As for the game, that's more like it Eduardo Rodriguez (2-2, 5.88 ERA). For the second time in three starts Eduardo has pitched well now. Tonight he grounded the Detroit Tigers, holding them to just two hits and a run in 6 innings of work. The offense took a 4-1 lead before exploding late to pound out 12 hits and 11 runs. The Sox finally won a game they didn't trail in by multiple runs with a 11-4 victory at Fenway Park.
Rodriguez came out strong in the top of the first inning, getting Jeimer Candelario to ground out to short to start. Nicholas Castellanos walked before Miguel Cabrera lined out to right. Niko Goodrum whiffed to end the inning. The Sox failed to score in the bottom of the first against starter Tyson Ross as Andrew Benintendi whiffed to start. Mr. Mookie Betts looked at strike three before Mitch Moreland grounded out to second to end the inning.
Rodriguez got Brandon Dixon to ground out to short to open the top of the second before Ronny Rodriguez struck out swinging. Gordon Beckham whiffed to end the inning. The Sox actually got a clutch hit in the bottom of the second inning as JD Martinez singled to start. Martinez moved to second on the Xander Bogaerts force and he scored on the Rafael Devers base hit. Devers managed to get himself thrown out at second trying to steal before Michael Chavis walked. Jackie Bradley Jr singled Chavis to third and Christian Vazquez singled home Chavis to increase the lead. Benintendi lined out to center to end the inning but it was 2-0 Sox.
Rodriguez kept up the pace in the top of the third as Grayson Greiner grounded out to third to start. JaCoby Jones looked at strike three before Candelario flied out to right to end the inning. Nothing happened in the bottom of the third as Mr. Mookie whiffed to start. Moreland grounded out to second but Martinez ripped a ground rule double into the left field stands. Bogaerts grounded out to third to end the inning.
Rodriguez came out firing in the top of the fourth as Castellanos lined out to right to start. Cabrera whiffed before Goodrum grounded out to third to end the inning. Rodriguez had yet to allow a hit through four innings. The Sox went quietly in the bottom of the fourth as Devers grounded out to third, Chavis whiffed and JBJ lined out to right to end the inning.
The Tigers threatened in the top of the fifth as Dixon walked to start. Rodriguez flied out to right but Beckham broke up a no hitter with a base hit to center. Rodriguez recovered to strike out Geiner and Jones to end the inning. The Sox got some much needed insurance in the bottom of the fifth although Vazquez flied out to right to start. Benintendi walked and scored on the Mr. Mookie double off the top of the wall. Moreland walked and Martinez singled home Betts. Bogaerts whiffed and Devers flied out to left to end the inning but it was 4-0 Sox.
Eduardo came back for one final inning although he got in trouble in the top of the sixth. Candelario doubled to center and Castellanos walked before JBJ robbed Cabrera of a triple. Candelario moved to third and he scored on the Goodrum sac fly. Dixon popped up to first to end the inning and that was it for Rodriguez. Eduardo was outstanding, tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball while allowing just 2 hits as the Sox were ahead 4-1
Reed Garrett took over for the bottom of the sixth and Chavis walked to start. JBJ flied out to center and Chavis was gunned down at second on a pitch out. Vazquez walked but Benintendi flied out to right to end the inning.
Brandon Workman took over for the top of the seventh and he struck out Rodriguez to start. Beckham walked but Workman struck out both Greiner and Jones to end the inning. Betts hustled down the line to beat out an infield single to start the bottom of the seventh but Moreland flied out to center. Martinez flied out to right but Bogaerts singled. Jose Manuel Fernandez replaced Garrett and Devers grounded back to the mound to end the inning.
Matt Barnes came in for the top of the eighth and he blew away Candelario on a full count to start. Castellanos struck out swinging but Cabrera singled. Goodrum walked and Dizon singled to load the bases. Just like that the Tigers were one swing of the bat away from taking the lead but Barnes blew away Rodriguez to end the inning. The Sox responded by blowing the doors off the Tigers in the bottom of the eighth. Chavis was hit with a pitch but JBJ whiffed before Michael swiped second. Vazquez singled home Chavis and Benintendi doubled in Vazquez. Mr. Mookie was intentionally walked before Moreland walked to load the bases. Drew VerHagen replaced Fernandez and poured gas on the fire although he struck out Martinez for the second out. Bogaerts, Devers and Chavis all walked in runs before Buck Farmer took over. JBJ singled in Bogaerts and Devers, sending Chavis to third. Vazquez grounded out to second to end the inning but the Sox batted around, scored 7 runs and led 11-1.
Tyler Thornburg sprinted to the mound to crap his pants in the top of the ninth inning. Tzu-Wei Lin took over at short with Sandy Leon replacing Moreland but was behind the plate. Vazquez moved to first and Beckham walked to start. Greiner flied out to center and Jones flied out to right, but Candelario walked. Castellanos singled home Beckham as Dustin Peterson pinch hit for Cabrera and cleared the bases with a double. Goodrum looked at strike three to end the game with the Sox winning it 11-4.
Hero of the night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He was sharp in tossing 6 innings of 1 run ball while allowing just two hits while striking out 7.
The Good:
Mookie Betts was 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and 2 runs scored.
Mitch Moreland walked twice in 5 plate appearances and scored a run.
JD Martinez was 3 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Michael Chavis walked 3 times, drove in a run, scored twice, got hit with a pitch and stole a base.
Jackie Bradley Jr was 2 for 5 with 2 rbis.
Christian Vazquez was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis, a walk and a run scored.
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 7th inning.
Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless 8th inning.
The Bad:
Tyler Thornburg allowed 3 runs in the top of the ninth.
The Ugly:
Andrew Benintendi was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored twice.
Xander Bogaerts was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in a run and scored.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 but walked, drove in 2 runs and scored.
Honorable Mention:
Sandy Leon played catcher in the top of the ninth.
Tzu-Wei Lin played short in the top of the ninth.
Final Thoughts:
Its about time the Sox won a game they didn't trail and pulled away from. The New York Yankees have gone on a winning streak and the Sox have to turn it around now or they'll be chasing them the rest of the season. Beating the Tigers is nothing special but they needed a win like this to get some momentum back. Rodriguez bounced back from his mediocre start to look like the pitcher he was the previous one. They're gonna need him to go 6-7 innings to make up for the lack of bullpen depth. Hopefully Chavis can be a force because with Dustin Pedroia, Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez all out, they need some production big time. All in all they needed a win and they got one for once. Tomorrow night the Sox look to salvage the fourth game of this series when Rick Porcello (0-3, 8.47 ERA) goes up against Jordan Zimmermann at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
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