GAME 63– 6/8/2013 – at Home vs. the Los Angeles Angels (Game 2)

RESULT – WIN 7-2

The Sox were able to split the day-night double header as the bats were lively and they had another brilliant pitching performance by Clay Buchholz.

Clay Buchholz is making his dominance just look too easy.  The only cause for concern with Buchholz is that he had to come out of the game in the top of the 7^th with 2 outs because of tightness in his neck.  He will undergo more tests and the hope is that he won’t miss any starts but it is a little problematic.

The injury on an odd play in the top of the sixth as Howie Kendrick hit a line drive that knocked Buchholz’s glove off his right hand.  Clay would recover and chase down the ball and throw just late to Napoli to get Kendrick but you could tell he aggravated his neck a bit on the play.

There was also a play in the fourth when he fielded a grounder by Alberto Callaspo but stumbled over to first base to make the tag out.  It was clumsy and awkward and I’ll bet contributed to the play in the sixth.

His pitching was brilliant though as he went 6 and 2/3 innings giving up 6 hits and 2 runs.  He struck out 4 and walked only 1.  The pitch count was at 104 and I’d be willing to bet that he would have come out anyway in the 7^th with a big lead.  It was Clay’s 9^th win of the year and his ERA is down to 1.71.

The Sox were again hitting the ball all over Fenway Park.  They banged out 13 hits as each starter had a least one hit.  It could have been a lot worse as the Sox again weren’t all that great with runners in scoring position going 4 for 15 with 10 men left on base.  However they were able to get enough key hits and split the day-night double header.

Dustin Pedroia went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.  He had a walk and his 20^th double of the year.  David Ortiz rebounded after a terrible first game to go 2 for 5 with 3 RBI and his 12^th homerun of the year.  Jonny Gomes stayed hot going 2 for 5 with an RBI double and Jose Iglesias went 2 for 4 with a run scored and his first stolen base of the year.

The bullpen rebounded in the night cap as well as they pitched 2 and a 1/3 innings of shut out ball.  Craig Breslow went 1 and 1/3 innings and didn’t let a hitter reach base.  Junichi Tazawa gave up one hit but he escaped without any damage.

The Sox will go for the series win today as they play the Angels in the day game.  Ryan Dempster will face Joe Blanton in the rubber match.  Let’s hope the Sox can keep the bats hot and get another series win.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

David Ortiz.  Ortiz rebounded in a big way as he had 2 hits and 3 RBI.  He hit his 12^th homer of the year and continues to be the anchor in the middle of the lineup for the Sox.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Everyone had a pretty good night but if I had to give it to someone it would be Mike Napoli.  Big Nap had a hit but also struck out 3 times on the night.  He strikes out a ton and it gets frustrating to watch.  It seems that Nap is your prototypical all or nothing type of hitter.

PLAY OF THE GAME

David Ortiz’s 6^th inning 2-run homer that put the Sox up 7-2.

NEXT

Sunday, June 9^th vs. the Angels.