RESULT – WIN 8-4
I went to the game last night, my first on the season and it’s always nice to get to Boston and catch the home team. It was such a beautiful night at Fenway Park and it seemed more packed than any of the other games this series. Nice to see a packed house for a change instead of empty seats.
Felix Doubront started very shaky, 31 pitches in
the first inning, walking 3, hitting a batter and then uncorking a wild
pitch. Though he faced 8 batters in the
inning he was able to escape with only 2 runs.
Doubront rebounded nicely though and was able to settle in nicely and
get another quality start. He lasted 6
and 2/3 innings letting up 4 hits, 3 runs while walking 4 and striking out
8. He improved to 3-0 on the year and he
showed maturity in rebounding from a bad start.
Though he started with 31 pitches in the first inning, he only threw a
total of 103 on the night. After he
settled down he looked downright nasty.
The bats were out again for the Sox as they
pounded out 12 hits and 8 runs. Daniel
Nava, Dustin Pedroia and Will Middlebrooks all had 2 hits with David Ortiz
going 2 for 3 with 3 RBI. Stephen Drew
went 1 for 2 with 2 walks and an RBI.
Hopefully he’s finding it and finally coming around. Out of the 8 runs, 4 of them were with 2 outs
with Big Papi’s 2 run double being the biggest.
The only guys without a hit on the night were Jonny Gomes and Mike Carp
who each played left field and went a combined 0 for 5 with 3 strikeouts.
The starter for the Astros, Brad Peacock, didn’t
fare very well. He went only 3 and 1/3
inning and gave up 5 runs on 6 hits. The
biggest problem was the 5 walks he issued to put him in terrible
situations. Hector Ambriz came on in the
6th and proceeded to give up 6 more runs to put the game out of
reach for the Astros.
The Astros did manage to score 4 runs but only
managed 5 hits on the night. They too
were helped with walks as Red Sox pitchers handed out 7 free passes on the night. Marwin Gonzalez had 2 hits, one being a
double and he also stole a base. Chris
Carter went 0 for 4 with 4 strikeouts but did drive in a run. Carlos Carporan went 0 for 2 but did get on
base twice with 2 walks. Houston was
helped by 7 walks but still are having trouble hitting the baseball.
The Sox ran their record to 17-7 which happens to
be the best in the entire Major Leagues.
I knew they would be competitive this year but with April coming to a
close they are definitely out performing almost everyone’s expectations.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
David Ortiz.
Ortiz continued his torrid start going 2 for 3 with 3 RBI a walk and a
double. 2 of his RBI were with 2 outs
and he is now batting .519 on the young season.
He’s solidified the middle of the lineup and I’m hopeful that he will continue
to stay healthy and deliver in the key situations.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Daniel Bard.
Bard came on in the top of the eighth and proceeded to walk the only 2
batters he faced. He threw 9 pitches and
only 1 landed in the strike zone. Bard
looked like he was coming back from whatever funk he was going through but last
night’s performance may get him sent back to the minors. He was charged with 1 run and got a standing ovation
when he finally delivered a strike.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Bottom of the 2nd with Big Papi up at the
plate down by 2 and 2 runners in scoring position. He delivered yet again to put the Sox up by 2
and on their way to their 17th victory.
NEXT
Today, Sunday, 4/28 vs. the Houston Astros going
for the sweep. Big John Lackey makes his
comeback and will hopefully improve on the brief good outing of a few weeks
ago.
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