The Only Guys On The Red Sox That Should Show Their Faces In Boston Before April

So after last season's meltdown, I felt the need to review every player that was on the Red Sox' roster when it all ended. After this season's long and slow death, I don't have the patience or desire to recreate that tedious exercise. Instead, I want to identify the small group of players that deserve positive recognition for various reasons. Above all, they mostly overachieved based on whatever small expectations we had for them.

Scott Podsednik-19 runs, 60 hits, 7 doubles, 12 RBIs, 8 stolen bases, .302 batting average, .322 OBP and .352 SLG in 63 games.
When they signed Podsednik off the scrap heap, naturally I laughed thinking that he had nothing left in his washed up body. He proved me wrong and at 36, he can still play in MLB.

Pedro Ciriaco-33 runs, 76 hits, 15 doubles, 19 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, 293 batting average, .315 OBP and .390 SLG, in 76 games.
He was the buzz in Spring Training and amazingly enough, a guy that was released by the Pirates turned out to be a diamond in the rough. It seemed like he always made something happen when he was in the lineup and he'll be a great utility guy off the bench.

Dustin Pedroia-81 runs, 163 runs, 39 doubles, 15 homers, 65 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, .290 batting average, .347 OBP and .449 SLG in 141 games.
Numbers wise, it was about an average season for Pedroia but I mention him since he played the last two games with a broken finger. If there was any doubt, he's still the heart and soul of this team and somebody we can all root for/be proud of.

Will Middlebrooks-34 runs, 77 hits, 14 doubles, 15 homers, 54 RBIs, .288 batting average, .325 OBP and .509 SLG in 75 games.
After tearing it up in Pawtucket, Middlebrooks was called up to Boston in May and promptly took Kevin Youkilis' job. One of the worst moments of this season was when he broke his wrist in Cleveland after getting hit by a pitch. His future seems limitless.

Cody Ross-70 runs, 127 hits, 34 doubles, 22 homers, 81 RBIs, .267 batting average, .326 OBP and .481 SLG in 130 games.
A blueprint of a player that can handle things in Boston. He had a great first season individually with the Red Sox. The rare baseball player that seems to be a good guy while also consistently productive. Any day now, he should get an extension.

Junichi Tazawa-37 appearances, 1 win, 1 loss, 1 save, 5 holds in 44 IP; 0.95 WHIP and 1.43 ERA.
It is hilarious that the player that was a complete afterthought has turned into a better pitcher than the supremely hyped Daisuke Matsuzaka, at this point in their respective careers. He should be a big part of the bullpen moving forward.

Scott Atchison-42 appearances, 2 wins, 1 loss, 5 holds in 51.1 IP; 0.99 WHIP and 1.58 ERA.
Who knows how much longer old man Atchison's bionic arm will stay attached to his body? He was great before his forearm injury but he shocked everyone by returning late in the season. Ride the wave.

Clayton Mortensen-26 appearances, 1 win, 1 loss, 1 hold in 42 IP; 1.21 WHIP and 3.21 ERA.
A mystery man, he was what the Red Sox received from the Rockies for Marco Scutaro. He was the mop-up guy but he proved that he is deserving of a better role than that.

Andrew Miller-53 appearances, 3 wins, 2 losses, 13 holds in 40.1 IP; 1.19 WHIP and 3.35 ERA.
We've all accepted long ago that Miller will never live up to his crazy potential. Still, this season was a step forward for him. He proved to be a capable lefty set-up guy.

Craig Breslow was good after coming over from the Diamondbacks but he only made 23 appearances and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit 25 homers but he batted .222 with a .288 OBP plus 139 strikeouts in 121 games (yikes!).

Hopefully all these guys find themselves back with the Red Sox next spring, they all earned another chance and proved they were winners amid all the drama and losing.

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Now Seems Like A Perfect Time For Felix Doubront's Best Start Of His Career

I thought Felix Doubront should have been shut down weeks ago since what was the point of still running him out there? He's one of Boston's few pitching prospects that has a bright future.

For one day, the Red Sox (69-85, 34-45 home) proved there was some method to their madness as he helped them beat the Orioles (87-65, 45-33) 2-1 this afternoon at Fenway Park.

The win allowed Boston to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of Baltimore which wasn't hurt too badly since New York lost to Oakland, keeping them one game back in the AL East and one game ahead of the A's for the top AL wild card spot.

Doubront received a no-decision but that won't stop me from raving about his outing which I saw about three seconds of: he went seven innings and allowed one earned run on four hits with 11 strikeouts (a career-high) and two walks.

Junichi Tazawa (1-1) had a 1-2-3 eighth inning on six pitches and closer Andrew Bailey survived two hits and a walk (loading the bases) to record his sixth save. He forced Manny Machado into a fielder's choice then struck out Ryan Flaherty to end it.

Chris Tillman gave Baltimore a solid start: six innings, one earned run on six hits with four strikeouts and a walk. Today the thing that will likely bury them in the playoffs-their lack of offense-bit them in the ass.

Cody Ross scored on Robert Andino's throwing error in the fourth as Boston led 1-0. Machado tied it with an RBI single in the fifth but Ross responded with an RBI double in the eighth which plated Dustin Pedroia (2 hits, double).

Scott Podsednik added two hits in the win. Afterwards, Ross admitted that he has already started negotiations with the Red Sox on a new contract since he's currently playing on a 1-year deal. It would be one of the only smart decisions Boston has made in the last few seasons, Ross has done everything and more you could ask of him in this trying year (his first here).

The Red Sox are off tomorrow then they host the Rays (83-70, 3rd in AL East; 3.5 out in wild card) for two games. Mercifully, it's the last series at Fenway in 2012. Personally I can't wait for Spooky World to open there in October, forget playoff baseball. That's way more fun and important.

Clay Buchholz (11-6) will face David Price (18-5) on Tuesday night (7:10 p.m., NESN) for the second time in a week. Jon Lester (9-13) takes on Alex Cobb (9-9) on Wednesday night (7:10 p.m., NESN). Boston won two of three in Tampa Bay last week at the Trop.

UPDATE 9/24: Yesterday, the Red Sox recalled outfield Che-Hsuan Lin. I don't know why they didn't do this earlier since he's just been sitting around since Pawtucket's season ended last week. Weird.

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Out Of Nowhere, The Orioles Are Having Some Kind Of Insane Regular Season

Nobody and I mean nobody expected the Orioles to be .500 in 2012, let alone jockeying with the Yankees for first-place in the AL East and in firm control of a wild card spot. Somehow devoid of a superstar (Adam Jones and Matt Wieters are very good players but not really at that level) or ace pitcher, Baltimore finds itself on the cusp of its first playoff bid since 1997.

Obviously with a team that comes out of nowhere like this, they will possess many insane statistics but my favorite is this: the Orioles (87-64, 45-32 away) won their 16th straight extra innings game this afternoon with a 9-6 win in 12 innings over the Red Sox (68-85, 33-45 home) at Fenway Park.

Boston fell to 0-7 in extra innings games this season at home and 2-9 overall. Baltimore led 6-3 but Boston scored twice in the seventh on a pair of RBI ground outs then tied it on Scott Podsednik's (double, run) RBI double in the eighth.

