Day: April 20, 2009

 Jon Lester

Vintage Lester

"Vintage Lester dominates Orioles" read the headline after Sunday's 2-1 Red Sox victory over Baltimore. While headlines are known for hyperbole, by definition, Jon Lester's third and best start of 2009 was vintage.


vin-tage: adjective (1) representing the high quality of a past time (2) being the best of its kind.

After a breakout 2008 campaign, Jon Lester hadn't seemed to find his groove early in 2009. Through his first two starts of the season, questions about his ability to avoid the "Verducci Effect" known to smite young pitchers coming off a season of above average workload were echoing across baseball blogs everywhere.

April 20, 2009 josh lacey
Quick Post

TRIVIA: Patriots Day games

The Red Sox have won six straight Patriots' Day games. What year span was the last time they posted five or more consecutive Patriots' Day wins?

April 20, 2009 evan brunell
Jed Lowrie

Lowrie ‘likely’ to have surgery; Rocco hits DL

Manager Terry Francona reported today that shortstop Jed Lowrie would likely undergo surgery. Unlike the previous surgery that would have ended his season, this one may allow him to return at the All-Star break.

In other news, as Mike Scandura first reported, Jeff Bailey has officially been recalled to the majors. This follows Rocco Baldelli being put on the DL with a slight left hamstring strain. Par for the course.

April 20, 2009 evan brunell
Daniel Bard

Bowden, Bard propel PawSox to win; Bailey called to majors

Boston's pitching future was on display Monday afternoon at McCoy Stadium -- the future in the person of starter Michael Bowden and reliever Daniel Bard.

Bowden recorded his first Triple-A victory (which is interesting in the sense he won his first major league game last season) as the Pawtucket Red Sox blanked the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs, 2-0.

April 20, 2009 shawn medeiros
Baltimore Orioles

4/20: It’s Patriots’ Day!

Things are starting to come together, aren't they? The offense. The pitching. The defense. Now we just need Big Papi to hit. Is it physical? Is it mental? Is it both?

April 20, 2009 evan brunell
Jason Bartlett

Green stellar at shortstop

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Red Sox's play in recent days has been the productivity of Nick Green, the new starting shortstop.

And while he's hitting .278/.350/.333, eons better than his 241/.310/.347 line, that's not the story here. No, the story is his fielding.

It's looking more and more like Green may be worthy of the bench spot all season long, or at least until Jed Lowrie returns (fingers crossed). Even if he can't hit, his defense out of the infield is valuable.

April 20, 2009 evan brunell