The Boston Red Sox can win without Manny Ramirez.
Arguing a called third strike, Ramirez, was tossed out of the ball game by home plate umpire Paul Emmell and the Red Sox offense suffered until the seventh and eighth inning.
Down 5-0 entering the seventh inning David Ortiz and J.D. Drew both drove in runs on RBI singles bringing it closer, 5-2. Pinch hitter Dustin Pedroia would drive home the tying run in the eighth inning on an RBI double. C.J. Wilson would intentionally walk Kevin Youkilis, then walk Drew, and then walk home Sean Casey with the bases loaded for the eventual 6-5 Boston win.
Tim Wakefield (2-0) earned the win pitching 8 innings, giving up five runs, walking zero, and striking out five. Jonathan Papelbon notched his seventh save of the season in the ninth.
Star of the Game: David Ortiz
2-4 with two hits, two runs, two RBI’s, and one walk is good enough considering the slump he had been in. Hopefully this continues for Ortiz so his confidence can fully come back.
Preview of Next Game: Kason Gabbard (1-0) vs. Clay Buchholz (0-1)
Let us hope Buchholz can come back from that seven earned run performance a start ago. Boston is now 13-7 while riding a four game winning streak. Boston is also 1 1/2 games above second place Baltimore (11-8) in the A.L. East.
Note from Evan: JaredK reports that David Pauley may start tomorrow in place of Buchholz: “He was scratched from his start today in Pawtucket despite being healthy/warming-up, apparently Clay has the flu. Could be his best/last chance as a starter with the Sox as ground-ball/sinkerballer Justin Masterson should be in Pawtucket soon and does what he does but better.”
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