. That's the biggest thing right now, to try to keep my pitching efficiency to a minimum,'' said Lester, who threw 102 pitches. ''I was just happy to get the first (game) under my belt and get it done with.''

 

Atlanta will counter with Tim Hudson (6-4, 3.79), who allowed two runs and three hits in eight innings of a 4-2 win over Houston on Saturday. He improved to 90-6 when he receives four or more runs of support and 88-14 when he pitches beyond the seventh inning - which he did for the 131st time in 226 career starts.

 

Hudson is 3-6 with a 5.88 ERA in nine starts against the Red Sox . He has lost his last three starts against Boston, allowing 16 runs in 13 innings.

 

I got money on every game this weekend so LET'S GO SOX!

[YanksHater213]

win please?

[Anuj09]

today decides if Lester stays or goes down i think

[RoyNHSox]

The timing of interleague play for the Sox couldn’t come at a worse time, with the offense struggling as it has. Taking a bat out of the lineup doesn’t bode well so let’s hope for a strong outing from Lester.

[jsinger121]

http://www.bluecorncomics.com/pics/wndknee.jpg

[TheKilo]

Lester will come up big tonight. I really believe that.

 

Sox win, 6-3.

[Cityofchampions33]

Hudson isn't the same as he was a few years ago, and Lester has the advantage of not being seen before, so we should have somewhat of a better chance tonight.

[stocker323]

Just win.

[riverside sluggers]

From what I gather... Lowell will have Friday off, Ortiz will have Saturday off, and Youk will have Sunday off

 

Tim Hudson (9 games vs Boston, 3-6 record with a 5.88 ERA---Career at Turner Field in 20 games, 9-5 record with a 3.20 ERA)

Coco Crisp, 3 for 7 (.429 avg) Double, 2 Ks

Mark Loretta ---

David Ortiz, 8 for 25 (.320 avg) 3 Doubles, HR, 4 RBIs, Walk, 7 Ks

Manny Ramirez, 8 for 27 (.296 avg) 2 Doubles, Triple, 4 RBIs, 2 Walks, 6 Ks

Trot Nixon, 2 for 15 (.133 avg) Triple, RBI, 2 Walks, 4 Ks

Jason Varitek, 5 for 16 (.313 avg) 2 Doubles, HR, 3 RBIs, 3 Walks, 6 Ks

Mike Lowell, 2 for 8 (.250 avg) Walk, K

Alex Cora, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) Double, Walk

Jon Lester (1st major league at bat)

///

Alex Gonzalez, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) HR, RBI

Willie Harris, 0 for 3, K

Gabe Kapler, 2 for 17 (.118 avg) RBI, 2 Walks, 6 Ks, 2 SBs

Doug Mirabelli, 1 for 3 (.333 avg)

J.T. Snow, 2 for 8 (.250 avg) Walk

Kevin Youkilis, 0 for 1

 

Jon Lester (1st career appearance vs Atlanta)

[Beckett95]

boston.com

 

They meet again. And this time they're both knee deep in a June swoon.

 

The Red Sox and Braves open a three-game series tonight in Atlanta, meeting for the ninth season in the 10 years since interleague play began.

 

This is the second and final stop on the current six-game road trip for the slumping Sox, who have lost a season-high four games in a row and are currently tied for second in the AL East with the fast-charging Blue Jays. The Red Sox are 6-10 since May 29 and have benefited from a couple of ninth-inning comebacks.

 

The Braves, who have also lost four straight and are only 2-12 in June, are now seven games under .500 for the first time since May 26, 1992. And they trail the NL East leading Mets by a whopping 13 games, putting their 15th consecutive division title very much in doubt.

 

Some interesting interleague notes, courtesy of the Red Sox pregame package:

 

 

Senior circuit stats: The Red Sox won the first two of a three-game series in Philadelphia, May 19-21, in their first action versus the NL this season. The Sox had won their last six games over NL opponents since losing to Pittsburgh on June 18, 2005 before the May 21 setback. Boston has also captured 11 of the last 13 in interleague play starting June 12, 2005. The Sox are 79-81 lifetime vs. the NL in the regular season, 35-45 on road.

 

 

Here we go again: The Red Sox and Braves met in home-and-home series from 1999-2002 and have played at least one series every year but 2003. The Sox won two of three in the lone 2005 series at Fenway Park, Boston’s first winning season vs. the Braves since 1998. The Sox won just two of nine meetings in 2002 and 2004. The Sox trail in the all-time series, 23-13. Boston is 5-13 at Fenway Park and 8-10 at Turner Field since interleague play began in 1997.

 

 

Young gun reloads: Jon Lester makes his second career big league start tonight at Turner Field. Lester made his major league debut at Fenway Park last Saturday, recording a no-decision in Boston’s 7-4 loss to the Rangers. The rookie allowed three runs on five hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings, fanning four. Lester made the jump to the majors with 11 Triple-A starts under his belt, going 3-4 with a 2.70 ERA this season for Pawtucket. Lester made three big league appearances (one start) for the Sox in the 2006 spring training Grapefruit League, going 0-2 with a 19.50 ERA.

 

 

Pitching in at the plate: Boston pitchers were 3 for 9 with a homer and two RBIs in the three games at Philadelphia in May. As a comparison, all other AL pitchers are a combined 4 for 36 with two RBIs versus the NL in 2006. Josh Beckett’s homer on May 20 against the Phillies was the first long ball by a Red Sox pitcher since Marty Pattin went deep on Sept. 26, 1972 versus Milwaukee. Red Sox starting pitchers have hit safely in three of four and six of the team’s last eight road interleague games beginning June 11, 2005. Since start of 2005, Sox pitchers have a .258 (8 for 31) batting average.

