Game 87: Padres at Red Sox - Fenway Fireworks on the Fourth
Contributing Writer
There is not much more Patriotic than spending a July 4th at Fenway Park followed by a night of listening to the Boston Pops and watching fireworks over the Charles River. If you’re coming to Fenway or barbequing in the back yard with family and friends or headed to a pool or beach, enjoy your Fourth of July holiday. It’s America’s Independence Day and our freedom now stands at 237 years strong. Thank a veteran or current military personnel if you see them today and remember all those who have lost their lives fighting for our freedom.
As for the ballgame at Fenway, the Boston Red Sox (52-34) look to sweep the San Diego Padres (40-45), thanks to the bat of Jonny Gomes, who came up clutch once again with a walk-off home run in the ninth Wednesday night. Allen Webster gets the nod in another spot start for Clay Buchholz, who is not likely to return to the rotation until after the All-Star Break. Webster is 0-2 with a 9.50 ERA, but the rookie is trying to build on a successful outing against the Blue Jays, when he went six innings and allowed four runs on six hits, helping the Sox get a 7-5 win.
Here is the Red Sox lineup for this afternoon’s game (first pitch – 1:35 pm EDT):
1. Ellsbury, CF
2. Victorino, RF
3. Pedroia, 2B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Gomes, LF
7. Snyder, 3B
8. Lavarnway, C
9. Iglesias, SS
Webster, P
The Padres send Eric Stults to the hill. He is 6-6 with a 3.51 ERA. The lefty has pitched like the Padres’ ace this season, but he was tagged for six runs in 3.2 innings in his last start against the Marlins.
Walk it out
Wednesday’s walk-off win was the eighth of the season for the Red Sox, tying the Giants for most in MLB. The home run was Gomes’ third walk-off hit this season, becoming the first Red Sox player to accomplish that feat since Bernie Carbo did so in 1977.
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