SB Nation Boston - Red Sox 6, Marlins 5: Boston's Youngsters Lead Late Rally To Secure The Sweep

Red Sox Extras: Not According To Plan

2012-06-22T12:01:06Z

2012 is beginning to look a lot like 2010 for the Boston Red Sox.

In 2010 the team entered the year with reasonably high hopes, but found themselves ruined by injuries. Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Cameron, Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez, Kevin Youkilis--all lost significant time to the disabled list throughout the season, leaving the Red Sox fielding a team of prospects and replacement players.

It wasn't a great year. For the first time in three years the Sox missed out on October baseball, reaching just 89 wins. Fans had to watch players like Adrian Beltre provide big numbers knowing the team wasn't really going to be able to take advantage of their good find. When the season finally came to an end with the Sox in third place, it was not welcomed with shock or anger, but a shrug. What could the Sox have done, missing so many of their best players?

There is no such resignation this year. Whether it's because they're hoping for a postseason push from the Red Sox or because they're upset about how the team reached this point of struggle (admittedly one much improved from a week ago), there are no shrugs for this season. What is similar, however, is the silver lining--one that shone through Thursday night--found in the performances of the players who have replaced the injured or struggling stars.

In 2010, it was the likes of Darnell McDonald and Bill Hall making surprising contributions when so little was expected out of them to start the year, but this year it's even better, because of what these performances could mean for the team down the line. First and foremost is Will MIddlebrooks, a top prospect who has so far completely lived up to his billing with eight homers and a .903 OPS in his first 136 at bats. With third base finally drying up for the Sox after years of Lowell, Beltre, and Youkilis, the Sox seem to already have their long-term answer lined up. That he's come through in the clutch so often this year is a terrific added bonus.

But beyond the man expected to perform, the Sox have also gotten production out of two of the men who made contributions in 2010: Daniel Nava and Ryan Kalish. The latter's contributions have been admittedly minimal with his return coming just a few short days ago, but he showed why he's going to be a fan favorite down the line by going from first-to-third on a ground out Thursday, putting the go-ahead run just 90 feet away with only one out. It's that sort of all-out attitude which has seen him succeed so often in the minors.

But the man who knocked him in is the one who's really gone crazy. We all remember Daniel Nava's first at bat with the Red Sox: a first-pitch grand slam off of Jamie Moyer that suggested big things. Unfortunately, the 2010 season quickly went south for Nava. Now, in 2012, he's fighting to stay for good. While he once again started hot with a 7-game hitting streak, this time he's kept it up. Through 106 at bats, Nava is hitting a remarkable .340/.455/.519--a line good for the third highest OPS amongst American League outfielders with at least 100 at bats. Right now major league pitchers don't know how to get this 5'10" outfielder with an official picture that shows he's ecstatic just to be wearing a uniform out. It's unbelievable.

It's these sort of performances that have not only kept the Red Sox in the chase despite their dismal start, but also give Sox fans something to watch for. Because as difficult as it is to watch Adrian Gonzalez and Dustin Pedroia chase everything thrown their way for out after out, the moments of magic from these players who weren't necessarily even expected to make an appearance before September call-ups are enough to make up for it.

Red Sox Vs. Marlins Final Score: Exciting Late Rally Gives Sox 6-5 Win, Sweep Of Miami

2012-06-22T02:54:34Z

The Red Sox finished off their sweep of the Marlins with a 6-5 win after a late, youth-lead rally brought the Sox back from a 5-3 deficit.

It was another rough beginning for Daisuke Matsuzaka, who again came out flat in the first inning. While he didn't load the bases with walks like he did against the Cubs, Matsuzaka did manage to put runners on second and third with one out. And while a strikeout of Logan Morrison provided some measure of hope for a scoreless inning, Greg Dobbs would quickly erase that by singling both men home, and then picking up the Marlins' third stolen base of the inning, putting himself in scoring position for an Omar Infante single that made it 3-0.

The Sox nearly responded in the bottom half of the first, but ended up wasting a bases loaded, one out situation with a pop fly and strikeout from Cody Ross and Jarrod Saltalamacchia respectively. It was the only life they'd show in the first three innings, though Daisuke would manage to keep them in it by retiring fourteen straight batters starting with the last out in the first.

Then came the fourth, and finally Carlos Zambrano was made to pay for the wildness that had afflicted him all night. Hitting both Cody Ross and Jarrod Saltalamacchia to start the inning, Zambrano surrendered a single to Will Middlebrooks, who then broke up a double play at second allowing Mike Aviles to bring in a second run on a sacrifice fly. One inning later, and it was Middlebrooks striking again, dropping a single to right with Adrian Gonzalez at third to tie the game.

