Death By Pitching For Astros, As Red Sox Dominate (48-34)

Last night, the Red Sox routed the Astros 10-4 in a fitting way to send me on my way to camp. The Red Sox got off to a good start early, putting runners at first and third to start the game. Adrian Gonzalez hit a single through the right side, scoring Ellsbury and making it 1-0. The Red Sox proceeded to load the bases in the inning, setting up for a walk to David Ortiz to make it 2-0. Then, Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounded into a 5-4-3 double play, but the run still scored to make it 3-0. In the bottom half, Angel Sanchez singled after a Michael Bourn triple to make it 3-1. It stayed like that until the 5th, when consecutive doubles by Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia made it 4-1. In the 6th, Hunter Pence homered to left field to make it 4-2. In the 7th, Yamaico Navarro came in to pinch hit for the pitcher, and hit his first career home run on a shot to left field to make it 5-2. In the bottom half, the Astros loaded the bases, and the Red Sox walked Hunter Pence to make it 5-3. In the 8th, the Red Sox loaded the bases, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a sacrifice fly to make it 6-3. Then, Darnell McDonald came up, I expected him to ground into a double play and the inning would be over, instead, he put the game away on a blast to left field. A BLAST. Then in the 9th, an RBI single by Kevin Youkilis made it 10-3. In the 9th, a Matt Downs RBI single made it 10-4, but that was it.

Andrew Miller has greatly impressed me so far, with another good start tonight, going 6 innings and allowing 2 runs. He is now 2-0/3.06/13. Alfredo Aceves allowed a run in 2/3 of an inning, Bard threw a scoreless third, Jenks tossed a scoreless inning, and Wheeler allowed a run in an inning. Jacoby Ellsbury went 1-4 with 2 runs scored. Dustin Pedroia (left) went 3-5 with a run and an RBI along with 3 double plays turned. Adrian Gonzalez went 3-5 with 3 runs and an RBI in a good game, raising the average to .353. Kevin Youkilis went 3-5 with a run and an RBI. Darnell McDonald only went 1-4, but that home run was too big to let go of, he is now .125/2/6, ouch. And, props to Yamaico Navarro on his first major league home run, ask my mom, I believed in you! Today, Josh Beckett (6-3/2.20/80) will go for the sweep against Jordan Lyles (0-3/4.50/28).

Bright Spots:

Andrew Miller- 2 runs in 6 innings, another impressive outing

Bobby Jenks- a scoreless inning of relief (for once)

Jacoby Ellsbury- 1-4 with 2 runs scored

Dustin Pedroia- 3-5 with a run and an RBI

Adrian Gonzalez- 3-5 with 3 runs and an RBI

Kevin Youkilis- 3-5 with a run and an RBI

Darnell McDonald- 1-4 with a crushed 3-run homer

Yamaico Navarro- first MLB home run, need I say anything else?

Dull Spots:

Alfredo Aceves- a run in 2/3 of an inning

Marco Scutaro- 0-4

The Red Sox crushed the Astros, and I'm glad I can leave town on a good note. Bye!