SOX FALL TO PIRATES IN THE 9TH

Jon Lester started Thursday afternoon's contest and pitched 2 scoreless innings. Other notable performances:

Julio Lugo: 0/3
Dustin Pedroia: 0/2, BB, R
David Ortiz: 0/3
JD Drew: 0/2, BB, R
Jason Varitek: 0/2
Jeff Bailey: 1/2, 2 RBI
Hideki Okajima: IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 R, K

Red Sox visit the Rays Friday afternoon.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Steven Senne

GABE PRUITT ARRESTED

Early this morning in LA, Gabe Pruitt was in his car, stopped at a green light, when an LAPD officer pulled him over. I don't know how you pull over a stopped car, but whatever. The officer determined he was drunk, and now he's in LA jail.

Pruitt's the backup point-guard, which just so happens to be the position that Stephon Marbury plays.

And according to the New York Times, Marbury's pretty sure he'll be signing with the Celtics on Friday.

NY Times Story

Source:
Boston Herald

CELTICS LOSE WHAT COULD BE THEIR LAST PRE-MARBURY GAME

To quote Mister Kevin Garnett...

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!

Just like a loss to the Clippers is possible. Just like Stephon Marbury in green and white is possible.

The Celtics fell the Clippers 93-91 Wednesday night. Normally that might incite panic, concern, or even notice. But losing a 2 point game with Kevin Garnett playing 0 minutes doesn't bug me much, even though the Celtics easily could have, and probably should been victorious.

The big story is Stephon Marbury. It's looking more and more like he'll be a Celtic. And I for one think it will be a good move. At the same time, he should not be welcomed to Boston with a ticker-tape parade, or even with open arms. The first thing he gets when he walks into the Celtics' locker room is a list of Do's and Don'ts.

Marbury has the talent to be a role player on this team. He also has the ego to be a cancer. And the Celtics have 23 games to figure out which he'll be. If he helps, he can stay. If not, the Celtics can cut him loose. Sound like something another sports team in New England has done in the past. *cough* *cough* Corey Dillon, Rodney Harrison, Randy Moss *cough* *cough*

It really is amazing how much winning can help keep a locker room cool, and how much the whole "You need us more than we need you" attitude can help keep an individual from getting a big head.

Celtics host the Pacers Friday night.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

BECKETT HEALTHY, SOX BEAT BC, WAKEFIELD AND BARD COMBO SHAKY AGAINST TWINS

Grapefruit League play started for the Red Sox with the annual contest against the BC Eagles, and the opener of the 2009 Mayor's Cup.

The Sox extended their winning streak over BC, even though they were shut-out until the 5th inning of the 7 inning contest. David Ortiz was 0 for 2, Julio Lugo was 0 for 1 with a walk, JD Drew was 0 for 0 with a walk, Rocco Baldelli was 0 for 3, Clay Buchholz pitched a perfect 3rd inning, recording 1 strikeout.

Already, the 2009 season is better than 2008. Last year, Beckett was grabbing his back in pain after his first Spring Training start. This year, he threw 2 perfect innings, struck out 2, and the outing was totally pain free.

Across town at the Twins' facility, the rest of the Sox lost 5-2. Notable performances:

Jacoby Ellsbury: 0/3
Dustin Pedroia: 2/3, 2B
Kevin Youkilis: 1/3, R
Jason Bay: 0/3
Brad Wilkerson: 1/3, R, Error
Jed Lowrie: 1/2, 3B, RBI
Jeff Bailey: 2/2, RBI
Josh Bard: 0/3

And now the pitchers...

Tim Wakefield: 2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Justin Masterson: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K
Manny Delcarmen: IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Javier Lopez: IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Ramon Ramirez: IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K



Josh Bard also looked less than smooth catching Wakefield. But I don't think it's time to sound the Mirabelli Alarm and get a replacement. After all, Wakefield might not be in the rotation at all in a few months.

The Sox host the Pirates Thursday afternoon.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Steven Senne

THE B'S ARE BACK IN TOWN

The last time the Bruins played the Panthers, they were shutout 2-0. Last night saw the opposite. After an ugly Florida trip, the Bruins came out firing on all cylinders, maybe even with some NO2 mixed in.

