SB Nation Boston - Red Sox 14, Indians 1: Monster Fifth Inning Powers Boston Blowouthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2012-08-13T20:58:04-04:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/29956652012-08-13T20:58:04-04:002012-08-13T20:58:04-04:00MLB Standings Update: Boston Red Sox Still On The Outside Looking In At Crowded AL Race
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<img alt="July 24, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Cody Ross (7) during the game against the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O4Y0GvB-yM8Ks7frMBdi19O0q5Q=/0x1110:2668x2889/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/8401842/20120811_kdl_ac5_132.jpg" />
<figcaption>July 24, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Cody Ross (7) during the game against the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Boston Red Sox find themselves on the outside looking in at a crowded AL playoff race.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a> split a four-game set against the <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Indians</a> this past weekend, leaving them 11 games back of the AL East-leading <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> and 5.5 games behind the Wild Card-leading <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a>. The Rays capped off back-to-back sweeps of the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Blue Jays</a> and <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a>, extending their current win streak to six games.</p>
<p>At this point, the comeback for the Red Sox is much more difficult that just surmounting a 5.5-game deficit. They must also surpass five teams in the standings -- the Tampa Bay Rays, <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a>, <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Tigers</a>, <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> and <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Angels</a> of Anaheim -- who all currently have between 62 and 60 wins. The Red Sox stand at 57-59.</p>
<p>The Red Sox and New York Yankees will face off in a three-game series this weekend at Yankee Stadium, with the Red Sox desperate to find a way back into the race.</p>
<p>Click <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp?ymd=20120813">here </a>for complete MLB standings.</p>
<p><i>Read more on the Red Sox at <a href="http://www.overthemonster.com/">Over the Monster</a> and <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Boston</a>. <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/8/13/3240918/mlb-standings-2012Jack Cassidy2012-08-13T10:58:45-04:002012-08-13T10:58:45-04:00John Lackey 'Double-Fisting' Beers Isn't An Issue, But Last September Is
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<img alt="BOSTON, MA - MAY 05: John Lackey #41 of the Boston Red Sox walks into the dugout after he was pulled from the game against the Los Angeles Angels on May 5, 2011 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yqzPPVtOJDjNIxCVievadRIImfQ=/0x194:467x505/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/2643409/GYI0064603079.jpg" />
<figcaption>BOSTON, MA - MAY 05: John Lackey #41 of the Boston Red Sox walks into the dugout after he was pulled from the game against the Los Angeles Angels on May 5, 2011 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>John Lackey was "caught" double-fisting beers in the Red Sox' clubhouse after a road game against the Indians last week, which instantly blew up in his face. But did he do anything wrong, and can he ever rectify his image with fans and media here in Boston?</p> <p>Unless you live under a rock in Boston, you've heard that Red Sox’ injured pitcher John Lackey was "double-fisting" – in other words, holding a beer can in each hand, one of which was unopened – after Thursday night’s loss to the Indians in Cleveland. It was also reported, by the same reporter, that Lackey’s actions resembled somebody during "last call at open bar at a wedding." Both of these reports came from CSN New England.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The beauty of sports reporting, especially here in Boston, is we all have different styles of reporting and different ideas as to what is newsworthy. One is not better than the other and one is not right or wrong. They are just different. The author did not make Lackey’s "double-fisting" the headline nor did he make it the center of his column. In fact, he buried it. It was almost a footnote.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The problem, however, is that we in Boston – fans, media, innocent bystanders – treat footnotes as headlines. It’s always been this way. It is what it is. It may never change. Love it or hate it, this is why Boston is declared one of the toughest media markets in the country. Careful, you may think nobody is looking. But the truth is, everyone is.