Red Sox Walk All Over Shields, Rays (56-36)

Yes, I'm back! And I was welcomed home with a win, as the Red Sox beat the Rays 9-5 in a good win for the Sox. The Rays took an early lead in the 1st as they scored three times on RBI singles by Casey Kotchman, Matt Joyce, and B.J. Upton. However, the Sox got right back in it in the 2nd inning on a 2-run homer by Josh Reddick to make it 3-2 Rays. In the 3rd, the Red Sox took a 5-3 lead on a 2-run double by David Ortiz and an RBI double by J.D. Drew. In the 4th, the lead was extended on a solo home run by Jacoby Ellsbury to make it 6-3 early in the game. In the 5th, the Rays scored on a solo home run by Matt Joyce to cut the lead to 6-4. However, the Sox got the run back in the 7th on a solo home run by Dustin Pedroia. The Sox then loaded the bases in the 9th inning, and a Kevin Youkilis walk and a David Ortiz groundout made it 9-4. The Rays cut it on an RBI single by Evan Longoria to make it 9-5, but it wasn't nearly enough.

John Lackey was alright at best, allowing 4 runs, 3 earned in 5 2/3 innings. He earned the win and is now 7-8/6.70/52. Randy Williams tossed a scoreless inning, Daniel Bard threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings and Jonathan Papelbon allowed a run in a scoreless inning. Jacoby Ellsbury had a good game, going 2-4 with a home run and 2 runs scored, he is now .317/13/51. Dustin Pedroia went 2-5 with a solo home run, as he is now .291/13/46. Kevin Youkilis went 1-3 with a run and an RBI in a good day. David Ortiz only went 1-5 but he had 3 RBIs, his 56th, 57th, and 58th of the year. Josh Reddick went 1-4 with a 2-run homer as he is now .379/3/17. Tomorrow night, Josh Beckett (8-3/2.27/94) and Jeff Niemann (4-4/4.53/33) will square off in the series finale.

Bright Spots:

Randy Williams- a scoreless inning

Daniel Bard- 1 1/3 scoreless innings

Jacoby Ellsbury- 2-4 with 2 runs and a solo shot

Dustin Pedroia- 2-5 with a solo home run

Kevin Youkilis- 1-3 with a run and an RBI

David Ortiz- 1-5 with 3 RBIs

Josh Reddick- 1-4 with a 2-run homer

Dull Spots:

Adrian Gonzalez- 0-4 with a run scored

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 0-3 with a run scored

Overall, this was a good game, and I'm glad to be back.