Results tagged ‘ Opening Day ’
Fenway Park’s 101st Opening Day is a success
Red Sox Nation showed up early on a warm afternoon and enjoyedFenwayPark’s 101st Opening Day, celebrating a century since the park opened in 1912. Masses of fans filled the park to see the Boston Red Sox face the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. Some popular gathering spots in the old park were the several areas with recently installed commemorative bricks, which were purchased and engraved by fans.
Boston’s pre-game ceremonies included recently retired players Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek, coming out from behind the left field wall to throw out the first pitch. Members of the Boston Pops and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus conducted by James Orent performed the National Anthem. A flyover by four F-16 fighter jets from the Vermont Air National Guard’s Green Mountain Boys flew by from the bleachers to home plate.
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Carl Crawford takes batting practice with the Red Sox on Opening Day at Fenway Park.
Beckett could be booed at Fenway Park’s Opening Day
Josh Beckett (0-1, 13.50), who signed a four-year $68 million extension with the Boston Red Sox during the 2010 season, has been Boston’s heir apparent Ace pitcher to a 25-year line of award-winning pitchers, including Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling. Despite being second in this year’s starting rotation, he will get the starting assignment for the 101st Home Opening Day at Fenway Park on Friday, April 13. Jon Lester (0-0, 1.29) received the Opening Day start in Detroit ahead of Beckett.
Beckett irked fans by reportedly drinking beer and eating fried chicken during the games of last year’s collapse. The clearly out-of-shape pitcher made no apologies for his actions in the aftermath of the season and Terry Francona’s resignation. He instead focused anger on anyone who might have leaked the information about his little clubhouse clique.
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Red Sox week ahead for April 9
The Boston Red Sox kicked off the 2012 regular season inDetroiton April 5 and the Detroit Tigers swept the three-game series. The Red Sox began the season 0-3 for the second straight year. This week they will try to avoid another 0-6 start to the season before heading home toBoston.
On Monday they will begin a three-game series versus the Toronto Blue Jays. Jose Bautista, who has led the Major League in home runs the past two years, led the Blue Jays to a 2-1 series win in Cleveland and will look to keep them on the winning track for their home opener on Monday.
The Red Sox new number four and five starters will be unveiled inToronto. Felix Doubront, who won a spot in the starting rotation for the first time, will make his first start of 2012 on Monday. Despite the desire of many Red Sox fans to have Daniel Bard move back to the bullpen to close out games, he will make the first start of his Major League career on Tuesday.
Red Sox Nation’s Opening Day Lineup
The Boston Red Sox batting lineup has a few changes from last year’s team, which led the league in runs, hits, doubles, RBI, OPS and total bases. The best offense in baseball is less impressive this year, but they will be a force against opposing pitching staffs and will provide plenty of run support for their pitchers.
1) OF Jacoby Ellsbury: The AL MVP runner up was amazing throughout the year and kept going even through the collapse of September. The All-Star center fielder became the first player in Red Sox history to have a 30-30 season. I don’t expect him to repeat that accomplishment, but 20 home runs with 40 stolen bases and 110 runs scored is not out of the question.
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Texas home runs sweep the Red Sox out of town
After powering their way to a 9-5 victory on Opening Day,
the Texas Rangers continued the offensive onslaught against the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox lost all three games to the Rangers to begin the season with their
worst start since 1996. That year they suffered a three-game sweep in Texas and
lost the first two in Kansas City before recording their first win of the
season and going on to finish third in the division.
Ian Kinsler led the offensive attack by Texas
on Saturday, beating Boston,
12-5. Kinsler had hit three hints, including a leadoff home run in the first
inning for the second straight game, and scored three runs.
Elvis Andrus went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI
and former Red Sox Adrian Beltre belted a grand slam to highlight a six-run
fourth inning. Nelson Cruz and Yorvit Torrealba each homered for the Rangers, who
were last season’s American League Champion and will received their rings
before the game.
Colby Lewis (1-0) allowed three runs and six hits over six
innings to pick up the win for Texas.
Adrian Gonzalez notched three hits and Jacoby Ellsbury and
David Ortiz each homered for the Red Sox. John Lackey (0-1) was roughed up for
nine runs and ten hits, lasting just three and 2/3 innings to suffer the loss
for Boston.
The Rangers hit four solo home runs on Sunday afternoon to
down the Red Sox, 5-1, and complete a three-game sweep. David Murphy hit a shot
in the second inning, Kinsler hit his third of the season in the third, Napoli belted one in the fifth and Nelson Cruz hit his
third of the season in the seventh for the Rangers, who finished the series
with 11 home runs.
Matt Harrison (1-0) put on the best pitching performance of
the series, allowing just one run and five hits over seven innings to pick up
the win for the Rangers.
Carl Crawford, who was dropped to seventh in the Red Sox
lineup after going hitless in the first two games, went 2-for-4 and drove in a
run. Ortiz, who is having a good start to the season with two home runs and batting
.385, collected a pair of hits. Clay Buchholz (0-1) gave up four runs and five
hits over six and 1/3 innings to take the loss for Boston.
The Red Sox have an off day on Monday and will travel to Cleveland to face the
Indians on Tuesday. The starting pitchers are expected to be Josh Beckett (NR)
for Boston versus Josh Timlin (NR) for Cleveland.
For more Red Sox and Boston
sports coverage, visit FaneuilSports.com
By Brian Rabuffetti
Published on Examiner.com
