How do I reach these kids? (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

The Red Sox were in Atlanta last night for the second half of a home and home. Joe Kelly started and was generally effective, giving up two runs over 5+ innings, putting his team in good position to win. Did it work out? Let’s read on.

Since this game was in an NL park, Kelly was also batting and – guess what –  came up twice with runners in scoring position and two outs. The first time, there were runners on second and third and he grounded out to second base.

The second time, the bases were loaded and he again hit a routine grounder to the right of second base, but he busted his ass down the line and beat it out for an infield RBI single. He must’ve caught Braves second baseman Jace Peterson by surprise. He definitely wasn’t expecting the pitcher to be running hard and to be fast. Good legwork by Pumpsie.

The Red Sox’ other run came on a Mike Napoli big fly, and the Red Sox led 2-1 going into the bottom of the 6th.

But Kelly had labored through his 5+ innings, and was forced to leave in the sixth due to his high pitch count without recording an out and having allowed the first two batters to reach that inning.

Thus the game was left in the hands of the bullpen. Robbie Ross Jr. relieved Kelly and got a strikeout and this little flare that Pedroia couldn’t nab in the air. It was hit too softly to turn two, so they settled for one and the inning continued. Farrell then lifted Ross for Ogando (not “Oregon condo”, Siri), who promptly gave up a game-tying single to our old friend Pedro Ciriaco.

Taz came into a tie game in the seventh and gave up three hits, a walk, and two runs. The hits were relatively soft – one was a routine grounder through a vacated right side on a hit-and-run – but opposing teams have been able to get to Junichi of late. Tommy Layne came in for Taz with the bases loaded and walked A.J. Pierzynski of all people to make the score 4-2, Braves. They would go on to win by a final count of 5-2.

Notes:

-Pedroia was 0-5 in his return to the lineup, but it was good to see him back in action. He also turned in this dandy in the field.

-The Red Sox pitching staff somehow walked A.J. Pierzynski twice. I don’t even know how that’s possible. The guy would swing a wet newspaper at a Rick Ankiel special, yet somehow he was given two free passes. He had only walked 7 times in 162 plate appearances coming into last night’s game.

-My Little League team also played the Braves yesterday, but we won 16-4. Clean it up guys.