Red Sox Repel Rays, 5 to 3

TAMPA BAY: 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 - 3 3 0

BOSTON: 1 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 x - 5 9 0

Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox was sweet - as in sweet revenge - and today they have more than met their daily minimum "sugar" requirement. They were triumphant over the Tampa Bay Rays in the first game of their three game season opening series. October fades. Boston's tradition of being a power team was re-enforced by two solo homers by Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek - an excellent beginning for both of them, as well as for starting pitcher Josh Beckett. I happily experienced this Fenway Park Opening Day win in a bar in Southern California and was joined at the table by three recent arrivals to the state - Annie, Dave, Sean. Just one hundred sixty-one more games.

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TAMPA BAY: Starting Pitcher: James Shields, Losing Pitcher: James Shields

BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Josh Beckett, Winning Pitcher: Josh Beckett (1)

BOSTON: Save: Jonathan Papelbon (1)

BOSTON: Homeruns: Dustin Pedroia (1), Jason Varitek (1)

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RED SOX: Wins: 1, Losses: 0 AL East Standings: Toronto, Baltimore, Boston, New York, Tampa Bay

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Next game: Wednesday 8 April 2009, 4:10 p.m. PT, Tampa Bay Rays, Fenway Park, Jon Lester

Opening Day Postponed

Due to the forecast of heavy rain, the Boston Red Sox home season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays has been postponed until Tuesday 7 April 2009 at 1:05 p.m. PT. Although I'm disappointed that I have to wait one more day for the season to begin, I'm glad the Red Sox organization made the announcement early in order to minimize the inconvenience for fans fortunate enough to have tickets for the game. So tomorrow the Boston Red Sox will begin their quest for more baseball glory and I will be gladly following their journey this 2009 season.

Joy Returns Tomorrow!

Joy last existed in a crowded, stand-anywhere-you-can-find-a-space New England sports living bar in Southern California. For several hours that warm October night, people happily embraced friends, eagerly consumed golden liquids, and voluntarily stared at illuminated screens on walls throughout the bar. All of this to support the Boston Red Sox in their quest to once again become American League Champions and have a chance at the World Series for a second year in a row. However, Joy left (an out here) and returned (a hit there) throughout the seventh game and only completely vanished into the night at the end of the ninth inning. The second chance was lost. People sadly consoled friends, slowly consumed liquids, and completely ignored the screens on the walls. The warm October night had unexpectedly turned cold.

Joy was deeply missed over the winter months. Then February arrived and with it Spring Training. The Boston Red Sox ended the preseason winning more games than they lost and a bit of Joy began to appear. And now it is April and a new season begins tomorrow - Opening Day. Boston starts the regular season at home in Fenway Park. And as twisted fate (or baseball scheduling) would have it, the Red Sox start the 2009 season by playing the Tampa Bay Rays - the last team they played in October. On Opening Day people will once again support the Boston Red Sox with Joy. And I will be at that New England sports living bar in Southern California and although it may not be as crowded (no ring ceremony this year); there will be embracing of friends, consumption of golden liquids, and staring at illuminated screens. Yes, Joy returns tomorrow! The cold October night becomes a warm April day.

Image is from the website boston.redsox.mlb.com

Red Sox Maul Mets, 9 to 3

BOSTON: 6 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 - 9 10 1

NEW YORK METS: 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 - 3 6 1

All the runs the Boston Red Sox would need to claim victory over the New York Mets came in the first inning, capped off by a Jed Lowrie grand slam which chased the Mets starting pitcher, Oliver Perez, from the game. That was the first homerun in Citi Field, but the question remains if it will officially have that honor, as this was a preseason game. In any case, Boston ends Spring Training on a positive note and a winning preseason. The Red Sox begin the regular season at home on Monday and, as usual, look good to be a strong contender for postseason play. Opening Day arrives!

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BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Winning Pitcher: Daisuke Matsuzaka

NEW YORK METS: Starting Pitcher: Oliver Perez, Losing Pitcher: Oliver Perez

BOSTON: Homeruns: Jed Lowrie (grand slam), Jason Varitek

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RED SOX: Spring Training Wins: 22, Spring Training Losses: 15

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Next game: Monday 6 April 2009, 11:05 a.m., Tampa Bay Rays, Fenway Park

Mets Repress Red Sox

BOSTON: 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 - 3 8 0

NEW YORK METS: 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 x - 4 7 1

Spring Training for the Boston Red Sox changed location from Florida to New York. Today they played the New York Mets in the new NY ballpark, Citi Field. There was an hour long rain delay at the end of the fifth inning with the Mets leading. After the game resumed, New York managed to hang to the lead inspite of a Red Sox surge. The Mets celebrated the first game in Citi Field with a win. Tomorrow Boston will have a chance to even the score.

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BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Jon Lester, Losing Pitcher: Manny Delcarmen

NEW YORK METS: Starting Pitcher: Livan Hernandez, Winning Pitcher: Bobby Parnell

NEW YORK METS: Save: Francisco Rodriguez

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RED SOX: Spring Training Wins: 21, Spring Training Losses: 15

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Next game: Saturday 4 April 2009, 10:10 a.m., New York Mets, Citi Field

Minnesota Mashes Boston

BOSTON: 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 - 3 7 0

MINNESOTA: 1 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 x - 7 12 1

The Boston Red Sox ended their Florida portion of Spring Training with a disappointing loss to the Minnesota Twins. They did have the consolation of having won the Mayor's Cup on Saturday 28 March 2009, thus winning the preseason series with the Twins by three games to two games. In Hammond Stadium in South Fort Myers, the only highlight for Boston was the two-run homerun by Jason Bay in the top of the fourth inning. The team heads North today to New York for the final two Spring Training games against the New York Mets. A few players will be staying behnd (Tim Wakefield, George Kottaras, et.al.) to continue training before heading to Boston for the start of the regular season. Farewell Florida!

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BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Brad Penny, Losing Pitcher: Felix Doubrant

MINNESOTA: Starting Pitcher: Francisco Liriano, Winning Pitcher: Luis Ayala

BOSTON: Homerun: Jason Bay

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RED SOX: Spring Training Wins: 21, Spring Training Losses: 14

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Next game: Friday 3 April 2009, 3:10 p.m., New York Mets, Citi Field

Boston Blasts Pittsburgh, 4 to 3

BOSTON: 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 - 4 9 1

PITTSBURGH: 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 3 8 0

It was the long ball that brought success to the Boston Red Sox in its game with the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton. Chris Ambres provided all the runs (a three-run homer in the fourth and a solo homer in the ninth) the Red Sox would need in their win at McKechnie Field. The Red Sox are back on a wining streak with two victories in a row.

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BOSTON: Starting Pitcher: Josh Beckett, Winning Pitcher: Jonathan Papelbon

PITTSBURGH: Starting Pitcher: Paul Maholm, Losing Pitcher: Daniel Haigwood

BOSTON: Save: C. George

BOSTON: Homeruns: Chris Ambres: 2

PITTSBURGH: Homerun: Nate McLouth

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RED SOX: Spring Training Wins: 21, Spring Training Losses: 13

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Next Game: Thursday 2 April 2009, 10:05 a.m., Minnesota Twins, Lee County