Boston Red Sox rebound 4-3 against Tampa Bay Rays – MLB Update
Boston Red Sox made a close 4-3 comeback win over Tampa Bay Rays after a thrilling second competition of the four-game series at Fenway Park in Boston on Friday, September 16 and ended their six-game skid against the rivals.
Starter Josh Beckett made an outstanding comeback with the ball, as he got his club back into the race for a spot in the postseason. Beckett yielded a homer in the start of his comeback game but managed to stabilise him and tossed promising fastballs. After
he crushed the opponents in his late retaliation, manager Terry Francona seemed pleased.
"We need him to be Beckett. We don't need him to be Beckett in name only," Francona said. "Despite what's been happening, we want him to have a chance to pitch effectively. So we weren't going to pitch him unless he was ready."
He permitted another run in the third but it initiated his real sliders and changeups. Right-hand hurler struck-out seven batters and gave away just two more hits to complete his six innings for his 13th win of the season.
"I don't know what anybody else is saying, but he's Daniel Bard. I want him pitching the eighth every game I start for the rest of my career," Beckett said. "I don't know if that's going to happen, but I'd like my chances."
Red Sox bating helped get their second win in nine games and only the fourth in this month. Dustin Pedroia cut the lead to 2-1 with an RBI single and then David Ortiz tied it at 2-all in the bottom of the first. Ortiz tied it again at 3-all in the bottom
of the third while Mike Aviles launched a one run homer under a thunderous applause in the packed stadium.
Alfredo Aceves held the tenth, as Daniel Bard managed his 32nd and Jonathan Papelbon saved his 30th outing of the season. Bard and Papelbon each punched three batters out.
Rays’ manager Joe Maddon argued with home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt in the sixth inning and then later was ejected for not abstaining from his constant comments.
Red Sox wild card race has widened to four games and their next two outings will decide their future in this season.
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