Atlanta Attacks Boston

ATLANTA: 2 0 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 - 8 11 1

BOSTON: 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 - 2 2 1

Either the Boston Red Sox have forgotten how to hit or they have encountered exceptional opponent pitching during the past two days. Although Boston has had only three hits and three runs in these last two games, I'll go with the later option. If so, then the corollary is that the Boston pitching has not been exceptional, in a positive sense. Interleague play continued today against a new opponent - the Atlanta Braves. The usually friendly Fenway Park has not been such for the Red Sox at the end of the last series and at the beginning of this three-game series. Also Boston will have to make a decision regarding Dice-K, whose next turn in the rotation (Thursday 25 June) has been scheduled to go to John Smoltz - have a six-man rotation, move to the bullpen, or have a minor league assignment? Answers should be forthcoming next week.

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ATLANTA: Starting Pitcher: Kenshin Kawakami, Winning Pitcher: Kenshin Kawakami

BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Losing Pitcher: Daisuke Matsuzaka (5)

ATLANTA: Homerun: Nate McLouth

BOSTON: Homerun: Jason Bay (18)

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RED SOX: Wins: 40, Losses: 27, AL East Standings: Boston, New York, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Baltimore

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Next game: Saturday 20 June 2009, 4:10 p.m. PT, Atlanta Braves, Fenway Park, Josh Beckett