Don’t look now, but the Red Sox
are on what is called a winning streak.
Yeah, I know it’s only 3 games but after 10 straight losses, you have to
take any type of good news right now.
John Lackey completely dominated
the Atlanta Braves in game 3 of this weird series (2 away, 2 at home). With his complete control and the Sox doing
just enough on offense, the Sox pulled a 4-0 win over their interleague rival
at home to win their third in a row.
They also moved out of the basement in the AL East but are still behind
the red hot Blue Jays, who won their 9th in a row, by 8 games.
John Lackey was in complete
control on Wednesday night as he went 6 and 1/3 innings, giving up 0 runs while
scattering 8 hits, striking out 9 and walking none. It was the 8th quality start of
the season for the big righty and he’s been the team’s most consistent starter
this season.
Lackey seemed to be very
aggressive in the strike zone last night, getting ahead of most hitters with
first pitch fastballs. He had great
command and seemed to be able to put the ball wherever he wanted. It was quite an impressive showing for Lackey
and he’s pitching great so far this year.
The bullpen continued to be
strong as they closed out the shutout.
Chris Capuano worked around a walk in his 2/3 of an inning. Junichi Tazawa pitched a scoreless inning
striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced and Craig Breslow pitched a scoreless
inning to close it out, giving up just 1 hit.
Though Koji Uehara was warming in case anything went bad, he was not
needed last night and after 2 straight games of closing it out, it was nice to
see him get a night off.
The offense did just enough to
get Lackey the win as they scored 4 runs on 12 hits. They were 5 for 14 with runners in scoring
position and left 11 men on base, but I’ll take those numbers as at least they
seem to be getting some hits with runners on.
Xander Bogaerts went 3 for 4 with
a run scored, a double and a walk. A.J.
Pierzynski went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Jonny
Gomes went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Jackie Bradley Jr. went 2 for 4 with a double
and an RBI.
Grady Sizemore went 1 for 2 with
2 walks, David Ortiz had one hit and one walk and Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 5
with a run scored.
The offense didn’t need to do
much with the way Lackey was pitching but it was encouraging to see them smack
the ball around on some tough Brave’s pitching.
They’ll go for the sweep tonight
as they send Jake Peavy (1-2, 4.65).
Peavy hasn’t been good in his last 3 starts giving up 5 or more earned
runs in each outing. He’s lasted only 6
innings or less as well and hasn’t struck out man (8 in 3 games). Let’s hope a trip up against the National
League will help him rebound.
The Braves will counter with Mike
Minor (2-3, 3.90), who went 6 and 1/3 inning last outing against the Rockies
and got the loss as he gave up 3 runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking
out 6. He’s a good lefty and the Sox
will have their hands full tonight.
SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE –
GAME MVP
John Lackey. Lackey was brilliant Wednesday night,
striking out 9 hitters in just 6 and 1/3 innings while walking none and giving
up no runs.
ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Brock Holt. Holt went 0 for 5 out of the leadoff spot and
struck out twice on the night.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Chris Capuano getting Freddie
Freeman to groundout to end the top of the 7th to preserve a 3-0
lead. The bases were loaded and one of
the most dangerous hitters in the lineup was up at the plate.
NEXT
Thursday, May 29th at
Home vs. the Braves.
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