The Red Sox finally got that big
elusive hit that has been evading them the last couple of games. Dustin Pedroia connected for his 1st
homer of the year and 100th of his career and he did it in grand
fashion, hitting a grand salami in the bottom of the 6th inning to
lift the Sox over the A’s in the home opener.
It seems like for the whole
season, Boston’s been unable to capitalize on opportunities. But last night, Pedroia came through in a big
way, getting a grand slam and pushing the tight 1-run game into a 5 run lead in
an instant.
Pedroia became the 2nd
player in Red Sox history to have 100 homers and 100 stolen bases, the other
being Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski. He
finished the night 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, 4 RBI, 2 walks a double and a
stolen base.
Xander Bogaerts went 2 for 4 with
a run scored and A.J. Pierzynski went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and an
RBI. Jackie Bradley Jr. went 1 for 2
with an RBI, run scored, 2 walks and a double.
Grady Sizemore went 1 for 5 with a run scored and a double, Ortiz also
went 1 for 5 with a double. Shane
Victorino had 1 hit and a walk and Mike Napoli went 1 for 3 with an RBI and 2
walks.
Overall, the Sox banged out 7
runs on 11 hits though it could have been much more as they stranded 10 men on
base and were just 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position. It’s nice to have some hits with runners on
but the Sox are still leaving way too many people on base and not capitalizing on
all of their opportunities.
Clay Buchholz went 6 and 1/3
innings of quality pitching. He allowed
only 1 run on 3 hits while walking 3 and striking out 5. It seemed to me that he was throwing with
more velocity and confidence on Friday night.
I’m hoping that means he’s feeling better with his arm strength and we’ll
be getting back to having a healthy Clay Buchholz.
The bullpen was strong last night
after a poor performance on Thursday night.
Andrew Miller went 2/3 of an inning and struck out the only 2 batters he
faced. Edward Mujica was able to work
around 2 walks in his lone inning aided by a really good play in centerfield by
Jackie Bradley Jr. JBJ was able to snag
a deep ball hit to center by Yoenis Cespedes and rob him of an extra base hit,
then he was able to double off Josh Donaldson who couldn’t get back to first in
time.
Craig Breslow tossed a scoreless
ninth inning allowing just 1 walk while striking out 1.
It was a good start to the series
for the Sox and definitely a nice way to put Thursday’s double header sweep
behind them. The weather was nice at
Fenway on Friday night and maybe the bats just need the warm weather to get
them going. The rest of the weekend
looks warm so let’s hope that heats up the bats.
Ace, Jon Lester, will take the
hill Saturday afternoon vs. Tommy Milone.
Lester has been brilliant this year but the bats haven’t had his back as
he’s 3-4 on the year with a 2.59 ERA.
Tommy Milone hasn’t been all that good and is winless on the year.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
Dustin Pedroia. Getting your 100th homer, 100th
stolen base and 500th RBI in one game is going to get you Game MVP
honors.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Will Middlebrooks. Will was the only Red Sox starter that didn’t
record a hit as he went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts on the night.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Dustin Pedroia’s 6th
inning grand slam to put the Sox up by 5.
NEXT
Saturday, May 3rd at home vs. the
Oakland Athletics.
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