YOOOUUUK!! by Jared Carrabis
Lester Blanks Jays, Youkilis Walks Off

Pitching, pitching, pitching. The Red Sox have finally ended their five-game losing streak and it had everything to do with pitching and some late-inning clutch defense and hitting. Jon Lester got the start against the iron man of pitching (no disrespect to Mr. Ripken Jr.), Roy Halladay. When Halladay gets the ball, it is almost expected that he is to pitch a complete game or at least into the ninth inning. The Toronto ace attacks the strike zone with strikes and makes the opposition swing early and often. Jon Lester was up for the challenge and answered the call.


The first game of three to be played at Fenway Park between the Red Sox and the Blue Jays was one to remember. Fans, if you were there, save your stubs. Tuesday night saw one of the best pitching duels at Fenway Park in recent memory. Jon Lester and Roy Halladay both shut down the respective offenses through eight innings. Both starters held shut outs through eight complete innings of work.


Jon Lester flirted with a no-hit bid and actually could have had one if Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia was a little bit taller. Leading off the fifth inning, Blue Jay’s first baseman Lyle Overbay lined a single over the head of Pedroia and that would be the only blemish (if you can even consider that a blemish) on Lester’s outing. When the books were closed on Lester he would leave the game having thrown eight innings, giving up zero runs on just that one hit while striking out six. Lester would throw 97 pitches on the night, 58 for strikes. The walk total (4) would be a little high for Lester’s liking but would prove to be no harm at all.


Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon entered the game in the top of the ninth to preserve the 0-0 tie to give his team a chance to win it in the bottom half of the inning. Coincidentally, it wouldn’t be Papelbon that was doing the saving around here. With two out (two K’s) and Scott Rolen on second after his third double of the season, Vernon Wells ripped a 97 MPH fastball back up the middle. Dustin Pedroia, knowing without a doubt that Rolen would score on this hit, laid out and made the stab at the blazing groundball and gloved it while it was already passed him. Pedroia was quick to his feet and threw a bullet to first to conclude the inning and save the 0-0 tie.


Roy Halladay entered the bottom of the ninth inning having thrown three complete games in a row (two for losses) and wasn’t leaving until he collected another. The Toroto bullpen was motionless as the top of the Red Sox lineup was set to bat against Roy Halladay. It looked like this one was heading for extras as Coco Crisp led off the inning with a fly out to center and Pedroia followed the fly out with a pop out to third baseman Scott Rolen.


David Ortiz watched the first two pitches of his at bat miss for balls and on the 2-0 count he cranked a ball well deep enough to be a booming home run but he was way out in front of it and drove it foul. Ortiz would work the walk and bring Manny Ramirez to the plate. Ramirez hacked away at the first strike he saw and singled to center to put two men on for Kevin Youkilis. Youkilis, who was 1 for 3 heading into the at bat, lined a 94 MPH 1-0 fastball into center field. Ortiz would be waved around as Red Sox fan were anticipating a close play at the plate due to the lack of speed that Ortiz possesses. The line drive would skip it’s way out to Vernon Wells only to be bobbled by the center fielder and Ortiz would score standing up, Red Sox win it.


The Red Sox gain a win but in the process lose JD Drew (quad). JD Drew left the game in the fourth inning due to a quad injury. The replay didn’t show the injury to be too severe, but it was enough to remove Drew from the game. 6 moves, 12 player transactions in the past week and with the Red Sox trying to avoid yet another, cautiously sat Drew for the remainder of the contest. Ellsbury did not get the start tonight due to a strained groin. His injury is reported to not be serious, the Red Sox are just being cautious with him as well to prevent his injury from ultimately becoming serious.


On a side note, Mike Lowell (0 for 3) made his return to the Red Sox lineup on Tuesday night. Although he didn’t collect a hit, he did look sharp on defense and it’s always difficult to readjust to big league pitching (especially when your first night is against Roy Halladay).


The middle game of this series will feature Dustin McGowan squaring off with the unbeaten, Daisuke Matsuzaka. McGowan is coming off in ugly start in which he walked a whopping seven batters and lasted just four innings giving up five runs (four earned) on four hits. Matsuzaka will be making his attempt at going 5-0 once again, his last start was scratched due to the flu. On the downside, Matsuzaka has yet to pitch seven innings this season but on a positive side he has a 3-1 record against the Blue Jays.


Final Score: Blue Jays 0, Red Sox 1

Published on April 29, 2008

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