GAME 15– 4/182013 – In Cleveland vs. the Indians

RESULT – WIN – 6-3

Jon Lester was sharp again in his fourth outing of the year and the Sox offense got some timely hitting to get their second straight sweep and sixth straight victory of the year.  The Sox are clicking offensively and some aggressive and heads-up base running directly led to a couple runs to push the Sox past a good Indians team.

The Sox jumped out in front early again as Mike Napoli tripled to lead off the second inning.  Yes, I said triple for Mike Napoli.  It was only his 7^th career triple and Daniel Nava singled him home to put the Sox up 1-0.  The Indians did get the run right back on old friend Mike Aviles’ fielder’s choice but in the forth inning with two outs Jarrod Saltalamacchia lined a home run down the right field line on a 3-2 count to put the Sox up 2-1 and a lead they would not relinquish.  The bats continued in the fifth when Ellsbury led off with a single and Victorino followed with an on base by error.  Pedroia ripped a ball deep to right that I thought was gone but it ended up being caught Ellsbury tagged up and went to third on some heads up, aggressive running.  Mike Napoli who’s been an RBI machine lately then drove in Ellsbury with a single to right.  Mike Carp then delivered a pitch hit single to drive in Napoli to give the Sox a 6-2 lead and essentially put the game away.  Love what I’m seeing out of Mike Carp and if the guy keeps hitting, he’s going to need to be in the lineup more often.

Jon Lester held the Indians in check for 7 innings.  He wasn’t a strikeout machine this game, only striking out 5 but he was effective in keeping the Indian runners off balance.  His final line was 7 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts.  There were a lot more deep pitch counts this outing for Lester but he was able to get some big outs when he needed including a strikeout to end the seventh and his night.  The eighth got a little dicey thanks to Andrew Miller who just seems a lot wilder this year.  He walked the second batter he faced and then let up a single to the next batter.  He was able to get a fielder’s choice but John Farrell had to bring in Koji Uehara to try to stop the rally.  Koji uncharacteristically gave up a double to Carlos Santana to close the lead to 6-3 but then got Nick Swisher to strike out swinging to end the threat.  Andrew Bailey came on in the 9^th for a 1-2-3 inning to get his 2^nd save of the year and 2^nd in as many nights.  He looked absolutely nasty touching 96-97 routinely and from the look of it Joel Hanrahan is going to have a tough time taking back that closer role.

Offensively, the Sox banged out 9 hits and walked 3 times.  Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Napoli each had 2 hits and Daniel Nava drove in 2 runs.  Shane Victorino, Dustin Pedroia and Jarrod Saltalamacchia each contributed with hits of their own as well as that clutch pitch hit by Mike Carp.  Jonny Gomes struggled going 0 for 3 with a strikeout and Stephen Drew continues to struggle going 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.  Pedro Ciriaco went 0-3 but walked once subbing for the slumping Will Middlebrooks.

The Indians didn’t have much luck as they only mustered 6 hits with 2 of them coming from slugging catcher Carlos Santana.  Mike Aviles had a hit and RBI and Michael Brantley also had a hit but struck out 3 times.

The Sox will come home tonight which is sure to be an emotional night as the Boston Marathon bombings are still fresh on everyone’s mind and only about 3 miles from Fenway Park.  David Ortiz is also expected to make his season debut so emotions will be at an all time high tonight.  Clay Buchholz will be on the hill tonight and looks for his fourth win of the season.  Opposing him will be “Big Game” James Shields who now plays for the Royals.  He has a knack of pitching very well against the Sox with his time in Tampa Bay so I expect a low scoring game tonight.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

Mike Napoli.  He went 2 for five, scoring 2 runs and driving in 1 as well.  He had a triple and showed some hustle tagging on a sacrifice fly from Daniel Nava to go from 2^nd to 3^rd base then scoring on a pitch hit single from Mike Carp.  Napoli has been an RBI machine lately but it’s his hustle that really turned my head last night.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Stephen Drew.  Drew went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and is now batting .087.  Drew better find it soon or he’s going to feel the wrath of Fenway Park.  Bostonians were not too nice to his big brother and I’m sure he’ll start to hear some boo birds if he doesn’t step it up soon.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Top of the 4^th with 2 outs and a 3-2 count, Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a long line drive down the right field line that just made it over the outfield fence.  Another big 2 out run driven in by a Sox player and a game changer that shifted the momentum to the Sox.  They Sox would hold the lead and go on to win 6-3.

NEXT

Friday, April 19^th back at home vs. the Kansas City Royals.