4 real? Four at bats that changed the game. Red Sox vs Orioles 4-8-13

Game 7: Red Sox win the home opener 3-1

Baseball is back in Boston and for the ninth season in a row, the Red Sox win the home opener. Today's game featured a pitcher's duel and was won with one swing of the bat. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:

1) Top of the third inning, and after Clay Buchholz retired Steven Pearce on a groundout and Nate McLouth on a strikeout, Manny Machado and Nick Markakis rally with singles to the outfield. Adam Jones steps up and looks to put the O's up a run, but Buchholz is up the the challenge and fans Jones looking. The "K" keeps the game knotted at 0-0.

2) Bottom of the seventh inning, and the Red Sox have something doing. Dustin Pedroia singles to shortstop, and Mike Napoli doubles to deep center field. Fans were revved up when they saw the streaking third baseman Will Middlebrooks come up to bat, but Middlebrooks loses the battle and strikes out. Light hitting Daniel Nava come up with one out, but with one swing, he ignites the fans of Fenway. Nava finishes Wei-Yen Chen's night by hitting a three run bomb over the Green Monster and putting the Red Sox up 3-0.

3) Top of the eighth inning, the Red Sox have just scored and Buchholz's night is over. Andrew Bailey, closer turned middle reliever, enters the game and goes to work. Bailey strikes out Manny Machado and Nate McLouth, then gets Markakis to line out to center field. All in a day's work, and all in 14 pitches.

4)Top of the ninth, and the Orioles don't go down without a fight. Adam Jones hits a dinger over the Green Monster, and brings the O's within two runs. Fortunately, closer Joel Hanrahan does not get nervous, and another run does not cross the plate.

The Red Sox win, 3-1, and we can all go to sleep happy in New England. The Red Sox have tomorrow off, but will return on Wednesday night with Jake Arrieta vs Ryan Dempster at 7:10pm

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