Wednesday Links

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

After Monday’s loss against the Cleveland Indians snapped the Red Sox 7 game win streak, Boston sought to even up the series in Cleveland on Tuesday. Red Sox right-hander Jake Peavy took the mound for Boston and struggled early, allowing hits to the first 5 batters he faced and subsequently yielding 3 runs. While Peavy would eventually settle down, the Red Sox offense only managed to push across 3 runs, despite collecting 10 hits. Red Sox third baseman Xander Bogaerts left the yard for the second straight game, while Dustin Pedroia and Jonathan Herrera also collected RBI knocks. In the 7th inning, Peavy left the game after loading the bases with no outs. Andrew Miller came on and immediately allowed 2 runs to score on a wall ball double to left field by Michael Bourn, which pushed the score to the eventual final of 5-3.

• As it is right now, the 2015 free agent market is set to be loaded with starting pitching depth. Red Sox lefty Jon Lester, Royals ace James Shields, and 2013 Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer all have their eyes set on a pay day. Similarly, Indians hurler Justin Masterson is also feeling the pressures that a contract year brings. (Justin Masterson living the life of his former Red Sox teammate, Jon Lester)

• Red Sox right-hander Brandon Workman was surprisingly suspended by Major League Baseball on Tuesday, following his ejection from last Friday’s Rays/Red Sox game. Despite not actually hitting anyone, Workman was suspended for allegedly throwing at Rays third baseman Even Longoria. David Price’s actions, on the other hand, weren’t punished. (Red Sox pitcher Brandon Workman suspended, fined)

• It’s seemed like a long time coming, but the Red Sox finally promoted top prospect Mookie Betts to triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday. After hitting at a .355/.443/.463 clip in double A this season, the 22 year old will continue to play outfield with the Paw Sox but will also appear at his native position of second base. (Mookie Betts to be promoted to Pawtucket)

• It’s tempting for right handed hitters to favor their pull side at Fenway Park, but it’s not always the wisest approach. Just ask Xander Bogaerts. The Red Sox young star saw the Green Monster as an enticing target, but it wasn’t until he forgot about hooking balls down the line that he found his true power stroke. (How Xander Bogaerts started to excel by learning to forget the Monster)

• At the forefront of the Red Sox offensive struggles this season has been the lack of production from behind the plate. Together, the current tandem of A.J. Pierzynski and David Ross have combined to hold some of the leagues worst offensive metrics. But the blame shouldn’t be shared; Pierzynski is actually pulling his weight, while Ross has been tragically sub-par this season. (David Ross doesn’t look like himself this year)

• Tweet of the day: Seems like an obtainable goal.