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JACOBY ELLSBURY |
BOSTON STRONG -
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
The Red Sox offense comes
alive and rallies past the Astros
August 6, 2013 ...
The Red Sox were down by five runs after two innings Tuesday night and in danger of dropping consecutive games against the Astros, the worst team in baseball. They gave away three runs in the first
inning and the Houston Astros scored two more in the second for a five-run lead. But the Red Sox were not bothered at all. They pounded out 15 hits, scored their second highest run total of the season, and overtook the Astros, 15-10, at Minute Maid Park.
Leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury ignited the Boston offense with a two-run homer in the third inning and Ryan Lavarnway contributed a two-run double in the fifth that put the Red Sox ahead to stay at 8-7. Then Jonny Gomes ripped a pinch-hit, three-run homer in
the sixth and the Sox turned it into a runaway. For Gomes, it was his fourth pinch-hit homer of the season, leaving him one short of the club record set by Joe Cronin in 1943. Gomes is 6-for-16 as a pinch-hitter with seven RBIs.
In an effort to give their other starters an extra day of rest this week, the Red Sox inserted rookie knuckleballer Steven Wright into the rotation to make the start. Wright had pitched well in relief last week and the Sox thought the free-swinging Astros would
have trouble with the knuckleball. To improve the odds, John Farrell had Ryan Lavarnway, the backup catcher, in the lineup. He caught eight of Wright's starts for Triple A Pawtucket. Wright lasted one inning, throwing 38 pitches and giving up three runs.
Lavarnway tied a Major League record in the first inning with four passed balls.
Lavarnway struck out in his first two at-bats against Houston starter Jordan Lyles with runners on and Boston trailing. But his key hit made the night worthwhile. Jacoby Ellsbury reached base four times in a row. He had two home runs, walked twice, and
scored four runs. Since 1920, the only Red Sox center fielders to hit two home runs and score four runs in a game were Fred Lynn (1975) and Ellis Burks (1987). Shane Victorino had three hits and a walk. David Ortiz tied his career high with four hits, all
line-drive singles. The Sox sent 26 batters to the plate in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings and 12 scored.
Rookie Brandon Workman replaced Wright and was hit hard, giving up six runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings. Still, he was the winner. Rookie Drake Britton allowed one run over 2 1/3 innings. He had a large group of family and friends at the game.
Rubby De La Rosa made his Red Sox debut in the ninth and retired the side in order with two strikeouts. His fastball hit 98 miles per hour.
The Sox moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Tampa Bay in the American League East. The 69-46 Red Sox have won as many games as they did all last season and have 47 to play. |
