Jose Iglesias Named FN's June Player O' Month

(USA Today Sports Images)

He's been asked to play out of position. He's been thrown into the middle of a pennant race. And, he's performed. Jose Iglesias—who we were told was offensively challenged—hit .395 in 25 June games  and has been named FenwayNation's Player Of The Month. Of course, Iglesias still delivered his signature defense during June—making spectacular plays at both short and third while leading the team in hitting. His .453 on-base percentage, .523 slugging percentage and .976 OPS were also among the team leaders. He has forced manager John Farrell's hand—he has to be in this team's line-up somewhere everyday. Congratulations, Jose!

Red Sox Are Halfway To 100; Walk Off Jays, 5-4

(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

It's these kinds of wins that sometimes define championship teams. Build a shaky lead with unlikely role players. Take that wobbly lead into the top of ninth and blow it. Then, win it in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the final frame. That's just the recipe the Red Sox followed today in a series-clinching 5-4 win at Fenway. Brandon Snyder and Ryan Lavarnway played the parts of the role players, Koji Uehara was the blown savior, and Shane Victorino was the walk-off hero—thanks to a error by the Jays first baseman. Ryan Demspter again pitched well enough to win—going 5 1/3 innings and yielding just two earned runs. Snyder also led off the ninth-inning rally with a hit and made an Jose Iglesias-like play at third. Craig Breslow, Alex Wilson and Andrew Miller did stellar work out of the pen. All of sudden, your 2013 Carmine Hose are 50% of the way to 100 wins. Can you believe it?

Josh Beckett To Have Season-Ending Surgery

(Reed Saxon / Associated Press)

Former Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett will have season-ending surgery next week to regain feeling in his right hand. Beckett has had a tingling sensation in the fingers of his pitching hand for much of this year. He had been rehabbing for about a month in hopes that the condition would pass. On Friday, he threw on flat ground and the tingling was still there. At that point it was decided that he have surgery to remove a rib that is compressing on a nerve that doctors believe is the source of the problem. He will miss the rest of 2013 and be ready for 2014 Spring Training. Understandably, Beckett was fearful that he might never pitch again saying, "Any time something like that happens to your arm or you start losing feeling and stuff, you think about it for sure". Despite all of the issues he went through here in Boston, we should remember that he was once our dominant ace. We wish him well and hope he does pitch again.

REPORT: Red Sox Want Michael Young Badly

Is Young Headed To The Hub?

Not that we like to gloat, but FenwayNation did advocate for a Michael Young—not Jonathan Papelbon—deal with the Phillies in an article back on June 24th. Gee, maybe BenCher and the Baseball Ops boys actually read us. Nah. Anyway, according to George A. King III of the New York Post, the Red Sox "badly" want Young to solidify third base for the balance of the season. With Will Middlebrooks banished to AAA and Jose Iglesias out of position, Young would be an ideal choice at third. He is hitting well, is healthy and would be a huge stabilizing force on both offense and defense. Ben, if you need any more advice, give us a buzz.

Jose Can Clearly See; Red Sox Fall To Jays, 6-2

(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Jose Bautista can sometimes take an entire team on his back and win a game single-handedly. Such is the enormity of his talent. He did just that on Saturday, clouting two HRs and driving in three to push the Blue Jays over Boston, 6-2. On top of his offensive fireworks, Bautista fired a 260-foot pea to home to cut down Shane Victorino at the plate in the sixth inning. Boston tied the score at two apiece in the seventh, but Toronto pushed across two runs each in the eighth and ninth to seal the deal. Once again, Felix Doubront pitched well—going six innings and giving up just two earned runs. Four different Red Sox players had two hits (Jacoby Ellsbury, Shane Victorino, Dustin Pedroia, Jarrod Saltalamacchia). Jose Iglesias notched another hit—now hitting .414.

'Jonny On The Spot'; Sox Top Jays Again, 7-5

(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

John Farrell must have had a hunch—or maybe it was just that Jonny Gomes was 4 for 7 lifetime against Brett Cecil. Anyway, the Boston manager sent up Gomes to pinch hit in a key spot in the seventh inning and he delivered a go-ahead single in a 7-5 Sox win. Young Allen Webster pitched well through four innings, then came unhinged in the fifth. He ended up going six full, yielding four earned runs. He would have ended up with the win had not Andrew Bailey coughed up a game-tying home run in the seventh to Edwin Encanarcion. The Red Sox had big offensive nights from Dustin Pedroia (3 for 5), Jacoby Ellsbury (2 for 5, 2 RBIs), Jose Iglesias (2 for 4) and Stephen Drew (2 for 2, 2 RBIs)—who left the game with a tight right hamstring. After Bailey, the bullpen was solid—with Andrew Miller and Koji Uehara (4th save) closing it out.

