The Red Sox series against the Philadelphia Phillies this past weekend marked more than the first inter-league games of the season. Jonathan Papelbon, formerly Boston’s closer for six years, faced his old team for the first time. While the standard reunion between player and former team typically involves over exaggerated reminiscing over this past relationship (unless you’re Josh Reddick), this meet-up was surprisingly not more of the same.

Rather, the outspoken Papelbon received considerable criticism from Boston fans and media alike. It is no question that Papelbon does not shy away from the mic, but is the reaction from the Boston-end justified? No way.

Leaving Boston

When he chose to enter arbitration year by year over taking a multi-year contract, Papelbon made his intentions clear–when it came to free agency he was looking for top dollar. Any chance of a hometown discount? Forget about it. So now, months later, people inexplicably view Papelbon with hostility. This in itself is absurd. Papelbon did not snub Boston by accepting Philadelphia’s offer of 4 years/$50 MM. In fact, the Red Sox never made a legitimate attempt to retain their closer. If anyone belongs in the dog house for that one, it’s Ben Cherington and friends.

But that’s besides the point. Whether it’s shortsighted fans or ignorant bloggers, there is still this aura of hatred around Papelbon, almost as if he “owes them something.” Because one of the best players in Major League Baseball is in personal debt to specific no-name fans of the Boston Red Sox. Because they deserve it. Never mind Papelbon’s four all-star appearances and World Series victory for their entertainment. How Boston doesn’t understand why the fan base gets such a bad rep, I have no idea.

The Quips

So when there are negative feelings towards an athlete, what do you do? Express your utter contempt by taking complete offense towards everything he says. Combine Papelbon’s (overblown) loud mouth and you have a recipe for disaster.

“Papelbon isn’t afraid of facing the Red Sox.” “Papelbon says Philly is just like Paris.” “Philadelphia fans have a higher IQ than Boston fans.” If he said it, there’s an enraged blog post somewhere. At the time, the Red Sox had bigger problems like the fact that, I don’t know, the team with an $170 MM  payroll was below .500. It’s not like Papelbon was going to change his mind and come back to Boston. Let it go.

So?

Ruben Amaro Jr. offered Papelbon an easy $50 MM and, bless his soul, he took it. Since then he’s posted a 2.20 ERA and 12 saves in 12 chances. For all the hate, the Red Sox could really use someone like that. Does this mean the Red Sox should have offered a relief pitcher an absurd, long-term contract? Probably not. But the fact doesn’t change that whether you like him or not, he is still one of the top three closers in the game.

Furthermore, it is also evident that baseball fans hate trash talking. Ozzie Guillen, Luke Scott, anyone this season who has said anything not completely boring has been showered with criticism. Is anything fun allowed in baseball?  When “Bobby V” is considered one of the most colorful figures in your sport, there is something horribly, horribly wrong. In the NBA or NFL, nothing Papelbon said would make a headline.

And look at it from his perspective. This is a guy who played for the Boston Red Sox for six years. From Manny Ramirez to Terry Francona, how many teammates and colleagues did he see leave Boston only to be immediately smeared by the Stalin-esque Red Sox ownership and PR machine. Is there something so bad about turning the tables for once? Good for him.

As a fan in this modern age of professional sports, it is impossible to have allegiances to both teams and players without expecting these interests to come into conflict. Papelbon is a pitcher who brings a feeling of security whenever he steps foot on the mound, something not very many baseball teams can boast. He even manages to be entertaining in the process (something the game of baseball itself can no longer do on its own). He wanted to be paid accordingly and he got his wish.

And if Red Sox fans don’t understand that, maybe they really do have lower IQs.

© Josh Segal for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | One comment
Filed under: Featured, Opinion, Red Sox.

He will likely miss at least 6-8 weeks.

Ross becomes the sixth Sox outfielder to go to the disabled list this season, joining Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford, Jason Repko, Darnell McDonald and Ryan Kalish.

Look for Che Hsuan Lin, Marlon Byrd and Daniel Nava to continue to fill in in the outfield for the time being.