Once it got to extra innings, you knew the Orioles had this one wrapped up. The only question was who would the heroes be? If you said Jim Thome (RBI double), Endy Chavez (RBI single) and Manny Machado (RBI single; 3 for 6, run) you truly have a special gift.

Baltimore closer Jim Johnson extended his franchise record by tossing a scoreless 12th for his 47th save of the season.

Consider me shocked that Randy Wolf (5 innings, 3 earned runs, 7 hits, 2 strikeouts, 2 walks) and Aaron Cook (5.1 innings, 5 earned runs, 9 hits, 1 strikeout, 2 walks) didn't have the instant classic pitcher's duel that wasn't predicted by anybody in the world.

Adam Jones (2 hits, double, 2 runs, 2 RBIs) had an RBI ground out in first which gave the O's a 1-0 lead. Ryan Lavarnway (2 RBIs) tied it with an RBI single in the home half of the frame. Baltimore tacked on a run in the second on Machado's RBI single then all or nothing slugger Mark Reynolds connected for a solo homer (his 22nd of the season) as Baltimore opened up a 3-1 lead in the fourth.

Danny Valencia tied it with a two-run bomb (his 3rd of the season) in the fourth. Portland Maine's Ryan Flaherty (2 for 4, double, 2 RBIs, 2 walks) had a two-run triple in the sixth and Jones cranked a solo shot in the seventh (his 31st of the season).

Alfredo Aceves (2-10) was charged with all three runs in the 12th so he received yet another loss in what has been a nightmare second half for the mercurial pitcher. I wouldn't put it past him to intentionally tank just to spite Bobby V. He's that batshit crazy.

Baltimore will look for a three-game sweep tomorrow afternoon (1:35 p.m., NESN) as Chris Tillman (8-2) faces Felix Doubront (11-9). On an NFL Sunday aka Red Zone to the face time, it would take a large sum of money for me to watch that game let alone take time out of my precious day to attend it.

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Feast Your Eyes On The Worst Team In The AL East

Believe me, for my own sanity I have stopped paying attention to the Red Sox for the rest of the season. Still, when stuff happens like tonight, I can't help but note its absurdity.

After two rain delays and chants of "Fire Bobby!" in the ninth inning, Toronto (63-75, 29-41 away) beat Boston (63-77, 32-40 home) 9-2 this evening at Fenway Park. Its significance lies in the fact that the Red Sox are now in the basement of the AL East and with 22 games left in 2012, I don't think they will come out of it.

The only thing that slightly warms my heart is that the Yankees are crumbling fast, going 6-12 in their last 18 games. They are now tied with Baltimore for first-place in the division.

Boston has lost three straight, 10 of 11 and 15 of 19. They have been outscored by 51 runs in their last 11 games. So yeah, once again we're subjected to a team that has lay down in September. At least this time, we're in on the joke unlike last year.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-5) was his usual lights out self, allowing five earned runs on five hits in 1.1 innings. The Blue Jays scored five runs in the second: Yunel Escobar solo homer (9th of the season), RBI double by Adeiny Hechavarria, two-run single by Anthony Gose and a sacrifice fly by Rajai Davis.

Scott Podsednik and Pedro Ciriaco both had RBI singles in the firth inning for Boston's only runs. Adam Lind had an RBI single in the eighth and Gose cranked his first MLB homer, a three-run shot, in the ninth.

Brad Lincoln (1-0) was the first Toronto reliever following the initial rain delay and he earned the win with 2.1 scoreless innings including three strikeouts.

The Blue Jays go for the three-game sweep tomorrow afternoon (1:35 p.m.) as Carlos Villanueva (7-5) faces Clay Buchholz (11-5) in a game that cannot possibly be a sellout considering its the first Sunday of the 2012 NFL season. Undoubtedly, the clueless Red Sox will deem it a sellout since that is the only thing they care about anymore. Once they admit that's over, what do they have left?

UPDATE 9/9: Outfielder Daniel Nava was activated off the DL today and is on the bench.

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If The Angels Make The Playoffs, They Owe The Red Sox Big-Time

On the off chance that the Angels make the playoffs this season, they owe the Red Sox something special this winter. Maybe they could buy some of the thousands of unsold Fenway bricks that must be in every closet on Yawkey Way.

Zach Stewart (1-3) made his Red Sox (62-69, 30-31 away) debut and it was an awful one as Boston lost 10-3 to Los Angeles (68-62, 35-29 home) tonight at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

The Angels improved to 5-0 against the Red Sox in 2012 as they sit 3.5 games behind the Orioles for the second Wild Card spot and 4.5 behind the A's who own the first Wild Card in the AL after tonight's action.

Stewart never really gave his team a chance since it was 9-1 in favor of Los Angeles by the third inning. In three miserable innings, he allowed nine earned runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts and two home runs allowed. The final insult was that he was shipped back to Pawtucket after the loss and Daniel Bard is expected to be activated (don't ask me why) for tomorrow night's game as a reliever.

C.J. Wilson (10-9) earned his first win in over two months (June 26) after he went six innings and allowed three earned runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

The Angels had 14 hits and the Red Sox had 11 but they were all singles. Los Angeles was 6 for 16 with runners in scoring position while Boston's Spring Training type lineup was 1 for 10 in that situation.

Torii Hunter (3 for 4, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, run) led the Angels' attack while Kendry Morales (2 for 4, HR, double, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, walk), Erick Aybar (2 for 4, 2 doubles, 2 runs, RBI), Chris Iannetta (2 for 4, 2 RBIs, run) and Howie Kendrick (2 hits) all had multiple hits in the easy victory.

Mauro Gomez (3 for 4, run), Mike Aviles (2 for 4) and Scott Podsednik (2 for 4, run, RBI) provided most of the offense for Boston.

Alfredo Aceves clearly isn't the Red Sox closer anymore since he was sent in for mopup duty tonight in the seventh and eighth inning (33 pitches). He didn't allow any runs but this came on the heels of his blown save last night.

The Angels will complete their series sweep (3-0) and season sweep (6-0) tomorrow night (10:05 p.m., NESN) as Jon Lester (8-10) faces Zack Greinke (2-2).

UPDATE 8/30: Bard was officially added to the 25-man roster (not sure why they didn't' wait until Saturday, when the rosters expand to 40) and Stewart was sent back to Pawtucket.

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MLB Really Needs Relegation: The Royals Would Be First On The List To Go

It only makes sense that in a series complete with a monster salary dump/trade and brand new outlook for the Red Sox, Daisuke Matsuzaka closes it out with a gem in what has to be one of his last starts for Boston.

Boston (62-67, 32-38 home) beat Kansas City (56-71, 30-38 away) 5-1 this afternoon at Fenway Park to complete a 3-4 homestand. The Red Sox actually took three of four from the Royals, it would have been a sweep if they could have held a six-run lead in the seventh but I digress.