Sox Fan Maimed By Yankee Fan Awarded $4.3M

Not So 'Welcoming' For Red Sox Fans

A Red Sox fan from Nashua, NH—who was assaulted by a Yankee fan and suffered life-changing injuries—has won a $4.3 million jury verdict. Monte Freire was eating at a Connecticut restaurant (U.S.S. Chowder Pot III) with friends when a Yankee fan at a nearby table told the group that—based on their accents—they were unwelcome Red Sox fans. The lawsuit against the restaurant alleged that bartenders continued to serve alcohol to the Yankee fan who escalated his abuse and finally attacked Freire (including stabbing him in the neck) causing "a brain injury, a stroke, impaired speech and vision and severe scarring". The Yankee fan attacker, John Mayor, was convicted of assault and is serving a 10-year sentence. Once again, this type of mindless fan violence—no matter who the aggressor is—has to be stopped.

Jon Lester Shuts Down Blue Jay Juggernaut

(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

It was time for Jon Lester to look like the Jon Lester of old—and he did just that last night. The big lefty had all four of his pitches working and carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning in a 7-4 victory over the recently surging Blue Jays. Lester went seven solid innings, giving up just four hits and striking out five. He left with two on and no one out in eighth (with a 3-0 count on the next hitter) when he suffered a jammed hip on an awkward pitch. It's not yet known how severe the injury is. The Boston offense was all accomplished in the second inning—when they sent eleven batters to the plate and scored seven runs. The outburst was highlighted by Dustin Pedroia's fifth HR of the year (a two-run shot) and featured five straight hits by Boston players off loser Chien-Ming Wang.

Mark Teixeira Out For Season With New Surgery

Gone For Year

It's too bad we don't have the capacity to feel sorry for The Evil Ones—because this would be a great time for empathy. First, their GM is engaged in an expletive-deleted TWITTER war with their re-habbing third baseman (Alex Rodriguez) and now their high-priced first baseman (Mark Teixeira) is out for the rest of 2013. Teixeira confirmed that he will be undergoing another wrist surgery (torn sheath tendon) that will sideline him for 4-5 months. To be honest, this is another example of why the World Baseball Classic is a disaster for MLB. Teixeira initially hurt his wrist preparing for the bogus tournament. In any event, it looks like the Empire will have to battle the rest of the way without two of their highest-priced 'superstars'.

Will Red Sox Give Big Bucks To Cuban Righty?

Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, Ben Cherington was the only GM in attendance during last week's workout for free-agent Cuban pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez in Tijuana. The 26-year old starter is no rube—he has three years under his belt in the Cuban 'pro' league. Of course, he missed most of the last two seasons—suspended for trying to skip out of Castro's "Socialist Paradise". Good for him! Gonzalez is not subject to the same contract limits of most international free agents—due to his advanced age and experience. So, he goes to the highest bidder ($60 million range?). BenCher's presence suggests the Red Sox will be major players for this guy. The 6'3" righty has a mid-90s fastball, a change-up, a spilt-finger and (reportedly) a wicked curve.

'Cramped Seats' Lead Fenway Annoyance Poll

Cramped seating is still the leading annoyance about 101-year old Fenway Park, according to our latest FenwayNation Poll. As the chart shows, just under one-quarter of all responses (24%) cite the tight-fitting seats, followed closely by obstructed views (22%). Next on the annoyance list is the presence of too many "Pink Hat" fans (17%), ticket and concession prices (13% each) and parking (7%). Just 4% think there is nothing annoying about Fenway. You can still vote in the poll HERE.

Season Mid-Point Brings Big Sox-Jays Series

The conclusion of tonight's game will mark the exact mid-point of the 2013 season. Eighty-one up, eighty-one to go. As we look at this morning's standings, your Carmine Hose are the only team in baseball to have scored 400 runs and are one behind the Cardinals for most wins in all of MLB. They also have the best run differential (+78) in the American League. All this with an injured ace (Clay Buchholz), a maddeningly ineffective #2 starter (Jon Lester), a concussed back-up catcher (David Ross), a new unproven closer (Koji Uehara), and a demoted phenom (Will Middlebrooks). This four-game set with the Blue Jays will tell a lot about the make-up of this team—and go a long way toward determining whether they can maintain an edge in this wacky American League East. Boston will send Lester to the hill on Thursday, then Allen Webster, Felix Doubront and Ryan Dempster. The Jays will counter with Chien-Ming Wang tonight, followed by Josh Johnson, Esmil Rogers and Mark Buehrle.

