Four Real? Red Sox vs Indians 5-23-13
Pete Lepak
RedSoxLife Writer
Terry "Tito" Francona, manager for the Cleveland Indians, was given a loud ovation in his return to Fenway on Thursday night. Too bad all the Red Sox could give was a "Bronx Cheer." Ryan Dempster was hit hard early, and the bullpen provided no help as the Indians won 12-3 in game one of the series. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:
1) Top of the third inning, and walks are killing Ryan Dempster. After an Asdrubal Cabrera single, Dempster walks Michael Brantley and Carlos Santana to load the bases. Mark Reynolds then takes a fastball to the left-centerfield gap to single in both runners and put the Indians up 3-0.
2) Bottom of the third inning, and Boston is down 4-0. With men at first and second with no out, Dustin Pedroia scorches a ball into center field. Jacoby Ellsbury tries to run on centerfielder Michael Bourn, but he is gunned down at the plate with no outs. The next batter, David Ortiz, delivers a three run bomb on the first pitch he sees to bring Boston within one run. If Ellsbury had just stayed at third, Papi would have a grand slam and the game would have been tied.
3) Top of the fifth inning, and Cleveland is up 5-3. Good old friend, Mike Aviles, reaches on an infield single to the left side off of Clayton Mortensen. Aviles then steals second and scores when Michael Bourn takes a 2-0 changeup to right field. 6-3 Indians.
4)Top of the sixth inning, and Cleveland opens the game up. Clayton Mortensen walks two men in the inning, and leaves with the bases loaded. Alex Wilson comes on and gives up an RBI single. Wilson gets Yan Gomes to pop up, but Mike Napoli drops the out in foul territory for an error and Gomes is given a second life. Gomes takes advantage and hits a double to score two runs. Cleveland would score six times in the sixth, but Napoli's error doesn't help the Red Sox at all.
For Red Sox fans, it must have been great to see Tito Francona, but I am sure all the smiles left their faces early when they realized that Cleveland also brought talent with them. Tomorrow, Boston throws John Lackey to face Justin Masterson for a 7:10 pm start time.
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| Game 47: Tito spoils Red Sox return to Fenway, Sox lose |
1) Top of the third inning, and walks are killing Ryan Dempster. After an Asdrubal Cabrera single, Dempster walks Michael Brantley and Carlos Santana to load the bases. Mark Reynolds then takes a fastball to the left-centerfield gap to single in both runners and put the Indians up 3-0.
2) Bottom of the third inning, and Boston is down 4-0. With men at first and second with no out, Dustin Pedroia scorches a ball into center field. Jacoby Ellsbury tries to run on centerfielder Michael Bourn, but he is gunned down at the plate with no outs. The next batter, David Ortiz, delivers a three run bomb on the first pitch he sees to bring Boston within one run. If Ellsbury had just stayed at third, Papi would have a grand slam and the game would have been tied.
3) Top of the fifth inning, and Cleveland is up 5-3. Good old friend, Mike Aviles, reaches on an infield single to the left side off of Clayton Mortensen. Aviles then steals second and scores when Michael Bourn takes a 2-0 changeup to right field. 6-3 Indians.
4)Top of the sixth inning, and Cleveland opens the game up. Clayton Mortensen walks two men in the inning, and leaves with the bases loaded. Alex Wilson comes on and gives up an RBI single. Wilson gets Yan Gomes to pop up, but Mike Napoli drops the out in foul territory for an error and Gomes is given a second life. Gomes takes advantage and hits a double to score two runs. Cleveland would score six times in the sixth, but Napoli's error doesn't help the Red Sox at all.
For Red Sox fans, it must have been great to see Tito Francona, but I am sure all the smiles left their faces early when they realized that Cleveland also brought talent with them. Tomorrow, Boston throws John Lackey to face Justin Masterson for a 7:10 pm start time.
Like me? Hate me? Tweet me! @Red33Sox