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This was the case Thursday night in Cleveland. John Lackey was seen with two beer cans in his hands as he was walking through the visiting clubhouse. Reported or not reported, some – both fans and media – found issues with this. I, however, did not.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If beer weren’t meant to be consumed then it wouldn’t be readily available for players in the clubhouse. If drinking beer after a game were frowned upon, then it wouldn’t be readily available for the players in the clubhouse. If manager Bobby Valentine didn’t want his players to drink after a road game – a win or loss – he would have expanded his "no beer in the home clubhouse" rule to visiting clubhouses as well.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fortunately for John Lackey, all of these rules worked in his favor, yet he still got busted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For what, I don’t know.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In my opinion, the man did nothing wrong.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do I think Lackey used poor judgment by holding two beers at a time and walking near the media? Absolutely. He should have known better. He should have known that somebody, one person to be exact, was going to report it. After all, he was the poster child for last September’s collapse, which was fueled by beer drinking.<span> </span>There is no question he should have been more discrete, because he is a target, and clearly an easy one at that. <span> </span>And this should go down as one of the classic Boston cases of a non-story becoming a big story…. because we made it one.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In case you miss it, it was reported the following day on CSN’s "SportsNet Central," that other players were drinking beers with their dinner.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, let me get this clear… Now we are criticizing players for WHERE they are holding and drinking their beers? If Lackey sat at the dinner table with his teammates and had those exact two beers in his possession, would that have made it ok?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What if Dustin Pedroia had four beers with dinner, Jacoby Ellsbury had three, and Carl Crawford had five while Lackey settled for his two? Or what if Lackey didn’t even end up opening the second beer, or what if he took two sips and tossed it in the garbage?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We just don’t know, do we? Bogus. Bogus. Bogus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lackey drew the short stick here and I think a lot of people realize that but aren’t willing to admit it. As one follower stated on Twitter, "I agree that it’s not a big deal. I just hate Lackey."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bingo.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I cannot and will not defend John Lackey for any of his past mistakes or inappropriate behavior. But Lackey, for one, is living in the shadow of last September, and unless he can miraculously turn himself into a Messiah, he’ll have a hard time shaking that image and keeping non-stories from becoming headlines.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Various Red Sox players spoke out in support of Lackey and have also publically stated that there is nothing wrong with their clubhouse. One Sox source said he thought it was "funny" that the media thinks their clubhouse is in shambles. He said, "It couldn’t be further from the truth."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So why are we convinced the clubhouse is a mess?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because of last September.</p>
<p>Various Red Sox players have publically stated and personally told me they have no issues with John Lackey as a teammate. <span> </span>Even a few ex-teammates from Lackey’s Angels days have told me he was a great teammate. One Texas Ranger was shocked last week when he heard that Lackey was considered one of the most hated athletes in Boston.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"He’s such a good dude," the player said. "We’re talking about the same John Lackey, right?" Granted, this Ranger was never his teammate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another Red Sox source also said last week, "He’s as good of a teammate as anyone in the room."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So why are we convinced that Lackey, THIS YEAR, is a distraction?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because of last September.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And let’s not forget, it was just last July when Kevin Youkilis told the media that he wished the injured Jacoby Ellsbury would be rehab with the team.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"There's a lot of guys here that are hurt and supporting the team," said Youkilis, who was speaking for both himself and his teammates. "We wish Jacoby was here supporting us, too."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Unlike Ellsbury, Lackey - who is out for the entire 2012 season - has chosen to rehab with the ball club, the ball club that consists of his employers, his teammates and his coaches, some of which he may even be trying to win back over. Seems admirable to me. In fact, if any other player chose to rehab with the club, we’d be praising him for wanting to be part of the season, and possibly the solution. In fact, Ellsbury, one of the Red Sox’ off-field golden children, was criticized for NOT being with the club.</p>