Dice-K (1-3) looked like a decent pitcher for a fleeting moment as he went seven innings, allowing one run (0 earned) on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks. It marked his first victory since May 8, 2011 (vs. Minnesota) and believe it or not, it was over in 2 hours and 34 minutes. I love how MLB games go by so much faster when teams are facing long road trips afterwards, I wish they always played with that pace and urgency.

Alex Gordon (2 hits, double) provided Kansas City's only run with a sacrifice fly in the first that scored Jarrod Dyson. Johnny Giavotella also had two hits including a double but the Royals only managed seven hits against Matsuzaka, Clayton Mortensen, Vicente Padilla and Andrew Bailey.

Haha Boston went 3 for 4 with runners in scoring position while Kansas City was 0 for 7. Remind me again when the Royals are supposed to be good? I feel like I've read the same story for the last five years, oh this is the team that's going to be a winner. They have so much young talent! Yeah ok.

Hitting out of the third spot in the lineup, Jacoby Ellsbury cranked a solo homer (2nd of the season) in the first against Luke Hochevar (7-12). Cody Ross, who has done more than enough to earn an extension, had a two-run single in the third and a wall ball RBI double in the sixth. James Loney notched his second RBI single in as many days, also in the sixth to make it 5-1.

Boston hopped on a plane to visit the West Coast. They play three in Anaheim, three in Oakland and three in Seattle. The Angels and A's are in contention for a playoff spot while the Mariners have the exact same record as the Red Sox. Boston won't play at Fenway again until Friday, September 7 vs. Toronto (ie. 2 days before the Patriots-Titans season-opener).

There are going to be some late nights coming up for insomniac Red Sox fans like myself. Six of the nine games begin at 10:05 p.m. ET, one 9:05 p.m., one 4:05 p.m. and one 4:10 p.m.

The Angels (66-62, AL West) swept a three-game series in Boston last week. Let's see if the Red Sox can return the favor (haha doubtful). Tomorrow night in the series opener (10:05 p.m., NESN), Clay Buchholz (11-4) has a rematch with Jered Weaver (16-3), who soundly outperformed him the first time. Jon Lester (8-10) faces C.J. Wilson (9-9) on Wednesday night (10:05 p.m., NESN) in a battle of underachieving quality lefties. Then Aaron Cook (3-7) meets Zach Greinke (11-5) on Thursday night (10:05 p.m., NESN) in the finale.

UPDATE 8/28: Alfredo Aceves was activated tonight after his suspension, he took Franklin Morales' place on the roster. Morales went on the DL with a tired shoulder. Who knew that would happen to a guy when they've changed his role multiple times in the same season?

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Angels Beat Red Sox 14-13 In 10 Innings At Fenway That You Had To See To Believe

For a team that has found a way to fall flat on its face time and again over the past year, you have to admire the Red Sox for still trying out new and different ways of losing. In that sense, it never gets old.

Los Angeles (65-60, 32-31 away) swept three games in Boston (59-66, 29-37 home) thanks to a surreal 14-13 win tonight in 10 innings at Fenway Park.

I'm going to rattle off a bunch of stats I dug up on Twitter after this loss, mostly from Red Sox beat writers. For this memorable game, there were five lead changes, 10 innings, 27 runs, five home runs, 15 pitchers, 410 pitches & three blown saves in four hours and 34 minutes.

This was the second time this season that Boston lost when they scored 12 runs or more. That hadn't happened since 1970 (276-0) before 2012. The frontrunners from Boston are 24-33 in games decided by one or two runs, that includes 2-7 mark in extra innings and 0-5 at home.

The Red Sox have lost nine of their last 11 home games. When you look at their numbers, it's almost impossible to believe that they could possibly lose. They were 9 for 14 with runners in scoring position, they had 18 hits and two guys with four hits apiece yet they still lost.

The Angels had four guys with three hits and three guys with two hits. MVP of the universe Mike Trout was 3 for 6 with two runs, two RBIs, two stolen bases and a walk. Torii Hunter (who is still getting it done at 37) was 3 for 6 with two runs, two RBIs and a walk. Providence native Chris Iannetta continued his tear by going 3 for 6 with two RBIs and a run. Kendry Morales was 2 for 5 with solo homer, three runs, two RBIs and a walk. Vernon Wells doubled and homered for three RBIs and two runs. Howie Kendrick was 2 for 5 with run, RBI and walk.

Fittingly, Boston's catchers Ryan Lavarnway and Jarrod Saltalamacchia were the only players with plate appearances that didn't record a hit. Pedro Ciriaco was 4 for 6 with four runs and a double. Dustin Pedroia was 4 for 6 with five RBIs, 3 runs, a double and home run. Jacoby Ellsbury was 3 for 6 with a double, three RBIs, stolen base and a run. Cody Ross was 2 for 5 with two RBIs and solo home run. Scott Podsednik was 2 for 4 with two runs, an RBI and walk.

Starters Franklin Morales (2.2 innings, 6 runs, 2 earned, 6 hits) and C.J. Wilson (5 innings, 7 runs, 6 earned, 8 hits) were long gone by the time this was decided.

Boston actually built a 6-0 lead by the second inning but it only took Los Angeles one half inning to put eight on the board in response. Adrian Gonzalez had an RBI single in the first before Podsednik and Ellsbury did the same in the second. Pedroia crushed a three-run homer (11th of the season) to put the Red Sox in front by six.

Turns out that Morales and Clayton Mortensen (0 outs, 2 runs, 3 hits) couldn't hold that slim margin. Kendrick had an RBI single, Morales walked with the bases loaded, a run scored on Ciriaco's error, Wells walked with the bases loaded then Iannetta, Trout and Hunter all produced RBI singles.

Ross' RBI single in the fifth trimmed LA's lead to 8-7. Mike Aviles' solo homer (his 12th of the season) and Ellsbury's RBI double in the sixth let the Red Sox grab back the lead at 9-8. Trout tied it in the seventh with an RBI single. Ellsbury added an RBI single in the eighth and Pedroia's infield single plated another run after that.

Handed an 11-9 lead, Alfredo Aceves (2-8, 7th blown save) came through with about the worst ninth inning possible. He allowed three runs and if that wasn't bad enough, he was stuck back out there in the 10th and he gave up two more for good measure.

It all started with Wells' solo homer (8th of the season) that shouldn't have been a homer since it bounced off the line on the Monster and back into play. The problem was that nobody on the Red Sox seemed to notice or care so it wasn't reviewed. Hunter and Mark Trumbo's RBI singles gave Los Angeles a 12-11 advantage.

Cody Ross aka anti-Adrian Gonzalez (more on that later) tied it with a solo homer (his 19th of the season) in the ninth against Angels closer Ernesto Frieri (2-0, 2nd blown save).

Morales greeted Aceves with a solo homer (16th of the season) in the 10th and Wells' RBI double turned out to be a valuable insurance run (aren't they all?).

Pedroia and Ciriaco wouldn't let the Red Sox die as Dustin singled in Pedro. Of course, with a chance to be a hero Gonzalez failed miserably by striking out to end it-he represented the winning run.

