Dustin Pedroia's 16th inning hit gives Boston Red Sox 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays – MLB Recap
The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays remained tied on Sunday, July 17, until a winning hit by Dustin Pedroia in the 16th inning gave the Red Sox a 1-0 victory at Tropicana Field.
The seemingly unending game also helped the Red Sox win the four-game series by 3-1.
The close game was arguably dominated by the thoroughly strong defence was finally turned in the Red Sox’ favour by Dustin Pedroia with his hard-earned single in the top of the 16th inning.
Kicking off the Sunday’s game with 2-1 lead in the four-game series, Josh Beckett pitched some of the best innings of the season to keep the Rays’ hitters reeling. Jeff Niemann, the Rays’ starter, pitched equally strong innings to keep it a tight and tied
game.
Niemann went into the ninth inning, while Beckett pitched eight strong to keep the Rays’ hitters in check, adding to the thrill of the series deciding game.
In his eight innings Niemann gave up two hits, while Beckett remained strong to give merely a hit followed by Daniel Bard who pitched the scoreless ninth to keep the game tied.
Winning their previous games emphatically, the Red Sox kept changing the pitching line-up, not allowing their hurlers to fall prey to fatigue. Matt Albers pitched 1.2 inning and Franklin Morales 1.1 to keep the game on edge.
For the Rays, it was Brandon Gomes who went about three strong innings while Alfredo Aceves did it for the Red Sox, bringing the game into the 15th inning with no score on the board.
It was in the 16th inning that Adam Russell came, only to fall victim to the Dustin Pedroia’s hit, enabling Josh Reddick to score the only run of the game, giving a 1-0 lead to the Red Sox.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched an effectively strong inning against the now fatigued Rays’ hitters to turn the 1-0 lead into victory, winning the series for the Red Sox 3-1.
The Red Sox put in a tremendous effort as the game stretched into extra innings as they managed to take a convincing victory.
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