Sox and Pinstripes | Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees – The Greatest Rivalry in Baseball

Lester inches closer to becoming a top of the rotation-caliber starter

Have you recovered from the high generated by Jon Lester's no-hitter last night? Likely not, if you're a Red Sox fan. The buzz of a no-hitter does not last nearly as long as the exhilaration that a World Series championship produces, but in this case, the no-hit excitement will have a longer shelf life.

Lester was already an inspiration to anyone who has cancer, or has recovered from the disease. After last night, that inspiration was elevated to an even greater level.

What is especially impressive about Lester is that he pitches with the poise of a seasoned veteran, even though he is 14-4 in parts of three seasons. The bottom line is this - he is a winner. Even with his lack of control resulting in pitching behind in the count and accumulating high pitch counts by the fourth and fifth innings, he has found a way to keep the Red Sox in position to win.

Before last night's no-hitter, which was also his first career complete game, Lester had pitched well in three of his previous four starts. He limited the Blue Jays to no runs and one hit over eight innings on April 29. In his next outing, Lester earned the win against Tampa Bay, allowing a run and four hits (and three walks) in six innings. Though he was ineffective at Minnesota on May 9 - when he surrendered five runs (three earned) and eight hits in 5.1 innings - he walked just one. Last week against Baltimore, he produced a quality start with a pitching line of two runs, five hits and two walks in six innings. Last night, he struck out nine and walked two in the no-no.

Much has been written about the importance of Lester establishing his fast ball early in the count, and commanding his fast ball. When he encounters trouble, it is usually because he gets behind in the count, and/or he throws a fast ball in a meaty location for a hitter. Lester has a fast ball that ranges between 92-95, a nasty cutter, a solid curve ball and a competent change-up. If he can locate his fast ball on a consistent basis, the left-hander will be a top of the rotation starter for the long term.

Of course, because of Boston's pitching depth, Lester will likely be in the No. 3 spot for awhile. As long as dual aces Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka remain in Boston, they will occupy the top two spots. Clay Buchholz and Justin Masterson could have a stranglehold on the other two positions in the rotation. Michael Bowden is on the way, too. Of course, Tim Wakefield will remain in the picture as long as he continues to win 12-15 games and eat innings.

Regarding Masterson, the 23-year-old right-hander who held the Los Angeles Angels to one run and two hits over eight innings in his Major League debut last month will get the call this evening against Kansas City. Masterson has struggled in his last four starts since returning to Double-A Portland, allowing 16 runs in 19.1 innings, but it is common for top prospects to have a short-term funk when they get a taste of the big leagues and return to the minors.

What is remarkable about Lester, Masterson and Clay Buchholz is that they do not get rattled. You can teach a prospect new pitches. With experience, they will learn how to command their fast ball - as Lester and Buchholz are striving to accomplish. Poise is something that is natural, and all three of Boston's top young arms have this important trait.

It will be interesting to see how Terry Francona handles Lester's next start. Much to Francona's chagrin, I imagine, Lester threw 130 pitches to record the no-hitter. I would not be surprised to see the Red Sox give Lester an additional day of rest and call up a spot starter, such as David Pauley or Charlie Zink, from Pawtucket. Since Masterson starts tonight, and Colon makes his Red Sox debut on Wednesday, they are not options to give Lester a breather. Lester's spot in the rotation returns Saturday at Oakland, where Curt Schilling pitched 8.2 innings of no-hit ball last year.

One more Red Sox no-no; Lester no-hits Royals

Cancer survivor. World Series winner. And now the holder of a no-hitter.

Until tonight, the greatest achievements in Jon Lester's young Major League career were returning to the mound after recovering from non-Hodgkins lymphoma and pitching a gem to earn the win in Game Four of the 2007 World Series. This evening, the 24-year-old Lester delivered another remarkable feat by tossing a no-hitter in Boston's 7-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

In the ninth inning, Lester struck out Alberto Callaspo on a 96 miles per hour fast ball to earn his spot in Red Sox history and send Fenway Park into a frenzy. The left-hander walked Esteban German to open the frame. He then retired Tony Pena Jr. and David DeJesus on ground outs, setting the stage for the dramatic, five-pitch at-bat by Callaspo.

