Lester Continues To Allow Big Inning To Do Him In

By Erik Pesta
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff


Jon Lester took a 1-0 shutout into the bottom of the fifth inning last night in Minnesota. Unfortunately, he left the fifth inning with a four run deficit the Red Sox would never recover from, as they went on to lose, 5-2. In what is becoming a bit of a trend, Lester was once again bitten by a big inning after a strong start. The Sox lefty had been cruising, giving up only two hits through the first four innings, while impressively using two strikeouts to get out of a jam in the second. Then, in the bottom of the fifth, Twins third baseman Brendan Harris singled to lead off the inning. After Delmon Young few out, Matt Tolbert reached on an infield hit, which was followed by a run-scoring single from Nick Punto. Denard Span then grounded out, scoring Tolbert before Joe Mauer drew a walk. With two on and two out, Justin Morneau hit a line shot just above the baggy in right field for his 14th homerun of the year, putting the game out of reach in the process. Nick Blackburn pitched well for the Twins, giving up just one earned run on eight hits through seven innings pitched. The young right hander also struck out seven while walking only two, while recording his fourth victory of the year.

David Ortiz moved down to the sixth spot in the order - finally - and doubled his first time up, to go along with a double in the fourth inning. It remains to be seen if Ortiz can start producing now that he has less pressure on him to drive in runs. J.D. Drew took over the third spot in the order, and is likely to remain there throughout the experiment since he bats from the left side of the plate. Jacoby Ellsbury had a big night for Boston. He led off the game with a single, extending his hitting streak to a league-leading 21 games. He singled in the seventh as well, giving him the team lead in multi-hit games with 18. The speedster also stole two bases, giving him 20 for the year, and scored both of Boston's runs. Ellsbury continued to show his defensive prowess, when he made a ridiculous diving catch to rob Delmon Young of certain extra bases on a line drive into the gap in the fifth inning.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-2, 10.32) takes the mound for Boston tonight, against Minnesota's Kevin Slowey (6-1, 4.23 ERA). First pitch is at 8:10 from the Metrodome.