Thursday Links: Sox Sweep in Cincy

The Red Sox gambled on Anthony Ranaudo and it has paid off. Photo by Kelly O’Connor, sittingstill.smugmug.com

The Red Sox continued their winning ways on Wednesday by completing a 2 game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds. In his second career major league start, Red Sox righty Anthony Ranaudo wasn’t as crisp as he was in his major league debut, but managed to hold the Reds to 4 runs over 6 innings of work. Luckily for Ranaudo the Red Sox bats stayed hot against Cincinnati’s starter Mike Leake. Boston opened the scoring in the 1st inning thanks to an RBI single by Daniel Nava and a run scoring fielders choice off the bat of Mike Napoli. While the Reds knotted the score at 2 in the 3rd inning, the Red Sox retook the lead an inning later on the strength of a Yoenis Cespedes RBI single, and a Mike Napoli 2-run home run. With the Red Sox clinging to a one run lead, Boston’s bullpen tossed 3 innings of 2 hit shutout baseball, and secured the series sweep. The Red Sox will return home on Thursday and begin an 11 game home stand, featuring 2 4-game sets with the Angels and Astros respectively, as well as a 3 game series with the Mariners.

• Yoenis Cespedes exited Wednesday’s game in the 7th inning after getting jammed by a pitch, and sustaining a right hand contusion. The Red Sox slugger wanted to stay in the game and tough it out, but Red Sox manager John Farrell thought it would be best to take precaution and let the 27-year old rest. (Red Sox left fielder Yoenis Cespedes exits with right hand contusion)

• Jackie Bradley finally snapped his 0-for-35 slump on Wednesday by lining a clean single into center field in his second at-bat of the game. While seeing the 24-year old break out of his long standing slump was nice, a measly single doesn’t mean he’s out of the woods just yet. Along with a single, Bradley collected another strikeout on Wednesday, and pushed his strikeout percentage to 29.1%. (As Jackie Bradley Jr. ends hitless streak, questions remain)

• Until Jon Lester inks a lucrative deal in the offseason, rumors of a potential return to Boston will continue to swirl. The southpaw again echoed his willingness to resign in Boston during the offseason if the Red Sox extended a competitive offer. The A’s ace also stated that monetary value won’t be the deciding factor in his eventual decision, and that family comfort is the most important concern going forward. (Oakland Athletics pitcher Jon Lester not ruling out possible return to Red Sox)

• David Ross knows that he’s closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but the 37-year old isn’t ready to call it a career just yet. Ross, a free agent at seasons end, expressed his desire to play at least one more season before hanging up his spikes, and admitted that he’d enjoy finishing his career in Boston. While keeping Ross around isn’t necessarily a priority, it would definitely benefit the Red Sox young backstops like Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart. (David Ross wants to play at least one more year, would love to stay in Boston)

• While most of us would love to believe that a reunion between Jon Lester and the Red Sox is all but imminent this offseason, that’s simply not the case. Therefore, Boston must cast a wide net when looking for a replacement for Lester this winter. Phillies southpaw Cole Hamels seems like a logical fit for a Red Sox rotation in dire need of an ace. However, it’s hard to imagine the Red Sox appeasing Philadelphia GM Ruben Amaro Jr’s asking price for the Phillies ace. (Cole Hamels to Boston is still very much on the table)

• Tweet of the day: Corey Brown, meet Aroldis Chapman