Middlebrooks’ Return Sparks Sox In 5-3 Win

The Red Sox finally got the upper hand in what had been a tough series against the Royals. After tough luck 5-1 and 9-6 losses in the first two games, the Red Sox played well and dispatched Kansas City in the third game. Though starting pitcher Felix Doubront (6-5, 3.56) did not turn in his best outing, the offense was able to bail him out with some rare and much-needed production from third base.

Aug 10, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman

(16) scores in the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Will Middlebrooks, batting ninth and playing third, was the spark plug in the lineup tonight. Overall, he went 2-4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs; his two-run single in the fourth was the biggest hit in a four-run fourth inning. Middlebrooks’s single was sandwiched by RBI doubles by Stephen Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury, putting the Red Sox on top 4-0 after four innings.

However, that lead would not be so secure for long. The Red Sox got an outing from vintage Felix Doubront in this game, and not in a good way. Doubront only lasted 4+ innings, walking 4 batters and allowing 6 hits, allowing 3 earned runs before recording an out in the fifth inning. He was replaced by Brandon Workman, who allowed one inherited runner to score but largely came away unscathed.

Workman pitched the fifth inning, and got two outs into the sixth, recording his first good relief appearance as he struck out 3 in 1.2 scoreless frames. Craig Breslow finished that inning before Junichi Tazawa went a pair of scoreless innings and the Red Sox got the save from the always-dominant Koji Uehara. The Red Sox will go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon as John Lackey (7-9, 3.21) faces off against James Shields (6-8, 3.36).