Runs, Hits and Errors: Friday the 13th Edition

I’m starting a new column on this ill-omened Friday the 13th. What the hell. Judging by their first week’s performance, it appears the Sox have once again thrown caution to the wind so why shouldn’t I? Look for Runs, Hits and Errors (RHE – a terrible acronym if ever there was one) every Friday right here at Bosox Injection.

Runs
After losing their first two games and with the offense sputtering  – Boston was outscored 13-2 by the Tigers in games one and two – the Sox scored runs aplenty in game three. 12 to be exact. The only problem was Detroit scored 13 runs and it was excruciating. Four Red Sox pitchers – Beckett, Albers, Buchholz and Melancon – had double digit ERA’s as the week came to a close. For a time, Alfredo Aceves‘ ERA could not be calculated until Monday night’s save lowered it to a comfy 27.00. And that wasn’t the worst of it. Mark Melancon took home the ERA Hall of Shame honors with a whopping 37.00 ERA.

"I know it’s early  but the Sox slothful start, for the second year in a row, is curiously interesting in a train wreck sort of way."

Hits
After a very average 2011 in Oakland and a quiet spring season, Ryan Sweeney has been quite a hit with Red Sox Nation. Going 8 for 18 as a full-time player, Sweeney  is leading the team with a .444 average, a .500 on base percentage, a gaudy .667 slugging percentage and an off the hook 1.167 OPS. So many things have gone wrong for the Sox so far that this kid’s effort has been a real bright spot. Sweeney for President of Red Sox Nation!

Errors
Hot and Bothered
Who would have thought  that for the first time in Red Sox history, at least according to NESN, that both Kevin Youkilis and Mike Aviles would be starting at third base. Seriously, check out the pre-game graphic. That double third base visual actually makes me shudder. Having anyone get too close to Youk – especially considering the mood he must be in after starting the season with a hat sized .100 BA, .100 OBP and 0 walks – feels like a death wish sort of exercise. Kinda gives new meaning to the phrase hot corner.

Wait, did I just report that the guy once known as the Greek God of Walks doesn’t have a walk so far this year? No wonder he’s angry. And what most likely makes him angrier is that he isn’t even Greek. Of course the Jewish God of Walks just doesn’t have the same ring to it. You’re welcome.

Rude and Offensive
Suspended for five games after pro Castro comments, Ozzie Guillen has taken his can’t-keep-my-mouth-shut-to-save-my-life act to Miami and, in the process, incurred the wrath of Miami’s fan base in the first week of the season.

Guillen,  a Venezuelan, told Time magazine he loves Castro and respects the retired Cuban leader for staying in power so long. Not really what the Cuban-American fans who inhabit the neighborhood surrounding Miami’s new ballpark and are the lifeblood of their support want to hear. Ozzie called it, “The biggest mistake of my life.” Aw come on Ozzie. You’re still young. You have time.

No more Mister Nice Guy
No more Mister Clean
No more Mister Nice Guy
They say he’s sick, he’s obscene
– No More Mr. Nice Guy, Alice Cooper 

For all the latest news and analysis from BoSox Injection, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or with our RSS feed.