Sox improve to MLB’s best record at 17-7
The good times keep on coming for the Sox as they cruised on to an 8-4 win over the Astros, putting them at a MLB best 17-7 on the season along with a league leading active win streak of four games. The Sox have yet to spend a day out of first place as they have exceeded nearly every expectation for them so far on the young season. No one knows how long this stroke of good luck will last, but Sox fans will ride it out for as long as possible.
Bright Spots:
- The word of the day for the Sox was “hits,” as they racked up 12 in the game to help them along in scoring eight runs. Daniel Nava, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, and Will Middlebrooks all had multi-hit games as they put some good swings together off of the Astros pitching staff.
- Big Papi has made his presence known since coming back to the Sox off of the DL. He had three RBI’s in the game giving him nine on the season. Without Ortiz the Sox lacked a true power threat in their lineup, but now that he is back their offense has been unstoppable.
- Despite having a rough first inning in which he threw 31 pitches and gave up two runs, Felix Doubront settled down as he cruised on to pitch 6.2 innings to pick up his third win of the season. Doubront walked four in his outing but struck out eight.
Downers
- While the end result was pretty good for Doubront, his first inning gave many in Red Sox Nation reason to question his effectiveness. Doubront walked three and gave up two runs while throwing 31 pitches in the first inning of the game. He needed 64 more to get through the remaining 5.2 innings, but the Sox need him to be more consistent if he is to be an integral part of the starting rotation.
- Daniel Bard came in for an inning of relief but was unable to get out of a jam. He threw nine pitches, eight of them balls, to walk the first two batters he faced before being pulled. While Bard has shown some signs of improvement, it is obvious that he has a very long way to go before he can be back full time.
Quote of the Game:
“I don’t know what happened in the first inning. I was using more of my arm than my body. I was a little frustrated with what I was doing and thinking too much,” Doubront said. “But after the first inning I really focused on the strike zone. I wasn’t thinking of my mechanics at all. Just throw the ball and get quick outs to go deep in the game. I’m so proud that I did that.”
Looking Ahead:
The Sox will finish off the series on Sunday afternoon at 1:35. John Lackey will make his second start of the season, and his first since going on the DL three weeks ago. With the off day on Monday, John Farrell has some flexibility in terms of using his bullpen should Lackey not make it deep in the game. After today the Sox will head to Toronto to face the last place Blue Jays.
