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JOHN LACKEY |
BOSTON STRONG -
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
John Lackey leads Red Sox in
the sweep of Houston
April 28, 2013 ...
After six strong innings by John Lackey in a 6-1 win over the Astros at Fenway Park, he took the first step toward getting him back to being a productive part of the Red Sox's rotation was a success.
The Red Sox finished off a four-game sweep of the Astros and improved to 18-7, matching their best start since 2002. They own the best record in the Majors, and could set team record for most victories in April with a win on Tuesday against the Blue Jays.
Regardless of the team Lackey was facing -- though the Astros, for all the flak they receive, are actually averaging just over four runs a game, better than 16 other offenses in the Majors this season -- he was able to get his fastball up to 93 mph (about 2 mph
slower than his fastest pitch during his first start of the season), get out of jams and consistently locate in the strike zone. While his arm strength is still not back to 100 percent after a right biceps strain kept him on the 15-day disabled list for 20 days, Lackey was able to
test his fastball, cutter, slider and curve throughout an 81-pitch outing. With a fastball that sat around 90-92 mph in the early going, Lackey gave up a quick run in the first. His fastball lost a few ticks in the middle innings, but the 34-year-old then retired 13 men in a
row.
Stephen Drew had a two-out, two-run triple in the fourth inning to give Lackey an early lead. David Ortiz continued his torrid spell with an RBI single in the first inning and an RBI single in the seventh, driving in Daniel Nava each time. Ortiz went 2-for-4 at
the plate, though it lowered his average to .516. He extended his hitting streak to 20 games dating back to last season, which is a new career high. Nava reached base three times, marking the 12th game this season that the outfielder has reached safely at least twice. Entering
Sunday, his .402 on-base percentage ranked 11th in the American League.
The Red Sox outscored Houston, 28-10, over the four-game series. The Astros have yet to win in seven tries at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox optioned Daniel Bard back to Double A Portland. A corresponding move was not announced, but the team is expected to activate righthander Joel Hanrahan off the disabled list before Tuesday's game in Toronto. Lefthander Craig Breslow also pitched an
inning for Pawtucket Sunday, allowing a run on a hit and two walks. The Red Sox went a fourth day without Shane Victorino, who is out with inflammation in his lower back. He has missed six of the last nine games with the injury. |
