SB Nation Boston - Red Sox Vs. Rays: Red Sox Get To David Price Early, Take Series From Rayshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2011-06-16T23:02:36-04:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19882522011-06-16T23:02:36-04:002011-06-16T23:02:36-04:00Red Sox 4, Rays 2: Boston Wins Rubber Match Despite Clay Buchholz' Early Exit
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<p>The Red Sox won the rubber match in their series against the Rays 4-2 despite having Clay Buchholz leave after only five innings with lower back tightness.</p>
<p>From the beginning, it was clear that David Price was not quite the same David Price who has shut down the Red Sox time and again. Sam Fuld had to make a leaping grab at the track to save what would have been at least a leadoff double from Darnell McDonald. It wasn't a one-off fluke, either. Dustin Pedroia worked an 8-pitch walk, and then advanced to third on Adrian Gonzalez' double down the line in right. </p>
<p>Tempers flared a bit and warnings were handed out when David Price hit Kevin Youkilis to load the bases, but any questions of whether price was wild enough to hit him accidentally were dispelled when he went from an 0-2 count to David Ortiz into an RBI walk. </p>
<p>Price escaped further harm in the inning (with Jed Lowrie leaving the game after wincing in pain on a bad swinging strikeout) but gave up another two in the second thanks largely to three straight hits from Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Darnell McDonald, and Dustin Pedroia. Still, the Red Sox were wasting opportunities to put the game away, leaving the bases loaded once again.</p>
<p>Sam Fuld doubled home B.J. Upton in the second inning to make it 3-1, but other than that, Clay Buchholz had been throwing a fairly good game against the Rays through five innings, which made it quite the surprise when Alfredo Aceves entered the game in the sixth. Lower back tightness was the explanation from the Red Sox--not a good sign given the problems he's had with the back so far this year.</p>
<p>If it wasn't bad enough to be down their starter in Buchholz, Aceves was miserable in replacement. Matt Joyce nearly took him long on a middle-in fastball after four pitches up around the letters, and Evan Longoria stung a hard line drive to left that ended up being hit straight to Carl Crawford for the out. So when Casey Kotchman knocked the second pitch he saw from Aceves out of the park, it wasn't terribly surprising.</p>
<p>Still, Aceves got his three outs, and then two more in the seventh to set up the Daniel Bard - Jonathan Papelbon combo. Bard got the final out of the seventh on one pitch, and then went 1-2-3 in the eighth. The Sox added a fourth run in the ninth thanks to Adrian Gonzalez' fourteenth homer of the season. </p>
<p>The bottom of the ninth, on the other hand ran, proved a bit of trouble. After Casey Kotchman laced a leadoff double to right-center off of Jonathan Papelbon, B.J. Upton legged out an infield single, bringing the tying run to the plate with nobody out. The Rays couldn't keep things rolling, however. Elliot Johnson was called on to pinch hit for John Jaso, but his bunt attempt proved disastrous as Kevin Youkilis made a terrific diving play in foul territory despite having tweaked his ankle earlier in the night. That seemed to fire up Papelbon, too, as he turned around and struck out Justin Ruggiano on three pitches, and then sat Sean Rodriguez down to close out the game and give the Sox the series win.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2011/6/16/2228260/red-sox-score-rays-game-clay-buchholz-injuryBenjamin Buchanan2011-06-16T17:41:38-04:002011-06-16T17:41:38-04:00Red Sox Vs. Rays Lineups: Boston Goes Right-Handed Against David Price
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<p>The Red Sox have stacked their lineup with right-handed hitters Thursday in hopes of doing some damage against tricky lefty <span>David Price</span>. As a result, Sox fans can look forward to some bizarre phenomena (at least for 2011) such as <span>Darnell McDonald</span> hitting leadoff in place of <span>Jacoby Ellsbury</span>, who’s getting the day off.</p>
<p><strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> (40-27)</strong><br>
1. Darnell McDonald, CF<br>
2. <span>Dustin Pedroia</span>, 2B<br>
3. <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span>, 1B<br>
4. <span>Kevin Youkilis</span>, 3B<br>
5. <span>David Ortiz</span>, DH<br>
6. <span>Jed Lowrie</span>, SS<br>
7. <span>Carl Crawford</span>, LF<br>
8. <span>Mike Cameron</span>, RF<br>
9. <span>Jarrod Saltalamacchia</span>, C</p>
<p><strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> (36-32)</strong><br>
