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Cafardo On Ellsbury, Bourn, Ross, Cook, Millwood

In today’s column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that despite the perception that Jacoby Ellsbury would like to leave Boston down the line, a source says that he would actually like to stay if at all possible. Neither side has asked the other to consider a long-term deal, but that could certainly change in the offseason. Here’s more from Cafardo..

In last week’s column, Cafardo wrote that Braves officials thought Michael Bourn would not re-sign when he becomes a free agent due to a less-than-stellar track record with Scott Boras clients. However, Boras told Cafardo that he has had an excellent relationship with General Manager Frank Wren and the club as a whole. The agent says he is not ruling out Atlanta at all and added that Bourn enjoys playing there.
The Red Sox are very interested in pursuing a new deal with Cody Ross, who will be coming off of a one-year, $3MM pact this winter. With many teams in need of a righthanded bat, he could likely net a Josh Willingham-type three-year, $21MM deal.
The Orioles, Nationals, and Dodgers may be among teams looking at Red Sox pitcher Aaron Cook now that he is on trade waivers.
Mariners pitcher Kevin Millwood has not been placed on trade waivers yet but he could be one of the more sought-after pitchers once he is. “He’s got ice water in his veins and he knows how to get big outs,” said a veteran scout. “A guy like that isn’t going to do the Mariners any good going forward but he could solidify a rotation.”
Cubs personnel are disappointed that Alfonso Soriano won’t waive his 10-and-5 rights to go to the Giants. The outfielder doesn’t want to play in a colder climate that could adversely affect his hitting.

Jason Varitek for Red Sox manager

I tried this nine months ago with little support. Let’s see if it flies better now. Terry Francona lost the Red Sox clubhouse. Bobby Valentine never had it in the first place. What the Red Sox seem to want is one of their own running the team, and who is more one of their own…

Cafardo On Bourn, Red Sox, Ellsbury, Youkilis

In today’s column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe looks at players who are candidates to be put on waivers. Big names (and contracts) such as Jayson Werth, Alfonso Soriano, and Vernon Wells top the list but, of course, being put on waivers hardly guarantees a player’s exit from his respective team. Here’s more from Cafardo..

Michael Bourn could be a free agent target of the Phillies after dealing Shane Victorino. Other likely targets could be Jacoby Ellsbury of the Red Sox, Denard Span of the Twins, or the Angels’ Peter Bourjos. John Mayberry Jr. is getting a chance but the Phillies seek a dynamic player.
Ellsbury was upset that his name was included in trade rumors with the Rangers, according to a source. Ellsbury is said to like playing for Bobby Valentine and the feeling is that he’d like to remain with the Red Sox.
The White Sox like Kevin Youkilis, but probably not enough to pick up his $13MM option for 2013, according to one club official. The White Sox are content with him as a rental as they didn’t give up much to get him.
The Red Sox and Rangers discussed Ellsbury and others before the deadline but Josh Hamilton‘s name never came up in talks.
The Brewers‘ interest in catcher Kelly Shoppach was considerable after they had designated George Kottaras for assignment. The Red Sox pushed fellow catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and will offer him around again if Ryan Lavarnway shows he can handle the staff and hits well.
The Astros could be the one and only managerial opening for the coming season, unless the Phillies part ways with Charlie Manuel.

Red Sox, Rangers Talked Beckett, Ellsbury, Shoppach

The Red Sox and Rangers discussed a trade that would have sent Josh Beckett, Jacoby Ellsbury and Kelly Shoppach to Texas, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. It’s unclear what the Red Sox would have obtained in the potential trade, which was discussed in the days leading up to yesterday’s non-waiver trade deadline.

Bradford’s sources are divided on how serious talks were before the Rangers moved on and acquired Geovany Soto and Ryan Dempster from the Cubs in a pair of trades. GM Ben Cherington said the Red Sox explored a lot of options before deciding to complete one low-profile deadline deal.

“We did feel empowered to do something bold, we just didn’t find something bold that made sense for us,” Cherington said.

