BOS 16, NYY 11: Lumber party
As if last night's game between Boston and New York didn't provide enough drama.
As if last night's game between Boston and New York didn't provide enough drama.
Jason Bay and Kevin Youkilis have got that BOOM BOOM POW.
What else could Terry Francona possibly want on his 50th birthday? The Red Sox completed a day-night doubleheader sweep of the Minnesota Twins slugging out 17 runs, 19 hits and 4 homers. Boston also improved their winning streak to seven games.
Julio Lugo began a rehab assignment Wednesday for the Pawtucket Red Sox and came away feeling better, physically, than his performance would indicate.
Lugo, who batted leadoff and played shortstop, was 0-for-3 in three official at-bats and drew a walk in an International League game won by Pawtucket, 8-7, over Rochester in 11 innings.
Slowly but surely, everything is coming together for the Boston Red Sox.
Boston's pitching future was on display Monday afternoon at McCoy Stadium -- the future in the person of starter Michael Bowden and reliever Daniel Bard.
Bowden recorded his first Triple-A victory (which is interesting in the sense he won his first major league game last season) as the Pawtucket Red Sox blanked the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs, 2-0.
As Jon Lester's frustrations lifted,striking out nine Orioles over seven innings pitched to earn his first victory of the season, Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz' frustrations continue to mount.
Kevin Youkilis launched a three-run homer over the Green Monster giving Boston a 4-0 lead in the third inning. Then, Mike Lowell singled to center making it a five run gap. And for the first time this season the Red Sox finally held onto an early lead.
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.
Maybe the Pawtucket Red Sox lost the battle Friday night in their home opener against the Leigh Valley Iron Pigs.
But because knuckleballer Charlie Zink and reliever Billy Traber gave them nine innings, the PawSox may win the war - the war being the remainder of a six-game homestand.