Friday Links

Boston Strong.

It was certainly a night to forget at Fenway Park on Thursday, as the Red Sox and Yankees meet in the final game of a three game set. Boston sent Felix Doubront to the hill and watched him surrender 7 runs(3 earned) on 6 hits, before finally pulling him from the game in the third inning. Aside from a clean two innings from Burke Badenhop, the Red Sox bullpen offered little resistance to the Yankees attack, allowing 7 runs on 7 hits. Also aiding the Yankees effort was the Red Sox lackadaisical defensive effort, which was credited with 5 errors from 5 different players. When the dust cleared from the train wreck on the field, Boston had lost 14-5.

• With Will Middlebrooks set to rejoin the club from a stint on the 15 day DL, the Red Sox optioned Brock Holt back to AAA. Although he was only in Boston for a short time, Holt provided tough at-bats, reached base consistently, and played solid defense; all of which won’t be lost on John Farrell in the future. (Brock Holt optioned to Pawtucket)

• Shane Victorino returned to right field for the Red Sox on Thursday. The 33 year old Gold Glove award winner joins a lack luster trio of corner outfielders, which should help the Red Sox improve upon their defensive woes. (Victorino returns and goes right back into the lineup)

• The tandem of Dustin Pedroia and Shane Victorino atop the batting order could be one that Red Sox fans will get use to seeing. John Farrell expects the two to post high OBP’s and create line-up stability in the one and two spots respectively. (Farrell liked Pedroia, Victorino at the top)

• In the wake of Wednesday’s transgressions, Major League Baseball slapped Michale Pineda with a 10 game suspension on Thursday. While the suspension is justified by league rules, it does raise an interesting debate; if using pine tar on the mound is a league wide practice, than why is the MLB keeping it illegal? (Michale Pineda’s pine tar problem highlights flaw in rules)

• If you are familiar with Daniel Nava’s path to the major leagues, than you know that he’s no stranger to adversity. The road from junior college, to the independent league, to the majors is one filled with hardships, so you can be certain that Nava views his recent demotion as a mere speed bump in his baseball life. (Nava down, but not out)

• A short while ago, the value of the a stolen base was overlooked by most major league teams. However, now teams are hell-bent on breaking down film on both pitchers and catchers, selecting the right pitch to run on, and subsequently breeding an environment more conducive to run production. (Base-stealers picking spots more than ever before, with increasing success)

• Tweet of the day: Mike Carp took the mound and tossed some wicked knucklers.