Josh Beckett has notoriously gotten little to no run support in his starts this season, however last night that would not be the case. Beckett took the mound hoping to give the Sox another win against the red hot Rangers. Ellsbury is back. Papi is back. The offense is back!
Beckett would have 4 runs in his pocket before he ever took the mound. Ellsbury got a leadoff single, followed by a single by Gonzo. Pedey hit an RBI single to plate Ellsbury. Sox 1-0. Papi with his first at bat since being back from his heel bursitis got an RBI single to score Gonzales. Sox 2-0. Carl Crawford hit an RBI double to score both Pedey and Papi. Papi looked like he was dead out at home plate, but Mike Napoli couldn’t hold onto the ball when he saw Papi trucking in and he was safe. Sox 4-0. Happy Run Support Josh!
The Sox added another run in the 2nd with another Pedey RBI single and another run in the 3rd with a Scutaro RBI double. Sox 6-0. Beckett gave up his first hit in the 4th. However, it was a solo HR to Mike Napoli. Sox 6-1. Carl Crawford got Beckett that run back in the 5th with an RBI sac fly to plate David Ortiz. Sox 7-1.
In the 5th inning, Josh Beckett almost got in trouble in a variety of ways. First Beckett gave up back to back singles to start the inning. And then with one out, Ian Kinsler hit a ball right back at his face. Josh just turned and put his glove up in protection mode…and the ball just landed in his glove. Nice job Josh. I’m now basically convinced Josh is a ninja. In all seriousness, that play had disaster written all over it if it had not hit Josh’s glove. Phew.
In the 6th inning, Jacoby Ellsbury continues just being crazy good. He hit his 23rd HR of the season to give the Sox a 9-1 lead. He also made some fantastic catches in the field. It’s all just the normal, the awesome Jacoby Ellsbury. In the 7th inning, Carl Crawford got into the HR party with a 2 run dinger. Sox lead 11-1. Carl Crawford had a great night at the plate and had 5 RBIs on the night. Franklin Morales was on the mound in relief of Josh Beckett in the 7th. Beckett pitched well and got some dang run support. Beckett’s pitching line for the night was 6 IP, 110 pitches, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BBs and 4 Ks. Morales had himself a nice 1-2-3 inning in the 7th.
In the 8th, Gonzalez showed that his HR stroke yesterday was no fluke. He hit his 21st HR of the season to give the Sox a 13-1 lead. In the 8th, we got a special treat and got to see Ryan Lavarnway come out and catch behind the plate. Albers was on the mound for the Sox and continued his struggles. He allowed a run to score by giving up an RBI single to Mike Napoli. In the 9th, Jonathan Papelbon came in because he needed the work. As usual, he had a nice 1-2-3 inning to end the game.
Jacoby Ellsbury is BACK. Papi is BACK. Gonzo’s HR Swing is BACK. Carl Crawford may have ARRIVED.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
The Yankees also lost last night. Thanks Coco Crisp! So, the Red Sox are officially alone in first place in the AL EAST! Whoo Hoo!
Red Sox 13 Rangers 2 BOXSCORE
WP: Beckett (11-5)
LP: Harrison (10-9)
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