Game time: 7:05 pm

Scheduled starters: Javier Vazquez (11-8, 4.98) v. Kason Gabbard (0-3, 6.35)

Boston weather: 2 pm observation at BOS: Wind out of the northwest at 6 mph, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 3,500 feet, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, overcast layer at 14,000 feet, temperature 72F, DP 58F


Forecast: Not good. It IS going to rain tonight. Whether they get the game in will depend on when the heavy rain arrives. The preferred model shows the leading edge of the rain reaching the Boston area between 6-8 pm, but the heavier rain won't arrive until after 9 pm.

It will be in the upper 60s at game time, with the wind blowing from the southwest/south at less than 10 mph. That's blowing out toward left. The wind will gradually come around to the east, but probably after the game is over.

Anni

I would like to see Kason plant one in Thome's ear, and then see Francona run out and argue that Thome's back foot was out of the batter's box and the pitch should be a strike.

From boston.com


Papi returning today



The ongoing monitoring of David Ortiz has not identified any further problem,” the Red Sox released in a statement attributed to Dr. Thomas Gill. “As a result, the team of consultants caring for David has met and decided to allow him to return to play today. The Red Sox medical staff will continue to monitor David on a daily basis."

Ortiz yesterday took batting practice for the first time since he was hospitalized for a second time because of heart palpitations.

``I can't wait to start playing, dude," he said before last night's game against the White Sox.

It'll be interesting to see the lineup. I think this is the first game since sometime in April when all our position players were either in the lineup or actively on the bench.

Hansen back up with Gabbard. Varitek probably won't be in there as Tito doesn't want to use him back to back nights for the first week or so of his return, interesting to see who gets the nod between Lopez and Belli.

Wow, the Sox are a major league team again.

It's amazing what one good win can do for you. I don't think that the Carlos walkoff heralds a brilliant return to playoff contention, and I still think the main goal for the rest of the season is sto get everyone through it without any more injuries (!), but it certainly was refreshing to win one in exciting fashion.

Here's to a "welcome back Papi" celebration at the old ballpark tonight. Hit three big guy!

That would be awesome!

09/05 17:20:33 ET

That would make me very happy. However, I'll take a win anyway we can get it, including Papi going 3-3 with 3 bunt base hits and a walk.

Of course, "no collapse" would have been preferable...but if the sh*t had to hit the fan, I'm glad it was August, not September. Apart from saving me from heart attack and or aneurism, it gave us time to adjust our expectations. Now I can just watch baseball to enjoy it. If we sneak back into the race, that much the better, but even then, I'd like to think that I'll be safer from self-inflicted injury than if things were only starting to slip away now.

All that said, though: I want a sweep. It might not mean a damn thing for the Red Sox playoff hopes. But anything we can do to knock the White Sox out, I'm all for it.

Of course, it will be tough. They might have the best pitching rotation of all time. I think I might have read that somewhere back in March.

In the meantime: It's nice to look at a lineup for once and only see one guy hitting below .200 on the year.

I'm on the fence. I want the mfy to lose. I think the White Sox have a better chance to do that than the Twinkies.

...and even though the White Sox are somewhat annoying (especially their TV announcers), at least they play in a real ballpark with real grass.

So although I CERTAINLY want us to sweep them this series, I will be pulling for them over the Twins.

So actually, I guess I'm not on the fence. Go figure.

I can't help it, I hate living in a century when the white sox have won a world series. Probably more than living in one when the yankees have. I just want the white sox and their cretin fans out of the playoffs. Have no fear, the Yankees will find a way to choke again this fall.

Nice first inning for Gabbard, hopefully he can keep it up!

Great play by Lowell once again...

This is exactly how I feel. Red Sox, even if we somehow get in the playoffs, have little chacne to win the WS (though I still prefer them to be in the playoffs, of course). Thus, I am in full "must not let Yankees win WS" mode in terms of thinking and think the only AL team that can beat them is the White Sox. Twins cannot beat them despite good pitching b.c of their manager, as evidenced in 2004 when their manager's decisions lost them the series.

Nice by PA announcer 'Welcome back...David Ortiz"

Nice AJ for allowing Ortiz to get long ovation. Not always an A-hole, I guess.

Wow, only 3 people in the game thread...must be lowest of the year. Labor day hangover?

Vazquez is on tonight.



So is Gabbard so far... (lonely in here, posting replies to myself....

Gabbard is dealing, his breaking stuff is looking real good.

Unfortunately Vazquez is sharp too so far...

Agonz with the double...Keep him for next year; nothing on the market is much better at this point.

I'm tempted to post in here, but I'd hate to interrupt a good monologue.

Nice to see Crisp coming through.

