Game 101: Sox bats kick in to split with A's

by Randy Booth on Jul 31, 2009 1:41 AM EDT in Game Stories

Final - 7.30.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Oakland Athletics	0	0	0	0	0	4	1	0	0	5	7	0
Boston Red Sox	0	1	0	0	0	2	3	2	X	8	10	0
WP: Manny Delcarmen (3 - 2) SV: Jonathan Papelbon (26) LP: Craig Breslow (4 - 5)

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I'm standing by my statement: today's game will turn it all around for the Sox.

I said that before the game of course and you know what, the Sox won, 8-5. Good deal.

Let's talk about the offense first. David Ortiz went 2 for 3 with another three-run home run. Today's home run gave the Sox the lead, 6-5. Jason Varitek and Jacoby Ellsbury chipped in RBIs in the eighth to give the Sox the 8-5 lead and eventual win.

Varitek went 3 for 4 with a run and three RBIs, while J.D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis each had two hits.

Jon Lester was on the hill and didn't have his best performance. He lasted just 5.2 innings and gave up four runs, seven hits and three walks. The worst number: two strikeouts. That's not a good day for Lester. Even in his previous bad starts, he strikes out a lot. I'm not sure why the number was so low today, but let's hope this is just a blip on the radar.

Manny Delcarmen got the win after giving up a run in 1.1 innings of work. Daniel Bard, who seems to be getting tougher and tougher work loads lately, pitched a perfect inning with a strikeout to get the hold. Jonathan Papelbon earned his 26th save and he only allowed one hit -- a good sign from Paps.

Tomorrow is the trade deadline. If I forget there is actual baseball to be played tomorrow, forgive me. But we, the handsome staff of OTM, will keep you updated all day.

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I love it

Papi! Papi! Papi! Papi! “huh he tooks roids?” “Who cares, that was a bomb!” PAPI PAPI PAPI

Once again, more informed.

by jkeough on Jul 31, 2009 3:07 AM EDT reply actions

If true

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4368061

I am surprised and dissapointed. Not (SoxAcumen!) because I have a mancrush on Buchholz, but because this deal seems to make so little sense from so many angles.

by Buzzy on Jul 31, 2009 7:18 AM EDT reply actions

I agree

Why do this?

by Bloggy on Jul 31, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

bats kicked in

Sure they did, and I’m happy for it, but I’m less optimistic than you Randy. These were the As we played, after all. At home in Fenway against a starting pitcher on a last place team with a 7+ ERA, we managed just 3 runs on 5 hits and were struck out fully 8 times in 5.1 innings. We scored below Gonazlez’s ERA. We got to their bullpen pretty good, which is great. But this does not signify a turning point game in my mind. At this point in time, the As are not a quality team and if it weren’t for Papi’s bomb, the game might have come out much differently. They hit and scored on one of our two aces better than we did against their far less than mediocre starter. But I absolutely hope you are right.

by nhsoxfan on Jul 31, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

same

starter was pitching a no hitter against the Yankees into the 6th inning of his last start. he has good stuff, but is young. Actually, the As have 3-4 good starters, but they are very very young.

by Buzzy on Jul 31, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Plus, his ERA means chicken feed.

The defense behind him is different, it’s a different parks, and he could have been lucky/unlucky in his previous starts, or getting better, like Buzzy said.

@bs_uf15bosox9be:OverTheMonster-ALLERGEN WARNING:May contain PB.

by bdalebs on Jul 31, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions