A Win, With A Side of Drama

The Sox took advantage of Royals pitching again this afternoon and again scored 8 runs. This was enough to give the somewhat shaky Clay Buchholz his first W of 2010 after going five and giving up 3 runs. Pitching from the stretch still seems to unnerve the young starter, who has a habit of almost reflexively throwing to whatever base is occupied by a runner. However, he was able to work his way out of most of the jams he found himself in and limit the damage to 3 runs, only 2 of which were earned. The first run he allowed was caused by a failure to communicate in the outfield between Ells and Bill Hall, making his Red Sox debut. Hall nearly collided with Ells and ended up being charged with an error when he couldn't get a handle on the ball.

Meanwhile, the Sox scored four runs in the first inning off fresh-from-the-DL Gil Meche. Ells singles and swipes second. V-Mart knocks him in. Beltre knocks V-Mart in after Papi walks. Hermida hits a 2-run double to cap it off. Another run scores in the second after a fielding error by Ankiel, who gave the Sox fits in the first two games. The sixth Red Sox run comes on new team HR leader Pedey's blast to left. The little engine that could is a mere 17 dingers away from his promise of 20 this season. Also in that inning, Beltre belts a 2-run double off of reliever Tejeda, making the score 8-3. Pedey and Beltre both raked today, with Pedey going 4 for 5 with a HR and Beltre 3 for 5 with 3 RBI.

Unfortunately, Beltre was also involved in a collision in short left with Ells, who had to leave the game with his hand to his ribs. The X-rays were negative, however, and Ells just has what must be the mother of all bruises. J.D. Drew, who had been given the day off for neck stiffness came into the game for the last two outs in the ninth, with no other outfielders available. As much as I did not want to see Ells get hurt, it will be good to get Hermida some more at-bats. He's impressed so far with 3 RBI in the series and, if given enough at-bats and often enough, I think he can contribute a great deal to the offense.

The final score ended up 8-6, due to some RamRam pitch location fail in the eighth. MDC threw two scoreless and Pap picked up his second save of the season. The Sox are now back at .500 and head to the brand spankin' new Target Field for three days of afternoon ball with the Twins. Lester, to whose ERA April is the cruelest month, gets the start against Carl Pavano for tomorrow's late afternooner.

LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!!