The Red Sox had Felix Doubront on the mound and hoped they could avoid the sweep by the O’s. Doubront didn’t end up getting the win, but he pitched a gem and gave the team a chance. The Sox got that go ahead run in the 8th and then the Sox closer was just barely able to hold on.
Felix Doubront had himself quite a pitching performance yesterday. Doubront struggled after the all star break and many people, myself included, wondered if he should be shut down due to his innings this season. However in his last few starts, Doubront has returned to form and pitched like that future ace. The Sox bats gave Doubront a tiny lead in the 4th when Valencia hit into a groundout and the O’s weren’t able to turn the double play. Ross made it home on the play and the Sox had a 1-0 lead. Doubront would allow the tying run to score in the top of the 5th with an RBI single from Machado. Sox 1-1. That would be all the O’s could get from Doubront though. Doubront pitched 7 strong innings and along the way he struck out eleven batters. He looked tremendous. He didn’t get the win, but he sure was the player of the game.
Tazawa came out and pitched himself a scoreless 8th inning. Tazwa has continued to show the big club why he should be a part of the team going forward. Bobby V has continued to use him in high pressure situations and he has done very well. In the bottom of the 8th the Sox were finally able to push the go ahead run across the plate. Pedey hit a double and then Ross hit what he thought was a HR over the Monster. The ball scraped the wall, but it was still an RBI double as Pedey crossed the plate. Sox 2-1. Andrew Bailey was out in the 9th for the save. Bailey made the save opportunity about as dramatic as possible. With one out, Bailey gave up a single and then a ground rule double. Gulp. The Sox intentionally walked Davis and Bailey was facing Machado with the bases loaded. Machado hit a ground ball to 1st base and Gomez went home for the force out. Phew. Bailey then went on to strike out Flaherty to win the game.
Red Sox 2 Orioles 1 BOXSCORE
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