I assume you have already stopped paying attention weeks or months ago (I am like a junkie, I can't quit it cold turkey on this car crash season) but by all means, don't watch one second this weekend as the Royals (55-68, 3rd in AL Central) come to Fenway. These two loser teams will play four utterly meaningless contests. The only thing to watch is if the Red Sox will finally give up their charade and admit the sellout streak is over since there is no way you could get a full house for any of these games even if all the tickets were free courtesy of Dr. Creepy.

Jon Lester (7-10) faces Bruce Chen (9-10) tomorrow night (7:10 p.m., NESN), Josh Beckett (5-11) gets former Oriole Jeremy Guthrie (5-12) on Saturday night (7:10 p.m., NESN), Aaron Cook (3-7) opposes the other Will Smith (4-5) on Sunday afternoon (1:35 p.m., NESN) and Clay Buchholz (11-4) takes the ball on Monday afternoon (1:35 p.m., NESN) against Luke Hochevar (7-11) in a series and homestand finale that potentially could be attended by six people.

Not making any predictions but keep in mind that Kansas City could have a better record than Boston if they sweep this series.

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If Buchholz Pitches Like That, Red Sox Will Struggle To Win Any Games The Rest Of The Way

This season continues to punish Red Sox fans (assuming any of those still exist) as things only get worse both on and off the field for this hated ballclub.

Tonight, Jered Weaver (16-3) showed why he's one of the best pitchers in baseball as the Angels (64-60, 31-31 away) cruised to a 7-3 win against the Red Sox (59-65, 29-36 home) at Fenway Park.

Weaver went seven innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk. Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz (11-4) transformed back into his crappy self from earlier this season as he allowed a career-high 12 hits in 5.1 innings with seven earned runs (which also tied a career-high), three strikeouts and a walk.

Los Angeles pounded out 15 hits and it was the guys at the bottom of the lineup getting it done: Providence native Chris Iannetta was 3 for 4 with a triple and RBI; Maicer Izturis was 3 for 4 with two runs and an RBI; Howie Kendrick had a double, solo homer and two runs; Erick Aybar had two singles and scored twice.

Boston's futility was summed up by the fact that Scott Podsednick (3 for 5, stolen base) was the offensive star. Dustin Pedroia singled, scored a run and stole two bases.

Los Angeles scored twice in the third inning on Iannetta's RBI single and a run came home on Mike Trout's double play ball. Mark Trumbo and Izturis added RBI singles in the fourth as the Angels jumped out to a 4-0 lead.

Ryan Lavarnway and Mike Aviles had back-to-back RBI doubles in the fourth but 4-2 was as close as the Red Sox could get. After hitting a double, Albert Pujols left in the fourth with tightness in his calf but it didn't appear serious. Kendrick's solo homer (his 7th of the season) in the sixth and Torii Hunter's two-run single gave Los Angeles an insurmountable 7-2 deficit for Boston.

Cody Ross' RBI double in the eighth accounted for the final run of the game.

To illustrate how hopeless the Red Sox have become, the Mariners (61-64) have passed them in the AL wild card standings-haha not that either have a prayer of coming within five games of those. Franklin Morales (3-4) battles fellow southpaw C.J. Wilson (9-9) tomorrow night (7:10 p.m., NESN) in the series finale as the Angels go for the three-game sweep.

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Everything Is Cured When You Play The Red Sox

Los Angeles was plummeting down the AL West and wild card standings after going 3-7 on a 10-game homestand and losing their last four games in a row. However, they should change their tune in the next 10 days as they play Boston six times in that time frame.

The Angels (63-60, 30-31 away) didn't have the feel of a team in disarray tonight as they beat the Red Sox (59-64, 29-35 home) 5-3 in the series opener at Fenway Park.

Boston honored the late Johnny Pesky before the game and all the Red Sox wore his No. 6 while the grounds crew cut his number into the grass beyond the shortstop position. It was a classy gesture, likewise for the patches the Angels wore on their jerseys for him. Making the mood even more sad for NESN viewers, tonight was also the Jimmy Fund telethon so we were treated to an array of heartbreaking stories about cancer.

Aaron Cook (3-7) might have started his last game for the Red Sox since he continues to get hit hard. In five innings, he allowed five runs (four earned) on 11 hits with four strikeouts and a walk.

Ervin Santana (7-10) would fit well in Boston's rotation since he's been brutal this season but he was fine this time around. He lasted 6.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

Boston was 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position, Los Angeles was 3 for 6. More and more, I understand that is one of the most important statistics in baseball which usually determines who wins and who loses.

When you look at all the talent on the Angels, it's hard to believe they came in only two games above .500. Albert Pujols (2 hits, double) had an RBI single in the third, Erick Aybar had an RBI single in the fourth and Providence native (and URI track and field star) Chris Iannetta added a run on an infield single later in the frame as Los Angeles took a 3-0 lead.

Mark Trumbo (2 hits) crushed his 30th homer of the season in memorable fashion, 440-feet over the Green Monster for a two-run shot and a commanding 5-0 advantage. Rookie superstar and MVP favorite Mike Trout was 2 for 4 with a run and walk in his Fenway debut and first ever game against the Red Sox.

Boston finally got on the board in the sixth on Jarrod Saltalamacchia's (21st of the season) two-run homer that just got over the fence in right field. Scott Podsednick (2 hits, double) scored on Jordan Walden's wild pitch in the seventh.

The Angels are always known for their outstanding bullpens and this one looks like no exception. Scott Downs and Kevin Jepsen both got two outs before closer Ernestro Frieri had a 1-2-3 ninth for his 15th save of the season.

I guarantee I won't say this more than once or twice the rest of this pointless season but you should tune in to tomorrow night's (7:10 p.m., NESN) Red Sox game. Clay Buchholz (11-3) opposes Jered Weaver (15-3) as two of the most talented pitchers in baseball square off. It has all the makings of a classic pitchers' duel but when it appears so obvious, it'll probably be the exact opposite.

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If Only Clay Buchholz Could Pitch Every Game For The Red Sox, Then They Might Be OK

Clay Buchholz has earned the right to be Boston's Opening Day starter in 2013 with his superb second half. It continued tonight in Baltimore as the Red Sox (58-61, 29-27 away) salvaged a game against the Orioles (64-54, 32-29 home) with a 6-3 win at Camden Yards.

Not only did Buchholz (11-3) help Boston avoid the three-game sweep but he maintained his run of six quality starts in a row. What's more, he hasn't been charged with a loss since July 14 which is remarkable considering how much the Red Sox have lost in that time frame. He actually allowed two runs in the first and one in the second but settled down to go eight innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.

Alfredo Aceves, Boston's lonely closer, struck out the side in the ninth for a 1-2-3 inning and his 24th save of the season.

After struggling so badly with runners in scoring position the previous two nights, the Red Sox improved (5 for 16) even if they still left way too many guys on base (10). Boston had 13 hits, five RBIs and four walks. Cody Ross went 3 for 5 with a double and RBI, Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with a double, two runs and an RBI, Carl Crawford was 2 for 5 with two runs, a double and stolen base, Adrian Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with two runs, two RBIs and a double while Scott Podsednik was 2 for 4 with a double, RBI and run.

