Sunday, April 28, 2013

GAME 23 – 4/26/2013 – at Home vs. Houston Astros


RESULT – WIN 7-3

When the Red Sox signed David Ross I scratched my head a bit.  Why were the Red Sox signing a 36 year old back-up catcher when they already had Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ryan Lavarnway?  I didn’t see anything in Ross so far in this young season, he seemed more of a defensive first kind of guy and I’ve learned that if he gets a hit or two then that’s just a bonus.

Well last night, David Ross had himself a night.  He hit two towering home runs over the Green Monster that I’m still not sure have come down.  He also had 2 other hits on the night and had his first career four hit game.  Not too shabby for a back-up, defense first catcher.  Ross’ average rose almost one hundred points and he looks to be out of that beginning of the year slump.

The long ball was the theme of the night, in addition to Ross’ two bombs, Will Middlebrooks and David Ortiz also added solo shots in the game.  The Sox banged out 17 hits (season high) and had 9 extra base hits (2 doubles each by Pedroia and Napoli).  Pedro Ciriaco went 2 for 4 with a triple and Jacoby Ellsbury had 2 hits and his 11th stolen base of the year and 200th of his career.  It was a great hitting night at Fenway and with all those hits; the game was one of the longest played this year clocking in at three hours and 49 minutes.  I’ll take it though, the more hits the better!  Daniel Nava was the only Sox player without a hit on the night.

Ryan Dempster finally got some run support and did what he does best, strike people out!  Dempster had only received 2.63 runs of support through his first four starts.  The veteran righty only went 6 innings but struck out 10 and is second in the league with 43 total K’s.  He walked 3 and let up 4 hits but looked really good again.  He got his first win of the year and lowered his ERA to 3.30.

The bullpen was strong again with only Clayton Mortensen allowing a run through the last 3 innings.  Tazawa and Uehara again shut down the opposition and Alex Wilson came on in the ninth to close it out.  I like what I’ve seen from Alex Wilson so far.  He’s been very good and has not allowed a run so far this year.

The Astros struck out 14 times on the night and only mustered 7 hits and 3 runs all day.  Jaason Castro and Matt Dominguez both had 2 hits on the night but this Astros offense has been really bad this year and they continue to falter at the plate.  Let’s hope this continues two more days.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
David Ross.  First career 4 hit game and 2 absolute bombs over the Green Monster.  Though he’s been splitting time with Salty, Jarrod better start hitting or they may opt to go more the veteran back stopper.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Daniel Nava.  Daniel was the only starter without a hit on the night and he also struck out twice.  He’s been pretty good this year so far so I guess we can forgive him every once in awhile when he brings a 0-4.

PLAY OF THE GAME
Bottom of the fourth after a Will Middlebrooks HR to left to put the Sox up 4-1, David Ross stepped to the plate and hit a towering moon shot, his second of the night.  It put the Sox up 5-1 and the game was pretty much out of reach from there.  It started a great night for Ross who had a career best showing.

NEXT
Today, Saturday, 4/27 at 7:05 vs. the Houston Astros again.

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