The turning point of last night’s game was when Torii Hunter laced a two strike pitch following a Jason Varitek passed ball that put runners at second and third.  However, there was another turning point an inning later when Erik Aybar missed a squeeze bunt that caught Willits in a run down between home and third base.  This caused the momentum to swing back in Boston’s favor and Jason Bay cut a ball down the right field line for a double.

Mike Scioscia played the match ups in the ninth inning and you can’t fault him for it.  In spite of the double by Bay and the hard hit line-out from Mark Kotsay, Scioscia stuck with Scot Shields in relief.  Mike Scioscia knows that the Red Sox are a bad breaking ball hitting team and Shields has a great breaking ball.  Throughout the series, the Red Sox saw a lot of breaking balls in crucial situations as did Bay and Jed Lowrie in their last at-bats.

Lowrie hit a home run for the Paw Sox last night and, more importantly, performed well in his brief call up to the major leagues. Some people have questioned whether Lowrie projects to be a shortstop long term or whether he will eventually switch to second or third base. It was tough to tell how Lowrie’s skill set will translate in the Major Leagues because his spot starting made it difficult to tell how he was adjusting to top talent.  We really need to see him play everyday against major league caliber pitching

I am not sure where the Red Sox will play Lowrie long term but his versatility works in his favor. What he needs to concentrate on is just getting in the big leagues. His willingness to play whatever position is asked of him will be what makes him catch on with this team - or any other. I remember Jeff Bagwell back when he was in the Red Sox organization as a young third baseman. We had Wade Boggs firmly entrenched at third in those days so Bagwell started taking work at first before he started his career in Houston.

With the millions of dollars committed to Lugo, Pedroia at 2nd base, and two potential third basemen in Lowell and Youkilis, would anyone be suprised to see if the Red Sox shop their prized prospect to other teams?

There was a lot of concern about the errors made by Julio Lugo last week.  I had a few questions asking me whether or not Jed Lowrie will take over the shortstop role this year.  The bottom line is that Julio Lugo gets too much money to sit on the bench.  You will probably see Jed Lowrie this year, but Lugo’s job is safe for at least this season.

As for Lugo this season: don’t worry about the errors because with the position he plays, you are going to have some bobbles and poor throws.  I worry more about his hitting.  It just seems that defense and offense compliment each. When you feel good at the plate you tend to be more relaxed in the field and vice versa.  If Lugo has a few games in a row where he can pick up a couple of hits, then expect the defense to come along.