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Ellsbury and Speaker

Email|Link|Comments (2) Posted by Julian Benbow, Globe Staff September 13, 2008 12:48 PM

Jacoby Ellsbury swiped second without much trouble, getting a huge jump off Toronto starter A.J. Burnett and drawing no throw from catcher Rod Barajas.

It was his 46th steal of the season, tying him for third all-time with Tris Speaker, who stole 46 bags for the Sox in 1913. Speaker hit .363 that year and finished fourth in the MVP race.

After moving to third on Dustin Pedroia's fly to right -- and hanging out there while David Ortiz struck out looking -- Ellsbury was stranded 90 feet out as Mike Lowell went down swinging.

Jays 1, Sox 0, and Burnett's fast ball is clocking in at around 96 miles per hour.

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2 comments so far...

This is a trend that is very conerning... as the top and bottom of the lineup has improved, the midle is woeful since Youk and Lowell returned from injuries. Ortiz looks as lost as I've ever seen him (very much like his April funk) Youk looks worn down and Lowell has less on his swing that Varitek. This is a big concern right now and cost us dearly in the Rays series. I'm a broken record, but I am convinced Francona needs to round his lineup into shape with consistency after this double-header. Ortiz needs to trust who is behind him, Drew is badly needed back in the lineup to break up the heavy RH middle (Youk, Bay and Lowell need to be broken up) and Youk and Lowell need to find their stroke.I see this as a bigger concern right now than the bullpen, which has stablized of late.

Posted by Scott from San Fran September 13, 08 01:01 PM

How do you hit .363, steal 46 bases and finish THIRD in the MVP race? Who finished ahead of Speaker?

Posted by Mister Snitch September 13, 08 01:42 PM