<p>So why are we critical of John Lackey’s decision to rehab with his own team when it’s clear nobody actually on the team has an issue with it?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because of last September.</p>
<p>This is a no-win situation for anyone involved. If these are the types of media reports we want to hear in Boston, eye-balling analysis of players’ every moves that are non-baseball related, then we can’t be shocked when a player says it’s difficult to play here. I’ve been in nearly every clubhouse in Major League baseball over the past 10 years and have seen some things that would have surely caused a stir. And in 2004 when I broke the Curt Schilling/Scott Williamson scuffle in the New York Yankees visiting clubhouse, I felt awful. Since then, I have stuck to the motto, "what happens in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse." It’s just my personal choice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A lot of things have to change for the Red Sox to get back to their winning ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it’s ownership, unloading heavy contracts, identifying and eliminating clubhouse rats and bad apples, changing players’ poor worth ethics and attitudes, replacing the manager, and even altering the roster.</p>
<p>But if we want John Lackey to distance himself from last September’s catastrophe, then everyone else has to as well, especially the media.</p>
<p>Just my opinion.</p>
<p><i>Jen Royle is a Columnist for SB Nation Boston. You can follow her <a href="https://twitter.com/jen_royle" target="_blank">@Jen_Royle</a> on Twitter.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/8/13/3237481/john-lackey-double-fisting-beers-red-sox-2012-mlb-newsJen Royle2012-08-12T16:37:06-04:002012-08-12T16:37:06-04:00Red Sox Vs. Indians Final Score: Monster Fifth Inning Powers Boston To 14-1 Victory
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<p>The Red Sox blew out the Indians Saturday afternoon 14-1 to salvage a series tie in Cleveland.</p>
<p>The runs started immediately off of Corey Kluber, as Carl Crawford doubled, Dustin Pedroia knocked him home, and Adrian Gonzalez hit a high fly ball that just kept carrying out to right field and into the stands for a two-run shot.</p>
<p>Jon Lester seemed ready to have another one of his disastrous firsts after giving up back-to-back singles to start the inning, and while a sacrifice fly would bring one home, the southpaw managed to avoid any further harm in the first.</p>
<p>From there, Lester was dominant. Two strikeouts around a walk earned him a scoreless second, three more surrounded a single in the third, and Lester made it to seven in total after a 1-2-3 fourth. Meanwhile, the Sox had continued to work on Kluber, pushing across two more in the second on Carl Crawford's second double of the night and grabbing a sixth run and chasing Kluber from the game in the fourth.</p>
<p>Any lingering chances Cleveland had would come to a complete end in the fifth. The first five batters of the inning would reach against Josh Tomlin with singles and walks, scoring two and loading the bases. Danny Valencia would make it 9-1 with a sacrifice fly, and Kelly Shoppach gave Tomlin his second out of the frame with a strikeout, but then the doubles started. Jacoby Ellsbury went to the wall, Carl Crawford found the gap in right for his third double, and after a Dustin Pedroia walk, Adrian Gonzalez knocked in the seventh and eighth runs of the night, leaving the Sox ahead 14-1.</p>
<p>Jon Lester would finish his night in style, striking out the side in order in the bottom of the fifth and then getting up to twelve strikeouts in a scoreless sixth inning. The Sox would bring in the reserves to finish the blowout, with neither side adding to their totals in the last four innings.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 8.12.2012 </span> </th> <th> 1 </th> <th> 2 </th> <th> 3 </th> <th> 4 </th> <th> 5 </th> <th> 6 </th> <th> 7 </th> <th> 8 </th> <th> 9 </th> <th>R</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> </span></td>
<td>3</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="highlight">14</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> </span></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="highlight">1</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/8/12/3238184/red-sox-vs-indians-final-score-monster-fifth-inning-powers-boston-toBenjamin Buchanan2012-08-12T13:45:31-04:002012-08-12T13:45:31-04:00Red Sox Vs. Indians Live Blog: Inning By Inning Updates For Game 4
