Ryan Dempster got the start for the Sox in the top of the first and got Robbie Grossman to line out to second. Jose Altuve doubled but Jason Castro struck out. Dempster misfired with a pickoff throw and Altuve was safe at third but Ryan struck out Brandon Laird to end the inning. The Sox wasted no time getting to Erik Bedard in the bottom of the first inning. Jacoby Ellsbury reached on an infield single but Jonny Gomes struck out. Dustin Pedroia put the Sox on top with a double that scored Ellsbury. David Ortiz whiffed and Mike Napoli flied out to end the inning.
Dempster cruised in the top of the second inning. Carlos Pena and Chris Carter both struck out and Fernando "Cinco-cinco-cinco nuevedos-nuevedos" Martinez grounded out to end the inning. The Sox struck again in the bottom of the second. Daniel Nava flied out and Will Middlebrooks popped up but David Ross crushed a 425 foot bomb over the Monster to give the Sox a 2-0 lead. Pedro Ciriaco tripled to light up the crowd but Ellsbury grounded out to end the inning. Way to go Ross.
The Astros struck back in the top of the third inning. Matt Dominguez doubled to start and moved to third on the Marwin Gonzalez fly out. Grossman grounded out but Dominguez scored to cut the lead in half. Altuve flied out to end the inning but it was now 2-1 Sox. The Sox answered in the bottom of the third. Gomes struck out but Pedroia stroked a ground rule double. Ortiz struck out but Napoli doubled home Pedroia. Nava struck out to end the inning but the Sox were up 3-1.
The Astros threatened in the top of the fourth when Castro hit a leadoff double. Dempster recovered to strike out both Laird and Pena. Carter walked but Martinez whiffed to end the inning. Bedard returned for the bottom of the fourth and immediately regretted it as Middlebrooks and Ross smashed back to back jacks to chase him.
Paul Clemens took over for Bedard and Ciriaco lined out to left. Ellsbury and Gomes grounded out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 5-1.
The Astros didn't go quietly in the top of the fifth. Dominguez hit a leadoff double but Gonzalez struck out. A wild pitch moved Dominguez to third as Grossman walked. Altuve hit a sac fly to score Dominguez but Castro lined out to end the inning. The Sox still led 5-2. The Sox got that run right back in the bottom of the fifth. Pedroia grounded out and Ortiz swatted his second home run of the year to make the crowd happy. Napoli and Nava struck out to end the inning with the Sox ahead 6-2.
Dempster returned for the top of the sixth and struck out Laird to start the inning. Pena walked but Carter struck out. Martinez grounded out to end the inning. Dempster had tossed 6 innings of 2 run ball, a solid effort.
Clemens returned for the bottom of the sixth and struck out Middlebrooks. Ross remained red hot with a single. Ciriaco popped up as Ellsbury singled Ross to third. Jacoby swiped second but Gomes struc out to end the inning.
Clayton "Vigo" Mortensen took over for the top of the seventh and he plunked Dominguez. Gonzalez bunted his way on as Dominguez moved to third on the muff by Napoli. Grossman struck out and that was it for Mortensen. Junichi Tazawa came in to pitch and Altuve hit a sac fly to score Dominguez. Castro singled but Taz froze Laird to end the inning with the score now 6-3. Wesley Wright took over for the bottom of the seventh and Pedroia greeted him with a single. Ortiz grounded into a double play but Napoli doubled. Nava grounded out to end the inning.
Koji Uehara got the call for the top of the 8th inning. Pena grounded out but Carter doubled. Martinez advanced Carter with a ground-out and Dominguez struck out to end the inning. Rhiner Cruz got the call for the bottom of the 8th and the Sox quickly erased the save situation. Middlebrooks reached on an infield single and the red hot Ross singled again. Ciriaco blooped a single to load the bases but Middlebrooks was doubled off first on the scalding liner by Ellsbury. Gomes singled home Ross but Pedroia struck out to end the inning with the Sox up 7-3.
With the save situation gone, rookie Alex Wilson was brought in to pitch the top of the ninth inning. Gonzalez grounded out and Grossman struck out looking. Altuve flied out to center to end the game. The Sox had won it 7-3.
Hero of the Night is David Ross. The old pro went 4 for 4 with two home runs and 3 runs scored.
The Good:
Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 5 with a run scored and a stolen base.
Dustin Pedroia was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Mike Napoli was 2 for 4 with an rbi.
Will Middlebrooks was 2 for 4 with a run scored and an rbi coming off his solo home run.
Pedro Ciriaco was 2 for 4.
Ryan Dempster earned the win with 6 innings of 2 run ball.
Koji Uehara pitched a scoreless 8th inning
Alex Wilson pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
The Bad:
Daniel Nava was 0 for 4 with 2 stikeouts.
Clayton Mortensen allowed a run in just 1/3 of an inning.
The Ugly:
Jonny Gomes was just 1 for 5 with an rbi.
David Ortiz was just 1 for 4 with his one hit being a solo home run.
Junichi Tazawa allowed an inherited runner to score but didn't give up any of his own in 2.3 of an inning.
Final Thoughts:
One game after I said they needed more production from the bottom of the order, Middlebrooks and Ross go off for 6 hits in 8 at-bats with 3 home runs. It obviously wont last but every win counts and tonight was another great effort by the Sox. 16 wins in 23 games is nothing to sneeze at, especially with a team not expected to contend. I will say if Napoli plays to his standard, that's a hell of a top four with him, Ortiz, Pedroia and Ellsbury. Carp off the bench has been good in spot starts although the Sox could probably upgrade Pedro Ciriaco with Jose Iglesias the slick fielder in Pawtucket. Tomorrow night is Game 3 of the four game set with Felix Doubront (3-0) matched up with Brad Peacock at 7:05 PM. Get your DVR's ready!
One game after I said they needed more production from the bottom of the order, Middlebrooks and Ross go off for 6 hits in 8 at-bats with 3 home runs. It obviously wont last but every win counts and tonight was another great effort by the Sox. 16 wins in 23 games is nothing to sneeze at, especially with a team not expected to contend. I will say if Napoli plays to his standard, that's a hell of a top four with him, Ortiz, Pedroia and Ellsbury. Carp off the bench has been good in spot starts although the Sox could probably upgrade Pedro Ciriaco with Jose Iglesias the slick fielder in Pawtucket. Tomorrow night is Game 3 of the four game set with Felix Doubront (3-0) matched up with Brad Peacock at 7:05 PM. Get your DVR's ready!
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