The Red Sox headed to Texas for the final series before the All Star Break and had just come off two walk off victories. The Sox had John Lackey on the mound against former O’s pitcher Scott Feldman. The Sox have always had success against Feldman and the same would be true last night. Lackey still seems a little fatigued at the midway point, but he pitched well enough to be easily in line for the win. The story of the night was the offense from the recently called up catcher Christian Vazquez. Vazquez got his first major league hit and 3 RBI on the night. The Sox are 3-0 in the Christian Vazquez era.
The Sox were the first ones to jump out to a lead in the 3rd inning when Vazquez hit a single (his first major league hit), then Brock Holt hit an RBI triple followed by Pedroia hitting an RBI double. Sox 2-0. In the 4th inning the Sox went up 3-0 when Vazquez hit an RBI ground rule double to score Stephen Drew. Lackey was having issues all night with the strike zone and was clearly getting frustrated with the home plate umpire, but he was still able to get through the innings, even if it took him more pitches than anyone would like. Lackey gave up hit first run in the bottom of the 4th when Lackey gave up an RBI single to Hernandez. Sox 3-1.
In the top of the 6th the Sox took a close game and blew it open. Christian Vazquez got a 2 run RBI double to score Nava and Bradley Jr. That was 3 hits and 3 RBI on the night for the rookie catcher. Sox 5-1. Feldman was out of the game, but the Sox weren’t done scoring in the inning. David Ortiz came to the plate and hit a 3 run bases clearing double to have the Sox up 8-1. In the 6th, Lackey gave up his 2nd run of the game with a solo HR to Carter. Sox 8-2. Lackey was done after 6 innings and his pitching line was 117 pitches, 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 5 BB and 3 Ks. Lackey wasn’t very efficient and had way too many walks, but he still was able to keep the Astros off the scoreboard for the most part.
Burke Badenhop came out and pitched himself a scoreless 7th inning before handing the ball over to Breslow for the 8th. Breslow has been struggling lately and that continued some in his inning of work. Breslow gave up a solo HR to Carter, his 2nd HR of the night. Sox 8-3. Mujica took the mound for the 9th and while he pitched a scoreless inning, it wasn’t without some drama. Mujica gave up 2 singles and made the Sox nervous enough that they had Koji throwing some warm up pitches in the bullpen. Luckily they did not need Koji to come into the game as Mujica got the 3rd out to secure the much needed win for the Sox.
Red Sox 8 Astros 3 BOXSCORE
WP: Lackey (10-6) LP: Feldman (4-6)
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