ANOTHER INSANE NIGHT IN THE FENS

27 runs, 28 hits, 2 errors, a pickoff, 6 homeruns, 385 pitches, 4 lead changes, 15 walks, 3 double plays, 8 doubles, 12 pitches, 4 hours and 21 minutes of madness.

The Red Sox had 9 RBI with 2 outs. Varitek's Grand Slam was massive. Lowell's 3 run blast in the 7th was just as big. The Yankees have no bullpen. And while the Red Sox' bullpen looked shaky, it at least got the job done.

Downside? Ortiz looks like a singles/doubles hitter, and has looked like one for 100+ games going back to last year. JD Drew seems to be in love with double plays. Beckett's had one amazing start, and other than that he's been 2008 Beckett, not 2007 Beckett. Okajima? Ugh! Papelbon vs. the Yankees? UGH!!!

Even though the Sox won, Robinson Cano is the Man of the Game, 3 for 6, 5 RBI, a double, and two homers.

Sox go for the sweep and their 10th straight win Sunday night at 8.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Charles Krupa

PATS END FIRST DAY WITHOUT A LINEBACKER

Trying to predict the Patriots' activities on draft day is like trying to predict MegaMillions. There are so many factors involved, it's simply better to sit back and watch. Some thought the Pats would trade up. Most thought they'd acquire some youth at linebacker. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

The Pats ended their extensive 2nd round selections with offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer, originally from Kaarst, Germany (I like him already), Vollmer is nearly 6' 8" and 315 lbs. He's not stunning, and from what everyone is saying, he's a guy who will help the Pats more in 2010 (when they're likely to lose some free agents on the O-line) than in 2009.

PATS DRAFT SOME NEW ENGLAND TALENT

Darius Butler out of UConn and Ron Brace out of BC. Butler's a super-athletic cornerback, Brace is a defensive tackle.

The Pats traded up to get the 40th pick, and they took Ron Brace. With contracts like Vince Wilfork's coming to an end very soon, the Patriots got some insurance/leverage with this selection Brace. Brace was BJ Raji's fellow tackle, so he certainly got some help. The Pats have a tendency to convert DTs into DEs in their 3-4 schemes (Seymour and Warren were both DTs, and could play DT for many NFL teams), so I wouldn't be shocked if Brace sees time when the Pats go 4-3, and also occasionally at DE on 3-4.



Then the Pats took UConn's Darius Butler, who has "Patriot" written all over him. He's versatile, playing both offense and defense. He returned kicks. He even played some QB in high school. He's only 5' 10" but he can get up there with his vertical leap.

The Pats seem to have a philosophy when it comes to their defensive backfield. Get a dozen guys with potential and hope 2 or 3 of them work out. Take a lot of shots, hope you hit something. I think this Butler kid has tons of potential. He's too athletic to not at least catch on as a special teams player.

PATRIOTS TAKE A SAFETY WITH 34th PICK

Patrick Chung out of Oregon. A hard-hitting, close-to-the-line breed of safety. The drafting of Chung probably means the end of Rodney Harrison as a starter. Chung also joins James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather at the position.



He's a playmaker, which the Pats have desperately lacked in their defensive backfield for years. He hits hard, he picks the ball off, and he tackles. He had 9 career picks, and 370 tackles, setting a school record.

I love this pick. Chung seems like a guy who will be capable of changing a game with two or three plays, while simultaneously doing his job on all the other downs. He doesn't seem like he'll improve the pass-defense situation too much, though. And that's a concern that needs addressing.

PATRIOTS BUSIEST DRAFT DAY TEAM DESPITE HAVING YET TO SELECT A PLAYER

The Pats traded their 23rd overall pick for the 26th overall pick, as well as a 5th round pick. THEN, they traded these two picks for three picks: The 41st (2nd round), 72nd, and 83rd (both 3rd rounders).

It's almost too easy.



Source:
Reiss's Pieces

REMEMBER WHEN RIVEIRA=GAME OVER? HAHAHAHA

It was far from pretty. In fact, it was downright hideous at times. But the Sox had their first walk-off win of the season last night against the Yanks. Jason Bay's 2 run homer tied it at 4 in the 9th, and Youkilis' solo shot in the 11th sent everyone home happy.

Let's start with the good... Lester was solid despite being dominant. He's still never lost to the Yankees. Mike Lowell was 2 for 5, and had a nice reflex catch in the field to save at least a run. Youkilis, 2/4, 2 walks, 2 runs, and a homer. Bay, 3/5, double, homer, 2 RBI. Delcarmen got out of a bases loaded jam with 0 outs relatively unscathed.

Now to the bad... Okajima, 0.0 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, wouldv'e been worse if not for Delcarmen. Javier Lopez, 1 inning, 2 walks, how did New York not add to their lead here?



Now to the ugly... 4 double plays grounded into (2 by Drew), 13 men left on base. Chamberlain gave up 9 hits and 4 walks in his 5.1 innings, and the Sox only got 2 runs off him.

But, stealing wins like this one is what a good team does. And guys like Bay, Delcarmen and Youkilis picking up teammates like Drew and Okajima, is what happens on a good team.

8 in a row now for the Sox.

AJ Burnett against Josh Beckett Saturday at 4:10.

Man of the Game: Jason Bay with his 3 hits and game tying 2 out HR off Mo.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
AP Photo/Elise Amendola