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1-2 punch of Ellsbury and Pedroia lead Sox to win

By Shawn Medeiros | April 22nd, 2008

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Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia combined for seven hits and three RBI’s to push the Sox past the Angels in a back and forth game, 7-6.

Ellsbury homered twice, his first multi-homerun game of his career, but the most important aspect of his night was playing some small ball. Tied at 6-6 in the bottom of the eighth, Ellsbury, dropped a drag bunt down the first base line and reached based safely. First baseman Casey Kotchman came off the bag to field it leaving no fielder at first to field the throw and Ellsbury reached easily.

Pedroia followed roping his third double down the third base line and the ever-so-speedy and electric Ellsbury scored from first giving Boston the lead at 7-6.

Jonathan Papelbon completed his eighth save in the ninth inning with two strikeouts and a flyout.

STARS of the Game: Ellsbury and Pedroia

I cannot just pick one here. a combined 7-10, four runs, and three RBI’s warrants both of them the star of the game award. Both just had huge nights in a game where Boston could have easily lost it with Josh Beckett not starting.

Preview of Next Game: Jon Garland vs Daisuke Matsuzaka

I hope that Matsuzaka has a better outing this time around and keeps the Angels on their heals with some breaking stuff. Boston’s offense is still tearing it up right now and that should be calming on the mound for Matsuzaka.

p.s. Happy Birthday Terry Francona - nice to get a win on a b-day.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 10:33 pm and is filed under Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston Red Sox / Shawn Medeiros, Los Angeles Angels, Jonathan Papelbon, Terry Francona, Dustin Pedroia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

5 Responses to “1-2 punch of Ellsbury and Pedroia lead Sox to win”

Bob says:

April 22nd, 2008 at 10:56 pm

Nice to see Ellsbury with 2 homers, both on offspeed pitches, he’s shown an ability to pull mistakes so far. If his power keeps developing with his fluid swing he could potentially be a 15 homer guy. I think he’s pretty much locked up the center field job since crisp has been injured.
Shawn Medeiros says:

April 22nd, 2008 at 11:03 pm

Bob - Agreed. Although, I love have Coco just sitting there. One reason and one reason only. You always play better in athletics no matter what the sport is when you have competition behind you.

Even though Coco is hurt I bet Ellsbury thinks and/or feels he is on his heels.
Gerry says:

April 23rd, 2008 at 8:51 am

And Julio feels the presence of Lowrie doing an Ellsbury.

We now have 4 x .300+ hitters competing for 2 jobs. Competition may be a reason for their successes, but the whole team is infected by the same confidence, and drive to excel.

What is it that, during the most outrageous schedule in several years, lifts Crisp, Ellsbury, Lugo, Lowrie, Pedroia, Youk, Drew, Tek, Manny, Casey to the top of their games . . . lifting the team during the early struggles of lynchpins Papi, Lowell, Becket, Cora.

Despite constant talk about regressions, cycles, norms, projections, and despite a dozen injuries and illnesses, these tough guys are proving themselves to be the real deal, a truly great team, well into 1st place, even without Papi, Mikey, Becket, Schill, Santana, Street, Laird.
Jaredk says:

April 23rd, 2008 at 9:40 am

Ellsbury has that Sizemore/young pre-si cover Nomar kind of build where you have to figure his power is going to develop. I agree with you Bob, I have always felt he would be a 15-20 homerun guy within 2 years and if he keeps getting on base at this rate he will justify most of the hype.
Shawn Medeiros says:

April 23rd, 2008 at 2:03 pm

I just love how he gets on base and always extends it to virtually a double. No one has thrown him out yet and they know this guy is running when he gets on. He extends your offense in so many ways when he gets on even if he does not steal. Single by the next batter becomes first and third and/or sometimes home for Jacoby.

It is scary how fast he is.