Another Big Inning Helps Red Sox Beat Orioles

by Randy Booth on Sep 2, 2010 11:39 PM EDT in Game Stories

It seems the Sox are scoring in bunches. Whether you think that's good or bad, it's happening and -- for at least the last two games -- it is working.

A big five-run second inning propelled the Sox to a 6-4 win over the Orioles on Thursday night. Daisuke Mastuzaka earned his 9th win of the season with his work.

Dice-K pitched really well until the O's had their own big sixth inning. After not allowing a run through five, he gave up four runs in the sixth. He came out of the game with two outs in the 6th. He wound up walking just one batter, though, and struck out six.

J.D. Drew busted a recent slump by going 3 for 4. David Ortiz had two RBI while Adrian Beltre hit a solo home run -- 25th of the season. (Sidebar: Can you believe Beltre is pushing 30 home runs? After his slow start, I'm shocked.) Mike Lowell was the only other Sox with multiple hits, as he racked in two.

Scott Atchison -- like the amazing bulldog of a pitcher he is -- pitched two scoreless, hitless innings while striking out three. His ERA now sits at 3.97 and his WHIP at 1.22. Hideki Okajima also earned an out. (Yay! An out!)

Jonathan Papelbon pulled in his 35th save as he closes in on 40. If he saves 42 games this year, it'll be a career-high. It wasn't the easiest of saves, though, as Paps gave up two hits, but did strike out two back-to-back to finish the game.

Friday? It's a Sox v. Sox battle meaning ... Manny is back.

Should we get excited, or no?

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OK, so we gained a .5 game!

2010 Red Sox Playoffs.... We Can Do It!
"That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
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by bestbostonsports on Sep 3, 2010 12:34 AM EDT reply actions

About the W, the pair of wins in a row, or about Manny's return?

I, for one, like the positive momentum of two wins in a row.

Manny coming back? Unfortunately, he’s become more sideshow than the feared hitter he was batting behind Big Papi.

How about that? In May 2009, writers like Bill Simmons were suggesting that Big Papi was completely done… and yet his last two seasons combined have significantly outperformed Manny…

I’m not sure I’d have predicted Big Papi to outlast Manny, age difference or not.

by AlohaSox on Sep 3, 2010 1:03 AM EDT reply actions

Rate-wise, Manny has killed Ortiz these last few years.

Steroids bust and team problems have kept his ABs down, but he’s been better per AB.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Sep 3, 2010 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Meanwhile, MDC sucks in Colorado.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Sep 3, 2010 1:42 AM EDT reply actions

Shocking.

Simply shocking.

0.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 1 HR, BS.
That’s even suckier than I would have expected. Five batters faced, four scored. At least he got one out…

"If your happiness depends on Boston winning or losing, you have to get a life." Manny Somebody-or-other

by Tessie's Dad on Sep 3, 2010 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Watching sportscenter this morning

I saw the Rockies highlight. As soon as I heard Josh Elliot say “Manny Del Carmen in his Rockies debut,” I started to cringe. I definitely think we got the better end of this deal, if for no other reason than me sleeping better at night with him elsewhere.

by travben85 on Sep 3, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

Balcom-Miller is ranked 26th at soxprospects. We so won this deal

2010 Red Sox Playoffs.... We Can Do It!
"That place was for diehard sports fans. I only follow my team when they're in the playoffs" - Homer Simpson
Join the Lacrosse community The Lacrosse Blog

by bestbostonsports on Sep 3, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

This was a good win

We’re like Blago in Chicago; still hanging on by our fingertips. What I’d like to see is for this team to play these last 28 games like they were all game 7s. They are going to end the season with 4 out of their 5 starters in double digits with wins. They could very well finish the season with 93 wins and we still have head to head match ups at home against the Yanks and Rays. I want this team to finish on a positive note as I’m sure everyone else does. If we can go into the Rays series down 4 1/2 games we could very well be in business again. I never thought I’d hear myself say that, but this team showed a lot of heart in these last two wins.

by 75bandwagon on Sep 3, 2010 3:46 AM EDT reply actions