Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Sox rally for tie but fall to Jays
A late comeback that fell just short couldn't eclipse a potential problem for the Boston Red Sox: What's wrong with Matt Clement?
Boston used a trio of homers -- including a three-run blast from Jason Varitek -- to erase a 6-0 deficit, but pinch-hitter Shea Hillenbrand delivered the game-winning single in the eighth inning as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Red Sox, 7-6.
It took a lot of offense to undo the damage done by Clement, who had a rough outing for the second start in a row. He gave up six runs in just 3 1/3 innings, his shortest outing of the year.
"It's just a very embarrassing, pitiful outing," said Clement. "There's no excuses for that. At this level, you can't do that. You can't continue to put your team in a bad situation.
"I feel like I let the team down. The 'L' should be beside my name and not anybody else's tonight."
The "L" instead belongs to reliever David Riske (0-1), who began the eighth by giving up a double to Bengie Molina. Pinch-runner Eric Hinske went to third on a sacrifice bunt and trotted home when Hillenbrand singled through a drawn-in infield.
Riske was forced into the eighth-inning role because Mike Timlin is on the disabled list and neither Julian Tavarez nor Rudy Seanez were available.
Manager Terry Francona said that Timlin's absence will force some changes in the Boston bullpen.
"There's going to be guys that pitch later in the game that haven't so far this season, that's for sure," said Francona.
The Red Sox, who learned earlier on Monday that David Wells won't be able to make his scheduled start on Wednesday, won't be cheered by another rocky outing from Clement, who allowed eight runs to the Yankees in his last start, one that also saw him take a line drive off his right ankle.
Concerned about that tender ankle, Francona, pitching coach Al Nipper and trainer Paul Lessard all huddled on the mound with Clement as he struggled through the fourth. Healthy or not, Clement's night lasted just one more batter when Alex Rios chased him with a two-run single.
"He just got into so many hitters' counts, and when you do that, good hitters like they have start taking a part of the plate or sitting on a pitch, getting their arms extended," Francona said. "It's commanding the strike zone, pounding the strike zone, and when that doesn't happen, these guys will make you pay."
A downcast Clement offered no explanation but pledged to work himself back into shape.
"I've got to figure out a way to execute better, become a more consistent pitcher like I have been in the past, and get it done now," he said. "I've got to figure out a way to do this so I can help this team out.
"In a situation like this, you've got to figure out a way to find the silver lining. It's not easy to do. It wasn't that long ago that I threw the ball well. I at least have something I can go back and compare and see what the heck the difference was.
"Two starts ago -- in Philadelphia -- was as good as I've thrown in a long time, so it's not like I have to go back too far. Unfortunately, these two outings came in a bunch and at a time that we really didn't need as a pitching staff."
With Boston trailing, 6-0, in the fifth, Coco Crisp started the comeback with a solo home run, his first of the season.
The Sox got closer in the sixth on a two-run homer by Manny Ramirez, then tied it in the eighth on Varitek's two-out blast into the right-field bullpen.
"That's not the way you want to play that game, but we did a great job to get that game tied," said Francona. "It's a hard way to play."
Mark Loretta went 2-for-4 with two singles, extending his hitting streak to 14 games. That's the longest active streak in the Major Leagues.
A late comeback that fell just short couldn't eclipse a potential problem for the Boston Red Sox: What's wrong with Matt Clement?
Boston used a trio of homers -- including a three-run blast from Jason Varitek -- to erase a 6-0 deficit, but pinch-hitter Shea Hillenbrand delivered the game-winning single in the eighth inning as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Red Sox, 7-6.
It took a lot of offense to undo the damage done by Clement, who had a rough outing for the second start in a row. He gave up six runs in just 3 1/3 innings, his shortest outing of the year.
"It's just a very embarrassing, pitiful outing," said Clement. "There's no excuses for that. At this level, you can't do that. You can't continue to put your team in a bad situation.
"I feel like I let the team down. The 'L' should be beside my name and not anybody else's tonight."
The "L" instead belongs to reliever David Riske (0-1), who began the eighth by giving up a double to Bengie Molina. Pinch-runner Eric Hinske went to third on a sacrifice bunt and trotted home when Hillenbrand singled through a drawn-in infield.
Riske was forced into the eighth-inning role because Mike Timlin is on the disabled list and neither Julian Tavarez nor Rudy Seanez were available.
Manager Terry Francona said that Timlin's absence will force some changes in the Boston bullpen.
"There's going to be guys that pitch later in the game that haven't so far this season, that's for sure," said Francona.