Adam Jones had a two-run double in the first for the Orioles and Mark Reynolds blasted a solo homer (his 12th of the season) in the second inning but other than that, Baltimore was shut down. They went 2 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base.

Orioles starter Chris Tillman (3 earned runs, 6 hits) couldn't get out of the fifth inning but reliever Luis Ayala (4-4) allowed three runs in the sixth which turned out to be the difference.

Podsednik got Boston on the board with an RBI single in the second which cut it to 2-1. Boston tied in the fifth as Crawford scored on a wild pitch by Tillman and Gonzalez knocked in Pedroia with a sacrifice fly.

Pedroia started the scoring in the sixth by reaching on an infield single while Podsednik crossed the plate. Then Gonzalez and Ross kept the line moving with RBI singles of their own.

Boston improved to 4-8 against Baltimore this season; they play six more times with a home series for each team in late September.

The Red Sox are 3-4 so far on their 10-game road trip and it wraps up this weekend in the Bronx with three against the Yankees (70-48, 1st AL East), who are the top team in the American League. Remember when Boston won two of three at Yankee Stadium in the end of July? That was a real turning point of the season huh, oh wait.

Franklin Morales (3-3) faces Phil Hughes (11-10) tomorrow night (7:05 p.m., NESN), Jon Lester (6-10) takes on David Phelps (3-3) on Saturday afternoon (4:05 p.m., NESN) then Josh Beckett (5-10) closes out what could be a very ugly series vs. Hiroki Kuroda (11-8) on Sunday night (8:00 p.m., ESPN).

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Ubaldo Jimenez Goes Back To Being An Ace, For 1 Night Only-Against The Red Sox Of Course

Good or bad, the Red Sox will find a way to lose to virtually any kind of team in 2012. Their season to nowhere-copyright me-journeyed to Cleveland tonight with the Indians (52-60, 29-27 home) taking a 5-3 decision in the series opener at Progressive Field.

Boston (55-58, 26-24 away) repeatedly shot themselves in the foot by going 1-for-13 (I didn't think that was possible before I watched this team) with runners in scoring position and leaving seven men on base. It's the first time the Red Sox have fallen three games under .500 since June 11. Expect that loss column to keep going up like the price of gas around the U.S.

Ubaldo Jimenez's (9-11) ERA is 5.25 but that didn't stop him from striking out 10 batters this evening. The former Rockies ace who has dropped off a cliff since being traded to Cleveland, held Boston to three earned runs over six innings with one walk and one home run allowed.

That sound you heard a few weeks ago was Felix Doubront (10-6) hitting the wall since he's pitching way more innings than he ever has in one MLB season. In a measly 4.1 innings, he allowed four earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts, two walks and one home run allowed.

Fresh up from the minors, Jason Donald (2 runs, walk, stolen base) led off the bottom of the first with his inaugural homer of 2012. Adrian Gonzalez (12th of the season) grabbed the lead for Boston with a two-run bomb in the fourth and Dustin Pedroia-a DH for the first time in his career-added an RBI single in the fifth for the Red Sox. Of course, that would be their final run and Gonzalez left in the eighth after getting hit in the thigh.

Asdrubal Cabera's (run, walk) RBI double and Carlos Santana's (2 hits, walk) RBI single in the fifth tied it at three. Michael Brantley's sacrifice fly later in the inning put the Tribe up for good and Donald's ground out in the eighth was an insurance run.

Jacoby Ellsbury had a single, run, walk and stole three bases (they remembered he's fast!) and Pedro Ciriaco was 2-for-4 with a double in the loss.

The Indians bullpen had things locked down on the Red Sox with Tony Sipp pitching a clean seventh, Vinnie Pestano with a scoreless eighth (his MLB-leading 31st hold) and Chris Perez had a 1-2-3 ninth (on 13 pitches) for his 30th save of the season.

Clay Buchholz (9-3) faces Chris Seddon (0-0) tomorrow night (7:05 p.m., NESN). Buchholz is Boston's only reliable starter at this point and Seddon is making only his second start of the season, so if the Red Sox are going to win a game this weekend-I would put my money on that one.

In other Red Sox news, the team re-signed outfielder Scott Podsednik, who was traded to Arizona with Matt Albers but never reported. Ryan Kalish was sent down to Pawtucket to make room for him on the roster.

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Red Sox Mostly Stand Pat At Trade Deadline: Acquire Craig Breslow, Deal Away Lars Anderson In Separate Moves

We all tried to lie to ourselves for the last few weeks but we should have known all along that the Red Sox wouldn't do anything big at the 2012 MLB Trade Deadline. Josh Beckett is still here (although he could be moved in a waiver deal in August) and he'll start tonight against Justin Verlander and the Tigers.

Boston made two minor moves: they traded right-handed reliever Matt Albers and PawSox outfielder Scott Podsednik to the Arizona Diamondbacks for lefty reliever Craig Breslow; PawSox first baseman Lars Anderson was sent to the Cleveland Indians for Double-A knuckleballer Steven Wright (not the comedian), who will report to the Portland Sea Dogs.

A New Haven, CT native and Yale graduate, Breslow actually appeared in 13 games for the Red Sox in 2006 before being released after the season. It seems like ever since then (maybe because Theo Epstein also went to Yale), Boston had always coveted him and tried to bring him back.

He's played for six MLB teams (Padres, Red Sox, Indians, Twins, A's and Diamondbacks) over seven seasons. Understandably given his role, Breslow isn't much of a name nationally but he's been one of the best and most consistent players at his specialized position. His career ERA is 3.02 with a 1.24 WHIP. Earlier in his career, he was regarded as a lefty specialist but now he faces righties as well. In 40 appearances for Arizona this season, he had a 2.70 ERA with 1.18 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 43.1 innings.

Albers had a misleading 2.29 ERA this season in 39 1/3 innings with 25 strikeouts and 15 walks. He played for Boston the last year and a half after signing as a free agent. After an outstanding first half in 2011, he came crashing back to Earth and while his numbers look good in 2012, Bobby Valentine clearly didn't trust him since he never pitched in late innings or particularly tough situations.

That trade means that Franklin Morales will probably have the chance to go back to the starting rotation since now Boston has three lefties in the bullpen: Breslow, Andrew Miller and Morales.

Podsednik (.387 average in 19 games with the Red Sox) was outstanding in his brief time with Boston this season. However, he's 36 and after he got hurt then rehabbed in Pawtucket, he lost his spot with Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford returning to action. Who knows how much he has left in the tank anyway?

Once upon a time, Anderson was a big-time prospect but playing first base, he was never going to find consistent playing time with Adrian Gonzalez (signed through 2018) ahead of him and light years better to begin with.

The best we can hope is that they can get rid of Beckett via a waiver deal; today was the non-waiver deadline. Until then, please boo him as much as possible if you go to a game that he starts. Boston had a chance to really shake it up but rookie GM Ben Cherington didn't have the balls to find a way to trade Beckett (who has 10-5 veto rights) or something else that would change the chemistry in that toxic clubhouse. So yeah, looks like the Red Sox still aren't going anywhere in 2012. Oh joy.