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<p>The Red Sox are out to salvage a series split against the Indians as they send Jon Lester to the mound against Corey Kluber. We'll keep you up-to-date on all the action as it goes down in Progressive Field.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 14, Indians 1, Mid 8th -- </b>Mike Aviles picks up is third hit in three at bats (and fourth trip to the basepaths in four plate appearances) with a one-out single, but he's erased in the ensuing double play as Cody Allen gets a 1-2-3 eighth inning.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 14, Indians 1, End 7th -- </b>Junichi Tazawa replaces Jon Lester after a terrific start and manages to escape a jam with runners at second and third and two outs to keep the Indians stuck at just the one run.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 14, Indians 1, Mid 7th </b>-- An infield single from Pedro Ciriaco is all the Sox get from their reformed top-of-the-order, as Carl Crawford, Dustin Pedroia, and Adrian Gonzalez have all been pulled for Scott Podsednik, Pedro Ciriaco, and Nick Punto respectively in the blowout.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 14, Indians 1, End 6th -- </b>Casey Kotchman can at least put the bat on the ball, but Carlos Santana and Shelley Duncan can't keep Lester from racking up his 11th and 12th strikeouts of the afternoon.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 14, Indians 1, Mid 6th -- </b>After scoring eight in the fifth, the Sox go for zero in the sixth, wasting a leadoff double from Mike Aviles (though the waste isn't too hard to stomach all things considered).</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 14, Indians 1, End 5th -- </b>The delay <i>clearly</i> does not phase Jon Lester, as he heads back to the mound and strikes out the side in order on 12 ptiches. He's into double digit strikeouts on the night now.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 14, Indians 1, Mid 5th -- </b>The Sox send 13 men to the plate in the fifth, turning a big lead into an absolute blowout. The first five batters Josh Tomlin faces in the inning reach on three singles and two walks, including an infield single from Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Danny Valencia manages just a sacrifice fly, and Kelly Shoppach strikes out, but then the doubles start. Jacoby Ellsbury goes to the wall in center field, and Carl Crawford finds the gap in right, chasing Tomlin from the game in favor of Frank Hermann. Hermann doesn't do much better, however, as Dustin Pedroia walks and Adrian Gonzalez launches a rocket to right for a two-run double. Jarrod Saltalamacchia finally ends the inning with a fly ball to center, but only after the Sox score an impressive eight runs.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 6, Indians 1, End 4th -- </b>Jon Lester picks up his 1-2-3 inning in the fourth, earning his seventh strikeout of the night in the first at bat of the inning against Brent Lillibridge.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 6, Indians 1, Mid 4th -- </b>The Sox score again and chase Corey Kluber from the game after Mike Aviles gets hit, steals second, and scores on a Kelly Shoppach single.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 5, Indians 1, End 3rd -- </b>Jon Lester gives up a flared single to center, costing him a 1-2-3 inning, but strikes out the other three batters he faces, leaving him with six on the afternoon.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 5, Indians 1, Mid 3rd -- </b>Kluber needs just seven pitches to get through the middle of the Red Sox' order in the third--a dramatic departure from his performance in the first two innings.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 5, Indians 1, End 2nd -- </b>Lester bounces back nicely in the second. Though he gives up a two-out walk to Ezequiel Carrera, Lester bookends the inning with strikeouts of both Lou Marson and Jason Donald.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 5, Indians 1, Mid 2nd -- </b>After an 0-for-8 streak to start the series against the Indians, Carl Crawford is swinging a hot bat again. Though the Sox seem ready to waste a leadoff single from Mike Aviles, Jacoby Ellsbury manages to keep the inning alive with a two-out blooper to left, bringing Crawford to the plate. The first pitch Carl sees is a hanging curveball, and he puts a good swing on it, hitting a rocket to right that smashes into the base of the wall for a two-RBI double.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 3, Indians 1, End 1st -- </b>Jon Lester threatens to give the lead away in the bottom of the first, but manages to limit the damage and keep the Sox ahead. A pair of leadoff line drives put runners at the corners for the Indians with no outs on the board. Lester managed to fight back by striking out Shin-Soo Choo on a cutter away, but couldn't prevent Carlos Santana from putting the ball in the air, deep enough for a sacrifice fly, putting the Indians on the board before Lester could get out of the inning.