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“DIARY OF A WINNER”
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BOSTON STRONG - April 22, 2013 ... Mike Napoli banged a grand slam over the Green Monster on Monday night to lead Boston to a 9-6 romp over the Athletics. When Napoli stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs in the fifth, it was still a close game, at 4-3. But that changed with one swing by Napoli, who leads the Major League in RBIs, with 25. Napoli is thriving in his new environment, taking aim at all areas of Fenway. Last Monday he banged a walk-off double off the Monster. This time he cleared it for his fourth career slam. Earlier in the contest, he smashed an RBI double down the line in right. It's a good thing the Red Sox eventually stretched the lead to six runs, because the A's came back to make a game of it in the eighth, scoring three runs against Clayton Mortensen. That inning could have been worse if not for a fine running catch in right field by Shane Victorino to rob pinch-hitter Eric Sogard of a two-run double. Though it was a bitterly cold night, the Red Sox looked comfortable at the plate. Will Middlebrooks also cleared the Monster, belting a three-run homer that signified he might be ready to break out of a prolonged slump. With all that offense at his back, Felix Doubront went 6 2/3 innings for the win, his second of the season. The lefty gave up three hits and three runs. He walked five and struck out eight, throwing 113 pitches. It was a night to forget for Athletics right-hander A.J. Griffin, who got himself into trouble in the fourth when he hit Napoli with the bases empty and two outs. Joel Hanrahan threw in the bullpen for the first time since being sidelined and said he felt fine after 30 pitches. Hanrahan will start a minor league rehabilitation assignment this weekend. John Lackey made a rehab start for Double A Portland and looked good against Binghamton. The righthander, who left his start April 6 with a strained biceps, threw 32/3 scoreless innings. Lackey allowed three hits, walked two, and struck out five. He threw 67 pitches, 45 strikes. Lefthander Franklin Morales had his latest rehab start delayed. Lefthander Craig Breslow, who is coming back from a sore shoulder, will start a rehab assignment in Portland, then pitch for Triple A Pawtucket. |
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