Francona Wins Big in Return to Fenway

Connelly’s Top Ten: Rask Falls on Face

Bruins Lose 4-3 in OT as Rangers Fight to Stay Alive

For the Bulletin Board: Lundqvist’s “Lucky Bounces,” Savard’s “#ByeByeTorts”

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Papelbon Blows Save, Game Against Mets

Josh Beckett is starting to look like the Sox ace again. After a win against Seattle last time out, Beckett took the hill and was dominant Saturday night. He allowed one unearned run (though he recorded the error) in eight innings. He allowed just five hits and one walk with five strikeouts and was in line for his fifth win.

Jonathan Papelbon came on in the ninth, and walked the first hitter (Gary Sheffield) he faced. After blowing away both David Wright and Jeremy Reed for back-to-back strikeouts, the Red Sox look poised for the win. Coming to the plate was backup catcher Omir Santos with two outs.

Again, Paps brought the heat, sending a 97 MPH fastball to home plate. Santos was expecting fastball (and why wouldn’t he?), and managed to catch up to the pitch and launch it to deep center field. The ball hit the top of the Green Monster and was initially ruled a double. Replays confirmed to umpires that it was in fact a home run, and Papelbon had officially blown his first save of 2009. For Santos, it was just his second career home run, and handed the Mets the 3-2 victory.

Sox Stud of the Game

Kevin Youkilis, 1B: Youk drove in both Red Sox runs with a two-run single in the first inning. He finished 1-3 with a walk and two RBI.

Sox Dud of the Game

Jonathan Papelbon, CL: Sadly, he isn’t perfect, but it seems that he’s become more of a heart attack closer this year. He usually puts a couple runners on base before getting out of trouble, but not on Saturday. Allowing a home run to Santos in that situation is unacceptable, no matter how good the pitch was. That’s just the nature of the beast.

Game Notes

W: Pedro Feliciano (1-1)
L: Jonathan Papelbon (0-1)
S: J.J. Putz (2)

• David Ortiz finished 0-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. He’s now hitting just .201.
• Jacoby Ellsbury stole his 18th base of the season. He also extended his hitting streak to 18 games.
• It was the first time in Fenway Park history that a home run call was reviewed by umpires under the new system.

Tags: Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis, Mike Pelfrey, New York Mets, Omir Santos, Red Sox

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