Ortiz Leads Sox to Win

Before I get started on this post, I would like to give some background information this year. As many of you are no doubt aware, Bobby Valentine was hired as the new Red Sox manager over the winter, and Ryan Sweeney and Andrew Bailey were both acquired from the Oakland A's. As well, Cody Ross joined the team, and David Ortiz agreed to one more year of salary arbitration for the Sox. As of right now, the starting pitching for Boston is as follows: Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, Felix Doubront, and Daniel Bard. Meanwhile on the batting front, Sweeney is putting up a .400 average, while Dustin Pedroia has 2 homers and Ortiz is smoking with a .406 average and 9 RBIs. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, Bailey hurt his hand in spring training, leaving Boston without a closer, and so Alfredo Aceves has taken that spot for now. Also, two nights ago Jacoby Ellsbury hurt his shoulder sliding into second base, but the BoSox took that game.

Yesterday's game was a late afternoon affair, and the Tampa Bay Rays did not need much time to get down to business. The Rays scored four in the first, three coming on a Luke Scott blast, and added another in the third. However, Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove a two-run homer in the second, bringing the Sox a little bit closer, then in the third Pedroia lifted his second homer of the season to make the game 5-3 Rays. After these two homers, it looked like there was a good chance the Sox could come back. Fast forward to the bottom of the fifth inning, where Big Papi drills a shot that keeps going and makes it over the wall for a two-run homer and a tie ballgame. Meanwhile, Buchholz has settled down, finishing the seventh inning with five strikeouts to go with the five runs allowed. In the bottom of the inning, Mike Aviles lead off against Burke Badenhop, and he led off with a long home run for Boston to break the tie. After that, Cody Ross came up with the bases loaded and drilled a two-run double for a three-run lead.

On to the eighth, where Franklin Morales comes in and sets down the Tampa Bay lineup in order. If only Dane De La Rosa could do that. But instead, Papi comes up with the bases loaded and lines one off the big green wall in left for a bases-clearing double and five RBI on the day for Ortiz. Next batter, Cody Ross, who goes yard for a two-run homer and a 13-5 lead. When I saw this, I knew the Sox were going to finish strong, and they did not disappoint, with Aceves shutting down the Rays in the ninth for Boston's second straight win and third overall. Ortiz and Ross combined for 9 RBI on six hits, with Ortiz having a four-hit day. I think it is great that Ortiz can still produce the way he has in the past, considering how long he has played.

Trivia
Despite Clay Buchholz's win in this game, he has a 9.82 ERA this season.