The Sox took the mound on Saturday after with Felix Doubront against the O’s Bud Norris. Doubront gave up a run early, but then settled down real well and pitched what was probably his best outing to date this season. Doubront didn’t get the win, but he sure kept his team in the game to have the bats take the lead in the later innings.
Doubront gave up his first run of the outing in the 1st inning with an RBI single to Nelson Cruz. Sox 0-1. The Sox were able to tie the game up in the bottom of the inning when Nap hit an RBI grounder to score Pedroia. The game stayed tied 1-1 until the 4th inning when Ortiz hit a HR over by the Pesky Pole. Sox 2-1. Doubront kept cruising along until the 6th inning. It looked like Dubi got out of the inning with a groundout to 1st base from Nelson Cruz, however the play was way too close to not be reviewed. Showalter came out and after the review it was correctly ruled that Cruz was in fact safe. Adam Jones scored on the play and the game was tied 2-2. Doubront pitched into the 7th inning and with 2 outs and one runner on base in the inning, Tazawa was in to finish it off. Doubront’s pitching line for the night was 107 pitches, 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB and 7 Ks. Tazawa needed one pitch get the out he needed to finish off the 7th inning.
The bottom of the 7th inning not only gave the Sox the lead, but also ended up with a flair for the dramatic. David Ross was at the plate and Norris seemed to be getting wild. Norris threw a couple pitches a little too close to Ross’ noggin and he stepped out and yelled at Norris. Wieters got up to defend his pitcher and the benches clearly for a moment. Both sides were warned and that sent Showalter off since he felt it was uncalled for. Ross ended up striking out after all was said and done. Brock Holt was able to give the Sox the lead in his next at bat. Holt hit an RBI triple to plate Mike Carp. Herrera followed that by bringing Holt home. Sox 4-2. Tazawa came out now with the lead and pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Koji Uehara came out in the 9th and while he walked the first batter, he retired the next 3 in order to secure the win for the home team.
Red Sox 4 Orioles 2 BOXSCORE
WP: Tazawa (1-0) LP: Norris (0-2) SV: Uehara (4)
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