Just when you think John Lackey
is officially back, he goes and tops himself again. In his last start he struck out a career-high
12 batters over 7 innings of 2-run ball but last night the big Texan went an
inning longer and gave up one fewer run in a 4-1 win over the Padres.
Lackey posted his fourth straight
outing going 7 innings and giving up 2 runs or fewer. He’s been an absolute horse for the Sox
lately and it’s been much needed with Buchholz on the shelf and Lester not
quite himself.
His final line on the night was
spectacular. John went 8 innings, giving
up 6 hits and only 1 run. He struck out
6 and only walked 1. The only blemish on
the night was a Jesus Guzman 7th inning homer. Other than that he was downright dominant
against the Padres.
Now that he’s finally healthy, we’re
seeing a brand new John Lackey this year.
His fastball seems to have some extra life this year and is getting
better every start out. The velocity on
his fastball last night topped out at 96 mph.
He’s been consistently around 92-94 this year and it shows as he’s
getting a ton of swing and misses. His
ERA has now dropped to 2.81 and Tuesday night’s outing of 8 innings is his
longest since June 17th of 2011.
Offensively, the Sox weren’t all that
great on the night so it’s a good thing Lackey was on. Most of the damage came in the bottom of the
4th when Brandon Snyder, playing in only his 3rd game of
the season, delivered a huge 3-run double off the Green Monster in left-center
field. It was his only hit on the night
but it proved to be the game winner.
The Sox were 2 for 9 with runners
in scoring position and left 7 men on base and really couldn’t string hits together
against the Padres pitchers.
Jacoby Ellsbury went 2 for 4 with
his 33rd stolen base of the season and Jose Iglesias was 2 for 3
with a big 2-out RBI single in the bottom of the 6th. Dustin Pedroia got on base 3 times with 3
walks and stole his 12th base of the year; he was also caught
stealing as well.
Jonny Gomes had 2 hits on the
night and David Ortiz also had 2 hits including his 500th double of
his career. Mike Napoli reached base
with a walk and Jarrod Saltalamacchia had 2 walks on the night.
Koji Uehara racked up his 5th
save of the year pitching a perfect 9th striking out 2 of the 3
batters he faced.
The night was all about John
Lackey however and as he left the mound after the 8th inning, Red Sox
Nation rose to their feet to salute him.
John’s had a tenuous relationship with the fans throughout the years and
I don’t think he’s totally over it.
Asked if it felt good to have the fans embrace him after the outing,
Lackey paused and said. “I’m going out
and pitching and pitching well, I guess that’s all I want to see, so hopefully
that’s enough (for them).” Seems like he’s
not over the incredible amount of booing he’s faced in the last couple of years. If he keeps pitching like this though, he’ll
never hear a boo again.
They’ll go at it again tonight in
Fenway Park as Jon Lester (8-4, 4.61) will take the mound for the Sox. Lester has struggled in his last 4 starts but
did pick up the win in his last outing against the Blue Jays. He pitched better in that game going 7
innings and giving up 4 runs on 5 hits.
He walked 3 however and needs to put in a good outing tonight to get
back on track.
He’ll be opposed by tough righty
Edinson Volquez (6-6, 5.50). Volquez has
struggled so far this year but turned in a good start last outing as he beat
the Miami Marlins by going 6 innings giving up only 2 runs on 7 hits while
striking out 8. Walks have gotten him in
trouble this year so I expect the Sox to work counts and get his pitch count
up.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
John Lackey. Lackey’s been game MVP almost every time he
takes the hill this year. His 8 inning,
1-run performance was the best I’ve seen him in years.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Shane Victorino. He went 0 for 4 on the night with a
strikeout. On a tough offensive night,
he was the worst.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Brandon Snyder’s 3-run double off
the Green Monster to put the Sox up 3-0 in the bottom of the 4th.
NEXT
Wednesday, July 3rd at home vs.
the San Diego Padres.
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