RED SOX vs TWINS GAME II

FOR THE RECORD: At 21-11 (.656), the Red Sox own the best record in the majors.

The Sox 21-11 mark is tied for the 8th-best start in club history through their 1st 32 games, best since going 22-10 (.688) to begin the 2007 campaign.

FRIENDLY FENWAY: The Red Sox have won each of their last 6 home games, their longest winning stretch at Fenway Park since a 9-game run from 7/5-24/11.

• Boston is tied for the 3rd-best home record in the major leagues at 12-5 (.706), trailing the Rangers (11-4, .733) and Tigers (10-4, .714).

26 FOR PAPI: David Ortiz has hit safely in a career-high 26 straight games dating back to 7/2/12 over which he has hit at a .430 clip (40-for-93, 11 2B, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 17 BB) with a .514 OBP and .742 SLG.

• It is the longest active streak in the majors and the longest hit streak by a Red Sox since Manny Ramirez’s 27-gamer from 7/15-8/12/06.

STRIKING RESULTS: Sox hurlers lead the major leagues with 314 strikeouts, including an MLB-best 204 K’s by Boston starters…Sox relievers are 2nd in MLB with 110 strikeouts, trailing only Detroit (112).

• Red Sox pitchers have compiled at least 10 strikeouts 19 times, tops among all major league teams.
• The 19 games with at least 10 K’s is the most by any team through the 1st 32 games of a season…The Red Sox previous mark through 32 contests was 9 in 1986, 2001, and 2009.
• Boston pitchers are on pace for 96 double-digit strikeout games, which would mark the most all-time…The 2012 Rays set the record with 61.

HOCKEY EAST RETURNS TO FENWAY

HOCKEY EAST RETURNS TO
FENWAY PARK FOR “FROZEN FENWAY 2014”

Eight Hockey East Men’s College Teams to Compete Outdoors;
Mayor’s Community Skates to Offer Free, Public Skating for City of Boston Residents

BOSTON, MA – The City of Boston, Hockey East Association, and Fenway Sports Management (FSM), today announced Frozen Fenway 2014, a two week series of hockey and ice skating events, including two Division I men’s college hockey doubleheaders, and two, free public skating days for City of Boston residents.

“Last year, more than 90,000 people came to Fenway Park to watch college and high school hockey or to enjoy free, public skating,” said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “This generated tens of millions of dollars for local business. I’m confident that top-notch outdoor college hockey at Fenway Park will make for another unforgettable experience, drawing fans from across the region and serving as a major platform to showcase the people, culture, and local businesses that make our city special.”
“After the success of the Winter Classic in 2010 and the Frozen Fenway college games in 2012, hockey and skating are fast becoming winter traditions at Fenway Park,” said FSM President and Red Sox EVP/COO Sam Kennedy. “We welcome back Hockey East and, along with the Mayor, look forward to once again having our beloved ballpark be host to college games, high school games, and to welcome various communities throughout New England to Fenway Park this winter.”

Hockey East Matchups
On Saturday, January 4, 2014, the Hockey East league games will feature Merrimack College against Providence College, followed by Notre Dame against Boston College. The Eagles are the only Hockey East team to play in all three Frozen Fenway events since they began in 2010. Boston College and Notre Dame have met 32 times in series history dating back to 1969. This will be Notre Dame and BC’s first meeting as conference rivals. The Friars and Warriors have met 117 times with Providence leading the all-time series with a 78-30-9 record.

The following Saturday, January 11, UMass Lowell will face Northeastern University. The second game of the doubleheader will highlight the University of Maine against Boston University. This year, the River Hawks earned their first Hockey East regular-season and tournament championship in school history, and made their first appearance in the Frozen Four under Division I National Coach of the Year Norm Bazin. UMass Lowell leads the all-time series against Northeastern, 57-40-8, and is unbeaten in five straight meetings against the Huskies (4-0-1).

The Black Bears and Terriers have played 119 times, with Boston University holding a 58-48-13 advantage in the all-time series. BU owns a 18-6-5 mark in the 29 meetings since the beginning of the 2005-06 season vs. the Black Bears.

“We are excited about the return of hockey to Fenway Park,” said Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna. “We are particularly pleased that with these two doubleheaders, all of our men’s programs will have had the opportunity to experience Frozen Fenway, including the University of Notre Dame, our newest member.”

