BYRD OUTPITCHES HALLADAY

After a 10 month hiatus, Paul Byrd's return to the Sox rotation was more than impressive. He scattered 3 hits and 3 walks over 6 shutout innings, and helped propel the Red Sox past Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays. The victory gave the Sox their first series sweep since they took 3 from Baltimore in Camden Yards at the start of August.

Alex Gonzalez is having the hot-streak of his life. He's 10 for his last 23 (.435). He's hit 3 HR and knocked in 11 RBI in only 15 games with the Sox. He was 2 for 3 this afternoon with a double and a triple.

It's just one start, and it was against a weak offense that wasn't prepared to face him, but if Byrd can come up with some Brad-Penny-in-April kind of starts, then things aren't so dodgy at the bottom end of the rotation.

It was apparently Old Timers Day at Fenway. Not only did 38 year old Paul Byrd look solid, 38 year old Billy Wagner was lights out in his Sox debut. He threw 16 pitches, 11 strikes, allowed 1 hit, and struck out the side in the 8th.



The Sox have Monday off before starting a HUGE 3 game series down in Tampa Bay. The Rays lost today, so the Sox are 5 games ahead of them in the loss column. Taking 2 of 3 down there would be a killer blow to the Rays.

Texas also lost, so the Sox have a 3.5 game lead over the Rangers.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Winslow Townson

WAKEFIELD HURT AGAIN

Tim Wakefield was brilliant in his return to the rotation. But now he's leaving said rotation, at least for one start. He's stated that he felt back and hip stiffness/pain in the 3rd inning of his start against the White Sox on Wednesday. That stiffness and pain haven't gone away.

The Sox pushed Jon Lester back to Tuesday to take Wakefield's turn. Paul Byrd took Lester's spot this afternoon against the Blue Jays.

So right now Beckett hasn't pitched like an Ace in a few weeks. Lester can't reach 7 innings. Buchholz is hit or miss. Wakefield is down again. Tazawa looked dreadful last time out. And our hopes are riding on Paul Byrd.

Kind of scary.

Source:
Associated Press

BRADY WON'T PLAY THURSDAY, PATRIOTS HUSH HUSH ABOUT HIS SHOULDER

Trying to get information out of the Patriots is like trying to pull the ship out of a ship in a bottle. Even if you do get anything out, it will be broken up bits, and essentially worthless.



The Patriots are conceding that Brady has a sore right shoulder. They seem to be implying that he won't play in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Giants. Bill Belichick stated:

"I’m saying that we made the decision to play other quarterbacks in the second half of the Washington game because we wanted to see them play, and that will be the same situation [in] the Giants game. Tom had a desire to play, but we made a football decision to play other players because I think we need to see other players at that position and make an evaluation there."

Brady has 15 days to recover from whatever the hell is wrong with his shoulder. I doubt there is any tear, or even strain. I'm not too worried about it.

Source:
Boston.com