Game 92: Sox 9 Rays 5

Sox managed to get to Big Game James in this one and sneak a win in for Lackey. Rays jumped out to a 3 run lead in the first but the Sox came back with a long 2-run home run by Reddick in the second and 3 runs on back to back doubles by Ortiz and Drew. Ellsbury and Pedroia added solo home runs of their own as well. Ellsbury and Pedroia are both really hitting the ball well right now. Gonzalez continues to struggle however joining Saltalamacchia as the only 0-fers in the lineup.

Lackey pitched just well enough to win and Francona again pulled him before he could finish an inning for the win. Five and 2/3 innings, 10 hits, 1 BB, and 3 ER. The 7 Ks were good but he got lucky to get out of a couple of innings on a pair of double plays. In a close game he gets the L but the offense bailed him out this time. Jenks apparently went back on the DL for the third time this year so his replacement, Randy Williams, pitched a clean inning in relief. Bard went 4 outs and looked dominant. Papelbon gave up a run in the non-save situation but pitched pretty well. Kotchman's fly ball found the outfield wall and got by Drew for a triple. Longoria hit a solid line drive for the RBI but no one else even hit the ball hard.

A good win to get especially after yesterday's loss. The more I see the Rays, the more I feel like we should take care of business regularly against these guys. Outside of Longoria, there's not much punch in the lineup. And with their young pitchers, we shouldn't see more than 6 innings of them. Rubber game's tomorrow. Let's do it.