Trade talks never advanced to the point where the Red Sox asked Beckett about the possibility of waiving his ten and five rights. Beckett would have provided the Rangers with some rotation depth and Texas could have paired Shoppach with Mike Napoli behind the plate. Ellsbury, who’s under team control for 2013, would have represented insurance for the Rangers in case they don’t re-sign Josh Hamilton when he’s eligible for free agency this coming offseason.

Report: Rangers, Red Sox discussed Ellsbury, Beckett deal

According to WEEI’s Rob Bradford, the Rangers and Red Sox discussed a blockbuster trade that would have sent Jacoby Ellsbury, Josh Beckett and Kelly Shoppach to Texas for undisclosed players. Two sources told Bradford of the talks, with one describing them as preliminary and another talking about them as more advanced before falling apart. If…

Red Sox Notes: Masterson, Ellsbury, Cook, Shoppach

The Red Sox have a 51-51 record after taking two of three from the Yankees in New York over the weekend. Here are the latest rumors surrounding the Red Sox, who have returned to Fenway Park to host the Tigers…

The Red Sox remain interested in Justin Masterson, even though they saw him struggle in his most recent start, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports (on Twitter). The Indians have told teams they will consider trading Masterson, who pitched for the Red Sox in 2008-09.
A few teams inquired on Jacoby Ellsbury, but the Red Sox will likely wait until the offseason to seriously consider trading him, Cafardo reports (on Twitter). The Reds asked about Ellsbury, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com (on Twitter).
The Rangers have pursued Red Sox players more aggressively than other teams, Cafardo reports (Twitter links). Texas has scouted both Aaron Cook and Kelly Shoppach and while Rangers officials have backed off on Cook, they maintain interest in Shoppach.
Here’s the latest on Josh Beckett.

Dustin Pedroia: “The first hundred games have been (expletive)”

The Red Sox lost 10-3 in last night’s series opener against the Yankees. It was their second straight loss and their sixth in their last seven. They now sit at 49-51 through the first hundred games of the season and currently find themselves in last place in the American League East. Via Scott Lauber of…

Red Sox Links: Beckett, Ross, Cook, Crawford

After tonight’s 10-3 loss to the Yankees, the Red Sox have a 49-51 record through their first 100 games of the season. Time may be running out for the Sox to determine if they’ll make a major acquisition at the trade deadline or if they’ll decide to punt on the 2012 season. Here’s the latest from Fenway Park…

Josh Beckett said he hasn’t been approached by the team about a trade, nor about waiving his 10-5 rights, reports WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford. Beckett said he would consider accepting a deal if approached since “if you’re not wanted somewhere, why stay there?” though GM Ben Cherington “assured me during Spring Training that he wants me here, so as far as I’m concerned, [rumors are] just made-up fodder.” The right-hander stressed that he wanted to remain in Boston.
The Rangers are interested in Cody Ross and had scouts at Yankee Stadium on Friday, reports Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. A source tells WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford that the Red Sox have no plans to deal Ross despite “significant” interest from other teams.
While the Red Sox are themselves looking for pitching, WEEI.com’s Alex Speier thinks the team could be well-served to get something out of “a short-term asset” like Aaron Cook. Teams have had “modest interest” in Cook on the trade market, though Cook’s rough start against the Yankees tonight can’t help,
The Marlins are the only team to “officially inquire” about Carl Crawford, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
Cherington tells Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter links) that the team has no plans to trade Jacoby Ellsbury, as the Red Sox see Ellsbury as a key step to contending in 2013.
From earlier today, Cherington discussed Beckett, Ellsbury and other topics during a radio appearance on WEEI's Dennis & Callahan show.

