I hope that everyone chimes in on this game today. I'm blocked from MLB.com at work, which totally sucks. I'll be checking in here to see what's going on.

I hate it when my job interferes with me being able to watch baseball. :sigh:

should be a good game today. i hate when anything gets in the way of baseball..i'll be watching later can't wait.

I'm at school and I don't get any of the channels at home, so I'll have to get updates when I get home. Which sucks.

Hmm. I could watch at work, but I have a friend who's attending the game, and it seems like everything I've watched this spring, they've lost. What is up with that?

I feel your pain, Caroline. I've gotten to watch 2 games this spring and they have lost both. Maybe it's a good thing that I can't watch today. :) Course with "Santaner" on the mound it might not matter anyway. Who knows.

this year i can watch spring training on mlb.com and the sox can't win a game its funny in a way. ellsbury just singled off santana.

Nothing like getting loud cheers from the home crowd in St. Lucie when Ellsbury leads off with a hit off of Santana.

If you missed it, Beckett talked about his back this morning.

Lowrie made an out. Tek reached on a popup that was lost by the left fielder in the sky. Youk struck out.

Brandon Moss popped out to end the inning.

Now THAT is the Beckett we all know and love!!!!
Thank goodnesss...I thought he was gone for good!!!
Wish the news was better, though!

beckett's back to normal. there's an fbomb in that interview thanks ian

When I put the transcript up, I was going to add in the f bomb and other cuss words but since people are working, don't want to be responsible for anyone getting fired.

Mets in the first-

Reyes made an out, Brady Clark singled, David Wright struck out, Clark to second on a ball in the dirt, Beltran grounded out to third

Sox In the 2nd:

Cash flew out to left, Cora line shot to santana that he knocks down and throws to first for the out, Ginter struck out.

Oh my dear Joshie....how nice to have you back to your (bleeping) wonderful media obligations. We thank ye. :) He's not very paitent, is he??

Thanks for posting that Ian, I hadn't seen any updates today!

Mets in the 2nd:

Delgado strikes out, Damion Easley popped up to Cora at short, Church popped out to Youk.

You're welcome Bethie. Texy's in Bradenton today for the Pirates game and I forgot to tell her I was going to do this for her today on my blog, so I'm giving the updates here for y'all for as long as I can.

Sox In the 3rd:

Chris Carter leads off with single to left, Ellsbury grounds into a fielder's choice, Carter out at second, Lowrie flies out to center, Tek struck out

Mets in the 3rd:

Angel Pagan struck out, Brian Schneider struck out, Reyes walks, Church bounces back to Lester who throws to first for the out.

Sox in the 4th:

Youk flies out to center, Moss grounds out to short, Cash flies to right

Mets in the 4th:

Wright leads off with single, Beltran grounds into 5-4-3 double play, Delgado strikes out.

Lester looked really good today as did Santana.

Agreed, Ian.

I am really very happy with how Lester did today. Exceeded my expectations.

That being said... I really feel no desire to have Lopez and Hansen pitch today.

Mets in the 5th:

Matt Wise on the mound for the Mets

Cora flies out to right, Ginter flies out to right, Carter singles to center, Ellsbury singles to right, Carter to second, Lowrie flies to right.

4 ip 50 pitches 2 hits no walks 4 strikeouts for Santana.

Mets in the 5th:

Hideki Okajima on the mound for the Sox

Easley grounds to short, Church grounds back to OkiDoke, Pagan pops to short.

4 ip 66 pitches, 2 hits, 1 walk 5 strikeouts for Lester

Anyone else asleep watching this game.

I can't help but wonder what it is that Lester reaches back for when he feels like proving himself. Weren't three of his best games last year his first road start for the Sox, first home start, and first postseason start?

I like this Jonny. Let's keep him.

Also, forget the banged-up pitching stable we've got, why can't we buy an RBI?

I wish I could be asleep... but I sure am getting more work done than I expected.

Sox in the 6th:

anderson hernandez at 2nd, fernando martinez in right for the Mets

tek grounds to first, youk grounds to short, Moss grounds to first

My guess Caroline for today is that he wanted to prove to the Red Sox they didn't make a mistake in keeping him.

Although I find it very interesting in what Keith Burkhardt said about the Twins telling the Red Sox they liked the Twins offer better. I have to ask what Twins GM Bill Smith was smoking that day.

Lester still needs to work on his pitch counts but I thought it was nice to see him pitch well today.

I've been going on the assumption that Omar Minaya threatened to kill Smith's dog.

Ian, I totally agree. and I really find it interesting that he has that Schillingesque condition of bearing down and pitching somewhat more strongly than normal when he's under pressure. I wish his baseline was a little better, but he did quite well today and that makes me happy.

I think Bill Smith is a dope for not jumping back when Phil Hughes was on the table (assuming that was really ever the case).

Mets in the 6th -

George Kottaras is catching for the Sox, Okidoke still on the bump.

