Early on in last night’s game against the San Diego Padres, it looked like the Boston Red Sox were going to completely dominate the game. After all, they had chased Padres starter Wade LeBlanc after 3+ innings despite only scoring three runs while getting zeroes on the scoreboard from Andrew Miller.
Things changed in the 6th inning when Orlando Hudson hit a three-run homer to tie the game at 3-all. And the Red Sox couldn’t get anything going against Padres reliever Corey Luebke. That is until the 7th inning when the floodgates opened up.
The only way to describe what happened in that fateful 7th inning for the Padres that saw the Red Sox score 10 runs on five hits, four walks and two HBP’s is to watch the video below.
You have to wonder if Jed Hoyer is rethinking the Adrian Gonzalez trade after watching his former first baseman light up his former team. Gonzalez finished the night 3-for-5 with three RBIs with two of the hits and the three RBIs all coming in that 7th inning outburst.
The three RBIs increases his MLB-leading total to 67 on the season. Oh and by the way, Gonzalez leads the AL with a .353 batting average.
The only two starters last night for the Red Sox who didn’t have hits or RBIs were Darnell McDonald and Mike Cameron. Everyone else had at least one hit and one RBI. Even Josh Reddick coming off the bench had a hit and two RBIs while J.D. Drew came off the bench and went 1-for-1 with a walk and two runs scored.
There were high expectations for Miller when he came to the mound last night. He’s had some serious issues with his mechanics over his big league time with the Detroit Tigers and Florida Marlins. But after a good start to the season with Triple-A Pawtucket, progress had been made.
It showed in the 1st inning last night when he struck out the first batter he faced Chris Denorfia on three straight pitches. He had life on his fastball touching 96 MPH in that at-bat to Denorfia. He also had good command for the most part with his slider and curveball.
The biggest mistake he made was to Hudson when he missed his location with a fastball and Hudson jacked it out of the park. He was chased from the game by former Red Sox prospect Anthony Rizzo who followed the home run with a double.
But nonetheless an encouraging start from Miller. With Clay Buchholz on the disabled list, Miller will probably be called upon to make at least one more start. After that, he could possibly end up in the Red Sox bullpen. But until then, he’ll have to time to continue to work out the kinks and be ready for the next time he toes the slab.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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Andrew Miller begins his fight against history [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Red Sox pound away with a 10-run inning [Boston Globe]
Rizzo finally makes his debut at Fenway [Boston Globe]
Shifting Gonzalez off balance [Boston Globe]
One bad pitch can’t spoil a solid outing by Miller [Boston Globe]
Red Sox put up a 10-spot [Boston Herald]
Adrian Gonzalez would move for Ortiz to play 1B [Boston Herald]
Andrew Miller starts anew [Boston Herald]
Adrian Gonzalez holds lunch date with old friends [Boston Herald]
Red Sox closer: Clean shave equals clean save [Boston Herald]
Healthy hero Roberts stops by with Padres [Boston Herald]
Padres GM Jed Hoyer on Adrian Gonzalez, Anthony Rizzo [Clubhouse Insider]
Miller’s time: Padres’ Maybin knows how hard lefty has worked [Clubhouse Insider]
Red Sox mash vs. Padres, 14-5 [CSNNE.com]
Gonzalez compares life in Boston to San Diego [CSNNE.com]
Miller solid in first start for Red Sox [CSNNE.com]
Beckett (stomach illness) scratched; Aceves in [CSNNE.com]
Notes: Gonzalez has fun with former team [CSNNE.com]
Rizzo’s day in Fenway dawns — as a Padre [ESPN Boston]
Sorry, San Diego — he’s still A-Gone [ESPN Boston]
Nearly perfect Sox hang 10 on Padres [ESPN Boston]
Beckett ill, Aceves takes his start Tuesday [ESPN Boston]
Red Sox offense keeps rolling [ESPN Boston]
Andrew Miller could be quite a find for Boston Red Sox [ESPN Boston]
Why Adrian Gonzalez in the outfield might be just crazy enough to work [Full Count]
Why the Adrian Gonzalez trade had to make sense to Jed Hoyer [Full Count]
Closing Time: Gonzalez delivers in reunion with Padres as Sox win, 14-5 [Full Count]
Andrew Miller offers Sox a ‘very encouraging’ first glimpse [Full Count]
Dustin Pedroia keeps giving Red Sox ‘everything he has’ [Full Count]
Adrian Gonzalez tugs on Chase Headley’s ear and finds other ways to annoy Padres [Full Count]
Anthony Rizzo Finally Reaches Fenway Park, Receives Praise From Current and Former Team [NESN.com]
Which Former Red Sox Minor Leaguer Will Have Most Successful Career in San Diego? [NESN.com]
Casey Kelly, Reymond Fuentes Showing Progress in San Diego Organization [NESN.com]
Video: Terry Francona Encouraged by Andrew Miller’s Start Against Padres [NESN.com]
Josh Beckett Scratched From Tuesday’s Start With Illness, Will Be Replaced by Alfredo Aceves [NESN.com]
Video: Jason Varitek Praises Versatility of Alfredo Aceves, Tim Wakefield [NESN.com]
Dustin Pedroia Provides Spark for 10-Run Seventh Inning With Trademark Hustle [NESN.com]
Andrew Miller, Red Sox Both Take Plenty of Positives From Lefty’s Debut [NESN.com]
Tim Wakefield’s Family Helps 44-Year-Old Pitcher Recharge Batteries, Stay Focused [NESN.com]
Video: Mike Cameron Plays Wiffle Ball With Lucky Kids [NESN.com]
Barrage overshadows Miller’s debut [Providence Journal]
Mastery of cutter has helped Beckett get off to All-Star start [Providence Journal]
After fast start in ’06, then falling back to minors, Sox hope Miller’s time is now [Providence Journal]
Padres pleased with Rizzo piece of Gonzalez trade [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Roberts returns to Fenway cancer-free [Providence Journal]
Gonzalez, Rizzo cross paths again at Fenway [RedSox.com]
Roberts reminisces fondly on 2004 squad [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the North Coast Times and San Diego Union-Tribune website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother RJ’s Fro.
Photo credit: Getty Images
