June 30th @ Florida

[RedSoxRooter]

Game Info:

Date: Friday, June 30th, 2006

First Pitch: 7:35pm EST

Location: Dolphin Stadium, Miami Florida

TV: NESN

 

Starting Pitchers:

 

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/5885.jpghttp://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/TALKSOX/VS.GIFhttp://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/7133.jpg

 

http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/bos.gif#18 Jason Johnson (3-8, 5.96)

http://espn-att.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/fla.gif#35 Dontrelle Willis (4-7, 4.05)

 

Red Sox - Marlins Preview

The last time they were this hot, the Boston Red Sox ended up with a division title.

 

The Red Sox try for their longest winning streak in nearly 58 years when they open a three-game series with the Florida Marlins Friday at Dolphin Stadium.

 

The Red Sox (48-28) won their 12th straight game on Thursday thanks in large part to RedSoxRooter's game thread mojo, beating the New York Mets 4-2 to complete a three-game sweep.

 

Boston, which moved a season-high four games ahead of the New York Yankees in the AL East, had not won 12 in a row since Aug 3-14, 1995 en route to the club's last division title.

 

The Red Sox have not won 13 in a row since July 18-27, 1948. Their current winning streak is the longest in the majors since Houston won 12 in a row from Aug. 27-Sept. 8, 2004. Oakland had the last longer streak, winning 20 in a row in 2002.

 

David Ortiz went 3-for-4 with his 200th career homer in Thursday's win. Mark Loretta also homered for Boston, which improved to a major league-best 14-1 in interleague play.

Each of Boston's 12 straight wins have come against NL teams.

 

Jonathan Papelbon earned his 24th save in 26 chances, tying the club rookie record set in 1962 by Dick Radatz .

 

''We played as good a game as we played in a long time,'' said manager Terry Francona , whose team tied the major league record of 16 straight errorless games set by the St. Louis Cardinals from July 30 to Aug. 16, 1992.

 

Jason Johnson (3-8, 5.96 ERA) will look to keep Boston's streak alive in his first start for his new team. He was released by Cleveland on June 20 and acquired by the Red Sox a day later in a trade for a player to be named or cash.

 

Johnson has not pitched since June 19, when he dropped his fourth straight start, allowing six runs, three earned, and two homers in five innings of a 12-8 defeat to the Chicago Cubs . He is 1-8 with a 7.38 ERA in his last 11 starts and has allowed 10 homers and 108 hits in 77 innings this season.

 

However, Boston hopes the groundball pitcher will thrive with the Red Sox 's infield behind him. The Red Sox have committed just 23 errors this season, the fewest in the majors.

 

''There have been a lot of balls that have gotten through the (Guardians) infield,'' general manager Theo Epstein said. ''We hope that our infield defense, which we think is pretty good, might help him out a little bit.''

 

Johnson is 0-2 with a 6.46 ERA in three career starts against the Marlins.

 

Florida will counter with left-hander Dontrelle Willis (4-7, 4.05), who allowed two runs in eight innings of Sunday's 2-1 loss the Yankees, ending a personal three-game winning streak.

 

Willis, who has never faced the Red Sox , is 3-1 with a 2.50 ERA in five June starts.

 

The Marlins (34-41) lost 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Wednesday, just their fourth defeat in 17 games. Starter Scott Olsen drove in the only run for Florida, which saw its eight-game home winning streak snapped.

 

The Marlins have won eight of their last 11 series.

 

''The ball's starting to bounce our way,'' Willis said. ''It's a beautiful thing to see. I don't think anybody thought our turnaround would be this fast. We're in striking distance every single game. That's the sign of a good ballclub.''

 

Looking at Johnson's career stats makes me want to puke in my mouth. This is a real test for the mojo and Willis should be fun to watch. GO SOX!

[yeszir]

I don't know if this is demeaning ORS dead crap mojo, but here goes:

http://forums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/263-15608-335097-9021/trainwreck.jpg

[RedSoxRooter]

Riverside will be proud of that pic.

[RoyNHSox]

With Johnson starting against Willis this one seems like the toughest match up of the series. I’m wondering if tonight Papi will get the night off due to lefty Willis pitching. Also Manny’s nursing a sore knee so a day off for him couldn’t hurt either. Should be interesting to see how Youk, Manny, Papi, and Lowell all get worked into the lineups over this series.

