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WILL MIDDLEBROOKS |
A LOST YEAR WITH
BOBBY V ...
The Red Sox and Will
Middlebrooks rally
in the eighth inning to beat the Marlins
June 21, 2012 ... How
can the Red Sox not play Will Middlebrooks at third base every day?
The rookie from Texas has given them almost no choice after a
memorable performance. Middlebrooks drove in four runs, two with the
tying home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, as the Red Sox
rallied to beat the Miami Marlins, 6-5.
That's five
straight wins for the Sox and victories in seven of their last eight games.
Those who carved out a space in the humid air at Fenway Park saw one of the best
games of the season as the Sox scored three runs in the eighth to sweep the
series.
The inning
started when Jarrod Saltalamacchia doubled off the wall in left-center, knocking
Miami reliever Randy Choate out of the game. The 23-year-old Middlebrooks, who
earlier had a pair of RBI singles, was next. Edward Mujica threw four
consecutive split-finger fastballs. Middlebrooks took the first for a strike,
swung and missed at the second, and let the third go by, the pitch just missing
the outside corner of the plate. After Middlebrooks fouled off the fourth
splitter, Mujica did turn to his fastball. The first was well outside but the
second was up and over the plate. Middlebrooks drove it several rows into the
bleachers in center for his eighth home run.
The Sox
weren't done. Another impressive young player, 24-year-old Ryan Kalish, singled
to right field. Valentine called for a hit-and-run and Mike Aviles hit a ground
ball to the right side. Kalish rounded second and went to third, sliding under
the tag. His aggressive play paid off when Daniel Nava singled to center off
Mujica, driving in the go-ahead run.
The rally
made a winner out of Scott Atchison, who threw two scoreless innings in relief.
Alfredo Aceves worked a perfect ninth inning for his 18th save. Daisuke
Matsuzaka started and pitched into the sixth inning, allowing four runs.
Middlebrooks
is 6 of 8 with two home runs and eight RBIs in his last four games. He is
hitting .316 on the season with a .903 OPS and has driven in 31 runs in 38
games. The production has come despite occasional games on the bench to
accommodate playing time for veteran Kevin Youkilis.
Middlebrooks
was called up to fill in while Youkilis was on the disabled list. Finding room
in the lineup for two third basemen has become a daily challenge for Valentine.
Middlebrooks has been the odd man out, starting only seven of the last 12 games.
But
Valentine also acknowledged that Middlebrooks has earned the right to play more
by playing so well. Youkilis is hitting .225 in 41 games with a .670 OPS and 13
RBIs. The Sox have increased their efforts to trade him in recent days,
according to baseball sources, and are willing to absorb much of the $6.89
million remaining on his contract to make a deal happen
Middlebrooks
is the first Sox rookie to hit a tying or go-ahead home run in the eighth inning
or later since Shea Hillenbrand in 2001. |
