Monday, June 24, 2013

GAME 76 - 6/21/2013 – in Detroit vs. the Tigers

RESULT – WIN 10-6

Jon Lester again was subpar but the bats were on fire and bailed him out to get him the victory.  Shane Victorino single handedly gave the Sox offense a huge shot in the arm.

Victorino went 4 for 5 and tied a career high with 5 RBI and hit his 3rd homer of the year.  He was an offensive force on Friday night and it was fun to watch.  Jacoby Ellsbury went 2 for 5 with a walk and 2 RBI.  Between him and Victorino they combined to drive in 7 runs at the top of the lineup.

Stephen Drew went 3 for 5 and scored 3 runs and Jose Iglesias went 3 for 5 and scored 2 runs hitting his 2nd triple of the year.  He remains red hot and I don’t see how you can’t start him everyday.  The odd man out lately is Middlebrooks because he simply can’t hit right now.

Dustin Pedroia went 2 for 5 with an RBI and Mike Napoli had 2 hits on the night.  David Ortiz didn’t have a hit but was on base twice with 2 walks (both intentional).  Jarrod Saltalamacchia was on base twice with a walk and a hit.  The only one that couldn’t get anything going was Daniel Nava who went 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.

The Sox needed every bit of offense because Jon Lester was not very good again.  He went 5 and 2/3 innings giving up 5 run on 9 hits.  He walked 3 and struck out 3 but gave up 2 homers.  His pitch count was at 102 in only 5 and 2/3.  He came away with the win (his 7th of the year) but it was an ugly win and although I’m not panicking yet, he needs to get out of this slump very quickly.

Junichi Tazawa and Craig Breslow pitched well in relief but Andrew Miller was touched up for a run in his one inning of work.  He’s been so lights out lately that I guess he was due for a bad outing.

It was a much needed win coming off a bad game the night before and facing two of the best pitchers in the league on Saturday and Sunday (Scherzer and Verlander).  I hope that bats can stay hot but those pitchers are very tough.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
Shane Victorino.  4 for 5 with a homer and 5 RBI will get you the game ball every day.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Jon Lester.  Lester got the win but it was ugly!  He’s in a rough patch right now but the Sox are saying he’s healthy.  In his last 7 games he’s got a 7.30 ERA and given up 9 homers.  Opponents are batting .331 against him.

PLAY OF THE GAME
Shane Victorino’s 2-run single in the top of the 4th to put the Sox up 6-1.

NEXT
Tonight, Saturday, June 22nd in Detroit vs. the Tigers.

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