Victor Martinez hr

The Boston Red Sox sat 5.5 games back of the American League East-leading NY Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, as well as the wild card heading into Friday’s games. That is what makes this weekend’s Red Sox-Rays series so great. If the injury-riddled Red Sox were to sweep, they would be just 2.5 games back. Friday night’s game matched two of the best young left-handed starting pitchers in the game: Boston’s Jon Lester against Tampa’s David Price.

Price was hurt by the long ball and Victor Martinez, who hit two homeruns in the Red Sox 3-1 victory. Price struck out eight in his seven innings of work. Lester was somewhat dominant though his control was a little off. He allowed just two hits in seven innings and struck out ten, though he walked five. Jonathon Papelbon struck out the side to record his 33rd save. Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett had two of the Rays three hits. For Boston, Martinez had three hits while JD Drew collected two hits.

The NY Yankees received another subpar pitching performance from AJ Burnett as they lost to the Chicago White Sox 9-4. Burnett last just 3.1 innings while he allowed nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits while walking three. Sergio Mitre saved the Yankees bullpen for the weekend by going 4.2 shutout innings as he allowed just one hit. White Sox starter Freddy Garcia allowed just two runs (one earned) on five hits in seven innings. Offensively for the White Sox, Juan Pierre and Omar Vizquel went a combined 4-for-8 with four runs scored at the top of the order.

The White Sox made news as they claimed slugger Manny Ramirez off waivers from the LA Dodgers. The teams have until Tuesday to make a deal.
The Minnesota Twins kept ahead of the White Sox as they defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-3. While clinging to a 2-1 lead over the Mariners, the Twins scored three runs in the 6th inning to pull away. Twins starter Scott Baker put together another solid start as he allowed two runs on five hits through 6.2 innings. Offensively for the Twins, rookie third baseman Danny Valencia collected two RBIs and his first Major League triple.

The Twins also made news on Friday as they acquired lefty reliever Brian Fuentes from the LA Angels. This move gives the Twins three potential closers (Jon Rauch, Matt Capps, and Fuentes). They also welcomed Randy Flores, who was claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies (he went 0.1 inning on Friday night).

The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies have both been struggling at the same time, which has allowed teams in the wild card (like the LA Dodgers, Rockies, SF Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals) to creep closer. The Braves continue to struggled with their pitching staff and bullpen (right-handed relievers for the Braves have an ERA over 5.00) which led to rookie Craig Kimbrel being recalled.

Logan Morrison celebrates 1st homer

Tommy Hanson struggled again, allowing back-to-back homeruns for the first time in his career, and that happened to him twice against the Florida Marlins. In the 1st inning, Cameron Maybin and rookie Logan Morrison went back-to-back to give the Marlins a quick 2-0 lead (it was Morrison’s first big league homerun). In the 6th inning, Dan Uggla and Gaby Sanchez went back-to-back. For the Marlins, Chris Volstad was dominant as he allowed one run (a solo homerun to Jason Heyward in the 8th inning) on six hits in eight innings in the Marlins 7-1 victory.

The Phillies have struggled offensively. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley have returned to the lineup from the DL and have not regained their strokes. Howard has struck out 13 times in his last 27 at-bats. On Friday night in San Diego, the Phillies faced Mat Latos, who allowed just one run on five hits through seven innings. Roy Oswalt was just as good for the Phillies, as he allowed just one run (a solo homerun to Yorvit Torrealba) on five hits through eight innings. The Phillies scored a run off the Padres bullpen in the 8th inning to give them a 2-1 lead.

Jimmy Rollins slide for game winner

However Brad Lidge could not close out the win. With a man on and two outs, he intentionally walked Adrian Gonzalez to face Ryan Ludwick, who he then hit. With Chase Headley batting and the bases loaded, Lidge balked in a run to tie the game at 2-2 (Headley would ground out to end the inning on the next pitch). Into the 13th the game would go and Jimmy Rollins scored just around the tag at home plate on a single by Placido Polanco. Chad Durbin closed out the game for the Phillies with two shutout innings of relief.