GAME 88 – 7/5/2013 – in Anaheim vs. the Los Angeles Angels

RESULT – WIN 6-2

Big Papi’s pinch hit homer and 2 costly Angel’s errors lead to a gritty win in Anaheim for the start of the West Coast road trip for the Red Sox.  David Ortiz came on in the eighth inning and hit a huge towering blast to right to give the Sox the 6-2 victory.

With the Sox clinging to a 3-2 lead in the eighth, Ortiz took Angels reliever Dane De La Rosa deep for his 17^th homer of the season.  I’m actually quite surprised Mike Scioscia gave Ortiz the opportunity to bat in that situation.  Daniel Nava had led off the inning with a double so 1^st base was open.  In that situation, Ortiz has been getting walked lately so it was very surprising to see the Angels pitch to him, and boy did he make them pay.

It was Ortiz’s 5^th pinch-hit homer of his career and 2^nd in Anaheim.  Ortiz’s first home run as a Red Sox player back in 2003 came in a game-winner off the bench in a road game against the Angels way back on April 27^th, 2003.  Wow, that just seems like so long ago.

Mike Napoli would tack on his own homer in the 9^th and it was nice to see as he’s been in a big time homer draught.  He hadn’t homered since June 1^st and usually he’s a streaky hitter.  Let’s hope this opens things up for him.

Daniel Nava went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and Brandon Snyder went 2 for 3.  Jarrod Saltalamacchia went 2 for 4 with an RBI and every Sox starter had at least 1 hit.  Ellsbury had a hit and his 34^th stolen base of the season.

The Red Sox benefited from some sloppy play in the 7^th as Shane Victorino opened the inning with a single but looked as if he’d be stranded on 1^st.  With 2 outs, Jonny Gomes blooped one out to right field where the normally sure handed Josh Hamilton plays.  Josh ran a heck of a long way and then dropped the ball for an error.  Shane Victorino was hustling on the play and scored all the way from first allowing Boston to take a 3-2 lead.

Felix Doubront was on the bump for the Sox and he again pitched very well.  He went 6 and 2/3’s giving up 2 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5.  He collected his 5^th win of the season and continued his hot streak.  In a 10-start stretch that began back on May 16^th, he has a 2.86 ERA and has allowed 3 runs or fewer in all of those starts.  Against a tough lineup like this, he was able to bear down in key situations and get some big outs.

Breslow, Tazawa and Uehara all did well in relief of Doubront to secure the win.

They’ll be back at it again tonight as Ryan Dempster takes the hill to keep the win streak going.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

David Ortiz.  Ortiz hit a game preserving pinch hit 2 run homer in the 8^th.  It was a clutch effort coming off the bench.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Again.  There wasn’t really anything to give an LVP for.  If I had to, I would say Jose Iglesias.  Though he did have a hit and a walk, he also struck out badly twice in the game and looked overmatched early.

PLAY OF THE GAME

The costly error by Josh Hamilton in the 7^th that gave the Sox the lead.

NEXT

Saturday, July 6^th in Anaheim vs. the Angels.