Lester threw 130 pitches, of which 86 were strikes. He also recorded first pitch strikes on 19 of the 28 batters he faced. Last year, the no-hitter by Clay Buchholz was special because it was accomplished in his second career start at a time when the Red Sox were struggling. Lester's no-no was emotional for obvious reasons.

That the second round pick in the 2002 draft recovered from cancer, regained his strength and successfully embarked on the long journey back to the big leagues is inspiring. The fact he is now 14-4 in his career, won his first Major League start after returning from cancer, earned the win in Game Four last fall to help Boston win its second World Series in four years and now has thrown a no-hitter is astounding.

Also incredible is Jason Varitek's claim of catching four no-hitters (Hideo Nomo, Derek Lowe and Buchholz were the others). Ray Schalk, who spent most of his career with the Chicago White Sox and played from 1912-1929, is the only other catcher to do this in Major League history.

This season, Lester has gradually shown better control, throwing more first pitch strikes and pitching deeper into games in recent starts, including the one-hit shutout over eight innings against Toronto on April 29. Tonight, he had excellent command, striking out nine, walking just two and retiring most of the Kansas City hitters on routine outs.

Like the no-hitter thrown by Buchholz (which featured defensive gems by Dustin Pedroia and Coco Crisp), Lester was helped by a highlight reel catch. Jacoby Ellsbury made a diving stab of Jose Guillen's sinking liner to end the fourth inning. It was at that point that I started thinking no-hitter, remembering the diving stop by Pedroia to preserve the Buchholz no-hitter.

Thanks to a five-run third inning by his teammates, Lester did not have to worry about losing the lead on one pitch if he lost the no-hitter. Boston scored its first run when Julio Lugo bounced into another double play, plating J.D. Drew, who led off with a single. Ellsbury tripled, and then three straight walks by Kansas City starter Luke Hochevar forced in a run. The Red Sox aded two unexpected runs when Gold Glove second baseman Mark Grudzielanek dropped a pop up in the swirling wind off the bat of Mike Lowell. Kevin Youkilis added a ground-rule double that scored Manny Ramirez to give Boston a 5-0 advantage.

Boston added two runs in the sixth inning on Jason Varitek's two-run dinger. It was the fifth home run of the season for Varitek, who is now hitting .290. Yet it is Varitek's leadership behind the plate that was most important this evening. Also, Lester pitched with his normal poise that is more reflective of a 10-year veteran.

Lester improved to 3-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.41. The Red Sox won their fourth in a row, are 28-19 and remain atop the American League East. Numbers are secondary tonight, however. I feel so invested in this team that emotions pour in memorable wins and crushing defeats. When Callaspo fanned on Lester's 96 miles per hour heater, the emotions were almost as strong as when the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series.

By the embraces that Lester shared with his teammates, coaches and Terry Francona, it is evident that the Red Sox feel the same way. It is always exciting whena Major League pitcher tosses a no-hitter. It is even more spectacular when a good person who has climbed a monumental hurdle like Lester makes history.   

Who would you prefer as the Red Sox starting shortstop - Lugo or Vizquel?

It is evident that Julio Lugo will not be the starting shortstop for the Boston Red Sox in 2009. That job will either belong to Jed Lowrie or an acquisition, and Alex Cora will likely be resigned to serve as the utility infielder. There are rumblings that Lugo could be traded at some point this season

Recently, ESPN's Peter Gammons said that San Francisco's Omar Vizquel would be an ideal replacement if Lugo continues to struggle on defense. Lugo has a Major League leading 11 errors, many of which has hurt the Red Sox in close games. The 41-year-old Vizquel, who was activated from the disabled list on May 10, is hitting .360 in 25 at-bats. He is still an exceptional defensive shortstop.

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Vizquel would like to play in Boston, but only as a starter. I would think that Theo Epstein would not acquire Vizquel unless he was able to trade Lugo, who is signed through 2010 at $9 million a season. Even if Lugo would accept a reserve role - which he undoubtedly would not - Cora is a better utility player. Cora accepts and thrives in the role.

When Epstein signed Lugo, he knew that the former Tampa Bay Rays shortstop was shaky on defense, especially on throws to first base. Yet Epstein thought that Lugo's bat would offset his defensive shortcomings. That hasn't happened. After an up-and-down 2007 season, Lugo is hitting .287, but he has no home runs, no triples and seven doubles. For a player blessed with so much speed, Lugo is prone to grounding into double plays. He has bounced into five. And he has more errors (11) than RBI (10).