The Bruins dominated the last 30 minutes of this game. Byron Bitz (Cornell '07, GO BIG RED!) did something a Bruin hasn't done in a while: had a tip in goal. The score made it a 3-1 game. But unlike previous contests, the Bruins didn't ease up. Bitz scored again, early in the 3rd. This time off a juicy rebound (another recent rarity). Two minutes later, Aaron Ward slapped in a goal. Then Michael Ryder, just back from injury, scored on the power play. It was Ryder's 20th.



Of all the troubles the Bruins have had lately, their mental lapses, defensive miscues, and struggling to play with the lead have been the most frustrating. They've also had difficulty finishing, but at least they've been generating offensive opportunities. Last night, they made few mistakes. They kept their foot on the gas throughout the 3rd period.

The Bruins now have 90 points, a 9 point lead over Washington in the Conference, a 19 point lead over Montreal in the Division, and a game against the Ducks Thursday night.



Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credits:
AP Photo/Elise Amendola

BC 72, FLORIDA ST. 67

Boston College was a bubble team until last night. In my opinion, they're in the NCAA tournament, regardless of what happens in their remaining games.

Sophomore Joe Trapani led the Eagles with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Tyrese Rice was held to 11, but all 11 seemed to come at big times. With 0:23 on the clock, Rice nailed a 3 pointer to give BC a 71-67 lead

The Eagles now sit in the top 6 of the ACC, and have 20 wins. In little over a week they play NC State, then host Georgia Tech.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Mary Schwalm

FLORIDA FUCK UP

The Bruins went on vacation in Florida, both off and on the ice. Two games in the Sunshine State, two defeats, zero points. And Washington's getting larger in the review mirror.

So what happened? Why did a trip through the Southleast Division, which the Bruins had owned, turn into a nightmare. What should have been a roadtrip like Sherman's March turned into the Peninsular Campaign. Hooray for obscure Civil War references.

Last night it was in Tampa Bay. The lowly Lightning, in their putrid uniforms, made a stand against the Bruins. A 3rd string goalie stopped 40 shots. And an injury riddled opponent lit the lamp 4 times.

The Bruins came out with fire and focus. Phil Kessel scored 98 seconds into the game, ending a long goalless drought. But the B's lost their edge. Lacidasical defense and downright horrible goaltending led to 2 quick Tampa Bay goals. The Bruins looked the better team for the rest of the game, but Tampa had the luck of deflections, and the B's didn't.

Saturday night in Miami it was a similar story. Another opposing goalie boosted their save percentage. Thomas Vokoun stopped all 41 shots he saw. The Bruins went 0 for 6 on the power play, had the better chances, but couldn't finish.

The offense isn't closing posessions with goals. And it's a team-wide problem. Phil Kessel finally scored again, so hopefully his production will increase. But Marc Savard, who made no mistakes from October to January, has suddenly become a turnover machine. His passes hit skates, not sticks. He makes low percentage passes near the blue-line, touching off rushes the other way.

The absence of Michael Ryder can't be understated. Ryder, Krejci, and Wheeler were a perfect unit on the ice. Now that line has become less of a factor. Or maybe it just seems that way with the Savard-Kessel-Lucic unit going through a monumental slump.

But there does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel. As stated above, Kessel ended his goalless streak. Chara and the other defenders are looking sharp. Milan Lucic is back to bending the boards. Shawn Thornton got in a fight, ending a team streak of 8 fightless games, the longest streak of the season. The team is coming home for 6 straight.

They'll get their act together.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Mike Carlson

KG OUT 2 TO 3 WEEKS

In the Celtics' 90-85 loss in Utah Thursday night hurt more than a typical loss. Kevin Garnett left in the 1st half with what turned out to be a strained muscle in his knee. He'll miss 2 to 3 weeks while the knee heals.

Trying to find a silver lining, this injury could also serve as a bit of a rest for Garnett. Then again, the other members of the Celtics are going to have to work even harder with him out.

If the Celtics win 13 of their remaining 26 games, they clinch the division, even if the 76ers win ALL of their remaining games. But the C's lead in the Eastern Conference is much much slimmer. Cleveland is 1/2 game behind, and is actually ahead in the loss column. Cleveland also possesses the head-to-head tie-breaker.

This injury might cost the Celtics home court advantage. But probably not much else.

Source:
Associated Press

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac