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BOSTON STRONG -
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
Lackey & Brandon Snyder
lead the Sox past the Padres
July 2, 2013 ...
One start after striking out a career-high 12 batters over seven innings of two-run ball, John Lackey went one inning longer and gave up one fewer run in a 4-1 win for the Red Sox against the Padres at Fenway Park.
As the Red Sox notched their sixth win in seven games, Lackey posted the fourth straight outing that he's gone at least seven innings and given up two runs or fewer. His resurgence has been a big reason why the Red Sox, despite the injuries of Clay Buchholz
and the struggles of Jon Lester, have been able to maintain their position atop the American League East.
When Lackey has let loose this season, he's been able to find an extra gear. The velocity on his fastball has increased throughout the year and topped out at 96 mph. In the first inning, he struck out the first two batters he faced on seven pitches and needed just
three more to retire the side. All 10 offerings were fastballs over 92 mph.
Lackey's one blemish came in the seventh when Jesus Guzman deposited a 2-2 curveball into the Green Monster seats for his fourth home run. Lackey threw 73 strikes in 103 pitches in what was his longest outing since June 17, 2011. His 2.81 ERA is eighth in the AL.
Playing in his third game of the season, third baseman Brandon Snyder delivered the big blow for the Red Sox on offense. With one out and the bases loaded in the fourth, he stung the ninth pitch of his at-bat against Padres starter Robbie Erlin high off the wall
in left field for a bases-clearing double. He was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple, but as he jogged toward the dugout, the 36,498 fans at Fenway Park made it clear all was forgiven. Snyder, who was brought up to replace the struggling Will
Middlebrooks, also had a two-run double in Boston's 5-4 win over the Blue Jays on Sunday.
David Ortiz clubbed the 500th double of his career in the first. Dustin Pedroia tried to score from first but was tagged out at the plate after a perfect relay throw from second baseman Logan Forsythe. The Red Sox added their final run in the sixth inning
when Jose Iglesias, who went 2-for-3 to raise his average to .415, grounded a ball up the middle to score Jonny Gomes.
The night was about Lackey, though. When he walked off the mound after completing his eighth inning of work, the fans at Fenway -- with whom he's had a tenuous relationship throughout the years -- rose to their feet and gave him a big ovation.
Clay Buchholz has taken another step in the throwing program the Red Sox have mapped out as he recovers from the neck injury. Buchholz threw from 60 feet Tuesday with no issues. Shortstop Stephen Drew is still day to day with tightness in his right
hamstring, and it's unlikely he'll return before the road trip. |
