Alright, let's be real: I didn't watch most of this game, and neither did you. It's the playoffs in basketball, and playoffs take precedence.
And frankly, I forgot most of what I thought about the Red Sox game while yelling at horrible officiating or singing Rondo's praises to anyone who would listen (i.e., voices in my head).
What I know is this: The Red Sox won 6-4. Jon Lester gave up four runs over 6 2/3 innings, scattering 10 hits. He had seven strikeouts and no walks, but it was nonetheless uneven. He started out struggling -- Detroit was up 3-0 after 3 -- but settled in. He is not showing ace stuff, and we're getting to a point where we need to wonder if, organizationally and as fans, we overrate him.
Luckily, the offense showed up against Tigers starter Drew Smyly, who [consult with Rick Reilly on lame smile pun]. The 3-6 hitters all had two hits and drove in all six runs.
Will Middlebrooks had the swing of the night, a laser that would have made Dustin Pedroia jealous. Steve Berthiaume said on Twitter the ball, which soared over the Monster for a home run, left the park in the fastest time recorded in the majors this year: 2.8 seconds. Somewhere, Wily Mo Pena is applauding.
The most important hit of the night came in the 7th, when Adrian Gonzalez hit a ground-rule double with two men on, knocking in the go-ahead run. Gonzalez put a really nice swing on the ball, managing to get out in front of it but still keep it in play despite being a little bit fooled. Hopefully he's starting to turn things around.
Matt Albers got a hilariously undeserved win, giving up two hits and a walk, and recording one out. Nice work, Matt. Andrew Miller threw another solid inning of relief -- the bust now has a 2.38 ERA out of the bullpen -- and Alfredo Aceves came in for yet another appearance (his fourth consecutive) to notch the save. Mark it down: He will not pitch tomorrow.
The Sox remain in last place in the East, a half game back of Toronto, but are just 2.5 out of first place.
Also, Rajon Rondo is incredible.
