SB Nation Boston - Red Sox 10, Marlins 2: Sox Lineup Wakes Up Against Ricky Nolasco, Miami Bullpen

Red Sox Vs. Marlins Final: Sox Lineup Wakes Up In 10-2 Rout Of Marlins

2012-06-14T02:33:30Z

The Red Sox took the rubber match in their series against the Marlins in a 10-2 rout as they took advantage of their first opportunity against a second-tier starter in nearly a week.

After going up against Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Josh Johnson, and Mark Buehrle in five consecutive games, Ricky Nolasco must have seemed the light at the end of the tunnel to a hit-starved Red Sox lineup. Through the first two innings of the game, however, the Sox had managed just one baserunner, looking as helpless as ever at the plate.

That would finally change in the third, as the Sox got on the board with some NL smallball with Felix Doubront bunting Mike Aviles to third with no outs on the board and Scott Podsednik bringing him in with a simple ground ball to second. They would strike again in the fourth, when David Ortiz received a fastball waist-high over the outside part of the plate and went deep to the opposite field to make it 2-0.

Felix Doubront, meanwhile, was enjoying a very special start, having made it through the end of the fifth with one walk...and nothing else. A missed location on a fastball to Jose Reyes let the Miami shortstop go deep, ending both the no-hitter and the shutout in one fell swoop. Doubront would then allow two men reach scoring position to start the seventh, but managed to escape the inning with just one earned run by inducing a pop-up, ground ball, and fly ball.

The run would have tied the game had the Sox not already put up two more runs in the top of the sixth by hitting three straight singles off of Nolasco to start the inning. Four runs was more than they had scored off a starter in those five previous games, but that would pale in comparison to the production they would manage in the top of the eighth. Chad Gaudin would allow Nick Punto to lead off the inning with a double, and then was quickly pulled in favor of Randy Choate, who let the game get completely away from him. Four straight singles would bring in three runs, and while Ryan Webb would finally manage to get two outs, a sacrifice fly would bring in a fourth, Mike Aviles loaded the bases with a single, and then Nick Punto struck again for two more runs, leaving the score at an insurmountable 10-2.

Final - 6.13.2012	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Boston Red Sox	0	0	1	1	0	2	0	6	0	10	14	0
Miami Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	2	4	1
WP: Felix Doubront (7 - 3) LP: Ricky Nolasco (6 - 5)

Complete Coverage >

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.

Red Sox Vs. Marlins Live Blog: Inning By Inning Updates For Game 3

2012-06-13T23:31:04Z

The Red Sox and Marlins are set to face off in the rubber match of their three-game series Wednesday night.

We'll keep you up-to-date on all the action as it goes down in Marlins Park.

Red Sox 10, Marlins 2, Final -- Matt Albers works a quick ninth, and the Red Sox win big in Miami!

Red Sox 10, Marlins 2, Mid 9th -- Adrian Gonzalez and Dustin Pedroia both are stranded in the ninth, but it's hard to get upset over missed opportunities in a 10-2 game.

Red Sox 10, Marlins 2, End 8th -- Some curious bullpen decisions in a 10-2 game result in three different pitchers appearing in the eighth, but manage to get out of a bases-loaded situation as Matt Albers induces a ground ball out from Giancarlo Stanton.

Red Sox 10, Marlins 2, Mid 8th -- You get a feeling that this had been building for a few days. Now, finally getting through to the weak underside of the Miami bullpen in a game they're leading, the Sox put up a nice, crooked number. It takes the Marlins seven batters to record the first out, with Nick Punto doubling off the wall in right, chasing Chad Gaudin and bringing Randy Choate into the game. Choate proceeds to allow a couple of hard hit singles to Scott Podsednik and Dustin Pedroia, scoring a run in the process before Adrian Gonzalez brings home a second by hitting a chopper that bounces high over the head of Jose Reyes, in to try and prevent anymore runs from scoring.