Cherington On Beckett, Ellsbury, Deadline Moves

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington appeared on WEEI's Dennis & Callahan radio show this morning to discuss his club, and WEEI.com’s Jerry Spar has the partial transcript…

Cherington said he still believes his team is in playoff contention and can raise their level of play, though he admitted, “it’s an unusual position for us to be in. That’s the truth. Our approach at the deadline most every year that I’ve been here in the front office has been pretty clear. We’re trying to improve the team. This deadline is going to take more of a nuanced approach, but we’re certainly still focused on 2012 and doing everything we can to win as many games as we can this year.”
The Red Sox are talking to other teams about starting pitching, though Cherington sounded doubtful given the “seller’s market” for available top arms.
Josh Beckett has not been asked about waiving his 10-5 rights, nor have the Sox discussed dealing Beckett with another team. “Taking Josh Beckett off this team is not necessarily improving things,” Cherington said. “We need to add, we need to improve the rotation, if anything — improve internally or add to the rotation. I think we’re sort of stuck in neutral if we start taking guys out of the rotation who are good major league pitchers.”
The team hasn’t talked to Jacoby Ellsbury about a contract extension, echoing what Ellsbury’s agent Scott Boras said last month. Ellsbury will be a free agent after the 2013 season and it’s hard to gauge what an extension for the center fielder would look like, given his injury-plagued 2010 and 2012 seasons sandwiched around a stellar 2011 campaign. Cherington said other teams have inquired about Ellsbury though the Sox have no interest in trading him.
Cherington said it makes little sense to move struggling veterans as the Sox wouldn’t be able to recoup proper value in a trade. “The secondary point, the last thing a GM ever wants to do is sell low,” Cherington said. “If we are ever going to consider trading a player, doing it at a time when a guy isn’t performing doesn’t help your cause.” Cherington admitted the Sox have made such sell-low trades before, possibly in reference to the Kevin Youkilis deal.

Boston Red Sox News: Ellsbury Out 2 Months, Red Sox Home Opener, Carl Crawford

Boston Red Sox News

Jacoby Ellsbury Out At Least Two Months It’s time to start planning your next eight weeks around the Bruins playoff run and gauging when Patriots camp starts. Jacoby Ellsbury will be out at least eight eight weeks with a subluxation of his right shoulder. T…

Red Sox Shine in Home Opener Johnny Pesky was on hand while Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek tossed out the first pitches to Jim Rice and Dwight Evans. The stage was set to welcome Fenway Park into its 100th season. Josh Beckett lived up to the occasion and recovered nicely f…

Jacoby Ellsbury injury a reminder of ’10 nightmare From the moment that grimace appeared on Jacoby Ellsbury’s face yesterday, all the pomp and pageantry of the traditional…

Red Sox LF Crawford Close To Spring Training Games Boston Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford could start playing in extended spring training games next week.Crawford has been recovering from offseason wrist surgery. He also had a minor strain in his left elbow that is not considered serious.Red Sox…

Nothing like @RedSox Opening Day at Fenway #RedSoxNation

— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) April 13, 2012

Red Sox CF Ellsbury leaves with shoulder injury

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury has left the game against the Tampa Bay Rays after injuring his right shoulder while trying to break up a double play.

Ellsbury, the runnerup in the voting for AL MVP last year, was hurt in the fourth inning Friday when he slid into second base and Rays shortstop Reid Brignac landed on his right arm. Ellsbury immediately clutched his shoulder and stayed on the ground while being tended to.

Ellsbury walked off the field while keeping his right arm bent at the elbow. He had singled and then was injured on a grounder by Dustin Pedroia.

Associated Press

American League Home Run Leaders 2011

American League Home Run Leaders 2011

1 Jose Bautista TOR 43
2 Curtis Granderson NYY 41
3 Mark Teixeira NYY 39
4 Mark Reynolds BAL 37
5 Adrian Beltre TEX 32
Ian Kinsler TEX 32
Jacoby Ellsbury BOS 32
8 Paul Konerko CHW 31
Evan Longoria TB 31
10 Miguel Cabrera DET 30

American League Home Run Leaders on 9/14/2011

American League Home Run Leaders on 9/14/2011

RK PLAYER TEAM HR
1 Jose Bautista TOR 42
2 Curtis Granderson NYY 39
3 Mark Teixeira NYY 37
4 Mark Reynolds BAL 32
5 Paul Konerko CHW 29
David Ortiz BOS 29
7 Ian Kinsler TEX 28
Nelson Cruz TEX 28
9 Jacoby Ellsbury BOS 27
Mark Trumbo LAA 27

Martin’s 2-run double lifts Yankees over Red Sox 4-2

BOSTON (AP) — A.J. Burnett kept the New York Yankees close, Russell Martin put them ahead and Mariano Rivera nailed down a satisfying victory over Boston.

