The Boston Red Sox entered yesterday afternoon’s game looking to escape the state of Pennsylvania and the City of Brotherly Love with a win. They had the right man for the job in Jon Lester on the bump.
But with Philadelphia Phillies starter Cole Hamels equal to the task of Lester, it looked like the Phillies fans might be able to get their brooms out if something didn’t change. Well that change happened in the 5th inning.
Now you never wish an injury upon anyone but an Adrian Gonzalez liner back to Hamels in the 4th inning hit him in the palm of his glove hand, knocking the glove off. Hamels did recover to get Gonzalez at first base and then retired Dustin Pedroia. Unfortuately for the Phillies, Hamels didn’t return to the game and gave way to David Herndon.
That was the change the Red Sox were looking for though.
After Herndon got the first out of the 5th, Josh Reddick stated his case for more playing time with a triple. He quickly came into score on a Drew Sutton single. Marco Scutaro moved up Sutton 180 feet with a single before Lester struck out for the second out of the inning. Jacoby Ellsbury followed that with a single to put the visiting nine up 2-0.
The Captain, Jason Varitek, would make it 3-0 good guys with a 2-out solo home run in the sixth. The Red Sox weren’t done though.
After Drew Carpenter struck out Gonzalez to start the 8th inning, Dustin Pedroia and El Capitan went back-to-back with home runs of the solo varitey to push the Red Sox lead to 5-0. It looked like the Red Sox were well on their way to a win.
Enter Bobby Jenks in 9th inning.
We all know Jenks has had issues with the Red Sox so far this season. He’d pitched pretty well since returning from the DL for a second time this season. Obviously yesterday wasn’t one of those days.
He gave up a leadoff single to Placido Polanco. After getting Chase Utley to pop out, he left a pitch out over the plate for Ryan Howard who made him pay with a two-run jack to cut the lead to 5-2. Jenks then walked the Flying Hawaiian Shane Victorino and just when it looked like Jonathan Papelbon would get the day off, he was in the game.
After Victorino stole second, Papelbon got Ben Francisco to ground out and then struck out Raul Ibanez to give the Red Sox the win.
Once again, Lester was great as was Daniel Bard. Lester allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out five over seven innings. And he finally notched that elusive 10th win of the season.
The Red Sox played without the services of Kevin Youkilis, who was injured the night before fouling a ball off of his foot. Because of Youk’s injury, the Red Sox called up Yamaico Navarro. They made room for him on the 25-man roster by ending the Mike Cameron experiment when he was designated for assignment.
The Red Sox are now off to the hometown of Carl Crawford in Houston where they’ll also visit old friend Brad Mills who is in his second year as the Astros skipper. The Red Sox could welcome Crawsome back on Sunday from the DL.
We’ll be back later today with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and any links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below.
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Booster shot [Boston Globe]
Right angle part of solution [Boston Globe]
In outfield, Cameron is out [Boston Globe]
A friend in need [Boston Globe]
Johnson is eager to conquer a new frontier [Boston Globe]
Sox salvage all that is left with Jon Lester on hill [Boston Herald]
Jason Varitek delivers timely blasts from past [Boston Herald]
Familiar sound for J.D. Drew [Boston Herald]
Theo Epstein takes hit on Mike Cameron’s flop [Boston Herald]
Howard: Adrian Gonzalez is ‘a guy that I’ve loved to watch’ [Clubhouse Insider]
J.D. Drew reacts to Philly boos; Red Sox react to Mike Cameron news [Clubhouse Insider]
Millwood bides his time in Pawtucket [CSNNE.com]
Red Sox salvage one in Philly, 5-2 [CSNNE.com]
Sox win with pitching — imagine that! [CSNNE.com]
Nation STATion: Red Sox four play [CSNNE.com]
Cameron out, Navarro in for Red Sox [CSNNE.com]
Pawtucket’s lifelines: A dozen and counting [ESPN Boston]
Rapid reaction: Red Sox 5, Phillies 2 [ESPN Boston]
Red Sox bats got going after Hamels left [ESPN Boston]
Drew now on the hot seat [ESPN Boston]
A ‘very tough’ goodbye [ESPN Boston]
Lester throws a needed counterpunch [ESPN Boston]
Notable stats and trends from June [ESPN Boston]
Video: Nick Cafardo’s analysis of Red Sox win over Phillies [Extra Bases]
Kevin Millwood looking to make MLB return with Red Sox, declines June opt-out [Full Count]
Looking back at Mike Cameron’s time in Boston [Full Count]
Closing Time: Jon Lester teams with Jason Varitek to power Red Sox past Phillies [Full Count]
Adrian Gonzalez says he will participate in Home Run Derby if called [Full Count]
Dustin Pedroia Turns Down Phillies Pitcher Vance Worley’s Autograph Request [NESN.com]
What Grade Would You Give the Red Sox This Season? [NESN.com]
Boston K-Men Member ‘Fitzy’ Explains Group’s History, How Hard It Is To Find Good Face Paint [NESN.com]
Red Sox Right in Thick of AL Playoff Picture After Up-and-Down June As Season Is About to Heat Up [NESN.com]
Jon Lester Delivers Clutch Performance As Red Sox Salvage Last Game of Series [NESN.com]
Video: Jon Lester’s Focus on Executing His Pitches Helps Red Sox Leave Philadelphia on High Note [NESN.com]
Video: David Ortiz Would Like to See National League Add Designated Hitter [NESN.com]
Video: Jim Rice – Mike Cameron Struggled With Transition to Being Bench Player With Red Sox [NESN.com]
Mike Cameron’s Career in Boston Ended Before it Ever Really Started Due to Untimely Injuries [NESN.com]
Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett the Big Winners of Midseason Red Sox Awards [NESN.com]
PawSox not surprised by Reddick’s success [Projo Sox Blog]
With voting over, one writer’s American League All-Star picks [Projo Sox Blog]
Lester, lineup switch helps Boston avoid sweep [Providence Journal]
Youkilis questionable for opener in Houston [Providence Journal]
Events finally force Red Sox’ hand with Cameron [Providence Journal]
Houston trip will bring back fond memories for Dan Wheeler [Providence Journal]
In debate about moving Gonzalez to right, logic was the loser [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Reddick in line for more playing time [Providence Journal]
Starters in spotlight of potential Fall Classic [RedSox.com]
How Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Varitek gave Red Sox one less thing to worry about [Rob Bradford – WEEI.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 Philadelphia Daily News & Philadelphia Inquirer websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, I Don’t Give a Schmidt.
Photo credit: Getty Images
