It didn’t look good again going
into the top of the 5th as the Sox were staring at a 6-1
deficit. Somehow, someway, the Sox were
able to get a rally going, score 5 runs in that inning, then add 2 more in the
7th, THEN protect an actual lead to put an end to the 10 game losing
streak and pull out a 8-6 win in on Memorial Day.
Down 6-1, the Sox started to
rally in the top of the 5th after Daniel Nava was able to work a
walk after pitch-hitting for Burke Badenhop.
Brock Holt followed that up with a double to put runners on 2nd
and 3rd with 2 outs. The
Braves were careful with Xander Bogaerts and he worked a walk to load the bases
for Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia came through
with a clutch 2-run single to cut the lead to 6-3. David Ortiz then delivered the big blow as he
crushed a 3-run homer to tie up the game.
In the top of the 7th,
the Sox would again load the bases with only 1 out as Brock Holt singled and
Bogaerts and Pedroia both walked. David
Ortiz would come through again, this time with a deep sacrifice fly to right
field to plate Holt and take a 7-6 lead.
A.J. Pierzynski would then single home Bogaerts to give the Sox an 8-6
lead and eventual victory.
Overall the Sox hit the ball
pretty well yesterday as they scored 8 runs on 7 hits while walking 8
times. The big statistic change on the
day was that they were 3 for 4 with runners in scoring position. When you hit with guys in scoring position it
usually means a W in the win column.
They left 6 men on base but seeing 75% with runners in scoring position
is certainly promising for a team that has been struggling so mightily lately.
Brock Holt is loving the lead-off
spot as he went 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.
Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI, a run scored and 2 walks. David Ortiz went 1 for 3 with a walk and his
12th homer of the year.
A.J. Pierzynski went 1 for 5 with
an RBI. Grady Sizemore went 1 for 4 with
a run scored and a triple. Jackie
Bradley Jr. went hitless but drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. Xander Bogaerts and Jonny Gomes both went
hitless as well but walked twice and Bogaerts scored twice in the game.
Clay Buchholz had a hit in his
lone plate appearance but once again struggled on the mound.
The righty only went 3 innings as
he had absolutely no command on the mound.
He let up 6 runs on 4 hits while striking out 4 and walking 8 men. He needed 88 pitches to get through just 6
innings and has now seen his ERA balloon to 7.02.
It was certainly a low point for
Buchholz whose 8 walks was a career high.
The most he ever had in an outing was 5 before Monday. After the game, it sounded as if John Farrell
might be thinking of giving Buchholz some time off as he didn’t commit to Clay
making his next scheduled start. Sill no
injury, but there clearly is something wrong and it’s got to be mental at this
point.
The good thing is the bats and
strong bullpen effort bailed Buchholz out.
Burke Badenhop worked around 2
hits in his outing as he allowed 0 runs.
Chris Capuano went 1 inning and struck out a batter. Edward Mujica went 1 inning and worked around
a walk for a scoreless frame. Junichi
Tazawa went 1 inning and struck out 1 of the 3 batters he faced as Andrew
Miller fired a scoreless frame striking out 2 and giving up just 1 hit.
Koji Uehara nailed down the 9th
for his 10th save of the year by working around a hit.
It’s nice to finally end that
terrible 10 game losing streak but the Sox must build on this if they are going
to get back into the races here. They’ll
send Jon Lester (4-6, 3.36) to the mound and hope he will rebound from the
terrible start last week against the Blue Jays where he allowed 7 earned runs.
He’ll be opposed by Aaron Harang
(4-4, 3.32). Harang has been a pleasant
surprise for Atlanta this year and he’ll look to get the Braves a split of the quick
2-game set.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
David Ortiz. Ortiz drove in 4 and took it upon himself to
end the skid they’ve been on with his 12th homer of the season.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Clay Buchholz. He’s pitching so badly know you wonder if he’s
in need of a skip in the rotation to get his head right. Maybe even work out of the bullpen for a few
outings. We’ll see what Farrell does.
PLAY OF THE GAME
David Ortiz’s 3-run game tying
homer in the top of the 5th.
NEXT
Tuesday, May 27th in Atlanta
vs. the Braves.
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