Red Sox Legend Rico Petrocelli Turns 70 Today

Rico Petrocelli

It's hard to believe that Rico Petrocelli—who leaped for us all in the 1967 clincher—is turning 70 years old today. That image of Rico, arms stretched high over his head in victory, is arguably the iconic launching point of Red Sox Nation. From that point on, the Carmine Hose became respectable again. Of course, Rico's career numbers stand on their own: two All-Star selections, two HRs in Game 6 of the 1967 World Series, 40 HRs in 1969, a .308 average in the 1975 World Series. He is and always will be a Red Sox legend. Happy 70th, Rico!

A Paranoid A-Rod Sees An Empire Conspiracy

(Reuters Photo)

The current dust up between Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees is like watching rival mobsters rub each other out. You don't really know who to root for, but it's somehow pleasing to watch. The latest in the A-Fraud—Empire Soap Opera is the revelation that the injured third baseman thinks his bosses are deliberately slowing down his rehabilitation to prevent him from returning in 2013. Why? So the 'Steinbrenner Twins' can say he is 'medically unfit to play', allowing them to recover 80% of his bloated salary through insurance provisions. This comes on the heels of The Fraudulent One tweeting out news that a doctor cleared him to play in games. Yankees GM Brian Cashman shot back, "Alex should just shut the f--- up." Hello! To paraphrase Rick's final line from Casablanca, "Alex, I think this is the end of a beautiful friendship." Round up the usual suspects.

Red Sox Have 'Won', 'Lack' A Dozen Of Another

(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

John Lackey struck out a season-high 12 batters, and his teammates kept their hitting shoes on, as Boston defeated the Rockies again—this time, 5-3. In perhaps his best outing of the year, Lackey went a strong seven innings, giving up just two runs on eight hits. Brand spanking new closer Koji Uehara pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to cement the 47th victory of the year for the Carmine Hose. Boston—the first team in MLB to score 400 runs—pounded out 10 hits, with Shane Victorino (3) and Dustin Pedroia (2) getting half of them. Daniel Nava drove in two runs on the afternoon—upping his impressive RBI total to 48. So, the Red Sox swept this mini-series with the Rockies, and now move on to face the recently raging bulls of the AL East—the Toronto Blue Jays.

Buchholz Has Setback During Bullpen, Gets MRI

Buchholz Tuesday (FN Photo)

More bad news about the best starting pitcher on the Red Sox. In a bullpen session today, Clay Buchholz felt "discomfort" after throwing only 18 pitches and was shut down again. The Red Sox sent the right-hander to get an MRI on his neck on Wednesday afternoon. No word yet on any results. This prolonged absence from the rotation is highly troubling and once again calls into question the long-term durability of Buchholz. Going 9-0 with a league-leading ERA before going down, he has not pitched since June 8th.  Said Farrell of his prognosis, "We have to do what's right for Clay to get him back, not only active but to the level of performance that he was operating at before he went down."

'Rocky Mountain Fry'; Sox Pound Colorado, 11-4

(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Ryan Dempster must be wondering why the Red Sox can't support him like this all the time. Boston pounded out a season-high twenty hits on the way to smiting the Rockies at Fenway, 11-4. Four different Red Sox players collected three hits (Dustin Pedroia, Daniel Nava, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jose Iglesias), while Pedroia knocked in four runs in the rout. Dempster pitched six solid innings, giving up just two earned runs on six hits while striking out four. The "all glove, no hit" Iglesias is now hitting .434—with well over 100 ABs. The Red Sox wrap us this silly two-game inter-league fiasco tomorrow afternoon. Thanks, Bud!

POLL: Cramped Fenway Seats Are Most Irksome

Early voting in our latest FenwayNation Poll suggests that cramped Fenway Park seating is the most annoying feature for most of our readers. As the table shows, 24% of early voters mention uncomfortable seating, followed very closely by concerns about obstructed views (21%) and the overabundance of 'Pink Hat' fans (21%). Ticket and concession prices are next on the list—each garnering 10% of responses. Parking issues comprise 7% of the voter's ire. Interestingly, 7% say 'nothing' about the 101-year old ballpark annoys them—they think it's perfect just as it is. You can still vote in the poll HERE.

