GAME 44 – 5/19/2013 – in Minnesota vs. the Twins

RESULT – WIN 5-1

John Lackey was outstanding on Sunday afternoon and probably could have gone deep into the game if not for a monsoon and then three hour rain delay.  The Sox sweep the Twins and have won 5 in a row and are hot again.

Lackey went 6 innings giving up only 1 hit and no earned runs (1 run overall).  He walked none and struck out 5.  It was his most dominant start in years as he notched his 2^nd win of the season and lowered his ERA to 3.31.  John most likely would have went out for more innings had the rain not ruined his outing.

After 3 hours, play resumed and 3 relievers nailed it down for the Sox.  Andrew Miller threw a perfect 7^th striking out one.  Koji Uehara struck out the side in the 8^th but not before loading the bases and giving all Sox fans a mild heart attack.  Then Junichi Tazawa pitched the ninth and allowed 2 hits but also struck out 2.  The bullpen is pitching well again and it looks like they have their mojo back.

The Sox had 11 hits on the night with every Sox starter getting a hit except Pedro Ciriaco again.  Pedro was starting at short for the 2^nd straight day as Drew is out with a bad back.  Dustin Pedroia went 2 for 5, driving in 3 runs and hitting his 2^nd homer of the year.  Will Middlebrooks also added his 8^th home run of the year.  Daniel Nava stayed hot and went 2 for 5 and Mike Napoli went 1 for 4 with an RBI.  Jacoby Ellsbury had the day off and Shane Victorino went 1 for 4 with a walk in the leadoff spot.  He also ran down a couple fly balls in center and stole his 4^th base of the year.

In addition to a poor outing at the plate, Pedro Ciriaco made his 6^th error of the year leading to the only run the Twins would put up.  Pedro is batting .184 this year and I think it may be time for the Sox to bring up young Brock Holt as the utility infielder.  Pedro has a lot of flexibility but he’s costing the Sox with his hitless nights and errors.

During the long rain delay, the crowed was treated to a big-screen showing of the classic 1993 baseball movie “The Sandlot” which was previously scheduled for postgame.  Some of the Red Sox players even watched from the visitor’s dugout.  When play did resume however, you could count the fans in the stands.

The Sox now travel to Chicago to face the White Sox who are 19-23 on the year and in 4^th place in the AL Central.  The Sox pulled to ½ game back in the East as the Yankees were rained out against Toronto on Sunday.

Jon Lester (6-0, 2.72) will go for his 7^th win of the year and will be opposed by Dylan Axelrod who is 1-3 on the year with a 4.27 ERA.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

John Lackey.  Lackey was dominant getting his 2^nd victory of the year.  He let up only 1 hit and no earned runs in 6 innings pitched.  He struck out 5 and didn’t seem to be in any trouble the entire outing.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Pedro Ciriaco.  Was again the only hit-less Red Sox player and committed an error (his 6^th of the year) that led to the only Twins run.  Brock Holt is waiting the call-up Pedro.  Let’s get it going.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Koji Uehara’s 9^th inning strikeout of Joe Mauer with the bases loaded and the game still very much in doubt at 3-1.  Koji ended up striking out the side but things looked bleak with the bases loaded and the dangerous Mauer at the plate.

NEXT

Tonight, May 20th in Chicago vs. the White Sox.