Red Sox Take Game 3 and the Series

Posted on April 10, 2015 in Game Recap

The Red Sox took the last game of the opening series of the 2015 campaign in ugly, yet effective fashion. It was 42 degrees in Philly at first pitch, and most of the players looked like they were headed to a Pats home game in mid-December, not taking the field for a regular season game. When Pedroia grounded out to short in the bottom of the first, I couldn’t tell if it was Freddy Galvis or Moses from Attack the Block who fielded the ball.

Before we go any further, I need to point out that I watched this game at a bar in Austin, so if I get any of the details wrong, blame it on the overattentive waitresses (no, I don’t need any more fried pickles, I just finished the first 18 you brought me) or the guy from Vermont who shot the breeze with me while he was waiting for his buddy to show up. It was better than Glansberging, but I missed some plays as a result. Also I was trying to watch the Bruins at the same time (honestly, what the hell guys).

Anyway, all of the scoring in this one came in an uncomely 3rd inning, starting with the Red Sox’ 6 spot in the top half of the frame. All the “action” came with two outs, and it was one of the lamest rallies you’ll ever see. Here’s how it went down:

  1. Ortiz pulls one weakly to the right side, but it gets deep into the shift, and he beats the throw from Utley. Infield single.
  2. Hanley hits a comebacker that Phillies starter David Buchanan stabs at, knocking it over his head onto the grass behind him. Instead of picking it up and pocketing it, he throws off-balance to first, missing Ryan Howard. Infield single and the runners advance on the error.
  3. Panda walks.
  4. Victorino hits a grounder to deep third. Cody Asche makes a backhand stop, looks at second, then tries to throw the Flyin’ Hawaiian out at first. No chance. Infield single, Ortiz scores
  5. Hanigan walks with the bases loaded, Hanley scores.
  6. With the bases still drunk, Xander hits a high looper down the right field line that drops in front of Francoeur, hitting the lip of grass where it borders the dirt surrounding the foul line. It squirts by Frenchy, all three baserunners score, Xander ends up at third with a triple.
  7. The pitcher Justin Masterson hits a line drive up the middle, Xander scores from third. This was by far the hardest hit ball of the sequence (can’t say of the inning because Mookie was robbed by Ruf to lead off the inning, who snagged a screamer an inch off the grass).

After being spotted six runs, you would hope your pitcher would respond by challenging the opposing hitters and throwing up a zero. Alas, Masterson allowed an infield single, a walk, uncorked a wild pitch, another walk, and then a clean single, allowing the Phils to get two runs right back. This one bad inning aside, Masterson pitched a good game, allowing only one other hit while striking out seven, and true to form, induced seven groundouts and only one flyout. I don’t remember his slider being so sharp on his first go-round with the Sox; it really compliments his sinker (like, Slider: “Hey Sinker, I love your shoes!” Sinker: “Thanks! I got them from DSW.”)

Notes:

–Joe Kelly‘s biceps tendinitis has healed well enough for him to start on Saturday versus the Yankees, but I wouldn’t expect him to pitch deep into the game.

-Bogaerts had a great game, reaching base all 5 times he was up. Sometimes all it takes is a blooper and a bleeder to get a guy going and that may have been the case with Xander. His final hit of the night came on an outside pitch, which he drove to right field with authority.

-Sox are 2-0 when I recap and winless when Lefty recaps.

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