The Red Sox were able to get to David Price early and then were able to hold on to get a win against the Rays to take the series. Clay Buchholz took the mound for the Sox, however he was only able to pitch 5 innings because his lower back locked up on him again in the 5th inning. We all saw Alfredo Aceves getting up in the middle of the 5th while Clay had only thrown 81 pitches, so we knew something was up. However, Clay pitched well enough to win. He pitched 5 strong innings with only giving up one run in the 2nd on a Fuld RBI double. The Red Sox got on the board early when Price walked in a run in the 1st. They added two more runs in the 2nd when DMac and Pedey both had RBI hits. So, Clay left the mound after the 5th in line for a 3-1 win if the bullpen could hold it up.
Alfredo Aceves gave up a HR in the 6th to former Sox Casey Kotchman to bring the Rays within one run, but limited the damage to that. Aceves pitched 1.2 innings and was relieved by Bard in the 7th. It took Bard one pitch to get out of the 7th inning unscathed. Bard pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning to follow. The Sox were given an insurance run with a line drive HR from Adrian Gonzalez off Kyle Farnsworth. Pap came out for the save in the 9th. Yes, there was drama. He gave up a double to Kotch and then a single to Upton. We had runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs. But much like Papelbon, he ramped up the intensity when he needed to and got out of the inning. Elliot Johnson tried to bunt and Youk made a GREAT diving catch in foul terrority. One out. And then Pap struck out both Ruggiano and Rodriguez to end the game.
Photo Credit: J. Meric/Getty Images
The other piece of drama in the game was that Kevin Youkilis was hit in the 1st inning. Both sides were warned and Youk definitely had some things to say to Price on his way to first. Was he hit on purpose? I’m not sure. Youk clipped Kotch in game one and even though Kotch said a few times over he knew it was a mistake, the media spent a lot of time talking about it…and Youk hit the winning HR in Game 2. The warnings also seemed to take away the inside of the plate from Price, so if he did hit him on purpose, I am not sure he got what he wanted.
Jed Lowrie also left the game after the top of the 1st. He was seen visibly winching when he was at the plate due to his nagging shoulder injury. I imagine we’ll see Lowrie heading to the DL soon and Drew Sutton back with the bg boys.
Great series with the Rays…and a great road 8-1 road trip for the Sox! Bring on the NL!
Red Sox 4 Rays 2 BOXSCORE
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