Going, going Gonzo: Red Sox win, 5-1
Adrian Gonzalez found his mighty stroke at just the right time. His three-run homer in the 8th inning broke a 1-1 tie and iced the 5-1 win for the the Red Sox on Monday night.
The game marked the return of former Red Sox and current White Sox Kevin Youkilis. The familiar “Youuuk” chants rang out over Fenway before his first at bat. In a class move, Youkilis tipped his hat in four different directions in recognition of the Fenway faithful.
Then it was back to business, and the former Red Sox third baseman went 3-for-4 in his first appearance at Fenway in a new uniform.
Youkilis did his talking with his bat, and had nothing to say about his former manager Bobby Valentine. Remember, Valentine started a fire storm in April by commenting on Youkilis’s apparently diminished approach the the game. Over the weekend, Valentine made reference to those comments.
Youkilis wanted no part of a war on words with Valentine.
“This is not Bobby Valentine vs. Kevin Youkilis, or vice-versa,” he said. “This is the Chicago White Sox vs. the Boston Red Sox.”
Other notables:
– Carl Crawford returned to action after missing 90 games with a number of injuries. The outfielder reached base twice: once on a single and once a walk. He scored two runs.
– Red Sox starter Aaron Cook allowed just five hits in seven innings. The pitcher did not receive a decision, but he earned high praise after the game from Valentine.
More worries:
– David Ortiz will have an MRI today to determine any damage on his right Achilles tendon. The slugger appeared to injury himself when he pulled up awkwardly while rounding second base on Gonzalez’s home run. The last thing the Red Sox need is another injured player. The Sox have already placed 21 players on the disabled list this season.
Looking ahead:
Jon Lester will look to improve on the mound in the second half when he makes the start Tuesday night against Chicago’s Philip Humber. Lester was 5-6 through the first half of the season which is a way worse record than his 10-4 start last season.
