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Pitching Continues to Dominate as Sox win 2 of 3
ProBaseball-fans.com Boston Red Sox Correspondent Dan Warner brings us his latest update on the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.
Boston's starting pitching continued it's domination as the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox snagged two of three games against the Toronto Blue Jays. Both the starting pitching and the bullpen excelled in the series, which saw Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon pick-up two wins. The bats continued their struggle as well, although the hitting will come around. This Red Sox team seems to either get really hot with the whole team hitting well, or really cold with the whole team hitting poorly.
The first game of the three game home series for the Red Sox featured Boston youngster Jon Lester facing off against Toronto ace Roy Halladay (2-4). Both starers pitched extremely well in this one, with both pitchers going at least eight strong innings. Lester allowed one hit over eight innings in what might be his most outstanding performance of his career. Halladay went eight and two-thirds allowing one run on five hits. Kevin Youkilis singled in David Ortiz in the bottom of the ninth to get the game-winning run for the Sox. Jonathan Papelbon (1-0), who pitched a scoreless ninth, earned the win in the 1-0 contest that snapped Boston's five game skid.
The second game at Fenway saw Daisuke Matsuzaka start for Boston and Dustin McGowan for Toronto. Both went at least seven innings, with Matsuzaka allowing two hits and McGowan allowing one run on four hits. Sox captain and catcher Jason Varitek singled home Manny Ramirez in the ninth to give Boston the 2-1 win. Scott Downs (0-1) picked-up the loss in the effort, and Jonathan Papelbon (2-0) earned his second win in as many games.
The final game of the series featured Red Sox veteran Tim Wakefield against Blue Jay starter A.J. Burnett. This game was one sided in favor of Toronto, as Burnett (3-2) gathered his third win of the season, with Wakefield (2-1) picking-up the loss. The Red Sox did not score a single run in the game. The Blue Jays received their run production from Scott Rolen, Vernon Wells, and Alex Rios, to win the game by an final score of 3-0.
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The Red Sox (17-13) will next face the AL East leading Tampa Bay Rays (16-12) at Fenway Park. Buchholz, Beckett, and Lester are scheduled to start for Boston. Jackson, Shields, and Kazmir for Tampa Bay. This will be the end of Boston's six game home stand.
Red Sox Notes: Boston OF Jacoby Ellsbury missed the first and second games with a sore groin. RF J.D. Drew sat out of the second and third games with tightness in his right thigh. Boston sent RHP Bryan Corey down to Pawtucket to make room for Mike Lowell who made his first appearance since spraining his thumb on April 9th.
By Dan Warner
ProBaseball-fans.com Red Sox Correspondent
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