GAME 19– 4/22/2013 – Home vs. the Oakland Athletics

RESULT – WIN – 9-6

Mike Napoli and Fenway Park look like a match made in heaven.  Through the first three weeks of the season Nap has a Major League leading 25 RBI.  Last night he hit his first grand slam in a Red Sox uniform, a shot to left center field that went over the Green Monster to put a close game (4-3 at the time) into a romp.  Mike’s using all facets of Fenway Park.  On Sunday he was hitting down the right field line for doubles, last night he banged a double off the Monster in the second then hit his grand slam over the Monster in the fifth.  It seems he’s been heating up with the addition of David Ortiz hitting in front of him.  He’s been as advertised and showing no signs of any hip issues.  The Sox may want to open some contract negotiations sooner rather than later with the big fella.

It was bitterly cold at Fenway Park again, a game time temperature of only 45 degrees but with a stiff wind blowing in from right field (10-18 mph).  It felt like 30 degrees out there but the Sox bats heated the fans up.  Boston smacked 9 hits, plating 9 runners, walking 5 times and getting 7 extra base hits.  Even the slumping Will Middlebrooks cleared the Monster for a three run home that will hopefully break him out of his recent slide.  Jacoby Ellsbury had a double extending his hit streak to 12 games; he also walked twice and stole his 9^th base of the season.  Everyone in the Sox lineup had a hit except Dustin Pedroia who went 0 for 5 but made solid contact in most of his at bats.  Stephen Drew had a hit and a walk and looks like he too may be seeing the ball better.

With all that offense to support him, Felix Doubront went 6 and 2/3 innings for the win (his second on the year).  The young lefty gave up only 3 hits and three runs.  He was a bit wild as he did walk five but he also struck out 8 throwing 113 pitches on the night.  The fifth inning was an ugly one for Doubront as he walked three in the inning but was able to escape giving up only one run.  He looked his best after the Sox put up 5 runs in the bottom of the fifth; he came out in the top of the sixth and struck out 2 blanking the A’s.  It’s always nice to get a shut down inning right after a big inning to demoralize the opposition.

The bullpen was shaky last night as Clayton Mortensen allowed the A’s to climb back into the game in the top of the eighth by giving up 3 runs in only two thirds of an inning.  Alex Wilson relieved him but proceed to walk the lone batter he faced.  Junichi Tazawa came on and was able to get two outs to get out of the inning but the first batter he faced, Eric Sogard, ripped a deep ball to right field that somehow Shane Victorino was able to chase down for the out.  Shane’s defense is amazing out in right field.  He’s run down so many balls that I thought he had no chance at in the early going.  Andrew Bailey came on in the ninth to record his fourth save of the season striking out 2.  Joel Hanrahan can’t get his job back right away, can he?  Not with Bailey pitching this lights out.

Former player Josh Reddick had a good night at the dish going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and Josh Donaldson also had 2 hits and 2 RBI.  There are so many former Red Sox on the A’s that it seems they are Red Sox West out there.  Coco Crisp, Brandon Moss, Jed Lowrie, Josh Reddick have all played for the Sox at one point in their career and it’s nice to be able to see the former players (especially when the Sox get the W).

A’s starter A.J. Griffin who had been doing well on the young season was roughed up.  He pitched only 4 innings (his shortest outing of his career) and gave up 8 hits and 9 runs (both career highs).  He didn’t record an out in the fifth and was lifted for Chris Resop who was able to get out of the inning.  The A’s bullpen did pretty well only allowing one hit the rest of the game striking out 5.

Going to be another cold one tonight as another former player Bartolo Colon will take the mound against Alfredo Aceves.  The bullpen has been a bit abused the last two games so John Farrell will be looking for Aceves to give him some quality innings out there.  Game time is 6:35 again.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

Mike Napoli.  Mike’s becoming a regular in this section of the column.  He went 2 for 4 last night with 5 RBI.  His two hits were extra base hits (9^th double of the year and 4^th home run) and he’s got 14 extra base hits in 19 games this year.  He’s upped his average to .278 and he’s slugging .570 right now.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Clayton Mortensen.  Clayton allowed the A’s to get back in the game in the eighth inning by walking a batter, hitting a batter then giving up back to back doubles to close the gap to only 3 runs.  Clayton’s been up and down this year so far but with capable pitchers down on the farm, he needs to step it up in a big way.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Bottom of the fifth after a single to open the inning by Shane Victorino, an error that allowed Dustin Pedroia to reach and a walk to David Ortiz, Mike Napoli stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded.  On the 0-1 pitch, Mike hammered the ball to deep to left center field that disappeared over the Monster.  It was his fourth career grand slam and pushed the lead to 9-3.

NEXT

Today, Tuesday, April 23rd vs. the Oakland Athletics at 6:35.