RESULT – WIN 9-2
In baseball, sometimes all it takes is one big hit and one huge inning to change the tides for a team. The Red Sox were in the midst of a deep 10 to 12 game slump and could not get it done with runners in scoring position. However on Wednesday night, the Sox got out of their slump in a big way at Tropicana Field.
An eight-run 3rd inning, which had four straight hits with runners in scoring position, seemed to lift the spirits of the team and take some pressure off their shoulders. They would cruise to a 9-2 victory over the Rays.
The biggest hit of the inning came after the big hits with runners in scoring position. The Sox loaded the bases with two outs as Stephen Drew came to the plate. He promptly unloaded them on the third pitch of the at bat for his second career grand slam. Drew finished the night 2 for 3 with a walk and 4 RBI.
The only Red Sox hitter to not reach base was Shane Victorino who took a 0 for 5 on the night. Jarrod Saltalamacchia went 0 for 3 but walked once and scored a run.
Dustin Pedroia had yet another multi-hit game (his sixth in his last 7 games), going 2 for 5 with an RBI. Will Middlebrooks had 2 hits including a double and a homerun with an RBI. David Ortiz, Mike Napoli and Jonny Gomes all had a hit and an RBI in the 9 run outburst. The Sox had 10 total hits and 3 walks on the night.
The Sox went 5 for 11 (.455) with runners in scoring position, a huge improvement from the last 10 games. When Dustin Pedroia came up with one out and two on in the top of the third, the Red Sox were in a 5 for 43 (.116) skid with runners in scoring position. Pedroia came through with a big hit to put the team up 1-0. Ortiz, Napoli and Gomes followed him with RBI singles as the Sox came out of their slump in a big way.
Will the big third inning turn things around for the Red Sox? Only time will tell but it certainly was a different dugout after that big breakout inning.
Jon Lester was given an 8-run cushion that he really didn’t need. He cruised in the game and now is unbeaten in his first nine starts. The lefty gave up 8 hits and only 2 runs over 7 innings. He struck out 5 and didn’t walk anyone. He is now 6-0 on the year with a 2.72 ERA.
Koji Uehara came on in the eighth and let up a hit and a walk but was able to get out of the inning unscathed. Jose De La Torre pitched a lot better in his second career appearance, pitching a perfect 9th inning striking out 2. I was worried after his first start but maybe he was all over the place because of nerves. He certainly faired a lot better this time out.
Rays ace, David Price, left the game after only 2 and 1/3 innings with left triceps tightness and gave up 5 hits and 4 runs in that span. His season ERA is up to 5.24 and is now 1-4 on the season. He hasn’t looked like himself so far this year and hopefully the triceps injury isn’t a big one. The Rays pitching is the team’s strength and they certainly have a lot of depth on the team but if David Price misses any extended time it will defiantly hurt their chances in the AL East.
Desmond Jennings had 2 hits and 1 RBI and Ryan Roberts also chipped in 2 hits. Thankfully they were all scattered and the Rays were only able to put up 2 runs on the night.
The bats finally woke up and hopefully they can continue to roll tonight vs. a good young pitcher Alex Cobb (4-2, 3.09). Cobb has been really good so far this year but was roughed up in his last outing, lasting only 4 and 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits. However he did strike out 13 on the short outing and has 46 strikeouts in 46.2 innings pitched this year.
The Sox will go with Felix Doubront (3-1, 6.40) who John Farrell skipped the last time through the rotation. The manager has stated that Doubront has been working through some mechanical issues and hopefully they found something to right the ship. Doubront’s last two outings have been terrible giving up 12 runs and 23 hits in 9 innings pitched.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
Stephen Drew. Drew went 2 for 3 with 4 RBI on the night, he also walked once and was on base 3 times and scored 2 runs. His biggest hit was the 3rd inning grand slam that broke open the game and put the Sox out in front 8-0.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Shane Victorino. Shane took a 0 for 5 on the night and was the only Red Sox starter not to reach base. He hit the ball hard in 3 of those at bats but couldn’t find any green.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Top of the third inning with 2 on and 1 out and Dustin Pedroia up at the plate. Pedroia was in a hole with one ball and 2 strikes and it looked like the Sox’s woes with runners in scoring position would continue but Pedroia singled to center to drive in Drew. The next 3 hitters would also get hits and drive in runs. Pedroia provided that spark to get the Sox going.
NEXT
Tonight, May 16th in Tampa Bay
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