After being scratched from his last start, Daisuke Matsuzaka came back with a solid effort pitching for 7 innings only allowing two hits while striking out four Toronto Blue Jays as Boston won in the bottom of the ninth 2-1.
A repeat of last night’s game, Jason Varitek drove home Manny Ramirez for the game winning run on a single to center field much like Kevin Youkilis did last night for Boston’s second straight win.
Jonathan Papelbon earned his second win in two straight days as he pitched the ninth inning before the Sox walked off with the victory.
Star of the Game: David Ortiz
Ortiz went 2-4 with one run and one RBI as he hit a solo-homer to right field in the seventh inning of play.
Preview of Next Game:
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8-2 in 1-run games
12th come from behind win
8 wins in our last at-bat
What a crazy April for the Sox
So um… Odds on scoring 3 or more runs? Probably below 50%…
The first time I heard the Sox called the Cardiac Kids was 1967, though it may have been said earlier. 41 years later we have another Sox team deserving that title, even more than the first.
I am going to watch tomorrow’s game in a pub near the emergency room just in case, especially with Wake on the mound, as every pitch will enhance the adventure.
Though with Papi starting to hit, and more production from Pawtucket and Portland via Brandon Moss, we may just start to win with fewer cardiac symptoms.
I love close games and I hate blowouts so these past two games have been amazing for me.
While watching the game and listening to Remy/Orsillo talk about how the Sox were short on pinch-running options, I couldn’t help but wonder if Tito ever considered Buchholz. — partly because I remember there being rumors that Clay is faster than Jacoby. Now, obviously it would’ve been a slight injury risk, but if the D-backs can benefit from Micah Owings’ bat, the Sox might as well utilize Clay’s wheels.
I agree though, Hale made the right call on both plays. I’m actually not sure if Manny was running faster than Lowrie; Moss’ ball went right to Wells while Varitek’s was to his right, so the first was definitely an easier play.
Evan:
Nah, we’re going to break out and score 8 against Burnett tomorrow. It’s not April any more, time to turn the page and put the hurt on AJ.
Speaking of which, I don’t want to jinx the Sox or anything, but they’ve got another tough 10 days, and then a relative cakewalk through mid-June — though the travel schedule is a tad unappealing toward the end of May.
I feel good about this team :) … they are certainly not perfect (no team is … us fans get a little caught up in expecting them to be sometimes I think) but they are solid and I would be shocked to see them not put together another solid run at defending their championships … Good times in the Nation
My personal “Star of the Game” was the 1999 Minor League Manager of the Year… DeMarlo Hale. That man has some arm (and pretty big balls too). To wave Manny around after Lowrie got thrown out at the plate the play before (he should have plowed into the catcher instead of trying some fancy slide)! In the past two nights he has won us two games. And he gets multiple free passes from me this year. I am still pumped after the end of that game.
The Sox should definitely pick up Manny’s 1st option after the season and his 2nd option after next season. Contract year and he’s running faster than Jed Lowrie.
Good call Tall Thrill…..ballsy (and correct) calls by Hale both times…
I wouldn’t give Hale too much credit…I think you always send a guy on a basehit in the ninth inning of a low scoring tied game when your offense is struggling and your only two effective bullpen guys are already out. I don’t mean to take anything away from him but it was the easy choice to me and I think all third base coached are expected (or should be) to be aggressive in those situations.
Agree with JaredK. Like Francona said two games ago that they (coaches) discussed that it was going to take a gutsy moving sending a guy with the low scoring affair. I think the same applied for last night.
Totally agree with you JaredK.
The second throw was late because it hit the mound and slowed down. I think Wells might have been playing deeper with two out then he was with one out as well?
Jaredk, its and “easy choice” because hindsight is 20/20. You don’t “always send a guy on a basehit in the ninth inning.” Not if you think he is going to be thrown out. There has to be a line somewhere and both plays were very close to that line. Granted, you have to be aggressive in this situations, but especially with one out, it isn’t always easy. And after the perfect throw to get Lowrie, it would be easy to get gun shy with Manny. Who knows, Manny might have run through a stop sign anyway. haha.
Worth pointing out, I stayed up and watched the 22 inning Padres/Rockies game last week (I live in SD) and there were two such instances where the 3rd base coach stopped the runner. Their offense is much worse, and you can imagine their bullpen was much further strung out.
@D.R. Buchholz as a PR was a great idea. I wish I had thought of that.
I’d try to avoid using a pitcher as a pinch runner whenever possible. The risk of pulling a hamstring or a quad while baserunning, not even pitching, especially for someone like Buchholz who is young/inexperienced on the basepaths, is too great.
I disagree with that headline … the layoff did effect Dice … positively … Matsuzaka always seems to enjoy those extra couple days
Well, I disagree with you… but no big deal. I don’t see how you are claiming it is “hindsight”, what I am talking about is philosophy and being aggressive when you have a chance to win that is related to an outfielder making an accurate throw. Both hits were easy reads for the runners and they both got strong breaks and were in position to turn the corner prior to Wells releasing the ball. If either runner was forced to hesitate due to the possibility of the ball being caught…or if Papi or Manny was on deck then it becomes a little complicated. In the middle of Moss/Varitek/Lugo I take my chances every time so long as the runner has a decent read. You factor in the Paps, MDC & Okajima were not available for extra innnings I think it was an easy choice…I’m glad Hale did not hesitate, all I’m saying is that is a easy spot to be aggressive in.
Fair enough. I get a little too excited when I see DeMarlo swing that arm.