Ryan Sweeney, meanwhile, may have suffered a concussion after his diving catch Saturday night.

© Matthew Bond for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | No comment
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After watching Jonathan Papelbon close out the Red Sox on Friday and do his signature poses in the process, there’s no way the Sox could let that happen again on Saturday.

So, the offense took over, clubbing four home runs to back Jon Lester, who despite a shaky outing, managed to earn the win in a 7-5 final.

Mike Aviles started it all with a leadoff home run, and the Red Sox picked up two more runs in the second on Joe Blanton’s error and Jon Lester’s ground-ball double play with men on first and third and no outs. The Sox led 3-0.

After Philly picked up a run in the third, Will Middlebrooks (2-4) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (3-4) hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning to give the Red Sox a 5-1 lead.

The Phillies picked up three runs off Lester in the bottom of the fourth, making it a 5-4 game.

But, the Red Sox answered right back again, with first baseman (yes…FIRST BASEMAN) David Ortiz hitting a two-run shot to make it a 7-4 game.

It wouldn’t be a Red Sox game without the bullpen allowing at least one run. Lester left the game after six innings, and Vicente Padilla was the first man on to protect the lead. He did his job in the seventh, but could only record one out in the eighth while allowing two hits.

Rich Hill came on and got Juan Pierre to ground out to first, and then Bobby Valentine called on Alfredo Aceves to get out of the eighth. Aceves, of course, allowed a single to Jimmy Rollins, scoring Ty Wigginton (run charged to Padilla), but he got out of it and closed out the Phillies in the ninth to preserve the win.

Lester’s Performance

Lester was coming of a complete-game win over the Indians, but struggled at times Saturday against the Phillies.

He allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk in 6.0 innings. He threw just 90 pitches (59 for strikes) in capturing his third win of the year.

The Red Sox will go for the series win on Sunday afternoon with Josh Beckett on the mound.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | No comment
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“I’ll start hitting home runs,” Adrian Gonzalez said after Wednesday’s game. “I’ll hit a homer (Thursday).”

So, now that Thursday’s game is in the books, how did he do? Well, upon hearing Gonzalez’s comments, David Price retweeted this to his 87,000+ followers:

Moore should put one right between his numbers. @TBTimes_Rays: Gonzo guarantee: “I’ll homer tonight” @DAVIDprice14 @Evan3Longoria #Rays

— Zach Wendkos (@zwendkos) May 17, 2012

So, Gonzalez was drilled by a pitch (likely on purpose) in his first at-bat. If I were to do some sports betting, I would have put my money on Gonzalez getting a HBP.

In his next at-bat, Gonzalez hit a long, long fly ball that was just foul to right field (as seen in the picture for this post). It wasn’t fair, but the home run swing off the lefty Matt Moore was there. He deserves that much credit.

In the end, Gonzalez finished 0-3 with a HBP, a strikeout, a ground out and a fly out. He’s now on pace for 9 home runs, 60 doubles, and 85 RBI… though it is early.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | No comment
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After dropping the series opener on Wednesday night by the score of 2-1, the Boston Red Sox hit two home runs on Thursday night to back Felix Doubront en route to a 5-3 victory. Doubront went 5.2 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) and striking out seven. Matt Moore made the start for the Tampa Bay Rays and gave up only five hits over six innings – but two of the hits were solo home runs.

The Red Sox got off to a hot start out of the gate with first-inning singles from Mike Aviles and David Ortiz. Up was Adrian Gonzalez, who had guaranteed to the press after Wednesday night’s loss that he would go deep. Upon hearing this, David Price tweeted to his 87,000+ followers that “Moore should put one right between his numbers.” On the first pitch of the at bat, Moore did indeed drill A-Gone in the area of his belt buckle. Gonzalez finished the game 0/3, leaving his promise unfulfilled. After Will Middlebrooks struck out, Cody Ross drew the walk to open the scoring.

