Astros Win Slugfest 11-10

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox ⋅ June 29, 2008 at 12:33pm ⋅ Post a comment

The Astros won their first game all-time against the Red Sox, but needed some late-inning heroics to do so. Fast forward to the eighth inning: the Astros had already climbed back from a 4-0 deficit thanks to a five-run third inning off Jon Lester. They were now about to complete a comeback from a 9-6 deficit. Ty Wigginton homered in the eighth off Manny Delcarmen (0-2) to tie the game at 9-9. Lance Berkman delivered a two-run double later in the inning that proved to be the game-winner.

Jon Lester had his first bad game in a long time after allowing six runs on nine hits and two HRs in five innings. It was the first time since April 23 (a span of 11 starts) that he allowed more than three earned runs in a game. He had not allowed more than four earned runs in a game all season until Saturday night’s rough outing against the Astros. To top it all off, Lester went 0-2 at the plate with a strikeout!

Sox Stud of the Game:

Mike Lowell came up big against the Astros. He had a 4-4 effort that culminated in a solo HR in the ninth off Jose Valverde to get the Sox within one run. In all, he scored two runs and drove in three in the loss. His perfect night at the plate raised his batting average up to .297 as he remains hot. Honorable mention to another white-hot player: Dustin Pedroia (4-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, .302 AVG).

Diamond Dud of the Game:

The goat of the game is easily Manny Delcarmen, who spoiled a wonderful offensive effort for the Sox by stinking up the place in the eighth inning, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk in his inning of work. To his credit, it was the first time he allowed a run during an appearance since May 24 (a stretch of 12 scoreless appearances).

Game Notes:

Despite the strong offensive attack, Jason Varitek continued to fade into the abyss as he heads toward the Mendoza Line. After another 0-4, Tek is down to .228.
Sox pitchers are still hitless in interleague play: 0-22 with 16 K’s.