POLL: Most Annoying Fenway Park Feature

Worst Thing About Fenway Park
Now that we're beyond the Centennial hoopla, which ONE of the following annoys you most about Fenway?	Obstructions Ticket prices Parking Cramped seats Pink Hat fans Concession prices Nothing, it's perfect
	Current Results

Yesterday One Year Anniversary Of Youkilis Deal

Exactly one year ago yesterday, the Red Sox officially cut ties with long-time fan favorite Kevin Youkilis. He pulled off his Carmine Hose and donned Pale ones. The circumstances surrounding the deal seem trivial now—suffice it to say that things just soured between Youk and management. After a spate of success with Chicago, Youkilis regressed toward the prevailing mean: injuries and numbers well below his career norms. After joining the Empire this year, his mediocre play was halted by season-ending back surgery. A year ago on this website, we chronicled Youk's stay in Boston and concluded that it was nothing but overwhelmingly successful—for him and the team. We miss his grit and sweat and that oh-so-weird batting stance. He will always be one of us.

Franklin Morales Likely To Hit Disabled List

Headed To The DL?

The Red Sox appear likely to place left-handed reliever Franklin Morlaes on the disabled list today with a strained pectoral muscle. He was injured in last Saturday's game against the Tigers. Reports also suggest that Shane Victorino—who left the Sunday tilt with a bad back—will not head back to the DL. The Red Sox open a homestand tonight in an inter-league contest with the Colordao Rockies—the team Morales was on in 2007 when they faced Boston in the World Series.

Is Young Trade More Sensible Than Papelbon?

(Kim Klement/USA TODAY )

It's obvious that the Red Sox might want to trade for a closer—but do the struggles of Will Middlebrooks suggest they need a third baseman more urgently? All the talk of late has swirled around the possibility of re-acquiring Jonathan Papelbon from Philadelphia. But Phillies GM Ruben Amaro has made it clear that the cost to get the erstwhile Boston closer would be "astronomical". Paps is already signed though 2015, so Philly could just as easily hold on to him and hope the team fares better in 2014 and beyond. Someone Amaro is more than willing to part with is third baseman Michael Young—in the final year of a long-term deal. The 36-year old Young is doing pretty well this year—hitting .287 with 4 HRs and 18 RBIs in 69 games. One could make the case that a solid, everyday third baseman is of more value than an expensive closer like Papelbon (owed $33 million through 2015). Who knows, maybe Andrew Bailey will right himself, or another arm in the 'pen will step up and fill the void from the inside? Maybe Stephen Drew could head back to the National League and come off the bench to spell Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley.This would also allow Jose Iglesias to settle in at short. Just a thought.

Will Middlebrooks To AAA?; Holt Or Sutton Up?

Mediocre Will Hunting

It's looking more and more likely that the deeply slumping Will Middlebrooks will be sent down to AAA soon and either Brock Holt or Drew Sutton will be called up to Boston. It makes no sense to have Middlebrooks languish in his ineffectiveness one or two times a week—he'd benefit much more with steady at-bats at Pawtucket. This move would also allow Jose Iglesias to start every day at either third or short—with Holt or or Sutton filling in at the hot corner. The Fenway Snark website raises the interesting issue of whether we should think of Middlebrooks as big-league ready or just as a prospect. Food for thought.

Former Sox Prospect Navarro DFA'd By Birds

Yamaico At Fenway (AP Photo)

There was a time when Yamaico Navarro was considered a sure thing to be a fixture in the Red Sox infield. Boston signed him as an amateur free agent out of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic in 2005. He ended up playing only 36 total games in Carmine Hose, hitting a paltry .177. In a productive move, the Sox traded him to the Royals for Mike Aviles. Kansas City shipped him off to Pittsburgh, and then Navarro landed in Camden Yards. Today, Dan Duquette designated him for assignment. How strange the twists and turns of baseball. Good luck, Yamaico!