Rivera struck out AL batting leader Adrian Gonzalez with the bases loaded for the final out and Martin hit a go-ahead double in the seventh that sent New York to a 4-2 victory Thursday night despite stranding 12 runners over the first six innings.

Burnett, coming off an awful August, allowed two runs and five hits in 5 1-3 innings after adjusting his delivery. Yankees manager Joe Girardi thought the changes would work.

“I just had a feeling tonight he was going to get it done,” Girardi said, “and he did.”

Struggling to stay in the rotation after going 1-2 with an 11.91 ERA in five starts last month, Burnett changed the position of his hands at the start of his windup.

“I’ve only really been working on that for three days. I’ve been pitching the same way for 11 years so it’s a big change, but as the game went on I felt more comfortable,” he said. “It all goes down to focus and conviction and that was a lot better.”

The Yankees trailed 2-1 when Burnett left, then scored three times in the seventh off Alfredo Aceves (9-2) in a tense game that took 4 hours, 21 minutes.

Nick Swisher started the inning by striking out. Aceves then walked Andruw Jones and hit Jesus Montero, a top prospect making his major league debut, with a pitch. Aceves was replaced by Daniel Bard, who gave up a double to right-center by Martin, the first batter he faced. Two runners scored and Martin went to third on the throw to the plate. Pinch-hitter Eric Chavez followed with an RBI single.

“Tremendous,” Girardi said of Martin’s hit. Bard “is one of the best relievers in the game and we were able to get some runs off him.”

The Red Sox threatened in the ninth, loading the bases on walks to Jed Lowrie and Jacoby Ellsbury and a single by Marco Scutaro. But Rivera caught Gonzalez looking at a third strike and picked up his 36th save in 41 opportunities.

“We gave ourselves a chance,” Boston manager Terry Francona said.

Dustin Pedroia’s two-run homer after a double by Gonzalez gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead in the fourth. Aceves escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth, then struggled in the seventh and took his first loss in relief after winning 18 straight decisions out of the bullpen.

The Yankees moved within a half-game of the first-place Red Sox in the AL East by winning two of three in the series. New York is 4-11 against Boston this season, and the teams have one three-game series remaining at Yankee Stadium from Sept. 23-25.

Cory Wade (3-0) got the win after pitching to just one batter, Lowrie, who ended the sixth by flying out.

Boston starter Jon Lester struggled in each of his five innings, throwing 114 pitches, but gave up only one run. That scored in the first when he needed 43 pitches. Leadoff hitter Derek Jeter struck out, but Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira singled and Robinson Cano drove in the run with a double.

“I tried to minimize the damage,” Lester said. “I was happy to get out of the first with one and from there on out it was a struggle.”

Teixeira left the game in the bottom of the seventh and is day-to-day after being hit by a pitch from Aceves on the side of the right knee in the sixth.

“I don’t know if I’ll have him (Friday)” in the opener of a three-game series against Toronto, Girardi said. “We’ll just wait and see.”

Burnett allowed one hit through three innings before giving up Pedroia’s homer into the center-field bleachers, his career-high 18th of the year. He hit 17 in 2008, when he was the AL MVP.

Burnett threw 94 pitches, walking David Ortiz on the last one. Boone Logan then struck out Carl Crawford. Wade came in and ended the inning by retiring Lowrie.

“It feels good to keep my team in it,” Burnett said. “Obviously, you want to go deeper, but to bounce back after a homer and to go as long as I could go and leave it all out there, it’s all I can do.”

