As expected, it was learned before the game that Andrew Bailey was removed as Red Sox closer. Koji Uehara would assume the duty until further notice. Also, tomorrow's starter appears to be Allen Webster for sure. This means either Pedro Beato, Alfredo Aceves, Alex Wilson or someone else has got to go.
Unlike the previous few games, the Bosox wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out then Shane Victorino stepped up to launch a rocket to right field for his 3rd home run of the season.
Dustin Pedroia singled but David Ortiz hit into a double play to end the inning. The Tigers threatened in the first against Lester. Tori Hunter bashed a one out double and Miguel Cabrera singled him to third...but molasses-like-quick Prince Fielder bounced into a double play to end the inning. Mike Napoli singled to lead off the top of the second and two ground-outs advanced him to third, but PU Drew flied out to end the inning. The Tigers struck in the bottom of the second. Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta hit back to back singles but Lester fought back to whiff Avisail Garcia and get Andy Dirks on a fly out. Unfortunately Brayan Pena singled to tie the game. Omar Infante grounded out but the Tigers already had 5 hits in just 2 innings.
The Sox fought back in the top of the third. Ellsbury singled and Victorino singled him to third. Pedroia then scored Ellsbury with a ground out to take the lead 2-1. Tigers manager Jim Leyland intentionally walked Ortiz to get to Napoli and the gamble worked as Mike grounded out to end the frame. Cabrera worked a one out walk but Fielder once again hit into a double play to end the bottom half of the third.
More Sox magic in the 4th inning happened when Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Drew hit back to back one out singles. Jose Iglesias beat out a throw for yet another infield single to load the bases. Ellsbury then doubled home 2 of the runners to make it 4-1. The suddenly red hot Victorino singled home Iglesias and Ellsbury to up the lead 6-1. Pedroia singled to chase Fister from the game. Darin Downs came in and got Ortiz to once again ground into a double play.
Staked to a 6-1 lead, Lester worked a clean bottom of the 4th inning. Napoli singled but was doubled off of first by Fielder who snared a line drive by Daniel Nava. Salty struck out to end the frame. Just as soon as the Sox got comfortable with the lead, Lester nearly gave it away. Andy Dirks led off the inning with a towering home run and Pena followed with a single. Infante popped up but Tori Hunter singled as well. League MVP Cabrera remained red hot by belting a 3 run home run that cut lead 6-5. Fielder flied out but Victor Marinez walked. Peralta popped up to end the inning but the Tigers had scored 5 runs off Lester in just 5 innings.
Iglesias struck a one out triple but looked to be stranded when Ellsbury struck out. Luckily Victorino was on the scene and he singled home Jose to increase the lead 7-5. 4 of the rbi's came from Victorino alone. Lester punched out Garcia, walked Dirks and punched out Pena before Sox manager John Farrell pulled the plug after 102 pitches. Junichi Tazawa was brought in and he got Infante to fly out to end the inning. Lester's not doing the Sox any favors by failing to last 6 innings.
Phil Coke replaced Downs and worked a clean top of the 7th. Taz got Hunter to ground out to begin the bottom of the 7th but Cabrera chased him with a single. Craig Breslow relieved Tazawa and got the next 2 outs no problem. The Sox put the game away in the top of the 8th. Salty walked and Drew hit a ground rule double to chase Coke. Al Alburquerque (there's a mouthful) replaced Coke and got Iglesias to ground out. In what was a stupid move, Leyland had Ellsbury intentionally walked to get to Victorino. Shane made them pay by grounding into a fielder's choice which scored Salty with the game's 8th run. Victorino had driven in as many runs by himself as all 9 Tigers combined. Pedroia popped up but Drew scored on a wild pitch to make it 9-5. Ortiz was also intentionally walked but this time Napoli popped up to end the inning.
Breslow worked around a 2 out walk to retire the side without a run allowed. The Sox offense put the exclamation point in the top of the 9th. Evan Reed took over for the Tigers and whiffed both Nava and Saltalamcchia to begin the inning. PU Drew singled and Iglesias singled to center which the bobbled ball by Garcia allowed Drew to score and Iglesias to reach second. Ellsbury lined out to end the frame. Andrew Miller had mop up duty in the 9th. Infante struck out but Hunter walked. Cabrera continued to be a pain in the ass by singling Hunter to third. Miller got Fielder to ground out but Hunter scored. Martinez grounded out to end the game and the Sox had won the slugfest 10-6.
THE GOOD:
Hero of the night is a no brainer. Shane Victorino nearly beat the Tigers by himself, going 4 for 5 with a home run, run scored and FIVE rbi's.
Hero of the Night
Jacoby Ellsbury was 2 for 5 with a run scored, walk and 2 rbi's himself. Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 5 with an rbi. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was 1 for 4 with a walk and scored both times he was on. Mike Napoli was 2 for 5. PU Drew was 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored. Jose Iglesias was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored. Craig Breslow pitched 1 2/3's scoreless innings.
THE BAD:
Jon Lester does it again. He gave up 9 hits and 3 walks for 5 runs without finishing the 6th inning. He got the win but his 7-4 record is matched by his 4.57 ERA. Daniel Nava was 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts. Just as soon as everyone called for Nava to be on the all-star team, he's been in a complete slump, dropping his average to .275, which isn't bad but nearly 100 points lower than Miguel Cabrera's .368. Andrew Miller allowed a run in mop up duty in the 9th.
THE UGLY:
David Ortiz was 0 for 3 but was intentionally walked twice. Junichi Tazawa retired 2 of the 3 batters he faced but was pulled for Craig Breslow.
Final Thoughts:
This team is in deep trouble. Buchholz is on the DL again and Lester continues to stink. Now that they have closer issues, deep starts are very important. You can't expect the trio of Lackey, Doubront and Dempster to give 7 innings of 3 run ball every single outing. It looks like Lackey is able to do it but not the other two. Still, if the offense picks up like tonight then things won't be half bad. The win, combines with the O's loss pushed the Sox to 45-31, 2 1/2 games in front. Amazing how the Sox were never meant to be a contender yet have been in a fight for first virtually all season. If the bullpen can hold up and the Sox get timely hitting, it may not be a lost season. Tomorrow rookie Allen Webster takes the mound against undefeated Max Scherzer (10-0). If Bailey hadn't blown the previous game, this one would be considered a throw-away. As it stands now, its a crucial game of the series.
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