The Red Sox dealt some payback to the Rangers Saturday night, putting 12 runs up against Colby Lewis and the bullpen en route to a 12-7 win.
Things did not start off with much promise for the Red Sox. Erik Bedard found himself fighting against yet another small zone, as well as some unfortunate luck on ground balls, leading to three runs through the first three innings. Colby Lewis had managed to survive the same walk problems, giving up just one run in the same period.
Then came the fourth inning. Josh Reddick singled on the third pitch of the frame, and after working the count full on six pitches, Jarrod Saltalamacchia homered on the seventh. Just like that, the game was tied.
It wouldn't stay that way for long.
With one out, Dustin Pedroia lined into right field for a single, Adrian Gonzalez drew an intentional walk after a passed ball allowed Pedroia to move to second, and then with two outs the same thing happened for David Ortiz, loading the bases.
Up came Mike Aviles, and out into right field went a 3-1 fastball, bringing home a run and re-loading the bases to bring up Carl Crawford with a chance to break things open. Did he ever deliver. A 1-0 changeup caught all of the plate, and Carl Crawford's bat caught all of the changeup, driving the ball well past the bullpens in right for a grand slam.
The Red Sox would add another run in the inning on three straight singles, and top it off with a bases-clearing double from Dustin Pedroia in the sixth. And while the Rangers would get some back in the eighth, they would never really threaten to take things back.
Three For The Road
Erik Bedard Wins
Finally! It's taken six pretty strong appearances, but Erik Bedard left Fenway with his first win with the Red Sox Saturday night. Of course, Bedard wasn't without his typical curiosities--the aforementioned ground ball hits and small strike zone--but nothing could undo the 12 runs the Sox put up on Lewis and co.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia: Base Stealer
Mixed into that eight-run fourth was a career first for Jarrod Saltalamacchia: a stolen base. The swipe came on a 1-0 pitch fastball low off of Merkin Valdez. He'll never be a 20/20 guy, but for now he's at least 14/1.
Adrian Turns Two...Twice
Adrian Gonzalez was kept from providing big hits at the plate thanks to a very cautious approach by Texas pitchers resulting in two walks, but the first baseman certainly brought his glove. In the first inning with two on and one out, Gonzalez snagged a line drive off the bat of Michael Young, and then headed towards the dugout, tagging first along the way to retire Josh Hamilton. Then, with a man on third in the top of the fourth, the Rangers called for a suicide squeeze. The bunt ended up in the air, staying up just long enough for Gonzalez to run it down on the fly. With the runner already having crossed home plate, Gonzalez needed only to trot to the plate and tag him out.
Red Sox MVP -- Carl Crawford
While Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Josh Reddick (4-for-4 on the day) both deserve some credit, it was Carl Crawford who blew things wide open with his clutch 2-out grand slam.
Up Next -- Sunday, 1:35 p.m. | John Lackey (12-10, 5.94 ERA) vs. Matt Harrison (10-9, 3.54 ERA)
If Colby Lewis had his last beatdown at the hands of Boston too fresh in his mind, then imagine how it must feel for Matt Harrison? The 25-year-old southpaw doesn't have any starts in between the last time he faced Boston, giving up seven earned runs in five innings, and the one he has coming up on Sunday.
He'll only have to outdo John Lackey, however. And while it's been a long time since Lackey has really imploded, he's also been pretty reliable for a few runs here and there. Harrison just has to be decent, not great if he wants to hold the fort.