Red Sox salvage series split on Big Papi’s sacrifice fly in tenth

Finally!

The Boston Red Sox entered Sunday’s matchup against the Seattle Mariners with a record of 0-5 in extra innings in the 2012 season. However, David Ortiz made sure that would not continue in the tenth inning.

The Mariners walked-off on the Red Sox in the eleventh inning on Saturday, and even hit a walk-off single to sink the Sox Friday Thursday night, as well.

After Brandon League came in to enter the tenth inning and retired Nick Punto on a groundout to second, Ryan Kalish hot for Brent Lillibridge who was hitless in four at-bats going into the tenth. Kalish laced a ball for a double to get the Red Sox offense going in the later innings.

Dustin Pedroia advanced the outfielder to third on a single to right with Ortiz scheduled to bat next. Ortiz was able to lift a ball deep to right field to Ichiro Suzuki that scored Kalish easily from third to put the Sox up 2-1.

Alfredo Aceves came in to retire the Mariners in the ninth 1-2-3 to earn his 19 th save of the season.

Vicenet Pdilla moved to 2-0 on the season with the win, while League fell to 0-5.

Felix Doubront earned a no-decision for while only lasting 4 1/3 innings and walking a season-high five batters. The only run for the young lefty came in the third inning on sacrifice fly by Suzuki that scored Chone Figgins.

Jason Vargas went eight innings and his blemish came in the eighth inning when Pedroia took a 1-0 offering deep to left field that just made it over the wall to tie the game 1-1. It was Pedey’s first home run since May 10.

The Red Sox bullpen was able to hold the fort after Doubront left in the fifth. Matt Albers came in with the bases loaded and was able to force Jesus Montero into the 5-3 double play to end the inning. The bullpen combined for 5 2/3 innings while allowing only one hit and walking two batters. No pitcher came in and threw more than 21 pitches.

The Red Sox still had trouble with runners in scoring position. They finished the series 3-of-27 and Sunday’s matinee 1-for-6. The best opportunity came in the second inning when Punto came up to the plate with the bases loaded. He hit the ball on the nose, but Kyle Seager caught it on a dive to end the Red Sox threat.

The Red Sox will now head to Oakland to take on the Athletics for a three-game set. The Mariners will face another AL East powerhouse in the Baltimore Orioles starting Monday for a three-game set of its own.

By: Brian Roach
MLBCenter.com Boston Red Sox Correspondent

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