Indians Pummel Red Sox in Tito’s Return to Boston.
Terry Francona made his managerial return to Fenway, as his Indians crushed the Sox 12 to 3.
To say Ryan Dempster’s command was missing would be something of an understatement. The 36-year-old righty wasn’t hit around too badly but continually missed his spots, giving up four walks in three innings of work.
May 23, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (39) talks with pitcher Ryan Dempster (46) during the second inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Dempster escaped the first inning relatively unscathed, having only given up a one out single to Jason Kipnis. However, things began to unravel in the second, with men on first and second, and two out, Drew Stubbs blooped one behind first, which neither Mike Napoli or Dustin Pedroia could get to, allowing Stubbs to take second, and one run to come home. Then in the third, Dempster got the first out rather quickly, and then it all went downhill. A single and back to back walks loaded the bases for Mark Reynolds who hit a line drive single to bring home two. After a brief visit to the mound, Dempster got Mike Aviles to ground out to short, allowing one run to come home.
In the bottom half of the third though, the Sox looked poised to take the lead back. A single and a walk brought Pedroia to the plate with no outs, but Jacoby Ellsbury was a bit too keen and attempted to take home on Pedroia’s single and was gunned down by a Michael Bourn throw to catcher Yan Gomes. David Ortiz then got the call and crushed a ball to right, pulling the Sox within one. But that was all they would get against Cleveland pitching.
May 23, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) hits a three run home run off Cleveland Indians pitcher Zach McAllister (not pictured) during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
At 85 pitches, Ryan Dempster was pulled after three innings of work, and Clayton Mortensen was brought in to keep the game close. Yet Mortensen was seemingly less equipped than Dempster, as he surrendered a run before getting even his second out, and then allowed another in the fifth. Then, to start the sixth, Sox pitching just imploded, and Mortensen started the inning with a single and two walks loading the bases.
Unfortunately, Alex Wilson finally showed he was capable of having a bad outing and let not only the three Indians he inherited to score, but also another three of his own.
The Sox look to turn the tables tonight, having dropped three of four after winning five straight. Boston will send John Lackey (2-4, 3.31) to the mound to square off against Cleveland ace Justin Masterson (7-2, 2.83) at 7:05 PM EST.