UPDATE 7/31: Clayton Mortensen was brought up for tonight from Pawtucket since Breslow isn't in town yet.

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Red Sox Hang On For A 4-3 Win Over The Cubs

After a pathetic shutout loss yesterday to MLB's worst team, the Boston Red Sox (32-33, 18-14 away) picked their pride up off the floor with a 4-3 win tonight against the Chicago Cubs (22-43, 14-18 home) at steamy Wrigley Field.

The difference in the game was that Boston was 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position while Chicago was 1-for-4.

Former Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija (5-5) struggled with his control a bit and didn't completely fool Boston's weak-hitting lineup. He went 5.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits with six strikeouts and three walks.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia batted cleanup for the first time in his career and he made Bobby Valentine look like a genius (for a few hours) as he delivered with a double and two-run homer (his 12th of the season) in the fourth inning.

Will Middlebrooks had an RBI single in the sixth and Scott Podsednik (2 hits) added an RBI single in the seventh. Mike Aviles was 2-for-4 with a double and a run in the victory.

Turns out that the Red Sox needed all those runs since Jon Lester started to crumble in the seventh after cruising through six scoreless innings. He allowed a three-run bomb to Luis Valbuena (1st of the season) in the seventh. Next up, Lester struck out pinch-hitter David DeJesus but that was the end of his outing. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.

Scott Atchison got the last out of the seventh, Vicente Padilla had a 1-2-3 eighth for his 15th hold of the season and Alfredo Aceves worked around a single in the ninth for his 16th save of the season.

Get ready for another primetime game tomorrow night (8 p.m., ESPN) to close out this series but it goes without saying that Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN is light years ahead of Fox's painful Saturday games with Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. Franklin Morales (0-1) faces former Pirate Paul Maholm (4-5) as both teams go for the series win in Boston's last game this season in a National League park. That is unless they make the World Series in October (dies laughing).

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Cubs Blank Red Sox 3-0 In Series Opener At Wrigley Field

The Red Sox-Cubs interleague series started with a whimper, at least as far as Boston is concerned, this afternoon with Chicago (22-42, 14-17 home) survived three errors to blank Boston (31-33, 17-14 away) 3-0 at Wrigley Field.

It's the first time the teams have met in the Windy City since 2005.

Ryan Dempster (3-3) won his third straight start for the Cubs and stretched his scoreless streak to 22 innings with seven shutout innings. He gave up only four hits with three strikeouts and two walks. He even helped himself with a triple (1st since 2002), single and run scored. There's no doubt he'll be a valued commodity at the trade deadline (July 31).

Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-2) had a classic Dice-K start. He allowed two runs in the first inning (after walking the bases loaded) and one in the second (over 50 pitches by then) before settling down and retiring 13 of the last 14 batters he faced. His three runs were all earned, on four hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

Both teams were extremely limited at the plate: Boston had five hits and Chicago only had four. Scott Podsednik (2 hits, 2 stolen bases) and Dempster were the only batters with multiple hits. The difference was that the Red Sox were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and Chicago was 2-for-6.

Steve Clevenger had a two-run double in the first and David DeJesus (who I'm pretty sure has been rumored to be traded to the Red Sox every season for the past decade) had an RBI single in the second inning.

After James Russell pitched a scoreless eighth for his fifth hold of the season, ultra-shaky Cubs closer Carlos Marmol tried to cough up the three-run lead in the ninth. Between a single, error and walk, Boston had the bases loaded with two outs. Dustin Pedroia hit a grounder to third and Luis Valbuena stepped on the bag ahead of Mike Aviles for the final out. It was Marmol's third save of the season, he had to throw 29 pitches so I doubt he'd be available tomorrow night.

Bobby Valentine announced after the loss that Josh Beckett won't start on Sunday night, apparently he is having issues with his right shoulder. Reliever Franklin Morales will be pressed into duty, making his first career start for the Red Sox (1st since 2009 with Colorado) on Sunday Night Baseball.

Tomorrow night (7:15 p.m., FOX), Jon Lester (3-4) will try to get Boston back in the win column against former Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija (5-4).

UPDATE 6/16: Beckett went on the 15-day DL today with shoulder inflammation. Clayton Mortensen was recalled from Pawtucket to take his spot on the roster.

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Doubront Flirts With No-Hitter & Red Sox Offense Finally Explodes

Not to get all Ken Burns on you (making you fall asleep instantly) but baseball will always be a simple game: if you get good starting pitching and timely hitting, your team will be tough to beat.

For once this season, the Red Sox (31-32, 17-13 away) got both of those key elements in a 10-2 triumph vs. the Marlins (32-31, 17-18 home) this evening at Marlins Amusement Park.

Miami is reeling (no pun intended) as they've lost eight of their last nine games. Boston heads out of town with a satisfying interleague series win (2-1). The two teams will meet again next week as the Marlins come to Fenway Park for three games (June 19-21).

Felix Doubront (7-3) carried a no-hitter for 5.2 innings before Jose Reyes emphatically ended it with a long solo homer (his 2nd of the season) in the sixth inning. Justin Ruggiano's fielder's choice scored a run in the seventh but that's all Miami would get against Doubront. He went seven strong innings (the longest outing of his short pro career), allowing two earned runs on three hits with a career-high nine strikeouts and one walk.

Boston's offense kept chipping away (14 hits) at the Marlins and it paid off as they forced Miami manager Ozzie Guillen to use six pitchers. Ricky Nolasco (6-5) took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits in six innings with four strikeouts and a walk.

Save these numbers in your head since they won't happen again this season: the Red Sox' top four hitters combined to have nine hits, seven RBIs and six runs. Plus, Boston was 7-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

Scott Podsednik (2 runs, 2 hits) made it 1-0 with a groundout in the third inning. David Ortiz (3 RBIs, 2 hits) had an opposite field home run (his 15th of the season) in the fourth. The Red Sox got some insurance in the sixth on Adrian Gonzalez's (3 hits, 2 RBIs) RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Ortiz that opened up a 4-0 advantage.

Things went bananas (in a good way) in the eighth as the Red Sox piled up six more runs after 11 men came to the plate. Nick Punto started the inning with a pinch hit double and he later added a two-run RBI single for the final run. In between that, Dustin Pedroia (2 hits, 2 runs), Gonzalez and Ortiz had three run-scoring singles in a row. Jarrod Saltalamacchia plated another run with a sacrifice fly.

Thankfully, tomorrow is an off-day so we can all mentally prepare for the hype surrounding Boston's first trip to Wrigley Field since 2005. The Cubs (21-41) are the worst team in MLB but that doesn't mean this weekend shouldn't be fun since these two teams so rarely play each other (and yes I remember the Cubs were in Boston last season).

Day drinking should be especially helpful on Friday (2:20 p.m., NESN) as Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-1) faces Ryan Dempster (2-3). Jon Lester (3-4) gets former Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija (5-4) Saturday night (7:15 p.m., Fox) and Josh Beckett (4-7) opposes Paul Maholm (4-5) Sunday night (8:00 p.m., ESPN).

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Red Sox Continue To Fade Into Irrelevancy & Summer's Only Just Begun!