 

 

Right on the Manny: Manny Ramirez has 37 homers in interleague play, tied with Sammy Sosa for fourth most all-time, and 110 RBIs, third most in history.

 

 

New leading man: Kevin Youkilis returned to the leadoff spot in the Red Sox order the last two nights for the first time since May 29. Among major leaguers with at least 100 at bats in the leadoff, Youkilis has the second best on-base percentage:

 

Player, Team -- OBP

Reed Johnson, TOR -- .455

Kevin Youkilis, BOS -- .441

Ichiro Suzuki, SEA -- .413

Gary Matthews, Jr., BAL -- .392

Richie Weeks, MIL -- .385

 

Youkilis is second among major league leadoff batters with 32 walks, trailing only Detroit’s Curtis Granderson (40). David Ortiz will play first base tonight in lieu of Youkilis with no designated hitter being used at the NL park.

 

 

Rough stretch in the clutch: The Sox were 26 for 112 (.232) with just six runs scored in the three games in Minnesota and went 5 for 24 with runners in scoring position.

 

 

Must see national TV: The Red Sox and Braves will play a pair of national television games this weekend. Saturday’s game will go to approximately 55 percent of the country as the Fox game of the week. Sunday the clubs close the series as the ESPN national night game.

[Beckett95]

some news today...

 

Clement placed on the DL

 

Kapler takes Clements roster spot

 

Sox claimed pitcher Kyle Synder off waivers from KC

 

Dustin Mohr and Mike Holtz were DFA

[riverside sluggers]

Kevin Youkilis & Alex Gonzalez have the day off.

 

Red Sox

1. Coco Crisp, CF

2. Mark Loretta, 2B

3. David Ortiz, 1B

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. Trot Nixon, RF

6. Jason Varitek, C

7. Mike Lowell, 3B

8. Alex Cora, SS

9. Jon Lester, SP

 

Braves

1. Marcus Giles, 2B

2. Edgar Renteria, SS

3. Chipper Jones, 3B

4. Andruw Jones, CF

5. Jeff Francoeur, RF

6. Matt Diaz, LF

7. Brian Jordan, 1B

8. Todd Pratt, C

9. Tim Hudson, SP

[Beckett95]

anyone know how Lester hits? Has he ever hit in college or in the minors?

 

Obviously its not important, but ujst wondering if he can swing the bat a little.

 

I think he'll have a great game on the mound

[jsinger121]

The last time Lester hit was probably High School cause he didn't go to college or has not hit in the minors

[yankeessuck013]

today decides if Lester stays or goes down i think

 

Nah, because Clement was just put on the DL.

 

So that only leaves us with 3 starters.

[TheKilo]

Nah, because Clement was just put on the DL.

 

So that only leaves us with 3 starters.

 

 

3 proven big leaguers.

 

Lester will be around for a while now, and we might see more of Pauley or even Kyle Snyder now.

[Beckett95]

3 proven big leaguers.

 

Lester will be around for a while now, and we might see more of Pauley or even Kyle Snyder now.

 

Id rather see Pauley than Snyder. Snyder sucks and is at best a AAA pitcher.

[RedSoxRooter]

I love it when the Sox come to Atlanta. Unfortunately it's too damn hot for anyone I know to go to the game. It should get down to the mid 80's by gametime.

[TheKilo]

Id rather see Pauley than Snyder. Snyder sucks and is at best a AAA pitcher.

 

 

Yeah, but Snyder may get the call on Monday.

[Cocos Disciples]

The Rotation, IMO is now:

 

Schilling

Wakefield

Beckett

Pauley

Lester

[TheKilo]

The Rotation, IMO is now:

 

Schilling

Wakefield

Beckett

Pauley

Lester

 

 

Pauley cannot pitch on Monday.

[RedSoxRooter]

I'd rather see Abe in there instead of Pauley.

[Beckett95]

Snyder most likely will get the start Monday and then they'll go from there.

 

theres a slight possibility Wells will be able to pitch towards the end of next week

[Cocos Disciples]

Pauley cannot pitch on Monday.

 

That wasn't in order of appearance, more in order of effectiveness.

[Beckett95]

Pauley has to wait untill June 22nd or 23rd to be able to be brought back up.

[TheKilo]

That wasn't in order of appearance' date=' more in order of effectiveness.[/quote']

 

 

I see. My point still stands.

 

I'm not sold on whether or not he can be the #5 guy, but I like watching him pitch more than Clement.

[a700hitter]

Id rather see Pauley than Snyder. Snyder sucks and is at best a AAA pitcher.

Either way, it should be nauseating to watch.

[Cocos Disciples]

I see. My point still stands.

 

I'm not sold on whether or not he can be the #5 guy, but I like watching him pitch more than Clement.

 

Between Lester and Pauley, its probably a tossup, but I give it to Pauley basically just because of the New York start. If Lester can consistently throw 5-6 innings and allow 3-4 runs, that is good enough, and same with Pauley.

[TheKilo]

Between Lester and Pauley' date=' its probably a tossup, but I give it to Pauley basically just because of the New York start. If Lester can consistently throw 5-6 innings and allow 3-4 runs, that is good enough, and same with Pauley.[/quote']

 

 

...

 

 

You think it's a tossup between someone who has a 6.00+ ERA and a .400+ opponent's batting average against someone who had a sub 3.00 ERA at the AAA level?

 

 

I like Pauley, but he's clearly inferior to Lester.

[a700hitter]

Between Lester and Pauley' date=' its probably a tossup, but I give it to Pauley basically just because of the New York start. If Lester can consistently throw 5-6 innings and allow 3-4 runs, that is good enough, and same with Pauley.[/quote']Consistency is they key. Pauley has not demonstrated the ability to be consistent.