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 3, Indians 0, Mid 1st -- </b>The Sox are off to a very good start, giving Jon Lester three runs to work with right out of the gate. After a ground ball out from Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford slapped a ground ball past the bag at first, heading into second before the Indians could get it back to the infield. Dustin Pedroia would knock him in with a line drive down the right field line, bringing Adrian Gonzalez to the plate. Kluber managed to make Gonzalez swing underneath the ball, but his high fly ball had a remarkable charge behind it--just enough, as it happened, to drop into the first row past the right field wall for a two-run shot.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/8/12/3237860/red-sox-vs-indians-live-blog-inning-by-inning-updates-for-game-4Benjamin Buchanan2012-08-12T12:31:47-04:002012-08-12T12:31:47-04:00Red Sox Vs. Indians Lineups: Danny Valencia Debuts
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<p>The Red Sox will try to salvage a series tie Sunday afternoon as they take on the Indians in Cleveland. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. EST with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.</p>
<p>After giving Pedro Ciriaco a go at third in Saturday's game, the Sox will turn to recent acquisition Danny Valencia at the hot corner against Corey Kluber. Valencia has hit a woeful .198/.212/.310 in 132 plate appearances for the Twins this season after debuting with an OPS of .799 two years ago.</p>
<p>Otherwise it's standard stuff for the Sox against the right-handed Kluber.</p>
<p><b>Boston Red Sox (56-59)</b></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Jacoby Ellsbury, CF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Carl Crawford, LF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Dustin Pedroia, 2B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Adrian Gonzalez, 1B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Cody Ross, RF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Jarrod Saltalamacchia, DH</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px; ">Mike Aviles, SS</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Danny Valencia, 3B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Kelly Shoppach, C</span></li>
</ol>
<p><b>Cleveland Indians (53-61)</b></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Jason Donald, 2B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Asdrubal Cabrera, DH</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Shin-Soo Choo, RF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Carlos Santana, 1B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Shelley Duncan, LF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Brent Lillibridge, SS</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Lou Marson, C</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Jack Hannahan, 3B</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;">Ezequiel Carrera, CF</span></li>
</ol>
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<h3>Next Game</h3>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> <br> <span>@ <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Sunday, Aug 12, 2012, 1:05 PM EDT</span><br> Progressive Field</p>
<p class="pitchers"><span>Jon Lester</span> vs <span>Corey Kluber</span></p>
<p class="weather"> Sunny. Winds blowing from left to right field at 5-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Read more on the Red Sox at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/">Over the Monster</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://boston.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Boston</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">. Check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/">Let's Go Tribe</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Cleveland</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">for more on the Indians. <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/8/12/3237719/red-sox-vs-indians-lineups-danny-valencia-debutsBenjamin Buchanan2012-08-12T09:13:29-04:002012-08-12T09:13:29-04:00Red Sox Vs. Indians: Game Time, TV Info And More
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<p>The Red Sox and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> have gone back and forth so far in this series, so it's the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox's</a> turn to get a win under their belts on Sunday. Cleveland took the series opener, before Boston responded in the second game. But the Tribe came back and prevailed over the Sox on Saturday. </p>
<p>Boston will send <span>Jon Lester</span> (5-10, 5.36 ERA) to the mound, searching for his first win in about six weeks. Maybe going against a not-so intimidating Indians batting lineup will help him get there. Cleveland sends <span>Corey Kluber</span> (0-0, 6.10 ERA) to the hill, looking to give Cleveland a 3-1 series victory. </p>
