Red Sox Keep Winning In Extra Innings (7-11)

Last night, the Red Sox beat the Angels 4-2 in 11 innings, in a very close game. The Red Sox took some chances, and they panned out based on a stellar Josh Beckett (right) outing. The game started out as a total duel, with neither team scoring through the first five innings, and Beckett no-hit the Angels through the bottom of the sixth, on a single by Erick Aybar. However, in the top of the 6th, the Red Sox had made their first noise on a two-run single by Jacoby Ellsbury, scoring David Ortiz and Jed Lowrie. However, in the bottom of the 7th, the Angels put us right back where we started as Torii Hunter smacked a two-run homer to center field, tying the game at 2-2. However, Josh Beckett shut the Angels down for the res of the inning and the next one, before Daniel Bard came in for him. The game remained scoreless until the top of the 11th, when the Red Sox put runners at first and third with no outs to begin the inning. Adrian Gonzalez promptly shot a double along the right field line to give the Sox a 3-2 lead. With no outs and the bases loaded, Jed Lowrie hit a sacrifice fly to center field, where Dustin Pedroia just came in.

Josh Beckett (top right) was simply amazing in his star, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, while striking out 5, through 8 innings. He earned a no-decision, and is now 2-1/1.93/28 on the season, as he's been great. Daniel Bard, Bobby Jenks, and Jonathan Papelbon each tossed a scoreless inning, Jenks (1-1/7.11/9) earned the win, and Papelbon (0-0/2.45/10 with 4 saves) the save. Dustin Pedroia had a great game, going 3-4 with 2 walks and a run scored. Adrian Gonzalez also had the key hit, going 2-5 with that big RBI double in the 11th inning, he is now .286/2/9. David Ortiz went 1-3 with a run and 2 walks last night. Jed Lowrie, who was 1-5, had another key hit with that sacrifice fly to center. Jacoby Ellsbury (left) went 1-4 with a key hit with that 2-run single. Tonight, Jon Lester (1-1/3.20/22) will take the hill against Dan Haren (4-0/1.16/27) in a probable duel.

Bright Spots:

Josh Beckett- 2 runs and 3 hits in 8 innings

Daniel Bard- a scoreless inning of relief

Bobby Jenks- A win in a scoreless inning

Jonathan Papelbon- The save in a scoreless inning

Dustin Pedroia- 3-4 with 2 walks and a run

Adrian Gonzalez- 2-5 with the go-ahead double

David Ortiz- 1-3 with 2 walks and a run scored

Jacoby Ellsbury- 1-4 with a key 2-run single

Dull Spots:

J.D. Drew- 0-4 despite 2 walks and a run

Marco Scutaro- 0-5 with a strikeout and 7 runners left on base

Carl Crawford- 0-3 with 2 strikeouts

Jason Varitek- 0-3 with 3 strikeouts

I am very glad the Sox kept their winning ways, and they are only one game from being out of the cellar.