Josh Beckett actually got a wee bit of run support and was able to finally notch his 10th win of the season. Beckett wasn’t his usual crazy dominant self, but he still pitched well enough and deep enough into the game to set the Sox up for the win.
The Sox went down early 0-1 when Beckett gave up a lead off double to Alex Gordon and then he scored on a Butler sac fly. The Sox tied the game right up for Beckett when Tek got an RBI single to score Josh Reddick. Tek was out trying to stretch it to a double, but Reddick was already in. GAME TIED! The Sox would give Josh the lead in the 3rd when Pedey hit a 2 RBI single to score Aviles and Ellsbury. However, Josh gave the lead right back in the bottom of the 3rd when he gave up a 2 run HR to Alex Gordon. Game tied again.
In the 4th, Carl Crawford got a hit and stole two bases. However, all of that was for naught since he was thrown out at home when he tried to score on a sac fly. It just hasn’t been Carl Crawford’s week. Okay, maybe it hasn’t been Carl Crawford’s season. In the 5th, the Sox were able to get in a run and give the lead back to Beckett. Pedey hit a RBI single that allowed Jed Lowrie to score. Pedey was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double, but Jedi was already in. It’s a lead. We’ll take it. Beckett kept trucking along and pitched well. He was sitting at 100 pitches after 6 innings and most people assumed he was done for the night, but he came back out for the 7th and had himself a nice 1-2-3 inning. While Beckett’s pitch count was high, I don’t think I’m the only person who would rather have him on the mound than Franklin Morales. Beckett’s line for the night was 110 pitches, 7 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 0 BBs and 5 Ks. Bard came out for the 8th and had himself a nice scoreless 8th inning. Papelbon came out for the 9th and continued his streak of dominant awesomeness. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning and got 2 Ks on the night. Papelbon has now converted 24 straight saves which is the longest streak of his career.
Photo Credit: Ed Zurga/Getty Images
Red Sox 4 Royals 3 BOXSCORE
WP: Beckett (10-5)
LP: Hochevar (8-10)
SV: Papelbon (29)
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