Timely Hitting Tarnishes Weaver's Perfect Record (13-15)

Last night, the Red Sox beat the Angels 9-5, as they remained perfect against the Angels this year, beating one of the top hurlers in the game, Jered Weaver. After Jacoby Ellsbury reached first base, and stole second to begin the ballgame, Kevin Youkilis drove him in with an RBI single to left. The Angels tied the game with an RBI single by Bobby Abreu in the 3rd inning. They then took the lead in the 5th inning, after loading the bases, Bobby Abreu bounced a ball up the middle that Dustin Pedroia caught and made one out on, 2-1 Angels. In the bottom of the 5th, Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury reached 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. Dustin Pedroia crunched out a 13-pitch at-bat before delivering a single up the middle to make it 3-2 Red Sox. In the 7th, the Sox went wild, as Adrian Gonzalez cleared the bases with a double, and Kevin Youkilis drove him in with a double, setting up a 2-run homer by David Ortiz, once all the madness was over, it was 9-2 Red Sox. In the top of the 8th, the Angels cut the lead a little on a 2-run shot by Vernon Wells making it 9-4. And in the 9th, an RBI double by Jeff Mathis made it 9-5, but it was not nearly enough.

Clay Buchholz (top right) pitched his first legitimately good start of the year, allowing 2 runs through 6 2/3 strong innings. He picked up the win, and is now 2-3/4.81/17 to start the season. Daniel Bard followed with 1/3 of a scoreless inning, before Dan Wheeler exploded with 3 runs in 1 1/3 innings, as he hasn't been too sharp this year. Hideki Okajima closed the game with 2/3 of an inning. Jacoby Ellsbury had a very good game, going 2-4 with 3 runs scored last night. Dustin Pedroia (left) only went 1-4 but had the key hit of the game with that 2-run single. Adrian Gonzalez also only went 1-4 but had a key 3-run double, as he is now .310/1/18 this year. Kevin Youkilis went 2-4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored, as did David Ortiz, but Ortiz' came on a homer. Carl Crawford had a good game, going 2-4 with a double and a run scored, as he's pushed that batting average up to .181. Tonight, in another pitcher's duel, Jon Lester (3-1/2.52/35) will go up against Dan Haren (4-1/1.23/38).

Bright Spots:

Clay Buchholz- 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings, along with a win

Jacoby Ellsbury- 2-4 with 3 runs scored

Dustin Pedroia- 1-4 with 2 RBI

Adrian Gonzalez- 1-4 with 3 RBI

Kevin Youkilis- 2-4 with 2 RBI

David Ortiz- 2-4 with a 2-run home run

Carl Crawford- 2-4 with a run scored

Dull Spots:

Dan Wheeler- 3 runs in 1 1/3 innings

J.D. Drew- 0-4 with a strikeout

Jed Lowrie- 0-4 with a strikeout

I'm so happy that the Sox could beat one of the best in the game, and in May we are 2-0!