Final
Morales steps in for Beckett, as Red Sox wrap set at Wrigley
Jun 17, 2012 - 1:40 PM (Sports Network) - Franklin Morales makes a spot start in place of Josh Beckett this evening, as the Boston Red Sox conclude a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.Beckett was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with right shoulder inflammation.
"He's got some inflammation that's got to calm down and take the time, whatever time it takes to do it," said Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine. "We thought in between starts was enough, and he could have gotten an extra day or two [of rest] I guess, but we're going to take the conservative route."
So, tonight it will be Morales, who has made 22 appearances out of the bullpen for the Red Sox this season and hasn't started a game since 2009 while with the Colorado Rockies. He is 0-1 this season with a 3.04 ERA.
"I'm going to try to do what I can do, I try to control what I can control, throw strikes and try to get the hitter out," Morales said.
Morales will try to pitch the Red Sox to a series win after they evened this set at a game apiece on Saturday. Jon Lester snapped his four-start winless streak and Jarrod Saltalamacchia belted a two-run homer powered Boston to a 4-3 win.
It was the first time in his career that Saltalamacchia had batted cleanup.
"Sometimes crazy times ask for crazy measures," said Valentine of his reasoning hitting Saltalamacchia in the cleanup spot. "I saw his average go from .280 to .250-something and the team (was) losing and he's dragging his head a little. I thought that was a way to make him understand that I believe in him."
Lester (4-4) held the Cubs scoreless through the opening six frames on five hits before the home team touched him up for three runs in the seventh. In all, the southpaw fanned eight while scattering seven hits and walking one in 6 2/3 innings.
Sitting a season-high three games over .500 (28-25) on June 2, the Red Sox mustered just their fourth win in 12 tries since.
Luis Valbuena smacked a three-run shot while Jeff Samardzija (5-5) struck out six and surrendered three runs on four hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings for the Cubs, who have dropped three of their last four.
"I really took my time out there, went pitch to pitch and I felt great," said Samardzija of his outing.
The loss dropped the Cubs to 3-14 this season against left-handers. Not a good sign since they will be facing another southpaw tonight in Morales.
Tonight, the Cubs will rely on lefty Paul Maholm, who is 4-5 on the year, but is winless in his last six starts. Maholm did not get a decision on Tuesday against Detroit, but pitched well, surrendering two runs and six hits in six innings of his team's 4-2 win.
He beat the Red Sox the only other time he faced them.
Boston is 2-3 all-time at Wrigley Field.
- BOSTON: 7
CHICAGO: 4
Final
Jun 17 11:25 PM - David DeJesus sacrifice fly to center scored Tony Campana. On the play, Welington Castillo advances to third. Runners on first and third and with one out and Reed Johnson due up.
Red Sox 7, Cubs 4 Bot 9, 1 OutJun 17 11:21 PM - Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounded into a fielder's choice, first to short scored David Ortiz. Darnell McDonald out at second, Mike Aviles advances to third. Runners on first and third with two outs and Ryan Kalish due up.
Red Sox 7, Cubs 3 Top 8, 2 OutsJun 17 10:51 PM - Daniel Nava suicide squeeze bunt to pitcher scored Ryan Kalish. None on with two outs and Dustin Pedroia due up.
Red Sox 6, Cubs 3 Top 7, 2 OutsJun 17 10:23 PM - Pinch-Hitter Will Middlebrooks sacrifice fly to center scored Jarrod Saltalamacchia. On the play, Ryan Kalish advances to third on Welington Castillo's throwing error. Runner on third with one out and Daniel Nava due up.
Red Sox 5, Cubs 3 Top 7, 1 OutJun 17 10:22 PM - Ryan Kalish singled to center scored Darnell McDonald. On the play, Jarrod Saltalamacchia advances to third. Runners on first and third with none out and Matt Albers due up.
Red Sox 4, Cubs 3 Top 7, 0 OutsJun 17 10:21 PM - Jeff Baker grounded into a fielder's choice to the pitcher scored Darwin Barney. On the play, Alfonso Soriano advances to second on Mike Aviles's fielding error. Runners on first and second with one out and Joe Mather due up.
Red Sox 3, Cubs 3 Bot 6, 1 OutJun 17 10:09 PM - David Ortiz lead-off Home Run (16) to center. Mike Aviles due up.
Red Sox 3, Cubs 2 Top 4, 0 OutsJun 17 9:20 PM - Starlin Castro doubled to second scored Darwin Barney. Runner on second with two outs and Alfonso Soriano due up.
Red Sox 2, Cubs 2 Bot 3, 2 OutsJun 17 9:15 PM - Alfonso Soriano struck out swinging. Runner on third with two outs and Jeff Baker due up.
Red Sox 2, Cubs 1 Bot 1, 2 OutsJun 17 8:31 PM - David Ortiz singled to right scored Dustin Pedroia. Runner on first with one out and Mike Aviles due up.
Red Sox 2, Cubs 0 Top 1, 1 OutJun 17 8:13 PM - Kevin Youkilis flied out to right. On the play, Dustin Pedroia advances to third. Runner on third with one out and David Ortiz due up.
Red Sox 1, Cubs 0 Top 1, 1 OutJun 17 8:12 PM - BOSTON: 0
CHICAGO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 17 8:08 PM
Related News
- A few more thoughts about the Cubs’ offseason inactivity thus far Dec 26
- Cub Tracks’ box set Dec 26
- BCB After Dark: Happy Holidays! Dec 26
- Merry Christmas from BCB! Dec 25
- OTM Open Thread 12/25: It is Monday Dec 25
- Outside The Confines: Merry Christmas Dec 25
- Baseball history unpacked, December 25 Dec 25
- ‘Twas the night before Cub Christmas, 2023 Dec 24
- Cub Tracks has garlic in its soul Dec 24
- Cubs historical sleuthing: Early 1940s edition Dec 23
- Cubs historical sleuthing: Ticket edition Dec 23
- OTM Open Thread 12/23: It is Saturday Dec 23