The Red Sox were in need of a win something fierce having lost the last 9 of 11 games. They hoped having their ace, Jon Lester, on the mound would be able to get it done. Lester pitched well, the Sox bats got to David Price and then he left the game with an arm injury. John Farrell talked during his pregame interview that he had faith that the lineup was just as good as the team that started 20-8 and the offense proved his point smashing away for 9 runs during the game.
Lester didn't pitch a one hit complete game, but he did pitch well enough to win. However, it was the offense that was the shining star last night. The game was tied 0-0 in the 3rd inning when the Sox bats decided to put on a show. David Price walked Drew, gave up a single to Ells and then Pedey hit an RBI single to score Drew. Sox 1-0. Papi hit an RBI single to bring home Ells and the Sox were leading 2-0. At this point the Rays trainers came out and Price would leave the game with an injury to his pitching arm. They ended up saying it was a tricep injury and I hate to see anyone injured, so I wish him a speedy recovery.
Wright came in to relieve Price and the Sox bats continued to add to the scoreboard. Napoli hit an RBI double and then Gomes hit an RBI single. Sox 4-0. Stephen Drew came to the plate as the Sox had batted around in the inning. The bases were loaded with 2 outs and Stephen Drew hit himself a nice Grand Slam. Drew has surely been the guy we thought we were getting at the plate in the last few weeks and this grand slam just highlighted that. Sox 8-0. When Lester came out after his long wait, he ended up giving up 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd. Lester gave up an RBI triple to Jennings and then a groundout RBI to Zobrist. Sox 8-2. However that would be all that Lester would give up and he would coast through 7 innings. Lester line for the night was 107 pitches, 7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 0 BB and 5Ks.
In the top of the 8th, the Sox added another run on the scoreboard when Will Middlebrooks hit his 7th HR of the season. Sox 9-2. Uehara came out and pitched a scoreless 8th inning, even though he made it harder than it needed to be. Uehara gave up a single and a walk, but got the outs he needed to get out of the inning unscathed. Jose De La Torre took the mound for the 9th and had himself a nice 1-2-3 inning with 2 Ks.
Ahh, the water was dirty last night and it was much needed.
Red Sox 9 Rays 2 BOXSCORE
WP: Lester (6-0) LP: Price (1-4)
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
