The Sox and Phillies were facing off in their second game at Fenway before packing it up and heading over to Philly to play two more. Tonight it was a face off of Ryan Dempster vs. Cliff Lee. Dempster pitched well, but he wasn't able to out pitch Cliff Lee. The Sox fell to the Phils and got to see Jonathan Papelbon save the game for his new team on the mound at Fenway.
Dempster had struggled his last couple of outings, so he really needed to right the ship last night. Dempster did that, but he allowed one more run to score than Cliff Lee. Dempster started off by giving up a single run in the 1st by way of a solo HR to Michael Young. Sox 0-1. Fortunately, the Sox bats were able to get that run right back when Ellsbury got on, stole second and then Pedey got him home with an RBI single. Sox 1-1. Dempster and Lee kept it tied 1-1 until the 7th inning when the Phillies got Dempster to give up another run. Dempster gave up an RBI single to Kratz and the Phillies had the lead 2-1. Dempster would leave the mound looking to pick up his 6th loss of the season, but it wasn't because he wasn't pitching well, it was because he was facing Cliff Lee. Dempster's line for the night was 98 pitches, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 BB and 4 Ks.
Craig Breslow came out in relief in the 8th inning and had himself a scoreless inning. Tazawa pitched the 9th and ended up giving the Phillies an insurance run when he gave up a leadoff solo HR to Brown. Sox 1-3. Cliff Lee was cruising at this point and had 95 pitches through 8 innings. As the 9th loomed the Sox crowd saw Papelbon warming in the bullpen. Pap came out in the 9th looking for his 10th save of the season. He was welcomed by loud boos and a smattering of cheers. Papelbon did what the Fenway crowd had seen for years and got himself a nice 1-2-3 save. Pap retired a few of his old friends to bring the win to the Phillies, including Pedey and Papi to end the game.
Red Sox 1 Phillies 3 BOXSCORE
WP: Lee (5-2) LP: Dempster (2-6) SV: Papelbon (10)
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