Red Sox Report 9/19

The Red Sox entered Friday trailing Major League Baseball's feel good story of the year, the Tampa Bay Rays, by only 1.5 games in the AL East. However, with the Rays winning 11-1 against the Twins, and inching closer to their first postseason berth in franchise history, the Red Sox had the pressure on them to win and keep pace. The pitcher the Red Sox put their hope it to do that for them was Paul Byrd, a midseason acquisition from Cleveland, who has provided the stability in the rotation that they haven't really had since Curt Schilling went down. Byrd faced AJ Burnett of the Blue Jays.

The Jays got to Byrd first, with 2 in the 2nd, but some clutch hitting in the 5th gave the Red Sox the lead. However, because the Jays would also score in the 5th, the game was tied heading into the 8th. However, the Red Sox would score Jason Bay from 3rd on an RBI fielders choice by The Captain Jason Varitek, giving the Sox the 4-3.

Jonathan Papelbon came into the 9th to save the game. Papelbon has been great this year once again, but he has hit a rough patch this month, blowing a save against Tampa and nearly blowing another 3 run lead against the Jays earlier this month. He looked shaky again and the tying run, Brad Wilkerson, got to within 90 feet of home at 3rd base, but Papelbon was able to shut the door by striking out rookie phenom Travis Snider and earning his 39th save. The strikeout was his 73rd in 65 innings this season.

Mike Lowell is still battling problems with his hip. He will likely miss this entire series against Toronto and possibly some games in the Cleveland series. The Red Sox, who are closing in on the playoffs, are likely just resting Lowell to be safe so the 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell can be healthy for the playoffs. Youkilis will move over to 3rd for the time being and either Sean Casey or rookie Chris Carter will start at 1st.

JD Drew still remains out, a big bat in the middle of the Red Sox lineup that they have been without for about a month. He was activated from the disabled list on September 8th, but he still has not played since August 17th. He was questionable for this series against Toronto, but now it looks as if he will miss yet another series and possibly more.