Daniel Bard took the mound for the Sox in the first game of interleague play in 2012. The Sox would be facing the Phillies and possibly their former closer, Jonathan Papelbon.
Bard struggled out of the gate. He didn’t seem to have command of any of his pitches. He was either giving up walks or hits. That’s not a great way to start a game. Bard walked Rollins to start the game, got Pierre out and then walked Victorino and Pence to load the bases. Bard gave up a 2 run single to Ruiz. Bard then gave up a sac fly to Wiggington and an RBI single to Mayberry. Sox 0-4. Bard finally got the third out and was on his way. Bard seemingly settled down a little bit, but he did give up a solo HR to Pence in the 5th. Franklin Morales also gave up a solo HR in the 8th to Galvis.
The Sox offense had some pop, but not enough. Aviles hit a solo HR in the 3rd to get the Sox on the board. Nava also hit a sac fly to score Cody Ross in the 4th. Cody Ross continued to like to hit in Philly and hit a solo HR in the 6th. The Sox scored their final run in the 8th with a solo HR from Adrian Gonzales. It’s good to know he was just one day late on his HR prediction.
However, the Sox were not able to get to their former closer. Papelbon took the mound in the 9th with a 2 run lead. We’ve all seen this before and know that there isn’t much of a chance. Shoppach got on when the 3rd basemen lost the ball. Lucky break for the Sox. However, when Byrd grounded out at 1st base it got a little bit dramatic and controversial. Bobby V believed and I happen to believe he is right that the 1st basemen came off the bag and came out to argue. The ump ended up ejecting Valentine and then Bobby V got some yelling in. I have to say, it was a pretty hilarious argument. Bobby V was hopping up and down and then the ump ending up spitting his gum on Bobby. Still, 2 outs. Pap got the 3rd out when he got Nick Punto to strike out. Game over.
The other bit of news and it isn’t good news is some injuries for the Sox. Jarrod Saltalamacchia started the game, however he did not finish it. In the 5th inning, Bard threw a pitch that ended up hitting Wiggington and then the ball deflected and hit Salty in the side of the face. He hit the deck and stayed down there for a while. He was bleeding from his ear and it also looked like his jaw was hurting. Salty left the game and Shoppach came in for him. Sox said he went to the hospital afterwards and was getting stitches. Let’s hope the jaw is okay and that he doesn’t have a concussion. The second injury was in the 8th when Cody Ross was at the plate. He fouled a ball right off the top of his shoe. He hopped around and was definitely limping. He ended up striking out and hobbled back to the dugout. Sweeney came out to play defense in the bottom of the 8th. Ross also went to the hospital after the game and got XRays on his foot.
Red Sox 4 Phillies 6 BOXSCORE
WP: Hamels (6-1) LP: Bard (3-5) SV: Papelbon (12)
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