GAME 86 – 7/3/2013 – at Home vs. the San Diego Padres

RESULT – WIN 2-1

Jonny Gomes comes up huge again with a walk-off pinch hit homer to win the game for the Red Sox Wednesday night vs. the Padres.  For a part-time player, Gomes is certainly playing a prominent role for the Red Sox.  Just 15 days after his last walk-off homer vs. the Rays, and five days after he snapped a tie vs. the Blue Jays, Gomes again blasts one over the Monster for a game winning hit.

It was the 3^rd pinch-hit homerun for Gomes this season and 6^th of his career.  The Sox have won 30 games at home this year and 8 have come via the walk-off variety.  They are 7-1 during their current home stand that wraps up today on the 4^th.  At 52-34, Boston has the best record in the American League and a 3 ½ game lead in the AL East.

Jon Lester started the game and finally looked like the lefty we know and love.  He scattered six hits and gave up only 1 run in 7 innings of work while walking 1 and striking out 5.  Lester battled through a rough first inning in which he threw 32 pitches but he hung on and the Padres were only able to get 1 run for their trouble.  It would be the only run they would get the entire game.

Junichi Tazawa pitched a perfect 8^th inning striking out the side and Koji Uehara worked around a 9^th inning walk to get the win.  Tazawa simply looked overpowering out there.

The Sox weren’t all that great with the bats.  They had only 9 hits on the night and were a pitiful 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position leaving 9 men on base.  Dustin Pedroia went 2 for 4 with his 23^rd double of the year and 13^th stolen base.  Mike Carp also had 2 hits on the night.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia had a big RBI double to tie up the game in the 4^th.  It was his only hit on the night as he also struck out 3 times.  David Ortiz went 0 for 2 but was on base with 2 walks (both intentional).  Ellsbury, Victorino and Daniel Nava all had one hit in the contest.  Jose Iglesias was hit by a pitch but didn’t record a hit.

It was a strong effort and because of Gomes’ clutch effort the Sox will go into the 4^th of July with a 3 game win streak and a chance to sweep the Padres before a trip to the west coast.  Rookie Allen Webster will take the hill against Eric Stults.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

Jonny Gomes.  Has there ever been another part-time player with this kind of impact on a Sox season?  Not in the last couple of years anyway.  Another clutch game winning homer by big Jonny Gomes.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Brandon Snyder.  The rookie went 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts and looked lost at the plate.  It’s the first time since he’s been called up that I’ve seen him look overmatched.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Jonny Gomes’ game-winning homer in the bottom of the 9^th.

NEXT

Thursday, July 4th at home vs. the San Diego Padres.