The Sox and Rays were facing off in a doubleheader today even if the rain was gonna threaten this game for a few hours. Alfredo Aceves was brought up to be a spot starter for today's game and he's continued to show his value to this team by pitching well and grabbing another win.
Aceves was brought up to be the 26th man on the roster for the doubleheader and was making the spot start. Aceves had pitched well against the Phillies and the Rays previously, so we were hoping to see the same. Interestingly, Aceves almost didn't make his start since he was late to the ballpark because he was "stuck in traffic." The Sox had Morales out and almost needed him to make a spot start for spot starter Alfredo Aceves.
All the drama aside, Aceves once again pitched well. The Sox bats gave Aceves a single run of support in the 1st when Pedey hit a sac fly to score Ells. Sox 1-0. Aceves was a little shaky out of the gate and gave that run right back. Aceves gave up an RBI double to Luke Scott as well as walking 3 batters in the inning to have the game tied 1-1. In the 3rd inning Papi put the Sox back in front by hitting a 2 run RBI single. Sox 3-1. In the 5th Papi added another run on the board with an RBI single to score Victorino. Sox 4-1. Aceves settled down well and was trucking along. Aceves pitched 5 innings and in the bottom of the 5th the skies opened up and the game went into a rain delay.
Even though the game was official, the MLB has a rule that if there is a doubleheader that the first game must be finished before the second game can start. The rain delay lasted for 2 hours and 59 minutes and play resumed at just before 6pm. Aceves was done for the night with such a lengthy delay and Tazawa took the mound. Tazawa pitched a scoreless 6th inning. In the bottom of the 6th, Ellsbury and Victorino hit back to back triples and the Sox were leading 5-1. Andrew Miller pitched a scoreless 7th, Uehara pitched a scoreless 8th and then Breslow finished it off with a scoreless 9th inning. Once again the Sox bullpen got the job done.
Now the Sox will get ready for game 2 which will begin just a little after 8pm. Let's Go Red Sox!
Red Sox 6 Rays 1 BOXSCORE
WP: Aceves (4-1) LP: Archer (1-3)
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
