Boston Red Sox : News and Notes 07/23/06
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Kason Gabbard made his major league debut for the Boston Red Sox on Saturday afternoon. The 24 year old lefty pitched brilliantly for the first couple months of the season in AA Portland, going 9-2 with a 2.57 ERA and 68 K's in 73.2 IP before struggling a little bit in AAA Pawtucket. He was 1-3 with a 4.97 ERA with 23 K's in 29 IP. He was called up to the bigs to take Tim Wakefield's spot in the rotation. He pitched better than the Sox ever could've hoped for, giving them 5.1 IP allowing 3 runs, 2 of them earned. He allowed 2 BB's and 8 H's with 3 K's. Manager Terry Francona still hasn't decided if he's going to skip Gabbard's next turn in the rotation. If he is called upon to take his next turn he would have only one start before the trading deadline when it is possible that the Red Sox could acquire a replacement in a trade.
Julian Tavarez allowed 2 runs in 1.2 IP in relief of Gabbard. ``I suck," the frustrated Tavarez said. ``I can't get anybody out. Sucks, bro. It's tough. Every time I try to hold onto a lead, I can't." Tavarez saw his ERA rise to 5.30 on the year. There are rumors that the Colorado Rockies are interested in Tavarez with Ryan Shealy, Rudy Seanez, and Ray King also having their names thrown around. The Red Sox would have to eat some of Tavarez's salary, however, as he is set to make $3.2 million in 2007.
Mike Lowell, the subject of a far-fetched trade rumor created by ESPN that would bring Jake Peavy to Boston, hit his 13th homer in the 5-2 loss to the Mariners. Lowell, now batting .297/.348/.510, has already surpassed the 8 homers he had last year in 500 AB's and is just 7 short of the 58 RBI he had last year and just 3 short of the 180 total bases. He is hitting .273/.300/.561 so far in July with 4 homers.
David Ortiz made his second appearance in a row at firstbase yesterday afternoon. It was the slugger's 9th game in the field for the year and his first two outside of interleague play. Yesterday he took the field in order to give Kevin Youkilis a day off and on Friday he was at first to give Mike Lowell the day off, with Youkilis playing the game at third.
Jon Lester will be going for the Red Sox this afternoon in Seattle. The Tacoma, Washington native will be pitching in front of many friends and family including his parents. He is 5-0 with a 2.38 so far for the year.
Source
- boston.com
- mlb.com
Date
Sun 07/23/06, 12:15 pm EST
