5/9 @ Minnesota Twins

[Cocos Disciples]

Uh, keep winning I guess. Another 4 game set, 3 of 4 please.

 

Boston Red Sox (23-14) at Minnesota Twins (17-16)

 

http://kylemcelligott.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/bdd_627_jl_ap.jpg

Jon Lester (2-2, 3.94)

vs

http://blog.stats.com/boof.jpg

Boof Bonser (2-4, 4.29)

 

DETROIT -- Boston's basestealers only look at their percentages. In doing so, they're looking at a number that tops the Major Leagues.

The Red Sox don't run that often, but when they do, there's a real good chance they will be safe. Case in point: The Sox are tied for eighth in the Majors, with 29 stolen bases; they are successful a Major League-high 88 percent of the time.

 

Last year the Red Sox finished fourth in the Majors, at 80 percent.

 

"Most of the time, we care more about our percentages than we do just the outright number of stolen bases," manager Terry Francona said.

 

Francona likes to pick his spots to steal bases. He has players who can run well, but he doesn't need to send them often, considering he has a lineup that includes sluggers David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell.

 

"If it helps us win a game, we try to do it," Francona said. "If we don't think it can impact us as much as guys hitting, then we don't."

 

The Red Sox have been successful on their last 20 stolen-base attempts. They have not been thrown out since Julio Lugo was caught on April 17.

 

That has a lot to do with rookie outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

 

Ellsbury is tied for the Major League lead, with 13 stolen bases, and has not been caught this season. Including his 33-game stint with Boston last season, Ellsbury has started his career a perfect 22-for-22 in stolen-base attempts -- the most by a Red Sox rookie to begin a career since 1920.

 

"He's done a great job, especially for a young guy," Francona said. "He's not just fast; I do think he's pretty smart. And he pays attention, so that's probably why he's done well. And I think he's confident."

 

Ellsbury and the Red Sox may have a tough time stealing bases in this weekend's four-game series against the Minnesota Twins and catcher Joe Mauer.

 

Mauer, one of baseball's best young backstops, has thrown out eight would-be basestealers this season, which ranks third in the Majors. He has thrown out 53 percent of runners this season after retiring 40 percent last year.

 

Pitching matchup

BOS: LHP Jon Lester (2-2, 3.94 ERA)

Lester snapped a five-start winless streak with his second straight strong outing in a win over the Rays at Fenway Park last Sunday. After throwing eight innings of one-hit shutout ball in a no-decision against Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays, he struggled at the start but worked six effective innings to beat Tampa Bay. Lester is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in his last four starts. He pitched two scoreless innings of relief against the Twins in the final game of the regular season last year, his only work against Minnesota.

 

MIN: RHP Boof Bonser (2-4, 4.29 ERA)

After a terrible first inning against the Tigers in which he threw 45 pitches and gave up six runs, Bonser turned into the hero of the game his last time out, pitching five consecutive scoreless innings following the first and retiring 17 of the last 19 hitters he faced on just 54 pitches. Bonser attributed it to locating his fastball and gaining control of his off-speed pitches. He will face another tough challenge when he starts the opener of a four-game series against the Red Sox.

 

Tidbits

Ortiz extended his hitting streak to eight games on Thursday, the longest such streak of his career. He is batting .416 (15-for-36) during the span, with three home runs and eight RBIs. ... Josh Beckett became the 422nd pitcher to join the 1,000-strikeout club. ... Youkilis leads the Majors, with 12 RBIs in May.

-mlb.com

 

Win.

[VA Sox Fan]

Red Sox

 

1. Ellsbury, CF

2. Pedroia, 2B

3. Ortiz, DH

4. Ramirez, LF

5. Lowell, 3B

6. Youkilis, 1B

7. Drew, RF

8. Varitek, C

9. Lugo, SS

 

Lester, P

 

Twins

 

1. Gomez, CF

2. Harris, 2B

3. Mauer, C

4. Morneau, 1B

5. Cuddyer, RF

6. Kubel, DH

7. Young, LF

8. Tolbert, 3B

9. Everett, SS

 

Bonzer, P

 

Go Lester! GO RED SOX!!