1. <span>Johnny Damon</span>, DH<br>
2. <span>Ben Zobrist</span>, 2B<br>
3. <span>Matt Joyce</span>, RF<br>
4. <span>Evan Longoria</span>, 3B<br>
5. <span>Casey Kotchman</span>, 1B<br>
6. <span>B.J. Upton</span>, CF<br>
7. <span>John Jaso</span>, C<br>
8. <span>Sam Fuld</span>, LF<br>
9. <span>Reid Brignac</span>, SS</p>
<strong><span>Clay Buchholz</span> (5-3, 3.59 <span class="caps">ERA</span>) vs. David Price (7-5, 3.51 <span class="caps">ERA</span>)</strong><br>
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There aren’t many pitchers in the game the Red Sox would like to see less on any given day than David Price. Not only is he a top-tier starter, but he’s particularly dominant against lefties, holding them to a paltry .406 <span class="caps">OPS</span>. <br>
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Tonight, he’ll only get the pleasure of facing off against three such lefties, but Price isn’t particularly bad against righties, either, and there’s a reason the righties are typically on the bench to begin with.<br>
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So chances are they’re going to need a big start out of Clay Buchholz. The good news is that, after showing his old stuff against Toronto, he could well be able to deliver. The back seems to not be bothering him anymore, and just in case he’s had an extra day of rest between starts. Buchholz might be particularly well-suited to face the Rays, too, given his reliance on off-speed pitches.<br>
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The Red Sox go for the series win Thursday night, but also of note is that, with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> having already won, a loss would drop them to even in the loss category and just a half game ahead of their New York rivals in the AL East.
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2011/6/16/2227844/red-sox-rays-lineupsBenjamin Buchanan2011-06-15T21:57:35-04:002011-06-15T21:57:35-04:00Red Sox 3, Rays 0: Nearly Perfect Josh Beckett Backed By Kevin Youkilis' Homer
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<p>An infield single in the third inning was the only thing separating Josh Beckett from perfection Wednesday night, carrying the Red Sox to a 3-0 win over the Rays. </p>
<p>Since Beckett's minor derailment in the first inning against the Yankees last week, he's been on a roll. But while shutting down the Yankees for six innings was impressive enough, that feat had nothing on what he did to the Rays. It took him only 97 innings to go all nine frames, showing beautiful command of his fastball and getting swings-and-misses when he occasionally went to the changeup. By the end of the game, he'd seen just one man over the minimum, striking out six along the way.</p>
<p>For much of the game, Jeremy Hellickson was seeing similar results, if not displaying quite as much domination. In the seventh, though, things seemed to fall apart, if only for a few pitches. Jacoby Ellsbury's line drive out were a warning sign for the danger to come. Dustin Pedroia reached third base when Matt Joyce could not make a leaping play at the wall in right. Hellickson elected to walk Adrian Gonzalez to set up the double play, bringing Kevin Youkilis to the plate.</p>
<p>Hellickson had to be looking for a ground ball, but the 0-1 pitch was not the type to produce one. The pitch was over the inside part of the plate, and just about letter-high. In other words, perfect. Youkilis cleaned it out, sending it over the wall in right field to put up the only three runs of the game.</p>
<p>With the win, the Red Sox break their 0-for against the Rays this season, and have a chance to win their fourth straight series Thursday as David Price takes on Clay Buchholz.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2011/6/15/2226286/red-sox-score-game-rays-josh-beckettBenjamin Buchanan2011-06-15T18:16:15-04:002011-06-15T18:16:15-04:00Red Sox Vs. Rays Lineups: Jed Lowrie Returns Against Jeremy Hellickson
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<p>Entering the fourth game of their season series against the Rays, the Red Sox are still looking for their first win against Tampa Bay.</p>
<p>The last win for the Rays came Tuesday night thanks to some dominant pitching by <span>James Shields</span>, a righty with some very impressive splits against lefties. Wednesday, they’ll get their shot against <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span>, who has no such saving grace against the lefty powerhouse that is Boston.</p>
<p>But more on that later. For now, the lineups:</p>
<p><strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> (39-27)</strong></p>
