It was all but a New York win. The Yankees were up 4-2 withMariano Rivera in for the save. With Kevin Youkilis at second base, Jason Bay took a 1-0 pitch to center field, with it just clearing the red line on the Green Monster for a 2-run home run.

In extra innings, Jonathan Papelbon and Ramon Ramirez worked out of jams to keep the score tied. Damaso Marte threw a 1-2-3 10th inning, and was off to a good start in the 11th, striking out David Ortiz. Youkilis was up next, and pulled a 2-2 fastball over the outside corner into the back row of the Monster seats.

Jon Lester had to pitch around some early jams, but he was ultimitely effecive, going six innings while giving up two runs. Joba Chamberlain had a similar outing, giving up two runs in 5.1 innings. Mariano Rivera blew his first save of the year and his 12th overall against Boston. Ramon Ramirez picked up the win in relief.

Game 2 of the series is at 4:00 on FOX. AJ Burnett faces Josh Beckett, who looks to deliver Boston it’s 9th straight win.

Two years ago, a young lefty named Kason Gabbard was called up to replace an injured Curt Schilling. Gabbard had a great stint, culminating with a complete game shutout against the Kansas City Royals. He was traded to the Rangers along with prospect David Murphy for Eric Gagne. Despite a good few months in Texas and a similar 2008 season, he has been used in the minor leagues so far in 2009.

Gabbard was reacquiredby the Sox for cash considerations today, and will report to  the Red Sox’ Spring Training facility in Ft. Myers, FL. He will most likely start in the minors, but should the Sox need a replacement for Justin Masterson, who will take the rotation spot vacated by Daisuke Matsuzaka. If another starter is needed, Clay Bucholz would most likely be the first to fill the void. We can expect to see Gabbard no later than September.

After having a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday and a day off on Thursday, the Yankees will visit Fenway on Friday for a three game series. Jon Lester will face Joba Chamberlain.

After a rainy afternoon in Boston, the Red Sox and Twins lost their game to the weather. A doubleheader will make up the game on Wednesday. First pitch is 12:35 for game 1, 7:10 for game 2. Sox fans can watch the first game on NESN, but they’ll need to flip over to NESNplus for game 2 or be forced to watch the Bruins sweep the Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Red Sox fans: follow the link to find your NESNplus channel*.

*Comcast customers: If you can’t see NESNplus channel 81 you may need a cable box.

A much needed four game series couldn’t come at a better time. Boston swept the Orioles with 10-8, 6-4, 2-1, and 12-1 victories. The most recent came on another day packed with sports in Boston.

The Red Sox played their annual 11:00 game today on Patriots’ Day. Justin Masterson got the ball in the place of Daisuke Matsuzaka, who went on the DL after a 1 inning effort against the Oakland Athletics last week. He went 5.1 innings giving up one run on four hits. Manny Delcarmen, Hedeki Okajima, and Javy Lopez all got some work out of the ‘pen afterwards, with Hunter Jones making his Major League debut with a 1-2-3 9th.

Dustin Pedroia was 4 or 6 with a double and 3 RBIs. David Ortiz got his first triple of the year and added 2 RBIs, while Jason Varitek continued his hot start with two hits and a solo shot in the 3rd.

As with every Patriots’ Day, the annual Boston Marathon was run today with a stop outside of Fenway through Kenmore Square. However, this year has more sports tonight. The Celtics and Bulls have a playoff game in Boston tonight while the Bruins and Canadiens are set for their playoff game in Montreal.

The Sox take the field next on Tuesday to begin a three game series with the Minnesota Twins. Then, the all-important three game series with the Yankees begins Friday.

Boston was down early, a recurring theme in this young season. A seven run 2nd inning capped by a Grand Slam by Nick Markakis had the Sox down big early. A 2-run home run by Jason Bay in the bottom of that inning plus RBIs from Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz had the Sox with three again. Heading into the 5th it was 8-5 Baltimore. Three runs in the 5th and two in the 6th would then have the Sox holding a 10-8 lead, which the ‘pen held onto for the victory.

Last place Boston is only three games behind first place Toronto after the win. Baltimore is just a game behind the Jays.

Game two of the series will pit Josh Beckett against Adam Eaton. First pitch is 7:10 at Fenway Park in a day packed with Boston sports. The Celtics play the Chicago Bulls at 12:30 at TD Banknorth Garden in the first game of the playoffs. The Sox at 7:10 obviously. The Bruins taking on the Montreal Canadiens in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at 8:00, then the Boston Blazers in Buffalo to play the Bandits at 9:30. Chicago is in the same predicament because they have two teams playing baseball today, the Bulls are playing the Celtics, and the Chicago Blackhawks are playing Calgary in the playoffs tonight.

First off, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter and to also congratulate the Boston University Terriers for winning the National Championship in hockey.

Now to baseball, where things got a little out of hand in the 1st inning of the final game between the Sox and Angels. Bobby Abreu called time as Josh Beckett was delivering his pitch, sending it near Abreu’s head. Both benches cleared, some words were exchanged, and when the smoke cleared Torii Hunter, LA batting coach Mickey Hatcher, pitcher Justin Speier, and manager Mike Scioscia were heading to the locker room. Beckett really isn’t to blame since the late time threw him off his rythem, as it does to all pitchers, and the ball happened to be near Abreu. Had it been anyone other than Abreu—a former Yankee—and had the Adenhart tragedy not been so fresh in their minds, cooler heads most likely would have prevailed.

Kevin Youkilis and JD Drew started the offense in the 2nd with back-to-back solo home runs. The Angels would strike for three runs in the 3rd then one more in the 5th to take a 4-2 lead into the 6th. The Sox then drew within one that inning, but could not hold off LA, falling 5-4 and suffering their fourth loss of the season.

