Lester took the mound for the Red Sox last night in hopes of going to 5-0 on the season and to bring the Sox to their best franchise record in April. Unfortunately, Lester would struggle and the bullpen would be unable to hold the lead in the late innings.
Lester didn't have his best stuff last night. It was kind of a surprise since he's been pitching like a lights out ace all month long. Lester allowed a single run in the 1st inning with an RBI double to Bautista. Sox 0-1. In the 3rd inning, the Sox would be in a 0-4 hole when 2 runs scored on a throwing error from Salty and then Lester gave up an RBI double to Arencibia. In the bottom of the 4th the Sox bats got 2 of those runs back with HRs from Papi and Mike Carp. Carp has totally been a godsend as a bench player. In the 5th inning the Sox got within one run with a Pedey RBI single. Sox 3-4. Unfortunately, Lester gave 2 of those runs right back in the bottom of the 5th when he gave up a towering HR to Encarnacion. Sox 3-6.
The Sox offense didn't give up though. Jonny Gomes came into the game to pinch hit in the 6th inning and hit a solo HR to bring the Sox within 2 runs. Sox 4-6. In the 7th, the Sox had the bases loaded with one out and it was David Ortiz's turn. Papi has been a scary scary man at the plate lately and continued that. Papi hit a bases clearing double to give the Sox a 7-6 lead. Wowza. Lester wasn't his best, but he was still leaving the mound in line for a win thanks to the offense having his back.
Unfortunately the bullpen was unable to hold that win last night. Tazawa took the mound in the bottom of the 7th and the Jays would be leading by the time he was done. Taz gave up a walk to Bautista and then like Lester gave up a towering HR to Encarnacion. Sox 7-8. In the 8th Joel Hanrahan made his official return from the DL, but he would end up giving the Jays an insurance run. Hanrahan gave up an RBI single to Rasmus. Sox 7-9. The offense would be unable to rally once again and the Sox lost their last game in April.
Red Sox 7 Blue Jays 9 BOXSCORE
WP: Delabar (2-1) LP: Tazawa (2-1) SV: Janssen (7)
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