It seems like Alfredo Aceves’
time in the minors has done wonders. For
the second time, Alfredo has come up and given the Sox a quality start in a key
situation. With Clay Buchholz nursing a
neck injury the Red Sox called up Alfredo Aceves again for a spot start and he
pitched well enough to record the 2-1 win.
The start was eerily similar to
the one he had back on May 27th against the Phillies. Aceves allowed just 4 hits and 1 run through
6 innings while walking 4 and striking out 3.
Though he walked 4 batters his pitch count through 6 was only 84 pitches
with 50 being for strikes. With 2 of
these starts in a row, Aceves is making his inconsistency from early this
season and most of last season a distant memory. We’re seeing the Aceves we fell in love with
in 2011.
With a day-night double-header
coming up at Fenway
Park
Alfredo also got some help from his
bullpen which was rock solid last night allowing only 2 hits in 3 innings while
striking out 7. Junichi Tazawa pitched
the 7th and had a perfect inning striking out 2 of the 3 batters he
faced. Craig Breslow and Koji Uehara
pitched the 8th and the 2 combined to strike out the side. Andrew Bailey came in to nail it down in the
9th getting his 7th save of the year. He struck out 2 in the inning and worked
around a leadoff single by James Loney.
With great pitching, you still
need your offense do put up some runs and last night the Sox put up just enough
to get the win.
The Sox managed only 5 hits and 2
runs but it was enough on this night.
Daniel Nava had a big 10-pitch 2-run homer in the top of the 3rd
which would wind up being the only runs the Sox would put up.
Jacoby Ellsbury was on base 3
times with a hit and 2 walks. He stole 2
bases in the game and is now up to 29 on the year. Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 4 and Mike carp
went 2 for 4 and that was it for the hits.
David Ortiz walked once as did Will Middlebrooks but that was the extent
of their offense last night. Mike Napoli
was hit by a pitch and then stole his 1st base of the year.
Hitting wasn’t the strong point
in the game as they were 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position and left 8
men on base. They didn’t have many
opportunities and that is because the opposing starting pitcher Chris Archer
and the Rays bullpen was good last night.
It was my first time seeing Archer and save for his antics on the mound
which were borderline bush league, he has fantastic stuff out there. The Sox made him work and he had to throw 103
pitches through only 4 innings while walking 4 but he did strike out 7 on the
night. The Rays as a team struck out 11
Red Sox hitters on the night.
It’s nice to get a close one-run
win and get another series win against a division foe. So far ½ way through this tough month the Sox
have won every series they’ve had. It
doesn’t get any easier as the Sox travel to Baltimore
Felix Doubront (4-3, 4.84) will
take the hill for the Red Sox. He has pitched
so-so lately with a sub-par outing against the Angels last weekend but a great
outing against the Yankees back on June 1st. He’ll be opposed by Kevin Gausman (0-3,
8.84). Gausman was roughed up badly in
his last outing against Tampa
Bay
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
Alfredo Aceves. Aceves again gave the Sox a great spot start
going 6 strong innings giving up only 4 hits and 1 run. He’s slowly showing that he’s a dependable pitcher
again.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Will Middlebrooks. Middlebrooks has only 1 hit since his return
from the DL. He went 0 for 3 with 2
strikeouts yesterday and still is having trouble with his plate discipline. With the hot hitting and slick fielding Jose
Iglesias sitting on the bench, Will better find it soon or he could find himself
back down in Triple-A.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Daniel Nava’s 3rd inning
2-run homer that was the game winner.
Nava’s 10 pitch at bat ended with a 2-run homer.
NEXT
Tonight, Thursday, June 13th
in 
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