Ortiz Lifts Sox In Comeback Win Over Twins (71-43)

Last night the Red Sox played a great game against the Twins, they came back from a 5-1 deficit to win 8-6. In the 2nd inning, the Sox took an early lead when Marco Scutaro drove in David Ortiz on an RBI single. However, in the bottom of the 2nd, the Twins led off the inning with a double by Michael Cuddyer (of whom I have an autographed ball). A Jason Kubel single was next, driving him in and making it 1-1. Kubel quickly scored as Jim Thome was behind him with a double. Later in the inning, Thome scored on a passed ball to make it 3-1. In the 4th, Kubel hit a high fly ball to right field which found the seats to make it 4-1. Then, in the bottom of the 5th, Trevor Plouffe scored on a double by Joe Mauer. However, in the 5th, the Sox got off to an awesome start on a triple by Carl Crawford. An Adrian Gonzalez fly ball came next, scoring Crawford and making it 5-2. After a Dustin Pedroia single, David Ortiz crushed a homer to right field to make it 5-4. Then, in the very next at-bat, Jarrod Saltalamacchia crushed a homer to right to tie it up at 5-5. In the 8th, with Ortiz on 3rd, Mike Aviles grounded a ball to the shortstop, who threw it home, but it bounced off Joe Mauer's glove and Papi scored to make it 6-5. However, Jason Kubel had another RBI single in the 8th, which robbed to Sox of a lead. In the 9th, with runners at 1st and 2nd with 2 outs, David Ortiz lined a ball to center and pinch-runner Darnell McDonald came around to make it 7-6. The next batter, Jarrod Saltalamacchia doubled in Dustin Pedroia to make it 8-6.

Tim Wakefield started out not well, but he settled down, allowing 5 runs, 3 earned in 7 innings, as he is now 6-4/4.92/62. He was relieved with Alfredo Aceves, who allowed 1 run in an inning, and Jonathan Papelbon, who got the save with a scoreless inning. Jacoby Ellsbury had a good game, going 2-5. Adrian Gonzalez also had a good game, going 2-3 with an RBI. Dustin Pedroia went 2-5 with 2 runs scored out of the cleanup role. David Ortiz had a great game though, going 4-5 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBIs, including a 2-run homer, as he is now .295/22/74. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (left) also had a good game, going 2-5 with a homer and 2 RBIs, as he is now .257/11/38. Marco Scutaro had another good day, going 3-4 with an RBI. Tonight, Erik Bedard (4-7/3.55/92) and Francisco Liriano (7-9/5.03/93) pitch.

Bright Spots:

Tim Wakefield- although his stats don't reflect it, he was pretty good for most of the game

Jonathan Papelbon- lights out, with 2 strikeouts in an inning

Jacoby Ellsbury- 2-5

Adrian Gonzalez- 2-3 with an RBI

Dustin Pedroia- 2-5 with 2 runs scored

David Ortiz- 4-5 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs, including a 2-run homer

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 2-5 with a homer and 2 RBIs

Marco Scutaro- 3-4 with an RBI

Dull Spots:

Alfredo Aceves- cost Wakefield his 200th win by allowing the tying run

Josh Reddick- 0-3 with a strikeout

The Sox played really well last night, and I'm glad they could come back!