Unfortunately, the sixth inning would bring the end of Daisuke's streak courtesy of a Giancarlo Stanton solo shot. Andrew Miller did not fair much better in relief, surrendering a single and double to make it 5-3 Marlins.

There the score would remain until the eighth, when the Sox finally got their spark back. It started with Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who chased Randy Choate from the game by hitting a right-handed double off the wall in left-center. Up came will Middlebrooks to the plate, and as before, the Marlins just could not get him out. Despite getting ahead 0-2, Edward Mujica could not put the third baseman away, let the count even up at 2-2, and then gave him a high fastball, which Middlebrooks smashed to dead center for a two-run shot to tie the game at 5-5.

The Sox were not done, however, as it was Ryan Kalish' turn to make his impact on the game. Shooting a single through the right side of the infield, Kalish showed the sort of spirit that's going to make him a fan favorite in years to come, taking off on a hit-and-run, rounding second without a thought, and sliding safely into third on a Mike Aviles ground out. With the winning run just 90 feet away, the Sox turned to Daniel Nava, who did what he's done all year: hit the baseball. A single into center brought Kalish home, and gave the Sox a lead to turn over to their closer Alfredo Aceves, who finished the game quickly and cleanly.

Final - 6.21.2012	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Miami Marlins	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	5	7	0
Boston Red Sox	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	3	X	6	9	0
WP: Scott Atchison (2 - 0) SV: Alfredo Aceves (18) LP: Edward Mujica (0 - 3)

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Curt Schilling Will Do In Studio Interview With WEEI's Dennis & Callahan Friday Morning, First Since 38 Studios Collapse

2012-06-22T01:50:51Z

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

2012-06-21T23:58:03Z

The Red Sox are out for a sweep Thursday night as they take on Carlos Zambrano and the Miami Marlins.

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

Red Sox 6, Marlins 5, Final -- Alfredo Aceves closes out the ninth in short order, and the Sox have a great win--perhaps the best of the year--thanks to the likes of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Will Middlebrooks, Ryan Kalish, and Daniel Nava.

Red Sox 6, Marlins 5, End 8th -- A truly exciting rally has the Red Sox back on top, and it's mostly thanks to the call-ups. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is the one "veteran" to get in on the act, starting the rally with a leadoff wall ball double to left-center that seemed like it was going to get out. That it was a few feet short becomes inconsequential just a few pitches later, as Will MIddlebrooks continues his excellent night by fighting back from an 0-2 count, getting a high 2-2 fastball, and drilling it to dead center for a two-run shot that ties the game at 5-5.

Ryan Kalish kept the rally going by hitting a single through the right side of the infield, then made the sort of play that's going to make him a fan favorite in a hurry. With the hit-and-run on, Kalish not only stayed out of the double play on the ground ball out from Mike Aviles, but gunned it to third, leaving him just 90 feet away with one out. Up came Daniel Nava, and right now when the Sox need just a hit, there might not be anybody better. A 1-0 splitter tails away from Nava as it reaches the plate, but locked in at the plate as he is, Nava goes out and gets it, lacing a single into center and bringing the go-ahead run home.

Three outs to go.

Marlins 5, Red Sox 3, Mid 8th -- Giancarlo Stanton picks up another hit, but this time it's just a single, and Scott Atchison is able to erase him with a Logan Morrison double play ball to secure another 1-2-3 inning.

Marlins 5, Red Sox 3, End 7th -- The heart of the Red Sox order goes quietly in the bottom of the seventh, with another weak ground ball from Adrian Gonzalez getting things started. It was on June 9, 2009 that David Ortiz, in the midst of a year-and-a-half long slump, was given eyedrops and never looked back. Maybe Adrian needs some?

Marlins 5, Red Sox 3, Mid 7th -- Scott Atchison continues to provide the Red Sox with effective relief pitching, retiring the side in order in the seventh. Since allowing two runs to the Orioles earlier in the month, he's bounced back with 5.2 scoreless.

Marlins 5, Red Sox 3, End 6th -- With Ryan Webb into the game for Carlos Zambrano, the Red Sox go down in rapid fashion, with Mike Aviles, Daniel Nava, and Dustin Pedroia all grounding out in a 1-2-3 sixth.

