Orioles and Rays, Oh My

What a stupid title.  Anyway, I am a bit behind, so here is a catch-up post.

07/26:  Orioles 6 Red Sox 0 (61-43)
Boston continued to have problems scoring runs, as they did the entire series with the Rays.  This time Chris Tillman utterly shut them down.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

DRAKE BRITTON:  1 IP, 2 strikeouts.

07/27:  Red Sox 7 (62-43) Orioles 3
Ryan Dempster was the stopper in this one, which featured three home runs, one which had to be reviewed.  This also featured some fireworks from David Ortiz, who argued a strike call on a 3-0 count, then was ejected.  He took his anger out on the bullpen phone which was replaced by cans with string by Dempster and Jonny Gomes.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

STEPHEN DREW:  3 for 5, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, 3 runs.

07/28:  Red Sox 5 (63-43) Orioles 0
Jon Lester may have gotten his earlier problems under control as he pitched seven strong, shutout innings and struck out eight.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

DAVID ORTIZ:  4 for 4, Home Run, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs.

07/29:  Rays 2 Red Sox 1 (63-44)
David Price once again shut down the Red Sox offense.  Boston should have tied the game on a fly ball in the eighth but the umpire missed Daniel Nava slide in safe.  He later admitted to the mistake, but it cannot be undone.  Frustrating loss.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

NO CARD YET

BRANDON SNYDER:  1 for 3, Home Run.

Flying High Again

The Red Sox took on the surging Blue Jays for a four game set Thursday through Sunday.  The Jays had won 11 in a row just a few days before coming to Boston.  The Red Sox though were not impressed.

06/27:  Red Sox 7 (48-33) Blue Jays 4

The Red Sox scored seven runs in the second inning and that was all they needed.  Jon Lester pitched well but left the game with a jammed hip.  Sounds painful.  Dustin Pedroia hit a home run for the Red Sox.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

JON LESTER:  7 innings, 4 earned runs, 5 strikeouts, 3 walks, Win.

06/28:  Red Sox 7 (49-33) Blue Jays 5

Allen Webster, one of the major pieces the Red Sox got in last year's big Dodger trade, pitched very well, going six innings and left with the lead.  Andrew Bailey naturally coughed it up.  He has to be injured.  But Boston came back to win on the strength of a Jonny Gomes RBI.  Koji Uehara held on for the save.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

STEPHEN DREW:  2 for 2, 2 RBIs, double, triple.

06/29:  Blue Jays 6 Red Sox 2 (49-34)

Felix Doubront pitched well but the offense was not able to come through until late.  They tied the game but then the bullpen imploded for four runs.  Jonathan Diaz made his Major League debut at third base.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

SHANE VICTORINO:  2 for 4, double, 2 RBIs.

06/30:  Red Sox 5 (50-34) Blue Jays 4

Once again the bullpen coughed up a lead.  This time Koji Uehara allowed a tying home run to Jose Bautista, but Boston came back to load the bases then take the lead on a groundball from Victorino that went through first baseman Josh Thole's legs.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

NO CARD YET

BRANDON SNYDER:  2 for 4, double, 2 RBIs.