Daniel Bard was taking the mound for the Red Sox on this Mother’s Day in hopes of keeping this little winning streak going. He was going against old friend Justin Masterson. Masterson’s history is that he usually pitches like gang busters against us.
Today, Masterson would falter followed by fellow Sox Dan Wheeler and Bard would gut through his outing and get himself his 3rd win of the season. Bard seemed to cruise through his first two innings and then found trouble in the 3rd. Bard seemed to just lose the strike zone. With the bases loaded and one out, Bard walked in Kipnis for a run. Bard ended up getting Hafner to ground into a double play and got out of the inning with minimal damage. Bard said in his post game interview that starting in the 3rd…everything felt like a struggle. Bard gave up 2 more hits in the 4th and 2 hits in the 6th, but none of them turned into runs. Bard’s line for the night was 97 pitches, 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 4 BBs and 2 Ks. Bard was followed by three innings of scoreless relief from Hill, Albers and Atchison. All in all, a nice day on the mound for the Sox.
The same could not be said for the former Sox playing for the Tribe. Masterson got two quick outs in the first and then the Sox bats got going. Papi walked, Gonzo hit a double and then Middlebrooks hit an RBI single to score Ortiz. Sox 1-0. Daniel Nava hit an RBI double to score Gonzo. Sox 2-0. Cody Ross was hit by pitch and then Salty hit an RBI single to score Middlebrooks and Nava. Sox 4-0 in the 1st inning. In the 3rd, Middlebrooks hit his 4th HR of the season. Sox 5-1. Masterson seemed to settle down for the next few innings. Masterson gave up one more run in the 6th with a single from Salty to score Nava. Sox 6-1.
Dan Wheeler came on in relief of Masterson and the Sox bats blew this game wide open. Pedey started the inning by hitting a double. Papi hit an RBI single to score Pedey. Sox 7-1. Gonzo followed that with a double. Papi scored when Middlebrooks walked and Wheeler threw a wild pitch. Sox 8-1. Nava hit an RBI double to score Gonzo and Middlebrooks. Sox 10-1. Wheeler finally recorded an out when he got Cody Ross to ground out. Salty then followed it with a 2 run HR. Sox 12-1. It’s an understatement to say it was not a good outing for Wheeler.
Salty had a great night at the plate going 3 for 4 with 5 RBIs. The PawSox kids also had a nice day at the plate. Middlebrooks went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and Nava went 2 for 2 with 3 RBIs.
Red Sox Win! Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Birthday Bobby V!
Photo Credit: Elsa/Getty Images
Red Sox 12 Indians 1 BOXSCORE
WP: Bard (3-4) LP: Masterson (1-3)
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