Lester, Once Again, Dominates Orioles (11-13)

Last night, the Red Sox beat the Orioles 6-2 to close the series on a dominating win. Jon Lester (right) improved to 14-0 against the Orioles in 17 matches. In the 1st inning, after a double by Jacoby Ellsbury, Adrian Gonzalez doubled him back in to make it 1-0 Red Sox. In the bottom of the 1st, the Orioles tied it on an RBI single by Derrek Lee. In the top of the 3rd, the dynamic duo of Ellsbury and Gonzalez struck again, as Gonzalez singled him in, to make it 2-1 Red Sox. In the bottom of the 6th, however, the Orioles tied it again, as Vladimir Guerrero homered to center field. After a Carl Crawford double to lead the inning, Dustin Pedroia pushed him in with an RBI single in the 7th inning. With the bases loaded in the 8th inning, an RBI single by Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a 2-run single by Jacoby Ellsbury made it 6-2 Red Sox, how it stayed.

Jon Lester was very good, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 5 strikeouts through 8 innings. He earned the win, and is now 3-1/2.52/35 in April, easily the best April of his career. Jonathan Papelbon relieved him with a lights out 9th inning, to close the game. Jacoby Ellsbury had a fantastic game, going 3-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI, he is now .264/4/14 this year. Dustin Pedroia went 2-5 with an RBI to make him .278/2/8 this season. Adrian Gonzalez went 3-5 with 2 RBIs, and is now .306/1/15 to start the season. David Ortiz went 2-5 with a run scored, despite 4 runners left on base. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (left) went 1-4 with an RBI and Carl Crawford went 1-4 with a run scored. Tonight, the Red Sox will head back to Fenway to face the Mariners after a 6-3 road trip, and send Daisuke Matsuzaka (2-2/4.09/16) to face Jason Vargas (0-2/5.53/21).

Bright Spots:

Jon Lester- 2 runs in 8 innings, plus the win

Jonathan Papelbon- a scoreless inning of relief

Jacoby Ellsbury- 3-5 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI

Dustin Pedroia- 2-5 with an RBI

Adrian Gonzalez- 3-5 with 2 RBI

David Ortiz- 2-5 with a run scored

Jarrod Saltalamacchia- 1-4 with an RBI

Carl Crawford- 1-4 with a run scored

Dull Spots:

Marco Scutaro- 0-4 with 4 runners left on base

I am happy that the Sox will head into the Mariners series with some momentum, they need to win this series.