9/5: Beckett must stem the tide

by | Sep 5, 2011 | Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Drew Sutton, Game Threads, Henderson Alvarez, Jose Bautista, Josh Beckett, Kyle Weiland, Nate Spears, New York Yankees, Patsy Dougherty, Philadelphia A's, Ryan Lavarnway, Toronto Blue Jays

Boston Red Sox (84-55) @ Toronto Blue Jays (69-71)
 Josh Beckett (12-5, 2.54) @ Henderson Alvarez (1-2, 3.52)
1:07 PM EDT | Rogers Centre (Toronto, ON)
TV: NESN RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510

GAME NOTES

The Red Sox will try to stop their fall in the American League East in the first game of a four-game set in Toronto today. Finding themselves 1.5 games behind the Yankees, the Red Sox will face Henderson Alvarez, who earned his first major league victory last Wednesday against the Orioles. Alvarez pitched very well in the victory, going eight innings and scattering three hits, walking none and striking out five. Josh Beckett will try to stem the tide for the Red Sox. Worrisome for the Sox, Beckett owns a terrible 9.28 career ERA at Rogers Centre. Ryan Lavarnway, Nate Spears and Kyle Weiland will join the club today in Toronto. To make room for Spears on the 40-man roster, the Sox designated Drew Sutton for assignment.

Lineups

Boston Red Sox

  1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
  2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
  4. David Ortiz, DH
  5. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
  6. Carl Crawford, LF
  7. Josh Reddick, RF
  8. Jason Varitek, C
  9. Marco Scutaro, SS

Toronto Blue Jays

  1. Mike McCoy, SS
  2. Eric Thames, LF
  3. Jose Bautista, RF
  4. Adam Lind, 1B
  5. Edwin Encarnacion, DH
  6. Kelly Johnson, 2B
  7. Brett Lawrie, 3B
  8. Jose Molina, C
  9. DeWayne Wise, CF

INJURY REPORT

Boston: Clay Buchholz, lower back strain (placed on 15-day DL June 19, retroactive to June 17); J.D. Drew, left shoulder impingement (placed on 15-day DL July 26, currently rehabbing); Bobby Jenks, strained back (placed on 15-day DL July 16, transferred to 60-day DL on September 1)

Toronto: Rajai Davis, torn left hamstring (placed on 15-day DL August 14, currently rehabbing); Colby Rasmus, jammed right wrist (placed on 15-day DL August 27); Yunel Escobar, sore left wrist (day-to-day)

Fun Facts

-The Red Sox have hit a Major League-leading 93 home runs on the road.

– On September 5, 1903 , Patsy Dougherty hit a major league record three triples in a 12-1 Red Sox victory against the Philadelphia A’s.

-And for today’s Totally Untrue Fun Fact: Jose Bautista stole the nickname “Joey Bats” from a Toronto mobster.