That's how you win a doubleheader! After the Boston Red Sox blanked the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the first game, it was unlikely the Sox would shut them out again. The Rays did get two first inning runs against Derek Lowe (3-1, 4.98 ERA) to lead for the only time in the series.....but the Sox exploded against Tampa starter Damian Moss. The Sox got 5 runs off Moss highlighted by the Bill Mueller three run home run to chase him early. Pokey Reese added a two run single of John Halama and the Sox cruised from there. Lowe did allow a run in the fifth but Scott Williamson and Keith Foulke slammed the door in the final innings. The Sox swept the doubleheader and won this game 7-3 at Fenway Park.
The Devil Rays attacked Lowe in the top of the first inning as Carl Crawford doubled off the Monster to start. Julio Lugo dropped down a bunt but Lowe misplayed it for an error to move Crawford to third. Aubrey Huff grounded back to the mound to move Lugo to second and Baldelli grounded out to second to score Crawford. Robert Fick doubled to right to score Lugo with another run before Jose Cruz Jr grounded out to second to end the inning with the Devil Rays up 2-0.
The Sox exploded on Moss in the bottom of the first as Johnny Damon walked to start. Mueller singled to left and David Ortiz got a base hit to right to score Damon. A wild pitch moved the runners over and Manny Ramirez stroked a base hit to right to score Mueller. Jason Varitek crushed his fourth home run of the season to put the Sox on top and David McCarty singled to left. Mark Bellhorn took strike three but Gabe Kapler doubled to center to chase Moss. John Halama came in to pitch and Pokey Reese got a base hit to left to score Kapler and McCarty but Damon popped up to short. Mueller forced Reese at second to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-2.
Lowe settled down in the top of the second inning as Geoff Blum flied out to left to start. Toby Hall grounded out to second but Rey Sanchez singled to center. Crawford struck out swinging to end the inning. Ortiz flied out to right to begin the bottom of the seventh and Ramirez grounded out to third. Varitek grounded out to short to end the inning.
Lugo blooped a single to left to start the top of the third but Huff moved Julio to second with a grounder to short. Baldelli flied out to right but Fick walked. Cruz Jr struck out swinging to end the inning. McCarty grounded out to second to start the bottom of the third before Bellhorn struck out swinging. Kapler got the Rays asleep with a bunt single and stole second, but Reese grounded out to short to end the inning.
Blum got a seeing eye single into right field to start the top of the fourth but Hall grounded into a double play. Sanchez grounded out to second to end the inning. Damon grounded out to second to start the bottom of the fourth and Mueller grounded out to third. Ortiz struck out swinging to end the inning.
The Rays struck back in the top of the fifth as Crawford doubled to left and Lugo tripled into the left field corner. Huff popped up to second, Baldelli lined out to second and Fick grounded out to short to end the inning with the Rays down 7-3.
Ramirez grounded out to second to begin the bottom of the fifth before Varitek also grounded out to second. McCarty flied out to center to end the inning.
Cruz struck out swinging to start the top of the sixth and Blum grounded out to short. Hall got a base hit to right and Sanchez flied out to right to end the inning. Bellhorn grounded out to first to start the bottom of the sixth and Kapler grounded out to third. Reese got a base hit to right and moved to second on an error by Cruz. Trever Miller came in to pitch to Damon and Johnny grounded out to second to end the inning.
Lowe returned for one final inning in the top of the seventh as Crawford lined a ball off Derek to start. Lugo was hit with a pitch but Huff grounded into a double play. Baldelli grounded back to the mound to end the inning. Solid effort by Lowe who allowed 3 runs in 7 innings off 9 hits and a walk.
Good work Lowe
Mueller grounded out to short to open the bottom of the seventh and Ortiz did the same. Ramirez got a base hit to left and Varitek beat out a roller to short to chase Miller. Chad Gaudin walked McCarty to load the bases but Bellhorn popped up to first to end the inning.
Scott Williamson came in to pitch the top of the eighth with Cesar Crespo taking Ortiz' spot. Fick took strike three before Cruz drew a walk. Blum flied out to center and Hall struck out swinging to end the inning. Kapler watched strike three go by to start the bottom of the eighth before Reese flied out to center. Damon doubled off the Monster but Mueller struck out swinging to end the inning.
Keith Foulke came in to close out the top of the ninth and Sanchez grounded out to second to start. Crawford was frozen for strike three and Lugo went down hacking to end the game. The Sox had won the game 7-2.
Hero of The Night is Jason Varitek. His three run home run turned out to be the difference in the game.
The Good:
Manny Ramirez was 2 for 4 with an rbi and a run scored.
David McCarty was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Gabe Kapler was 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Pokey Reese was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.
Derek Lowe got the win by tossing 7 innings of 3 run (1 earned) ball while allowing 9 hits and a walk.
Scott Williamson tossed a scoreless eighth inning.
Keith Foulke pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
The Bad:
Mark Bellhorn was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
The Ugly:
Johnny Damon was just 1 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.
Bill Mueller was just 1 for 5 with a strikeout but scored a run.
David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but drove in a run and scored a run.
Honorable Mention:
Cesar Crespo played left field in the final innings.
Final Thoughts:
Good work by the Sox to sweep the doubleheader. The Sox offense only scored in one inning but it was enough to win the game. The rally showcased what a quick strike offense they are but going cold for eight innings was a little disappointing. Still, the way Lowe and the bullpen pitched, it didn't matter. Once again Williamson and Foulke slammed the door and the Sox are going to have a devastating bullpen moving forward. It was also good to see McCarty, Reese and Kapler contribute big hits as well. The Sox have a long way to go until Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon are healthy so Boston has to make due until then. Boston has one game left in the month of April and they can end on a high note big time. The Sox now travel to Texas for a three game set with the Rangers. Bronson Arroyo gets the start for the Sox against Ryan Drese of Texas. The game begins at 8:05 PM Eastern time at Arlington Park.
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