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Rain, Marlins Beat Sox in Five Innings

The Red Sox battled a revamped starting pitcher and heavy rain Thursday night, and came up on the losing end in a 2-1 loss. Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco allowed just one hit (a Kevin Youkilis HR) and earned a cheap complete game in the win, going all five innings.

Jon Lester started for the Sox and also went the distance, allowing two earned runs in his five innings of work. The Marlins battered Lester with eight hits and two home runs from Ronny Paulino and Dan Uggla in the second inning.

David Ortiz was the only other Sox hitter to reach base, grabbing second on an error in the fifth inning. He was stranded on second by Jason Varitek, and then the rains came.

Sox Stud of the Game

Kevin Youkilis, 1B: Youk went 1-2 with a HR in the first inning for Boston’s only hit.

Sox Dud of the Game

Jon Lester, SP: Definitely an unfair nod for Lester, but he did allow eight hits in those five innings. Credit him for battling through his location issues, but he still earned the loss.

That’s What He Said

“From where we’re sitting, we want to stay and play until whenever,” Terry Francona said. “We’re the home team; we’re not traveling. There are a lot of reasons we wanted to play. … We got the call; I don’t know if at that point you beg, it doesn’t help.”

Game Notes

W: Ricky Nolasco (3-6)
L: Jon Lester (5-6)

• The Sox offense went 1-17 with five strikeouts in the loss.
• Florida, meanwhile, went 8-22 with four walks and two runs.
• Former prospect Hanley Ramirez went 1-3 with a strikeout in a relatively quiet city.

Tags: Florida Marlins, Jon Lester, Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox, Ricky Nolasco

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