4 real? Four at bats that changed the game. Red Sox vs Rays 4-15-13

Game 12: Red Sox win with a walk off, 3-2

It's always great to sweep a strong team in your division. While the Rays aren't scoring any runs this year, their pitching has been phenomenal. The Red Sox staff matched the Rays staff and went further, sweeping the Rays in three games and having their starters go deep in all three games. The Red Sox now stand alone in first place a dozen games into the season. Quite a change from the last two years. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:

1) Bottom of the first inning. In the eighth pitch of Jacoby Ellsbury's at bat versus Jeremy Hellickson, he crushes a two seam fastball over Desmond Jenning's head and the hit puts him at third. Shane Victorino, who so far has done all the little things correctly, grounds a ball to the right side of the infield to plate Ellsbury and the Red Sox lead 1-0 early.

2)Top of the forth inning, and Ryan Dempster is dealing. Unfortunately, he misses his spot on a four seamed fastball and Evan Longoria ties the game up with an explosion over the Green Monster. 1-1 tie.

3) Top of the sixth inning, and the Red Sox are up 2-1 on Jarrod Saltalamacchia's solo shot. The Rays have men on first and third with two out, and Evan Longoria hits a hard hit ball on the ground towards second base. Stephen Drew ranges over to his left, dives, gets up and throws our Longoria by a step to keep the lead at 2-1. A great play by Drew and it may actually look like we have a capable shortstop this year!

4)With the game tied going into the bottom of the ninth, Joel Peralta steps on the mound, determined to bring the game into extra innings. He walks Dustin Pedroia, then throws a pitch away to Mike Napoli. Napoli takes an undercut swing and puts it off of the top of the Monster to plate Pedroia and the Red Sox win with their second walk of in three games! See it here

Unfortunately, horrible events transpired at the Boston Marathon, with two bombs exploding near the finish line. As I am sure you all know, we at RedSoxLife are huge fans of the city of Boston and we hope all those affected by the tragedy can overcome their losses and pain. Please keep all those in your thoughts, readers.

Next up, the Red Sox travel to Jacobs Field to play Terry Francona and the Cleveland Indians at 7:05pm.


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