4 real? Four at bats that changed the game. Red Sox vs Astros 4-25-13

Game 22: Red Sox 7-2

The Houston Astros are in town, and the Red Sox really need to put a hurting on this team to show they are a serious contender. Many past Red Sox teams have really struggled versus weak teams, and the Astros are, by definition, the weakest team in the American League. It actually took me a while to remember that Houston is actually now an AL team, as they had been in the National League for many years. The Red Sox welcomed Houston to town with a four run first inning, and Clay Buchholz pitched very well, striking out 10 and getting into the eighth inning to pick up his league leading fifth  win of the season. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:

1) Bottom of the first, and Boston goes to work early. With Daniel Nava walking and going to second on a passed ball, it gives Dustin Pedroia the chance to hit a 1-1 fastball up the middle for a run scoring single. See Pedroia's single here Boston was not done, because Pedroia stole second base and it allowed the hot hitting David Ortiz to single him home. Papi's single was pulled past the shift and it gave the Red Sox a 2-0 lead. Boston would score two more times to lead 4-0. See Papi's single here.

2)Top of the third inning. Houston made one push to score this game, and it was in the third. The number nine hitter in the lineup, Marwin Gonzalez, doubled off of Buchholz and then stole third. Jason Castro struck a single to left that plated Gonzalez and it brought the score to 4-2 Red Sox.

3) Bottom of the third inning, and Boston responds quickly. It has been great to see David Ortiz's return to the lineup, and it was even better to see him connect for his first blast of the season to push the lead to 5-2. See Papi's HR here.

4) Bottom of the fifth inning, and Will Middlebrooks is batting with two men on and one run already in. Will has struggled this month, but his eyes must have lit up when they saw a flat curveball that got too much of the plate. Middlebrooks hits it hard and scores a run to put the Red Sox up 7-2. See Middlebrooks' double here. The Red Sox won a game they needed to win, and now they sit at 15-7. Tomorrow, the Red Sox face Houston as Erik Bedard toes the rubber against Ryan Dempster at 7:10pm.  Like me? Hate me? Tweet me! @Red33Sox Read my other articles here.