Maybe The Sox Dealt With The Wrong LA Team

(Robert Gauthier, L.A. Times)

In a wide-ranging interview with USAToday's Bob Nightingale, Angels owner Arte Moreno said something that caught our attention. What he said suggests that the Red Sox may have sent their Troubled Trio (plus Nick Punto) to the wrong Los Angeles team. Said Moreno over a breakfast meeting with Nightingale, "I love my beer. Beer makes me smarter.'' Obviously, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez would have fit right in with the owner of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Orange County, California, United States of America, Earth, Milky Way. Although we should point out that Moreno did have a turkey—not chicken—omelette during his interview with Nightingale. Who knows, maybe BenCher just dialed the wrong SoCal area code last summer?

Xander Bogaerts Is Still Struggling At Pawtucket

Bogaerts In Pawtucket

Top Red Sox prospect (and #8 overall prospect in baseball) Xander Bogaerts is struggling at AAA. While it's still a relatively small sample size, it's instructive to look at his performance—now that he has 10 full games under his belt at Pawtucket. In a total of 39ABs, Bogaerts has just 8 hits—although three of those have been HRs. He's walked four times and has eleven strikeouts. His on-base percentage is a paltry .279, while his overall average is just barely above the Mendoza Line. This contrasts mightily with his AA numbers this year—.311/.407/.909. Of course, his Portland stats are over 56 games and Bogaerts could easily rebound and display AAA numbers more in-line with what the Red Sox expect. He is still the brightest light in the organization and our best bet at a franchise-type player over the next couple of years. The Red Sox are more than willing to be patient with their star-in-waiting.

Buchholz Out, Dempster & Lackey Face Rockies

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Clay Buchholz will miss yet another start (previously scheduled for Tuesday) with continued neck issues. In fact, Buchholz didn't even take part in a planned bullpen session in Detroit on Saturday. Ryan Dempster will start in his place on Tuesday, while John Lackey will pitch on Wednesday against the Rockies. The Red Sox have been all "National Security Agency" on this Buchholz injury—with shifting stories about its origin and unclear prognoses (except to say it's a strained trapezius muscle). Something weird is going on here, and we'll eventually find out the truth. Until then, your first-place Carmine Hose will have to do without their best starting pitcher.

Accountability & Peformance Are Farrell's Way

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

A day after John Farrell jumped into the spotlight—via an ejection and a bad pitching decision—it's instructive to take stock of just what we have in our new skipper. First and foremost, it's what he is not: he didn't invent the wrap, and doesn't claim that he did. More importantly, he has built a culture that rewards performance and demands accountability. That's a blueprint for success in any type of organization—but it's especially useful when dealing with pampered, over-paid athletes. If you get an opportunity under Farrell and show you can play, you will get more opportunities. Witness Jose Iglesias and Daniel Nava. If you don't produce—no matter what your status or salary—you will sit. Witness Andrew Bailey, Will Middlebrooks—and to a lesser extent—Stephen Drew. The linchpins of this system are openness, transparency and merit. So far so good. The Carmine Hose have already hit a few rough patches—and yet they are still in first place. Through the first 78 games at least, our new manager is a rousing success.

Blown Ump's Call Results In Red Sox Loss, 7-5

(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

If Bud Selig needs any more evidence of the need for expanded instant replay, today's game is Exhibit A. Daniel Nava clearly made a legal catch (losing the ball on the transfer) that was ruled a drop by the entire inept umpiring crew. John Farrell legitimately argued the call and got his first ejection as Red Sox manager. The blown call led to a series of events that resulted in the Red Sox losing the ballgame, 7-5. No doubt about it. Lousy umping, loss. Boston led the game 4-3, once again getting to Justin Verlander early. Felix Doubront pitched well again (after two first inning runs), but Farrell's questionable use of the bullpen (bringing in the erratic Andrew Miller) was also key to the loss. Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz each had three hits, Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Red Sox Score Two Runs In First; Lose, 10-3

(Leon Halip/Getty Images)

The Carmine Hose got to 10-game-winner Max Scherzer early—scoring two runs in the first. Unfortunately, Red Sox pitching gave back 10 and, viola', Scherzer was 11-0 and Boston was a 10-3 loser. Rookie Allen Webster gave up 5 runs on his own in just 4 1/3 innings—the second straight bad outing for one of the centerpieces of The Great Punto Deal. The 16th HR from David Ortiz was pretty much the only highlight of this game. Boston finishes up with Detroit on Sunday, then comes home to face the Rockies on Tuesday—with someone other than Clay Buchholz starting.

