10 Takeaways from Bruins-Blackhawks Game 3

Garnett and Rivers to Clippers Deal ‘Dead’

Bruins Take 2-1 Series Lead as Rask Silences Blackhawks

A Brief History of Stolen Bases and the Red Sox

Big Papi is Back as Sox Avoid Sweep Against Mariners, 8-4

It started to look like the Red Sox were going to find themselves on the losing end once more against the Seattle Mariners, until an exciting seventh inning broke open the game for the Sox, carrying them to an 8-4 win.

The Sox avoided their first sweep at Fenway Park this season, and, coupled with a second consecutive day of sun, helped brighten what could have been a three-game losing streak.

Both Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz homered in the first inning to make it 2-0 against the Mariners, but the Mariners quickly caught up in the fourth inning after an error by Pedroia loaded the bases. A misplayed ball by J.D. Drew followed, which led to a bases-clearing triple that put the Mariners ahead, 4-3.

Then came the miraculous seventh inning, when David Ortiz, who is finally looking like he’s back in action, tied the game at 4 with an RBI single up the first base line. The Red Sox sent five more batters up to the plate after that as both Mariners pitchers Miguel Batista and Mark Lowe struggled with finding the strike zone. Batista walked Ellsbury for the force-in run, and Mark Kotsay hit a two-run single. A passed ball by Lowe scored Ellsbury right before Jason Varitek struck out to end the inning at 8-4: the final score of the game.

Sox Stud of the Game: David Ortiz

With a first inning home run and a single that beat the shift in order to tie the game, it looks like the old Ortiz is back and ready to play baseball.

Sox Dud of the Game: Kevin Youkilis

As the only player of the team who went hitless this afternoon (besides Nick Green, who still managed a walk in order to get on base), this “award” has to go to Youkilis, although it pains me to say so. Besides this little problem, the entire team contributed in order to redeem themselves at home with the win.

That’s What He Said

“That was a big hit for us. If I was over a bit that shot would have got me.”

- Dustin Pedroia, on being on first base when Ortiz hit a single to tie the game in the seventh inning.

Game Notes

W: Justin Masterson (3-2)
L: Miguel Batista (5-3)

• Pedroia’s error that allowed three unearned runs to score was his fifth on the season.
• During the game, the All-Star line up was announced, and the Red Sox will be sending six players to the game: Tim Wakefield, Josh Beckett, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay, and Jonathan Papelbon. It will be Tim Wakefield’s first trip to the All-Star Game, and at 42, he is the oldest player to be selected for the game since 1952.

Tags: David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Justin Masterson, Miguel Batista, Red Sox, Tim Wakefield