What a nice tribute and good-bye
to Todd Helton last night by the Colorado Rockies. After being honored before the game, which
included getting a horse for a gift, Helton went 2 for 3 with a homer, double
and 3 RBI to give the Rockies’ fans one last reminder how great he’s been for
them for the last 17 years. It was also
nice to see after the game, Helton go around the stadium giving high-fives to
the fans and all the Red Sox saying their goodbyes. Helton was a class act and he’ll be missed.
The game was never really
close. Backed by a dominant offensive
attack, the Sox rolled past the Rockies, 15-5, at Coors Field, splitting the
series and taking the season series 3-1.
There were plenty of standout
performers, but they were led by Will Middlebrooks, who belted 2 homers,
including a grand slam, and had a career high 7 RBI. It’s really nice to see Middlebrooks
contributing like everyone thought he was going to do after his demotion to
Triple-A. I think that was a wake up
call and he’s been great ever since he’s been called up and hopefully will keep
contributing well into the playoffs.
One player who just keeps helping
the Red Sox win is Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who went 4 for 5, scored 2 runs,
drove in 3 and hit his 39th double of the season. The same can be said for Shane Victorino, who
went 3 for 5, with 2 runs scored, 3 RBI and his 15th homer of the
season.
Jacoby Ellsbury returned from his
injury and went 1 for 2 at the top of the order, scoring 2 runs and walking
once. He didn’t look like he was nursing
his broken foot and if he’s healthy; the Red Sox will be in a really good
position to do some damage in the playoffs.
David Ortiz went 1 for 3 with a
run scored, 2 RBI and a walk. The 2 RBI
for Ortiz were numbers 99 and 100 on the season. Daniel Nava went 2 for 5 with 2 runs
scored. Stephen Drew went 2 for 5 with a
runs scored and Jake Peavy went 1 for 3 with a run scored. Peavy became the first Red Sox pitcher to get
a hit all season long. It was a double
that led to a 3-run rally.
The only Red Sox starter without
a hit on the night was Dustin Pedroia, who went 0 for 5 but did score a run.
The offensive explosion was
needed because Jake Peavy wasn’t all that sharp. He went 6 innings but gave up 5 runs on 8
hits while walking 4 and striking out 5.
It was a so-so performance and he really had to grind it out to get the
win. He’ll need to be better in the
playoffs but I’m going to say the last 2 pitching performances were hindered by
the thin Denver air.
Junichi Tazawa worked around a
hit in his 1/3 of an inning and Franklin Morales finished off the inning with a
strike out and a pick-off. Craig Breslow
went a perfect inning and Ryan Dempster pitched the 9th and worked
around a hit to get the final outs of the game.
The Oakland Athletics loss, so
the Red Sox extended their best record lead to 2 games with just 3 to
play. Home-field advantage is very
important because the Red sox were just so good at home this year. A win and a loss by the A’s this weekend and
they can claim that title.
They’ll have an off day Thursday
as they travel to Baltimore to finish off the season with a 3-game set. The Orioles have been eliminated but you know
Buck Showalter will have his team ready to play spoiler this weekend.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
Will Middlebrooks. Career night for Will last night as he
smashed 2 homers and drove in 7.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Dustin Pedroia. The only starter without a hit last
night. Dustin was 0 for 5.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Will Middlebrooks’ 3-run homer in
the top of the 5th to push the Sox out in front 10-4.
NEXT
Friday, September 27th, in
Baltimore vs. the Orioles.
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