Another sharply hit single, this time from David Ortiz, brings home a third run before Ryan Webb enters the game to calm things down...for a while. With the bases loaded, Jarrod Saltalamacchia hits a sacrifice fly to bring a fourth run home, and while Ryan Sweeney has his line drive end up right in the glove of Justin Ruggiano, Mike Aviles hits one back up the middle for a base hit, and Nick Punto actually picks up his second knock of the eighth by dropping a line drive just in front of the glove of Donovan Solano in left field, bringing home the sixth and final run of the frame.

Red Soox 4, Marlins 2, End 7th -- The Marlins get something going against Felix Doubront, who finds himself in early trouble after a leadoff single and double puts two in scoring position with nobody out. After the bad start, however, he does a great job of minimizing damage, inducing a pop-up and ground ball that allow just the one run to score before Gaby Sanchez flew out to send it to the eighth.

Red Sox 4, Marlins 1, Mid 7th -- 1-2-3 go the Red Sox, as Chad Gaudin does a good job of relieving Ricky Nolasco and settling down a suddenly active Red Sox lineup.

Red Sox 4, Marlins 1, End 6th -- Jose Reyes erases hopes for both a no-hitter and a shutout with one swing of the bat, as Felix Doubront missed inside with a fastball to the Miami shortstop, who took it out of the park for a solo shot.

Red Sox 4, Marlins 0, Mid 6th -- The Sox add to their lead in the sixth inning as they grab three straight singles off Ricky Nolasco to lead off the inning, with the third from Adrian Gonzalez bringing Scott Podsednik in to score. Dustin Pedroia comes home on a sacrifice fly from David Ortiz to make it 4-0, but Will Middlebrooks hits into a double play to end the threat before it gets too far out of hand.

Red Sox 2, Marlins 0, End 5th -- Having just made the last out in the fifth, Felix Doubront steps up and record three more on twelve pitches in the bottom half, striking out Gaby Sanchez with just three to end it.

Red Sox 2, Marlins 0, Mid 5th -- Ricky Nolasco is back to providing perfect innings, getting the Sox 1-2-3 in the fifth, though Mike Aviles managed to get some good wood on the ball and the last out was from Felix Doubront.

Red Sox 2, Marlins 0, End 4th -- Felix Doubront picks up his fifth strikeout in a blissfully short fourth inning, needing just nine pitches to retire the side, 1-2-3.

Red Sox 2, Marlins 0, Mid 4th -- The Red Sox switch from small ball to big ball in the fourth, as David Ortiz takes a fastball waist-high over the outside part of the plate and sends it out of the park to left field for a solo shot.

Red Sox 1, Marlins 0, End 3rd -- Doubront carries his momentum right into the third, striking out the side in order. While he has to fight a bit of a battle with Ricky Nolasco to do so, he ends up getting Jose Reyes looking on three pitches to mitigate the damage to his always-high pitch count.

Red Sox 1, Marlins 0, Mid 3rd -- A bit of NL-mandated small ball pays off for the Red Sox with a run. After Mike Aviles led off the inning with a double, the Sox had Felix Doubront coming to the plate for his first major league at bat--a rare perfect time for a bunt. He laid down a good one on his first pitch, and Scott Podsednik brought Aviles in from third with a ground ball to second base. Just like they drew it up.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, End 2nd -- Felix Doubront looks a lot more dominant in the second, striking out Omar Infante to start the inning and then enjoying a pair of pop flies to end it without any trouble. He'll come up to bat in the third, and hopefully not hurt himself doing so.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, Mid 2nd -- Though David Ortiz leads off the inning with a walk, the second isn't much better than the first on the whole. Fly balls from Will Middlebrooks and Ryan Sweeney don't test the Marlins outfield in the least, and with Jarrod Saltalamacchia striking out in between, it was another scoreless frame for Ricky Nolasco.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, End 1st -- Felix Doubront doesn't look incredible in the first, but he does manage to get out of the inning without any damage, and only one baserunner to his name--Donovan Solano, who reaches by way of the walk. Still, some decent contact is a bad sign, if not a damning one.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, Mid 1st -- The Sox may finally see the gauntlet of front-line starting pitchers coming to an end with Ricky Nolasco, but that doesn't save them from a miserable first inning. Nolasco needs just 13 pitches to end the top of the first, striking out both Scott Podsednik and Adrian Gonzalez in a 1-2-3 inning.