Marlon Byrd led off the second inning with a home run, his first of the year. Cody Ross continued the picket fence push in the third with his seventh homer of the season.

Felix Doubront was cruising when it appeared that he had induced B.J. Upton to pop out to first to end the bottom of the third. Instead, Kelly Shoppach was called for catcher interference, allowing Upton to reach first base. Doubront then hit Luke Scott and allowed a single to Jeff Keppinger that scored Upton.

In the bottom of the fourth, Chris Gimenez hit a ground ball back to the mound with a runner on first. Doubront was unable to field in cleanly and could only get the out at first, allowing Sean Rodriguez to move up to second. Rich Thompson made him pay with an RBI single to cut the Boston lead to one.

Mike Aviles was ejected after arguing a called strike three that ended the top of the seventh inning. It was the first ejection of his career.

Sox manager Bobby Valentine used four pitchers to get four outs after removing Doubront from the game in the bottom of the sixth. In the top of the eighth, Cody Ross secured some insurance for reliever Vicente Padilla by singling home Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz to stretch the lead back to three runs.

Valentine had been hoping that Padilla would be able to complete the eighth before going to closer Alfredo Aceves in the ninth, but after a double and a hit batter brought the tying run to the plate, Bobby had to bring in Aceves for the four-out save. Aceves gave up a single to Upton to make it 5-3 Boston, but then induced Scott to ground out to end the threat. A one-two-three ninth earned Aceves his eighth save of the season, and preserved Doubront’s fourth victory.

The Red Sox now head to Philadelphia for a three game set against the Phillies. Daniel Bard (3-4) will face Cole Hamels (5-1). The first pitch is at 7:05 from Citizens Bank Park.

© Aryeh Rosenfield for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | No comment
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When you have three outfielders on the disabled list and a team in last place, what do you do? Call up lifetime minor leaguer Daniel Nava, of course. The 29-year-old outfielder may be best known for hitting a grand slam on his first major league pitch back in 2010, but Nava is managing to contribute to the Red Sox again today. Furthermore, he is making a legitimate case to be on a major league roster, albeit with a small sample size.

On a team that is labeled overpaid and complacent, it raises a question that isn’t unreasonable–Should the Red Sox make use of more players like Daniel Nava that are fighting to stay in the big leagues?

The Case

Before going any further, it is important to realize that Nava has only played in seven games for Boston this year, which is by no means a long time. That being said, his .474 average, .643 OBP, 7 RBIs, and 1 HR are more than what Carl Crawford has had to offer this year. And frankly, a last place team like the Red Sox can make use of productivity wherever they can take it.

Then again, there is a reason Nava has spent almost the entirety of his career in the minors. He hit that grand slam…but that was about it.  His extended stay in the majors in 2010 (60 games, 1 HR, 26 RBIs, .242 AVG) is probably a more reasonable expectation going forward. Additionally, Nava is already 29, which means unless he suddenly goes Jose Bautista on us, he has probably reached his ceiling. While it’s nice to see him producing now, the fact of the matter is that he is an AAAA player. For the Red Sox, however, there can always be worse things than having a not completely useless outfielder waiting in Pawtucket in case of an injury.

Trend Setting?

The Red Sox are in last place, so there really isn’t harm in letting guys like Nava play. And truthfully, small spurts like these are probably all guys like Nava can be depended on. But he gets a chance to showcase his stuff and the Red Sox get production, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone. Is Nava a long term answer to the Red Sox’s troubles? No. Is he the answer for the next week or so? Probably. (But someone tell Ben Cherington that because I can already picture him letting Ellsbury walk in free agency and trotting Nava out in centerfield).

What should not be overlooked, however, is that Nava is not the first of his kind on the 2012 edition of the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox may not have advertised it (I wonder why?), but heading into 2012, Boston boasted several players who were questionable major leaguers at best. Mike Aviles was a utility man for Kansas City a year ago. Ryan Sweeney…had anyone actually heard of Ryan Sweeney before the Red Sox acquired him? To be perfectly honest, the Red Sox could have cut both of them in the Spring without much fanfare. Now? Aviles and Sweeney are two of the better players on this year’s squad, which is either a pleasant surprise or a telling reason why the Red Sox are in the position they are in, depending on which way you look at it.