The Red Sox, who learned earlier on Monday that David Wells won't be able to make his scheduled start on Wednesday, won't be cheered by another rocky outing from Clement, who allowed eight runs to the Yankees in his last start, one that also saw him take a line drive off his right ankle.
Concerned about that tender ankle, Francona, pitching coach Al Nipper and trainer Paul Lessard all huddled on the mound with Clement as he struggled through the fourth. Healthy or not, Clement's night lasted just one more batter when Alex Rios chased him with a two-run single.
"He just got into so many hitters' counts, and when you do that, good hitters like they have start taking a part of the plate or sitting on a pitch, getting their arms extended," Francona said. "It's commanding the strike zone, pounding the strike zone, and when that doesn't happen, these guys will make you pay."
A downcast Clement offered no explanation but pledged to work himself back into shape.
"I've got to figure out a way to execute better, become a more consistent pitcher like I have been in the past, and get it done now," he said. "I've got to figure out a way to do this so I can help this team out.
"In a situation like this, you've got to figure out a way to find the silver lining. It's not easy to do. It wasn't that long ago that I threw the ball well. I at least have something I can go back and compare and see what the heck the difference was.
"Two starts ago -- in Philadelphia -- was as good as I've thrown in a long time, so it's not like I have to go back too far. Unfortunately, these two outings came in a bunch and at a time that we really didn't need as a pitching staff."
With Boston trailing, 6-0, in the fifth, Coco Crisp started the comeback with a solo home run, his first of the season.
The Sox got closer in the sixth on a two-run homer by Manny Ramirez, then tied it in the eighth on Varitek's two-out blast into the right-field bullpen.
"That's not the way you want to play that game, but we did a great job to get that game tied," said Francona. "It's a hard way to play."
Mark Loretta went 2-for-4 with two singles, extending his hitting streak to 14 games. That's the longest active streak in the Major Leagues.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
The Toronto Blue Jays made Boomer hear the boos.
Alexis Rios, Bengie Molina and Vernon Wells homered off David Wells in the left-hander's first start of the season, and the Blue Jays defeated the Boston Red Sox 8-4 on Wednesday night.
Wells (0-1), who requested a trade during the winter then rescinded that request in spring training, was booed early and often after giving up three runs in the first, two in the second and two in the sixth.
"I just have to go out there and try to keep my team on the ballgame," Wells said, "and if you don't then you're going to get that, especially me. But that's fine and I can deal with it. I have been in worse places."
After going 15-7 last season, Wells expressed his discomfort with "a lack of privacy" that he feels playing in Boston.
On Wednesday, the fans didn't show much patience for the 42-year-old, coming off right knee surgery in the offseason. He up seven runs, 10 hits, walked one and struck out one in four-plus innings, and was booed loudly when he was yanked in the fifth.
"He just made a couple of mistakes. They weren't good pitches at all," Molina said. "He left a couple up and right down the middle."
Rios had a two-run homer and a career-best four RBI for the Blue Jays, who collected a season-high 16 hits.
"Sometimes when pitchers make mistakes they get away with them, but tonight we put good swings on the ball," Vernon Wells said. "Going up against a pitcher like Boomer, you've got to score runs whenever you can get them."
Dustin Mohr had a two-run homer, and David Ortiz and Wily Mo Pena had solo shots for Boston. The loss spoiled Boston's chance to match its best start in 86 years, dropping its record to 6-2.
Toronto starter Gustavo Chacin (2-0) benefited from a 5-0 lead after two innings, allowing three runs on five hits in five innings.
"Gus battled through it," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "I think he'd rather pitch in a tight game. He doesn't like the comfortable lead."
Three relievers held the Red Sox to one run and two hits before B.J Ryan pitched the ninth.
The Blue Jays jumped right on David Wells from the start when Rios homered into the first row of the Monster Seats on the fourth pitch of the game. Two outs later, Molina homered over the seats in left, making it 3-0.
"I don't think he feels like he's 20-years old anymore," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said of Wells. "I'm sure there is some creakiness. He had pretty good surgery. I don't think that is why he is going to say he left pitches over the plate."
Wells, booed when he left the mound in the first, heard more boos after he gave up an RBI double to Rios and run-scoring single to Vernon Wells in the second.
The Red Sox cut it 5-2 in the fourth on Mohr's two-run homer, but the Blue Jays chased David Wells and added a pair of runs in the fifth. Vernon Wells homered leading off and Troy Glaus singled. Molina greeted reliever Lenny DiNardi with a single. Aaron Hill's two-out RBI double made it 7-2.