Victorino Drives In Five; Red Sox Prevail, 10-6

(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Shane Victorino had four hits—including his third home run—and knocked in five runs in an impressive 10-6 win over the Tigers. Stephen Drew And Jose Iglesias—locked in a struggle for playing time—each had three hits in the victory. Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 5 with two RBIs and Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with one run knocked in. Jon Lester—staked to a 6-1 lead—gave up four runs in the fifth inning, but held on for a shaky seventh win. His five earned runs upped his ERA to 4.57. The Red Sox pounded out 17 hits, but just four for extra bases. The win increased Boston's lead in the AL East to two full games over the Orioles, who handed the Blue Jays their ninth straight win. Look out for Toronto.

Your Boston Red Sox Are No Closer To A Closer

Papa 'Not-So' Grande

There's still no word on exactly who will close out games for the Boston Red Sox. All we do know is that it won't be Andrew Bailey. Junichi Tazawa is the likely first choice to migrate to the end of the bullpen—but Andrew Miller and Koji Uehara are also possibilities. Even Rubby De La Rosa has the stuff to do the job. An intriguing new possibility arose late Friday afternoon as the Tigers designated Jose Valverde for assignment. Hey, he's only a few hundred feet away packing up his belongings as we sepak. Just sayin'.

Allen Webster Gets Another Shot On Saturday

Gets A Saturday Start

Red Sox pitching prospect Allen Webster (acquired in The Great Punto Trade) will get another shot at starting in The Show on Saturday. You may recall that Webster has had a bit of a schizophrenic experience in the bigs—a good six-inning stint in April; a 1 1/2 inning stinker with eight earned runs in May. The kid is generally regarded to have a huge upside, so this third start might tell us a lot about his readiness. The 23-year old has done well since being sent back down to AAA (5-1, 2.98), but he will be facing the likes of Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez tomorrow. Pretty good test, we'd say.

Pedro Ciriaco Dominating In San Diego Role

(AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

You had to figure this would happen. Former Yankee-Killer Pedro Ciriaco was shipped from the Red Sox to the Padres recently for—essentially— a bag o' balls. Ciriaco has been on fire since heading to the not-so-friendly confines of PETCO Park. Given a chance to play regularly due to the injury to starting SS Everth Carbrera, Pedro is 7 for 17 in brown sackcloth laundry. Last night, Ciriaco was 2 for 4 with a HR, triple, 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored. What did you expect? Why can't we get........???

Clay Buchholz Is On Track For Tuesday Start

(Jesse Costa/WBUR Radio)

Reading 'between the lines' of the 'tea leaves', it appears that Red Sox ace Clay Buchholz will be able to make his next start on Tuesday night at home against the Colorado Rockies. Barring any unforeseen problems between now and then, the 9-0 righty will look to maintain his major-league leading 1.71 ERA in that inter-league tilt. Yesterday, Buchholz threw "a bit" from 100 feet and hopes to throw off a mound soon. The Carmine Hose badly need his dominance back in the rotation. While John Lackey, Alfredo Aceves, Felix Doubront and even Ryan Dempster have been bulwarks of the staff in Buchholz's absence, John Farrell can't count on that trend indefinitely—and certainly can't count on Jon Lester. Said Farrell, "The ideal scenario will be for him to get an extended bullpen that will have some ups and downs in it. At this point, we’re still scheduled to have him on Tuesday, but we’ve got to get through some specific work sessions over the next couple of days to remain consistent with him." Tea leaves? Count on him for Tuesday.

Bailey Melts Down Again; Red Sox Lose, 4-3

(Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

This time, Andrew Bailey didn't even record an out. With the Red Sox leading 3-2, Bailey walked the lead-off hitter and then gave up the game-winning two-run HR. Tigers win , 4-3. Game. Set. Match. New Closer. Manager John Farrell confirmed the switch after the game, "We're going to back him out of there right now and try to get him fixed, so we'll look at some other internal options to close. His velocity hasn't come back since the DL stint, and although he says he feels fine, the results obviously aren't there.'' After leading 2-0, John Lackey gave up the tying runs in the fifth in an otherwise brilliantly pitched game. Lackey went seven innings, giving up just those two runs and striking our five. David Ortiz homered early and then gave Boston a 3-2 lead with a single in the top of the 8th. Bailey suffered his fourth blown save, while his ERA shot up to 4.03. Bad loss. No biscuit.

Sox Prospect Garin Cecchini Promoted To AA

Garin Cecchini On The Rise

The way he was hitting, Red Sox third base prospect Garin Cecchini had to get promoted soon. Sure enough, WEEI.com's Alex Speier reports today that Cecchini will be moved up from Single A Salem to AA Portland. Cecchini was hitting .350 in Salem—with a .469 on-base percentage (the second-highest in all of minor league baseball). The 22-year old will make his home debut at Hadlock Field this coming Monday. Keep an eye on this kid!

