The Red Sox bats were needed on
Saturday afternoon as an early start as good enough to fend off the late surge
put on by the Yankees. The Sox held on
for a 13-9 victory in the Bronx, giving them the series win and putting
themselves in a position for a sweep of their hated rivals.
John Lackey finally got some run support. It’s a good thing too, because Lackey wasn’t
all that impressive on Saturday. He gave
up a season high 7 runs in just 5 and 2/3 innings. It was his shortest outing since June 10th. His final line was hideous, 5 and 2/3
innings, 7 runs on 8 hits, 3 walks and 6 strikeouts. He wasn’t sharp and it showed. He fell behind a lot of hitters and the Yanks
made very good contact against his fastball.
Lackey’s been pretty resilient this year and if I were a betting man, I’d
say he comes out on his next start and has a great game.
Matt Thornton came in again and
stunk up the place. He pitched 1/3 of an
inning and gave up 2 hits before getting an out. I have zero confidence in Thornton right
now. Drake Britton came on for 1 and 1/3
innings and didn’t look great either. He
let up 2 runs on 2 hits with a walk.
Junichi Tazawa finally had a good outing as he went 1 inning giving up
no runs or hits. He did walk a batter
though. Craig Breslow went the last 2/3
of an inning and retired both batters he faced.
The offense is rolling right
now. They’ve scored 54 runs in the last
4 games and have homered 17 times. It’s
the most runs they’ve scored in a 4-game span since 1950 (they scored 65 in 4
games) and the most homers they’ve hit since 2003.
Jonny Gomes went 3 for 4 with 2
runs, 4 RBI, a HBP and his 12th homer of the year. Mike Napoli stayed red hot, going 2 for 5
with 2 runs, 3 RBI and 2 homers. Xander
Bogaerts went 2 for 4 with 2 runs, 3 RBI and his first homer of his
career. It was an absolute bomb that
landed in the left-center stands over the visiting bullpen.
Every Red Sox starter had a
hit. Shane Victorino went 1 for 4 with 2
runs and an RBI. He was also hit by a pitch
again, the 16th time this season.
Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 4; David Ortiz was 1 for 4 with an RBI. Will Middlebrooks went 2 for 4 with a run and
a walk. Jackie Bradley Jr. went 1 for 4
with 2 runs and a walk and Ryan Lavarnway went 1 for 5 with a run and a walk.
The offense was firing on all
cylinders. They were 5 for 10 with
runners in scoring position and only left 4 men on base. They keep hitting like this, they’ll be a
force come playoff time.
They’ll go for the sweep today
with a day game as Jon Lester will take the hill vs. Kuroda. Kuroda has been their best starter this year
but has been roughed up in his last 3 starts.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
Jonny Gomes. Gomes went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI and his 12th
homer of the year. His value this year
has been very influential. Not just with
his play on the field but his prescience in the clubhouse as well.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
John Lackey. He got the win and some run support finally
but he looked like garbage last night.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Mike Napoli’s solo homer in the
top of the 9th. After the
Yankees cut the lead to 3, it was nice of Mike to add some insurance late.
NEXT
Sunday, September 8th, in New
York vs. the Yankees.
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