Reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia had 4 hits and 3 RBIs to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 12-1 win to complete a 4-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles in front of 37,865 at Fenway Park on Patriot’s Day.
The win for the Red Sox is their 5th straight and raises their record to 7-6. It’s the 5th straight loss for the Orioles who fall to 6-7.
Justin Masterson filled in for Daisuke Matsuzaka today and showed the Red Sox why he’s so versatile. Masterson threw 84 pitches in 5 1/3 innings of work, allowing a run on just 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3.
The Red Sox bullpen was strong once again as 4 relievers (Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, Javier Lopez, Hunter Jones) combined to throw the final 3 2/3 innings, giving up a hit, 2 walks and recording a strikeout (by Okajima). The appearance by Jones was the first of his MLB career.
The top of the lineup got it done for the Red Sox in this Patriot’s Day tilt.
Jacoby Ellsbury was 3-for-6 with an RBI and stolen base, Pedroia was 4-for-6 with the 3 RBIs and David Ortiz showed signs of life at the plate with 2 hits and 2 RBIs. Both of his hits were for extra bases, a double and a triple. Mike Lowell added 2 hits and 2 RBIs and Jason Varitek also had 2 hits and RBIs which included his third home run of the season.
Mark Hendrickson’s bad luck against the Red Sox continued as he allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks in 5 innings of work. He did strikeout 6. Dennis Sarafate had a tough day as he gave up 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk in an inning of work. Radhames Liz took one for the team today as he was charged with 6 runs on 3 hits and a walk in just an inning of work. Matt Albers worked the final 1 2/3 innings, giving up 3 hits and also had a strikeout.
After Masterson shut down the O’s in the first, the Red Sox put up a crooked number in the bottom half of the inning.
Ellsbury led off with a double and stole third with Pedroia at the plate. Pedroia brought him in a with a single and then went to third on a Big Papi double. Hendrickson then walked Kevin Youkilis to load up the bases for Rocco Baldelii. He ended up grounding into a fielder’s choice that scored Pedroia to make it 2-0 Red Sox. Hendrickson escaped any further damage by getting Jason Bay to foul out to first and Lowell to fly out.
Varitek made it 3-0 when he led off the 2nd inning with a blast into the Green Monster seats.
The lone run Masterson gave up came in the 3rd inning.
Ryan Freel led off with a single and went to second on a Felix Pie sacrifice bunt. With Brian Roberts at the plate, Masterson tried to pick-off Freel at second but instead hit Freel in the back of the head. Freel had to be helped off the field and was replaced by Robert Andino. Roberts ended grounding out, moving Andino to third. Cesar Izturis brought him one with an infield single to cut the lead to 3-1. Izturis then stole second but was left stranded there when Nick Markakis flew out.
Sarfate took over in the 6th for Hendrickson and got Lowell to ground out. Varitek then reached on an infield single and Nick Green fouled out for the second out. Ellsbury followed with a single to move Tek up 90 feet and Pedroia brought him in with a single to make it 4-1 Red Sox.The lead quickly swelled to 6-1 when Big Papi hit a bases clearing triple.
Liz started the 7th inning with a walk to Bay, who came around to score when Lowell doubled. Liz got Tek to ground out but then hit Green with a pitch. Ellsbury knocked in Lowell from second with a single and Pedroia followed with another single to score Green and give the Red Sox a 9-1 lead. Liz then hit Big Papi with a pitch and that ended his afternoon.
Albers came in and gave up a single to Youk that scored Ellsbury for a 10-1 Red Sox lead. Chris Carter followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Pedroia. Bay singled to load up the bases and Lowell picked up his 2nd RBI of the inning with a single scoring Big Papi to provide the final margin of 12-1.
Great start to the homestand for the Red Sox and a great outing from Masterson. The Red Sox will now take on the Minnesota Twins in a brief 2-game set that starts tomorrow night at 7:10 PM. Tim Wakefield will look to keep the winning streak alive and will be opposed by Scott Baker.
Notes and musings:
Baltimore Orioles @ Boston Red Sox 4.20.09 box score
Rocco Baldelli had to leave the game with a mild left hamstring strain. He was replaced by Chris Carter.
Terry Francona said in his press conference after the game that injured shortstop Jed Lowrie would most likely have surgery in the next day or two and could possibly return after the All-Star Break. He said more might be announced later this afternoon or tomorrow.
Today was the 5th time the Red Sox have played the Orioles on Patriot’s Day and are now 4-1.
- Baltimore Orioles 4-1
- Chicago White Sox 2-2
- Cleveland Indians 2-5
- Detroit Tigers 5-4
- Kansas City Royals 0-1
- Los Angeles Angels 1-0
- Milwaukee Brewers 1-2
- Minnesota Twins 1-0
- New York Yankees 22-11
- Oakland Athletics 0-1
- Philadelphia Athletics 10-10
- Seattle Mariners 1-0
- Tampa Bay Rays 0-1
- Texas Rangers 3-0
- Toronto Blue Jays 1-3
- Washington Senators 13-7
Ramon Ramirez has thrown 8.1 scoreless innings to begin the season, tied with Oakland’s Andrew Bailey for the most relief frames without allowing a run in the A.L. Overall he has not allowed a run in his last 9 appearances, a span of 12.0 innings that began on September 16, 2008.
Ted Williams made his Red Sox debut 70 years ago on this day.
Red Sox on streaks:
- Jacoby Ellsbury extended his hitting streak to 6 games
- Mike Lowell extended his hitting streak to 6 games
- Dustin Pedroia extended his hitting streak to 4 games
- Jason Varitek now has a 3 game hitting streak
- Kevin Youkilis now has a 3 game hitting streak and has reached safely in all 13 games
