BOSTONThe Blue Jays scored two first-inning runs, proving to be all they would need on their way to a 6-1 win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Josh Beckett has now given up 19 earned runs in the first innings of his 16 starts for a 10.69 ERA. But, its a disturbing trend that has plagued the rotation this season.
Red Sox starters have allowed at least one run in the first inning of 16 of their last 19 games at Fenway Park since June 10, including 11 of their last 12. Overall this season, the staffs first-inning ERA is 6.70, giving up a total of 70 earned runs in the 94 games. That is nearly three runs higher than all subsequent innings combined, when they have a 3.80 ERA, giving up 318 earned runs in 752 23 innings.
Carl Crawford went 1-for-4 and has hit safely in all five games since coming off the disabled list Monday night. He is hitting .389 (7-for-18) with three stolen bases and six runs scored.
Jacoby Ellsbury went 1-for-4 and has hit safely in six of his eight games since coming off the DL July 13. Since then he is batting .343 (12-for-35) raising his season average from .192 to .279.
Adrian Gonzalez went hitless for just the second time in 25 games. He snapped his five game hitting streak since the All-Star break.
Closer Andrew Bailey, who has been on the disabled all season after surgery on his right thumb, had a bullpen session Friday afternoon, throwing about 38 pitches. He is scheduled for another bullpen session Sunday, and could pitch some batting practice Wednesday when the Red Sox are in Texas.
Boston Red Sox
Left-hander Rich Hill, on the 60-day disabled list with a left elbow strain, is throwing long toss from flat ground and is pain-free. He is getting close to throwing from a mound.
Aaron Laffey has now pitched 13 scoreless innings against the Sox, including his six-inning outing June 26 at Fenway. Since 1980, he is just the second pitcher to record multiple scoreless outings of at least 6.0 innings in the same season on the road at Fenway, along with Scott Kazmir with the Rays in 2007. Laffey and Kazmir are just the second lefties to do so since the Philadelphia As Lefty Grove did so in 1931.