Wednesday Links

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

Despite their best efforts, the Red Sox failed to complete a comeback over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. After Jake Peavy put the team in an early hole by allowing 6 runs in 4.1 innings, the Red Sox bats battled back and knotted the game at 6 in the seventh inning. Leading the Red Sox offensive attack was David Ortiz, who drilled two home runs and collected 4 RBI’s on the night. Shane Victorino also had a nice night at the plate as he collected 2 singles, a double, and an RBI. The Red Sox ultimately dropped the game in the 10th inning, when Chris Parmalee drove an 0-1 offering from Andrew Miller over the right field wall to secure the 8-6 victory for the Twins.

• In his 5th season as the Red Sox amateur scouting director, Amiel Sawdaye knows how hit and miss the draft can be. But instead of focusing on the Red Sox “hits”, Sawdaye believes the teams “misses” truly hold the key to better player evaluation and subsequently better draft selections. (Red Sox have sought to learn from draft miscues of past)

• After the departure of Jacoby Ellsbury, the Red Sox were clamoring to find a new in-house lead off hitter. First, the team turned to Daniel Nava and Jonny Gomes, but neither got on base with enough consistency. Then the Red Sox gave Dustin Pedroia a try, and they found what they were looking for. Since sliding to the lead off role, Pedroia has increased his personal numbers and has energized the line up. (Dustin Pedroia the leadoff man once more)

• Since the Red Sox won the World Series last year, Red Sox manager John Farrell will manage the 2014 American League All-Star team in Minnesota this summer. On Tuesday, Farrell announced the two coaches that he selected to work along side him at the mid-summer classic; one of whom is an extremely familiar face. (Farrell to add Tito, Gardenhire to All-Star staff)

• So far in his young career, Xander Bogaerts has adjusted to major league pitching and is getting on base at a .361 clip. But while the short stop has yet to translate the power he showed in the minor leagues to the major league, the Red Sox remain confident in their rookie. (Xander Bogaerts among elite in on-base ability, Red Sox think power will come)

• Now that the Red Sox are finally above .500, it’s time to start focusing on what the team can do to keep a winning record. Certainly the Red Sox need to address their season-long problem on defense, but they also need more timely hits and improved individual performances. (Five steps the Red Sox need to take to rise above mediocrity)

• Tweet of the day: There’s a first time for everything…I guess?