Ortiz's third homer of the season, and second in as many days, made it 7-3 in the fifth. Pena added his solo shot to center in the sixth.
Rios' sacrifice fly made it 8-4 in the eighth.
Alexis Rios, Bengie Molina and Vernon Wells homered off David Wells in the left-hander's first start of the season, and the Blue Jays defeated the Boston Red Sox 8-4 on Wednesday night.
Wells (0-1), who requested a trade during the winter then rescinded that request in spring training, was booed early and often after giving up three runs in the first, two in the second and two in the sixth.
"I just have to go out there and try to keep my team on the ballgame," Wells said, "and if you don't then you're going to get that, especially me. But that's fine and I can deal with it. I have been in worse places."
After going 15-7 last season, Wells expressed his discomfort with "a lack of privacy" that he feels playing in Boston.
On Wednesday, the fans didn't show much patience for the 42-year-old, coming off right knee surgery in the offseason. He up seven runs, 10 hits, walked one and struck out one in four-plus innings, and was booed loudly when he was yanked in the fifth.
"He just made a couple of mistakes. They weren't good pitches at all," Molina said. "He left a couple up and right down the middle."
Rios had a two-run homer and a career-best four RBI for the Blue Jays, who collected a season-high 16 hits.
"Sometimes when pitchers make mistakes they get away with them, but tonight we put good swings on the ball," Vernon Wells said. "Going up against a pitcher like Boomer, you've got to score runs whenever you can get them."
Dustin Mohr had a two-run homer, and David Ortiz and Wily Mo Pena had solo shots for Boston. The loss spoiled Boston's chance to match its best start in 86 years, dropping its record to 6-2.
Toronto starter Gustavo Chacin (2-0) benefited from a 5-0 lead after two innings, allowing three runs on five hits in five innings.
"Gus battled through it," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "I think he'd rather pitch in a tight game. He doesn't like the comfortable lead."
Three relievers held the Red Sox to one run and two hits before B.J Ryan pitched the ninth.
The Blue Jays jumped right on David Wells from the start when Rios homered into the first row of the Monster Seats on the fourth pitch of the game. Two outs later, Molina homered over the seats in left, making it 3-0.
"I don't think he feels like he's 20-years old anymore," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said of Wells. "I'm sure there is some creakiness. He had pretty good surgery. I don't think that is why he is going to say he left pitches over the plate."
Wells, booed when he left the mound in the first, heard more boos after he gave up an RBI double to Rios and run-scoring single to Vernon Wells in the second.
The Red Sox cut it 5-2 in the fourth on Mohr's two-run homer, but the Blue Jays chased David Wells and added a pair of runs in the fifth. Vernon Wells homered leading off and Troy Glaus singled. Molina greeted reliever Lenny DiNardi with a single. Aaron Hill's two-out RBI double made it 7-2.
Ortiz's third homer of the season, and second in as many days, made it 7-3 in the fifth. Pena added his solo shot to center in the sixth.
Rios' sacrifice fly made it 8-4 in the eighth.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Johnny Damon
Notes and Quotes
--OF Coco Crisp of the Indians (.300, .345 OBP, .465 slugging in 2005) and OF Jeremy Reed of the Mariners (.254, .322, .352) reportedly are being discussed as possible replacements via trade should free agent OF Johnny Damon sign elsewhere. According to the Eagle-Tribune, the Sox are considering deals of Crisp for 3B Andy Marte and RHP Guillermo Mota, as well as Reed for RHP Matt Clement or RHP Bronson Arroyo.
--CF Johnny Damon and the Sox remain in negotiations on a new contract, and the Sox remain the only team known to have made a contract offer (most recently four years and $40 million) to the free agent. However, reports indicate that the Dodgers, Orioles and Yankees are all interested in the center fielder, and while Damon has professed his preference to return to the Red Sox, he is clearly open to moving elsewhere.
--RHP Roger Clemens' agent Randy Hendricks told the Boston Globe that the seven-time Cy guy "would seriously listen to" an offer from the Red Sox if he decides not to retire. The team has contacted Clemens' agents already to pronounce its interest in signing Clemens.
--OF Manny Ramirez has been offered to the Orioles in exchange for SS Miguel Tejada, but the Orioles reportedly countered that they would want an additional major league pitcher as well as a prospect in a deal. Such demands make a deal unlikely.
