The Red Sox had lost the first 2 games of the series to the O's and really needed to rally to win the game yesterday to have any chance to split the series. The Sox had John Lackey on the mound and the O's were sending Freddy Garcia. Lackey has pitched well this season since recovering from Tommy John surgery and yesterday would be more of the season. Lackey struggled out of the gate, but hunkered down and ended up in line for the win.
Lackey looked dreadful in the beginning of the first inning. Lackey allowed 2 runs to score before he even recorded an out. Lackey gave up a lead off single to McLouth and then an RBI double to Machado. Sox 0-1. Lackey then gave up a single to Markakis and an RBI single to Jones. Sox 0-2. Sometimes clicked after that and Lackey got out the next three batters in order and didn't allow another run to score. Lackey kept trucking along and in the 4th inning the Sox bats tied the game. Dustin Pedroia looked like he struck out, but it was called a foul tip and then he singled, stole second and Carp brought him all the way with a 2 run HR. Sox 2-2. Later in the inning the Sox took the lead when Drew hit an RBI double to score Gomes. Sox 3-2.
In the 5th the Sox added another run when Ellsbury hit a single, stole 2nd, moved to third on a sac bunt from Victorino and then came home on a Pedroia sac grounder. Sox 4-2. Gomes added a run in the 6th by hitting his first HR in a Sox uniform. Sox 5-2. All the while Lackey kept on the mound and kept putting up zeroes on the scoreboard. He looked like a completely different person than the guy that started the first inning. Lackey finished 7 strong and his line for the night was 101 pitches, 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB and 4 Ks. I have a lot of respect for a pitcher who doesn't give in when everything is going wrong and is able to gut through and right the ship. Uehara came out for the 8th inning and struck out the side.
The drama would come in the 9th inning with shaky closer Andrew Bailey on the mound. Bailey had 3 runs to play with and it's a good thing because he would need them all. Bailey gave up a single to Jones and with one out gave up a 2 run HR to Wieters. Sox 5-4. Gulp. Bailey then gave up a single to Hardy and the O's made the mistake of having Casilla pinch run for him. Flaherty hit a fly out to Victorino and Casilla just kept running. Victorino made the throw over to 1st base and the game was over. Thanks for the game winning base running blunder O's! We'll take it!
Red Sox 5 Orioles 4 BOXSCORE
WP: Lackey (4-5) LP: Garcia (3-4) SV: Bailey (8)
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