Red Sox Vs. Marlins Lineups: David Ortiz Plays First In Rubber Game

2012-06-13T20:06:30Z

The Red Sox will take on the Miami Marlins in the rubber match of their three-game series Wednesday night. First pitch will be at 7:10 p.m. EST with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.

David Ortiz will return to the lineup after missing out against tough lefty Mark Buehrle, batting fourth and playing first base. Kevin Youkilis will be the man to miss out today, sitting as Will Middlebrooks plays third and Adrian Gonzalez takes on right field again.

Boston Red Sox (30-32)

Scott Podsednik, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, RF
David Ortiz, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Ryan Sweeney, CF
Mike Aviles, SS
Felix Doubront, P

Miami Marlins (32-30)

Jose Reyes, SS
Donovan Solano, LF
Hanley Ramirez, 3B
Giancarlo Stanton, RF
Omar Infante, 2B
Justin Ruggiano, CF
Gaby Sanchez, 1B
Brett Hayes, C
Ricky Nolasco, P

Next Game

Boston Red Sox
@ Miami Marlins

Wednesday, Jun 13, 2012, 7:10 PM EDT
Marlins Park

Felix Doubront vs Ricky Nolasco

Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 85.

Complete Coverage >

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.

Red Sox Extras: Clay Buchholz The Stopper

2012-06-13T17:38:39Z

Not long ago, Clay Buchholz was an absolute wreck. With his ERA sitting at 7.84, and an even 27 in both strikeouts and walks, there was little-to-no hope of a strong outing when he took the mound. The Red Sox won enough of his starts, sure, but with the sort of offensive production that could have saved a Single-A player from a major league loss. Or even John Lackey!

All-of-a-sudden, however, two months into the season, everything clicked.

Over his last four starts, Clay Buchholz has thrown 31 innings of five-run ball. Only 29 men have reached base over that period--good for a WHIP of 0.94--and almost as many have gone down by way of the K. While the Red Sox managed to lose the first of those starts when Alfredo Aceves surrendered two runs in the ninth, they've taken the last three.

Two of those wins account for the only two wins the Sox have in their last nine games.

From the albatross of the rotation, Clay Buchholz has suddenly become the stopper, ending losing streaks of three and four games with dominant starts against the Orioles and Marlins. Now the Sox can only hope he also serves as the spark that starts a winning streak--one desperately needed with a 30-32 record staring them in the face.

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.

Red Sox Vs. Marlins Final Score: Clay Buchholz' Gem Snaps Sox' Losing Streak

2012-06-13T02:31:21Z

The last time the Red Sox won, it was thanks to Clay Buchholz' complete game shutout against the Baltimore Orioles. He was not quite so amazingly lockdown Tuesday against the Marlins, but he was close enough, throwing seven innings of one-run ball as the Red Sox snapped their losing streak with a 2-1 victory.

After the first four at bats of the game, it seemed like it was going to be yet more frustration for the Red Sox. Both Scott Podsednik and Kevin Youkilis found themselves robbed by good defensive plays, in a 1-2-3 first, and Jose Reyes gave the team an unwelcome sense of deja vu when he hit a hard ground ball past the bag at first for a leadoff triple.

That's where clay Buchholz came in. Two changeups with nasty breaks to Omar Infante and Hanley Ramirez give Buchholz two much-needed strikeouts, and a curveball away to Giancarlo Stanton gives him his third, and gets him out of the inning.