<p>Take a look at the game schedule and broadcast information right here:</p>
<p><b>Date/Time</b>: Sunday, Aug. 12, 1:05 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: NESN</p>
<p><b>Online streaming</b>: MLB.tv</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Read more on the Red Sox at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/" target="_blank">Over the Monster</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" href="http://boston.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">SB Nation Boston</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">. Check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/" target="_blank">Let's Go Tribe</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">SB Nation Cleveland</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">for more on the Indians. <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/8/12/3237410/red-sox-vs-indians-game-time-tv-infoBrandon Scott2012-08-11T21:09:34-04:002012-08-11T21:09:34-04:00Red Sox Vs. Indians Final Score: Boston Falls 5-2 As Brent Lillibridge Gets Revenge
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<p>The Red Sox fell 5-2 to the Cleveland Indians as Franklin Morales lost control late and the Sox ran into important outs on the basepaths.</p>
<p>Morales started the game as hot as a starting pitcher can, striking out the side in order in the first., and another strikeout ended a 1-2-3 second.</p>
<p>The third provided the first bump in the road. A 3-1 fastball over the plate to Brent Lillibridge ended up well into the stands in left field, putting the Indians ahead 1-0 after three baserunner-free innings from Zach McAllister.</p>
<p>Morales would bounce back in the fourth, but only after his offense had provided him a lead. A leadoff double from Jacoby Ellsbury helped Carl Crawford reach with a bunt when Zach McAllister checked a vacant third base before firing late to first, and Ellsbury bluffing off the bag distracted Brent Lillibridge long enough after a weak ground ball to third to load the bases. Adrian Gonzalez came through with a double off the wall in left, and the Sox pulled ahead 2-1, although Dustin Pedroia helped minimize the rally's potential by running into the first out at home.</p>
<p>The lead would not last long. A leadoff walk to Michael Brantley and a balk from Franklin Morales led to an RBI single from Brent Lillibridge, getting the job done once again and pulling the Indians even with the Sox at 2-2.</p>
<p>Even the tie was fleeting, however. After the Sox failed to go-ahead in large part thanks to Jacoby Ellsbury making the first out of the sixth at third, trying to stretch a double into a triple, the Indians would set up something of a picket fence. Franklin Morales would lose control and load the bases before being pulled for Andrew Miller, who surrendered the go-ahead sacrifice fly.</p>
<p>Again in the seventh and eighth the Inidans added to their tally by one. AA leadoff double from Brent Lillibridge and squeeze bunt from Lou Marson made it 4-2 after seven, and Ezequiel Carrera brought home Carlos Santana with two outs in the eighth to make it 5-2. With the Sox unable to mount a rally, they ensured their third straight winless series.</p>
<p></p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 8.11.2012 </span> </th> <th> 1 </th> <th> 2 </th> <th> 3 </th> <th> 4 </th> <th> 5 </th> <th> 6 </th> <th> 7 </th> <th> 8 </th> <th> 9 </th> <th>R</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> </span></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="highlight">2</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> </span></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>X</td>
<td class="highlight">5</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Read more on the Red Sox at <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://www.overthemonster.com/">Over the Monster</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://boston.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Boston</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">. Check out <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://www.letsgotribe.com/">Let's Go Tribe</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Cleveland</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">for more on the Indians. <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #193270; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/8/11/3236744/red-sox-vs-indians-final-score-boston-falls-5-2-as-brent-lillibridgeBenjamin Buchanan2012-08-11T18:45:09-04:002012-08-11T18:45:09-04:00Red Sox Vs. Indians Live Blog: Inning By Inning Updates For Game 3
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<p>The Red Sox are out to take a 2-1 advantage in their series against the Cleveland Indians as they send Franklin Morales to the mound against Zach McAllister.</p>
<p>We'll keep you up-to-date on all the action as it goes down in Progressive Field.</p>
<p><b>Indians 4, Red Sox 2, Mid 8th -- </b>Zach McAllister picks up yet another 1-2-3 inning. It's been an impressive performance from the young right-hander out of Illinois. </p>
