The Red Sox came into the rubber game of the series hoping that their ace Jon Lester would be able to pitch just a bit better than one of the Rangers best pitchers Derek Holland. Lester would struggle early, but settle in and keep him team close, but the game wouldn't be won until the bottom of the 9th inning when Big Papi came to the plate and smashed a walk off HR.
Lester hasn't gotten a win in his last 4 starts. He's pitched poorly in a couple and just been unlucky in a couple as well. I'd say tonight would be another example of just being unlucky. Lester gave up a 2 run HR to Baker in the 2nd inning to have the Sox in the hole early 0-2. In the 3rd Lester gave up a solo HR to old friend Adrian Beltre. Sox 0-3. At this point it wasn't looking good for the Sox, but the offense starting battling back. In the bottom of the 3rd Dustin Pedroia hit a double to deep center to score Iggy and Ells. Sox 2-3. Speaking of Ellsbury, in his first game back after 5 days with a groin strain, he went 4 for 5 on the night. Welcome back kid! Lester finished 6 innings and was done for the night. His pitching line was 108 pitches, 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 BB and 4 Ks. Birthday Boy Tazawa came out and had himself a scoreless 7th inning.
The Red Sox had numerous opportunities to either tie the game or take the lead, but ground into an inning ending double play more times than I can count. In the bottom of the 7th the Sox finally got that run to tie the game. Napoli was at the plate with the bases loaded and one out. Nap hit into what looked like it might be another inning ending doubleplay, but he beat the throw the first and Ellsbury scored from 3rd. Sox 3-3. Uehara pitched a scoreless 8th inning and then Bailey pitched a scoreless 9th inning. The Sox bats took care of the game in the bottom of the 9th, so there would be no need for extra innings. Jonny Gomes started the game with a double to deep center field. Then the Rangers made the puzzling choice to intentionally walking Dustin Pedroia in order to get to David Ortiz. I understand Ortiz is a lefty and puts the double play in order, but he's still Big Papi. Papi showed why this was an error in judgment and on the first pitch Kirkman threw him, he smacked it to the Rangers bullpen for a 3 run walk off HR.
I love that Dirty Water, especially when it is a David Ortiz Walk Off HR that brings it!
Red Sox 6 Rangers 3 BOXSCORE
WP: Bailey (2-0) LP: Kirkman (0-2)
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