<p>1. <span>Jacoby Ellsbury</span>, CF<br>
2. <span>Dustin Pedroia</span>, 2B<br>
3. <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span>, 1B<br>
4. <span>Kevin Youkilis</span>, 3B<br>
5. <span>David Ortiz</span>, DH<br>
6. <span>Carl Crawford</span>, LF<br>
7. <span>Jed Lowrie</span>, SS<br>
8. <span>J.D. Drew</span>, RF<br>
9. <span>Jason Varitek</span>, C</p>
<p>Jed Lowrie will make his first start in four days. Hopefully the rest has done his aching shoulder some good.</p>
<p><strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> (36-31)</strong></p>
<p>1. <span>Johnny Damon</span>, DH<br>
2. <span>Ben Zobrist</span>, 2B<br>
3. <span>Matt Joyce</span>, RF<br>
4. <span>Evan Longoria</span>, 3B<br>
5. <span>Casey Kotchman</span>, 1B<br>
6. <span>B.J. Upton</span>, CF<br>
7. <span>John Jaso</span>, C<br>
8. <span>Justin Ruggiano</span>, LF<br>
9. <span>Reid Brignac</span>, SS</p>
<p><strong><span>Josh Beckett</span> (5-2, 2.06 <span class="caps">ERA</span>) vs. Jeremy Hellickson (7-4, 3.03 <span class="caps">ERA</span>)</strong></p>
<p>For the third time this year, Josh Beckett came up big against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> back on Thursday, allowing just two runs over seven innings. Less impressive were his three hit batsmen. While Josh has been doing just fine in the earned run department, he can’t survive forever without getting back to his old strikeout-heavy, walk-stingy ways. If he has his curveball sharp tonight, it’ll be a big help against Matt Joyce and Evan Longoria, who can both have trouble against good benders.</p>
<p>Like Beckett, Hellickson has also been getting by with some less-than-dominant peripherals. His have just been less-than-impressive all season long, finally resulting in a less-than-impressive outing against Baltimore last time around. His biggest problem against the Red Sox, though, are his rather heavy left-right splits. Generally speaking, not the most desirable of qualities against a lineup with Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz, amongst others.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2011/6/15/2225974/red-sox-game-rays-lineupsBenjamin Buchanan2011-06-14T21:53:56-04:002011-06-14T21:53:56-04:00Rays 4, Red Sox 0: James Shields Shuts Red Sox Down, Snaps Winning Streak
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<p>Boston’s winning streak was stopped at nine games thanks to a dominant performance by <span>James Shields</span>, who hurled a complete game shutout against the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a> Tuesday en route to a 4-0 Tampa Bay win.</p>
<p>While the Red Sox were able to threaten early with <span>Jacoby Ellsbury</span> and <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> both reaching base in the first and third innings, Shields would escape thanks to some poor hitting from <span>Kevin Youkilis</span>, who went 0-for-4 and grounded into two double plays on the night.</p>
<p>The Sox would very much regret coming up empty in those opportunities as the game progressed and Shields settled in. Utilizing a nigh-unhittable changeup, Shields retired all but two of the last 19 batters he faced with the help of some solid defense.</p>
<p><span>Tim Wakefield</span>, meanwhile, gave up the only run the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> would need in the fifth, when <span>Justin Ruggiano</span> planted one over the wall in left field to put the Rays on the board. It was just one of a great many hard hit balls off of Wakefield, but it was also the only one that actually left the park. With another run coming around on a passed ball from <span>Jarrod Saltalamacchia</span> in the seventh, Wakefield would finish the night allowing two runs—one earned—in seven innings. It was not his best night, but he produced results all-the-same.</p>
<p><span>Tommy Hottovy</span> would run into trouble, allowing two runs in a wild appearance out of the bullpen, but with the Sox’ offense unable to mount any sort of rally, it would make little difference.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2011/6/14/2224454/red-sox-score-rays-gameBenjamin Buchanan2011-06-14T19:48:00-04:002011-06-14T19:48:00-04:00Red Sox Vs. Rays: Tampa Bay Lines Up Top Three Starters For Boston Series
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<p>Entering June 14 4.5 games back in the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays are in need of a pick-me-up after having treaded water over much of the past month. No surprise, then, that they've put extra focus on this week's series against the Boston Red Sox.</p>