Why not take it a step further and look at Will Middlebrooks, who has contributed more in his major league debut than Kevin Youkilis has all season? On a team where comfy veterans are the norm, it doesn’t hurt to remind everyone that no one is irreplaceable.

The Red Sox are in last place and despite their latest winning streak, the expectations for this year have been considerably lowered. They might as well make it entertaining. Whether it be calling up guys like Nava or injecting the team with some youth such as Iglesias or Lavarnaway, the team would at least feature players who actually want to be there.  In a worst-case scenario, it may make players think twice before sitting out with sore hamstrings and elbows.

Except John Lackey. Because no one is complaining about him sitting out.

© Josh Segal for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | No comment
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The Pawtucket Red Sox just keep on tearing through the International League. A 6-1 week against three different teams expanded the Sox’ lead in the IL North from one half to three games.

Daisuke Matsuzaka made his second rehab start, but Boston manager Bobby Valentine was unimpressed and announced that Daisuke would be making two more starts for Pawtucket. On Thursday, Daniel Nava was called up to Boston and Clayton Mortensen was sent back to Pawtucket.

Then, on Sunday, Boston placed Darnell McDonald on the 15-day DL and called up Mauro Gomez. Gomez struck out as a pinch hitter in his first major league at bat that day. The Red Sox bought 2005 All-Star Scott Podsednik from the Philadelphia Phillies to take Gomez’s spot in Pawtucket. Podsednik had been hitting .203 in 22 games with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Week in Review

Wednesday, 5/9: Pawtucket 5, Rochester 2

Pawtucket got the scoring started early against Rochester starter Cole DeVries, with Mauro Gomez singling in the first to drive in Iglesias and Lavarnway. The Red Wings got a run back in the second with a solo homer from Joe Thurston, but Nate Spears drove in Lin in the bottom of the inning to stretch the lead back to two runs. Justin Germano was great for the rest of his outing, completing six innings while giving up two runs on six hits. Garrett Mock, Junichi Tazawa, and Mark Melancon each threw scoreless innings to seal the win.

Thursday, 5/10: Pawtucket 7, Rochester 6

Brandon Duckworth allowed a home run to the second batter of the game and couldn’t get in a groove, allowing five runs over five innings. The Sox were down 6-5 after Alex Wilson surrendered a run in the seventh, but Mauro Gomez once again saved the day, driving in Iglesias and Anderson in the eighth to give Pawtucket the lead. Mark Melancon struck out the final batter of the game to earn his second save in as many days.

Friday, 5/11: Pawtucket 5, Columbus 1

Doug Mathis turned in a great outing, scattering five hits over six shutout innings. Columbus committed three errors behind starter Chris Seddon and allowed an unearned run to score in the first. Mauro Gomez doubled in the fifth to plate Ciriaco and Lavarnway and give the Red Sox a 5-0 lead. Jose Iglesias went 2/4 with a run scored.

Saturday, 5/12: Pawtucket 7, Columbus 6

Daisuke Matsuzaka got roughed up in his second start, giving up five runs in 5.1 innings. A two-run bomb from Josh Kroeger in the second gave the Red Sox a 2-0 lead. The Sox were losing 6-4 in the seventh when Chris Ray walked Nate Spears with the bases loaded, then allowed a sac fly to Tony Thomas to tie the game. In the eighth, Jose Iglesias reached on an error from Andy LaRoche, tagged up on Lavarnway’s fly ball, and scored on Josh Kroeger’s sac fly. Garrett Mock got the last five outs to earn his second victory of the year.