As I wrote last week, despite Lugo's shortcomings in the field and his lack of production at the plate, it would be unwise to trade him this year unless the Red Sox could get a viable shortstop in return. With Lowrie having showed that he is Major League ready and capable of fielding the shortstop position adequately, there is no reason to acquire anyone who would be in Boston beyond this season. Perhaps this is why Vizquel's name is arising. He is 41, the Giants are old and trying to unload veterans, and he is still sharp in the field.

I look forward to the day when Lowrie takes over at shortstop. He is not spectacular in the field, but he is steady. He could be traded to a team that starts him at second base, but I believe that the Red Sox will give him a chance at shortstop. As for the remainder of this season, I prefer Lugo as the starting shortstop, Cora as the utility player and Lowrie a phone call away at Pawtucket. Vizquel is injury prone, and he is a singles hitter who does little else at the plate. At least Lugo has the track record of occasional power and knocking in runs.

Lowrie might be the future at shortstop for Boston. Lugo is the present. Would you rather have Lugo or Vizquel for the remainder of this season? If the Red Sox had a Major League ready shortstop in the minor leagues in addition to Lowrie, I would want Lowrie right here and right now. However, since Lowrie is the only shortstop insurance in the Red Sox organization who is Major League ready, I would rather keep Lugo, who is less fragile than Vizquel.

Of course, I might change my mind the next time Lugo botches a double play grounder that leads to unearned runs in one inning, and then grounds into a double play that kills a rally in another inning.

A weekend of baseball, the Red Sox and the Brewers

Three games in 36 hours resulted in three victories for the Boston Red Sox this weekend. Because of Friday's rainout, the Red Sox and Brewers played the Fox Game of the Week at 3:55 on Saturday followed by the makeup game at 8:35 p.m. Then the teams wrapped up the series this afternoon at 1:35 since  the game was televised on TBS.

Neither Boston nor Milwaukee appeared weary today. Eight home runs were slugged out of Fenway Park in Boston's 11-7 win. It was the most electric power display at the Fens since the Red Sox and the then Devil Rays combined for eight dingers in 2002.

David Ortiz hit two home runs for Boston while Ryan Braun launched a pair of dingers off Josh Beckett. J.J. Hardy and Prince Fielder went yard for the Brewers and Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis added a home run each for the Red Sox.

After dropping three of four at Minnesota and two games at Baltimore, the three-game weekend sweep was a sweet tonic for the Red Sox, which improved to 27-19 and remained atop the American League East.

Here are assorted notes and observations about the weekend series:

