RESULT – WIN 3-1
The Red Sox became the first team in the Majors to win 20 games last night, a feat they didn’t accomplish until May 20th of last year. They have now one four straight road series on the year, something they haven’t done since 1982. It was a bit of a heart attack game at the end but they endured and remain the best team in the league.
Starter Ryan Dempster didn’t dominate but the veteran was able to persevere and grind out six innings to record his 2nd win of the year. It didn’t look like he had his best stuff Thursday night as he didn’t strike out the amount we’re used to seeing but he got some big outs when he needed them and was able to survive the six innings only allowing one run.
He shook off some early troubles which included giving up a leadoff home run to Brett Lawrie but seemed to get stronger as the game went on. Dempster is a native of British Columbia Canada
Dempster also got into another hole in the bottom of the third when he uncharacteristically walked three batters in the frame. But again, he got Encaracion to hit into an inning ending double play. It was smooth sailing after that as he allowed just one runner to reach over his final 3 innings of work and even retired 7 straight to end the night. His final line was 6 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 3.00 on the year.
The bullpen came on to finish the last three innings and gave me a mini heart attack. Andrew Miller took over in the 7th and was truly awful again, he continues to not be able to get the ball over the plate. He pitched 2/3 of an inning, walked one and gave up a hit. He threw 24 pitches in 2/3 of an inning and just seems really shaky this year. Junichi Tazawa came on to relieve him and promptly walked the first batter he faced to load the bases. Tazawa was able to get out of the jam by striking out Adam Lind, who struck out twice in key situations.
Koji Uehara came on in the eighth and gave up a hit but also struck out 2 and ran off the field in his usual energetic way. Joel Hanrahan came on in the 9th to close out the game instead of Andrew Bailey which I found strange. Bailey has pitched only once in the last 7 days so I’m thinking he may be hurt. We’ll know more today I’m sure as it will be a hot topic. Hanrahan promptly gave up a lead-off single to Colby Rasmus but then settled down and got Rajai Davis (who was 3-3 lifetime vs. Hanrahan) to pop out to second and then Kawasaki
The big story on the offensive side was walks as the Sox walked 10 times in the game, 7 of them off starter J.A. Happ. Leading the walk brigade was David Ross who walked 3 times and was on base 4 times on the night going 1 for 1. The only 2 Sox players that didn’t get a walk were Dustin Pedroia who went 0 for 5 and Mike Napoli who went 1 for 5. Daniel Nava also walked twice and doubled as Jonny Gomes had 2 hits and a walk on the night. Jacoby Ellsbury went 1 for 4 and drove in a run and Mike Carp continued his hot hitting going 1 for 3 with an RBI.
The showdown is set for the weekend as the Sox travel to Texas Arlington
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
Ryan Dempster. He didn’t have his best stuff but battled all night and got through six innings of work. He escaped some big jams and gave the Sox an opportunity to win.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Andrew Miller. He’s supposed to be our left specialist but continues to be erratic when entering games. I hope he can find it soon because we really have not other viable option until Craig Breslow and Franklin Morales is back from injuries.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Bottom of the 7th with the bases loaded full of Blue Jays. Junichi Tazawa struck out Adam Lind to get out of a very dangerous situation. This could have turned into a nightmare inning as behind Lind was Bautista, Encarnacion and Arencibia.
NEXT
Today, May 3rd in Texas
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