John Lackey had to grind this win
out. He pitched well but not as dominant
as he’s been in his last few starts. The
Sox also got just enough hitting with Dustin Pedroia leading the way to down
the A’s in Oakland 4-2.
Lackey didn’t look as sharp as he
has the past few outings but did go 7 strong innings allowing only 3 hits and 2
runs. He walked 4 and struck out 5 and
gave up one homer to former Red Sox player Jed Lowrie. The walks were surprising because he hasn’t
been that erratic all year long.
This just goes to show how much
John Lackey has come this year as even when he doesn’t have his best stuff and
still grinds out a win and goes 7 innings while only allowing 2 runs. When Lackey signed that long deal, it was
starts like these the Sox thought they were getting.
Andrew Bailey continues to
impress in a set-up role. He went one
inning and walked one but struck out 2 while not allowing any hits or runs.
Koji Uehara nailed down the ninth
in typical dominant fashion, striking out the side for his 8th save
of the year.
The Sox could only muster 6 hits
on the night and walked only once.
Dustin Pedroia was the big hitter going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI. Brock Holt went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI of his
own. I like Holt, he seems to be a
really good ballplayer.
Mike Napoli also had 2 hits
including his 2nd triple of the year. Jose Iglesias was the only other Sox player
with a hit on the night. There were a
lot of 0-fer’s on the night but that will happen at cavernous Oakland Stadium
(not sure what they’re calling it these days).
The Sox were 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position leaving 5 men on
base.
With the win, the Red Sox
maintained the best record in the American League at 58-37. The team’s success of late can be attributed
to clutch 2-out hitting which all 4 runs came from last night. In fact, of Boston’s last 13 runs, 11 of them
have come with 2 outs.
The Sox will send Jon Lester to
the mound Saturday night to try and even the series. The A’s counter with A.J. Griffin.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia had 2 hits and 2 RBI on the night as
he was the only offense for the Sox on the night.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury took an 0 for 4 at the top of the
lineup with 1 strikeout.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Dustin Pedroia’s 2 run single in
the top of the 8th to break the 2-2 tie.
NEXT
Saturday, July 13th
vs. the Oakland Athletics.
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