• Daisuke Matsuzaka has emerged as Boston's second ace. The team has won his last 11 starts, and this season he is 7-0 with a 2.15 ERA. Good thing. So far this year, Josh Beckett has looked more like he did in 2006 than 2007. Make no mistake, Beckett is still one of the best starters in baseball. He is not lights out right now, though. Today, he allowed four home runs, and six runs and six hits in seven innings. He is now 5-3, but he carries a 4.67 ERA.
• It is exciting to see longtime minor leaguers get their first taste of the big leagues. Jonathan Van Every did last week when he was summoned from Pawtucket, got a start in center field and rapped his first Major League hit. With the Boston bullpen heavily used in yesterday's doubleheader, Van Every was optioned to Pawtucket and Chris Smith was called up for the first time in his seven seasons of professional baseball. Smith was once a highly regarded prospect and a sixth round selection out of Cal-Riverside in 2002, but an ATV accident that year derailed his progress. Smith possesses a style similar to Greg Maddux and was converted to a reliever this season. At Pawtucket, he had a 1.45 ERA in 10 games and opposing hitters were batting .188 against him.
• Chris Smith's first stint as a big leaguer will be short-lived. On Tuesday, Boston will recall Justin Masterson to start against the Kansas City Royals. After the game, Masterson will be returned to the minor leagues and Bartolo Colon will be called up to make his Red Sox debut on Wednesday, also versus the Royals. After an impressive Major League debut that saw him limit the Angels to a run and two hits over eight innings, Masterson has struggled at Double-A Portland. Over his last four starts, he has allowed 16 earned runs in 19.1 innings. Perhaps it is a case of disappointment after shining at the big league level and returning to the minors. Colon allowed no runs and one hit in six innings during his last start for Pawtucket. The Red Sox hope that Colon stays healthy and posts productive starts so they can give Clay Buchholz some starts and monitor his innings at Pawtucket once the rookie returns from the disabled list.
• In spring training, Terry Francona said that Coco Crisp is playing with a chip on his shoulder. Hopefully, Crisp keeps that chip intact because he is hitting like he did with the Cleveland Indians. If he continues to hit like this, it is feasible that the Red Sox will explore keeping Crisp and trading J.D. Drew. After all, Crisp plays spectacular defense and gives the team another stolen base threat. Since Julio Lugo will undoubtedly be traded in the off-season to make room for Jed Lowrie, retaining Crisp would allow the Red Sox to at least have two stolen base threats in Jacoby Ellsbury and Crisp. Of course, it will be more difficult to unload Drew than it will to deal Lugo. After this season, Drew will have three years left on his five-year, $70 million contract. Lugo will have just two years on his four-year, $36 million deal. Brandon Moss will likely be the fourth outfielder next season.
• Traffic is down a bit on Sox and Pinstripes. The reason? The New York Yankees are below .500 and in the American League East basement. TypePad, the publishing platform we use, provides statistics on where visitors find Sox and Pinstripes. Though there are more Red Sox fans who comment than Yankees fans, there are an equal amount of visitors - when the Yankees are playing well. Unlike Red Sox fans, who populate blogs whether the team is on a roll or in the tank, Yankees fans follow their team religiously when they are winning, and burrow a hole like a groundhog when the team is scuffling. Don't expect the Yankees to rebound this summer as they have in previous seasons. This team is competitive, but they lack the depth and talent that Yankees teams possessed a few seasons ago. Sure, they will score more runs when Jorge Posada and Alex Rodriguez return, but they will have to slug their way to wins, and we all know that doesn't work for the long term.  I'm not so sure that the Yankees are better than Tampa Bay, who could win the wild card because of its starting pitching. Time will tell. One thing is certain. Even with question marks in the bullpen, the Red Sox are a level above the Yankees because of talented depth and a lineup that is more consistent.
• Dustin Pedroia's base running was key in what would become the game-winning run in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader. After the Brewers erased a 5-0 lead and claimed a 6-5 advantage by scoring three runs each in the sixth and seventh, the Red Sox climbed ahead with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Jacoby Ellsbury reached on a fielding error by Rickie Weeks to open the inning. Pedroia hit a bouncer to third baseman Bill Hall, who made on errant throw to second. When the Brewers tried to get Ellsbury at third, Pedroia alertly advanced to second. He then moved to third on David Ortiz's RBI ground out that tied the game at 6-6. Moments later, Kevin Youkilis hit a bloop single that scored Pedroia only because the Red Sox second baseman's smart base running put him on third. Pedroia does not have blazing speed, but he does have intelligence. Of course, the off-season training in Arizona has seemingly made his more agile. He already has five stolen bases.
• The two runs Boston scored in the seventh of last night's game were made possible by two Milwaukee errors. If you like clean defense, that game was certainly not appealing. The Brewers had four errors and the Red Sox committed three. In case you are wondering, Julio Lugo did not add to his 11 errors. Boston's miscues were made by Mike Lowell, Alex Cora and Javier Lopez.
• On an evening when the usually reliable David Aardsma was ineffective, as was Craig Hansen, Mike Timlin posted a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his first save in the nightcap of Saturday's twinbill. Timlin has taken a lot of heat across the blogosphere - including this site - so he deserves kudos for stepping up in a closer's role when Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima were unavailable. Papelbon earned the save in the first game of the doubleheader, and Okajima is resting a sore wrist. The 42-year-old Timlin had a rough April, allowing nine runs and 14 hits in six innings for a 13.50 ERA. So far in May, he has surrendered one run and three hits in five innings for a 1.80 ERA. Timlin's performance has been helpful for a shaky Red Sox bullpen. With Manny Delcarmen continuing to struggle (he allowed a run and two hits in 1.1 innings this afternoon and has a 5.71 ERA) and Craig Hansen adapting to life in the big leagues, it is important that Timlin provide clean innings.

About Rizzo, Bard and a doubleheader

You might recall the popular t-shirt about a decade ago that read "Baseball is Life." That phrase is accurate for ardent baseball enthusiasts who consider the game a passion. Yet, sometimes an unfortunate event happens that reminds us that baseball is indeed just a sport, and life is life.