NOTES: Aceves is 23-3 in his career. He entered the game as the only pitcher in baseball history to win 23 of his first 25 decisions. … The Red Sox added first baseman-outfielder Conor Jackson, obtained Wednesday night from the Oakland Athletics, and recalled left-hander Felix Doubront from Triple-A Pawtucket. … Montero stranded six runners as the designated hitter. … Bard’s streak of eight scoreless outings ended. … Ortiz extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in the second. … Phil Mickelson, playing in the Deutsche Bank Championship starting Friday in Norton, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. … The Yankees return home for the opener Friday night of a three-game series against the Blue Jays. Ivan Nova (14-4) pitches for New York against Brandon Morrow (9-9). … The Red Sox send Andrew Miller (6-1) to the mound against Derek Holland (12-5) in the opener Friday night of a three-game series with the Texas Rangers.

© 2011 The Associated Press

Gonzalez homers twice as Red Sox beat Rangers 11-5

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Adrian Gonzalez rediscovered his power stroke and Jacoby Ellsbury made an immediate impact in his return to the lineup for the Boston Red Sox, who finally won a game in Texas.

Gonzalez homered twice after going deep only once in 155 at-bats over the previous 39 games, and Boston beat the AL West-leading Rangers 11-5 on Tuesday night to move within two percentage points of the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East.

“I wasn’t hitting as many home runs, but I wasn’t worried about it,” said Gonzalez, who leads the majors with a .346 batting average. “I was getting on base. The main thing is we’re winning.”

The Red Sox (78-50) have been the best team in the majors since their 0-6 start that included being swept in three games at Rangers Ballpark in the season-opening series back in April. Boston then lost the opener of this series, limited to four singles in a 4-0 loss Monday night.

Ellsbury led off the game with a single, stole second base and scored when Gonzalez pulled a shot into the second deck of seats in right field to put the Red Sox ahead to stay. The All-Star center fielder had missed three straight games after getting hit in the back with a pitch.

Boston, which finished with 14 hits, had already matched its total from the series opener when Jed Lowrie and Carl Crawford had consecutive singles to start the second. Jarrod Saltalamacchia had an RBI double and Marco Scutaro a sacrifice fly in the inning for a 4-0 lead against Colby Lewis (11-9).

“We had a good offensive night and stayed at it. They put up the three, then we score again,” manager Terry Francona said. “It ended up being a real good night.”

Gonzalez hit a 402-foot homer to left-center in the fourth.

“That’s always a good sign,” Francona said of the opposite-field drive by Gonzalez.

That solo shot gave Boston a 7-3 lead. It was Gonzalez’s 20th homer of the season, and his 12th career multihomer game.

Texas native John Lackey (12-9) pitched 6 2-3 innings for his seventh win in his last eight starts.

Lackey has never particularly enjoyed pitching on the road against the Rangers. He entered with a 6-6 record and a 6.78 ERA in 17 career starts at Texas. That included nine runs in 3 2-3 innings in the season-opening series, when the Red Sox were swept in three games on the way to an 0-6 start.

This time, the big right-hander allowed four runs and seven hits with five strikeouts to maintain his recent momentum.

“It’s huge. Consistency. You know what you’re going to get. This is Lackey. It took us a while,” Francona said. “His ERA is higher, and it’ll probably be that way, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t get the pitcher we wanted.”

Lackey also made a nifty play to start an inning-ending double play in the sixth.

He fell down in front of the mound after grabbing Yorvit Torrealba’s comebacker. From his knee, Lackey turned and threw to second baseman Dustin Pedroia. The pitcher emphatically pumped his fist when the double play was completed.

“It was big, but (Pedroia) probably would have had it anyway. He was behind me. I didn’t mess it up, I guess,” Lackey said. “I like to win. I get fired up about anything.”

Josh Hamilton and Ian Kinsler had solo homers for the Rangers, who lost for the fourth time in six games.

Lewis allowed seven runs and nine hits over six innings, including both homers to Gonzalez. He has given up an AL-high 30 homers this season.

“I’ve never given up a home run that wasn’t a strike. It’s just throwing strikes,” Lewis said. “I think it’s just one of those things, that it goes along with the territory of throwing strikes.”