Nice to see Gonzo fail AGAIN

Can I get a "Hallelujah!" people?

"Hallelujah!"

You got it!

Well, did you think Crisp and Gonzo would get back-to-back two out hits?

Gabbard looking like he did at the beginning of the season while he was in Portland.

Hallelujah for Coco!!!

I don't know about you, but i want Gabbard, Tavarez and Snyder in the rotation next year:whistle














I'm just kiddin' people!!

Hah I'm not when I say it. There on FIREEEEEEE

Was Gabbard even considered any kind of prospect? Who is his MLB comparison?

Mirabelli caught sleeping there, should have had him.

But then Lowell erases all concerns!!!

WOW, NASTY play by Lowell!!!

Gold Glove worthy? In class

Gabbard was drafted in 2000 and has suffered injuries on a regular basis throughout his years in the system. He began the season 9-2 with a 2.57 record before being promoted to Pawtucket.

http://www.soxprospects.com/players/gabbard-kason.htm

The news on Paps is apparently not horrible. Tina Cervasio just read a report from the clubhouse that said(I think) that Paps' shoulder is tired and needs strengthening. No tears mentioned.
I heard her say "subluxation", which I think means the shoulder joint is "loose".
All in all, not nearly as bad as it looked the other night.

Thanks, would you consider him a future SP for a contender though? I know Soxprospects highly touts players like David Murphy and Brandon Moss.

Youks is nasty at 1B too.

I swear Lowell, A-Gon, and Youks better win the GG this year.

"The news on Paps is apparently not horrible. Tina Cervasio just read a report from the clubhouse that said(I think) that Paps' shoulder is tired and needs strengthening. No tears mentioned.
I heard her say "subluxation", which I think means the shoulder joint is "loose".
All in all, not nearly as bad as it looked the other night."

Although still a problem not nearly as bad as Tony Mazz had us all ready for in this morning's Herald.

Can we get another inning out Gabbard or is it time to go to the pen?

Subluxation is a dislocation that stays in alignment. Correct me if I am wrong doc, but you cannot sublux your shoulder without tearing either your cuff or your labrum.

Here is a link to a description of the condition.

http://www.sportsmed.buffalo.edu/info/subluxation.html

I meant the ligaments, lol. You tear the ligaments in a subluxation.

How does a shoulder subluxation develop?
A shoulder subluxation usually occurs in one of three types of patients: those with a prior injury to the shoulder, those who overuse their shoulder, and those who are double jointed. Patients who have sustained a prior shoulder dislocation often develop chronic instability this area. The ligaments that support the shoulder are usually torn when the dislocation occurs. If these ligaments heal too loosely, the shoulder will be prone to repeat dislocations and episodes of instability. Athletes or those who compete in sports that involve overhead activities such as volleyball players, swimmers, and baseball pitchers may have a loose shoulder or multidirectional instability (MDI). They will stretch out the shoulder capsule and ligaments, and may develop chronic shoulder instability. And finally, patients with certain connective tissue disorders may have loose shoulder joints. In addition, those with a condition that causes joint laxity, or double-jointedness, may have joints that are too loose throughout their bodies, which can lead to shoulder instability and even dislocation.

Well we escaped an inning of Timlin with no damage although that last out was a bit scary.

Remy says Timlin is going to pitch the ninth as well. Hopefully get the first two and bring Lopez in to pitch to Thome.

How is Timlin facing Thome with a one run lead?

Edit: Cool.

Keep your fingers crossed. Thome 1 for 9 against Lopez but Timlin stays in and Thome is 4 for 8 against him.

Way to go Timlin!!

Never a doubt....

Wow, out on 1 pitch thank god for the shift. Kason Gabbard #1 Star.

That was scary. All I could think about was that game in Philly in 2003.

We got the better end tonight, boys.

I love baseball!

Wow, I was a bit nervous. Gabbard and Timlin combined to shut down the WS offense.

RED SOX WIN!!!

Great pitching and defense tonight... hopefully more of that the rest of the season!

OK, I'll do it.

Love that dirty water.

What the heck? I get home at 7:30, and the freaking game is over? Are the Red Sox all of a sudden in the National League? This is crazy!

Ha! Ha! How did that taste, Ozzie?

[quote name='Farmer Ted' date='Sep 5 2006, 10:00 PM' post='584257']
What the heck? I get home at 7:30, and the freaking game is over? Are the Red Sox all of a sudden in the National League? This is crazy!

Ha! Ha! How did that taste, Ozzie?

/quote]

Same here--I thought I'd join the game thread in the 8th or 9th inning. But I'll enjoy the good news that was waiting.

Didn't realize Gabbard was a Sox draft pick. Nice to see the home grown talent shine.