Article:Walking off with another win

We should start calling them the walk off Sox. Two nights in a row the Red Sox walked off with a win. Now they have brought the total of last bat wins up to 8. That is an amazing number considering the season is only a month old.

Last night was another pitchers duel at Fenway Park. It saw Daisuke Matsuzaka pitching against Toronto Blue Jays young gun Dustin McGowan. Dice K went seven innings for the Sox and got a no decision in the 2-1 win. He only allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four. He may have been able to pitch longer but his pitch count was up and over 100. On the other side McGowan pitched seven and a third innings allowing just four hits and just one run while walking one and striking out five. The one run that McGowan allowed was a solo home run off the bat of David Ortiz, who appears to be swinging the bat better than he was a few weeks ago.

After the Ortiz shot to left that barley cleared the wall the Sox put Manny Delcarmen out try and protect the lead. Well that did not last long for them. As he gave up a hit to his the first batter he faced. Francona then decided to bring in Okajima who allowed the inherited runner to score when he gave up a hit to Greg Zaun. The inning would end tied. And the Blue Jays held it tied till the ninth inning. Jonathan Papelbon came on in the ninth for the Red Sox and pitched a scoreless inning.

In the ninth the Red Sox had some heroics again. David Ortiz then singled off of the glove of the second baseman who was playing shallow right field. Manny Ramirez then walked and moved Ortiz to second. Jed Lowrie then pitch ran for Ortiz. Mike Lowell was then retired. On the next pitch Brandon Moss singled and Jed Lowrie got waved around. Vernon Wells came up firing from center and nailed Lowrie at the plate. The Sox would have to what another at bat before to begin the celebration. As Jason Vritex took the next pitch up the middle and Manny was being waved around. Wells again came up firing but the quick footed Ramriez beat the through.

For the second straight night the Red Sox walked off with a win on a single up the middle. Also for the second straight night the Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon came in for the ninth inning of a tied game and picked up the win. Also for the second straight night Dustin Pedroia made a huge stop behind Papelbon with two outs in the inning and a man on second and ended the inning.

Tonight the Red Sox and Blue Jays will play again, this time Tim Wakefield will pitch against AJ Burnett. First pitch is again at 7:05 PM.

from my blog www.sammonroe.net