Most of you know me from my unbelievably fantastic fantasy insight. But for the remainder of the 2008 baseball season, I’ll be doing a series wrap-up for our beloved Red Sox as well.

It will be a nice little tidbit dedicated to my personal views and critique. In some cases, I might even congratulate Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew on a good performance. I might even give shortstop Julio Lugo props! How are you doing Orlando Cabrera and Edgar Renteria? Jed Lowrie anyone?

For those that are wondering. Yes, I am totally skipping over the two-game series against the Athletics in Japan. That was a week ago and was in another country.

Game 1
Boston 2
Oakland 1

Here’s your box score link: Yahoo! Sports

Winning Pitcher: Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-0) 6.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K

Offensive Prime Producer: Kevin Youkilis (1B) 4 AB, 2 R, 3 H (including a 3B)

Although the bats were a bit quiet in regards to power, the Sox still managed to produce nine hits in the cool Oakland air, seven of which came off of Oakland starter Joe Blanton who departed after six innings of work.

Once again, our esteemed right fielder sat on the bench with an ailing back. Outfielder Coco Crisp was putrid and Big Papi remained in a Japanese stupor while going 0-for-4.

Dice-K looked phenomenal (for my 2008 fantasy write-up on him check this out: Wicked Good Sports)! Get used to it.

Plus, lights-out closer Jonathan Papelbon notched his second save of the season with a no-hit, three strikeout performance in 1.1 innings.

Game 2
Boston 5
Oakland 0

Here’s your box score link: Yahoo! Sports

Winning Pitcher: Jon Lester (1-1) 6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

Offensive Prime Performer: David Ortiz (DH) 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, (including a two-run HR), 2 RBIs

Boston’s bats didn’t wake up until the seventh-inning when Ortiz cranked a two-run bomb off of old friend Alan Embree. They proceeded to score two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth.

Starting pitcher Jon Lester was electric as he mowed down Oakland’s lineup to bring his record to 1-1.

Manny looked like a kid lost in the mall during Christmas Eve.

In addition, relief pitcher Bryan Corey notched his first hold of the year in 1.1 innings of work. He looks cocky, doesn’t he?

Oh! J.D. Drew played! He recorded five at-bats, struck out twice and still refuses to earn his money. It was a performance well deserving of more cash than I’d make in 17 lifetimes. Right? Yeah. We should have signed Carlos Lee.

All in all, it was a productive couple of days.

Leave a Comment