The Sox had another chance to finally get over 500, however they would have to go through Justin Verlander to do it. And they would have to do it without Dustin Pedroia who was out of the lineup. Daniel Bard took the mound for the Sox and with one of his best outings of the year, the Sox did just that. Verlander didn’t have his best stuff and the Sox bats took advantage.
Bard had himself a nice outing. He still seemed to struggle with his command from time to time, however he was able to make pitches when he needed to and get out of jams. Bard didn’t give up a run until the 5th inning when he gave up a solo HR to Peralta. Bard also gave up a solo HR in the 6th to Prince Fielder. Bard did not have a “big inning” though and really limited the damage. Bobby V went out and got Bard in the 6th. Bard’s line for the night was 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 Ks. Rich Hill came out in relief of Bard and got an out and then issued a walk. Then our most reliable reliever Scott Atchison came out and got the final out of the 6th inning. Andrew Miller came out in the 7th. Miller got 2 outs and then gave up a double and an RBI single to give the Tigers their 3rd and final run of the game. Padilla came into the game and got the final out of the 7th and pitched a scoreless 8th inning. Aceves came into the 9th with a save situation. We all held our breath a little bit given Aceves’ last couple of outings. Aces almost got himself kicked out of the game when he started arguing with the umpire about about the strike zone. Luckily Shoppach and Bobby V seemed to be able to calm him down and Aces got the 3 outs we needed.
The Sox bats did what many thought was the unthinkable and they got to Justin Verlander. In the 2nd, the Sox scored their first run when Papi hit a double, Salty hit a single and then Papi scored on an Aviles ground out. Sox 1-0. The Sox really opened the game up in the 4th. The Sox had the bases loaded with 2 outs and Daniel Nava at the plate. Nava must love big moments with the bases loaded. Nava hit a bases clearing double to put the Sox up 4-0. In the 5th, the Sox got another run with a Gonzo single followed by a Papi RBI double. Papi was thrown out trying to make it to third base, but I’ll take the run. Sox 5-1. In the 7th, Ortiz hit a HR to the Monster to score the final run for the Sox and chase Verlander from the game. Sox 6-3.
Photo Credit: Jim Rogash/Getty Images
The Sox got a great win to get over 500! Now they have to keep it there!
Red Sox 6 Tigers 3 BOXSCORE
WP: Bard (5-5) LP: Verlander (5-3) SV: Aceves (12)
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