The Red Sox ran their record to 3-0 on the young season with a 14-8 victory over the Nationals on Saturday. The Sox jumped out to a big lead with early offense and then employed solid defense and pitching down the stretch to take the victory. The win keeps the Red Sox atop the minor league division; tied with the Braves (3-0) who pulled out a hotly contested game against the Dodgers (1-2) on Sunday evening.
1st Inning
The Red Sox struck early when lead off batter Grant Craddolph (.667 BA .727 OBP) walked and was "swinging bunt" singled in by Jonathan Phelps (.571 BA .700 OBP). Derek Marshall (.750 BA .800 OBP) followed with a line drive triple to right center field to score Jonathan. It was Derek's second consecutive game with a triple. Bailey Goldstein walked and Kyle Reece hit an infield single to score Derek. Bailey would later score by stealing home on a wild pitch. Dominic Vasquez delivered an infield single to third base but was left stranded. In the top of the first, the Red Sox batted around the order and scored 5 runs.
Red Sox starting pitcher Tristan Williams (1-0 4.5 ERA-6) was strong from the start. He struck out the National's lead off batter to record the 1st out in the inning. The next 2 batters reached base on a walk and fielders choice play. These 2 batters would eventually score on wild pitches and passed balls. Tristan recorded out 2 by fielding a line drive hit back up the middle. He would strike out the number 5 batter on 3 called strikes.
At the end of 1, the score was 5-2 Red Sox.
2nd Inning
The Red Sox sent the top of the line up to the plate to start the 2nd. Grant singled on a fly ball to center field to get things started. Jonathan followed with an RBI line drive single to the hole between short and third. Next, Derek smacked a fly ball double to right center to score Jonathan and advanced to third on wild pitches. Tristan and Kyle drew walks to load the bases. Lawrence Gilliam broke out of his one game hitting slump to deliver an RBI single, scoring Derek. Dominic followed with a run scoring ground ball to bring Kyle home. Terrance Gant followed with a walk. Finally, Grant, on his second at bat of the inning, singled to left field to score Lawrence – ending the inning on the 6 run rule.
Tristan continued his stellar performance on the mound in the 2nd inning. After walking the first batter, he struck out the next 2 batters on 9 pitches. Derek recorded the third out by racing to the backstop to retrieve a wild pitch and tagging out the walked runner who was attempting to steal home. It was a great hustle play by the Red Sox starting catcher. This would close the book on Tristan. He went 2 strong innings. He allowed 2 runs, 0 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 4.
At the end of 2, the score was 11-2 Red Sox.
3rd Inning
The Nationals brought in Jordan to pitch the 3rd inning. He held the Red Sox at bay striking out the side. Tristan walked and was the only Red Sox base runner in the inning..
Grant (1-0, 10.0 ERA-6) relieved Tristan on the mound to start the 3rd. The Red Sox defense showed its versatility as Jonathan moved to catcher, Lawrence rotated to first, Derek shifted to second, and Tristan took over short stop. Grant came in smoking - striking out the first batter he faced on 5 pitches. The next batter was retired as Derek fielded a routine ground ball to second and threw to Lawrence at first. The Nationals, refusing to give in, began a 2 out rally that would yield 3 runs. The next 6 National batters would reach base on 1 HBP, 1 single, a Red Sox fielding error (E4), and 3 consecutive walks. This allowed the Nationals to score 3 runs. Grant battled through the walks (and an over zealous umpire) to record out 3 by striking out the National's number 8 hitter.
At the end of 3, the score was 11-5 Red Sox.
4th Inning
The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 4th. Kyle drew a walk and advanced home on a series of wild pitches and overthrows. Lawrence followed with a walk but was left stranded.
The Nationals battled for 1 run in the bottom of the 4th on 1 HBP and 3 walks. Grant struck out 2 batters in the inning, and out 3 was recorded 4-3 with Derek throwing to Lawrence. Grant would end his day on the mound after 2 innings of work. He allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 1 hit, 6 walks, and 2 HBPs. He struck out 4.
The Red Sox took a 12-6 lead into the 5th inning.
5th Inning
The Sox added 2 insurance runs in the 5th. Jonathan reached on a fielding error by the Nationals and proceeded to display his knack for running the bases by stealing 2nd and then scoring a series of wild pitches. Tristan drew a walk and then frustrated the National's pitcher by terrorizing the base paths. He stole second and moved the 3rd on an over throw. On the next pitch, he stole home on a wild pitch.
Lawrence (1-0. 7.20 ERA-6 ) relieved Grant to start the 5th. Out one was recorded on a Web Gem play by Derek at second base and he snared a sharply hit line drive. Lawrence hit the next 2 batters and then surrendered a single to right field. Red Sox right fielder, Terrance Gant , quickly fielded the ball and delivered a shot to second base to hold the Nationals to 1 run on the hit. Lawrence settled in to get the next batter to ground out 1-3. Lawrence fielded the dribbler and threw to Tristan at first base to record the out. The game ended with Lawrence ringing up the National's number 3 hitter on 5 pitches. In total, Lawrence went 1 inning, allowed 2 runs, hit 2 batters, allowed 1 hit, and struck out 1 to close out the game.
The entire team deserves game balls for this win but the following players earned special commendations:
Game 3 Game Balls
Tristan Williams for solid starting pitching and scoring 2 runs
Derek Marshall for 2 extra base hits, solid catching, and a Web Gem play at 2nd
Terrance Gant for quickly handling the sharply hit single to right field - holding the Nationals to 1 run.
Game Notes
Evan Lott was on the IL for the day (illness) but kept morale strong in the dug out by cheering the team on.
Special thanks to Greg Phelps for officiating the first couple innings as the Blue was late.
Current Standings
Red Sox 3-0
Braves 3-0
Dodgers 1-2
DBacks 1-3
Mets 1-3
Nationals 1-3
I have attached the game summary and box score. As always, they can also be found on the blog.
I have also updated the stats site.
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Lawrence Gilliam
Red Sox Schedule
http://LaderaRedSox.shorturl.com - Stats
http://LaderaRedSox.blogspot.com - Blog
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