Tigers’ pitching phenomenal; Tigers beat Red Sox 1-0

A little bit of rain and excellent pitching was the story line in tonight’s 2013 American League Championship rematch. The Detroit Tigers defeated the Boston Red Sox by a score of 1-0 for the first win of a three-game set at Fenway Park. With the win, Detroit advanced to 25-12 on the year and with the loss, Boston fell under .500 yet again. They sit at 20-21, good enough for fourth place in the American League East.

It was a battle of the aces in tonight’s game. Jon Lester took the hill for the Red Sox and 2013 American League Cy Young winner Max Scherzer for the Tigers. While both pitchers were exceptional, Scherzer bested the Red Sox’ lefty. He allowed zero runs, three hits, four walks, and punched out seven in six innings of work. Lester, whose workload may have been cut short due to the fourth inning rain delay, fared well against the Tigers’ formidable lineup. In five innings, the southpaw gave up one run, four hits, three walks, and retired seven by way of the K.

There was no cut and dry offensive MVP in this one. However, if I had to appoint the honor to someone, it would have to be David Ortiz. Ortiz singled and drew an intentional walk tonight.

Game Notes 

• Burke Badenhop‘s been the Red Sox best relief pitcher of late. He pitched 1 and 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball this game. On April 15th, he had a 7.71 ERA. A month later, his ERA is 2.59. 
• Xander Bogaerts, Will Middlebrooks, and Jackie Bradley Jr. went a combined 0-7 with three strikeouts. The touted youth’s offensive woes persist.
• Shane Victorino sat out the game with an ailing knee. According to reports, he is set to have an MRI on it.

Game two of the series will take place at 7 p.m. tomorrow night. John Lackey takes the ball for Boston opposing Detroit’s Rick Porcello.