John Lackey did all he could to
right the ship on Saturday afternoon as the Sox snap a 3-game skid with a 6-1
victory over their rivals. The Sox have
not had a 4 game losing streak at all this season. They are the only team in the league that can
say that.
Lackey went 6 and 2/3 innings
giving up just 1 run on 6 hits. He
struck out only 1 and walked 3 but 15 of his 20 outs came via the ground
ball. It was different because Lackey’s
always been a fly-ball, strikeout type of pitcher so it was nice to see him
keep the ball down against a good hitting team.
When he exited the mound, he
received a huge standing ovation from the Fenway faithful. That must have felt good considering all the
times he’s walked off that mound to boo’s over the last few years.
The bullpen was fantastic last
night as both Craig Breslow and Junichi Tazawa went 2/3 of an inning allowing
just 1 hit. Koji Uehara closed out the
game allowing just 1 hit and striking out 2 of the 4 batters he faced.
Red Sox hitters were able to do
something most of the league hasn’t been able to do this year. Touch up Yankees starrer Hiroki Kuroda. The Sox roughed him up 5 runs (3 earned) on
11 hits. He struck out 6 but this is the
first time I’ve seen him get hit this hard and often all year. His ERA coming into the game was an
astonishing 2.33.
The offense banged out 14 hits on
the afternoon and again should have scored more runs. They were just 4 for 16 with runners in
scoring position and left a staggering 11 men on base. We really need the Sox to start getting some
hits with runners in scoring position.
It’s becoming worrisome and a huge problem.
David Ortiz was 2 for 4 with 2
runs and an RBI. He also walked once and
hit his 24th homer of the year.
Daniel Nava was 2 for 3 with a run scored, a walk and 2 doubles. Nava has been hitting so well lately, it’s a
must to have him in the lineup. Will
Midlebrooks also went 2 for 3 with a walk and drove in a run.
Jacoby Ellsbury had a really good
day going 3 for 5 with 2 RBI out of the top spot. Shane Victorino went 2 for 5 out of the 2
hole. When you’re top 2 hitters in the
lineup are getting on 50% of the time, you’re going to win a lot of ballgames.
Mike Carp went 2 for 5 with a run
scored and he even stole a base, Jarrod Saltalamacchia went 1 for 4 with a run
scored and an RBI. Stephen Drew went
hitless but scored a run and drove in one as well. Pedroia had a rough day going 0 for 5 with 2
strikeouts.
The Sox set themselves up for a
showdown on Sunday night for the series win.
They’ll send Ryan Dempster to the mound who was fantastic in his last
outing but has never beaten the Yankees in his career. The Yanks will counter with C.C. Sabathia who’s
having a rough year.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
David Ortiz. Ortiz went 2 for 4 with 2 runs, an RBI and a
walk. Both of his hits were extra bases
with a double and a homer (his 425th of his career).
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia had possibly his worst game in a
month going 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Jacoby Ellsbury’s 1 run double in
the bottom of the 6th to put the Sox up 5-1 and on the path to
victory.
NEXT
Sunday, August 18th at home vs.
the New York Yankees.
No comments:
Post a Comment