Big Eighth Gives Sox Another Win Over Angels (14-15)

Last night, the Red Sox blew a close game into 7-3 blowout in one big inning, as it was a duel for much of the game. In the 2nd inning, the Angels got ahead with a homer over the green monster by Mark Trumbo to make it 1-0 Angels. In the bottom of the 6th, the Red Sox got it all tied up, and then some with RBI singles for Adrian Gonzalez and Jed Lowrie to make it 2-1 Red Sox. After a Carl Crawford single with 1 out in the 7th, Jarrod Saltalamacchia hammered the ball off the center-most part of the monster for a double that would be a home run in most ballparks, 3-1 Red Sox. In the bottom of the 8th, the Red Sox had their first back-to-back home runs of the season by Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz, making it 5-1 Red Sox. Then, later in the inning, a two-run shot by Marco Scutaro was reviewed, as it looked like a fan had caught it, but it was called a home run to make it 7-1 Red Sox. An RBI ground-rule double by Erick Aybar and a sac fly by Jeff Mathis ended the game at 7-3 Red Sox.

Jon Lester (top right) threw a gem last night, allowing just 1 run and 6 hits while striking out 11 batters in 7 innings. He is now 4-1/2.33/46 after earning the win, and dropping his ERA considerably, last night. Daniel Bard pitched a scoreless inning, before Jonathan Papelbon allowed 2 runs in an inning to close out the game. Adrian Gonzalez had a great game, going 2-4 with 2 RBIs while scoring twice, he is now .316/2/20. David Ortiz went 2-4 with a home run, as he is now .286/4/16. Jed Lowrie went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Marco Scutaro went 2-4 with that big 2-run homer, he is now .197/1/8 this year, as he's been off. Carl Crawford has really been hot lately, as after a 2-3 day, he brought his average up to .194 after being so low. Jarrod Saltalamacchia went 1-4 with an RBI double off the wall. Tonight at 7:10, Josh Beckett (2-1/2.65/32) will go against Ervin Santana (1-3/4.89/33).

Bright Spots:

Jon Lester- 1 run and 11 strikeouts in just 7 innings

Daniel Bard- a scoreless inning of relief

Adrian Gonzalez- a home run and an RBI in a 2-4 day

David Ortiz- 2-4 with a home run

Jed Lowrie- 2-4 with an RBI single

Marco Scutaro- 2-4 with a 2-run homer

Carl Crawford- 2-3 with a run scored and a stolen base

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 1-4 with an RBI double

Dull Spots:

Jonathan Papelbon- 2 runs in an inning of relief could have been bad if it were a different game

Dustin Pedroia- 0-4 with a strikeout

J.D. Drew- 0-4 with 3 strikeouts and 3 runners left on base

Here the Red Sox stand, one game from .500 after a 2-10 start, let's go undefeated in May!