RESULT – WIN 7-2
One day after the horrific events that took place
in Boston during the 117th Annual Boston Marathon the Boston Red Sox
sought to create a diversion for those hurt and hurting from the unimaginable
events. The two bombs that killed 3 and
wounded almost 200 people will haunt the city forever, but the Red Sox can ease
their pain and thoughts with a simple game of baseball. For three plus hours, Bostonians can turn
their attention away from the somber news, the horrible event and enjoy the
hometown nine playing a game they have played for their city for over one
hundred years. On Tuesday night, the Sox
brought some joy to the city and so far in 2013, the Sox have put a lot smiles
on those faces.
Wearing black arm bands on their sleeves and
hanging a symbolic Red Sox jersey in their dugout (it read Boston Strong with
the number 617 – the area code of the Boston area where the bombs went off), it
was clear the Sox had the tragedy on their minds as they took the field. Will Middlebrooks even had Boston Strong
written on his cleats. The idea for the
jersey was from newcomer Jonny Gomes who seems to have embraced his new city
and wants to help heal the hearts of his new citizens.
The Sox put up a huge 2nd inning on
Tuesday scoring all 7 of their runs.
Ubaldo Jimenez, the Cleveland starter, was chased from the game in the 2nd
inning after only 1.2 innings giving up only 2 hits but walking 5 and giving up
all 7 runs. Mike Napoli got the inning
started with a leadoff double then what followed was a complete meltdown by
Jimenez that ended with another Napoli double, this time a bases clearing
variety. Jimenez walked 3 straight
batters following the leadoff double, the last one forcing in Boston’s first
run. Pedro Ciriaco then brought one home
on a sacrifice fly and Jacoby Ellsbury singled in a couple more. Shane Victorino and Dusting Pedroia then followed
with walks and our old friend Terry Francona, now the Cleveland manager, had no
choice but to lift the struggling Jimenez.
Cody Allen came in and Mike Napoli welcomed him with his bases clearing
double off the left field scoreboard. It
would be all the Red Sox needed for the night as they were staked to a 7-0
lead.
Felix Doubront did what he usually does, survive
for 5 innings and get the win while pitching brilliantly at times and head
scratching terrible at others. Doubront’s
final line was 5 innings, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 4 walks and 7 strikeouts. 104 total pitches in 5 innings and once again
see’s young Felix throw too many pitches to survive more than 5 innings. Felix ran into his biggest trouble of the
night in the fifth inning when Cleveland had bases loaded with only two
outs. After a run came in on a passed
ball, Felix was able to induce home run hitting Mark Reynolds into a pop-up to
end the inning. He’s pitching well enough
to get the win but I would like to see some growth in the young pitcher. Keep the walks down and pitch count down to
survive more than 5 innings. Hopefully
we’ll see some growth this year as I’m sure John Farrell is working with the
lefty.
Clayton Mortensen and Alex Wilson came on to
finish up the game both pitching 2 scoreless innings giving up only 2 hits, 2
walks and striking out 1 each. No need
for a closer tonight but it looks like Andrew Bailey will get his chance at 9th
inning duties for the next couple weeks as the Red Sox new closer Joel Hanrahan
was put on the 15 day DL with a bad hamstring.
The Sox offense had a ton of walks, taking 9 free
passes on the night. With Jonny Gomes
receiving 3 and Shane Victorino 2 on the night.
The Sox only mustered 6 hits with Mike Napoli getting 2 of them. Daniel Nava struggled on the night going 0
for 4 with 4 strikeouts, the golden sombrero!
Will Middlebrooks fared no better going 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts of his
own. Middlebrooks is now hitting only
.200 on the year and has struggled since his 3 home run day over a week ago.
It was strange seeing Terry Francona in a
different dugout. He was one of the
greatest managers to ever don a Red Sox uniform and brought 2 world
championships to the team. It’s one of
those things I’ll have to get used to like seeing Kevin Youkilis in the Yankee
pinstripes. The Indians Michael Brantley
went 2 for 4 but hit the ball hard in each one of his at bats. Nick Swisher went 1 for 3 with a walk and a
run scored.
They’ll be back at again at Progressive Field at
7:05 tonight to face former Red Sock Justin Masterson who is the team’s ace and
has a perfect 3-0 record with an ERA 0.41.
He’ll face off against the phenomenon known as Alfredo Aceves.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
Mike Napoli.
He went 2 for 5 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI. Mike now has 14 RBI on the year and looks to
be heating up for the team. With David
Ortiz due back this weekend, we could see a big boost of run production to the
middle of the order.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Daniel Nava.
Nava, who had been tearing the cover off the ball, took an 0 for 4 with
4 strikeouts on the night and looked lost up there at the plate tonight. Hopefully he’ll put this one behind him and
get back to hitting as he has been on this young season.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Top of the 2nd with two outs and bases
loaded. New pitcher Cody Allen came on
in relief of Ubaldo Jimenez with Mike Napoli up at the plate. Mike promptly hit one off the left-center
field scoreboard to plate home all 3 runs and put the Sox up 7-0 and the game
out of reach.
NEXT
Today, Wednesday, 4/17 in Cleveland vs. the Indians.
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