Boston Red Sox News & Notes - 9/7

Written by Ian | 07 September 2010

Boston Red Sox's Ryan Kalish arrives into the open arms of teammate David Ortiz after hitting a grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston Monday, Sept. 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

When you took a look at the lineup that Terry Francona put out for Monday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, you probably thought to yourself, is he waving the white flag on the Boston Red Sox 2010 season.

Daniel Nava, who batted leadoff last night, started the season with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox while Ryan Kalish, Lars Anderson and Yamaico Navarro started with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. Yes it's that time of the year when the pups get to play but for the Red Sox this has somewhat been the norm since about June.

While Anderson had a debut he'd rather forget (0-for-4), Kalish continued to deliver the hope and promise that's been thought about him as he rose through the minor league ranks. He may only be hitting .247 right now but when the Red Sox have needed a hit, he's delivered.

After reliever Andy Sonnastine walked Jed Lowrie with the bases juiced to make it 7-2, Kalish put the game out of reach with his second grand slam of the season, this one into the Red Sox bullpen to put the game out of reach at 11-2. And oh by the way, he added two stolen bases. Can you say goodbye Jacoby Ellsbury? And before you get all huffy and puffy about that, I am somewhat kidding about it.

After being swept out to sea with Hurricane Earl over the weekend, the Red Sox offense woke up at time when it was needed. Rays starter Jeff Niemann has struggled in his three starts since returning from the DL and the Red Sox took advantage of that.

After the Rays scored a run in the top of the 1st, the Red Sox beat up on Niemann for three runs in the bottom half.

Niemann got the first two outs of the inning before issuing a free pass to Victor Martinez. David Ortiz then made him pay as he left a fastball out over the plate that Big Papi wrapped around Pesky's Pole to put the local nine up 2-1. Three pitches later it was 3-1 as Adrian Beltre crushed a fastball out of the ballpark.

More fun in the second for the Red Sox as they added three more runs off of Niemann.

Kalish singled to start the inning and stole second with Anderson at the dish. Niemann would strike out Anderson and then Navarro before issuing a walk to Nava. He then loaded the bases up with a walk to J.D. Drew. VMart brought in a Kalish with a single to chase Niemann. Sonnanstine came in and was greeted by a Big Papi wall ball 2-run double.

Jon Lester started this one for the Red Sox and while he wasn't the Lester we all know and love, he did finish with ten strikeouts for the third straight game on his way to picking up his 16th win of the season. He had trouble with his fastball command but his curve was filthy nasty. He used that curveball to strikeout Evan Longoria twice with runners on base. Lester finished his night by retiring the final ten batters he faced.

Robert Coello also had a MLB debut to forget as he allowed three hits, three runs and two walks in just a 1/3 of an inning.

It was a rare night for the Red Sox as they were able to pick up ground on both the New York Yankees and obviously the Rays. While first place might be out of the question being nine games behind, the Red Sox now trail the Rays by 6.5 games. However, they still sit ½ game behind the Chicago White Sox who won last night.

There's still a lot of baseball to play and let's hope the Red Sox can build off of this game and keep the hope alive for a 2010 AL playoff berth. It won't be easy though as the Red Sox will have to face AL Cy Young candidate David Price. The Red Sox will counter with Daisuke Matsuzaka.

We'll be back later with tonight's lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, any news and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links by clicking the read more button below if you're on the home page.

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Minor misconceptions? The Red Sox' minor league season in context [Alex Speier - WEEI.com]

Red Sox rookies provide rays of hope vs. Tampa [Boston Globe]

Baldelli can really get you thinking [Boston Globe]

Big step for Anderson [Boston Globe]

Sox recap: Sox attack Rays with kid-filled lineup [Boston Herald]

Lars Anderson, Josh Reddick up [Boston Herald]

Ryan Kalish making grand impact [Boston Herald]

Series lacks buzz [Boston Herald]

Red Sox rout Rays with youth, 12-5 [CSN New England]

Anderson gets his mind right to earn call up [CSN New England]

Red Sox' youth movement on display at Fenway [CSN New England]