The one thing I love about the first game of the season is that it is every team’s ace up against one another. Today it was Jon Lester vs. the O’s Chris Tillman. Both aces battled, but in the end it was one more mistake by Jon Lester that had the Sox on the losing side of the game.
The Orioles were able to crack the scoreboard first. In the 2nd inning Delmon Young hit into a double play, but it got the job done, bringing Nelson Young to the plate to score. Sox 0-1. The Sox were able to tie the game up in the 4th inning when Grady Sizemore continued his Cinderella Story. Sizemore was very productive with his first official game with the Sox by hitting a game tying homerun. Sox 1-1.
Lester kept trucking along until the 7th inning when he made one more mistake to allow the O’s to take the lead. Lester gave up a leadoff HR to Nelson Cruz to put the O’s back in front. Sox 1-2. I remember Cruz giving Lester fits when he was with the Rangers and it looks like that has continued with the O’s. Lester line for the night was 104 pitches, 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB and 8 Ks. Lester pitched well enough, just didn’t get any run support. The Sox were 0 for 9 for the game with RISP and had 12 men left on base. No matter how good the pitching is, that is a tough kind of game to win.
Tazawa came in and pitched a scoreless 8th inning and then the Sox tried to get something going against Orioles new closer Tommy Hunter. Middlebrooks was hit by a pitch and then Pedey got on with a bloop single to give the Sox some life. However, Papi flew out to the warning track and then Jackie Bradley Jr struck out to end the game.
Red Sox 1 Orioles 2 BOXSCORE
WP: Britton (1-0) LP: Lester (0-1) SV: Hunter (1)
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