Four Real? Red Sox vs Rockies 6-26-13

                  Pete Lepak
        RedSoxLife.com Staff Writer
It was only a two game series versus the Rockies, but Boston showed them who was boss, scoring 16 runs in the two games, and scoring numerous times against their two starting pitchers. The Red Sox take on the red hot Toronto Blue Jays for a four game series starting tomorrow, and it appeared that Boston used the last two games as batting practice. It wasn't only the offense though, as John Lackey brought his "A" game to the mound, as he struck out a career high 12 in 7 innings, only giving up two earned runs in the process. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:
1) Strike while the iron is hot. While Boston is used to scoring early, it's actually Colorado who leads the MLB in offense. Lackey struck out three in the first inning, but gave up a run early when Carlos Gonzalez singled, stole second, and then scored after a Wilin Rosario hard hit single to right field. 1-0 Rockies.

2) First Inning Magic. Boston seems to score in the first inning every game, and it's all because Jacoby Ellsbury is getting on base. Ellsbury starts the game with a double, then Shane Victorino singles him home. David Ortiz hits an opposite field wall ball double to left to score Victorino, and then Daniel Nava singles Ortiz home. Ellsbury's average is up to .293, and when he gets on base, the Red Sox score. It's that simple. 3-1 Red Sox.

3) Everyone's a Winner. Bottom of the third inning, and Boston is back to work versus starter Roy Oswalt. Victorino and Dustin Pedroia single, and David Ortiz walks. Mike Napoli is anxious at the plate, sees a first pitch slider, and ropes in into right field to score Victorino. Nava also recorded a sacrifice fly to score Pedroia and the Red Sox are now up 5-1.

4)Close that Door, Koji. With the bullpen in shambles, Boston turned to Koji Uehara to record the save. Remember that Joel Hanrahan is out for the year and Andrew Bailey has blown 4 saves already, so Boston had to turn to the 38 year old. He did not disappoint, recording a 1-2-3 inning, while striking out two. Koji is still as excited as always, running around the field, high fiving all his teammates. Uehara provided a big pick me up for Red Sox nation, who held their collective breath with a save situation and a win on the line.

Of note: Michael Cuddyer hit two homeruns to run his hitting streak up to 23 games.
Tomorrow, Boston faces the HOT Toronto Blue Jays when Jon Lester takes on the former Yankee Chien-Ming Wang.
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