<p><b>Indians 4, Red Sox 2, End 7th -- </b>A tremendous sliding grab from Jacoby Ellsbury on the warning track saves the Sox a run, but it only comes after a leadoff double from who else but Brent Lillibridge and a squeeze bunt costs them a fourth. </p>
<p><b>Indians 3, Red Sox 2, Mid 7th -- </b>Zach McAllister needs all of 10 pitches to get through his seventh inning of work despite facing the middle of the order.</p>
<p><b>Indians 3, Red Sox 2, End 6th -- </b>Franklin Morales' control continues to slip late, and the Red Sox fall behind as a result. A one-out walk and hit batsman puts a runner in scoring position. That quickly becomes two after a close call on a double steal, leaving Bobby V to call for an intentional walk of Shin-Soo Choo. Andrew Miller comes in to try to clean up the mess, but can't avoid allowing the sacrifice fly that puts the Indians ahead.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 2, Indians 2, Mid 6th -- </b>Fundamentals cost the Red Sox a run, as Jacoby Ellsbury runs into the first out at third, trying to stretch a wallball double into a triple. Given that Carl Crawford and Dustin Pedroia both followed up with ground balls to the right side, it's hard to question that that would have been a lead.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 2, Indians 2, End 5th -- </b>Early trouble costs Franklin Morales his lead. A leadoff walk from Michael Brantley and balk from Morales puts a runner in scoring position for the Indians with no outs on the board, and a Brent Lillibridge single to center brings him home. Yes, that's Brent Lillibridge 2, Red Sox 2.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 2, Indians 1, Mid 5th -- </b>The bottom of the order goes 1-2-3 again, as Zach McAllister rebounds from some bad luck in the fourth.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 2, Indians 1, End 4th -- </b>Franklin Morales surrenders another baserunner with a one-out walk, but gets some much-needed help for his pitch count when he gets a two-pitch GIDP from Carlos Santana.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 2, Indians 1, Mid 4th -- </b>Uncovered third bases are the new market inefficiency. After a leadoff double from Jacoby Ellsbury, Zach McAllister hesitates on a bunt, initially moving towards the uncovered third base bag before firing late to first, allowing Carl Crawford to reach and Ellsbury to advance. Brent Lillibridge does the same on a weak ground ball to third, though he takes too long to even warrant a throw to first. Adrian Gonzalez comes to the bag with the bases loaded, and for the second time in two at bats just misses a home run. This time, though, he catches the wall in left. While Dustin Pedroia ends up being thrown out at the plate, running right behind Ellsbury and Crawford, the Sox get their two runs to take the lead.</p>
<p><b>Indians 1, Red Sox 0, End 3rd -- </b>Brent Lillibridge has his revenge. The Red Sox castoff gets ahead 3-1, and then hooks a fastball over the plate out to left field on a line, putting the Indians ahead 1-0. Morales gets the next three (albeit needing 11 pitches to retire Jason Donald swinging), but it's got to be pretty demoralizing to give up a homer to Brent Lillibridge.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 0, Indians 0, Mid 3rd -- </b>The bottom third of the lineup don't cut quite the same imposing figure as the middle third, going 1-2-3 without the bang of Gonzalez or Salty.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 0, Indians 0, End 2nd -- </b>Morales stays perfect as well, though a bit more convincingly, picking up his fourth strikeout of the night off of Shelley Duncan to end the inning.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 0, Indians 0, Mid 2nd -- </b>The Indians are tremendously lucky to get through the second inning without giving up the lead. While the Sox go 1-2-3, both Adrian Gonzalez and Jarrod Saltalamacchia send balls very deep to right and left field respectively, leaving McAllister perfect by the slimmest of margins.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 0, Indians 0, End 1st -- </b>Franklin Morales one-ups McAllister in the bottom of the first. Jason Donald goes down swinging at a 1-2 fastball, Asdrubal Cabrera whiffs on a changeup on the same count, and while Shin-Soo Choo works a 7-pitch battle, he too misses on a change. 1-2-3 go the Indians in the first, all down by way of the K.</p>
<p><b>Red Sox 0, Indians 0, Mid 1st -- </b>Zach McAllister gets off to a reasonably quick start with a 13-pitch, 1-2-3 first inning. Jacoby Ellsbury goes down watching a 2-2 fastball, and while Carl Crawford manages to put the ball on a line, Asdrubal Cabrera is able to make a leaping grab to rob the left fielder of a hit before Dustin Pedroia makes the final out with a ground ball.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/8/11/3236483/red-sox-vs-indians-live-blog-inning-by-inning-updates-for-game-3Benjamin Buchanan