The Red Sox scored two more runs in the third – in a similar fashion though a different order than in the second. Josh Reddick and Lowrie had consecutive one-out singles before Crawford had a sacrifice fly and Ryan Lavarnway a run-scoring double.

Scutaro and Pedroia added two-run doubles off the left-field wall in the eighth against reliever Mark Lowe. Scutaro’s ball ricocheted off the very top of the 14-foot wall and umpires looked at replays to confirm their ruling of the ball being in play after Francona questioned the call.

After three consecutive singles to start the Texas fourth, Elvis Andrus drew a bases-loaded walk before Hamilton and Michael Young had consecutive sacrifice flies.

Hamilton hit his 17th homer in the fifth, and Kinsler his 21st in the ninth.

NOTES: The Red Sox have hit a major league-leading 86 homers on the road. … Texas still has the best home record in the AL at 40-24. … In the fifth before his home run, Hamilton also had a highlight defensive play. Hamilton made a sliding catch on the gravel in foul territory down the left-field line on Reddick’s foul pop. … Also in the fifth, Ellsbury reached with full extension on a sprint to catch Kinsler’s fly in the left-center gap. … Matt Harrison pitches for Texas and Josh Beckett starts for Boston in a matchup of 10-game winners Wednesday.

© 2011 The Associated Press

Red Sox still winless in Texas after 4-0 loss

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Erik Bedard is still looking for his first victory since getting to Boston. The Red Sox are still trying to win a game in Texas.

While the Red Sox have been the best team in the majors since their 0-6 start that included the season-opening three-game set at Rangers Ballpark in April, they again lost to the AL West leaders.

C.J. Wilson limited the Red Sox to four singles over 6 2-3 scoreless innings before a trio of relievers finished without allowing a hit as Texas won 4-0 on Monday night in the opener of a four-game series that serves as a potential playoff preview.

“It’s hard to think about April 6 or whatever,” manager Terry Francona said. “What happened in April, they’re probably not the same team of four months ago.”

Then again, the Red Sox aren’t really themselves with their injury-depleted lineup.

Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew were already on the disabled list before Boston began this series without Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz.

Ellsbury was out of the lineup for the third straight game since being hit in the back with a pitch at Kansas City, though the All-Star center fielder is expected to be back Tuesday night. Ortiz hasn’t played since last Tuesday because of bursitis in his right heel. The slugger took swings inside on Monday.

Bedard (4-9) is 0-2 in his four starts for the Red Sox since being acquired July 31 in a trade from Seattle. The left-hander struck out four and allowed seven hits over six innings.

“He did great. He made one bad pitch,” second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. “Other than that, he did a great job, especially against this team. They have a great hitting team.”

Mike Napoli’s 21st homer, in the sixth off Bedard, extended the Rangers’ 1-0 lead and his hitting streak to a season-best 11.

“I was trying to get him out. I was trying to get him to pop up or miss it,” Bedard said. “Some games, that’s how it ends up. One pitch and he won the battle.”

Texas had a season-high scoreless streak of 17 consecutive innings before Elvis Andrus’ RBI single in the third after a potential inning-ending double play instead became a blown call and hit for Ian Kinsler.

Kinsler’s sinking liner to right in the third appeared to be caught by Josh Reddick.

Baserunner Craig Gentry was stranded between first and second base unsure which way to go until umpire Doug Eddings finally waved safe, ruling that the ball was trapped. Gentry scooted to second while Reddick threw to first thinking he had completed a double play.

“I know he caught it,” Francona said. “But the umpire says he’s sure, and he’s not, I don’t know what to do.”

Francona argued to no avail and Reddick mouthed “There’s no way.”

Replays showed clearly that Reddick caught the ball a few inches off the ground.

Texas (74-55) extended its division lead over the idle Los Angeles Angels to 4 1/2 games while the Red Sox (77-50), who have the second-best record in the AL, dropped a full game behind the New York Yankees in the AL East.

Wilson is 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA in his four August starts. The left-hander had finished July by allowing 14 hits and 13 runs (10 earned) in 7 2/3 innings over two starts, but struck out four and walked two against the Red Sox.

