Sox Out-Slug Jays, Win 7-5
By Aidan Flynn
Friday night provided a fifteen hit outburst for the Red Sox as they showed plenty of offense and resiliency in their victory over the upstart Toronto Blue Jays.
The Sox got off to an early 2-0 lead against Jays’ starter Josh Johnson following a triple by Stephen Drew (2-2) to deep center field. The ball was hit just far enough so that Jays’ outfielder Colby Rasmus dropped the ball as he ran into the wall, allowing Mike Napoli and Daniel Nava to score in the process. In the subsequent innings, the Sox offense was able to build off that early advantage and tack on three more runs by the fifth inning. By the end of the game, hits were recorded by 9 of the 11 Sox players with five players (Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Jose Iglesias, Nava, and Drew) all tallying multiple knocks on the night.
Jun 28, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jonny Gomes (5) hits an RBI single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Starter Allen Webster was solid the first go around through the Jays lineup but faced issues come the fifth inning. After allowing the first two batters of the inning to reach base, Webster surrendered a single to Jose Bautista for Toronto’s first run. Webster would allow two more runs before the inning was over and would give up another in the sixth, finishing with a line of 6 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, and 3 K’s.
And while the Sox did pile on the aforementioned fifteen hits, none might’ve been bigger than Jonny Gomes‘ pinch hit, 2-RBI base knock into left field to put the Red Sox ahead 7-5 in the seventh. This came just after Andrew Bailey continued his struggles and gave up a game-tying home run to Edwin Encarnacion earlier that inning.
Following the tumultuous seventh, it was smooth sailing for the Sox. Andrew Miller threw one and a third scoreless frames before handing the ball off to new closer, Koji Uehara in the ninth where the Japanese right-hander recorded his fourth save of the season. Tomorrow, Felix Doubront goes for his fifth win against the Jays and starter Esmil Rogers.