Ortiz and Napoli go back-to-back to help the Sox walkoff, 2-1
By Joe Meehan
Now that’s more like it.
Just as it was starting to look like all hope was lost, David Ortiz and Mike Napoli hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the 10th inning to lead the Red Sox past the Twins, 2-1.
The home runs came after Koji Uehara gave up a solo shot to Chris Parmelee in the top of the 10th that gave the Twins a 1-0 lead. It was his first run allowed since May 1st.
The game was one of the fastest of the season, even with the extra inning. A big part of that was the dominance of the two starting pitchers.
John Lackey tossed 9.0 shutout innings, only allowing three hits while striking out nine. He has now gone at least 8.0 innings in three of his last four starts.
Unfortunately, on this day he was matched every step of the way by Twins’ starter Kyle Gibson, who went 7.0 innings, allowing one hit and striking out eight.
The Sox only hit prior to the home runs was a Daniel Nava double in the 5th.
After the Parmelee home run, the Twins chose to put Casey Fien into the game, rather than closer Glen Perkins. It’s a decision that will surely be questioned after the back-to-back home runs.
The Sox have now won three straight and five of their last seven. They will embark on a ten-game roadtrip that begins tomorrow night in Oakland. Jake Peavy will get the ball for the Sox and will be opposed by Scott Kazmir.