Wednesday Links

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

After snapping their 10 game losing streak on Monday, the Red Sox looked to build off their first win in over 2 weeks. In the second game of a four game home-and-home series against the Atlanta Braves, Jon Lester toed the rubber for the Sox and was opposed by veteran righty Aaron Harang. The game see-sawed in the early stages, as both clubs tallied 2 runs over the first 4 innings, but after the Braves took the lead in the fifth inning, the Red Sox offense sprung to life. Highlighted by RBI hits from Jackie Bradley and David Ortiz, Boston pushed four runs across the plate and took a 6-3 lead in the seventh inning. With the lead in hand the Red Sox summoned Koji Uehara to lock down the save, which he did in typical Koji fashion.

• Despite Clay Buchholz’s early season struggles, John Farrell has made no determination on the right-handers next turn in the rotation. Instead, Farrell, along with pitching coach Juan Nieves, is attempting to get to the heart of the matter by examining the starters performances more carefully. (Searching for a solution to the Clay Buchholz conundrum)

• With the Red Sox outfield continuing to struggle, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see the team begin to look at trade options. While the season is still relatively young, and most teams aren’t willing to make a deal yet, there are some names that Boston can remember when the time is ready. (Red Sox trade rumors: Potential outfield targets)

• In his major league career, Jon Lester has taken 38 trips to the plate and has returned to the dugout hitless each time. But as the lefty rapidly approaches the major league record for plate appearances without a hit, his high school baseball coach recalls how good the 30 year old once was in the batters box. (Jon Lester once was a good hitter, now heading towards dubious record)

• Just as Xander Bogaerts is looking better and better at shortstop, newly signed Stephen Drew is inching closer to a return. After a short, but successful, stint with the single-A Greenville Drive, Drew will now head to Pawtucket for the next two games before rejoining the Red Sox sometime in the near future. (Stephen Drew one step closer to Red Sox return)

• It took him a little while to settle into Boston but Edward Mujica is finally adapting to the American League East. The righty reliever has limited his signature splitter, and has instead began to throw more change-ups to get the results that he wants. (Edward Mujica has to change the way he pitches in the American League, now living up to his contract)

• Tweet of the day: At least it wasn’t the dugout phone.