Red Sox Notes

- The bullpen faltered Friday night giving the Royals a late game rallying win 4-3. Flamethrower Daniel Bard took the loss after Tim Wakefield pitched a great game. Rick Ankiel's broken bat RBI single off Bard in the bottom of the eighth. David Ortiz was ejected after arguing a strike-out in the sixth. J.D. Drew's HR provided the only gem of the game.

-Saturday's luck turned around as the Sox crushed 5 HR's off the Royals giving Josh Beckett his first win this season. The bench played a crucial role seeing three of the five HR's come off it, Hermida with one and Varitek with two. Youk and Pedey supplied insurance HR's late in the game.

- The final tilt with the Royals went to the Sox by a score of 8-6. We had thought this game was put away by the sixth, but of course the bullpen scared us again. Buchholz got the win pitching in five innings giving up three runs.

- Mike Lowell is considering retirement as his contract runs out at the end of the season knowing A) Boston isn't interested in his services to remain on the bench. B) He can't stay healthy enough to play everyday. However, Iron Mike made a beautiful backhanded grab Saturday night.

- Boof Bonser and Alan Embree have been making progress in the minors. Embree's has been going much better than Bonser's, but Embree must be on the ML roster by Thursday or he can opt-out of his contract. J.D. Drew sat out Sunday's game with a stiff neck. He should return to action against the Twins. Can't complain, Jeremy Hermida has been hot at the plate.

- Ellsbury and Beltre collided in the ninth inning with one out remaining trying to catch a foul ball. Beltre's knee hit Ellsbury's ribs causing him to briefly lose air and leaving him day-to-day with a contusion.

- Nick Cafardo speculates the Sox making a run at Carlos Pena in the off-season.

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