Mark Buehrle and Clay Buchholz would trade scoreless innings through to the end of the sixth, with Clay Buchholz picking up eight strikeouts along the way (a season high) and Mark Buehrle allowing almost no baserunners--at least until the seventh. There, the Sox finally broke through, with Will Middlebrooks getting it started by dropping a single into right field. Adrian Gonzalez could only fly out to center, but Kelly Shoppach came through, hitting a gapper to left field for the opening run of the game. Mike Aviles followed him up by working a six-pitch at bat and dropping a blooper into center to bring another run home.

Aviles' insurance run would prove essential when, three pitches into the bottom half of the seventh, Clay Buchholz threw a fastball over the inside part of the plate and Chris Coghlan hit it a mile to right field, putting the Marlins on the board.

Buchholz would pick up his ninth strikeout, and then end up handing off the ball to the bullpen to start the eighth. While Vicente Padilla ended up having an infield single and a blooper over the head of Dustin Pedroia bring the tying run just 90 feet from home, Giancarlo Stanton's fourth K of the day proved enough to end the inning, and Alfredo Aceves was able to work around a leadoff baserunner to close out the game in the ninth.

Final - 6.12.2012	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Boston Red Sox	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	6	0
Miami Marlins	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	8	2
WP: Clay Buchholz (7 - 2) SV: Alfredo Aceves (15) LP: Mark Buehrle (5 - 7)

Complete Coverage >

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.

Red Sox Vs. Marlins Live Blog: Inning By Inning Updates For Game 1

2012-06-12T23:35:05Z

The Red Sox are out to break free of their four-game losing streak and eight-game tailspin Tuesday night as they take on Mark Buehrle and the Florida Marlins.

We'll keep you up-to-date on all the action as it goes down in Marlins Park.

Red Sox 2, Marlins 1, Final -- A leadoff single doesn't end up costing the Sox, as they finally get back in the wins column.

Red Sox 2, Marlins 1, Mid 9th -- Alfredo Aceves will need a scoreless inning to close out the game in the ninth.

Red Sox 2, Marlins 1, End 8th -- With two outs in the inning, Vicente Padilla decides to make an adventure of it, though it's not so much his fault as back-to-back batters reach on an infield single and a bloop over Dustin Pedroia's head. Deciding not to take any chances with the tying run 90 feet away, Padilla decides to simply strike Giancarlo Stanton out (for the fourth time today) and end the inning that way.

Red Sox 2, Marlins 1, Mid 8th -- Youk gets plunked with two outs--likely an accident, since this may be the least heated series ever--but the Sox can't follow up, and they'll head to the bottom of the eighth with just the one run lead.

Red Sox 2, Marlins 1, End 7th -- Bobby Valentine's decision to leave Clay Buchholz in to hit with two on and two out in the seventh isn't rewarded with a very good inning. Though Clay did pick up his ninth strikeout of the game, this one coming against Gaby Sanchez, a fastball on the inside part of the plate to Chris Coghlan ends up leaving the park to right by a good margin for a solo shot that cuts the lead in half. A loud fly ball that could have been another shot in some parks ends the inning, however, so Clay can count this as another strong start in his pocket.

Red Sox 2, Marlins 0, Mid 7th -- The Red Sox scored!

Twice!

