Down seven runs to begin the bottom of the second inning Boston never changed their approach at the plate. The Red Sox knew they were given too many innings to catch up.
J.D. Drew lead off the inning with a walk and Jason Bay followed crushing his third home run of the season into Baltimore’s bullpen cutting the lead to 7-2.
Boston’s comeback was just getting started.
The Red Sox would score two more in the second. Drew hit a solo-shot in the third. After Markakis drove in a run in the fourth on a double, Boston responded with two more runs in the fifth.
Then Bay finished off what he had started.
Bay’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning gave the Red Sox the lead for good, 9-8, but Boston wasn’t done tacking on one more run driven in by Mike Lowell on a single to center field.
Jonathan Papelbon closed the door in the ninth for his third save of the season. On a 3-2 count with two outs and one runner on first, Papelbon blew a 96 mph fastball by Felix Pie to give the Red Sox their second straight win.
Stars of the Game – Bullpen/Bay and Drew
The bullpen recorded six scoreless innings to allow the likes of Bay who went 1-3 with three RBI’s and Drew (2-2 with three runs, one RBI and three walks) to lead Boston’s comeback victory.
Next Game – Sat. 4/18 vs. Baltimore Orioles – Adam Eaton/Josh Beckett
Beckett will pitch after appealing his suspension. Let’s just hope this Red Sox offense lasts because after watching that in person last night as a fan it was easy to tell Boston was never out of it despite the seven run choke job by Penny in the second inning.