Sox Hang on to Win 4-2 in Toronto

It took them eleven innings, but eventually the Sox got a much-needed win when they beat the Blue Jays 4-2 in Toronto.

Aug 13, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Ryan Dempster (46) throws against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Dempster had a fine 7-inning outing. With 88 pitches, he gave up 4 hits, 2 walks, and only one run. He struck out 4. Junichi Tazawa, however, had less than a stellar evening. He gave up the tying home run in the bottom of the 8th. Craig Breslow and Koji Uehara combined for 2.1 innings with no hits, no walks, and 3 strike outs.

The Sox offense came close to breaking the game open in the top of the 6th. After switching to bat right, Shane Victorino was hit by a pitch. With one out, David Ortiz singled and Jonny Gomes walked. The bases were loaded and the Sox hopes were high. But Mike Napoli struck out and Stephen Drew flied out. The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Jays. In the bottom of the 6th Jose Reyes was out at home plate after Victorino fired the ball to Jarrod Saltamalacchia, ending the Jays’ threat.

In the 10th, the Sox threatened to go ahead when Ortiz hit a double, but no one could bring him home. In the top of the eleventh, it was a different story. Drew flied out, but Saltalamacchia walked. Will Middlebrooks singled, his second hit of the game. Jacoby Ellsbury drove Salty to third on a force out and then stole second. Victorino hit a single which scored both Salty and Jacoby putting the Sox up 4-2. Victorino stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error, but Pedroia flied out to end the inning.

Uehara, who had already gotten one out in the 10th inning, stayed in for the bottom of the 11th. Thankfully for Sox fans who have to get up early for work tomorrow, he got the first batter to pop out, and the second and third to ground out.

With tonight’s win, and Tampa Bay’s loss, the Sox gain a four-game lead in the AL East.