Lackey Gets Support As Sox Win 6-1

It has been a continuing trend this year for John Lackey to pitch well but receive no run support, hence his 7-10 record and 3.32 ERA entering this game. Keeping that in mind and with the Red Sox having major hitting struggles right now, this game looked like a recipe for disaster going up against Hiroki Kuroda (11-7, 2.33), one of the best pitchers in the American League this year. However, there was no need to worry as the Red Sox punished Kuroda just like the previous two times this year and supported another strong outing from Lackey.

Aug 17, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey (41) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

With help from a few great defensive plays by both himself and second baseman Dustin Pedroia, Lackey turned in his third quality start in his last four starts. He went 6.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 6 hits and 3 walks, striking out only 1 batter. He lowered his ERA to 3.22 on the season, and though it looked like he might have another support-less outing, that all changed in a big fourth inning.

The Red Sox plated three runs on four hits in the inning and it all started with a double by David Ortiz and single by Mike Carp. Stephen Drew then rolled over a potential double play ball, but first baseman Lyle Overbay could not control his throw, pulling shortstop Eduardo Nunez off the base to get nobody and allow the run to score. The Red Sox rolled from there, picking up single runs on RBI singles by Will Middlebrooks and Jacoby Ellsbury.

The Yankees picked up a run in the fifth, but that was all they would get in the ballgame. The Red Sox, meanwhile, picked up two more runs in the sixth and one more in the seventh on a solo homer by David Ortiz. Scoreless relief would come on .2 innings from both Craig Breslow and Junichi Tazawa, while Koji Uehara shut down the Yanks in the ninth. The Red Sox will go for the series win tomorrow with Ryan Dempster (6-8, 4.50) going against CC Sabathia (10-10, 4.66).