Thursday Links

John Farrell has kept things calm so far this season. Photo by Kelly O’Connor, sittingstill.net

It was a late night in Red Sox Nation on Wednesday evening as the Red Sox and White Sox battled for 5 hours. Clay Buchholz started the 14 inning marathon and tossed 6 innings of 6 hit, 3 run (2 earned) baseball. Bostons offense continued to struggle, but still managed to push across 6 runs thanks in part to the 15 walks allowed by White Sox pitching. In the 14th frame Jackie Bradley doubled off Leury Garcia (a position player) to score the winning run. The Red Sox went on to notch the win in the bottom of the inning.

• After Mike Napoli injured his left ring finger on Tuesday night, many wondered if a trip to the DL was imminent. Fortunatly for the Red Sox, the first baseman only suffered a dislocation and will avoid a DL stint. (Mike Napoli’s finger feeling “better and better”)

• Dustin Pedroia returned to action on Wednesday night, after a bout with wrist inflammation. The former AL MVP award winner is off to a rough start this season, but insists that he won’t allow his wrist injury to serve as an excuse for his performance. (Dustin Pedroia is back in Boston lineup: “Once the game starts, I’m normal)

• When A.J. Pierzynski signed with the Red Sox this offseason, he brought a piece of his White Sox past along with him. The veteran backstop dons the number 40 this year to commemorate former major leaguer, and current White Sox broadcaster Hawk Harrelson. (AJ Pierzynski has second father figure in White Sox broadcaster, Hawk Harrelson)

• During the playoffs, Xander Bogaerts seemed invincible and displayed confidence unlike most rookies. But despite all the high praise he’s received, the 21 year old is still a rookie trying to navigate through his first major league season and still needs to adapt. (Xander Bogaerts is enduring his first real slump– both offensively and defensively)

• The Red Sox offense has disappeared but their approach at the plate hasn’t. Boston hitting coach Greg Colbrunn insists that once the Red Sox bats find a groove, the runs will follow. (Colbrunn backs approach, says bats will break out)

• The Red Sox had to have known that Jon Lester wasn’t going to accept the 4 year, $70 million extension they offered to him. So what was the point of even offering the deal? Maybe just an opening offer? Maybe pushing the limits of the “hometown discount”? Who knows. (Red Sox low-ball offer to Jon Lester waste of time)

• Tweet of the day: Ask and you shall receive.