Will Middlebrooks got things started with one out, dropping a line drive into right field for a single. While Adrian Gonzalez would make the second out behind him, Kelly Shoppach made good on Bobby Valentine's decision to place him so high in the lineup, hooking an RBI double into the gap in center. Behind him, Mike Aviles almost popped out in foul territory, but John Buck had the ball bounce from his glove as he leaned into the dugout, giving the Sox' shortstop new life, leading to a bloop hit to right-center that brought Shoppach home from second. Only a tremendous diving catch from Chris Coghlan on a Clay Buchholz fliner kept the Sox from adding to their tally.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, End 6th -- It feels like Clay Buchholz has been pitching in a 3-2 count all night, but so far there's still no results on the board for the Marlins. While they again managed to turn one of the 3-ball counts into a walk--this one a leadoff pass to Omar Infante--a great play by Mike Aviles to backhand a Hanley Ramirez ground ball and start the double play made quick work of the baserunner, and Buchholz followed it up by striking out Giancarlo Stanton for the third time tonight, this time with a tremendous changeup.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, Mid 6th -- The Sox get some luck when Gaby Sanchez can't pick out a throw in the dirt from Omar Infante at first, allowing Darnell McDonald to reach base to lead the inning off. After Clay Buchholz bunts him over to second, however, Scott Podsednik strikes out and Dustin Pedroia grounds out to end the threat.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, End 5th -- Clay's fifth scoreless inning is a bit more tenuous than the last, as he walks John Buck--his first of the night--and after Mark Buehrle strikes out trying to bunt Buck over, gives up a long fly ball to center that thankfully dies on the warning track.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, Mid 5th -- After breaking a nearly month-long streak without a walk, Adrian Gonzalez now has one in two straight games, drawing the free pass off the usually stingy Buehrle to lead off the inning.

Unfortunately, one batter later, and Mike Aviles erases him with an inning-ending double play.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, End 4th -- Buchholz gets back to dealing in the fourth like he was in the first. While he runs the counts full against both Giancarlo Stanton and Logan Morrison, he paints the outside edge with a two-seam fastball that looks sure to end up outside before it cuts back in, and then gets Morrison swinging at a cut fastball down-and-in, looking for all the world like a right-handed version of the Jon Lester of old.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, Mid 4th -- If there's one thing to be said for watching Mark Buehrle dominate your team, it's that he's mercifully quick about it. Even though he throws 13 pitches to retire the side in the top of the fourth, striking out Will Middlebrooks for the third out, it feels more like 5.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, End 3rd -- The Marlins get back on the basepaths against Clay Buchholz, but a foolish baserunning decision by Jose Reyes and a heads-up play from Kevin Youkilis helped Buchholz escape the inning unharmed all-the-same. After recording another two outs to start the frame, Buchholz had Jose Reyes line a single into left field and then move to second as a ground ball found the hole in the left side of the infield. That's when Reyes took "in scoring position" a bit too seriously. With Mike Aviles having to range far to his left to grab a ground ball from Hanley Ramirez, the Marlins' third baseman was able to beat the throw to first. Reyes, on the other hand, could not beat the throw home, as Youkilis picked him up trying to score on the infield single and had him dead to rights at the plate.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, Mid 3rd -- The Sox offer less resistance in the third than they did in either the first or second, though that is perhaps to be expected with the pitcher batting second. Buchholz, to his credit, at least takes a couple of balls to work the count to an even 2-2 before he goes down swinging at an 86 MPH fastball, but perhaps he shouldn't be swinging at all given his back issues and the propensity of AL pitchers to get themselves hurt at the plate.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, End 2nd -- Clay Buchholz keeps right on rolling into the second inning, retiring the side on nine pitches and adding a strikeout to his tally as he gets Gaby Sanchez to swing at a slurvish curveball high and away for his fourth K of the night.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, Mid 2nd -- Kelly Shoppach gives the Red Sox their first baserunner of the game, lining a double down the foul line in right field, but it comes with two outs and Aviles leaves him there with an easy ground ball out.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, End 1st -- And now the Marlins are feeling the frustration too. For the second straight game, Jose Reyes hits a low liner to the right side of the infield--this one doesn't even quite reach the grass before landing--and ends up on third base with all three outs to work with.

Clay Buchholz, however, is not willing to simply concede the run. An 0-2 changeup in the dirt gets Omar Infante to take an off-balance swing for strikeout number one, three pitches to Hanley Ramirez lead to a similar result, again on a changeup that dips by about a foot as it reaches the zone, and while Giancarlo Stanton manages to work the count full, he can't quite hold up on a curveball the breaks down and outside of the zone, resulting in strikeout number three.

