Monday, April 21, 2014

Game 18 – 4/19/2014 – at Home vs. the Baltimore Orioles

RESULT – WIN 4-2

The Sox get a rare big hit and the even more rare sacrifice bunt to get 2 runs on the 7th to best the O’s in the 2nd game of the series 4-2.

It looked like it was going to be one of those games again as the Sox offense couldn’t get anything generated and the O’s were able to tie up the game in the 6th when yet another call was overturned against the Sox.  Brock Holt fielded a ground ball behind the bag at third and threw across the diamond for the final out at 1st.  A runner came in from third but didn’t score due to the out call.  Buck Showalter challenged the call and I do have to agree that the umps did get this one right as Cruz definitely beat out the throw.  The run scored to tie the game at 2.

It was just a temporary setback for the Sox as they were able to break through in the bottom of the 7th as Mike Carp led off the inning with a walk.  There was then some fireworks as David Ross and Bud Norris got into it as Norris was throwing a little too close to Ross’ head on a bunt attempt.  Ross seemed to shout out at Norris after the 2nd pitch near his dome, the benches cleared but there were no punches thrown and no warning were issued.  Ross, who had 2 severe concussions last year just thought the pitches were a little too close for comfort.  He’d wind up striking out for the first out of the inning but Brock Holt would pick him up.

Brock Holt would triple to deep right-center on Norris’ next pitch to plate Carp and give the Sox a 3-2 advantage.  Jonathan Herrera would then lay down a perfect sacrifice safety squeeze in the next at bat to give the Sox the 4-2 advantage that they would hold on for the win.

Holt went 1 for 3 with that big RBI triple and just seems to be taking full advantage of his 2nd opportunity back in the big leagues this year.  He’s played very well defensively too and continues to impress.

The offense was yet again pretty bad as the Sox managed only 6 hits and 2 walks on the entire afternoon.  Of those 6 hits, 2 came from Dustin Pedroia wen went 2 for 3 with an RBI, double and a walk.  David Ortiz also had 2 as he went 2 for 4 with a run scored, RBI and his 3rd homer of the year.  Mike Napoli went 1 for 4 with an RBI, but that was it for the Sox offense.

As you can see, the Sox could get nothing going against Bud Norris and the O’s relievers.  Thankfully they had some clutch hitting in the 7th and once again good pitching.

Felix Doubront went 6 and 2/3 and was very effective.  He allowed only 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 7 and walking 2.  He didn’t stick around long enough for the win but looked impressive after a shaky 1st inning.  Doubront needed 29 pitches to get through the 1st inning but did strike out the side.  Unfortunately he gave up a run but didn’t let it get any worse as he was able to get out of the rest of the inning unscathed.

Junichi Tazawa went 1 and 1/3 innings to pick up his first win of the season.  He was great, retiring all 4 batters he faced while striking out 1.  Koji Uehara pitched the 9th and gave up a very rare walk but also struck out the side for his 4th save of the season.

The Sox tie up the series at 1 with 2 to play in the rare 4 game set.  They’ll play Sunday night, at 7 however, because of the early game on Monday morning.  Jake Peavy will take the hill against Ubaldo Jimenez.  Jimenez has been terrible to start this season and Peavy has done very well.  Hopefully the Sox can get some momentum going here and pull off a win Sunday night.  Monday is sure to be emotional with the Boston Marathon going on, so a win Sunday night will go along way for Monday’s game.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
David Ortiz.  Ortiz went 2 for 4 with a big homer to get the Sox going.  Ortiz has started off slowly this season but still is a force to be wrecked with in the middle of the order.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
David Ross.  Ross went 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts and was overmatched most of the afternoon at the dish.

PLAY OF THE GAME
Brock Holt’s RBI triple in the bottom of the 7th.

NEXT
Sunday, April 20th at Home vs. the Baltimore Orioles.

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