Pedroia to Trey Ball: 'Hurry Up So I Can Retire'

The 'Ball' In Your Future

The Red Sox signed first pick Trey Ball yesterday (along with 10 other draftees), and brought the lanky lefty into the team's clubhouse. He was immediately razzed by Dustin Pedroia who shouted, "Hurry up so I can retire!" As suspected, Ball signed well under the slot number for his draft position—getting $2.75 million from the Red Sox. This—along with other discounted signings—allows third-round pick Jon Denney to be signed above his slot number. Asked about Ball, General manager Ben Cherington said, "We sort of go through the checklist of things that we need to see in a high school pitcher to invest a first-round pick, and he just checks all the boxes." We agree with The Muddy Chicken: Get here quickly, Trey!

Rays Get Hitting Shoes Back; Sox Lose, 6-2

(Photo by Gail Oskin/Getty Images)

In two losses on Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays scored just two runs. On Wednesday, they tripled that total in one game, beating Boston, 6-2. Ryan Dempster was the focus of their offensive ire, as they pounded out 15 hits. Even newly minted Wil Myers doubled in two runs, while the Red Sox could only muster 7 hits against 6 Tampa pitchers. On top of everything, Jose Iglesias' hitting streak ended at 18 games.

MLB Player Survey: 1%-5% Using PEDs Now

The website Althon Sports claims to have exclusively conducted an "off-the-record" survey that received responses from "more than a fifth" of all MLB players. For those of you who are statistically-challenged, that's around 20%—and around 80% who did not respond. Nevertheless, that's a pretty good response rate. Althon asked a range of questions, but the most telling response centered on the issue of PED use. The majority of players (53.0%) said between 1% and 5% of their compatriots are using PEDs right now, while a scant 6% said no players are using. More than one-quarter of those responding (25.6%) say the percentage of PED users is at least 6% or higher—with 5.5% saying the percentage of use is between 11% and 20%. Most of the other questions in the survey are trivial, silly (or both), but these results are chilling.

REPORT: A-Rod Met With Bosch At ALCS

The Fraudulent One

A figure associated with the disgraced Biogenesis Clinic in Florida says Alex Rodriguez met with the clinic's owner (Anthony Bosch) during last year's American League Championship Series. Porter Fischer, the former Marketing Director of Biogeneis, says Rodriguez sought out Bosch's help in the middle of his atrocious 1-9 slump during the ALCS. This obviously deepens A-Rod's problems—as reports already suggest he could be suspended for 100 games by MLB. Again, all of this could not happen to a more deserving guy.

Jerry Remy Returns To Booth Next Tuesday

RemDawg Back At Ya!

The best news The Nation has received in a long time came today with word that Jerry Remy will be returning to the broadcast booth with Tuesday's interleague game against the Colorado Rockies at Fenway Park. The Red Sox icon had been out due to illness since May 28th. NESN has been filling in with Jim Rice, Dennis Eckersley and a whole host of lesser lights since then. Of course, no one can touch the RemDawg or match the rapport he has with play-by-play man Don Orsillo. All of us look forward to Jerry's return!

Manny 'Misses Family', Leaving Taiwan Friday

Manny Being Mascot

I guess this could be called: Manny Being Manly. If you believe him. According to the authoritative blog, Manny Does Taiwan, the enigmatic one has been released by his Taiwanese team (the EDA Rhinos) and is leaving the country on June 21st for parts unknown. Manny's reason?—"because he misses his family." Of course, we know the real reason, don't we? He's just prepping for the next iteration of the Magical Mannystry Tour—this time with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japanese League for bigger bucks. That's why he's leaving. Manny Being Monetary.

Jennifer Garner: No '04 Sox, No Marriage To Ben

(Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Cambridge's Ben Affleck is one lucky guy. He's famous, richer than Matt Damon and married to a lovely woman who actually understands his obsession with the Carmine Hose. Said woman, actress Jennifer Garner, stated recently that if it weren't for the 2004 World Series win, she doubts she would have married the Academy Award-winning director of Argo (oops, sorry he wasn't even nominated by those LA morons). Anyway, Jennifer believes that she'd have been viewed as too much of a "jinx" to marry had the Sox lost to the Cardinals. Not an unreasonable outcome. Perfectly logical. Wouldn't you say? What?