Schneider flies to center, Reyes strikes out, Clark singles just over the head of Cora, Wright flies to deep left

Javier Lopez is coming to pitch in the 7th for the Sox, let's hope he isn't facing any lefties.

Lopez seems like a really nice guy, but I'm at the point where I wince when I hear his name.

Nothing wrong with that Schillingesque condition for Lester at all. It's going to be hard to judge how the trade benefited the Twins until we see the players perform in the big leagues.

as of right now, minaya ripped the Twins off.

Any ideas on what they'll do with Lopez and Hansen this year? I'm really not thrilled about them. I was surprised that they resigned Lopez, and it seems that the sleep apnea surgery hasn't improved Hansen very much.

Apnea free Hansen is victory free!

Sox in the 7th -

Too many changes to list for the Mets on the field, Pedro Feliciano on the mound

Cash grounds out, Cora grounds out to third, Ginter fouls out to first

My best guess is that Hansen goes back to Triple-A to continue to find himself. Unless the Sox can find a better lefty specialist, Lopez will hold that role (cringes as I write this).

In regards to Hansen as well, it appears the pep talk last year from RoJo (Pawtucket manager) didn't work for him like it did for Manny Delcarmen.

I write this as someone who only pretends on the Internet to be knowledgable about baseball and in real life I barely know a park-adjusted statistic from a Fenway Frank, but: What is the virtue of having a lefty specialist if he's not useful at getting any outs, let alone left-handed ones? Wouldn't we be better off just having a good righty in that role?

hansen has looked horrible the two times i watched him this year. almost dozed off earlier watching this.

Love Lopez, but I have started to react to his apperance in a game kinda the same way I did with Gagne. Is that bad?? :)

Not that I don't love having baseball back... but every year, a few weeks in, I get so tired of ST I could scream.

It happened about 5 minutes ago.

mhcranberry, the nice thing about baseball is that you can now safely ignore it for a couple weeks and check back in when you're in the mood.

Although if you're anything like me, you will claim that you're going to do that and then 48 hours from now you're obsessively refreshing MLBtraderumors.com with one hand while writing a frantic letter to Beckett's back muscles with the other.

Caroline-- I've wondered that as well. He seems to be able to do the job no better than anyone else on the team.

And really, it's one instance in which what you see is what you get in the statistics. He's no better on paper.

With these guys, they seem so nice, I feel bad for them, but MAN, they reliably make me cringe.

Mets in the 7th -

Javier Lopez on the mound for the Sox *cringes

Beltran flies to center, Jose Valentin flies to left, Anderson Hernandez singles to left, Fernando Martinez strikes out.

holy shi*, Lopez got a lefty out. I kid I kid. Lopez looked really good in his inning of work. Of course 3 were righties.

It's not a good thing to have a lefty specialist if he can't get outs, Lopez has better numbers against righties. It is better to have a lefty in my opinion because it's harder for a lefthanded hitter to hit a lefty pitcher for some reason. I wouldn't know I am righty. If Coco gets traded, I'd expect the Red Sox to try and get a lefty to fill the role.

Think of Mike Myers who pitched with the Yankees, his only role on that team was to try and get Big Papi out. He failed alot and thats why he's gone from the Yanks.

Bethie i'm starting to be that way too hence the *cringes everytime i've mentioned his name.

I'm kind of a DL nerd, actually, because I work in health and can actually understand it.

And FWIW, I'm not worried about Beckett's back--he'll be fine in a few days. The strain won't put him at higher risk now for it happening again. I mean, it's a very simple injury.

The question with Japan is whether he's had enough practice, I think, not whether he'll still be in too much pain.

Also--I have a feeling Dice-K will make it to Japan. Dunno why.

Right, I understand that for some reason handedness plays into a pitcher-batter matchup, but I wonder if it's really such a big factor that using a roster spot on a mediocre lefty is really preferable to using that spot on a good righty, if those are your two choices.

Mike Myers used to make me laugh, because every time he'd come out, I swear Papi just looked out at him, like, "seriously, again? sorry, dude."

I know all too well what Beckett is going through. I live with it every day from a car accident 4 years ago.

His injury is minor compared to mine and he should recover quickly. It will take a few days for everything to calm down and he'll be fine. It will take a lot of strengthening of the core stomach muscles and also the muscles that work with the back (Hamstrings)

Sox in the 8th-

Willie Collazo on the mound.

Carter and Ellsbury make outs (wasn't paying attention for a quick second), Lowrie reaches on an error by 3B, Lowrie picked off first.

Caroline that's also why Tito tries to alternate hitters in the lineup to force the other team to use their lefties.

Oh my GOD, will SOMEONE please DO SOMETHING OUT THERE?!

I get that, Ian, what I wonder is, how big of a factor is it really? How much better is a decent lefty against a good lefthanded hitter than a great righty?

mh--seriously. something. anything?

also, I think Dice-K will definitely be in Japan, and I really don't think Beckett will (because why would you put a guy rehabbing a back problem on a plane for 15 hours?)

