Daniel Bard took the mound for the Red Sox looking for a win, so that the Sox could finally take a series against the O’s. In Bard’s last outing he allowed 4 runs to score in the 1st inning, so I am anxiously optimistic that he would have a better outing this afternoon.
Bard seemed to have some similar struggles in the 1st inning of this game, but he was able to limit the damage. He gave up 2 singles and a walk to load the bases with one out. Bard allowed a run to score on a sac fly to CF. Sox 0-1. For the next couple of innings, the lead went back and forth. In the 2nd, the Sox had the bases loaded with no outs. It had the looks of a break out inning. However, Podsednik ground into a double play. The game was tied, but that is all the Sox would get. Sox 1-1. Bard gave the O’s a run back in the bottom of the 2nd when he gave up a leadoff home run to Nick Johnson. Sox 1-2. In the 3rd, the Sox tied the game again with a double from Will Middlebrooks. Sox 2-2. The game stayed scoreless until the 6th inning when the Sox got to O’s starter Arrieta. With 2 outs, Nava hit a solo HR. Sox 3-2. Then Arrieta gave up a single to Scott Podsednik and that was it for Arrieta. Ayala came in and immediately gave up a 2 run HR to Kelly Shoppach. Sox 5-2.
Daniel Bard took the mound in the 6th inning. He got Jones to strike out and then Bobby V came out to get him. Bard’s line for the day was 90 pitches, 5.1 innings pitched, 5 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 2 Ks. Andrew Miller came out and had himself a hiccup or two. Miller walked Betemit and then gave up a 2 run HR to Johnson. Sox 5-4. Rich Hill came out in the 7th and got 2 Ks. He was pulled in favor of Vicente Padilla. Padilla got the K to end the 7th. In the 8th, the Sox added on an insurance run that would come into play later in the game. Scott Podsednik hit his first HR in a Red Sox uniform. Sox 6-4. Padilla came back out for the 8th and found himself in a wee bit of trouble. Padilla gave up a walk and a double to start the inning. With one out, Betemit hit what looked like a sure hit until Che-Hsuan Lin came out of no where and made the play. Markakis scored on the sac fly, however that wonderful play saved a run and the lead for the Sox. It’s important to note that Lin was in there in place of Gonzo who was pulled from the outfield and placed ar 1B for defensive reasonings. I’d have to say that was the correct choice.
Photo Credit: Rob Carr/Getty Images
With 2 outs in the 8th, Bobby V went with Aceves for the 4 out save. Aceves got a K to end the 8th inning. Aceves also had himself a nice 1-2-3 outing in the 9th and snagged the one run save. Aceves is looking more and more like a legit closer every single time he takes the mound.
Red Sox 6 Orioles 5 BOXSCORE
WP: Bard (4-5) LP: Arrieta (2-5) SV: Aceves (11)
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