“His stuff is just filthy,” Francona said. “He’s got a lot of good pitches and he went right through us.”

The Red Sox had runners at first and third, the only time they had a runner 90 feet from home plate, when Wilson came out of the game. Koji Uehara immediately got Jarrod Saltalamacchia on a groundout.

Mike Adams and Neftali Feliz each pitched a scoreless inning without allowing a hit to wrap up the Rangers’ 15th shutout. Boston was held scoreless for the ninth time.

Notes: Boston is 3-10 at Rangers Ballpark since 2009. … Napoli struck out two pitches after it appeared he had been hit by a pitch in the second. Home plate umpire Paul Nauert ruled foul ball despite Napoli showing him a mark on his arm and manager Ron Washington sprinting out of the dugout to argue. … Texas native John Lackey (11-9) starts for the Red Sox on Tuesday night. The right-hander, coming off a loss to Tampa Bay that snapped his career-best six-game winning streak, is 6-6 with a 6.78 ERA in 17 career starts at Rangers Ballpark. He allowed nine runs in 3 2-3 innings there the second game this season. … Colby Lewis (11-8), who beat Lackey in April, starts for Texas. … Red Sox CF Darnell McDonald was retired on three comebackers to Wilson, two of them on hard choppers the pitcher reached back to snag before getting the outs.

© 2011 The Associated Press

Price sharp as Rays allow 3 hits, beat Red Sox 4-0

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BOSTON (AP) — David Price pitched eight crisp innings, B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria homered and the Tampa Bay Rays held the Boston Red Sox to three hits for the third straight game in a 4-0 win on Wednesday.

Price (11-10) struck out six and walked three before Kyle Farnsworth worked a perfect ninth.

The combined shutout followed a day-night doubleheader in which James Shields and Jeff Niemann each pitched a complete game. Boston beat Shields in the opener 3-1 but Niemann struck out 10 in a 6-2 win in the nightcap.

Boston lost for the fifth time in seven games and dropped one game behind the New York Yankees for the AL East lead before New York’s night game at Kansas City. Tampa Bay is 7-2 in its last nine.

Price entered with just two wins in his previous nine starts and losses in three of his previous four decisions. He turned that around against a Red Sox team that began the day with a .278 batting average, second in the AL.

Boston had a couple of chances, but couldn’t come up with a big hit.

Dustin Pedroia singled with one out in the first and Adrian Gonzalez walked to put runners on first and second. But Price got Kevin Youkilis to ground into a double play.

Jacoby Ellsbury led off the sixth with a triple to deep right-center field. Pedroia struck out and Ellsbury was tagged out in a rundown when Gonzalez tapped back to Price. Gonzalez ended up at second before Youkilis grounded out.

The Rays jumped on the sloppy Red Sox in the first. Johnny Damon hit a one-out single and went to second when right fielder Darnell McDonald let the ball get by him for an error. Damon took third on John Lackey’s wild pitch and scored on a groundout by Ben Zobrist.

Upton hit a leadoff drive to left in the fourth for his 17th homer and Longoria went deep in the fifth, belting a two-out drive to left on a 3-0 pitch for his 19th of the season.

Lackey (11-9) pitched a perfect sixth but was knocked out in the seventh when Zobrist hit a two-out RBI double. Kelly Shoppach, who had been hit by a pitch for the second time in the game, scored on the play.

NOTES: Boston DH David Ortiz missed his third game with bursitis in his right heel. … Damon’s second-inning double was his 2,670th career hit, moving him ahead of Gary Sheffield and into 64th place. … Ellsbury stole his 32nd base in the third and is tied for third place in team history with Carl Yastrzemski at 168. … Tampa Bay is off Thursday before starting a three-game series at home on Friday night against the Seattle Mariners. Wade Davis (8-7, 4.60 ERA) pitches for the Rays against Felix Hernandez (11-10, 3.38 ERA). … Josh Beckett (9-5, 2.40) pitches for the Red Sox on Thursday night when they open a four-game series at Kansas City. Luke Hochevar (8-9, 4.89) goes for the Royals. Beckett was 6-0 in his career against the Royals before losing his last outing against them on July 28. … Lackey was 6-0 in his previous seven starts, the best winning streak of his career.

