Saturday, May 25, 2013

GAME 49 – 5/24/2013 – at Home vs. Cleveland Indians


RESULT – WIN 8-1

Red Sox Nation is quickly forgetting the disasterous start to John Lackey’s career in Boston as he continues to look great on the mound.  Last night he mowed the powerful Indians lineup downed and you can see Red Sox fans quickly coming to love the big righty.

John Lackey was brilliant going 7 innings giving up only 2 hits and 1 run (it was unearned).  He walked 3 and struck out 8 on the night and cut up the Indians lineup like a skilled surgeon.  In Lackey’s last 2 starts he hasn’t allowed an earned run in 13 innings.  His record is only 3-4 but his ERA is down to 2.72 and is actually lower than ace Jon Lester.

The bats also came out to play Friday night as the Sox scored 8 runs on 9 hits.  The story of the night was Dustin Pedroia and Mike Carp.  Pedroia went 2 for 4 and drove in 2 runs and Mike Carp had a big three-run homer, his 3rd of the year to get things going for the Sox in the bottom of the 2nd.

Jose Iglesias started his first career game at 3rd base and made no errors.  He chipped in with a hit and a run but also struck out twice on the night.  David Ortiz was on base 3 times (2 walks and a hit) and Jacoby Ellsbury drove in 2 runs.

The only Sox starter without a hit was Stephen Drew who is in a slump as of late.  The Sox were 5 for 10 with runners in scoring position and Ellsbury stole his 14th base of the year.

Former Sox pitcher, Justin Masterson was roughed up for the first time this year as he went 6 innings, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits.  I still miss him in a Sox uniform and shutter to think what could have been with him in our pitching staff right now alongside Lester and Buchholz.

The story of the night however was the masterful performance put on by a re-energized John Lackey.  After striking out Nick Swisher in the sixth he jumped out the mound with a fist pump.  It was a sight that I remember from his Angels’ days when a young fiery Lackey was mowing down the AL West.  Let’s hope that’s the Lackey we’ll see for the rest of the year.

It’s a day-game today for the Red Sox as they’ll face off again with the Indians at 1:35 in Fenway (weather permitting).  The Sox will start Jon Lester (6-1, 3.15 ERA) against former phenom Scott Kazmir (2-2, 6.35 ERA).  Kazmir is coming off 2 good starts and is looking to continue his comeback after a disasterous 3 seasons.  Back in the day when Kazmir was with the Rays he would shut the Sox down so let’s hope that in a different uniform he won’t be as good as he was.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
John Lackey.  Lackey was once again dominant as he went 7 innings only giving up with 2 hits and 1 unearned run.  He struck out 8 and was in total control Friday night.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Stephen Drew.  Drew went 0 for 4 with a strikeout and is now batting a terrible .205.  He showed promise there for a few weeks but is again in a slump.  Let’s hope he can work his way out of it because with Iglesias up playing third in Middlebrooks’ absence, they don’t have any other viable options.

PLAY OF THE GAME
Mike Carp’s second inning 3-run homer that ended up being enough as John Lackey was in total control.

NEXT
Today, Saturday 5/25 vs. the Indians.

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