Boston Red Sox; Inter-league Play Begins with the Red Sox heading to Philly to play World Champion Philadelphia Phillies!
With last years champs in town facing what I believe to be this year's champs (the Red Sox) I think we should have a good series and a good game and last night we had a battle. Even though the Sox are 11-2 versus the Philly’s since 2005!
Lester came out of the gate like he did last game and put down the hammer; he has struck out over 10 people in each of his last 3 starts. Last night would be no different; he pitched an amazing 7 innings, 111 pitches, 2 hits, 1 earned run and 11 strikeouts, sweet!
Meanwhile our offense did its thing getting 11 hits and in the 4th inning Youkilis would hit a solo homer -- his 11th of the year to tie the game after the Phillies had taken a one run lead and that would be the last lead they would have. Because J.D Drew hit his 9th home run of the year in the 5th inning to give Lester a 2-1 lead, and the way he was going, that would be all he needed, and it looked that way, but didn’t end that way.
Okajima would come in for the 8th inning, and was perfect striking out 2, so now after our at bats and changing the Lineup which Francona would have to do a bunch of, now playing in the National League where the pitchers hit. So we would be heading into the 9th up 2-1 still and I am thinking the Sox will just bring in Paplebon and this game is over, but nope!!! Since Paplebon has pitched the last 2 nights they brought in Ramirez, not the best call because R. Howard, the Phillies' Big Man, stepped to the plate and I got a little scared -- with good reason -- because he hit a bomb that would tie this game with 1 out in the 9th and now Lester wouldn't get the win he so deserved.
So extra innings we went, and let me tell you, we have great back up pitching and like I’ve said from the beginning, our pitching can win us a title and tonight, Lester and our bullpen combined for 20 strikeouts in 13 innings, and it will be hard for any team to beat us when our relief staff is pitching going and Paple had the night off.
In the top of the 13th the Sox would string a couple walks together, then a base hit by Ellsbury, then Lugo would lead to the Sox having a 3 run inning and putting the Sox back on top 5-2!!! The Sox would bring in Bard this time with a 3 run cushion, and he struck out the side ending the game and giving Bard his 1st save and the Sox the win!
The Sox are now up 2 games in the East on the Yankees and 4 up on the Blue Jays and looking good with their 1st place record of 37-24, and have won 9 out of our last 11! Tonight at 7:05 the Sox will play the Phillies again who themselves are in 1st place in the National League East with Dice-K (1-4 but just getting going since DL) going against A. Bastardo (2-0) should be another battle; so be there. LETS GO SOX!!
With last years champs in town facing what I believe to be this year's champs (the Red Sox) I think we should have a good series and a good game and last night we had a battle. Even though the Sox are 11-2 versus the Philly’s since 2005!
Lester came out of the gate like he did last game and put down the hammer; he has struck out over 10 people in each of his last 3 starts. Last night would be no different; he pitched an amazing 7 innings, 111 pitches, 2 hits, 1 earned run and 11 strikeouts, sweet!
Meanwhile our offense did its thing getting 11 hits and in the 4th inning Youkilis would hit a solo homer -- his 11th of the year to tie the game after the Phillies had taken a one run lead and that would be the last lead they would have. Because J.D Drew hit his 9th home run of the year in the 5th inning to give Lester a 2-1 lead, and the way he was going, that would be all he needed, and it looked that way, but didn’t end that way.
Okajima would come in for the 8th inning, and was perfect striking out 2, so now after our at bats and changing the Lineup which Francona would have to do a bunch of, now playing in the National League where the pitchers hit. So we would be heading into the 9th up 2-1 still and I am thinking the Sox will just bring in Paplebon and this game is over, but nope!!! Since Paplebon has pitched the last 2 nights they brought in Ramirez, not the best call because R. Howard, the Phillies' Big Man, stepped to the plate and I got a little scared -- with good reason -- because he hit a bomb that would tie this game with 1 out in the 9th and now Lester wouldn't get the win he so deserved.
So extra innings we went, and let me tell you, we have great back up pitching and like I’ve said from the beginning, our pitching can win us a title and tonight, Lester and our bullpen combined for 20 strikeouts in 13 innings, and it will be hard for any team to beat us when our relief staff is pitching going and Paple had the night off.
In the top of the 13th the Sox would string a couple walks together, then a base hit by Ellsbury, then Lugo would lead to the Sox having a 3 run inning and putting the Sox back on top 5-2!!! The Sox would bring in Bard this time with a 3 run cushion, and he struck out the side ending the game and giving Bard his 1st save and the Sox the win!
The Sox are now up 2 games in the East on the Yankees and 4 up on the Blue Jays and looking good with their 1st place record of 37-24, and have won 9 out of our last 11! Tonight at 7:05 the Sox will play the Phillies again who themselves are in 1st place in the National League East with Dice-K (1-4 but just getting going since DL) going against A. Bastardo (2-0) should be another battle; so be there. LETS GO SOX!!
Keywords: Jon Lester, Philadelphia Phillies, The Boston Red Sox