Last night, the Red Sox announced that 18-year-old first base prospect Anthony Rizzo has been diagnosed with Limited Stage Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is being treated as an outpatient at Massachusetts General Hospital. He will return to his home in Miami to continue treatment, which is expected to take six to eight months. The statement released by the Red Sox reports that, "he has an excellent chance of cure and complete recovery."

Drafted by Boston in the sixth round last year out of high school in south Florida, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Rizzo is a solid left-handed first baseman. That he is only 18 and playing at Single-A Greenville - and not the Gulf Coast League or short-season Lowell like most kids selected out of high school - is a testament to his potential to reach the big leagues. Rizzo was hitting .373 in 83 at-bats.

Of course, right now baseball is not important for Rizzo. Regaining his health is what matters most. Hopefully, like Jon Lester recovered from non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Rizzo does the same with his bout with cancer. Obviously, if he is back on the field, that means he is healthy again and chasing his dream. Here's to a full recovery for Rizzo.

Daniel Bard promoted to Double-A Portland

Last year - in his first full professional season since being picked by Boston in the first round of the 2006 draft - was frustrating for Daniel Bard. His control was erratic, and he was knocked around at Single-A Greenville and Single-A Lancaster as a starter.

Bard's fortunes improved when he changed his arm angle and was converted to a reliever before the 2008 season. The result was a 0.64 ERA with 43 strikeouts and four walks in 28 innings for Greenville. THe Red Sox are so pleased with Bard's progress that they promoted him directly to Double-A Portland, skipping advanced Single-A Lancaster.

Likely, the Red Sox allowed Bard to bypass Lancaster because the California League is where a pitcher's confidence is tested with the windy weather and the hitting-friendly ballparks. Bard is 23, and he should be pitching at the Double-A level.

It is my ideal vision to see a Red Sox bullpen that features Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, David Aardsma, Manny Delcarmen, Justin Masterson, Dustin Richardson (another left-hander) and Daniel Bard. That could happen as soon as 2009, though the Red Sox are unsure whether Masterson is better suited as a starter or a reliever. Bard is a power pitcher with an array of effective secondary pitches. He seems to thrive as a reliever, so he will give Boston another power arm to accompany Aardsma, Delcarmen and Papelbon.

Are you ready for a Saturday of baseball?

A doubleheader is not the best scenario for Boston right now. The Red Sox are still banged up with Julio Lugo recovering from a slight concussion, J.D. Drew mending from a hyperextended left wrist and Coco Crisp regaining strength after feeling nauseated and experiencing headaches. All three are expected to play today. Obviously, Alex Cora will play one of the two games at shortstop, and Jonathan Van Every will play center field in one of the games. That means Lugo, Drew and Crisp will be required for just one game each.

A doubleheader sweep would help the struggling Red Sox in the standings. At 24-19, they are 1.5 games behind the surprising Tampa Bay Rays, which defeated St. Louis last night.

No DL for Lugo or Drew

Apparently, Julio Lugo's slight concussion is not serious enough to warrant a trip to the disabled list and a return call to Jed Lowrie at Pawtucket. Lugo, along with J.D. Drew (who hyperextended his left wrist on Tuesday, are in tonight's starting lineup against Milwaukee.

The banged up Red Sox will be without Coco Crisp, who missed Wednesday's game because of nausea and headaches. Jonathan Van Every, the veteran minor leaguer who was summoned from Pawtucket to make his Major League debut on Wednesday, will serve as the fourth outfielder. Clay Buchholz, of course, is on the 15-day disabled list and will miss Sunday's start. Josh Beckett will take the ball that afternoon on his normal four days of rest.

An array of former Red Sox players are at Fenway Park this weekend, this time in Brewers uniforms. Jeff Suppan is tonight's starting pitcher. Gabe Kapler is the fourth outfielder. Eric Gagne is the sometimes closer, sometimes set-up man (when he needs a mental break). With the injury to Brandon Moss, and the aches and pains that J.D. Drew and Coco Crisp are experiencing, Kapler would be an asset to the Red Sox right now. As for Suppan and Gagne, better that Milwaukee has them than Boston.

