Four Real? Red Sox vs Rays 6-12-13
Pete Lepak
Boston took a win from Tampa tonight, going only 1 for 7 with men in scoring position and only recording 5 hits, but Alfredo Aceves pitched six innings of four hit ball to keep the Rays in the shade. The Red Sox improve to 41-26. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:
1) Make this kid an All-Star! Top of the third inning, and Chris Archer faces Daniel Nava. Jacoby Ellsbury is on first base after a single to second, and Archer tries his best to get Nava out. After throwing Nava three straight balls, Archer throws six straight strikes, and Nava matches him pitch for pitch, fouling off five straight. On the tenth pitch of the at bat, Archer throws an off speed pitch down and in, and Nava gets all of it, pulling it to right field for a two run bomb. Announcer Joe Castiglione called Nava's at bat, "One of the best at bats you will ever see." Wow. Red Sox up 2-0
2)Under Pressure. Top of the fourth inning, and Rays pitcher Chris Archer is under major pressure after walking Will Middlebrooks and Ellsbury to load the bases. Daniel Nava, who last at bat gave the Red Sox a two run lead, is up. After running the count full, Nava sees an outside and high pitch, swings, and misses. Archer looks very excited to escape the jam, and the score stays 2-0 Sox.
3) Three times a charm. Bottom of the sixth, and Evan Longoria strikes again. Alfredo Aceves, who has pitched well in a spot start, throws a ball right down the middle and Longo doesn't miss,taking a ball to right field for his third homerun in three games versus the Sox. 2-1 Sox.
4) Koji spells relief. Bottom of the 8th, and fan favorite Koji Uehara faces Evan Longoria with two out and a man on second. Craig Breslow struck out the first men men he faced but then gave up a double to Kelly Johnson, which prompted Koji's entrance. Uehara wastes no time, throwing three straight strikes, the last one an 82 mile an hour splitter to retire Longoria and keep the game at 2-1 Red Sox.
Andrew Bailey entered the ninth and recorded a pretty smooth save, leaving a man on second base to preserve the win. Tomorrow, Boston travels to Camden Yards to play the Orioles at 7:05pm. Boston will start Felix Doubront to face Kevin Gausman, who is still looking for his firts major league win.
Like me? Hate me? Tweet me! @Red33Sox
Boston took a win from Tampa tonight, going only 1 for 7 with men in scoring position and only recording 5 hits, but Alfredo Aceves pitched six innings of four hit ball to keep the Rays in the shade. The Red Sox improve to 41-26. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:
1) Make this kid an All-Star! Top of the third inning, and Chris Archer faces Daniel Nava. Jacoby Ellsbury is on first base after a single to second, and Archer tries his best to get Nava out. After throwing Nava three straight balls, Archer throws six straight strikes, and Nava matches him pitch for pitch, fouling off five straight. On the tenth pitch of the at bat, Archer throws an off speed pitch down and in, and Nava gets all of it, pulling it to right field for a two run bomb. Announcer Joe Castiglione called Nava's at bat, "One of the best at bats you will ever see." Wow. Red Sox up 2-0
2)Under Pressure. Top of the fourth inning, and Rays pitcher Chris Archer is under major pressure after walking Will Middlebrooks and Ellsbury to load the bases. Daniel Nava, who last at bat gave the Red Sox a two run lead, is up. After running the count full, Nava sees an outside and high pitch, swings, and misses. Archer looks very excited to escape the jam, and the score stays 2-0 Sox.
3) Three times a charm. Bottom of the sixth, and Evan Longoria strikes again. Alfredo Aceves, who has pitched well in a spot start, throws a ball right down the middle and Longo doesn't miss,taking a ball to right field for his third homerun in three games versus the Sox. 2-1 Sox.
4) Koji spells relief. Bottom of the 8th, and fan favorite Koji Uehara faces Evan Longoria with two out and a man on second. Craig Breslow struck out the first men men he faced but then gave up a double to Kelly Johnson, which prompted Koji's entrance. Uehara wastes no time, throwing three straight strikes, the last one an 82 mile an hour splitter to retire Longoria and keep the game at 2-1 Red Sox.
Andrew Bailey entered the ninth and recorded a pretty smooth save, leaving a man on second base to preserve the win. Tomorrow, Boston travels to Camden Yards to play the Orioles at 7:05pm. Boston will start Felix Doubront to face Kevin Gausman, who is still looking for his firts major league win.
Like me? Hate me? Tweet me! @Red33Sox