Another day, another quality start, another save for Jonathan Papelbon and another victory for the Boston Red Sox. Curt Schilling improved to 4-1 and Papelbon recorded his 10th save as the Sox took two out of three in Minnesota with a 4-3 win this afternoon. Boston's American League best record is now 20-10 as the Sox maintain a comfortable 5.5-game lead over the New York Yankees.
Schilling - who allowed three runs and eight hits with seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings - cruised through the first six innings, blanking the Twins. The seventh was a different story. Schilling allowed a two-run single to Jason Tyner with two outs and the bases loaded. Hideki Okajima entered and surrendered an RBI single to Torii Hunter before getting Justin Morneau on an inning-ending groundout. Okajima tossed a scoreless eighth and then Papelbon retired the Twins in order in the ninth.
Boston's bats remained cool this weekend. The Sox scored two on Friday, one in last night's loss and four today, yet still won two games. J.D. Drew had a double and two RBI, and Kevin Youkilis and Jason Varitek added run-scoring singles. Dustin Pedroia continued his recent prowess at the plate with three hits, including two doubles. He also had two hits last night, and his average is .239, quite an improvement over the .182 mark he carried on Friday.
A comment about Clemens
The New York Yankees are desperate for pitching, and since no teams are willing to part with effective starters, Brian Cashman had little choice but to sign Roger Clemens. The Rocket is certainly an upgrade over what the Yankees currently have, but the team will be holding its breath and crossing its fingers that injury-prone Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina, and 44-year-old Clemens (about to turn 45), stay intact for the remainder of the season. The erratic and overworked bullpen is also an issue.
The signing of Clemens is definitely not a surprise. He would have been a luxury for the Red Sox. For the Yankees, he is a necessity. Clemens in pinstripes certainly makes an already dramatic Sox-Yankees rivalry even more entertaining.
As for Red Sox Nation, there is no reason to be concerned about the presence of Clemens in the Bronx. First, he must prove that he can remain healthy. Second, he must adjust to pitching in the AL and the formidable lineups he will face in the AL East. And, even if Clemens posts a 4.00 ERA (which is where I think he will be), the Yankees must get effective starts from the remaining four, and the bullpen must make a turnaround. Of the Yankees 15 losses, 13 have been on blown leads by either the starters or the relievers.
Simply put, Boston will remain in first place for the duration of the season if it continues to get quality starts and effective performances from the bullpen. Even when the offense is shut down, as it was this weekend, the Sox can win, as the three-game series in the Metrodome demonstrated.
Before he has even thrown a pitch, Clemens is being hailed a savior by Yankees fans who are clinging to any shred of hope. Right now, the Yankees are a non-factor, a game below .500 and 5.5 games out of first place. The addition of Clemens will help, but they must contend with consecutive series against the White Sox, Mets, Red Sox, Angels, Blue Jays, Red Sox and White Sox after their 14-game respite against the Rangers and Mariners is over.
Clemens will likely win 8-10 games and give the Yankees a 4.00 ERA for his prorated $28 million salary. Will it be enough to help a team with question marks in its rotation and bullpen win the AL East? I highly doubt it, but time will tell. Baseball features a long season with lots of unexpected twists and turns. With Schilling, Beckett, Matsuzaka and Wakefield, the Sox have the best starting four in the American League. Jon Lester's arrival will only make the rotation stronger. If the Sox continue to get superb pitching from the rotation and the bullpen, it won't matter who the other teams in the AL East acquire.
Trade talks
The Denver Post reported that the Rockies and Red Sox might renew discussions for a Julian Tavarez deal once Jon Lester is ready to join the rotation. Whether other players are involved - such as Mike Lowell, Craig Hansen and/or Manny Delcarmen in a trade for Todd Helton - remains to be seen. Lowell is one of the few Sox hitters who has consistently produced in the first 30 games. Hansen and Delcarmen are still promising prospects, though they are off to rough start at Pawtucket.
Tavarez has value since he can start and relieve. Of course, Devern Hansack (who was recalled to replace Mike Timlin) and Kyle Snyder can serve in the same role, as can Joel Pineiro. Also, left-hander Kason Gabbard is throwing the ball well for the PawSox and can serve as a No. 5 starter, if needed. With that depth, it would make sense that Tavarez is expendable. He should not be traded, though, unless the Sox can get value in return.
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