Thursday Links

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

After losing in walk-off fashion on Tuesday night, the Red Sox offense pushed across 9 runs and handily defeated the Minnesota Twins in game 2 of the series. David Ortiz remained locked in at the plate, as the hulking DH enjoyed his second consecutive two home run game and collected a double. All together, 8 batters in Boston’s starting line up collected at least one hit, while a 5 different batters accounted for the teams 9 runs. Felix Doubront cherished the offensive support he was given, as the lefty tossed 6.1 innings and allowed just one run on 7 hits while striking out 7.

• It’s apparent that both Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley are undergoing natural rookie struggles right now, but joining the two big league newcomers is third year pro Will Middlebrooks. But while all 3 players are failing to create any offense, John Farrell isn’t pulling the plug on the Red Sox young players just yet. (Farrell sticking with struggling youngsters)

• Despite winning the World Series last season, the Red Sox hold the 26th overall selection in next months amateur draft. Also, thanks to the Yankees, the Red Sox will pick 33rd overall as compensation for losing Jacoby Ellsbury. All together Boston will enter the draft with 11 picks in the first 10 rounds and hope to add some depth to their already deep farm system. (2014 MLB Draft preview: Red Sox draft order and budget)

• While hockey and baseball are two totally different games, the emotions felt before, during, and after a decisive game 7 are all the same. On Wednesday, the Boston Bruins found themselves locked in the win or go home finale of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals, a position that some current Red Sox could sympathize with.(Red Sox relive challenge that come with do-or-die, Game 7 dynamic facing Bruins)

• So far this season, Jon Lester has pitched like an ace that will command a deal worth north of $120M if and when he hits the open market at the end of the season. Most of the southpaw’s success has come from being able to effectively spot his cutter, and using other pitches in his arsenal to complement it. (Jon Lester, Top Five Pitcher)

• Don’t get your hopes up if you were hoping that David Ortiz would compete in the Home Run Derby this season. Although he has blasted 4 homers in the past 2 days, and holds a 1.02 career SLG% at Target Field, Big Papi isn’t using this weeks series in Minnesota as a warm up for the mid-summer classic. (David Ortiz thanks Twins for memories, but won’t participate in Home Run Durby)

• Tweet of the day: They’re carving his plaque as I type…