The Sox came into the rubber game having spot starter Alfredo Aceves on the mound vs. rookie Chris Archer. Aceves was coming off a strong start against Philadelphia and last night would be no different. Aceves may be difficult to manage at times, however he has continued to show his value to the team by pitching well when they need someone to step up into the rotation. Aceves pitched 6 strong innings and was in line for the win, even with getting little to no run support.
Aceves pitched the best of any of the starters against the Rays. He pitched well and when he got himself in trouble, he got himself right out of it. In the 2nd Aceves walked the bases loaded and with 2 outs was able to get Escobar to ground out to end the inning. In the 3rd inning the Sox would give what ended up to be all the run support that Aceves and the bullpen would need. Ellsbury singled, stole second, got to 3rd on a bad throw, but all of that wouldn't mean much since Daniel Nava would hit a HR to bring him on home. Sox 2-0. Nava is continuing to look like a guy who should be at the All Star Game. Aceves had the bases loaded again in the bottom of the 3rd and this time with no outs. It looked like the Rays were getting ready to do some damage, but magically Aceves got out of the inning without allowing a run to score. Aceves got Johnson to strike out and then got Longo to hit into a double play. In the top of the 4th the Sox had the bases loaded themselves, but were unable to capitalize. With 2 outs, Nava struck out to end the inning. However they did chase Archer from the game. Archer left the mound in the 4th show boating and dancing, but not sure only pitching 4 strong is something to celebrate.
Aceves kept trucking along and didn't show any signs of trouble until the 6th inning. Aceves gave up a solo HR to Longoria to have the Rays within a run. Sox 2-1. Aceves would finish out the inning and no more damage would be done. Aceves' pitching line for the night was 84 pitches, 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 BB and 3 Ks. You can't ask more from a spot starter than that. Tazawa came out and pitched himself a 1-2-3 inning with 2 Ks. Craig Breslow came out in the 8th, but when he gave up a double to Johnson he was pulled in favor of Uehara. Koji got the final out by way of the K and we were on to the 9th inning. The Sox weren't able to get anything else against the Rays bullpen and the same would be true in the 9th. Andrew Bailey fresh off his blown save would be coming out in the bottom of the 9th. Bailey gave up a long single that looked like a HR for a bit to Loney, but then he got the 3 outs we needed to get him the save and the team the win.
The Sox grab another series and head off to Baltimore.
Red Sox 2 Rays 1 BOXSCORE
WP: Aceves (3-1) LP: Archer (1-2) SV: Bailey (7)
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