Game Gets Away From Bard In The 8th (66-41)

Last night, the Red Sox played a really tough game against the Sox where we just couldn't hold on. The Sox took an early lead in the 2nd on an RBI single by Marco Scutaro, making it 1-0. However, the Indians got it back on an RBI double by Michael Brantley to tie it up. In the bottom of the 3rd, and Adrian Gonzalez on 1st, Kevin Youkilis tripled to center to make it 2-1. Later in the inning, a solo homer by Carl Crawford made it 3-1. In the 4th, Asdrubal Cabrera scored on a forceout by Kosuke Fukudome. In the 6th, Jason Kipnis doubled to right with one out, and the next batter Asdrubal Cabrera homered to right to make it 4-3. The next batter, Travis Hafner, then went back-to-back with him as he crushed another homer to make it 5-3. In the bottom of the 6th, with Carl Crawford on 2nd, Jarrod Saltalamacchia homered around the pesky pole on a broken bat to tie it up. After Jason Kipnis singled to lead off the 8th, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a deep drive to right which hit off the fence for a single; or so it would seem, the play was overturned as a home run to makeit 7-5. Later in the inning, an RBI double by Matt LaPorta hit an RBI single to make it 8-5. In the 9th, Jason Kipnis lifted a high fly ball to right that just got over Josh Reddick's glove for a home run, making it 9-5. In the bottom of the 9th, the Red Sox got two outs quickly before Mike Aviles lined a ball to right and stole second. Jacoby Ellsbury then hit a ground-rule double down the left field line to cut the lead to 9-6.

John Lackey was not terribly good or bad, as he allowed 5 runs in 6 2/3 innings, he is now 9-8/6.23/71. Franklin Morales tossed a scoreless 1/3 of an inning, Daniel Bard allowed 3 runs in another third inning. Randy Williams allowed no runs in 2/3 of an inning, and Matt Albers allowed one run. Dustin Pedroia went 2-5, raising his average to .310. Kevin Youkilis had a good game, going 2-4 with an RBI on his 2nd triple of the year. Carl Crawford had a pretty good day, going 2-4 with 2 runs and a solo home run, as he is now .248/7/37. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (left) also had a good game, going 2-4 with 2 runs and a 2-run homer as he is now .265/10/36. Tonight, Josh Beckett (9-4/2.17/115) and David Huff (1-1/0.71/9) will square off.

Bright Spots:

Dustin Pedroia- 2-5

Kevin Youkilis- 2-4 with an RBI triple

Carl Crawford- 2-4 with 2 runs and an RBI

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 2-4 with 2 runs and a 2-run homer

Marco Scutaro/Mike Aviles- 2-4 with a run and an RBI

Dull Spots:

Daniel Bard- 3 runs, 2 earned in 1/3 of an inning

David Ortiz- 0-4 with 2 runners left on base

Last night was a tough game, and I hope they rebound tonight.