Varitek Powers Red Sox Offense in 5-2 Win

Sports Illustrated

Red Sox 5 Phillies 2
Winning Pitcher: Jon Lester (10-4)
Losing Pitcher: David Herndon (0-2)
Save: Jonathan Papelbon (15)


Recap
Jon Lester pitched well, and the Red Sox were able to get to the Phillies bullpen in order to take a 5-2 victory that avoided them a three game sweep in Philly. The pitching matchup lived up to the hype early, as Lester faced off with the hot Cole Hamels. The game was tied at zero heading into the fourth, with both pitchers looking strong. In that inning, Adrian Gonzalez ripped a liner that connected right with Cole Hamels' glove hand. He finished out the 1-2-3 inning, but was pulled before the 5th. David Herndon entered the game for Philadelphia in the top of the inning, and quickly gave up a triple to Josh Reddick. Drew Sutton, the next batter, knocked Reddick in with a single to right. Three batters later, Sutton was knocked in by Ellsbury, and the Sox left the inning with a 2-0 advantage. As Lester continued to cruise, Jason Varitek hit a two out, solo home run in the sixth inning, giving Boston a three run cushion. In the top of the eighth, with the same score, Dustin Pedroia and Varitek went back-to-back, and the Red Sox held the 5-0 lead. Lester was pulled after the inning, finishing up with 7 shutout innings, allowing two walks and two hits, and striking out five. The Phillies were able to get two runs off a Ryan Howard homer off Bobby Jenks, but Papelbon finished off the save and the Red Sox avoided the sweep.


Home Runs
Boston: Jason Varitek 2(5), Dustin Pedroia (7)
Philadelphia: Ryan Howard (17)

The Red Sox finish up their three-city NL road trip in Houston, starting tomorrow night at 8:05 PM ET. Boston sends Tim Wakefield (4-3 4.54) to the mound against Houston's Bud Norris (4-6 3.36).