Josh Beckett was taking the mound for the Sox, so the bats did what they usually do for him…they fell asleep. Beckett has gotten the least amount of run support of any of the Sox starters and last night would be more of the same. The game didn’t start until 8:45pm because of a rain delay at Fenway.
Beckett gave up a solo HR in the 1st to Kipnis, but other than that, his stuff looked really dominant. In the bottom of the 2nd, the Sox tied up the game when the bases were loaded with no outs. Varitek struck out, however the ball got away and David Ortiz was able to score. However, that is all that the Sox were able to get since DMac and Ellsbury both struck out to end the inning. Beckett gave up another solo HR in the 4th to Chisenhall and the Sox were trailing 2-1. Youk returned the favor in the bottom of the 6th when he hit a solo HR to once again tie the game.
Beckett came out of the game after 6 IP. He warmed up twice because of the rain and he said after the game that he felt gassed after 6 innings. His pitching line for the night was 85 pitches, 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 0 BBs, 7 Ks. He was replaced by Franklin Morales who pitched two scoreless innings. In my opinion, it is the best Morales has looked since he returned from the DL. He K’ed 3 batters and only gave up one hit in his two innings of work. Papelbon came out and pitched a 10 pitch 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom of the 9th, Tek got a single and was replaced by Salty as a pinch runner. Josh Reddick hit a bloop hit to the outfield and there were runners on first and second base. Then, the guy who is having a CAREER year, Jacoby Ellsbury came up to the plate. Ells hit a line drive single to CF and Jarrod Saltalamacchia got his wheels going and made it all the way HOME. He had a great slide into home plate to avoid the tag and the Red Sox WALKED OFF TO WIN!
Photo Credit: Jim Rogash/Getty Images
Red Sox 3 Indians 2 BOXSCORE
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