GAME 145 – 9/8/2013 – in New York vs. the Yankees

RESULT – LOSS 4-3

The Red Sox came oh-so close to their 1^st sweep at Yankee Stadium in 74 years but the Yanks were able to rebound and squeak out a win 4-3 in the Bronx.

I thought the Sox would do it again but they came up just a little short.  The Yankees went to Mariano Rivera for a 2-inning save and things went smoothly in the 8^th as he retired the side with no runs.  Will Middelbrooks tied it up in the ninth however with an opposite field homer.  When the game is close, you can’t count them out.  They show that continually.  Rivera would get out of the inning and the Yanks would bail him out in the bottom half of the inning.

Ichiro Suzuki started the rally with a one-out single to center against Brandon Workman.  He then stole second and moved to third on a Vernon Wells flyout.  With Alfonso Soriano up at the plate, Workman sailed a wild pitch up and over the glove of Saltalamacchia.  The ball went all the way to the backstop and kicked off in a way that Suzuki could waltz home.  It’s a tough way to lose a ballgame.

Jon Lester took the hill for the Red Sox and pitched pretty well.  He went 8 innings giving up 3 runs on 10 hits while walking 1 and striking out 6.  He gave up a lot of hits but was able to get out of a lot of jams.  The Sox offense which has been great as of late was calmed down by Kuroda and Lester had to deal with only 3 runs of support.  He took the no-decision but pitched well enough for a win.

The offense was finally held in check for the 1^st time in 4 games.  They were 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left 8 men on base.  There were opportunities but they couldn’t capitalize.

Jonny Gomes went 2 for 5 and David Ortiz went 2 for 4 with 2 runs and 2 doubles.  Mike Carp went 2 for 4 with an RBI and his 16^th double of the year.  Will Middlebrooks continues his surge and went 2 for 3 with a run, a walk, an RBI and his 15^th homer of the year.  Jackie Bradley Jr. added a walk and a hit in the losing effort.

They’ll get an off day before they travel to Tampa Bay to face the Rays in a huge series.  The Sox can put themselves in the driver’s seat with a series win.  Clay Buchholz will make his first start since June on Tuesday.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

Will Middlebrooks.  Middlebrooks continues his comeback season as he goes 2 for 3 with another homer.  It’s great to see Will finally doing what we thought he’d be doing all year long.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Stephen Drew.  Drew went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts in the loss.

PLAY OF THE GAME

The wild pitch in the 9^th to lose the game.

NEXT

Tuesday, September 10th, in Tampa Bay vs. the Rays.