© 2011 The Associated Press

Yankees fall to Red Sox in 10, drop into 2nd

BOSTON (AP) — The relief pitching that had been a strength for the New York Yankees this weekend failed them in the end.

That’s the way it’s going this season against the Boston Red Sox.

Mariano Rivera blew a save in the ninth inning, then Josh Reddick hit a game-ending RBI single in the 10th to give the Red Sox a 3-2 victory in a game that ended early Monday morning.

It seemed it was going to be just like the series opener on Friday night, when the Yankees’ pen shut down Boston for a win.

But leading 2-1 in the ninth, Rivera came in and allowed Marco Scutaro’s leadoff double. Scutaro advanced on Jacoby Ellsbury’s sacrifice before Dustin Pedroia tied it with a sacrifice fly.

“Our bullpen for the most part was really, really good in the series. It’s unfortunate we lost the game,” manager Joe Girardi said.

And to see Rivera blow it made it even harder for the Yankees, who lost two of three in the series.

“It’s unusual,” Girardi said. “We’re so used to seeing him do it time after time after time.”

On Friday, New York’s pen shut out Boston for 4 1-3 innings. On Sunday, the relievers held the Red Sox scoreless for three innings.

With the win, the Red Sox took over sole possession of first place in the AL East and clinched a win in the season series against New York for the first time since 2004.

“I don’t call it disappointing or frustrating,” Rivera said. “We lost the series. That’s baseball. We’ve been playing great.”

The Yankees had opened a 2-1 lead on homers by Eduardo Nunez and Brett Gardner.

It was the fifth blown save of the season for Rivera, who pitched a scoreless inning in each of his first two appearances against Boston this season.

“That’s huge. He’s the best closer in the game right now,” Reddick said.

David Ortiz sparked the game-ending rally with a one-out double against Phil Hughes (2-4). Darnell McDonald came in to run and the Yankees opted to walk Carl Crawford, who had three hits.

Reddick then hit a liner into the corner in left, driving in McDonald as the Fenway Park crowd erupted in cheers.

Daniel Bard (2-5) pitched a scoreless 10th for the win.

Boston lost the series opener but won the next two to snap the Yankees’ eight-game winning streak and take the series. The Red Sox are 10-2 against New York this season with six games left, and one game up in the AL East.

Gardner had three hits for the Yankees, including the tiebreaking drive with two out in the seventh. He also stole two bases, giving him 35 on the season.

Nunez tied it with his homer in the fifth – one batter after Russell Martin was thrown out by Reddick trying to stretch a single into a double.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox kept producing baserunners – and stranding them. They left the bases loaded in the second and sixth, and stranded a pair in the fourth.

© 2011 The Associated Press.

Red Sox bash Sabathia 10-4, tied again in AL East

BOSTON (AP) — Jacoby Ellsbury had a three-run homer with a career-high six RBIs as the Boston Red Sox continued their mastery of CC Sabathia and beat the New York Yankees 10-4 on Saturday, ending New York’s eight-game winning streak and moving back into a tie atop the AL East.

Carl Crawford had four hits – giving him hits in six straight plate appearances – and scored three runs to help Boston improve to 69-42 – the same as the Yankees – one day after falling out of first for the first time in almost a month.

John Lackey (10-8) scattered six hits over six innings for the Red Sox, who are 9-2 against New York this season and clinched at least a tie in the season series.

© 2011 The Associated Press.

American League Batting Average Leaders on 7/7/2011

RK PLAYER TEAM AVG
1 Adrian Gonzalez BOS .348
2 Jose Bautista TOR .335
3 Michael Young TEX .328
4 Victor Martinez DET .323
5 Miguel Cabrera DET .320
6 Paul Konerko CHW .319
7 Jacoby Ellsbury BOS .310
8 Jhonny Peralta DET .310
9 Brennan Boesch DET .307
10 Howard Kendrick LAA .307

Source: ESPN