--C Ken Huckaby agreed to terms on a minor league contract with an invitation to the big-league camp in spring training. Huckaby, 34, is known as a fine defensive catcher who contributes little (.223 average, .256 OBP) at the plate. He will compete for the role of backup catcher, a title that brings responsibilities as the batterymate of RHP Tim Wakefield.
BY THE NUMBERS: 1.85 -- Strikeout-to-walk ratio of RHP Bronson Arroyo last season, a steep decline from his 3.02 ratio of 2004.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "This is the arrangement we are going forward with in 2006. Will there be other changes and other additions? I think that's always possible. We'll see if it works well for us, and if it doesn't, we'll make changes. If there's a better way to build a mouse trap, we'll try that, too." -- CEO Larry Lucchino on the hiring of co-GMs Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington.
Bill Mueller
Roster Report
Even on a team that assembled 95 wins for the third consecutive season, the untouchables are few. Four everyday players were eligible for free agency (3B Bill Mueller signed with the Dodgers), while a fifth (Manny Ramirez) remains in the swirling eye of trade rumors. While the club traded for RHP Josh Beckett in hopes of improving a pitching staff that ranked 11th in the American League in ERA, it remains intent on acquiring more bullpen arms.
ARRIVALS: RHP Josh Beckett, 3B Mike Lowell and RHP Guillermo Mota (trade with Florida), RHP Jermaine Van Buren (trade with Cubs), 2B Mark Loretta (trade with San Diego), 3B Andy Marte (trade with Atlanta), C Ken Huckaby (free agent from Toronto).
DEPARTURES: SS Hanley Ramirez, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Jesus Delgado and RHP Harvey Garcia (traded to Florida); LHP Mike Stanton (refused minor league assignment); OF Adam Hyzdu (released); RHP Chad Harville (refused minor league assignment); RHP Jeremi Gonzalez (refused minor league assignment); 1B John Olerud (retired); C Doug Mirabelli (traded to San Diego); SS Edgar Renteria (traded to Atlanta); LHP Mike Myers (free agent, signed with Yankees); 3B Bill Mueller (free agent, signed with Dodgers).
BIGGEST NEEDS: A shortstop, given that the team now lacks in-house options at the position.
FREE AGENTS: CF Johnny Damon (offered arbitration), 2B Tony Graffanino (offered arbitration), RHP Matt Mantei, 1B Kevin Millar.
Damon wants to come back and the Sox have offered a contract, but the club will be leery of demands for too many years by a 32-year-old who relies on speed. Graffanino is unlikely to return with Mark Loretta now set to start at second.
ARBITRATION ELIGIBLE: RHP Bronson Arroyo, RHP Chad Bradford, RHP
Wade Miller, RHP Josh Beckett, RHP Guillermo Mota.
Miller might not be tendered a contract because his ability to contribute in 2006 remains unknown in the aftermath of surgery on his right shoulder. Both Arroyo and Bradford are expected to be tendered contracts.
IN LIMBO: OF Manny Ramirez remains the subject of trade speculation even though he has 10/5 rights that allow him to veto any deal. He reportedly wants to go to the West Coast; however, the Mets have shown persistent interest in the slugger. RHP Bronson Arroyo and INF Kevin Youkilis could be used as trading chips given their youth and affordability. LHP David Wells asked the club for a trade to the West Coast to be closer to home; RHP Josh Beckett's arrival increases the viability of such an option. RHP Matt Clement is now the subject of trade speculation.
MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Wade Miller (shoulder surgery) faces an uncertain immediate future and might not be tendered a contract. RHP Keith Foulke (right knee) had his second arthroscopic knee surgery of the season (on different knees, no less) in September and hopes to enter 2006 with a clean bill of health. RHP Matt Clement (left knee) had a precautionary arthroscopic procedure and should be fine for spring training.
LHP David Wells (right knee) acknowledged at the end of the season that he will require an arthroscopy to clean his right knee; at times, the achy joint impaired his command. RHP Matt Mantei (left ankle) underwent season-ending surgery in May; the Sox might try to re-sign him to an incentive-driven contract.
OF Trot Nixon (left knee) underwent an arthroscopic procedure in
October and is expected to enter spring training at full health. OF Adam Stern (right shoulder) had surgery in September to repair a partial tear of his rotator cuff. OF Gabe Kapler (left Achilles tendon) might not play in 2006 after rupturing his left Achilles.
Newly acquired RHP Josh Beckett was cleared to resume baseball activities after sitting out his last start because of right shoulder tendinitis; still, his medical reports presented a sufficient enough issue that the Sox insisted upon the inclusion of RHP Guillermo Mota in the deal as well.
