Crawford, Gonzalez Power Lackey, Red Sox to Sweep A’s

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ June 6, 2011 at 1:05am ⋅ Post a comment

John Lackey (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Back on the mound Sunday for the Red Sox was John Lackey, who was previously on the disabled list with a right elbow strain, otherwise known as “time to clear your head.” Lackey’s wife has been battling cancer, and that, along with his horrendous on-field performance (8.01 ERA heading into Sunday), have combined to make the Sox righty a bit down in dumps.

Lackey appeared to be at ease on the mound Sunday, for the most part. Aided by inning-ending double plays in the first two frames, Lackey allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in 5.2 innings to get his third win of the year in a 6-3 final.

Red Sox killer Brett Anderson (4-1, 2.08 ERA career vs. BOS) was finally ineffective against Boston, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks in 5.0 innings pitched. He gave up two HRs in the loss, with Carl Crawford (3-run shot in the second) and Adrian Gonzalez (2-run shot in the fourth).

Jarrod Saltalamacchia continued to swing a hot bat, going 3-4 with a couple of singles and a triple. He also scored a run.

David Ortiz also went 3-4, while Dustin Pedroia went 2-4 with an RBI.

Kevin Youkilis (0-4) and Mike Cameron (0-3) were the only Sox regulars without a hit.

Daniel Bard pitched the ninth for his first save of the season. You may recall that Jonathan Papelbon had a rough, emotional outing the previous day.

Sox Stud of the Game: Carl Crawford

Crawford got the Sox going with his a three-run shot in the second inning. He added a walk in a 1-2 effort, raising his batting average to .248, which is a far, far cry from where he was by the end of April.

Sox Dud of the Game: Mike Cameron

Cameron went 0-3 and is now hitting only .167 this season. Man, the Red Sox could use another righthanded bat off the bench.

Game Notes:

W: John Lackey (3-5)
L: Brett Anderson (3-6)
SV: Daniel Bard (1)

Adrian Gonzalez knocked in his 50th RBI on his HR in the fourth. He’s on pace for 137 RBI.
Dustin Pedroia stole his 13th base of the year. Crawford only has 8 steals.
Jed Lowrie went 1-4 as his average now stands at .292. He was hitting .319 10 days ago.