Sunday, 5/13: Pawtucket 5, Columbus 4

Ross Ohlendorf hit consecutive batters in the first inning, leading to a run. Pawtucket got the run back in the second when Scott Podsednik, it his first plate appearance with the Sox, hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Alex Hassan. A three-run homer from Russ Canzler in the fourth gave Columbus a 4-1 lead. Mike Rivera tied it in the sixth with a sacrifice fly that drove in Hassan, and the Red Sox took the lead in the eighth with Alex’s second home run of the year. Mark Melancon tossed a perfect ninth to notch his fourth save.

Monday, 5/14: Columbus 5, Pawtucket 3

It would have been a pitcher’s duel between Justin Germano and Eric Berger had the defenses done their part. Pawtucket opened the scoring in the third when Scott Podsednik singled to center field and Ezequiel Carrera couldn’t handle it cleanly, allowing Pedro Ciriaco to score from first. The Sox were still leading 1-0 in the sixth when Columbus had runners on second and third with one out. Consecutive errors from Pedro Ciriaco and Nate Spears set the stage for a three-run homer from Matt LaPorta to give the Clippers a 5-1 lead. The Red Sox got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Lars Anderson led off with a homer, but Chris Ray threw a perfect ninth to receive his sixth save.

Tuesday, 5/15: Pawtucket 8, Durham 2

Brandon Duckworth bounced back with great performance, going six innings while giving up two solo shots. Josh Kroeger went yard in the first and Jose Iglesias did the same in the second to give Pawtucket an early 5-0 lead. Ryan Lavarnway added some insurance in the ninth with a double that drove in Podsednik and Iglesias, and Mark Melancon shut things down in the bottom of the inning to preserve his spotless ERA of 0.00 through 12 innings.

IL North Standings

The Week Ahead

• Wednesday, 5/16 – at Durham, 7:05
• Thursday, 5/17 – at Durham, 7:05
• Friday, 5/18 – at Durham, 7:05
• Saturday, 5/19 – at Norfolk, 7:15
• Sunday, 5/20 – at Norfolk, 1:15
• Monday, 5/21 – at Norfolk, 7:15
• Tuesday, 5/22 – at Norfolk, 12:15

© Aryeh Rosenfield for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | No comment
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So high, in fact, that Fenway Park was filled to a whopping 1,019.4% capacity. Yeah, OK.

According to the box score, more than 376,000 packed Fenway on Mother’s Day:

(ESPN.com Screenshot)

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | No comment
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Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was issued a citation for causing a multi-car accident before Friday night’s game against the Indians.

Ortiz was on his way to Fenway Park when he got into the accident near the corner of Boylston Street and Ipswich Street.

According to police, the other driver involved in the crash was stopped at the red light when Ortiz’s car spun out of a gas station and struck the front driver’s side of the car.

“I lost a little control coming out of the gas station and I hit a car, but I’m fine,” Ortiz said shortly after the accident. “Everybody is fine.”

Ortiz was ticketed for an improperly made left turn.

No one was hurt in the crash, and Ortiz played later that night as the DH. He went 1-3 with a walk and a run scored, but left the game in the 7th inning with a heel injury. He apparently suffered the injury in the 5th inning trying to beat out an infield single.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | No comment
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One of the most iconic voices in the history of Fenway Park, and the only man since the 1910′s to ever call Red Sox games for two World Series Champions (2004, 2007) has died. Carl Beane suffered a heart attack while driving Wednesday. He was 59.

“We are filled with sadness at this tragic news,” Red Sox president Larry Lucchino said in a statement issued by the team. “His legion of friends with the Red Sox and the media will miss him enormously, and all of Red Sox Nation will remember his presence, his warmth, and his voice.”

Since 2003, Beane’s voice was one of the constants at Fenway Park.

By all accounts, Beane loved his job.

“When I get that instant response, a feeling washes over me like, ‘This is where I should be,’” Beane told Boston Magazine in 2008. “This is what I know I was put on Earth to do.”

He is survived by his wife, daughter and two granddaughters.

The team plans to pay tribute to Beane before Thursday’s home game against the Indians.

© KC Downey for Sports of Boston, 2012. | Permalink | No comment
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