<p>Need proof? Look no further than their probable pitchers. While Joe Maddon has had to deal with inconsistent results from the back end of his rotation, the same cannot be said about his front three, who have stood out as some of the best hurlers thus far this season. </p>
<p>Guess who the Rays have going this week against the Red Sox? None other than their 1-2-3 guys in James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson, and David Price.</p>
<p>Where Joe Maddon has lined up his best, the Red Sox are only one man off. Jon Lester will not be going this series, with Tim Wakefield starting game one, but both Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz will. </p>
<p>Here's how the upcoming schedule looks for Boston:</p>
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<a style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a> (39-26) at <a style="color: #c8181d !important; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent;" href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> (35-31)</h4>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;">Tuesday, June 14, 7:10 p.m.<br style="line-height: 0.75em;">NESN/MLBN<br style="line-height: 0.75em;"><span>Tim Wakefield</span> (3-1, 4.84 ERA) vs. <span>James Shields</span> (5-4, 2.85 ERA)</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;">Wednesday, June 15, 7:10 p.m.<br style="line-height: 0.75em;">NESN<br style="line-height: 0.75em;"><span>Josh Beckett</span> (5-2, 2.06 ERA) vs. <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span> (7-4, 3.03 ERA)</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px;">Thursday, June 16, 7:10 p.m.<br style="line-height: 0.75em;">NESN/MLBN<br style="line-height: 0.75em;"><span>Clay Buchholz</span> (5-3, 3.59 ERA) vs. <span>David Price</span> (7-5, 3.51 ERA)</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2011/6/14/2224257/red-sox-schedule-rays-probable-pitchersBenjamin Buchanan2011-06-14T19:12:51-04:002011-06-14T19:12:51-04:00Red Sox Vs. Rays: Carl Crawford Returns To Tampa Bay With Boston
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<p><span>Carl Crawford</span> is undoubtedly the greatest player in the history of the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a>. However, Crawford left the Rays - the only team he had ever played for in his nine-year MLB career - this past offseason and signed a contract worth $142 million over seven years with the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a>.</p>
<p>On Tuesday night, Crawford returns to Tropicana Field, home of the Rays, for the first time since signing with Boston as the Red Sox take on the Rays at 7:10 p.m. EDT in the first game of a three-game set (TV/Radio: NESN, SUN/WEE).</p>
<p>Here are the lineups for Monday night's series opener.</p>
<p>Boston Red Sox (39-26)</p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Jacoby Ellsbury</span>, CF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Dustin Pedroia</span>, 2B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Adrian Gonzalez</span>, 1B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Kevin Youkilis</span>, 3B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>David Ortiz</span>, DH</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Carl Crawford, LF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Jarrod Saltalamacchia</span>, C</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>J.D. Drew</span>, RF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Marco Scutaro</span>, SS</span></li>
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<div>Starting Pitcher: <span>Tim Wakefield</span>, RHP (3-1, 4.84 ERA)</div>
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<div>Tampa Bay Rays (35-31)</div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Johnny Damon</span>, DH</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Ben Zobrist</span>, 2B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Matt Joyce</span>, RF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Evan Longoria</span>, 3B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Casey Kotchman</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>B.J. Upton</span>, CF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>John Jaso</span>, C</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Justin Ruggiano</span>, LF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Reid Brignac</span>, SS</span></li>
</ol>
<div>Starting Pitcher: <span>James Shields</span>, RHP (5-4, 2.85 ERA)</div>
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<br><i>For more Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and team blog, Over The Monster.</i>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/2011/6/14/2336591/red-sox-vs-rays-carl-crawford-returns-to-tampa-bay-with-bostonGethin Coolbaugh