Photo Credit:AP Photo/Michael Dwyer
With Lackey being chased in his last outing after only a couple of innings, I didn’t know what to expect yesterday when he took the mound for the Sox. Lackey put in a stellar pitching performance and took a great step in shutting up a lot of his critics. Lackey’s stellar pitching line for the night was 6.2 IP (should have been 7 IP but Salty had a passed ball on his last K), 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 Ks. He looked great and he seemed to have that swagger back that I remember seeing when he plays for the Angels and haven’t seen much since he’s been in a Sox uni. I’d like to see that version of John Lackey a lot more!
The Sox offense was pretty quiet for a while and it looked like Lackey might get another one of those outings where he pitched well, but didn’t get run support. However, in the bottom of the 5th the bats came out and showed they had Lackey’s back. The Orioles made the mistake not once but twice to IBB one of our batters…and each time it bit them. With Pedey on first, the Os decided to intentionally walk Gonzalez to get to Kevin Youkilis. Yep, walk one ALL STAR to get to another ALL STAR. Youk hit a double and the Sox were on the board! Then, the Os decided to IBB Papi to get to Josh Reddick. Josh Reddick hit a double and the Sox lead 3-0. The Sox would add on another run in the 7th to make the lead 4-0 and that would be enough for Bard and Papelbon to end the game. Well more than enough. Bard threw 1.1 innings of scoreless relief and Pap followed him with a nice 1-2-3 9th inning.
Nice win by the Sox and a fantastic start by Lackey. It’s been no secret I am not his biggest fan, however that is how I know he can pitch and was so happy to see it. I hope we see it much more often. Also, let’s give Ellsbury props for a great day at the plate. He got 3 hits and was a homer away from the cycle. What a truly All Star year he is having!
Red Sox 4 Orioles 0 BOXSCORE
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