Here are tonight's lineups:

Boston Red Sox

1. CF Jacoby Ellsbury
2. 2B Dustin Pedroia
3. DH David Ortiz
4. LF Manny Ramirez
5. 3B Mike Lowell
6. 1B Kevin Youkilis
7. RF J.D. Drew
8. C Jason Varitek
9. SS Julio Lugo

Starting Pitcher - Daisuke Matsuzaka

Milwaukee Brewers

1. 2B Rickie Weeks
2. CF Mike Cameron
3. LF Ryan Braun
4. 1B Prince Fielder
5. RF Corey Hart
6. SS JJ Hardy
7. DH Joe Dillon
8. 3B Bill Hall
9. C Jason Kendall

Starting Pitcher - Jeff Suppan

Bartolo Colon appears ready for Red Sox debut

With Clay Buchholz on the disabled list with a torn fingernail, the Boston Red Sox will need another starter for the No. 5 spot on Thursday, April 22 against Kansas City. Perhaps Bartolo Colon will make his Red Sox debut. The former Cy Young Award winner looked ready this afternoon, when he allowed no runs and one hit over six innings for Pawtucket.

Colon threw just 64 pitches, 45 of which were strikes. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. It appears that Colon has regained his health. The velocity is there, as is the command.

The Red Sox do have other options. They could recall Justin Masterson from Double-A Portland. Knuckleballer Charlie Zink, 24-year-old right-hander David Pauley and veteran left-hander Michael Tejera (who has tasted success at the Major League level) are throwing the ball effectively at Pawtucket.

Starting Colon makes the most sense. He has an out clause in his contract if he is not with the Red Sox by June 1. Boston needs to give Colon at least a couple starts to see if he can help the team for the remainder of the season. If Colon does prove that he is Major League worthy again, chances are Buchholz will spend some time at Pawtucket, where he can work on his fast ball command while pitching five inning stints to keep his workload under control. There is not doubt that Buchholz will still be a key part of Boston's World Series title defense this season.

As the Red Sox prepare for a three-game weekend series against Milwaukee at Fenway Park, it is interesting to note that the Brewers have expressed interest in acquiring Julian Tavarez. Yovani Gallardo had season-ending knee surgery, and Milwaukee needs an arm for the rotation. ESPN.com's Jayson Stark writes that the Brewers have Jeff Weaver at Triple-A, too. Tavarez seems like a better option. A deal could be worked out this weekend for Tavarez, who was designed for assignment by Boston earlier in the week. The Denver Post reported that talks between Colorado and Boston regarding Tavarez are now dormant.

Stark's column also mentioned that the Red Sox were reportedly shopping Javier Lopez and David Aardsma earlier in the week. This is surprising, considering that the left-handed Lopez has limited left-handed hitters to a .185 average and Aardsma has emerged as one of the team's top right-handed set-up men. The 26-year-old power pitcher has walked 15 in 20.1 innings, but he also has 17 strikeouts, a 2.21 ERA and has held hitters to a .194 average.

The bullpen is still Boston's main question mark. Jonathan Papelbon is fine. The runs scored during his two blown saves were a result of Julio Lugo's error and a couple bloop hits. Manny Delcarmen is throwing the ball better, having posted back-to-back scoreless outings. Hideki Okajima is a concern. Though his ERA is 0.93 and opposing hitters are batting .191 against him, he has allowed 11 of 14 inherited runners to score. Mike Timlin has shown signs of settling down, having allowed one run and three hits over four innings in his last four appearances, yet - like Lopez - the Red Sox don't know what to expect right now when he steps to the mound. Ideally, Timlin will retire, or the Red Sox will release him, and summon Masterson. Boston desperately needs Craig Hansen to emerge as a reliable set-up man.

Another interesting nugget in Stark's column concerns Julio Lugo. Stark writes that the Red Sox are more likely to deal Lugo in the off-season rather than during the season. After 2008, Lugo has two years left on his four-year, $36 million deal. Boston will definitely have to pay a portion of this contract, but it will be worth the hassle because John Henry can afford it, and since the Red Sox can move Jed Lowrie into the starting shortstop role and resign Alex Cora as the utility infielder.

It makes no sense to deal Lugo during the regular season because of depth. Lowrie offers insurance in case of injury to Lugo or Cora, as we have already seen. If the Red Sox traded Lugo this season, there would be no attractive Major League ready option to back up Lowrie and Cora. Boston's organization is stocked with promising shortstop prospects (Oscar Tejeda, Will Middlebrooks and Ryan Dent are three; and Argenis Diaz is another), but they are all at the low levels of the farm system.

