Big Fourth Inning and Dingers Finally Give Bedard a Win

by Mattsullivan on Sep 3, 2011 8:42 PM EDT in Game Stories

Entering the fourth inning, the Red Sox trailed the Rangers 3-1. Thirteen batters, eight runs and three outs later the game was out of reach. Boston got to Texas starter Colby Lewis for four runs, chasing him early in the fourth inning one batter after a home run by Jarrod Saltalamacchia tied the game.

The new Ranger pitcher Yoshinori Tateyama threw a wild pitch to Adrian Gonzalez, convincing Ron Washington to call for the intentional walk, then did the same with David Ortiz at the plate and again issued the intentional walk. The two free passes turned out to be a poor gamble. Pitch hitting for Jed Lowrie (who left the game with soreness in his shoulder), Mike Aviles drove in one run on an opposite field single. Carl Crawford then delivered in a major way, hitting a grand slam over the bullpen area. Before the inning came to an end the Sox would get another run on a Jacoby Ellsbury infield single which scored Josh Reddick.

Reddick had a big day at the plate with four hits and three runs scored. Dustin Pedroia continued to haunt American League pitchers, with two hits and 3 RBI’s, blasting a long double to the same area of center he homered to yesterday. If this game is any indication, Ron Washington will probably add Pedey to his ever-growing intentionally walk list. In his first game back from the DL, Kevin Youkilis failed to get a hit, making him the only Red Sox starter not to get one.

As it turned out, the Red Sox would need all that offense-

Erik Bedard pitched well for Boston striking out six and giving up five hits and three runs over six innings. It was good enough to earn him his first win as a Red Sox, though the Sox could have used a little longer outing today. Bedard had some control issues early on, walking the first two hitters in the third and giving four free passes total, but he improved as the game went on, finding his best stuff after the Sox took the commanding lead. Boston’s bullpen did not fair as well. Dan Wheeler ran into trouble in his second inning of work giving up three runs in the eighth and Franklin Morales bailed him out, but Estaban German got to him in ninth with a solo home run.

The Red Sox have John Lackey going against Matt Harrison in the rubber match tomorrow, so who knows…

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Comments

Good win today.

Nice way to bounce back after that abomination we saw last night. Hopefully Lackey pitches well and we can take the series.

by dja9783 on Sep 3, 2011 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

Not really off topic, although it isnt related to this particular game.....

In regards to Paps. How many people would be comfortable paying him 15-16 million over three years to get him back? 3 years, 45-48 million dollars? I think I would be fine with it.

Great closers are tough to find and we have one. 15-16 million will put him right at or just above Mariano, which is what he (Paps) will want. I say give it to him. Plus I like Bard in the 8th inning role more than I would like him at closer anyways.

by dja9783 on Sep 3, 2011 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

Dear God

No, just no.

When I hear that trumpet sound, I'm gonna rise right outta the ground. Ain't no grave can hold my body down.

by DocOne on Sep 3, 2011 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not paying for it...

by GJ on Sep 4, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think they will do it.

Is someone who pitches 50 innings a year worth that kind of money (unless your Rivera)? I’m ok with them paying him what he wants as long as there is no opportunity cost involved. If it stops us being able to sign a starting pitcher or an everyday player next year then let him leave and take the picks.

by OzSoxFan on Sep 4, 2011 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Even if you are Rivera you aren't worth 16 mil/year.

I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.

by TheLoneDavid on Sep 4, 2011 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep.

$15m on a starter should theoretically reap more value, but if you could guarantee typical performance from Pap and Bard you have the potential to shorten a whole lot of tight games.

Do you assign more value to the fact that those innings pitched are in potentially more important and tougher situations.

I don’t understand how Rivera would be worth any more/less than Pap… Only if you think he’s guaranteed performance?

by GJ on Sep 4, 2011 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions

rivera has earned that money

by jadedeed2327 on Sep 4, 2011 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions

No doubt.

by GJ on Sep 4, 2011 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I'll question anything

where there is a suggestion that the name of a player is more important than their performance. The “unless you’re Rivera” comment may or may not imply that if someone else puts up Rivera numbers, they still aren’t Rivera value.

I’m feeling argumentative!!!

by GJ on Sep 4, 2011 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions

how much and years does papelbon want

by jadedeed2327 on Sep 4, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I would pay good money for Pap

but not THAT amount of money.

I hope they sign him and he “deserves to be paid” – but 15-16M per on a 3 year deal is too much.

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Sep 4, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

you would let bard close?

by jadedeed2327 on Sep 4, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't know about anyone else

but I was PUMPED for Crawford. If this doesn’t boost his confidence and get him going at least to his own standards I don’t know what will. Dude needs to relax and just be himself out there.

When I hear that trumpet sound, I'm gonna rise right outta the ground. Ain't no grave can hold my body down.

by DocOne on Sep 3, 2011 10:26 PM EDT reply actions