Monday Links

Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.com.

The Red Sox welcomed in the Oakland Athletics over the weekend for a 3 game set. Clay Buchholz toed the rubber for game one of the series, the slender right hander tossed 6.1 innings allowing just a run on 3 hits. Boston’s offense erupted for 7 runs, on 11 hits, including a Dustin Pedroia grand slam. In the middle game of the set, Jon Lester stole the spot light as he wrung up a career high 15 batters and allowed just 1 hit. In support of Lester, the Red Sox offense amassed 6 runs powered by their second grand slam of the series, this one hit by Jonny Gomes. After a solid outing by John Lackey on Sunday, the Red Sox dropped the 2-2 contest in extra innings.

• While he certainly hasn’t been bad, Koji Uehara hasn’t exactly been himself so far this year. Entering his second year in Boston, the veteran righty has admittedly had poor Apriil/May’s in the past, so don’t raise the caution flag just yet. (Relatively bumpy start from Koji Uehara – same as last year)

• It’s been a less than stellar start to Edward Mujica’s Red Sox career, since signing a 2 year, $9.5M contract in the offseason. Currently the right hander possesses an ERA of 9, in 10 innings of work. However, the bullpen newcomer’s early season woes may be due to a small, but significant injury. (Set-up man Edward Mujica has inflammation in oblique, Red Sox hope he can avoid DL)

• Dustin Pedroia’s grand slam on Friday night wasn’t just the power behind a 7-1 Red Sox win, it was also the 100th home run of the second baseman’s career. Although it’s taken him a little while to reach the 100 mark, thanks to injuries, the dirt-dog’s blast served as a reminder that the “Laser Show” is still playing. (For Dustin Pedroia, milestone homer offers glimpse of past and future of The Laser Show)

• Jon Lester’s 15 strike out party against the Athletics on Saturday was certainly one of the left hander’s best starts. Aside from the no-hitter, it might have been the best start the 30 year old has had, but where does it rank among the best starts in Red Sox history? (Stats & Info: How dominant was Jon Lester)

• Even though A.J. Pierzynski has played close to 50 games at Fenway Park, the veteran backstop collected his first home run in Boston on Sunday. Recently, Pierzynski has been swinging a good bat in the middle of the Sox order, despite averaging just about 3 P/PA. (A Fenway first for AJ Pierzynski)

• Tweet of the weekend: In case you were wondering, Alfredo Aceves is back in the MLB and is still a weird dude.