Marlins 5, Red Sox 3, Mid 6th -- It doesn't take long for the pitching to ruin the offense's good work from the last two innings. After getting through the last four innings without allowing a baserunner, Daisuke ended his night on a bad note, tossing a slider right over the heart of the plate to Giancarlo Stanton, who did not miss the opportunity, launching a high-speed rocket shot into the Monster seats. Andrew Miller, who hadn't given up a hit since May 29, followed up by allowing a two-out single and double to Greg Dobbs and Omar Infante respectively, making it 5-3 before the final out was recorded.

Red Sox 3, Marlins 3, End 5th -- It's getting harder and harder to justify keeping Will Middlebrooks out of the lineup. After another free pass from Carlos Zambrano gave the Sox a leadoff baserunner in Adrian Gonzalez, a single and a ground ball (from Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who hustled to first to beat out what would have been an inning-ending double play) moved him to third with Middlebrooks up to bat. Making good on the opportunity, the young third baseman looped a single into right field, bringing Gonzalez home to tie the game.

Marlins 3, Red Sox 2, Mid 5th -- If you could just eliminate that one inning, Daisuke would be in the midst of a perfect game after another 1-2-3 frame. Unfortunately, that's what Sox fans have been saying for years now.

Marlins 3, Red Sox 2, End 4th -- Carlos Zambrano's wild ways finally come back to haunt him some. A pair of leadoff hit batsmen in Cody Ross and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are the two runs that eventually score off of Zambrano, as Will Middlebrooks knocks one in, and then breaks up a double play at second to allow Mike Aviles to bring the other home on a sacrifice fly. This one is anyone's ball game right now.

Marlins 3, Red Sox 0, Mid 4th -- Some decent contact for the Marlins results in three fly balls, including one which Nava nearly allows to grab some wall as he ventures back towards the Monster, but all three are outs just the same. And with only 11 pitches thrown in the inning, Matsuzaka has his pitch count if not under control, then at least a lot more reasonable.

Marlins 3, Red Sox 0, End 3rd -- It won't matter what Daisuke Matsuzaka does on the mound from here if the Sox can't put up some runs. One night after plating 15, the Sox have been held in check for the first three innings by Carlos Zambrano. A 1-2-3 third doesn't even come with so much as a fly ball, and Zambrano requires just 10 pitches to get the heart of the Red Sox lineup. Not a good sign.

Marlins 3, Red Sox 0, Mid 3rd -- Daisuke Matsuzaka does manage another 1-2-3 inning, but it does not come without resistance, as the Marlins make him throw plenty of pitches in the process. With his count up over 60 already, Matsuzaka is going to need some quick outs to get that quality start.

Marlins 3, Red Sox 0, End 2nd -- Carlos Zambrano surrenders his third walk of the night, but that sort of wildness is acceptable when it comes with plenty of strikeouts. With Ryan Kalish's free pass sandwiched between whiffs of Will Middlebrooks and Mike Aviles, Zambrano needed only a Daniel Nava ground ball to end the inning uneventfully.

Marlins 3, Red Sox 0, Mid 2nd -- A quick 1-2-3 inning ending in a strikeout of Jose Reyes begs the question where this Daisuke was in the first. That, however, is how Daisuke works. He pitches badly, and then shows you what he can do just to make all the terrible innings that much worse. The good news is that, at least for his last outing, that pattern ultimately left the Red Sox with a quality start.

Marlins 3, Red Sox 0, End 1st -- The Red Sox threaten to do to Carlos Zambrano in the bottom half of the inning what the Marlins did to Daisuke in the top half, but they can't quite follow through. After a leadoff walk to Daniel Nava, Dustin Pedroia managed to beat out a double play ball allowing Adrian Gonzalez to move him to third when he sliced a single into left field. David Ortiz walked behind him, loading the bases with one out, but neither Cody Ross nor Jarrod Saltalamacchia could pick up the big hit, leaving the Sox with a pop up, a strikeout, and no runs to end the first.

Marlins 3, Red Sox 0, Mid 1st -- It's becoming clear that switching replacing Daniel Bard with Daisuke Matsuzaka was nothing more than a horizontal move for the Red Sox. In another awful first, Matsuzaka fell behind 2-0, gave up a leadoff single, and with one out walked Giancarlo Stanton to put men on first and third. While a strikeout of Logan Morrison may have provided some hope for one of his patented Houdini acts, Greg Dobbs erased that hope with a line drive to right field, scampered to second with the third stolen base of the inning, and then scored on a bloop single to center to make it 3-0.