Game times and ticket information for the two doubleheaders will be announced in the coming months.

RED SOX NOTEBOOK: ATHLETCS

WEEKLY HONORS: Andrew Bailey and Mike Napoli were today named the American League Co-Players of the Week for the period ending 4/21…It marks just the 3rd time a pair of Red Sox have shared a weekly honor, joining Mike Lowell and David Ortiz (week ending 8/26/07) along with Pedro Martinez and Trot Nixon (week ending 7/7/02). 

WINNING THE FIRST: The Red Sox today begin a 3-game series with the Oakland A’s at Fenway Park…The Sox have won all 6 of their series-opening contests this season…It’s the 1st time they’ve done that since 1994 when they also won their 1st 6 series openers.

• According to STATS, the only time the Red Sox have won their 1st game of their 1st 7 series of a season was in 1917.

BACK TO 25: After last night’s game, the Red Sox returned RHP Allen Webster to Triple-A Pawtucket…Webster had served as the Sox 26th man on the roster for yesterday’s doubleheader and made his major league debut with a start in the night cap vs. KC…He did not factor in the decision, tossing 6.0 innings of 3-run ball (2 ER) with 5 strikeouts.

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Jacoby Ellsbury has hit safely in a season-high 11 straight games, going 15-for-49 (.306) with 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 RBI, 11 runs scored, and 4 stolen bases in that time.

• The 11-game hit streak is the longest single-season stretch for a Red Sox batter in 2013 and is the longest active streak in the AL.

RED SOX NOTEBOOK

BOSTON STRONG: The special “Boston” home white jerseys the Red Sox are wearing today will be signed and auction off with proceeds going to The One Fund Boston, helping the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013.

SIX STRAIGHT: The Sox have won a season-high 6 straight games, the 2nd-longest win streak in the AL this season and the longest active stretch in the circuit.

• The 6-game win streak is Boston’s longest since a 6-gamer from 4/23-28/2012…The club’s last longer stretch was a 9-game run from 6/3-12/2011.

SOLID CLAY: Today’s starter Clay Buchholz leads the AL (2nd in ML) with a 0.41 ERA (1 ER/22.0 IP) and is 4th in the league with a .149 opponent AVG (11-for-74).

• Buchholz has tossed 15.0 scoreless innings over his last 2 starts and is riding an 18.0-inning scoreless streak overall, the longest active stretch in the AL and 2nd-longest scoreless streak in the AL overall this year (CLE’s Justin Masterson, 19.0 IP from 4/2-12).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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RED SOX AND BALTIMORE @ FENWAY OPENER

HOME OPENER: The 2013 Red Sox make their Fenway Park debut today against Baltimore, the 113th home opener in team history, with the Sox going 67-45 (.598) in the previous 112 home openers…This is the 102nd home opener at Fenway Park (58-43, .574).

• Today’s Opening Day ceremonies pay tribute to the Jimmy Fund…2013 marks the 60th anniversary of its partnership between the Red Sox and the Jimmy Fund.

FENWAY MAGIC: The Sox have won their last 8 home openers since 2005, outscoring opponents 67-25 in those games…It is the longest home-opening win streak in club history and the longest active streak among all ML teams.

• Boston is 16-4 in the club’s last 20 home openers dating back to 1993.

WILL’S TRIFECTA: Will Middlebrooks went 4-for-5 with a career-high 3 home runs yesterday, his 2nd career-multi-homer game (also 2 HR on 5/7/12 at KC)…He was the 26th Red Sox with a 3-homer game, matching the club record, and the 1st to do it since Dustin Pedroia on 6/24/10 at COL.

• At 24 years old, Middlebrooks became the 5th-youngest Red Sox to homer 3 times in a game, the youngest since Jim Rice on 8/29/77 vs. OAK (also 24).
• The only other Red Sox 3rd basemen with 3-homer games are Bill Mueller (7/29/03 at TEX) and Jim Tabor (GM 2 on 7/4/39 at PHA).
• With 4 home runs on the season, Middlebrooks has hit more homers than 8 teams entering today’s action.
• Middlebrooks also doubled yesterday, scored 4 runs, and drove in 4…His 14 total bases were the most by a major leaguer since CIN’s Joey Votto on 5/13/12 (14).