Though Lugo's defensive ineptitude has hurt the Red Sox this year, his presence maintains the depth at shortstop.    

Reeling Red Sox limp back to Boston with four-game losing skid

On Wednesday afternoon, the Red Sox grabbed a 3-0 advantage for the third straight day, and for the third straight day they lost the lead and the game. Though Jon Lester limited Baltimore to two runs and five hits over six innings, the bullpen could not hold down the Orioles as Jay Payton's seventh inning grand slam off Hideki Okajima transformed a 3-2 Boston lead into a 6-3 deficit.

Right now, little is going right for the Red Sox. They have lost four in a row, and five of six, and their record has dipped to 24-19. Injuries continue to have a negative impact as J.D. Drew is sidelined with a hyperextended left wrist, Coco Crisp is sick and Clay Buchholz was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a broken fingernail. On the field, Boston can't seem to have a game when they combine a quality start, a clean performance from the bullpen and clutch hitting.

Last night, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz disappeared in key hitting situations, and Josh Beckett coughed up five runs and 11 hits in a woeful outing, as Baltimore edged the Red Sox, 5-4. Today - fueled by solo home runs by Jason Varitek and Mike Lowell, and an RBI single from Dustin Pedroia - Boston claimed a 3-0 lead. Lester blanked the Orioles through five innings, and was helped by a defensive gem from Manny Ramirez. With runners at first and third, and one out, Kevin Millar ripped a ball that appeared to be headed into the gap for extra bases. A sprinting Ramirez reached up, snared the ball, climbed the wall and hive-fived a Boston fan, and fired the ball to the infield to double off Aubrey Huff at first base.

That was the last highlight of the game for the Red Sox as Baltimore registered its 12th come-from-behind win of the season, one more than Boston. Lester surrendered his only two runs in the sixth, and then another bullpen implosion doomed Boston in the seventh. Javier Lopez retired the first two batters he faced, and it appeared he would record a 1-2-3 inning when Pedroia made a sliding stop of Freddie Bynum's grounder. Pedroia was unable to come up with the throw, giving Bynum an infield single. Brad Mills, who is managing the Sox while Terry Francona attends his mother-in-law's funeral, summoned Craig Hansen, who allowed a single and walk to load the bases. Enter Hideki Okajima, who boasts a sterling sub-1.00 ERA, but had allowed eight of 11 inherited runners to score. After Payton drove Okajima's second pitch over the fence for a grand slam, Baltimore owned a 6-3 lead and Okajima's inherited runners scored tally escalated to 11 of 14.

Boston's offense was helpless against Baltimore relievers Matt Albers and George Sherrill, so there was no come-from-behind victory magic for the Red Sox.

The Red Sox desperately need tomorrow's off day before they start a seven-game homestand that features a three-game weekend series against Milwaukee and a four-game set versus Kansas City. The team needs to regroup and regain its clutch hitting and quality starts. Until today, the bullpen had shown signs of improvement, but Okajima's inability to prevent inherited runners from scoring is a concern. Why put him in the game with runners in scoring position when he has consistently served up a run-scoring hit to the first batter?

The rash of injuries to Boston outfielders is starting to test the depth. Brandon Moss would have been the candidate to fill in for Drew, but he is on the disabled list recovering from an emergency appendectomy. Bobby Kielty is out for the long term due to an injured left hand. With the next batch of top outfield prospects at the lower level of the minor leagues, Boston called up Jonathan Van Every to fill Buchholz's spot. Van Every was hitting .287 at Pawtucket, and the 28-year-old had a base hit today in his Major League debut. He languished in the Cleveland Indians farm system for seven seasons before Boston signed him as a minor league free agent last winter.

Tomorrow, J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo are expected to get examined by doctors in Boston. Drew expects to play in this weekend's series, but Lugo's concussion issue might land him on the DL. If Lugo is placed on the DL, Jed Lowrie will be recalled to take his spot. If Drew is sidelined for an extended period, perhaps the Red Sox will recall Justin Masterson from Double-A Portland since they already have Van Every as the extra outfielder outfielder. Or, they could give Bartolo Colon his first Red Sox start if he is deemed ready.

