Wednesday Links

Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.net

After nearly being no-hit by Jake Arrieta on Monday night, the Red Sox and Cubs met for the second game of their 3 game set on Tuesday. Boston sent Clay Buchholz to the mound for his second start since returning from the disabled list in late June. The tall righty held Chicago’s bats in check for 6.1 innings, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits, while striking out 2 and walking no one. Likewise, Cubs starter Edwin Jackson tossed 6 solid innings, but bounced into and out of trouble all game, allowing 10 total base runners. When Buchholz and Jackson departed, both the Red Sox and Cubs bullpen’s held the line and kept the game knotted at one. In the 9th, Boston’s typically sure-handed closer Koji Uehara allowed the first two base runners to reach, before allowing the go-ahead run to cross the plate on a sacrifice fly. Down by one in the bottom of the inning, the Red Sox managed to bring the tying run to the plate with 2 outs. However, a controversial out call at first base on a Dustin Pedroia grounder ended Boston’s rally and sealed the win for the Cubs.

• With the American League East as wide-open as it is, the Red Sox can’t afford to keep treading water if they want to be in the playoff picture. The teams upcoming schedule allows the Red Sox to leap back into the thick of the division if the team can string some wins together, but the Red Sox shoddy offense needs to begin to click. (Running in place simply not an option for these Red Sox)

• While it’s nowhere near the splashy move that some Red Sox fans are hoping the team makes, Boston did make a transaction on Tuesday afternoon. The Red Sox sent minor league lefty Rich Hill to the LA Angels in exchange for cash considerations. Hill, a veteran of 9 MLB seasons, was up against a minor league opt-out date so the team needed to make a roster move. (Angels acquire veteran reliever Rich Hill from Red Sox)

• Lost in the mediocrity of the 2014 season, some may have forgotten that John Farrell is required to manage the American League All-Star team later this month. While no Red Sox position players are out performing their AL counterparts in the fan voting, Farrell plans on using his power to bring some of his players aboard. (Farrell starting to contemplate All-Star selections)

• The Red Sox didn’t call up Mookie Betts to be the savior of the season, but they did call him up to help a stagnant offense get going. Boston hopes that the 21 year old rookie can carry over his minor league success to the big league stage. (Betts is in Boston to help)

• Since the beginning of spring training, the Red Sox and Jon Lester have expressed their mutual desire to get an extension done. But as we enter July, the left-hander is still with out a new contract, and keeps upping his potential free agent value with each passing start. If Boston is serious about retaining the southpaw, they should extend him now before he gets even more expensive. (Red Sox should sing Jon Lester long-term before the price goes up even more)

• Tweet of the day: Papi being Papi