Special Unknown Heroes Two-fer: Alfredo Aceves and Vicente Padilla

Last year's Red Sox bullpen was one of the most frightening bullpens in history.  And not because it was particularly good really.  No, last year's Red Sox bullpen was frightening because of the presence of Vicente Padilla and Alfredo Aceves.  To say that they were a little bit unhinged is a massive understatement.  Both pitchers were well-known for some rather unsavory characteristics.

Padilla made some waves when he made some comments about the Yankees' Mark Teixeira.  To put it bluntly, Padilla made comments about Teixeira being better off playing a woman's sport.  Padilla was one of the more consistent arms out of the bullpen, appearing in 56 games and finishing with a 4-1 record and a 4.50 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 50 innings.  He only walked 15.  Padilla was known for occasional use of the eephus pitch.  Padilla is headed to Japan for 2013.

Aceves came into the season as one of Boston's better options as a setup man.  He loosened up in Spring to possibly become a starter but when Andrew Bailey went down with an injury, Aceves was turned into the closer.  He definitely had the confidence to be a good closer, but he did not always have the best results.  Aceves finished the year at 2-10 with a 5.36 ERA.  He did save 25 games though.  He struggled down the stretch, but had been having a decent season early on.  He will likely return to a setup and swing man role in 2013.

Boxscore: May 7, 2012: Red Sox 11 Royals 5

For my birthday this year, my wife bought tickets to the Red Sox visiting the Royals on May 7.  This was the first game in six years that I been to, luckily it was another big offensive game for the Red Sox.

Felix Doubront took the mound for Boston on this night.  It was one of his big games after a Red Sox loss.  Doubront pitched 6.1 innings scattering seven hits.  He did give up five runs, only three of which were earned as Will Middlebrooks made an error in the game.  He struck out two and walked three.  This was not one of his better games, but it was enough.  Vicente Padilla pitched the rest of the game for a save.  His eephus pitch was used a few times that night.

The offensive hero of the night was Middlebrooks who connected for a three run home run in the first to right field and then a two run home run in the eighth to left.  He also doubled, going 3 for 5 on the night.  Dustin Pedroia hit a two-run home run and David Ortiz hit a solo shot as well.  Ortiz's was deep to center field.

Every Red Sox starter had at least one hit.  Pedroia and Cody Ross doubled, everyone else contributed at least a single.  Mike Aviles, Darnell McDonald, and Kelly Shoppach each had one hit.  Adrian Gonzalez and Marlon Byrd had two, with Gonzalez driving in a run.  Aviles and Pedroia each stole a base.  Nick Punto made it into the game at the end as a defensive replacement.

There was not a lot to say about the Royals offense.  Mike Moustakas doubled, but all of their other hits were singles.