Last night was the emotional return of Kevin Youkilis to Fenway Park since his trade to the White Sox. Youk got himself a lot of cheers and YYOOOUUKKK calls throughout the game. While all of Fenway was watching Youk’s every move, Aaron Cook had himself another nice pitching performance and Adrian Gonzalez showed some of that power he has been missing in the Red Sox win over the White.
Cook continued to work quickly and efficiently. Cook only gave up one run in the 1st inning in his 7 innings of work and it was an unearned run. Youk hit a single to start the game and when Dunn grounded out, Youk saw that no one was covering 3rd so he took off for the base. The throw and catch from both Gonzo and Middlebrooks wasn’t great, the ball got away and Youk trucked on him. How ironic that Youk scored on some poor defense from the two positions he used to play with the Sox. However, other than that Cook looked great. He was getting ground balls and just motoring through the lineup. Cook’s pitching line for the evening was 97 pitches, 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 Ks.
The Red Sox offense couldn’t get much going on against Alexrod either. In the bottom of the 1st, the Red Sox scored one run to tie it 1-1 when Carl Crawford in his return to the lineup hit a single and then came around to score on an RBI single from Gonzo. It would be 8th inning before the Red Sox would be able to crack the scoreboard again against the White Sox bullpen. The inning began with Septimo walking both Carl Crawford and David Ortiz. Next Adrian Gonzalez came to the plate with 2 men on and no outs. Gonzo hit a HR over to the Green Monster to give the Red Sox a 4-1 lead. Yes, it was only Gonzo’s 7th HR of the season, but it couldn’t have come at a better time. The Red Sox scored their final run when Mike Aviles hit an RBI single to score Cody Ross. Red Sox 5-1.
The Sox bullpen continued what Aaron Cook started by putting up scoreless innings. Vicente Padilla came out in the 8th and had himself a nice 1-2-3 inning. Even though it wasn’t a save situation, Alfredo Aceves came out in the 9th to finish off the game. Aceves ended up walking Konerko even though Aceves and the pitch zone showed he struck him out. However, it wouldn’t matter since Aceves got Rios to ground into a double play to end the inning.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Tonight Youk comes home. I cheered my head off for him. Youk had a good night at the plate too going 3 for 4 with 2 wall ball doubles. However, I’m also cheering that Red beat White. I hope the same happens tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that.
Oh yeah…and Papi got hurt. Sighs. Ortiz seemed to hurt his ankle or achilles when he was running the bases during Gonzo’s HR. They say it isn’t a tear which is good and that he shouldn’t be out long, however I am still crazy mad nervous about this. We are just getting our healthy players back and the last thing we need is to lose Papi.
Red Sox 5 White Sox 1 BOXSCORE
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