San Diego Padres defeat Boston Red Sox 5-1 – MLB Update
Clayton Richard pitched five strong innings and Will Venable hit a leadoff home-run to help San Diego Padres beat the Boston Red Sox 5-1 at Fenway Park, Boston on Wednesday, June 22.
The Red Sox offence which had scored 14 runs in the first game was contained by Richard. "It's good that he was rewarded for a performance that lasted like a 5 1/2-hour period," Padres’ manager Bud Black said. "He started warming up at 1 o'clock and I told
him he was out of the game at 5:25. He deserved that."
In the 23.2 innings that the Padres’ starter has pitched, he has given up no less than 28 hits and 12 runs with an ERA of 4.18 in June. But he started this game with an altogether different approach and succeeded in subduing the opponents.
Faced with the strong side like the Red Sox, Richard was relieved after five games, but they did not disappoint their choice. "I think it's just frustration as a team," he said. "As a team you have a little more frustration."
Venable provided the Padres an ideal start with an aggressive way in the very first inning single. He got on John Lackey and homered to right to give the Padres an early 1-0 lead that Richard preserved with his fastballs.
Clayton remained unyielding and did not relent in the face of big hitters like Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Youkilis coupled with David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury. Almost all hitters were constrained by the starter.
While Richard was tightening the noose around the Red Sox offence, the Padres’ hitters went on a rampage in the four-run fifth inning.
Venable drove in his and the team’s second run while Jason Bartlett was hit by a pitch allowing Anthony Rizzo to score and put the Red Sox Lackey under pressure. Chase Headley struck a two-run homer to take up the lead to 5-0 by the end of the fourth inning.
Richard continued his march and with more zeal until the fifth when Gonzalez singled to centre to bring the lead down to 5-1. But as the game progressed, the Padres’ relievers came down harder on the Red Sox offence.
Matt Albers and Dan Wheeler pitched shut-out innings to complete the 5-1 victory and also win the series 2-1 against an otherwise ostensibly strong Red Sox which rank first in the Major League Baseball ranking.
The Padres put in a tremendous effort to get their offence going and take a much needed win over the powerful Red Sox. San Diego showed great skill in taking on the Red Sox, as they managed to contain Boston’s offence.
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