Red Sox closing in on deal for Seanez
The Red Sox, moving to fortify their late-inning relief, are closing in on a deal with free-agent right-hander Rudy Seanez, FOXSports.com has learned.
Seanez, 37, is expected to sign a one-year deal with an option for a second year. He likely would be used in a setup role along with right-hander Mike Timlin, and would give the team added protection if closer Keith Foulke again faltered.
"We're quite close to getting something done with Boston," said Seanez's agent, David Schwartz of CSMG Sports. "It's looking very good that something likely will get done at some point in the next few days. In principle, we're almost there."
Seanez posted a 2.69 ERA for the Padres last season, holding opposing batters to a .222 average while striking out 84 and issuing only 22 walks in 601/3 innings. The Braves were among the teams that had been pursuing him.
The Inside Pitch...
When Theo Epstein last left Fenway Park as the Red Sox general manager, he snuck out in a gorilla costume. On Dec. 12, although he was absent from the press conference announcing that Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington would serve as Boston's co-GMs, Epstein remained as the 800-pound gorilla in the room.
The appointment of Hoyer and Cherington ensured that the Red Sox baseball operations department will continue to operate much as it did under Epstein's watch. Both Hoyer, the former assistant to the general manager, and Cherington, the director of player development, were close confidants of the former general manager, so their organizational philosophies won't diverge from their former boss.
Indeed, the promotion of two current Sox executives was no doubt motivated, in part, by the club's hopes of bringing Epstein back. Team officials now candidly state that they hope the departed GM returns, whether as an adviser to the co-GMs or in a newly created role of president of baseball operations.
"There have been discussions since the day Theo declined our offer about him coming back and playing some kind of role going forward," CEO Larry Lucchino said. "There's a light in the window and the door is ajar."
Such a prospect was clearly welcomed by both Cherington, 31, and Hoyer, 32. Indeed, the fact that the duration of their contracts was not specified by the team at the press conference suggests that the two men are willingly keeping warm the seat atop the baseball operations hierarchy.
"If, at some point in the future, ownership felt that it was in the best interests of the franchise to ask me to do something a little bit different, I would listen to that," Cherington said. "I would be excited at the opportunity to work with (Epstein) again."
"Theo Epstein is great at what he does," added Hoyer. "He is a perfect general manager. If he wants to come back and work with us, of course we'd welcome that. Why would we ever turn down someone that talented?"
Given the apparent likelihood of Epstein's return, the team's internal restructuring might have taken place mostly on paper. While Hoyer has been entrusted with chief responsibilities pertaining to the major league roster and Cherington has been given domain over the minors, that arrangement may prove a temporary division of convenience.
When Theo Epstein last left Fenway Park as the Red Sox general manager, he snuck out in a gorilla costume. On Dec. 12, although he was absent from the press conference announcing that Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington would serve as Boston's co-GMs, Epstein remained as the 800-pound gorilla in the room.
The appointment of Hoyer and Cherington ensured that the Red Sox baseball operations department will continue to operate much as it did under Epstein's watch. Both Hoyer, the former assistant to the general manager, and Cherington, the director of player development, were close confidants of the former general manager, so their organizational philosophies won't diverge from their former boss.
Indeed, the promotion of two current Sox executives was no doubt motivated, in part, by the club's hopes of bringing Epstein back. Team officials now candidly state that they hope the departed GM returns, whether as an adviser to the co-GMs or in a newly created role of president of baseball operations.
"There have been discussions since the day Theo declined our offer about him coming back and playing some kind of role going forward," CEO Larry Lucchino said. "There's a light in the window and the door is ajar."
Such a prospect was clearly welcomed by both Cherington, 31, and Hoyer, 32. Indeed, the fact that the duration of their contracts was not specified by the team at the press conference suggests that the two men are willingly keeping warm the seat atop the baseball operations hierarchy.
"If, at some point in the future, ownership felt that it was in the best interests of the franchise to ask me to do something a little bit different, I would listen to that," Cherington said. "I would be excited at the opportunity to work with (Epstein) again."
"Theo Epstein is great at what he does," added Hoyer. "He is a perfect general manager. If he wants to come back and work with us, of course we'd welcome that. Why would we ever turn down someone that talented?"
Given the apparent likelihood of Epstein's return, the team's internal restructuring might have taken place mostly on paper. While Hoyer has been entrusted with chief responsibilities pertaining to the major league roster and Cherington has been given domain over the minors, that arrangement may prove a temporary division of convenience.