RED SOX TRIM ROSTER

FORT MYERS, FL—The Red Sox today placed shortstop Stephen Drew on the seven-day concussion disabled list (retroactive to March 27), optioned right-handed pitcher Daniel Bard to Double-A Portland, and optioned first baseman Mauro Gomez to Triple-A Pawtucket. The club also optioned infielder Brock Holt to Pawtucket following yesterday’s game. The announcements were made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington.

With the moves, the Red Sox now have 32 players in major league camp, including 28 players from the 40-man roster (one on the seven-day disabled list), one on the 60-day disabled list, and three non-roster invitees.

SOX PLAY TWO TODAY

SPLITTING UP: The Red Sox will play split-squad games today, visiting the Orioles in Sarasota for an afternoon game before hosting the Twins at night…John Farrell will travel to Sarasota and will also skipper the night game.

The Sox only other split-squad action this spring came on 2/25 at the Rays (L3-6) and at the Blue Jays (W4-2).

FEATHERED FOES: The Red Sox today play the 3rd of 5 spring contests against division rival Baltimore…After tonight, the teams will next meet on 3/19 at JetBlue Park.

The Sox and O’s will meet 19 times during the 2013 regular season…The 1st series between the 2 clubs will take place from 4/8-11, a 3-game set at Fenway Park.

MAYOR’S CUP QUEST: The 2013 Mayor’s Cup series between the Red Sox and Twins continues today with the 5^th of 8 spring contests between the 2 clubs…The Sox have taken 3 of their 4 meetings thus far and a win today would ensure the Red Sox at least a tie of the title…The clubs will not play again until Boston’s last 3 spring contests, 3/28-30.

The Twins hold an 11-9 advantage in the yearly Mayor’s Cup series since the Red Sox moved to Fort Myers in 1993… Minnesota has a 62-58-1 edge overall in that time.

YESTERDAY’S WIN: Yesterday the Red Sox defeated the Twins at Hammond Stadium 7-3…Ryan Dempster earned his 1st win of the spring, allowing 1 run over a 4.0-inning start…Koji Uehara and Daniel Bard each threw a scoreless inning of relief, and Marco Duarte earned the save (0.1 IP).

Will Middlebrooks broke the game open with a 3-run double in the 2nd inning, giving Boston a 5-1 lead…He has an extra-base hit in each of his last 3 games (2 2B, HR).

WORLDLY VISIONS: 5 players from Red Sox camp are participating (or participated) in the 2013 World Baseball Classic: OF Shane Victorio (USA), RHPs Alfredo Aceves and Oscar Villarreal (Mexico, eliminated), INF Xander Bogaerts (Netherlands), and RHP Jose De La Torre (Puerto Rico).

Bogaerts is 5-for-19 (.263) with 2 doubles, an RBI, and 3 walks in 7 games in the tournament…The Netherlands will play next in the semi-fi nals on Monday in San Francisco Shane Victorino pinch-hit and went 0-for-1 last night in a 3-1 loss to the Dominican Republic and is 1-for-7 with an RBI 3 WBC games…USA plays Puerto Rico tonight in Miami to decide which team advances.

For Puerto Rico, De La TorreHe has recorded 6 strikeouts over 3.1 innings of relief in 3 WBC outings.

RED SOX TAKE ON RAYS THIS AFTERNOON

CATCHING RAYS: The Red Sox host the Rays today for the 3rd of 6 times this spring…The Sox lost their Grapefruit League opener 4-3 to Tampa Bay at JetBlue Park on 2/23 and dropped a 6-3 decision to the Rays with a split-squad in Port Charlotte on 2/25…The division rivals match up again at JetBlue Park on 3/17, and twice more in Port Charlotte, on 3/10 and 3/16.

Boston and Tampa Bay split the 2012 season series, 9-9, with each team winning 5 of 9 games on the road.

The Sox and Rays are slated for 19 regular-season games in 2013…The 2 clubs will 1st meet with a 4-game set at Fenway Park from 4/12-15.

ROSTER MOVES: The Red Sox today optioned LHP Drake Britton to Double-A Portland and reassigned INF/OF Justin Henry and SS Deven Marrero to minor league camp…With today’s moves, the Red Sox now have 57 players in big league camp, including 17 non-roster invitees.

