Might as well name Eric Hinske the M.V.P. for the Boston Red Sox (28-12) in the 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers (24-16).
Hinske first saved the game from breaking open in the fifth inning by making a “web-gem” style catch. Hinske running towards Pesky Pole in right field dove with his body outstretched making the catch to end the Tigers’ rally.
The Menasha, WI. native, Hinske, went from saving the game to being the hero of the game belting a two-run homerun to right center which also plated Jason Varitek in the bottom of the seventh.
Curt Schilling, the starter of the game, went 6 innings, giving up 2 earned runs, had 6 strikeouts, 4 walks, and an ending total pitch count of 118.
On the back end of the win, hold, and save were Brendan Donnelly (2-1), Javier Lopez (3), and Hideki Okajima (2).
Donnelly lasted 1.1 innings pitched with 2 strikeouts while Lopez pitched 2/3 innings and Okajima finished out the ninth much like he did the eighth inning in game one with a 1-2-3 inning.
The Tigers had their chances in this one with Schilling having a high pitch count early on in the game but could not capitalize leaving 11 runners on base and also leaving 8 runners in scoring position with 2 outs.
The Boston Red Sox start interleague play tomorrow against National League rivals the Atlanta Braves (25-16) at 7:05 p.m. at home.
Starting for the Red Sox will be highly touted Devern Hansack (0-0, 13.50 ERA ) vs. Anthony Lerew (0-1, 6.52 ERA).
NOTES: DH David Ortiz did not play in the second game of the double header due to illness.
