Wednesday Links

Auditions to be Grady’s Lady are back open!

The Red Sox and Twins played the second game of a three game series at Fenway Park on Tuesday night. Similar to Monday’s contest, runs were held to a minimum as staff aces Jon Lester and Phil Hughes toed the rubber for their respective clubs. However, Boston was able to tally 2 runs in the early innings on a Dustin Pedroia RBI double and a Xander Bogaerts sacrifice fly. While just 2 runs of support left little margin for error, Jon Lester was able to stymie Minnesota’s offense for 6.1 innings, allowing just 1 run while striking out 6. The Red Sox bullpen then protected the 2-1 advantage by tossing 2.2 innings of no-hit base ball.

• The Red Sox designated Grady Sizemore for assignment on Tuesday, which officially put an end to the former All-Star’s comeback effort. Sizemore’s battle to overcome adversity is an extremely admirable story, but the 31 year old just couldn’t recapture his old style of play, nor could he sustain the success that he had in spring training of this year. (Grady Sizemore’s time in Boston over)

• This season Brock Holt has excelled at every new defensive challenge thrown his way. On Tuesday night it was no different, as the 26 year old started his first career game in center field and made a highlight reel catch. Holt now becoming a viable option in center field certainly puts pressure on Jackie Bradley to up his offensive game. (Center stage for Brock Holt: Why versatile Holt’s latest test may have been his most important)

• While the Red Sox have played better of late, they’re still closer to the bottom than the top in the AL East standings, and are behind 8 other teams in the Wild Card race. Although things can change between now and the July 31st trade deadline, Jon Lester knows Boston’s current position in the playoff picture isn’t pretty, and that his free agent status could make him a trade commodity. (Jon Lester says “no hard feelings” if Red Sox trade him)

• On Tuesday night, the Red Sox scored their second run — the eventual difference maker — on an gutsy call by third base coach Brian Butterfield. After noticing how Twins starter Phil Hughes was holding runners on second, Butterfield took advantage of Brock Holt’s lead-off double the following inning. (Aggressive stolen base a credit to Brian Butterfield)

• Grady Sizemore probably should have been cut long before Tuesday, but the Red Sox just didn’t have another option in center field. Now that Brock Holt has become a super utility player for Boston, Sizemore officially became an expendable member of the Red Sox roster. (Brock Holt’s versatility allowed Red Sox to release Grady Sizemore)

• Tweet of the day: I honestly think we’re not too far away from seeing an all Brock Holt starting 9