Crawford Goes 4-4, Red Sox Pile Up 14 Runs To Beat Tribe

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ May 25, 2011 at 10:28pm ⋅ Post a comment

Carl Crawford, Terry Francona, Dustin Pedroia (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

When the Red Sox rolled into Cleveland, they were up against the best team in the major leagues. The Indians sported a surprising 29-15 record were nearly unbeatable at home (18-4). They also swept an early-season series from the Red Sox while Boston sputtered to a 2-10 start.

By the time the Red Sox left town on Wednesday, they had taken two of three, and embarrassed the Tribe in the finale, winning 14-2. The Red Sox jumped out to a 7-o lead after one inning, and didn’t look back, piling up 20 hits and four home runs.

Jon Lester was the lucky one on the mound for the Red Sox, given the tremendous run support. He pitched well though, allowing no runs on three hits and a walk in 6.0 innings. He struck out 7 to earn his seventh win of the season.

Carl Crawford, stuck in a season-long lump but showing recent signs of life, broke out in a big way, going 4-4 with a home run, two doubles, three runs scored and two RBI. The effort raised his batting average to .229. Yes, he still has a long way to go.

Jacoby Ellsbury and Drew Sutton, who was playing third for Kevin Youkilis, each had three hits and an RBI apiece. Ellsbury reached base five times in all (he also had two walks), stole a base, and scored two runs.

Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, and David Ortiz each went 2-for-6 and combined for five RBIs. Pedroia and Ortiz hit home runs, while Gonzalez drove in his league-leading 43rd RBI.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia continued his hot stretch, going 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored.

The Indians spoiled the shutout with two runs in the eighth inning off newcomer Franklin Morales.

Sox Stud of the Game: Carl Crawford

Finally! Before Wednesday, Crawford hadn’t had a three-hit game in a Sox uniform. Now, he has his first four-hit game under his belt.

Sox Dud of the Game: Jed Lowrie

Everyone in the Sox starting lineup had at least two hits, except Jed Lowrie, who went 0-5 with a walk. He’s still hitting .300.

Game Notes:

W: Jon Lester (7-1)
L: Mitch Talbot (1-1)

The Red Sox have won 10 of 12 to move within a half game of first place in the AL East.
Kevin Youkilis was out with a sore hand, while J.D. Drew was out with a sore hamstring. Mike Cameron went 2-4 with an RBI in Drew’s place.