GAME 79 - 6/25/2013 – at Home vs. the Colorado Rockies

RESULT – WIN 11-4

The Sox welcomed the Colorado Rockies to town for a brief 2 game series last night.  It was the first time the Rockies have been back at Fenway since the 2007 World Series.  Though not many players are still around for either team, it was still a cool feeling seeing these two teams square off.  Hitting was the name of the game last night as the Sox took the first game of the series in a rout.

Boston had a season-high 20 hits including 12 in the first 3 innings alone.  The Rockies had 11 hits on the night as well but couldn’t capitalize as much as the Sox did.

Every Sox starter had a least one hit with 7 of the 9 having multiple hits.  Dustin Pedroia went 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI.  Daniel Nava and Jose Iglesias each went 3 for 5 with an RBI and Jacoby Ellsbury went 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored.

Shane Victorino went 2 for 5 with an RBI and Stephen Drew went 2 for 5 with another triple, his fourth of the season.  Mike Napoli went 2 for 4 with2 RBI and a walk.  David Ortiz only had one hit on the night (1 for 2) but walked 3 times and drove in 1 run.  Salty struck out 3 times in the game but had a hit and run scored as well.

It was an offensive night as the Sox had 6 extra base hits and were 9 for 20 with runners in scoring position.  Believe it or not it could have been a lot worst as they also left 13 men on base.  5 of the runs driven in came with 2 outs and that’s a back breaker for an opposing team.  You have a team on the ropes with 2 outs and you let up runs.  Sox have had that happen to them all the time and it is so frustrating.

On the mound, Ryan Dempster looked pretty good.  He went 6 innings, let up 2 runs on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4.  Dempster usually doesn’t get a lot of run support from his hitters but last night the Sox stoked him to a nice lead and he delivered a really good performance.  He earned his 5^th win of the season and lowered his ERA to 4.15.

The bullpen only allowed 2 unearned runs as the Sox uncharacteristically committed 3 errors.  Alex Wilson pitched only 2/3 of an inning and let up 1 hit, 2 unearned runs but struck out 2 hitters as well.  Craig Breslow who’s been lights out lately went an inning and a third giving up only 3 scattered hits.  Newly brought up Pedro Beato went the last inning giving up only 1 hit.

It was a fun game to watch as the Sox hitters put on a show last night.  They’ll go for the mini sweep today as John Lackey will take the mound against Roy Oswalt in the mid-day game.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

Dustin Pedroia.  Pedroia stayed hot with 3 hits and 4 RBI on the night.  He also stole a base, his 14^th of the season.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Jarrod Saltalamacchia.  He was the one that struggled the most in the Sox lineup last night.  He had 1 hit but also struck out 3 times.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Mike Napoli’s RBI single in the bottom of the 2^nd that put the Sox up 5-1.  It was the 4^th straight hit and 3^rd straight run driving in for the team that inning.

NEXT

Today, June 26^th, vs. the Colorado Rockies.