Not what you want from Daisuke, but about what you'd expect.

Carl Crawford Injury Update: Red Sox Outfielder To Begin Rehab Assignment

2012-06-21T21:23:40Z

Injured Boston Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford is expected to arrive in Florida on Thursday for his rehab assignment (via Red Sox).

While the team has a date in mind that they would like to see Crawford back in the Red Sox lineup, they did not specify what that date was. Crawford will be the designated hitter in a Gulf Coast League game on Saturday. Crawford's original hold up was recovery from offseason wrist surgery. More recently, Crawford battled elbow inflammation. Before the elbow problem, he was expected back in April.

Crawford played 130 games for the Red Sox in 2011 and hit .255 with 11 home runs and 56 RBI. For his career, the veteran has hit .293 with 115 homers and 648 RBI. Crawford, signed by the Red Sox in 2010, was recently named the 98th highest-paid athlete in the world by Forbes.

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

David Ortiz Says He's Sick Of Drama, Wants People To Leave Red Sox Alone

2012-06-21T20:38:18Z

David Ortiz has had enough of your drama, thank you very much. Ortiz, the only remaining member of the Word Series winning Boston Red Sox team back in 2004, sounded off before Thursday night's series finale against the Miami Marlins, telling reporters that he was sick of the drama surrounding the Red Sox and wants people to leave him and the team alone.

David Ortiz: "Every day is something new, some drama, some more (expletive). I’m tired of that, man. I’m here to play baseball, man."
— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) June 21, 2012

Ortiz: "Playing here used to be so much fun. Now, every day is something new -- not related to baseball. People need to leave us alone."
— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) June 21, 2012

Well, maybe if your team played better, David, the drama would go away and it would be fun to play here again. It's as simple as that. Winning changes things. Before the '04 victory, people were more easily satisfied by hanging around the playoff race and making just a little noise in the postseason. After winning two World Series championships, people expect more. Especially with this payroll. Win, and it'll be fun. That's just life, David. Get used to it.

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

Andrew Bailey Injury Update: Red Sox Closer Throwing Off The Mound In Bullpen Session

2012-06-21T20:21:39Z

Boston Red Sox injured closer Andrew Bailey's recovery continues. Bailey is now throwing from the mound in bullpen sessions. According to a report, Bailey threw all of his pitches and 25 total pitches from the mound (via Brian McPherson).

During Spring Training, Bailey injured the ulnar collateral ligament of his right hand. He needed surgery to repair it. When the injury occurred in April, it was not projected to end Bailey's season before it began.

Bailey was acquired in the offseason in a trade with the Oakland Athletics. For Oakland, Bailey posted a 2.07 ERA and converted 75 of 84 career save opportunities. Bailey is 7-10 for his career and has struck out 174 batters in 174 innings while only walking 49 batters.

There was no word from Boston about when Bailey's rehab assignment will take place.

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

Red Sox Vs. Marlins Lineup: Dustin Pedroia Returns Against Carlos Zambrano

2012-06-21T19:49:45Z

The Red Sox will have Dustin Pedroia, just one day removed from aggravating his thumb injury, back in the lineup as they take on Carlos Zambrano and the Miami Marlins. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. EST with broadcasts on NESN, the MLB Network, and WEEI.

While there were fears that Pedroia's decision to return early from his injury had resulted in the worst case scenario after he was pulled in the middle of Tuesday's game, the second baseman is back in the lineup Thursday night, batting second behind Daniel Nava as the Sox aim for the sweep.

The Red Sox will keep Adrian Gonzalez back at first base for a second straight night now that they've got viable outfield options in Cody Ross, Ryan Kalish, and Daniel Nava. Will Middlebrooks will take the start at third base while Kevin Youkilis will at least begin his night on the bench.

Boston Red Sox (35-33)

Daniel Nava, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Cody Ross, RF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Ryan Kalish, CF
Mike Aviles, SS

Miami Marlins (33-35)

Jose Reyes, SS
Hanley Ramirez, DH
Giancarlo Stanton, RF
Logan Morrison, LF
Greg Dobbs, 3B
Omar Infante, 2B
Scott Cousins, CF
Gaby Sanchez, 1B
Brett Hayes, C

Next Game

Miami Marlins
@ Boston Red Sox

Thursday, Jun 21, 2012, 7:10 PM EDT
Fenway Park

Carlos Zambrano vs Daisuke Matsuzaka

Clear. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 90.

Complete Coverage >

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