4 real? Four at bats that changed the game. Red Sox vs Blue Jays 4-5-13

Game 4: Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 6-4 at the Rogers Centre

If you missed this game, do me a favor and go to a mirror and punch yourself. This game was exciting from start to finish, but in the end, the good guys won a tough battle, 6-4. Tonight's game saw the Red Sox hitting their first two home runs and stealing three bases late in the game. Emilio Bonifacio recorded three errors in the game, including two errors in two consecutive plays, and both teams went a combined 2 for 26 with men in scoring position. The game could have easily been 15-13, but because of poor timely hitting, and a great play in the third inning by Jose Iglesias, not many runs crossed the plate. This was not a pitching dual, as Josh Johnson and Felix Doubront combined for 11 innings pitched and 7 runs given up. Here are the four main plays that changed the game:

1) In the top of the 2nd inning, Shane Victorino and Jackie Bradley single. Jose Iglesias is hit in the wrist by a Josh Johnson fastball, and the bases are loaded with one out. Jacoby Ellsbury hits an obvious single to short left field, but Bradley holds up to make sure the ball drops and slips, which costs the Red Sox a run, as he should have easily scored. Daniel Nava steps up and grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. 1-0 Red Sox, but you know they could have had more.

2) Bottom of the 5th. After a Mark DeRosa homerun to center field, the Red Sox are leading 4-2. The Red Sox appear to be shaken up, and they change signs. Announcer Jerry Remy hints that John Farrell may think that the Blue Jays are stealing signs. Not much changes though as Maicer Izturis singles and Jose Reyes hits a shot down the left field line. Bradley slips when he tries to pick up the ball but throws a strike to Will Middlebrooks, who gives Jose Reyes a tag in the gonads to keep him off the basepath. Good thing too, because Emilio Bonifacio is up next and singles, which would have easily scored Reyes to tie the game. Instead, the game still has the Red Sox in the lead 4-3.

3) In the top of the 7th inning, Brett Cecil replaces Josh Johnson to pitch for Toronto with the Red Sox still leading 4-3. After giving up a walk to Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a double to Middlebrooks, Cecil strikes out the side (7,8,9 hitters) to keep the game close. A single by any of the Red Sox bottom third would have put the game out of reach.

4) Top of the 8th inning. Jonny Gomes walks on a border line ball four. Dustin Pedroia hits an 0-2 inside fastball off the middle of the center field wall to put men on 2nd and 3rd. Although Mike Napoli looks fooled the enter at bat, he manages to hit a ball directly to the third baseman Izturis, who stumbles as he picks the ball up, and this gives enough time for Gomes to score uncontested. 5-4 Red Sox, as they retake the lead.

After Middlebrooks hit a solo shot to double the lead to 6-4, Joel Hanrahan shut the door in the 9th and didn't give the Blue Jays any hope. Up next, Blue Jays tomorrow afternoon.

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