Crawford's Homer the Difference In Win Over A's (33-26)

Today, the Red Sox concluded a 3-game sweep of the A's with a 6-3 win. The Red Sox got going in the 2nd inning, when, after singles by David Ortiz and Jed Lowrie to start the inning, Carl Crawford drove them in with a 3-run homer into the bullpen to give the Sox a 3-0 lead. In the 3rd, the A's cut the lead a little as Kevin Kouzmanoff went yard off John Lackey to make it 3-1. They cut it further in the 4th, as Daric Barton drove in Kurt Suzuki with 2 outs. However, in the 4th, a 2-run homer by Adrian Gonzalez extended the lead to 5-2 for the Red Sox. In the 6th, Conor Jackson came in to score on a double by Daric Barton to make it 5-3. In the 6th, Jacoby Ellsbury raced home on an opposite field single by Dustin Pedroia to make it 6-3, the final score.

John Lackey was pretty good in his first game back from the DL, allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits in 5 2/3 innings, as he is now 3-5/7.60/21, as he has not been sharp this year. Matt Albers pitched a scoreless inning before Tommy Hottovy pitched 1/3 of one, and Dan Wheeler and Daniel Bard each threw a scoreless inning after that. Dustin Pedroia had a good game, going 2-3 with an RBI single, as he is now .244/4/20. Adrian Gonzalez only went 1-4, but he did have that big 2-run homer, and he is now .339/12/50, as he has been great. David Ortiz did a good job of reaching base, as he went 3-4 and scored a run. Carl Crawford (left) went 1-2 with a big 3-run shot, as he is now a much improved .248/5/29. Jarrod Saltalamacchia also had a good game, going 3-4 with a run scored and a triple. After a day off tomorrow, the Red Sox will head to the Bronx and send Jon Lester (7-2/3.94/74) against Freddy Garcia (4-4/3.34/41).

Bright Spots:

John Lackey- I was impressed with his outing, 3 runs in 5 2/3 innings

Matt Albers- a scoreless inning of relief

Dan Wheeler- a scoreless inning of relief

Daniel Bard- the save in a a scoreless inning of relief

Dustin Pedroia- 2-3 with an RBI

Adrian Gonzalez- 1-4 with a 2-run homer

David Ortiz- 3-4 with a run scored

Carl Crawford- 1-2 with a 3-run homer

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 3-4 with a run and a triple

Dull Spots:

Kevin Youkilis- 0-4 with a strikeout

Mike Cameron- 0-3 with a strikeout

Well, sweep or get swept, the Sox swept them this time.