With tomorrow's off day, the Red Sox will start Josh Beckett on Sunday in place of Buchholz. The No. 5 spot in the rotation will not arrive again until Thursday, May 22 against Kansas City. They could recall Masterson to give the bullpen an extra arm, and then option him back to the minors when Colon is activated. The decision is dependent on Colon's health and his progress on the mound.

Why is Clay Buchholz not throwing more fast balls?

Clay Buchholz has a bountiful selection of pitches to accompany his knee-buckling curve ball. His four-seam fast ball ranges from 92-95, and his two-seamer has impressive movement.  The 23-year-old right-hander also has a biting slider and a baffling change-up. The curve ball and change-up are his best pitches, and they are most effective when he weaves them in with fast balls.

Last night, Buchholz relied too heavily on his curve ball, and as a result he allowed seven runs, eight hits and five walks over 4.1 innings in a game Boston lost, 7-3, at Minnesota. It was the second consecutive poor start for the rookie, who is now 2-3 with a 5.53 ERA. He surrendered five runs and 10 hits in four innings last week at Detroit.

Though Buchholz is at the Major League level, he is still developing as a pitcher. A look at his game log indicates this. Buchholz has two starts (against the Yankees and Rays) when he allowed one run, the outing versus Texas that saw him throw six shutout innings, and a loss at Tampa Bay where he permitted just two runs and three hits in eight innings. Then there are the woeful starts - the last two, his season debut against Toronto (four runs, six hits, five innings), and his second start versus the Yankees (seven runs, eight hits, 3.2 innings).

There is no doubt that Buchholz will become a top of the rotation starter for the Red Sox. For the short term, perhaps he would benefit from a stint at Triple-A Pawtucket, where he could work of hitting his spots with the fast ball.

If Bartolo Colon shows that he is healthy, and ready for his Red Sox debut, either Buchholz or Lester will likely be sent to Pawtucket. Craig Hansen is another candidate if Terry Francona and John Farrell decide to move Buchholz or Lester to the bullpen.

It is a mystery why Buchholz is not throwing a higher percentage of fast balls. Perhaps Jason Varitek, who calls the pitches, is not confident that the rookie can hit his spots with the heater. I have not seen Buchholz shake off a signal Varitek has flashed, so that leads me to believe that Varitek believes that Buchholz has better command of his curve ball and change-up. After all, Varitek is exceptional at calling games and managing the pitching staff.

Though last night's loss prevented the Red Sox from gaining the desired split in the four-game series, there were bright spots. The bullpen tossed 3.2 scoreless innings.

Javier Lopez relieved Buchholz in the fifth with one on and one out and induced an inning-ending double play. He also recorded a scoreless sixth, though he allowed two singles to open the inning and was  helped by picking off Carlos Gomez.

Perhaps fueled with confidence upon learning that Julian Tavarez was designated for assignment and he would remain with the Red Sox, Craig Hansen retired the Twins in order in the seventh. Mike Timlin tossed a scoreless frame in the eighth, trimming his ERA to 9.00.

The Red Sox would benefit from sweeping the two-game set in Baltimore. Josh Beckett faces Jeremy Guthrie tonight while Jon Lester and Daniel Cabrera get the call on Wednesday at 3:05 p.m.

Julian Tavarez designated for assignment, Boston Herald reports

My wish has been granted. Perhaps my e-mails to Theo Epstein have been read and my opinion strongly considered. OK, likely not, but according to the Boston Herald, Julian Tavarez has been designated for assignment to make room for Sean Casey, who will give Kevin Youkilis a breather tonight and start at first base.

The move means that Craig Hansen will remain in a Red Sox uniform for at least the short term. Boston will have another roster decision to make in the near future when Bartolo Colon is ready to make his Red Sox debut.

Like Kyle Snyder, who is in the Pawtucket rotation, and Bryan Corey, who was just traded to San Diego, Tavarez might not be claimed and subsequently accept an assignment to Pawtucket. That is not likely to happen, though. Many teams are in need of starting pitching, and Tavarez has appeal to National League clubs. The Red Sox have 10 days to work out a trade. If a deal is not made, Tavarez will probably become a free agent and sign with the team of his choice.

Tavarez did contribute to last season's American League East title by making key spot starts, yet he was rarely effective as a reliever in his Red Sox tenure. Hansen's presence, and Tavarez's departure, should strengthen a bullpen that has shown improvement recently, but is still shaky.