[Cocos Disciples]

Looking at the Marlins lineup, it really isn't that bad. Hanley is having a good year, and is a spark from the leadoff spot. Uggla is back, and he is a good 2nd baseman, he hits 2nd. Jacobs and Cabrera are quality run producers, and Willingham and Hermida are decent. Olivo, Kevin Millar's idol, and Abercrombie, and low quality 7-8 hitters. We are at the disadvantage of only using 2 out of Papi, Lowell and Youk for each game. I assume each will play twice, as usual in NL games. Let's win.

[jsinger121]

just win

[riverside sluggers]

Dontrelle Willis (1st career appearance vs Boston---Career at Dolphins Stadium in 55 games, 24-20 record with a 3.59 ERA)

Mark Loretta, 2 for 9 (.222 avg) HR, RBI, 4 Walks

Coco Crisp, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Double, SB

 

Jason Johnson (3 games vs Florida, 0-2 record with a 6.46 ERA---Career at Dolphins Stadium in 2 games, 0-1 record with a 5.11 ERA)

Joe Borchard, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) HR, RBI

Miguel Cabrera, 1 for 1 (1.000 avg) RBI, Walk

Wes Helms, 1 for 3 (.333 avg)

Miguel Olivo, 0 for 3, K

Matt Treanor, 2 for 2 (1.000 avg)

[riverside sluggers]

Papi has the day off

 

Red Sox

1. Coco Crisp, CF

2. Mark Loretta, 2B

3. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. Mike Lowell, 3B

6. Jason Varitek, C

7. Gabe Kapler, RF

8. Alex Gonzalez, SS

9. Jason Johnson, SP

 

Marlins

1. Hanley Ramirez, SS

2. Dan Uggla, 2B

3. Mike Jacobs, 1B

4. Miguel Cabrera, 3B

5. Josh Willingham, LF

6. Jeremy Hermida, RF

7. Cody Ross, CF

8. Matt Treanor, C

9. Dontrelle Willis, SP

[TheKilo]

Biggest test of the mojo thus far.

[ORS]

Dontrelle vs. Johnson? The King feels that the powers that be are conspiring to stop the mojo.....

 

You know the day destroys the night

Night divides the day

Tried to run

Tried to hide

Break on through to the other side

 

http://www.geocities.com/player2000gi/thedoors/arrest2.jpg

 

That's right, Jim. Damn the man, and break free from the chains that bind you.

[CrespoBlows]

 

I look foward to this every night.

[ORS]

 

I look foward to this every night.

I'm going to have to start getting really creative if the mojo continues. I'm up for it.

[CrespoBlows]

The Sox are on the road, so maybe Roadhouse Blues?

[ORS]

The Sox are on the road, so maybe Roadhouse Blues?

Good call. And, you said you didn't want to mess it up yesterday. I think you can handle it.

[schillingouttheks]

ORS never fails.

 

ORS, what channel is the game on for you? I don't know if it's blacked out on Extra Innings for you because you're in Florida. This isn't just a random question if you were wondering.

[ORS]

ORS never fails.

 

ORS, what channel is the game on for you? I don't know if it's blacked out on Extra Innings for you because you're in Florida. This isn't just a random question if you were wondering.

Fox Sports Net. Yeah, I'm in the Marlins blackout region, so I can't watch it on MLB.TV.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Alright start us off Coco!

[HeadOfSoxNation]

With Papi out of the lineup, I think we should play NL ball to start. If Coco gets on, I say he's running.

[RedSoxRooter]

bah. I got the Florida announcers. If they say anything interesting I'll pass it along.

[jsinger121]

11 pitch first inning for willis.....way to make him work.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Wow...Adam Bernero is having a solid outing thus far for Philly against Toronto. Here's his line:

 

.2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 ER

[RedSoxRooter]

Marlins announcers just said the Sox lead the Majors in OBP. I had no idea.. I knew they were hitting like .340 as a team during the streak, but didn't know about the obp.

[CrespoBlows]

HANLEY IS H0TT! Y DID we traDe hIm fur becketss.

 

:thumbsup:

[CrespoBlows]

The Jason Johnson expirment won't last long.

[jsinger121]

not a good start for the sox. DFA this bum now.

[TheKilo]

Manny really should have had that, but Johnson doesn't help himself by plunking Uggla.

 

 

I'd be shcoked if they got out of the inning down only 3.

[jsinger121]

jeff weaver anyone? he was DFA'd by the Angels today

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2506041

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Nice curve there...the brighest spot of this game thus far.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Let's bring in a long man...

[BoSox21]

eww jason, just eww