[The Dustball]

Everytime I see the name Boof I can't help but smile. Keep it rolling tonight boys! Hopefully Lester can limit his walks and go deep into the game tonight.

[Thumper]

I summon Jobu for a win tonight.

 

[youtube=Jobu Voodoo Mojo]AkFbqp8llzU

[Jayhawk Bill]

Big Papi is 5-6 with 2 HR vs. Boof Bonser. Youk is 1-1, a home run.

 

The Twins are 5-25 vs. Lester, no home runs.

[ORS]

Should have swung at the 3-0. It was a cookie.

[ORS]

Also, I think Bonser is trying to take advantage of the team's focus on patience. He grooved first pitch FBs to Ellsbury and Pedroia (obviously not to the boppers). I'd like to see a more aggressive approach from everyone other than Manny and Papi.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Should have swung at the 3-0. It was a cookie.

 

Does Manny ever swing 3-0? :dunno:

[redsoxrules]

Does Manny ever swing 3-0? :dunno:

 

Iv'e never saw him swing at 3-0

[Cocos Disciples]

He did a little while ago this year I think.

[CrespoBlows]

Lester wasn't hit that hard in the first (with the exception of the Gomez out), but I'd be nice if Lester could generate some swing and misses.

[CrespoBlows]

I hate the rule, but I'll take it.

[a700hitter]

Nice hustle by Youk. Most guys don't bust it hard like that unless the ball goes to the backstop.

[Jayhawk Bill]

You know, Bonser is locating his fastball very well tonight thus far.

 

Mauer isn't, though.

[a700hitter]

Youk stealing? Wow!

[redsoxrules]

nice hit by drew

[redsoxrules]

sweet another break

[The Dustball]

Nice. 2-1. Tek with the RBI

[Jayhawk Bill]

Boof Bonser saved a run on Gomez's errant throw.

[redsoxrules]

tie game

[The Dustball]

Lugo with the RBI on a weak little chopper to the left side. It seems like he gets all his RBI's on weak ground balls

[redsoxrules]

Lugo with the RBI on a weak little chopper to the left side. It seems like he gets all his RBI's on weak ground balls

 

at least he didn't strike out or poped out, wich I was expecting

[Jayhawk Bill]

tie game

 

Professional job by JD Drew scoring on the ground ball...most MLB players come home, but he could've hesitated.

[ORS]

Does Manny ever swing 3-0? :dunno:

He has at least 38 times in his career, to the tune of a 1.834 OPS (.474/.939/.895). I like his chances if he goes after the cookie.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/bsplit.cgi?n1=ramirma02&year=00

[Beaneater]

Lugo with the RBI on a weak little chopper to the left side. It seems like he gets all his RBI's on weak ground balls

 

More to the point, every time the ball hits his bat it turns into a weak ground ball.

[ORS]

More to the point' date=' every time the ball hits his bat it turns into a weak ground ball.[/quote']

Except, of course, for when he tries to bunt. A guy who specializes in the 10 foot dribbler on a full swing can't get a bunt down.

[Beaneater]

Except' date=' of course, for when he tries to bunt. A guy who specializes in the 10 foot dribbler on a full swing can't get a bunt down.[/quote']

 

He did have a sweet bunt single Tuesday. Yesterday, though, there was a certain amount of fail.

[Jayhawk Bill]

He has at least 38 times in his career, to the tune of a 1.834 OPS (.474/.939/.895). I like his chances if he goes after the cookie.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/bsplit.cgi?n1=ramirma02&year=00

 

 

Love the link, ORS.

 

He swung 10% of the time over his career, but his last hit on a 3-0 count was in 2005.

[redsoxrules]

If manny would of dove he would caught that ball

[VA Sox Fan]

Talking to my brother today. He wouldn't mind seeing a straight trade, Lugo to the White Sox for Lando Cabrera (who is struggling at bat) and just take the $ loss with regard to Lugo. I don't see Theo doing that.

 

What do you guys think?