GAME 134– 8/27/2013 – at Home vs. the Baltimore Orioles

RESULT – WIN 4-3

Another comeback for the 2013 Red Sox.  With the Orioles and Red Sox tied up in the 8^th inning, Xander Bogaerts was due to come up with 2 outs and runners on 1^st and 2^nd.  Bogaerts will surely get his chances to shine in his career but John Farrell opted to go to a proven pitch-hitter and sent Mike Carp up in his place.

Carp smacked a bloop single to left to drive in Salty, the go-ahead run, as the Red Sox came from behind to top the O’s 4-3.  It was their 79^th win of the season and their 30^th comeback victory of the year.

Offensively the Sox weren’t all that great on Wednesday.  They were just 4 for 13 with runners in scoring position and left 9 men on base.  They struck out 9 times on the night with Daniel Nava and Mike Napoli having 3 each.

Jacoby Ellsbury went 2 for 3 with a run and 2 stolen bases.  The 2 stolen bases put him on the doorstep to 50 as he needs just one more.  Jarrod Saltalmacchia went 2 for 4 with a run scored and his 35^th double of the year.  Shane Victorino stayed hot as he went 1 for 4 with an RBI.  Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 2 with 2 RBI and 2 walks and Stephen Drew went 1 for 2 with 2 runs scored and 2 walks.

Mike Carp had that big pitch hit single and Daniel Nava also had a hit.  David Ortiz and Mike Napoli went hitless on the night combining to go 0 for 8 with 5 strikeouts.  Xander Bogaerts went 0 for 3 before being lifted for Cap in the 8^th.

John Lackey was sharp again but couldn’t stick around long enough for the win.  He went 7 and 1/3 innings giving up just 3 runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4.  The damage was done on 2 long balls by Manny Machado and Chris Davis.  It’s yet another day at the office for Lackey as he pitches well but can’t pull in the W.

Craig Breslow finished off the 8^th inning getting both hitters he faced, striking out 1.  Koji Uehara notched his 14^th save of the year with a perfect ninth.

It’s another series win for the Sox who will go for the sweep Thursday night.  They’ll send Jon Lester to the mound against the O’s best starter this year Chris Tillman who has 14 wins on the season.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

Dustin Pedroia.  He was on base 3 times with a hit and 2 walks and drove in 2 runs.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Mike Napoli.  He went hitless in 4 at bats and struck out in 3 of them.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Mike Carp’s clutch 2-out 8^th inning single to plate the go-ahead run.

NEXT

Thursday, August 29th, at home vs. the Baltimore Orioles.