June 13, 2008
With Harang Hurt, Sox Beat up on Reds' Pen
Boston 7, Cincinnati 4
The Red Sox started off their road trip with a convincing win, something that they needed after dropping their last three series. Kevin Youkilis, fresh off of inking a two-year extension, put on a strong performance in front of his hometown crowd, driving in 4 runs in the 7-5 Sox victory.
With Aaron Harang out of the game with soreness in his elbow after retiring just seven batters, the Red Sox took advantage of a tired Cincinnati bullpen. Boston loaded the bases in the third against reliever Bill Bray on a pair of singles and an error, before Dustin Pedroia drove home the first run of the game with a base on balls. Youkilis followed with a Grand Slam, his 9th home-run of the year, delighting the hometown cheering section. Jermey Affedlt replaced Bray, who managed to surrender 5 runs without recording an out, but didn't fare too much better. A single by Manny Ramirez was followed by a two-rin home run by Mike Lowell, putting the Sox ahead by seven after just three innings.
"I think that was an impressive display," manager Dusty Baker said. "They owned our guys. Enough said."
The Reds did attempt a comeback in the fourth, putting up 3 runs off Boston starter Tim Wakefield (5 IP, 7 Hs, 4 Rs, 3 Ks). Drew Anderson, in just his 12 games since jumping from Double A Chattanooga, hit his 7th home run of the season to lead off the fourth. Adam Dunn followed with a double to right before coming home on Ken Griffey Jr's 2-run home run, his 18th of the season. Griffey is the leader amongst active players with 611 home runs, 77 more than Alex Rodriguez and 151 behind Barry Bonds.
The Cincinnati added one more run in the fifth off Wakefield before the Sox bullpen shut down the Reds for the final 4 innings, allowing just two hits.
W: Wakefield (9-3) L: Bray (3-1) SV: Papelbon (19)
Player of the Game: Kevin Youkilis (2-4, 2B, HR, rR 4 RBIs)
Around the League:
...Seattle signed 1B Mike Sweeney to a one-year contract worth $390k and designated CF Willie Bloomquist (91 ABs, .319 AVG., .794 OPS, 1 HR, 15 RBIs) for assignment...Minnesota SP Kevin Slowey pitched a 2-hit shutout against the Milwaukee Brewers with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk allowed...