RESULT – LOSS 9-7
The Red Sox pitching staff has been solid all year, save for one big rain endured blowout by the hands of the Oakland Athletics. Well, the pitching staff had another off night last night in Toronto
The Sox battled all game and played the majority of the game from behind but in the top of the seventh they gained their first lead of the night. It was short lived however as they quickly relinquished that lead in the bottom half of the frame and then couldn’t muster another comeback.
Junichi Tazawa gave up a monster two-run homerun to Edwin Encarnacion in the bottom half of the seventh inning that gave the Jays the lead that their bullpen would hold. The 2 earned runs that Junichi gave up marked the first time he has allowed more than 1 earned run in a game since September 4th, 2009 (a span of 53 appearances). It came with two outs and after a walk to Jose Bautista. Edwin promptly deposited his second homer of the night into the center field bleachers. He also hit a two-run shot earlier in the game off Jon Lester into the 500 level area of the Rogers Centre. I haven’t seen too many balls go up there; Edwin certainly has a ton of power.
Speaking of Jon Lester, it just wasn’t his day. He had possibly his worst outing of the season and later stated that he felt bad that Tazawa received the loss in the game because it was him who put the team in a big hole. Lester went 6 innings, gave up 6 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), walked 2 and struck out 5. He threw 100 pitches and only 58 were strikes. Jon was in tough hitter friendly counts all night long and was off last night. Let’s hope it’s an anomaly on the season and he rights the ship soon.
Joel Hanrahan came off the DL yesterday and came into the game in the bottom of the eighth. He didn’t fare very well as he gave up 2 hits and allowed an insurance run to cross the plate to get the Jays up by 2 going into the top of the 9th. His velocity seemed down a bit and he won’t be able to win back that closer role anytime soon giving up runs in close games.
The Sox were able to battle back from a deficit mainly due to David Ortiz who’s been ridiculously hot this year. After the Blue Jays botched an inning ending double play ball, Dustin Pedoria walked to load the bases in the seventh inning. Ortiz stepped to the plate and delivered a three-run double to right. He also hit a solo homer in the fourth and is batting .500 with a whopping .917 slugging percentage. He also has 15 RBI in just nine games this season.
The Sox had 2 other homers on the night as both Mike Carp and Jonny Gomes drilled their firsts of the year. Jacoby Ellsbury was on base four times (2 hits and 2 walks) but was caught stealing again. Dustin Pedroia reached base 3 times (2 hits and a walk) and also drove in a run. Mike Napoli went 0 for 4 with 4 strikeouts and Will Middlebrooks also took a 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts. Daniel Nava went 0 for 5 out of the two hole and Stephen Drew continues to struggle going 1 for 4. The Sox are getting nothing at the bottom of their order right now.
Salty was on base twice with 2 walks but had a controversial plan in the 3rd inning. With Encarnacion at the plate, the big catcher tried to pick off Jose Bautista at first but threw the ball wide of the bag into right field allowing 2 runs to score. On replays it showed that Salty hit home-plate umpire Clint Fagan on the throw which is why the ball sailed into right field. Since Salty made contact with the umpire, it should have been a dead ball. However, Fagan claimed that Salty made contact on the follow through, not when he cocked back to throw. I don’t think that was the case and Salty didn’t either as he stated “It was kind of impossible” after the game.
Despite the poor pitching performance it was nice to see the Sox bats battle back and get back into the game. That type of effort is what was sorely missing the last two years. The loss also snapped Boston
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
David Ortiz. Ortiz finished the night 2 for 5 with a run and 4 RBI. His two hits went for extra bases with his 6th double of the year and 3rd homerun. David’s been on a tear since being activated from the DL and let’s hope he continues his torrid pace. He’s rewound the clock and has me thinking its 2004 and 2005 again.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Mike Napoli. Napoli went 0 for 4 and took the golden sombrero last night (4 strikeouts). With Ortiz as hot as he is in front of the big righty, you would think he’s getting good pitches to hit. He’s just not making contact. Let’s hope he finds in time for his reunion this weekend in Texas
PLAY OF THE GAME
Edwin Encarnacion’s second homerun of the night in the bottom of the 7th inning. After battling back and taking the lead in the top of the 7th, the Red Sox couldn’t hold the lead with Junichi Tazawa giving up a 2 out 2 run homerun that proved to be the game winner.
NEXT
Today, May 1st in Toronto
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