RESULT - WIN – 13-0
What a difference a day makes. The day after getting 2 hit and not putting any runs on the board, the Red Sox explode for 13 runs on 15 hits, including 6 home runs. The story of the day was the power display by Will Middlebrooks who hit 3 of the 6 home runs. He also came up a few feet short of what would have been a historic fourth!
The first 2 Middlebrooks hit were off last year’s NL Cy Young Award Winner R.A. Dickey who apparently thought he could sneak a fastball by the young third baseman. Well, he failed both times as Will deposited them into the seats under the closed Rogers Centre dome. In his second at bat he also put Dickey’s signature pitch (the knuckler) into the left-field corner for a double. His third home run was off David Bush who came in to relieve Dickey in the 5th. Bush was on the bill when Middlebrooks hit a long fly ball to left in his final at bat. When it came off the bat, I thought he had done it but Melky Cabrera hauled it in at the front of the warning track. There would be no fourth home run but man was it a day for young Will Middlebrooks.
Mike Napoli added his 2nd home run in the 8th, Daniel Nava hit his first of the year in the 7th and Jacoby Ellsbury hit his first of the year in the 8th as well. It was a great power display by the Sox who also added four doubles and went 5 for 7 (.714) with runners in scoring position. Shane Victorino stole his second base and Ellsbury also added a stolen base his fourth of the year. The only downside offensively was Jarrod Saltalamacchia who went 0 for 5 with a strikeout and Jackie Bradley Jr. who went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts and is only batting .143 on the young season.
Overshadowed by the offensive display was a lights out pitching performance by Jon Lester who went 7 innings, letting up only 5 hits, walking no one and striking out 6. He was dominant and didn’t let a Blue Jay get to third base. Will Middlebrooks also made a spectacular defensive play in the bottom of the 4th on a weak ground ball that he fielded with his bare hand and threw a strike to first to get out of the inning. The man could do no wrong on this day.
On the other side of the ball, R.A. Dickey had the stuffing knocked out of him. The first 5 Red Sox all reached base and 5 runs were across the board before an out was recorded. His final line was ugly (4.2 innings, 10 hits, 8 runs, 7 earned, 2 walks, and 5 k’s) and he just hasn’t looked himself in his first two starts of the young season. His season ERA is a troubling 8.44. Dave Bush who came in relief could do not better as he pitched 3 innings and let in 5 runs.
Jose Reyes got two more hits and was 7 for 12 (.583) with a HR and 2 doubles in the series. He’s going to have a great season and I don’t look forward to having to play him in the future.
Another series win and the Sox come home on Monday with a 4-2 record. Very different from the last two years when they were 0-6 and 2-5 respectively. This is their best start since 2006 when they started 5-1. The hitting surge and power display hopefully will carry over to Monday when they come home to face the Orioles who are 3-3 and smacking the hell out of the ball.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
Will Middlebrooks. Was their any doubt? He went 4 for 5 with 4 RBI, 3HR and a double. He had 14 total bases, a total most players don’t get in a week. He seems to be seeing the ball very well right now and I hope he stays hot.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Jackie Bradley Jr. He went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts. He did walk once and is showing great patience up at the plate but he’s looked over matched the last few games and you could definitely tell you’re watching a 22 year old up there at the plate. I fully expect him to be sent down to AAA when Ortiz and Drew are healthy. He could use the at bats but I’m sure he’ll be a force in the future.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Will Middlebrooks first HR of the day in the top of the first. It was already 3-0 with no outs and he connected for a two run bomb deep down the RF line. It silenced the Toronto
NEXT
Today, Monday 4/8 day game vs. Baltimore Orioles. The Home Opener!!
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