Ellsbury To Work Out With Team In Toronto

Jacoby Ellsbury will rejoin the Sox tomorrow in Toronto and work out with the team over the weekend. The Herald said the plan is to have him back by late July or early August, but the Globe stated any time before mid-August seemed unlikely.

Clay Buchholz threw what Francona called "a pretty aggressive" bullpen session (44 pitches). He is on track to start the second game after the break, Friday the 16th against the Rangers.

Pawtucket starter Michael Bowden was moved to the bullpen this week and he threw two scoreless innings last night, allowing only one hit.

David Ortiz talked a bit about his status for 2011. No real news, though. The Red Sox have a $12.5 million option.

I'm not worried about any of that. ... Right now, we just have to focus on playing well and winning and going through this crazy time that we're going through. ... They know what my feelings are about staying around and playing here and hanging them up with the Red Sox. ... This is home to me. ... I like the intensity. I like the intensity coming from the fans. I like knowing that I have a chance to be playing in October.

Terry Francona said Tim Wakefield's knuckleball last night had "some violence to it. Wakefield:

I just couldn't throw it for strikes. I ended up walking six guys and it probably cost us the game. ... I just couldn't make the adjustments to get over the plate, and obviously their approach changed after the second inning.

The Red Sox are off today, while the Rays host Cleveland and the Yankees are in Seattle.

July 8:

1907 - Bombarded by pop bottles in Brooklyn, Cubs manager Frank Chance throws one back into the stands where it cuts a boy's leg. Chance is mobbed and leaves the park in an armored car with a police escort. [Ahhh, the good old days!]

1939 - Prior to a Red Sox/Yankees doubleheader in the Bronx, a wall of more than 5,000 Japanese beetles forms in front of the Yankees dugout. Boston sweeps the DH 3-1 and 3-2.

1951 - Shades of Martin/Jackson. Because of a first-inning error in center field by Joe DiMaggio in a game against the Red Sox, Yankees manager Casey Stengel sends rookie Jackie Jensen out to replace DiMaggio after he had already taken his position for the second inning. DiMaggio will retire at the end of the season.

1994 - John Valentin turns the 10th unassisted triple play in major league history, but the Red Sox lose to Seattle 4-3. Alex Rodriguez, 18, makes his major league debut.

1995 -

Padres - 100 000 000 000 000 10 - 2 10  1
Astros - 100 000 000 000 000 11 - 3 10  1