When did it come to this? The Boston Red Sox have transformed into that awful class you had to take in high school or college. All you can think about is when it will all be over and you can move on with your life. That pretty much sums up where fans of this team feel these days.

Beginning their interleague series at Marlins Park tonight, the Red Sox (29-32, 15-13 away) fell 4-1 to the Miami Marlins (32-29, 17-16 home). It was Boston's fourth loss in a row and seventh in its last eight games overall. Miami snapped a six-game losing streak and it's all thanks to the fact that they opened the roof-something they rarely do in rainy/steamy South Florida.

You have to give the Red Sox credit for one thing: they seemingly invent new ways to piss people off on a weekly basis. The latest chapter is their constant complaining about balls and strikes. It's an epidemic that starts at the top with manager Bobby Valentine crying about umpires every chance he gets. Still lacking leadership or flat out intelligence, the players see that and buy in for some reason like a bad Little League team.

For instance, Kevin Youkilis struck out (swinging) to end tonight's game yet he was barking at the umpires as he went into the dugout and up the tunnel. Suddenly a hateable team that's borderline unwatchable becomes even worse. Amazing.

Oh yes, the game. Well Josh Johnson (4-4) shutdown the Red Sox' depleted lineup for seven innings and handed it over to an equally stingy bullpen (for this game at least). Johnson allowed one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and a walk.

For the sixth straight time, Josh Beckett (4-7) went seven innings but Boston is only 3-3 in that time span. Don't think I'll let the Texas Toughguy off the hook that easily though since he handed the Marlins a 4-0 lead by the second inning, thereby ruling out any chance the Red Sox had of winning before it had even really started. Beckett allowed four earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts and a walk. He was great after the second inning but will anyone remember that?

Before Miami's typically late arriving crowd had settled in, the Marlins posted three runs in the first. Donovan Solano had a sacrifice fly, Logan Morrison stepped away from Twitter for a second to hit an RBI double and Gaby Sanchez added an RBI single.

Solano had a sacrifice fly in the second inning to give Miami a commanding 4-0 lead which felt like 10-0 with the way Boston is hitting at the moment.

Adrian Gonzalez provided the Red Sox' only run as he drove in Scott Podsednik (3 hits, stolen base) with a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Falmouth High alum Steve Cishek worked the eighth for his seventh hold of the season and Heath Bell struck out the side in the ninth (second game in a row that's happened to Boston) for his 13th save of the season.

Mark Melancon had a 1-2-3 eighth for Boston which is huge news for him since the last time he appeared in a Red Sox uniform, he got lit up on April 17 vs. Texas (6 earned runs, 4 hits). He's been lights out in Pawtucket so let's hope he can continue to be that guy and not the April version of himself.

As an added bonus, this game was only two hours and 35 minutes long which gave the Miami "fans" plenty of time to hit the clubs and overpriced restaurants earlier than usual.

Clay Buchholz (6-2) will look to snap the Red Sox out of their latest funk tomorrow night (7:10 p.m., NESN) when he faces former White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle (5-6).

UPDATED 6/12: Outfielder Marlon Byrd was released today by the Red Sox.

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Nationals Sweep Weekend Series Vs. Red Sox At Fenway Park

Now I'm not a betting man (wink, wink, nod, nod) but if I was, I'd say put some money on the Washington Nationals before everyone else in the gambling world does the same. They probably won't win a World Series in the next year or two but after seeing them up close this weekend in Boston (on TV), they have the look of a serious contender in the near future (Tampa Bay Rays style slew of young talent).

The Nationals (35-23, 17-13 away) left Fenway Park with a 4-3 win this afternoon against the going nowhere Red Sox (29-31, 14-19 home).

Washington swept the three-game series and as a result, they are still firmly in control of the powerful NL East. Conversely, Boston has fifth-place in the AL East locked down and it doesn't appear to be getting better anytime soon since all the other teams in the division are winning games-the key to not being in last place.

Boston has lost six of its last seven games to fall a season-high six games back of the Rays in the AL East.

It was tied 3-3 headed into the ninth inning but Alfredo Aceves (0-4) couldn't keep it that way. Roger Bernadina (2 hits, stolen base) drove in pinch hitter Bryce Harper with an RBI double. When will MLB managers learn that closers almost never have a clean inning when they don't come into a save situation?

Working in his third straight save-situation, Nationals closer Tyler Clippard had to throw 25 pitches but he still managed to close it out by striking out the side for his eighth save of the season.

The most impressive aspect about the three games for Washington is that they were all close and yet they found a way to win them all. They won by three runs on Friday night, two runs yesterday afternoon and two runs today. That points to three main winning ingredients: enough timely offense, solid outings and reliable bullpens.

Jordan Zimmermann got a no-decision but he had an acceptable start. He went seven innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. Tom Gorzelanny (2-1) pitched a scoreless eighth to get the win.

Jon Lester had the same result as Zimmermann: nothing in the win-loss column. He was decent too after a poor beginning. Lester went seven innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits with a season-high nine strikeouts and two walks.

Washington took a 1-0 lead in the first on Ryan Zimmerman's groundout which scored Danny Espinosa (2 hits, 2 RBIs, run, walk, stolen base).

Boston tied it on Dustin Pedroia's fielder's choice in the third that scored Nick Punto. The Red Sox grabbed their only lead in the fourth on David Ortiz's (3 hits) solo homer (14th of the season) into Boston's bullpen.

Espinosa gave the Nationals a 3-2 lead in the seventh with a two-run double off the Monster that would have been a routine out in any other park.

Scott Podsednik's ground out in the seventh tied it as Ryan Sweeney scored.

Not for nothing but I'm going to say that with a healthy Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford in the lineup, the Red Sox wouldn't score nine total runs in three games at Fenway Park no matter who they were playing. When the Red Sox are right, it seems like they average about nine runs (slight exaggeration) at home especially when the weather is so great.

Interleague play (so far the Red Sox are 2-4 against their NL East counterparts) continues as Boston hits the road to face the Miami Marlins (31-29, 4th place NL East) at their stupid new stadium-Marlins Park. Fresh off a three-game sweep (take a number) at the hands of the Rays, the Marlins enter the series on a six-game losing streak which is double what the Red Sox are currently suffering through. After that, the Red Sox visit Wrigley Field for three games this weekend to take on the woeful Chicago Cubs led by former GM Theo Epstein.

Bobby Valentine got thrown out in the ninth inning today arguing balls and strikes but hopefully he's taking notes from the master-Ozzie Guillen-who also happens to be Miami's manager. Former Marlin Josh Beckett (4-6) faces Josh Johnson (3-4) tomorrow night (7:10 p.m., NESN), Clay Buchholz (6-2) gets Mark Buehrle (5-6) Tuesday night (7:10 p.m., NESN) and Felix Doubront (6-3) opposes Ricky Nolasco (6-4) in the series finale on Wednesday night (7:10 p.m., NESN).

National League rules will be in effect meaning no DH in the lineup and the pitchers have to hit, so Valentine will need to find a way to get Ortiz plenty of at bats since he's been by far the team's best hitter so far this season. Sit Adrian Gonzalez instead who hasn't done anything.