DOUBRONT DEBUT: Lefty Felix Doubront is making his spring debut with a start today…Doubront led the Red Sox with 167 strikeouts and tied for the team lead with 11 wins in his 1st full season in the majors in 2012. Doubront averaged 9.34 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (167 K/161.0 IP) last year, 4th best among major leaguers with at least 160.0 IP…Since 1976, the only other AL lefty 24 years old or younger to notch a K-rate as high in a season with at least 160.0 innings was TB’s Scott Kazmir in 2007 (10.41)…

It was the best-ever strikeout rate by a Red Sox pitcher under 25 years old in a season (min. 140.0 IP) and the 3rd best single-season K-rate by a Red Sox left-hander (min. 160.0 IP) behind Jon Lester’s 2009 (9.96) and 2010 (9.74).

SIM GAME: Daniel Bard will throw a simulated game later this morning at Fenway South…The game is slated for 11:20 a.m. on Field 2.

SUNDAY’S ACTION: The Sox dropped a 5-2 decision to the Yankees at JetBlue Park yesterday, their 1st of 2 spring match-ups with their division rival (also 3/20 in Tampa).

Ryan Dempster started and threw 3.0 shutout innings…He yielded just 1 hit and struck out 2 while facing the minimum…Dempster tossed 28 pitches with 25 going for strikes…He and teammate Jon Lester are tied for the Grapefruit League lead for scoreless innings pitched this spring with 5.0 each.

Andrew Miller struck out all 3 batters he faced in his 1.0 inning of work and Junichi Tazawa also fanned 3 in 1.1 scoreless frames…Koji Uehara tossed a scoreless 4th inning and has worked a scoreless inning in each of his 3 spring outings…Joel Hanrahan took the loss, yielding 3 runs (1 ER) while getting 2 outs in the 6th.

Mike Napoli knocked his 1st homer of the spring in the loss, a solo shot off Yankees starter Adam Warren in the 2nd inning.

GRAPEFRUIT SLATE: The Red Sox are 5-5 thus far in Grapefruit League action and today play their 11th of 35 GL games over a 36-day period from 2/23-3/30…Boston will also host Team Puerto Rico tomorrow night.

STRIKING RESULTS: Red Sox pitchers recorded 13 strikeouts in yesterday’s game and are 2nd in the majors this spring with 80 strikeouts, trailing only the Dodgers 102.

WALK THIS WAY: Red Sox batters lead the majors with 46 walks this spring.

SOX NAME GREGG DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS

KEVIN GREGG NAMED DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS;
PAM KENN PROMOTED TO SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox today named Kevin Gregg as Director of Media Relations, replacing Pam (Ganley) Kenn, who was promoted to Senior Director of Public Affairs.

Gregg, 32, comes to Boston from the Philadelphia Phillies, with whom he spent the past six seasons in the Baseball Communications Department. The Philadelphia native and James Madison University graduate is the son of the late Eric Gregg, a National League umpire for parts of 23 years (and only the third African-American umpire in the history of Major League Baseball). Gregg also spent four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers during and after college.

Kenn, 33, will continue to oversee the club’s publications, photography, alumni, and community & player relations departments. The Burlington, MA, native and University of Massachusetts graduate joined the Red Sox in 2000 and worked her way up to head media relations, which she has done the past four years. Kenn has chosen to relinquish most of her media relations duties to focus more on the other departments for which she is responsible.

Red Sox Agree to Bring Back Ryan Sweeney

According to MLBTRADERUMORS.COM:

The Red Sox have reached an agreement on a minor league deal with outfielder Ryan Sweeney, a major league source told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.  Sweeney is represented by Reynolds Sports Management and has an opt-out in the deal that would allow him to elect free agency if he is not added to the big league roster before to the end of spring training.

Sweeney, who turns 28 in February, spent last season with the Red Sox after being acquired from the A’s in the deal that also brought right-hander Andrew Bailey to Boston.  The outfielder hit .260/.303/.373 for the Red Sox until he punched a clubhouse door in Fenway Park and had to undergo surgery on his hand.  His season ended on July 30th, giving him just 63 big league games in 2012.

The veteran will provide the Red Sox with additional depth in the wake of Ryan Kalish‘s shoulder surgery that will sideline him to start the 2013 season.”

Good to see Sweeney get a shot to play in Boston again. He played decent, but had some injuries last year – should be a great player to have off the bench.

- Steve Falzone