Bard Blows Buchholz Masterpiece; Sox Lose in 8th Again

 

                                                         Sports Illustrated

Indians 3 Red Sox 2

Winning Pitcher: Joe Smith (2-1)

Losing Pitcher: Daniel Bard (1-4)

Save: Chris Perez (13)

Recap

The game was delayed by an hour due to rain and funnel clouds, but once it got started, both teams got very solid starts out of their pitchers. Former Red Sox prospect Justin Masterson, who was traded to Cleveland in the deal that landed Victor Martinez, set the tone in the top of the first with a quick 1-2-3 inning. The Boston offense was able to start the scoring in the third, when Dustin Pedroia knocked in his first run since May 2nd on a base hit to score Carl Crawford. Meanwhile, Buchholz was pitching outstandingly up until the fourth the inning, when he led the inning off by giving up a solo shot to the red-hot Asdrubal Cabrera. The Red Sox took the lead back in the top of the 5th, though, when Carl Crawford led off the inning with a solo blast of his own, and Boston was up 2-1. The score remained the same into the 8th, when Masterson was pulled after 7.2 IP, allowing just the two runs on four hits, two walks and three Ks. In the bottom of the 8th, John Hannahan started the inning off with a single, and advanced to second on a ground out. At this point, Buchholz was pulled in favor of Daniel Bard. The Red Sox starter lasted 7.1 IP and gave up two ER on four hits, two walks and four Ks. After getting Carlos Santana to pop out, Bard let up a two-out base hit to tie the game, followed by a double to Cabrera to give Cleveland the lead. In my own opinion, they should have walked Asdrubal, who is hitting everything he sees, with first base open. In the 9th, Drew and Lowrie had back to back singles, and Carl Crawford, who has been Mr. Clutch for the Sox in May, came up with men on first and third with one out. However, Crawford grounded into the game-ending double play. Despite the great outing from Buchholz, the Indians found a way to win and build upon their major league-leading record.

News and Notes

• The Red Sox are hoping they won't have more bad news on their hands. In the 8th inning, while rounding second, Dustin Pedroia came up limping on the foot he injured last season. Pedey said it was just a stringer, but it seems that he will likely be sitting for tomorrow night's game. Despite his recent struggles, a trip to the DL would be costly for this team.

Home Runs
Boston: Carl Crawford (2)
Cleveland: Asdrubal Cabrera (10)


The Red Sox (25-22) and Indians (30-15) continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05 PM ET in Cleveland. Boston will send Josh Beckett (3-1 1.73) to the mound against Fausto Carmona (3-4 4.76).