After giving up a first inning home run, Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett rebounded to finish strong with help from his hitters in the bottom half of the inning, and the Red Sox swept the series from the Angels by winning today 7-2.
The Red Sox put together four consecutive hits to start the bottom of the 1st that led to the first three runs. Julio Lugo led off with a double and scored on a Kevin Youkilis’ single. David Ortiz then hit a double to move Youk over to 3rd base and Manny Ramirez knocked them both in with a single. J.D Drew then grounded into a fielder’s choice but Angels 2nd baseman, Howie Kendrick, threw the ball into the outfield which allowed Manny to score all the way from first base. The doubles machine, Mike Lowell, hit yet another one to drive in Drew.
Beckett actually gave up a home run to former Sox SS Orlando Cabrera, then hit in Vladimir Guerrero in the wrist. Vlad had to leave the game, and the x-rays were negative. Both teams were warned after this happened but it was clear that Beckett wasn’t trying to hit Vlad at all.
Beckett scattered 6 hits over 6 innings of work, allowing the 1 run, walking 1 and striking out 5 Angels batters. Lugo was 2 for 4 today and was outstanding in the field making some great over the shoulder catches. Hopefully, his defensive play continues like this. Big Papi was 2 for 3, with a home run to go along with his double. The Red Sox bullpen (Hideki “Darkman” Okajima, J.C. Romero, and Kyle Synder) pitched very well with the only blemish being a Kendrick home run in the 9th inning.
The Red Sox now move to Toronto where Daisuke Matsuzaka will take the hill. The good thing for us Sox fans and the players is that we know they will play for the next three days since the Rogers Centre has a roof.
NOTES: The Red Sox announced that their celebration of Jackie Robinson Day will take place on Sunday when the Yankees are in town. That game is an 8:05 PM start and will be shown nationally on ESPN.