I planned to do really boring work today because I thought the game would keep me amused. I was very very wrong.

Also, when I say "something, anything," I'm referring to something good for the Sox, please and thank you.

Sorry no update this inning got a phone call and am on the phone.

Caroline-- me too.

If I was at this game I would be kinda drunk at this point.

What in the devil is going on? Why do games like this happen? I mean... are they tired? Is it psychological? or just... coincidence?

I think it is the statistical price one pays for using up so much of baseball's excitement quota in the stretch run and postseason. (By that logic, if excitement were a finite baseball resource, the Sox would still be paying back their 2004 deficit...)

Damn you, Apnea Man!

Oh for the love of...

Is Youk up soon? Couldn't this get him riled up or something?

By the way, Caroline, because I never remember to mention it-- I really like your blog. Very cool. Thumbs up.

Hey, thanks so much! we haven't updated in forever but we have a post in the works for tonight, and we should be posting a dispatch or two from spring training next week (where hopefully our arrival will coincide with the arrival of the victory fairy).

Maybe Tito should pull a Piniella and get himself ejected from the game for no reason but to charge up the energy and change up the luck.

What is great about being a Bostonian lately:

A few minutes ago, the "CELTICS GAME TONIGHT" alarm went off in my head, along with requisite green flashing lights and thumping, butt-kicking hip hop soundtrack.

And I smiled to myself. Perfect timing.

PS-- vs the 76ers, 7:00 pm
I BLEED GREEN.

Someone scored a run!! WOW!!

HOLY WHOSIT! We scored.

Whaddyaknow.

I actually have a party favor noisemaker in my office for reasons I cannot recall, and I am actually giving it a toot in celebration of a single run! Yay!

I'm not a big fan of any basketball except the women's college variety (UConn Huskies, symbol of might to the foe!), but I have been enjoying the Bruins, who, even when they can't win the hockey game, are definitely winning the fisticuffs.

Yes, I have been following the fisticuffs of the Bruins. Loved that one that was like, 2 minutes long with Lucic.

If you like the fights, college hockey is the way to go. Was raised watching those games, now following my BU Terriers on their awesome, punching-enhanced rise through the conference.

Ok sorry about that folks. i'm firing myself from live blogging duties. LOL.

So what happened. I saw Hansen give up the double. And i saw the Sox score on a sac fly.

I need to do a link exchange with you Caroline with my blog as well. Plus you'll like I do cover the UConn women as well. Just sucks I don't get ESPNU so i have to listen to the game online tonight.

Oh by teh way, anonymous was me, I forgot to hit the old google autofill in.

My best guess is that this game gets called after this inning if neither team scores a run.

Pitcher's duels are good for the regular season not spring training.

And how much of a funk is the sox offense in now, thats 5 runs in 45 innings.

Yeah, can anyone make me feel better about the offense these days? Please?

Lee Gronkiewicz on the hill for the save of the tie.

I agree Ian. Funk is most definitely the appropriate word. Of course, I'm still in that "we won the world series" afterglow, as I'm waiting to watch them all walk on water. LOL Someone needs to remind me that the 2007 season is over. :)

It has been a bummer so far this spring, but thank goodness spring training games aren't regular season games.

MHC - it's only spring training. Does that cheer you up?

Maybe when all the normal hitters start playing in the lineup, the runs will start to flow like the champagne did in Colorado.

Ian--

It does just a little bit. But the prospect of the Celts game did a better job.

I think I just really want to see our starting lineup together for a whole game, or at least most of it.

That was a great play by Thurston at second on the dive and throw. very Pedroia -like

Ian, I've actually been meaning to add you to my blogroll for ages, it's just that I'm a giant loser and forget people every time I update it, now I'll remember tonight!

Hey, guys, this means we DIDN'T LOSE!

I'll be the half empty glass guy.

They didn't win either.

Caroline I just added yours to the blogroll as well. Thanks!!!

I know, it's what I'm thinking too but not saying.

Anybody think Hansen gets more chances?

We've got glass half empty, glass half full-- I'll be the one who says I ordered a cheeseburge.

Actually, it really helps for me that at least our pitchers really did a good job today. That's halfway to where we want to be!

Thank you guys so much for keeping all of us updated while we're working! I soooooo appreciate it!

With the money they invested in Hansen, I'd have to think they will give him a few more chances. If he can get his shi* together, he can be very helpful to the Red Sox and fill the role that Mike Timlin has for the Sox when Timlin decides to hang his jock up.

You're welcome Bethie.

Caroline, I'm guessing 1/4 of the other half is the hitting and the other 1/4 is everyone getting healthy.

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate knowing the game details and reading the banter.

Ugh. All these 1:05 starting times are going to be the death of me. Thanks for the running commentary during the game guys, today and all the other days I haven't been able to listen to/watch.

On the--literally--bright side, at least it looks like it's 4 outside... oh, daylight savings, how I missed you.

Back on the baseball hand, sounds like Lugo's back is getting worrying. Any word on what it is?