Red Sox 0, Marlins 0, Mid 1st -- Just one inning in and this one has "frustrating" written all over it. Against a pitcher like Mark Buehrle, the Sox can't really afford to have their strong contact not lead to hits, but that's what they had happen in the first. A leadoff line drive from Scott Podsednik is caught by a running Giancarlo Stanton, who has to lean forward and squat down to keep the ball from falling in. Dustin Pedroia's strikeout is not so frustrating as it is disappointing, but the Marlins bring the aggravation right back when Hanley Ramirez lays out for a hard hit ground ball from Kevin Youkilis, robbing him as well.

Red Sox Vs. Marlins Lineups: Will Middlebrooks Bats Cleanup Against Mark Buehrle

2012-06-12T20:46:11Z

The Red Sox will try to snap their four-game losing streak Tuesday night as they take on Mark Buehrle and the Miami Marlins. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. EST with broadcasts on NESN, the MLB Network, and WEEI.

Coming up against Mark Buehrle and his big splits, the Red Sox have stacked their lineup with as many right-handed hitters as possible. When on the road against National League teams, that means no David Ortiz, as first and third base are committed to Kevin Youkilis and Will Middlebrooks respectively.

Middlebrooks, for his part, will get the nod at the cleanup spot--the first time he's done so in the majors. Kelly Shoppach will also get a big bump up, hitting sixth behind Adrian Gonzalez.

Boston Red Sox (29-32)

Scott Podsednik, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, RF
Kelly Shoppach, C
Mike Aviles, SS
Darnell McDonald, LF
Clay Buchholz, P

Miami Marlins (32-29)

Jose Reyes, SS
Omar Infante, 2B
Hanley Ramirez, 3B
Giancarlo Stanton, RF
Logan Morrison, LF
Gaby Sanchez, 1B
Chris Coghlan, CF
John Buck, C
Mark Buehrle, P

Next Game

Boston Red Sox
@ Miami Marlins

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012, 7:10 PM EDT
Marlins Park

Clay Buchholz vs Mark Buehrle

Partly cloudy. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 85.

Complete Coverage >

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.

Red Sox Extras: The Worst Start In 15 Years

2012-06-12T13:54:47Z

Last year, when the Red Sox started the season 0-6, and 2-10, Sox fans were treated to statistic after statistic about how few teams recovered from such a gap to reach the playoffs, win the world series, or even achieve a winning record. It seemed like it was every writer's top priority to hammer home the hopelessness of the situation.

Of course, it only makes it worse that, after seemingly overcoming every single one of those statistics and establishing themselves at the top of the AL East, the Red Sox went right ahead and blew it all in September. But that's another story altogether.

This year, despite a 1-5 start, those numbers never really came up. Perhaps it's because the beat writers are all loathe to repeat themselves just one ear Or maybe it's that, unlike last year, this Red Sox team does not come with any great expectations. It would, after all, be cruel at best to have spent the last 15 years reminding Pirates fans that, based on the first couple months of the season, now everyone is really sure that they won't be turning things around this season.

Still, for those interested in some historical perspective, how about this: the last time the Red Sox were three games under .500 as late as Game 61 was 1997. Despite the first full season of Nomar Garciaparra--he would win Rookie of the Year honors--and strong campaigns from the likes of Mo Vaughn and John Valentin, the pre-Pedro Sox would allow 857 runs thanks to a rotation weighed down by Aaron Sele, Jeff Suppan, and Steve Avery, as well as a miserable bullpen.

Now, credit to these 2012 Red Sox of ours, they are not 24-37 like the 1997 edition was. But also credit to the 1997 edition, since they managed to work their way back up to a more dignified 78-84 before the season was over.

That's one win more than these Sox will have if they keep going at the same pace they have for the last three months of the season.

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.