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Moriarty9 · 04-22-2008, 10:19 PM

Murphy walk-off homer redeems Oswalt
Another rough start covered up by late hits from Murphy
August 5, 2009

BOSTON -- Things were not looking good for Roy Oswalt and the Boston Red Sox heading into the last of the ninth inning at Fenway Park.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were looking to pick up a victory over the AL East leading Red Sox and just needed to record three outs before Boston could score five runs to tie the ballgame, six to win. It just didn't work out that way.
Working with a 9-4 lead, Jose Ascanio took the mound for the Angels and walked leadoff hitter Hanley Ramirez on seven pitches and Nick Markakis on nine pitches before being lifted for left-handed reliever Jose Sanchez, who promptly walked Dustin Pedroia on four pitches to load the bases with nobody out. Sanchez was then replaced by Blaine Neal, who gave up a two-run single to David Murphy. Dan Uggla followed with a double to leftfield, making it a two-run ballgame with men on second and third. A passed ball allowed Murphy to score and put Uggla, the tying run, on third base. Ichiro Suzuki drew a five-pitch walk before a wild pitch allowed Uggla to score, tying the game at nine runs each.
Boston closer Joe Nathan faced four batters in the top of the tenth without much difficulty, giving the Red Sox an opportunity to win the game in the last of the 10th.
Neal returned to the mound for the Angels and quickly fell behind Ramirez 2-0 before the shortstop doubled down the firstbase line. Markakis popped out to third base before Pedroia was intentionally walked, setting up a potential inning-ending double play with the left-handed hitting Murphy coming to the plate. On the seventh pitch of the at bat, Murphy got a 3-2 fastball drilled into the Red Sox bullpen with a three-run walk off home run to win the game.
"It felt good to hit that double in the ninth and give us a chance to come back but man it was something else to get that homer," an excited Murphy said after being mobbed at home plate by his teammates.
Oswalt, making his second start in a Red Sox uniform, struggled once again but managed to escape with a no decision and the team ultimately winning the game.
"It's definitely frustrating on a personal level but at least I haven't hurt these guys too much since they've been able to come back from the holes I've been putting them in and win ballgames," Oswalt said. "I hope to start returning the favor next time out."
Oswalt gave up seven runs on 11 hits and a walk, striking out two over 3 2/3 innings. In his two starts with the Red Sox, both of which have been at Fenway Park, Oswalt has posted a 13.97 ERA.
Boston has an off-day tomorrow as they wait for the Oakland Athletics to come to town for a three-game set. The day off is sorely needed for the pitching staff, which has been spread thin the last several days.

04-22-2008, 10:19 PM	#47 (permalink)
Moriarty9 Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 413	Oswalt hit hard, Murphy hits hard Murphy walk-off homer redeems Oswalt Another rough start covered up by late hits from Murphy August 5, 2009 BOSTON -- Things were not looking good for Roy Oswalt and the Boston Red Sox heading into the last of the ninth inning at Fenway Park. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were looking to pick up a victory over the AL East leading Red Sox and just needed to record three outs before Boston could score five runs to tie the ballgame, six to win. It just didn't work out that way. Working with a 9-4 lead, Jose Ascanio took the mound for the Angels and walked leadoff hitter Hanley Ramirez on seven pitches and Nick Markakis on nine pitches before being lifted for left-handed reliever Jose Sanchez, who promptly walked Dustin Pedroia on four pitches to load the bases with nobody out. Sanchez was then replaced by Blaine Neal, who gave up a two-run single to David Murphy. Dan Uggla followed with a double to leftfield, making it a two-run ballgame with men on second and third. A passed ball allowed Murphy to score and put Uggla, the tying run, on third base. Ichiro Suzuki drew a five-pitch walk before a wild pitch allowed Uggla to score, tying the game at nine runs each. Boston closer Joe Nathan faced four batters in the top of the tenth without much difficulty, giving the Red Sox an opportunity to win the game in the last of the 10th. Neal returned to the mound for the Angels and quickly fell behind Ramirez 2-0 before the shortstop doubled down the firstbase line. Markakis popped out to third base before Pedroia was intentionally walked, setting up a potential inning-ending double play with the left-handed hitting Murphy coming to the plate. On the seventh pitch of the at bat, Murphy got a 3-2 fastball drilled into the Red Sox bullpen with a three-run walk off home run to win the game. "It felt good to hit that double in the ninth and give us a chance to come back but man it was something else to get that homer," an excited Murphy said after being mobbed at home plate by his teammates. Oswalt, making his second start in a Red Sox uniform, struggled once again but managed to escape with a no decision and the team ultimately winning the game. "It's definitely frustrating on a personal level but at least I haven't hurt these guys too much since they've been able to come back from the holes I've been putting them in and win ballgames," Oswalt said. "I hope to start returning the favor next time out." Oswalt gave up seven runs on 11 hits and a walk, striking out two over 3 2/3 innings. In his two starts with the Red Sox, both of which have been at Fenway Park, Oswalt has posted a 13.97 ERA. Boston has an off-day tomorrow as they wait for the Oakland Athletics to come to town for a three-game set. The day off is sorely needed for the pitching staff, which has been spread thin the last several days.