Last night made it three rough nights in a row for Boston sports fans, with the Patriots losing badly Sunday night to the Chargers and the Sox losing Saturday night in Tampa and getting pounded last night at Fenway 9-1 by the Rays.
Amalie Benjamin has the Rays continuing their home run-happy ways against Lester and the Red Sox. Michael Silverman has the Sox now two loses from starting winter vacation. Joe Haggerty has the unthinkable becoming reality at Fenway yesterday. Joe McDonald looks at a Fenway thrashing by the Rays to the Red Sox. Jeff Goldberg has the Rays turning the series in their favor last night. Art Davidson has the Sox in a tough hole after last night. Ron Chimelis says that for the Sox, even their cure-all elixir known as Jon Lester was not able to cure their offensive woes. Bill Ballou has the Sox facing a big dig after falling behind in the series. Kevin Thomas has this series looking like the last one between the clubs at Fenway in the regular season. Steve Krause looks at a day of disappointment for the Sox.
Alex Speier looks at how the Rays have shut down David Ortiz. Adam Kilgore has more on the struggles of Ortiz and how the Rays are pitching to him. John Tomase also looks at how Ortiz simply has not been able to get into a groove this postseason. Bill Doyle says that Big Papi has become the Big Popup this postseason. Jeff Jacobs says that the Red Sox really need Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury to turn things on. David Brown has the Sox bats missing in action.
Tony Massarotti says that the Red Sox vulnerabilities have become evident in this series. Steve Buckley has the Rays quieting Fenway Park. Dan Shaughnessy says that the last few nights feel like the bad old days in Boston. Bill Reynolds wonders if the sky is falling, and agrees that the Red Sox look very vulnerable this season. Daniel Barbarisi says that the Red Sox have bailed themselves out of holes before. Steve Solloway say that the Sox won’t fold in this series. Tom Caron says that the Red Sox need a rested bullpen.
Rob Bradford looks at Tim Wakefield getting the start tonight, and taking the mound pain-free, unlike his last postseason start. Mike Fine has the Sox turning their hopes to Wakefield tonight. Kilgore has more on the Wakefield and Cash battery lined up for tonight. Duggan has it now Wakefield’s turn to face the Rays. Barbarisi says that Wakefield seems to have found his match in Cash. He also has Cash positive about Wakefield’s start tonight. Dan Lamothe says that tonight is Wakefield’s chance to shine. Doyle has a well-rested or perhaps rusty Wakefield going tonight. Couture examines the postseason struggles of Wakefield over the course of his career. Krause has the Sox putting all their hopes in Wakefield tonight.
Sean McAdam looks at the dominance of Jon Lester taking a hit from the Rays. Shira Springer has two poor pitches leading to disaster for Lester. Brian MacPherson agrees that it was just two bad pitches that did in Lester. Jon Couture has Lester’s wobbles putting the Sox in a bad spot in this series. Bob Stern says that Lester’s performance was just another strange turn in a strange series. Maureen Mullen has more on the lackluster outing from Lester. Dom Amore has the Red Sox getting the edge in developing young players.
Chimelis has Jason Varitek struggling both at and behind the plate in this series. Chris Forsberg has Varitek catching a few boos last night at Fenway. Tomase has Varitek’s postseason nightmare just getting worse last night.
Jim McCabe looks at the Rays’ Matt Garza dominating the Red Sox last night. Dan Duggan has Garza the starter who turned up aces yesterday. Reynolds says Garza was a man with a plan last night against the Red Sox.
Michael Vega looks at Rhode Island’s Rocco Baldelli hitting a three run homer in the eight inning last night, capping off a tremendous comeback this season. Kevin McNamara has Baldelli’s return to health coming full circle at Fenway last night. Barbarisi has Baldelli’s 10-year-old brother getting a thrill yesterday by being on the field with his brother. Amore has Baldelli realizing his dream of playing in the postseason at Fenway Park.
Brown has B.J. Upton’s power switch remaining “on” last night. McNamara has Upton and Longoria stealing the show from the Red Sox last night.
Benjamin’s notebook has Jacoby Ellsbury unable to get out of his slump. Silverman’s notebook has more on the hitting woes for Ellsbury. The Projo notebook has Terry Francona expecting his club to break out soon. Goldberg’s notebook has Wakefield back in a familiar role tonight. Chimelis’ notebook has Wakefield ready to take the ball tonight. Ballou’s notebook says that Ellsbury has been dismal in his second postseason. Couture’s notebook has Ortiz and other unable to cash in on key chances. Stern’s notebook has Byrd saving the bullpen for another day. McCabe’s notebook has the Rays not concerned about Scott Kazmir’s struggles.
Patriots
On Patriots Daily Scott Benson says jet lag would have been preferable to how the Patriots performed with a week in San Jose.
Michael Felger has the report card for WEEI.com. Ian Clark’s report card says that the Patriots have more homework to do. Eric McHugh’s report card says that Laurence Maroney isn’t the only Patriots with “issues.” Ron Borges is already laying on the smarm fast with plenty of “Genius” references in recent days. Today is no exception.
Christopher L. Gasper says that the Patriots are lacking in big play ability. Mark Farinella looks back at another long unproductive night for the Patriots offense.
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