Boston Streaking
By Editorial Staff
On May 30th the Chicago White Sox came into Boston having lost five of seven and at the tail end of their 10 game road trip. The Red Sox were finally heating up in May and won five of their last seven. Despite heading in opposite directions, the Red Sox were swept by Chicago.
After the Red Sox returned from their unannounced vacation, the Oakland Athletics came into town for a three game series on June 3rd. The Red Sox took the first game of the series and haven’t looked back since. The opening game of the Oakland series marked the beginning of a nine game win-streak.
Here’s the good and the bad during the streak:
Bad Starting Pitching
June 3 (vs. Oakland) – Clay Buchholz gets rocked for five earned runs in just 4 2/3 innings
Good Starting Pitching
June 4 (vs. Oakland) – Josh Beckett was a Papelbon meltdown away from recording his fifth win
June 5 (vs. Oakland) – John Lackey returns from the DL and gives up three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings
June 7 (vs. NYY) – Jon Lester pitches six solid and records his eighth win of the season
June 9 (vs. NYY) – despite getting knocked around early, Josh Beckett pitches seven innings and records his fifth win of the season
June 10 (Toronto) – Buchholz goes seven and allows one earned run
June 12 (Toronto) – Lester pitches eight solid innings giving up one earned run
Bad Relief Pitching
June 4 (vs. Oakland) – Jonathan Papelbon blows a four run lead in the ninth
June 7 (vs. NYY) – Papelbon records his 12th save but gives Red Sox fans a heart attack in doing so
Good Relief Pitching
June 3 (vs. Oakland) – Scott Atchison, Tommy Hottovy, Bobby Jenks, Daniel Bard, and Jonathan Papelbon give up zero runs in 4 1/3 innings of relief work
June 8 (vs. NYY)- Alfredo Aceves gives up one earned run in 3 2/3 innings of relief work securing Tim Wakefield’s 196th win
Good Hitting
David Ortiz– 14 for 36 with four homeruns and 15 RBIs
Adrian Gonzalez– 15 for 36 with three home runs and 14 RBIs
Jacoby Ellsbury– 20 for 45 with 13 runs and five stolen bases
June 10-12 (vs. Toronto) – Red Sox outscore the Blue Jays 35 to 6 in the three game series
Bad Hitting
It’s ridiculous to complain about hitting when the Red Sox have scored no fewer than five runs during their current nine game winning streak
Luck
June 4 (vs. Oakland) – J.D. Drew hits a walk-off single despite striking out four times earlier in the game
Random MLB thoughts and other:
-I’m tired of hearing about Derek Jeter’s pending 3000th hit. Get it done already.
–C.C. Sabathia obviously plunked Ortiz on purpose on June 9th as retribution for the bat flip. Where’s the punishment?
-Since Plaxico Burress’ release from prison, I’ve seen too many replays of his game winning catch against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Could someone please put together another highlight reel without that clip?
-It’s too bad the Bruins can’t play Game 7 in Boston
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