Boston heads to Oakland to take on the Athletics for a three game series. Jon Lester gets the ball for Boston, opposing Dallas Branden. First pitch is 10:05 in the east, 7:05 out west.

Brad Penny made his debut in a Red Sox uniform—the “retro roadies” as they’ve been coined—and snapped a three game losing streak. He gave up three runs on five hits through six innings and Jonathon Papelbon, despite a shaky 9th, picked up the save for a 5-4 win.

The Angels took a 2-0 lead into the 5thbefore Mike Lowell tied the game up with his first home run of the year, a 2-run shot. Mike Napoli would hit his second home run of the game in the bottom of that inning to put the Angels back in front. Penny would depart after the 6th down 3-2.

In the 7th Jason Bay would belt a 2-run homer to put the Red Sox in front and put Penny in line for the win. He would add a solo shot in the 9th to give the Sox a 2-run lead. Torii Hunter’s leadoff home run put the Angels within a run in the 9ththen the Angels would load the bases with two outs before Howard Kendrick’s ten pitch at-bat ended with a line out to Rocco Baldelli in right to end the game.

In an emotional night during which Nick Adenhart was honored, Boston dropped to the lowest you will see them all season—last place—after a 6-3 loss to the Angels.

Tim Wakefield was solid through six, giving up three runs on six hits, but Jered Weaver was better giving the Sox only one run—unearned—through 6.2 innings. After a rare poor performance by Justin Masterson in the 7th, a two run 8th could not pull the Red Sox out of the hole.

Reigning MVP Dustin Pedroia had a hit in three at-bats, a sign he might be coming out of his slump. Kevin Youkilis was 2 for 4 as he continues to tear the cover off the ball. It seems like him and Pedroia are evening each other out. For every line drive in the gap that Youkilis hits, Pedroia hits a line drive right at someone, like his scorcher into the glove of a leaping Chone Figgins.

I didn’t tune into this game until about the 4th inning since I wasn’t very pumped up for baseball after a 5-4 OT Bruins win over the Canadiens on Thursday which was Boston-Montreal at its best and ugliest. After the disappointing game on Friday, I’m still not very pumped up for baseball. I’ll still probably watch the game on FOX though, unless I go to the Boston Blazers fan fest at TD BanknorthGarden. Post-opening week April is always a dull time for me, especially when both the Celtics and Bruins are doing so well. Come the Yankees series on the 24th I’ll be back into it.

Red Sox Notes

Brad Penny makes his Sox debut today.

Jed Lowrie is just 1 for 11 so far on the season.

After three poor games against Tampa, Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 4 in Friday’s game.

Sox color commentator Jerry Remy fell ill before the game, leading NESN to bring in some guests to the booth, my personal favorite being the always entertaining color commentator for the Angels, Rex Hudler.

The Red Sox and Rays wrapped up a three game series in Boston today. Tampa hit three home runs off of Daisuke Matsuzaka, one in each of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4thinnings. A two run shot coupled with two solo shots turned out to be all the Rays needed offensively, winning 4-3.

Matt Garza pitched well for the Rays, going seven innings while giving up just one run on an RBI triple for Jason Bay. He exited with the lead, which the bullpen held in the final two innings.

The Rays entered the bottom of the 8th with a three run lead before a two out RBI double by Mike Lowell brought the Sox within two runs. In the 9th Jason Varitek got his second home run (and hit) of the season that just cleared the bullpen wall and Ben Zobrist’s glove. After a Jacoby Ellsbury flyout and a nice pick and throw of a Dustin Pedroia line drive, David Ortiz drew a walk, putting the tying run on board. Kevin Youkillis then popped out to former Sox outfielder Gabe Kapler in center to end the game.

The Sox head west for two three-game series against the Angels and Athletics starting tomorrow. Tim Wakefield will get the ball for the first time this year and George Kottares will get his first start of the season. Jered Weaver gets the ball for Anaheim.

With their young veteran Scott Kazmir on the mound, the Rays looked like AL Champions against the Red Sox. Jon Lester went only five innings giving up eight hits and five runs. The ‘pen gave up two more as the Sox fell to .500 on the year after a 7-2 loss.

Scott Kazmir pitched well for Tampa going six innings giving up just five hits and one run while walking three and striking out four. The Rays bullpen held the lead despite JP Howell giving the Red Sox a great chance before Grant Balfour got out of the jam in the 8th and hanging on in the 9th for the save.

At the plate Jason Bartlett and Carl Crawford both had three hits and an RBI each while Carlos Pena hit a two-run home run to cap a 4-run 5th for Tampa that put the Rays in front. Former Ray Rocco Baldelli went 1 for 4 in his Red Sox debut. Kevin Youkillis was the only member of the Boston lineup with more than one hit, going 3 for 4 with an RBI.

Home Plate umpire Bob Davidson had a very wide strike zone tonight. It usually is not that big of a deal, but the comments on redsox.com’s recap are putting the blame for the loss on him. Despite not being very pleased with his strike zone, I am not about to say the loss was his fault. The only reason it seemed like he was favoring the Rays was because they caught on to it quickly, something the Sox failed to do. They realized that if they threw to the outside corner they would get an easy strike, while the Red Sox didn’t pitch accordingly. But in better news, the Yankees are now 0-2 and in last place, a position they usually find themselves in early in the year before they begin a tear. Despite this, we can’t take anything for granted.

The rubber match between the clubs is set for 1:35 later today. Matt Garza squares off against Daisuke Matsuzaka. Both teams look to gain ground on the first place Blue Jays and Orioles (not quite as strange as saying the same about Tampa a year ago, yet still very odd)