What a memorable debut for Jason Bay. The newest member of the Boston Red Sox ripped a triple off the Green Monster against Alan Embree with two outs in the 12th inning and later scored on Jed Lowrie's infield single as the Sox grabbed a much-needed 2-1 victory over Oakland last night.
Bay was greeted by a resounding ovation when he stepped to the first in the second inning. The No. 5 hitter walked in that at-bat. Overall, he walked twice, was hit by a pitch, scored both Red Sox runs and saved a run with a sliding catch to end the fifth inning. His clutch triple off Embree caromed off the Green Monster and rolled past Jack Cust. Embree intentionally walked J.D. Drew and faced Lowrie, who in the second inning plated Bay with the game's first run on a sacrifice fly off Justin Duchscherer. In the 12th, Lowrie hit a bouncer that sailed over Embree's head and was fielded by shortstop Bobby Crosby, whose throw to first was a split second too late, allowing Bay to score the game-winning run.
While Bay and Lowrie were the offensive stars, Tim Wakefield delivered another quality start. The knuckleballer limited Oakland to four hits over 6.1 innings, but once again received little run support. Wakefield was in line for the win until Hideki Okajima served up a solo home run to Jack Cust with two outs in the eighth.
Aside from Okajima, the Red Sox bullpen was effective. Manny Delcarmen relieved Wakefield with two on and one out in the seventh, and retired both batters he faced. Jonathan Papelbon tossed two scoreless frames, and Javier Lopez and Mike Timlin each recorded a scoreless inning. Timlin was credited with the win.
That the final score was 2-1 is no surprise. Entering the game, Oakland owned baseball's best team ERA at 3.57 while Boston had the sixth lowest team ERA at 3.88. After taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning and allowing only David Ortiz's single over eight innings in his last start against Boston in May, Duchscherer limited the Sox to one run and five hits over six innings. The right-hander's Major League leading ERA is now 2.33.
Expect another well-pitched game tonight when Jon Lester (9-3, 3.17 ERA) faces Dana Eveland (7-7, 3.88 ERA). Daisuke Matsuzaka and left-hander Dallas Braden get the call on Sunday.
Now 62-48, Boston remained three games behind Tampa Bay, which defeated Detroit, 5-2. The Yankees fell 5.5 games back with a 1-0 setback to the Los Angeles Angels.
Notes and observations
- Chris Smith was recalled from Pawtucket to replace Craig Hansen, who was traded to Pittsburgh on Thursday. Smith had a 2.24 ERA in 31 games and 52.1 innings with the Paw Sox. The 27-year-old right-hander allowed 44 hits and just eight walks, and opposing batters had a .227 average against him. Smith's third stint with the Red Sox could be short-lived. David Aardsma is almost ready to be activated from the disabled list.
- Mike Lowell departed with a right hip strain after hustling out an infield single in the 10th inning. If Lowell cannot play tonight, expect Kevin Youkilis to play third and Sean Casey to play first.
- Jason Bay looked pleasantly stunned at the reaction he received from Red Sox fans during his first at-bat in the second inning. He stepped out of the box and acknowledged the crowd, most of which were standing, shouting and clapping. No doubt that fans appreciate a left fielder who respects the game, hustles and does not cause headaches.
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