The Red Sox started the season with a bang by pulling out a nail biter against the Mets. The game went down to the bottom of the 5th inning with the Red Sox taking the win on a game winning stolen base by Trent Jeter. The guys battled back from an early deficit earn a hard fought 8-7 win.
1st Inning
Tristan Williams got the start on the mound for the Red Sox. Mets batter, Evan, legged out a dribbler that stopped between the catcher and the pitcher for a lead off single. Evan would later steal 2nd and advance home on Red Sox throwing errors. Tristan buckled in a stuck out the next batter on 3 pitches. The 3rd Mets batter reached after being hit with a pitch (HBP). Out number 2 was recorded when Red Sox catcher, Derek Marshall, fired a throw to Grant Craddolph (SS) to nail a runner trying to steal 2nd. After a walk to the 4th Mets batter, the Red Sox recorded out number 3 when Kyle Reece and Lawrence Gilliam successfully converted on a pickle play. The out went 4-5-4.
In the bottom half of the first, Grant got things started for the Red Sox by legging out an infield fly ball. He promptly stole 2nd and moved to 3rd on a wild pitch. Derek stepped to the plate and delivered an RBI double to left center field. Derek moved to 3rd on throwing errors by the Mets. The Mets defense toughened up and shut the Red Sox rally. After a strike out, Tristan stepped to the plate and hit a rope to center field. Mets center fielder Tyson snagged the line drive and doubled up Derek on third.
At the end of 1, the score was tied 1-1.
2nd Inning
Tristan stuck out the side to retire the Mets in the top of the 2nd, allowing only an infield bloop fly ball single. This would close the book on Tristan. He went 2 innings, threw 34 pitches (23 for strikes), walked 1, stuck out 4, and allowed 2 hits - an excellent starting line.
In the bottom half of the 2nd, Dominic Vasquez led of the inning by getting hit by a pitch to reach 1st. Lawrence followed with a dribbling infield single to third base, advancing Dominic to 2nd. The Mets pitching toughened up to strike out the next 2 Red Sox batters. Out 3 was recorded on a routine grounder to the pitcher after a strong at-bat by Bailey Goldstein.
At the end of 2, the score remained 1-1
3rd Inning
Lawrence took the mound for the Red Sox at the top of the 3rd. Fighting early season jitters, Lawrence struggled with control early. He walked the first 3 batters that he faced with all 3 batters scoring on a series of wild pitches, passed balls, and stolen bases. He settled in to sit the next 3 Mets batters. Out 1 was recorded on a strike out. Jonathan Phelps recorded out 2 with an unassisted play at first base. Lawrence closed out the inning with a strike out to record out 3 but the damage had been done as the Mets struck for 3 runs in the top of the 3rd.
The Red Sox turned to the top of the line up in an effort to keep pace with the Mets. Grant led off the inning with a walk and advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch to Derek. Derek reached 1st after being hit by a pitch. Grant stole home to make the score 4-2. Jonathan walked. Derek was called out stealing home on a controversial call. Tristan reached on a walk. Newcomer, Evan Lott stepped to the plate and delivered a 2 run RBI single to right-center field. This huge effort by Evan tied the score at 4-4. Evan was thrown out attempting to stretch the single into a double. Lawrence reached first on a Mets fielding error but was left stranded.
At the end of 3, the score remained tied at 4-4
4th Inning
Lawrence stayed on the mound to start the fourth. He ended up striking out the side but continued to struggle with control. He walked the fist batter after starting ahead in the count 0-2. He settled in to get the next batter on strikes and then walked the 3rd batter. He regained form to get the 4th batter on strikes but allowed a run on a wild pitch. He closed out the inning by striking out the 5th batter. For the day, Lawrence pitched 2 innings, walked 5, struck out 5, allowed no hits but surrendered 4 runs. He threw 24 of 49 pitches for strikes.
In the bottom of the 4th, Terrance Gant got things started by drawing a walk after falling behind 0-2 in the count. Trent came in as a courtesy runner for Terrance. Grant reached on an infield single to the hole between 3B and SS advancing Trent to second base. Trent would later steal 3rd base with Grant moving to second. Derek delivered a huge 2 run RBI single to right-center field scoring Trent and Grant with the count 3-2. Derek would then score with heads up, aggressive base running, stealing home. Jonathan followed with a walk but was left stranded as the next two Red Sox batters struck out.
At the end of the 4, the Red Sox led 7-5.
5th Inning
Grant relieved Lawrence on the mound to start the 5th. The Mets were not ready for the heat as grant retired the first batter on 3 pitches. The next batters reached on a walk and stole second. On the steal attempt, Derek fired a shot to second that just sailed over Tristan's head who was covering second. Thanks to sound defensive rotational coaching by Coach Barry, Lawrence, who was playing 2nd base, was in position to field the over throw and threw a dart to Kyle at 3rd to nail the runner attempting to advance to 3rd. Grant battled through some control issues and questionable calls by the Blue to walk the next 3 batters. 2 of the runners would score on aggressive base running and wild pitches tying the game at 7. Grant dug deep to record a strike out for out 3. In total, Grant went 1 inning, walked 4, stuck out 2, allowed no hits, and 2 runs. He threw 10 of 29 pitches for strikes.
Needing a run to win in the bottom of the 5th, Lawrence drew a walk to lead of the inning. He advanced to 2nd and 3rd base on a stolen base and wild pitch. With Trent up at bat, he attempted to steal home on a wild pitch but was tagged out a home on a close pay by hustling Mets catcher, Evan. Evan did an excellent job of blocking the plate. Trent would draw a walk and then show his veteran seasoning by aggressively stealing 2nd and 3rd. With Kyle at bat, Trent scored the winning run by stealing home on wild pitch. Game over … Red Sox win 8-7.
So the Red Sox start the 2007 season just as they started the 2006 campaign, with a win over the Mets. They'll enjoy the "W" but will regroup to address several key deficiencies; wild pitches, pitcher control (walks), and base running being most prominent.
The Red Sox coaching staff would like to welcome our newest player, Desmond Box , to the team.
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