Game 93: Red Sox at Mariners - Sleepless (while the Sox are) in Seattle
Ben Whitehead
Contributing Writer
If you have been staying up the past several games watching the Red Sox play on the West Coast, then kudos to you. Not only have the nights been long, but the games haven’t been great, especially if you’re a Sox fan watching your team get off to a 2-3 start midway through this 10-game trip.
Last night was much better, as the Boston Red Sox bats came alive in an 11-8 win over the Seattle Mariners. It looked as if the Ms would be on cruise control, jumping out to a 5-1 lead after two innings on starter Allen Webster, but the heart of the Red Sox (55-37) lineup provided the spark for the comeback. Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz and Mike Napoli each belted home runs, as did Jackie Bradley Jr. and Shane Victorino, en route to a 16-hit, 11-run night.
Obviously, the Sox would like to keep that momentum rolling tonight when they face the Mariners (40-50) in Game 3 and look to take a 2-1 series advantage. Left-hander Felix Doubront takes the mound for Boston. He is 5-3 with a 4.11 ERA and earned a win in his last start against the Angels, giving up two runs in 6.2 innings. He also has a 2.86 ERA in his past 10 starts, proving he is hitting midseason form at, well, midseason.
Here is the Red Sox lineup tonight (first pitch – 10:10 pm EDT):
1. Ellsbury, CF
2. Victorino, RF
3. Pedroia, 2B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Nava, LF
7. Saltalamacchia, C
8. Iglesias, SS
9. Holt, 3B
Doubront, P
Pitching for Seattle is big right-hander Aaron Harang. The 6-foot-7 Harang is 4-7 with a 4.92 ERA. He picked up a win, as well, in his last start against the Reds, giving up two runs in six innings.
JBJ goes yard again
In his first game back up with the big club, Bradley Jr. hit his second Major League home run of the season and his career. He now has nine home runs this season between Triple-A Pawtucket and Boston. If he continues to swing the bat well, the Red Sox will have a decision to make as to whether or not he will stick with the club and be the “fourth” outfielder, meaning a move of Mike Carp or Daniel Nava could be made at the trade deadline. Or, Boston could send him back to Pawtucket to provide JBJ with regular at-bats and bring him up as regular for 2014.
Wright, Beato up; Aceves, Webster down
Following Tuesday's win, the Red Sox sent down Alfredo Aceves and Webster to Pawtucket and called up Steven Wright and Pedro Beato.
Best against the team from the Pacific Northwest
With Tuesday’s win, the Red Sox own a 221-163 all-time record against the Mariners. That mark is a .576 winning percentage, the best any American League team has against Seattle.
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
Contributing Writer
If you have been staying up the past several games watching the Red Sox play on the West Coast, then kudos to you. Not only have the nights been long, but the games haven’t been great, especially if you’re a Sox fan watching your team get off to a 2-3 start midway through this 10-game trip.
Last night was much better, as the Boston Red Sox bats came alive in an 11-8 win over the Seattle Mariners. It looked as if the Ms would be on cruise control, jumping out to a 5-1 lead after two innings on starter Allen Webster, but the heart of the Red Sox (55-37) lineup provided the spark for the comeback. Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz and Mike Napoli each belted home runs, as did Jackie Bradley Jr. and Shane Victorino, en route to a 16-hit, 11-run night.
Obviously, the Sox would like to keep that momentum rolling tonight when they face the Mariners (40-50) in Game 3 and look to take a 2-1 series advantage. Left-hander Felix Doubront takes the mound for Boston. He is 5-3 with a 4.11 ERA and earned a win in his last start against the Angels, giving up two runs in 6.2 innings. He also has a 2.86 ERA in his past 10 starts, proving he is hitting midseason form at, well, midseason.
Here is the Red Sox lineup tonight (first pitch – 10:10 pm EDT):
1. Ellsbury, CF
2. Victorino, RF
3. Pedroia, 2B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Nava, LF
7. Saltalamacchia, C
8. Iglesias, SS
9. Holt, 3B
Doubront, P
Pitching for Seattle is big right-hander Aaron Harang. The 6-foot-7 Harang is 4-7 with a 4.92 ERA. He picked up a win, as well, in his last start against the Reds, giving up two runs in six innings.
JBJ goes yard again
In his first game back up with the big club, Bradley Jr. hit his second Major League home run of the season and his career. He now has nine home runs this season between Triple-A Pawtucket and Boston. If he continues to swing the bat well, the Red Sox will have a decision to make as to whether or not he will stick with the club and be the “fourth” outfielder, meaning a move of Mike Carp or Daniel Nava could be made at the trade deadline. Or, Boston could send him back to Pawtucket to provide JBJ with regular at-bats and bring him up as regular for 2014.
Wright, Beato up; Aceves, Webster down
Following Tuesday's win, the Red Sox sent down Alfredo Aceves and Webster to Pawtucket and called up Steven Wright and Pedro Beato.
Best against the team from the Pacific Northwest
With Tuesday’s win, the Red Sox own a 221-163 all-time record against the Mariners. That mark is a .576 winning percentage, the best any American League team has against Seattle.
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
