Avert your eyes, ladies. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Earlier in the week Jon Lester bemoaned the fact that the Sox had yet to get the pitching and hitting going in the same game. They've finally figured it out, in today's 12-2 thrashing of the Rays.
Josh Beckett was in complete control all afternoon. He wasn't overpowering by any means, but he kept the Rays bats off-balance over 8 innings of 1 run ball. Clearly the thumb isn't an issue.
But the big story of the game was Kelly Shoppach. And I'm not talking about the fact that he went 3-4 with 3 runs and 2 RBIs. I'm talking about the first stolen base of his career, in the first stolen base attempt of his career. More specifically, the absolutely tremendous attempt to slide into second that he launched into about 10 feet too early. If you haven't seen it yet, Deadspin has the video.
Youkilis' bat finally came to life against the Rays. He went 2-4 with his first 3 RBI's on the year. Papi also went 2-4 with 2 RBIs. Gonzo went 3-5 with an RBI. Ellsbury also had 2 hits, going 2-3 with an RBI.
And if you're wondering how Gonzalez had 5 at-bats and Ellsbury only had 3, well, that's the rain cloud on today's game. Ellsbury took off for second on a hit and run, Pedroia hit the ball up the middle, Ray's shortstop Brignac stepped on second to get Ellsbury out and as he threw the ball to first Ellsbury came crashing into his legs. Brignac landed directly on top of Ellsbury's right shoulder. It didn't look good. Ellsbury walked off the field clutching his right arm to his chest. No word yet on what the injury is, but if he can somehow avoid the DL, he's not going to be suiting up for a few days.
Ellsbury injury aside, Ortiz was right. Sometimes you just need to be back home.
