Game 74: Rays at Red Sox - Sweep the Rays into the Dempster
Contributing Writer
Walking off with a ‘W’ was a great way to cap a double header Tuesday. Now, the Boston Red Sox (44-29) go for the complete sweep against the Tampa Bay Rays (36-35) tonight, and also the chance to win the season series.
Ryan Dempster gets the call for tonight’s game. He is 4-7 with a 4.21 ERA on the year and was a hard-luck loser in his last start, going 7.2 innings in a 2-0 loss to Baltimore. In fact, in Dempster’s seven losses, the Red Sox have scored 13 runs. Run production for Dempster needs to improve or it won’t matter how well he pitches.
Here is the starting lineup for tonight’s game (first pitch – 7:10 pm EDT):
1. Ellsbury, CF
2. Nava, RF
3. Pedroia, 2B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Saltalamacchia, C
7. Gomes, LF
8. Drew, SS
9. Iglesias, 3B
Dempster, P
Jeremy Hellickson opposes Dempster on the mound. Hellickson is has a winning record (4-3) but has a 5.67 ERA.
Weathering the Rays
Yesterday’s double header was a product of a rain out earlier in the season. The two teams had to wait out a 2-hour, 58-minute rain delay during the fifth inning of Game 1 yesterday before completing the make-up game. Game 2 got underway just after 8 pm and Jonny Gomes made sure it was an even longer affair, hitting a walk-off home run in the ninth for the 3-1 Sox win. Tonight's weather is clear and a perfect evening to get to Fenway Park.
Let us know what you think about tonight’s game by commenting below.
Like what you read? See more from Ben here.
As always, give me a shout on Twitter: @thebenwhitehead
