Boston Red Sox 4, Atlanta Braves 1
That’s right, boys: kick ‘em when they’re down. Jon Lester, picking up the broken rotation (both Wells and Clement are now on the DL) and his first win, manned-up after his first mixed bag, rain-damaged performance last Saturday. He pitched six strong innings, striking out five, giving up five hits and the lone Atlanta run to get his first win. Supported by quality relief (Seanez pitched an uneventful seventh? With two strikeouts? What what what!?), including Pap’s 21st save and sparkling defense – a diving stop by Mike Lowell that turned a low line drive, tailor-made for a double, into an out in the ninth, grabbed the number seven spot on the list of Web Gems on Baseball Tonight last night – the Sox scored what turned out to be the winning runs of the game with some heroics by Tek. The Sox scored a run in the second off starter Tim Hudson with three singles, but were unable to take advantage of a bases-loaded situation, ending the inning with two strikeouts. In the third, they gave it another shot: three straight walks with two outs brought up the Captain, who spotted a hanging sinker and drove it for a three run double.
This game was just what the boys in grey and red needed to get out of the Minnesota Slump and start competing again. With a weakened Atlanta to beat up on, followed by a three game set at home versus the Nationals, it’s time to put together a strong drive of wins and maybe, just maybe, really establish that first place lead. This afternoon, the Sox hope to continue that beating as Beckett goes against Lance Cormier. GO SOX!!!
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