The Red Sox started off the ACLS against the Tigers with Jon Lester on the mound vs. Anibal Sanchez. Lester pitched really well, however he wasn't as perfect as Sanchez and the Tigers bullpen who brought a no hitter into the 9th inning against the Sox bats. Lester only gave up one run, but that was enough to have the Sox fall 1-0 in the series.
Lester and Sanchez went toe to toe for most of the game. The game stayed tied 0-0 until the 6th inning and definitely lived up to the hype of a pitchers' duel. Lester had given up a hit here or there, but had kept the Tigers off the scoreboard. Sanchez had a no hitter going, even though the Sox had chances with Sanchez letting base runners on by way of the walk. In the 6th, Lester made a mistake that turned into a run and that would turn out to be enough. Lester walked Miggy and then hit Fielder with a pitch to put both sluggers on the bases. Lester got 2 outs and was almost out of the inning, but then Peralta came to the plate and hit an RBI single to bring Miggy to the plate. Sox 0-1. Lester came back out in the 7th and got an out before just barely hitting Jose Iglesias with a pitch. Farrell came out to get Lester and he was done for the night. Lester's pitching line was 109 pitches, 6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB and 4 Ks. Lester would end up getting the loss, but I have nothing to complain about in his performance. Lester continued to look like the staff ace, he just got out aced by Sanchez on the other side.
Tazawa came out and finish the 7th inning and then handed the ball over to Breslow who pitched a scoreless 8th. Uehara pitched a scoreless 9th before looking to the Sox bats to not only break up the no hitter, but try to score a run or two. Sanchez had a no hitter going through 6 innings, but with his pitch count being at 116 pitches he was done for the night. The Tigers bullpen pieced together the later innings and kept the collective no hitter going into the 9th inning. The Sox were not able to get a run across the board, but at least they were able to get a hit against someone on the Tigers pitching staff. Daniel Nava got hit a single off of Benoit and the Sox had a chance. Berry came on to pinch run and stole a base, but with 2 outs Xander Bogaerts ended a long at bat with a pop out to 2nd to end the game.
Both games that were played yesterday were won 1-0. That is some mighty fine pitching we saw in the game of baseball. The Sox now have their work cut out for them who will face Scherzer and then Verlander.
Red Sox 0 Tigers 1 BOXSCORE
WP: Sanchez (1-0) LP: Lester (0-1) SV: Benoit (1)
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