2013 NBA Playoffs Expert Picks: Third Round

After Three Hour Rain Delay, Red Sox Complete Sweep of Twins

2013 NBA Playoffs Expert Picks: Second Round Results

Dempster Struggles, Ortiz Smacks Two Home Runs in 12-5 Red Sox Win Over Minnesota Twins

Red Sox Win, But Lose Another Player to Injury

In dramatic fashion, the Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 Sunday. It looked like the pitching might never break, as Daisuke Matsuzaka had a shutout going deep and Jesse Litsch had a no-no going, but that was not to be. Having given up just one walk, Litsch gave up a double to Marco Scutaro with two outs in the 6th, then a tall home run to left to Darnell McDonald. David Ortiz followed it up with another home run to right.

Dice-K, who had been pitching wonderfully, started out the 7th by giving up a single to Adam Lind, and home run to Aaron Hill. Daniel Bard was then brought out to stop the bleeding, and stop the bleeding he did. Bard needed just eight pitches each over his two innings. The Red Sox had their chance for more in the 9th, with two runners on (and in scoring position with two outs), could do nothing with them. Jonathan Papelbon came to record the save, and did so in easy fashion.

The story of the day, though, was Adrian Beltre, who tweaked his left hamstring running to 1st in the 5th. He came out of game before the Jays came to bat in the 6th, being replaced in the order by Eric Patterson, with Bill Hall moving to 3rd. As it turned out, the injury was a strain, and is calling into question Beltre’s status for the All Star Game.

Sox Stud of the Game: Darnell McDonald

Papi drove in the winning run, and Matsuzaka did well until his hiccup, but without McDonald, the Sox wouldn’t have gotten the run support they needed.

Sox Dud of the Game: Adrian Beltre

Can the Sox even go one measly game without an injury? It wasn’t even like Beltre was sliding or landing strange either.

That’s What He Said:

“I was just trying to hit something hard, that’s all.” – Darnell McDonald on his home run.”

Game Notes:

W: Daisuke Matsuzaka 6-3
L: Jesse Litsch (0-4)
S: Jonathan Papelbon (20)

• Toronto out-hit Boston 8-6. Boston didn’t get any hits until their scoring outburst.
• Daniel Bard’s ERA is down to 1.90.
• Boston was 1/3 with RISP; Toronto was 0/5.

Tags: Adrian Beltre, Bill Hall, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Daniel Bard, Darnell McDonald, David Ortiz, Eric Patterson, Jonathan Papelbon, Marco Scutaro, Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays