Splitting With the Phillies

The Red Sox played their first interleague series of the year against their MLB-designated NL rival Philadelphia Phillies.  I guess I sort of understand this one.  Boston and Philadelphia are both very important cities from the Revolutionary War.  They did once meet in the World Series, back in 1915.  And neither team has a natural rival.  So I guess I can see it.  It is better than Colorado-Houston at least.

Both teams won two games and both teams went 1-1 at each city.

05/27:  Red Sox 9 (32-20) Phillies 3
Alfredo Aceves returned to Boston to make a spot start and pitched very well, giving up only one run in seven innings.  Dustin Pedroia and Mike Napoli each homered for Boston.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

MIKE NAPOLI:  2 for 4, home run, double, 2 RBIs, 2 runs

05/28:  Phillies 3 Red Sox 1 (32-21)
Boston only had four hits all night , none of which were for extra bases.  Boston could not solve Cliff Lee all night.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

RYAN DEMPSTER:  7 innings, 6 hits, 2 earned runs, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts, Loss

05/29:  Phillies 4 Red Sox 3 (32-22)
John Lackey did not pitch badly, but he did give up three home runs and Boston could not catch back up despite having the potential winning runs in scoring position in the ninth inning.  Daniel Nava homered for the Red Sox continuing his great season.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

JACOBY ELLSBURY:  2 for 5, double, triple, RBI

05/30:  Red Sox 9 (33-22) Phillies 2
Franklin Morales made his season debut for the Red Sox and got the spot start so that Boston's pitching could be lined up for the Yankees series starting on Friday.  He pitched okay for it being his first action all year.  Craig Breslow and the rest of the pen was far more impressive.  David Ortiz and Jonny Gomes each homered and Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove in three runs on a pair of doubles.  But Jacoby Ellsbury was the big story as he stole five bases, a team record.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

JACOBY ELLSBURY:  3 for 4, hit by pitch, 5 stolen bases