Friday, May 30, 2014

Game 53 – 5/29/2014 – in Atlanta vs. the Braves

RESULT – WIN 4-3

The Red Sox earn their first sweep of the season as the walk-off on the Braves 4-3 at Fenway Park.  The walk-off ended up being a hit and then an error to get the winning run in but the Sox will take it either way as the Sox run their winning streak to 4.

David Ortiz missed the game with a right calf strain and it will be something that will need to be watched as the Sox already have starters Napoli, Victorino and Middlebrooks on the DL as well as 2 pitchers (Buchholz and Doubront).  So with 4 starters out, the Sox still come out on top and the offense did pretty well without them.

The Sox banged out 4 runs on 12 hits and walked 3 times.  They were 5 for 12 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base.  I’m a little upset at all the men left on base but you have to be happy with the hits they are getting with runners in scoring position.  Those hits were not happening during the terrible 10 game losing streak.

Brock Holt went 3 for 4 with a run scored, an RBI, a double and a walk.  He’s been doing really well out of the lead-off spot and if he doesn’t stick with the big league club when Stephen Drew is ready, it’ll be a crime.  He’s now hitting .315 at the plate and has been by far the most consistent hitter on the Sox.

Xander Bogaerts went 3 for 5 with a double, run scored and an RBI.  He was at the plate in the bottom of the ninth with a chance to win the game.  With 2 walks to start the inning by the usually reliable Craig Kimbrel, Bogaerts came up with a chance to win the game.  He delivered by hitting a shot to third which Johnson was able to dive for but his throw to 2nd to try and force out Holt, skipped past La Stella and into right field, Bradley Jr. would motor home to score the winning run.

A.J. Pierzynski went 2 for 4, and Pedroia, Gomes, Sizemore and Ross all chipped in with his of their own.  Ross had a run scored and double as well.  Jackie Bradley Jr. walked once as did David Ortiz who pinch hit and was immediately replaced by Mike Carp.

The top 2 in the order (Holt & Bogaerts) went a combined 6 for 9 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI as well as walking once.  With that type of production out of your two top spots, you’re bound to pull in a victory.

For the third straight game, Boston’s starter did very well as Jake Peavy pitched a hell of a game on Thursday night, going 8 innings and giving the bullpen some much needed rest going into the weekend series.  In his 8 innings, he allowed just 3 runs on 8 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4.

Like Lackey the night before, Peavy was able to get ahead of Atlanta hitters and was aggressive with his fastball.  It was nice to see his command back as his last 2 outings he had a ton of walks.

Koji Uehara pitched the ninth and worked around 1 hit and struck out 1 for his first win of the season.

While the 9th inning was nice, the 8th inning was where the action was as the Sox scored 2 in the inning to tie it up.  It was started by Brock Holt who singled and moved to second on an error by the left-fielder Upton.  Bogaerts then singled him in to make it a 2-run game.  Pedroia followed with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with no one out and Pierzynski at the plate.  A.J. delivered with a single of his own to center which Bogaerts was able to score on by an error on B.J. Upton in center field.  The defense would settle down however and the Sox would get no more.

It was a nice win to build upon going into a tough weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays, a team the Sox were just swept by last weekend.  The Sox will send Brandon Workman (0-0, 3.18) to the mound again for his 2nd start of the year.  He didn’t do too bad in his last outing but only went 5 innings.  I’d like to see him go a little deeper in the game and am excited to see the young arms contribute at the major league level.

The Rays will counter with David Price (4-4, 4.42) who the Sox knocked around last Saturday, scoring 5 runs off him in the first inning.  He would settle down but it’s encouraging that the Sox were able to score some runs on him and hopefully they can do it again.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP
Xander Bogaerts.  The X-man had 3 hits and an RBI including the game winner.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP
Daniel Nava.  Nava went 0 for 2 with a strikeout after taking over for Ryan Lavarnway who started at first base.  Nava has still not looked all that great since being recalled to Boston.

PLAY OF THE GAME
Bogaerts single then error to end the game in the bottom of the ninth.

NEXT
Friday, May 30th at Home vs. the Tampa Bay Rays.

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