Article:Papi Power

David Ortiz got his groove back and Jon Lester shut out the Oakland Athletics, for a 5-0 Boston win on the second day of April.

Jon Lester faced off against Rich Harden for the second time in the young season, and this game was a great pitcher’s battle. Lester tossed six and two thirds innings of scoreless ball while giving up just three hits and three walks. Lester also struck out three in a game that his defense turned several double plays behind him. On the other side of the ball Rich Harden tossed five innings of scoreless ball, giving up four walks, four hits and sitting down six Red Sox players with strike outs.

It was not until the seventh inning that the Red Sox scored, when David Ortiz hit a homerun off of Allen Embree with Kevin Youkilis on second. Then with the bases loaded in the eighth inning Dustin Pedroia hit an RBI single and Kevin Youkilis followed him with an RBI single of his own. Jason Varitex finished off the scoring for the Sox when he hit a homerun to the same part of the field that his double that could have been a homer was hit last night.

Bryan Corey came in to relive Jon Lester in the seventh for the Sox and he gave up just one hit while striking out two in an inning and a third of work. Manny Delcarmen sealed the Sox 5-0 win with a perfect ninth inning.

The Oakland Athletics will have tomorrow off as they prepare to face the Cleveland Indians on Friday. While the Boston Red Sox will travel to Toronto for a game on Friday against Blue Jays.

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