Jon Lester took the mound for the Sox in hopes of evening the series. He did his job, unfortunately he saw the usually reliable bullpen let him down when Alfredo Aceves blew his 4th save of the season. Ugh.
Lester had a rough first inning. Like Dice-K he got tagged by a former Sox when Coco Crisp hit a leadoff HR to start the game. Sox 0-1. He threw 31 pitches to get through the 1st inning. After that though, he settled down really well and pitched an absolute gem. Lester retired 12 As batters in a row before giving up his next hit. His line for the night was 107 pitches, 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 Ks. He looked great. When Bobby V came to get him in the 7th inning it was clear Lester would have preferred to stay out there and finish it. However, Padilla came out and got a K to end the inning. Padilla pitched himself into trouble in the 8th when the inning started with an error from Aviles and then Padilla gave up a single. Padilla had the bases loaded with one out and ended up getting 2 strike outs to end the inning. It was pretty badass. Unfortunately, the 9th would be less badass. Aceves took the mound in the 9th clinging to a one run lead. Aceves gave up 2 singles and then gave up the tying run with an RBI hit from former Sox Brandon Moss. Game tied 2-2 and with a fielding error from Ryan Kalish there was a runner at 3rd with only one out. Former Sox Coco Crisp once again did the damage bringing in the winning run with a long sac fly. This was Aceves’ 4th blown save of the season and erased Jon Lester’s real REAL nice start.
As for the Sox offense, it is still MIA. The Sox tied the game in the 2nd with a solo HR from Saltalamacchia. That was his 16th HR of the season. He just keep showing what an amazing season he is having, all star or no all star. The Sox went ahead in the 4th when Salty reached on a fielding error and Papi score from 3rd. That would be the last time that the Sox would add anything to the scoreboard. The Sox had a chance to add on in the 8th when Pedey and Papi both walked to start the inning, however the A’s would retire the next 3 Sox in order and Pedey was never able to touch the plate.
The water is clean. Tomorrow….let’s hope it is dirty, very dirty.
Red Sox 2 Athletics BOXSCORE
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