The Red Sox were coming into the 4th game of the World Series behind in the series 1-2. The Sox had Clay Buchholz on the mound who many thought wasn't healthy enough to make the start, but the team needed him to come up big. Buch didn't last long enough to get the win, but he did give his team some quality innings on the way to tying up this series.
It was clear from the first pitch Buchholz threw that he wasn't quite right. Buch was throwing his fastball in the high 80s, however he was locating well and getting by. Buchholz gave up an unearned run in the 3rd when Beltran hit an RBI single to plate Carpenter. Sox 0-1. Buchholz pitched 4 innings, but when his spot in the lineup came up in top of the 5th he was pinch hit for and done for the night. The Sox bats were able to tie the game in the 5th and at least no longer have Buchholz in line for the loss when Stephen Drew hit a sac fly as Papi came tumbling towards the plate. Papi was safe and it was 1-1.
Felix Doubront came into the game in relief of Buchholz and he was more than impressive. Doubront pitched a quick 1-2-3 in the 5th and then in the top of the 6th the game took a major turn. The Sox had Pedey and Papi on when Jonny Gomes came to the plate. Gomes who was only in the lineup because Victorino was a late scratch and he came up huge. Gomes hit a 3 run HR to have the Sox up 4-1. Doubront continued to roll while pitching a scoreless 6th inning. Doubront even took to the plate in the top of the 7th so that he could stay in the game. He is definitely making a case for himself in this performance. Doubront gave up a double to Robinson with 2 outs and Farrell came out to get him. Craig Breslow came into the game and unfortunately continued his woes in the World Series. Breslow gave up an RBI single to Carpenter and then walked Beltran. Sox 4-2. Breslow was once again pulled without being able to record an out. Tazawa came into the game and got Holliday to end the inning.
The 8th inning had a surprising relief pitcher in John Lackey since today was supposed to be his side session, so he ended up doing it on the mound during the game. Lackey ended up with a runner at 3rd with only one out, but was able to get the 2 outs to end the inning without allowing the run to score. Sox 4-2. The game was closed out by Koji Uehara. Uehara did give up a long single to Craig and then the Cardinals had Wong come in to pinch run for him. Uehara didn't have to face Beltran as he picked off Wong to end the game and give the Sox the win.
Red Sox 4 Cardinals 2 BOXSCORE Series tied 2-2.
WP: Doubront (1-0) LP: Lynn (0-1) SV: Uehara (1)
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