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Red Sox Waste Salty's Clutch Homer, Fall 8-6 To Orioles In 10 Innings

To state the obvious: for the Boston Red Sox to go anywhere this season (which I am certainly not counting on), they desperately need Jon Lester to be much more than he's shown so far in 2012.

The Red Sox (28-27, 13-15 home) wasted a clutch, two-out two-run homer by Jarrod Saltalamacchia (3 hits) in the ninth as they fell 8-6 in 10 innings to the Baltimore Orioles (31-24, 17-11 away) tonight at chilly Fenway Park in the series opener.

Lester went six innings but he allowed four runs (two earned) on eight hits with five strikeouts and a walk. By his recently low standards, that was a great outing. It's tough to pin the loss on him, especially since it went into extra innings but it's about time that we started to expect better from the guy that has to be the staff ace.

Orioles starter Jason Hammel only lasted five innings because his pitch count ballooned to 107. He allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.

It came down to a battle of the bullpens, specifically the closers. Both Jim Johnson (1-0; 1st blown save in 25 chances dating back to last season) and Alfredo Aceves (0-3) worked two innings and allowed a pair of runs but Baltimore had a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth so they had more room for error.

Befitting a game that few watched once the Celtics-Heat started, there were many peculiar elements. First of all, there were 14 runs scored combined but Salty's bomb was the only extra-base hit that produced a run. Everything else was the product of singles and sacrifice flies.

The Orioles cashed in big time with runners on base (8 for 17) while the Red Sox (1 for 8) did not. Out of 26 total hits for both teams, only four were for extra-bases (two doubles, a triple, the home run).

Baltimore had 15 hits led by Endy Chavez (3 hits, 2 runs, RBI). Robert Andino (2 hits, 2 runs), J.J. Hardy (2 hits, RBI), Matt Wieters (2 hits, run, RBI, walk) and Mark Reynolds (2 hits, 2 walks, run, RBI) all had multiple hits in the win.

For Boston, Salty and Mike Aviles (3 hits, run, RBI) helped them to 11 hits. Scott Podsednik (2 hits, RBI, walk) and Daniel Nava (2 runs, 2 hits) also continued to get on base, something which nobody expected consistently from them (especially when they were pressed into the lineup every day).

Baltimore scored first with two runs in the third on RBI singles by Adam Jones and Wieters. Boston tied it in the fifth on an Orioles error and Dustin Pedroia's (first game since last Monday) sacrifice fly.

Steve Pearce (who I've never heard of before now) put the O's back on top with a sacrifice fly in the sixth but the Red Sox responded again with an RBI single by Aviles and Podsednik's sacrifice fly in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead.

Baltimore went ahead with three in the seventh: Hardy, Reynolds and Pearce all had RBI singles. The last two runs were charged to Scott Atchison, who entered on a streak of no earned runs in his last 19 2/3 innings.

Ronny Paulino and Chavez had RBI singles in the 10th against Aceves. Johnson retired Boston 1-2-3 in the 10th.

If we accept all the signs that point to this being a rebuilding year for the Red Sox, the biggest news of the day was that Daniel Bard was sent down to Pawtucket to get his mind and right arm in a better place. Darnell McDonald was called up to take his spot on the roster and it looks like Daisuke Matsuzaka will inherit Bard's spot in the rotation for the time being (beginning with a start Saturday against Washington).

It's all the Red Sox' front office's fault that Bard is a mess that can't throw strikes or get anybody out. Bobby Valentine knew right away in Spring Training that Bard should stay in the bullpen but since he was a new manager, he didn't feel comfortable questioning the move. How'd that work out? Let's all hope that Bard can relax with the PawSox and get back to the player that was a top setup man for three seasons.

Josh Beckett (4-5) opposes Wei-Yin Chen (4-2) tomorrow night (7:10 p.m., NESN) in the middle game of a three game set.

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Red Sox Clinch Series With Orioles Thanks To Some Unlikely Power

The beauty of baseball and what keeps us tuning in despite a regular season that's way too long (162 games) and tedious is the chance to see something crazy that you'll surely never witness again.

This afternoon was one of those type of contests as the Red Sox (22-22, 13-11 away) beat the Orioles (28-17, 13-11 home) 6-5 at Camden Yards.

The win clinched the series for Boston (2-1) while also keeping them hot (10-3 in their last 13 games). Best of all, they completed their absurd 20 games in 20 days stretch (11-9) and eight-game road trip (5-3) in good shape. This is the third time that the Red Sox have reached .500 this season, hopefully now they'll take the next step and get over it-something they haven't done yet.

I'm very confident that Daniel Nava (2 hits), Kelly Shoppach (2 hits) and Scott Podsednik (2 hits, 2 runs) will never all hit home runs in the same game again but that's exactly what they did today. Boston needed all those longballs since Daniel Bard (4-5) didn't give them anything more than an average start. In 5.1 innings, Bard allowed two earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts and four walks. As always, I ask: why isn't he in the bullpen? He's not nearly the same guy when he starts, he's lost his velocity and he can't put any batters away.

Jake Arrieta (2-5) wasn't good either for the O's. He went 5.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and three walks.

The Red Sox had 13 hits, including two from Kevin Youkilis (run, walk) and Will Middlebrooks (RBI). The Orioles were limited to seven, basically by three players Xavier Avery (2 hits, run), Adam Jones (2 hits) and Nick Johnson (3 RBIs, 2 hits, 2 runs), who hit not one but two home runs. I said it was a strange day, right?

Alfredo Aceves had his third straight perfect outing as he got four outs for his 11th save of the season.

Baltimore went up 1-0 in the first on Chris Davis's sacrifice fly. Boston tied it on Podsednik's double play ball in the second. Johnson (3rd of the season) hit a solo shot in the second. Middlebrooks tied it with an RBI double in the third although Youk was easily gunned down at the plate to end the inning on the same play.

Nava (2nd of the season) and Shoppach (2nd of the season) both went deep in the sixth, Shoppach's was a two-run blast. Johnson answered with his second home run, in the sixth, but Podsednik made it 6-4 with a solo homer in the eighth-his first since Sept. 2010 with the Dodgers.

The Orioles threatened in the eighth and pulled a run back on Wilson Betemit's sacrifice fly (that would have been more if not for a great diving catch by Che-Hsuan Lin in right field) but Aceves struck out Johnson to end the frame.

After a much needed day off tomorrow, the Red Sox host the Tampa Bay Rays for three games this weekend then the Detroit Tigers for four games at Fenway Park. Tampa Bay (27-18, 2nd place AL East) has already played Boston six times with the Red Sox going 4-2 so far.

Jon Lester (3-3) faces rookie Alex Cobb (1-0) on Friday night (7:10 p.m., NESN), Josh Beckett (4-4) gets David Price (6-3) on Saturday night (7:15 p.m., FOX) and Clay Buchholz (4-2) opposes Jeremy Hellickson (4-1) on Sunday afternoon (1:35 p.m., NESN).

It's Memorial Day weekend in a few days so it's about time that the Red Sox get over the hump and don't look back to their pitiful start to 2012.

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