Both Buchholz And Ross Land On Disabled List

Clay Buchholz and David Ross both landed on the disabled list Tuesday—the former on the standard 15-day and the latter on the 7-day concussion variety. Buchholz—who hasn't pitched since June 8 complaining of "neck soreness"—is eligible to come off the list on June 24th. Ross—who was on the 7-day concussion DL earlier in the year—was repeatedly pummelled on the face mask by foul balls in his last two starts. Ryan Lavarnway was called up to replace Ross.

UPDATE: Sox Sign First Round Pick Trey Ball

Top Sox Pick Trey Ball

UPDATE-Jon Heyman: Red Sox Sign Trey Ball
WEEI.com's Alex Speier reports that Boston's first pick in this year's MLB Draft, Trey Ball, is set to sign with the club as early as today. The #7 overall pick is a left-handed high school pitcher out of Indiana. Ball is expected to sign below the $3.246 million slot number—which (in conjunction with other savings) will allow the Red Sox to sign their third round pick (catching prospect Jon Denney) at a higher amount that his slot allotment. Ball showed mid-90s velocity and a minuscule ERA (0.76) in his senior year—all in a New England-like climate.

'Dropkick' Jonny Walks Red Sox Off With Sweep

(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

About 10 hours after baseball began at Fenway, Jonny Gomes sent a two-run walk-off HR into the night—giving Boston a doubleheader sweep of the Rays, 5-1 and 3-1. On his way around third base, Gomes drop-kicked (or more precisely punted) his batting helmet out of play. Gomes' heroics were necessary because Andrew Bailey blew Felix Doubront's finest career outing—eight shutout innings. On Bailey's second pitch of the ninth, Kelly Johnson homered to tie the game at one. Daniel Nava had homered earlier for the first Red Sox run. In game one, fans survived a three-hour rain delay to watch Boston defeat Tampa, 5-1. Alfredo 'Ace' Aceves came off the farm once again to deliver a rain-shortened five-inning gem—allowing just one run on three hits. David Ortiz drove in three of the runs and Jacoby Ellsbury was a HR shy of the cycle. All in all, a good day for the Carmine Hose.

BREAKING: Youk Having Back Surgery

The Yankees have announced that Kevin Youkilis will have back surgery Thursday. He will be out a minimum of 10-12 weeks. Effectively, this ends his brief career with The Evil Ones. 

Jerry Remy To Miss Another Week Of Soxcasts

Editor With Remy In 1992

Red Sox color analyst Jerry Remy will miss another week of Red Sox television broadcasts due to illness. Remy—a cult legend in New England—announced in April that he was again being treated for lung cancer. He missed most of the 2009 season being treated for the disease and recovering. In late May, Remy stated on his TWITTER feed that he was missing games due to allergies and then followed up in June by saying he was suffering from pneumonia. NESN will fill the enormous void with a host of back-up talent. Needless to say, everyone in The Nation sends its best wishes to Jerry for a speedy recovery. Get well soon, RemDawg!

'Wil' Myers Help Tampa Bay's Anemic Offense?

Rays Phenom Wil Myers

One of the most interesting aspects of the upcoming "three games in two days" love fest between Boston and Tampa will be the Fenway debut of the Rays' Uber-Prospect Wil Myers. Myers was the centerpiece of the trade that sent James Shields to Kansas City, and he will now be expected to pump up Tampa's paltry offense. Myers hit a robust .354 in his final 23 AAA games—clouting 10 HRs and driving in 32. Over the last five games, Tampa has averaged just 2.4 runs. Of course, the Rays will not exactly be facing the iron of the Red Sox pitching staff—with Felix Doubront and Alfredo Aceves going in today's twi-night double-header. It will be interesting to see if Myers really is the next coming of Mike Trout and Bryce Harper.

18-Year Old Sox Prospect Debuts For Spinners

(Lowell Spinners Photo)

Tonight, 18-year old center-field prospect Manuel Margot will start his professional career with the Lowell Spinners. In weekend exhibitions, Margot showed why the Red Sox organization is so high on the 6', 170-pounder from the Dominican Republic. Margot has plus-plus speed and showed it by stretching a gap shot into a triple—and then scoring on an overthrow. In last year's Dominican Summer League, Margot hit .285 with 4 HRs and 45 RBIs—and that was at age 17! Look for him to move swiftly through the system.